indimi

pembe ya ndovu

PEH-mbeh YAH NDOH-voo

How to say it

Swahilipembe ya ndovuPEH-mbeh YAH NDOH-voo
Englishivory
Frenchivoire

Meaning

The hard white material of an elephant tusk, long traded on the East African coast and carved into ornaments.

Good to know

Literally elephant horn: ndovu is elephant, like tembo. Pembe za ndovu, the plural, also means the tusks themselves.

Examples

  • Biashara ya pembe ya ndovu imepigwa marufuku duniani.The ivory trade has been banned worldwide.
  • Mzee alivaa bangili iliyochongwa kwa pembe ya ndovu.The old man wore a bracelet carved from ivory.
  • Polisi walikamata shehena ya pembe ya ndovu bandarini.The police seized a shipment of ivory at the port.

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