wahenga

How to say it

Meaning

Respected elders, especially those who instruct the young in traditional customs or sit on a council of elders.

Good to know

plural of mhenga (m-/wa- class); often invoked in proverbs, e.g. 'wahenga walisema...' 'the elders used to say...'.

Examples

• Wahenga walisema, 'haraka haraka haina baraka.'The elders used to say, 'haste has no blessing.'
• Je, wahenga hawa bado wanashauri baraza la kijiji?Do these elders still advise the village council?
• Hawapo tena wahenga wa zamani.The elders of old are no longer with us.
• Wahenga watakusanyika kwenye sherehe hii.The elders will gather for this ceremony.

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