watenzi

How to say it

Meaning

The composers or authors of a utenzi, a traditional long narrative poem in Swahili literature.

Good to know

plural of mtenzi (m-/wa- class); a literary term for authors of the utenzi verse form, distinct from mshairi (poet in general).

Examples

• Watenzi wa zamani waliandika historia kwa mashairi marefu.The poets of old wrote history in long verse.
• Si watenzi wengi wanaojulikana leo.Not many utenzi poets are known today.
• Je, watenzi hao waliishi karne ipi?Which century did those poets live in?

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