induna

[ in-doo-nuh ]

noun

1. an official functionary of a king or chief in South African Bantu societies.

induna

/ ɪnˈduːnə /

noun

1. (in South Africa) a Black African overseer in a factory, mine, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of induna¹

Borrowed into English from Zulu around 1870–75

Word History and Origins

Origin of induna¹

C20: from Zulu nduna an official

Example Sentences

We went straight to the chief induna, or headman.

From Literature

Although we swore this fellow to secrecy, he went straightaway to the induna and revealed our secret.

From Literature

Unfortunately, their friend was Mr. Festile, the induna at the Chamber of Mines who had been present when Justice and I met with Mr. Wellbeloved.

From Literature

I was assisted by Mr. Festile, the induna at the Chamber of Mines, who was once again playing a fateful role in my life.

From Literature

It seems that Ama-Swazi allowed him the right to inflict the death penalty, and it was his habit to remove any induna whose wives he coveted or who might possess anything else he could use.

From Project Gutenberg