amakweta

English

Alternative forms

• amakwetha

Etymology

Apparently from a variant form of Xhosa abakwetha, showing a different plural class prefix.

Noun

amakweta (plural amakwetas or amakweta)

1. (South Africa) An abakwetha. [from 19th c.]
   • 1978, André Brink, Rumours of Rain, Vintage, published 2000, page 297:

     I remembered the ligh fear with which, in my youth, we'd used to watch the groups of wandering amakweta on the farm, covered in white clay from head to foot and without a shred of clothing, except for a loincloth or a small penis sheath.

   • 2010, Dreyer Kruger, Dreams: And How to Understand Them, page 11:

     The cultural conflict was highlighted by the fact that he had gone through the Xhosa amakwetha initiation rites with considerable distaste.