harambee

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Swahili harambee.

Noun

harambee (plural harambees)

1. A traditional Kenyan community self-help event or organization.
   • 2003, M. P. Cowen, Doctrines Of Development, page 296:

     The tension between spontaneity and control, which is at the core of nearly all analyses of harambee, is usually supposed to be that between the contending forces of 'the people' and the state.

Swahili

harambee

Etymology

Uncertain.

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Interjection

harambee

1. let's pull together!

Usage notes

This was originally used by workmen, but is now chiefly used as a political slogan in Kenya.

Noun

harambee (n class, plural harambee)

1. (Kenya) harambee