mwalimu
English edit
Etymology edit
Noun edit
mwalimu (plural mwalimus or walimu)
- A teacher in parts of Africa.
- 2006, Thomas Riggs, Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices: Countries A-L:
- Drawing on their African heritage, many Comorians also consult mwalimus or fundi (medicine men and astrologers learned in the use of sacred texts and knowledge) and marabouts (holy men) for divination, healing, and protection from evil […]
Swahili edit
Alternative forms edit
- (abbreviation) Mwl.
Etymology edit
From Arabic مُعَلِّم (muʕallim, “teacher”).
Pronunciation edit
Audio (Kenya) (file)
Noun edit
mwalimu (m-wa class, plural walimu)
- teacher
- mwalimu mwandamizi ― senior teacher
Usage notes edit
The plural may also be waalimu. In Tanzania, it was used as a title for Julius Nyerere and often abbreviated as Mwl.