mwalimu

English

Etymology

From Swahili mwalimu.

Noun

mwalimu (plural mwalimus or walimu)

1. 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

Alternative forms

• (abbreviation) Mwl.

Etymology

From Arabic مُعَلِّم (muʕallim, “teacher”).

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Noun

mwalimu (m-wa class, plural walimu)

1. teacher

   mwalimu mwandamizi ― senior teacher

Usage notes

The plural may also be waalimu. In Tanzania, it was used as a title for Julius Nyerere and often abbreviated as Mwl.

See also

• profesa