Aici Acio Biu (Gĩkũyũ)
"The real thieves"
AK47
An assault rifle
Alsatian
A breed of large dog, also called a German Shepherd
ANC
The African National Congress, a social-democratic party in South Africa that historically opposed apartheid
Cerere Khama (Seretse Khama)
The first President of Botswana after decolonization
chapati
An unleavened flatbread
comprador
An agent of a foreign nation who engages in investment negotiations or other forms of economic exploitation
coup d'etat (French)
A sudden, violent overthrowing of a government
"hakuna njia" (Kiswahili)
"No way"
in absentia
Referring to a person who is not present at an event, often a trial
Iregi
A settlement in central Kenya
kabaka
King
Kĩama Kĩrĩa Kirathana (Gĩkũyũ)
"The ruling party." In Gĩkũyũ, the initials of this party spell KKK, emphasizing the party's racist policies by comparing it to the white supremacist terrorist organization, the Ku Klux Klan
"Lakini watona cha mtemakuni" (Kiswahili)
"They will be dealt with"
lasso (Kiswahili)
A fabric shawl
matatu
A kind of taxi, usually a converted pick-up truck, in which passengers often debate ideas and politics
Mararanja (Gĩkũyũ)
A song and dance festival held during a ritual circumcision in Gĩkũyũ culture; the initiation ceremony before an armed struggle
Marxism
A political and social philosophy developed by Karl Marx that criticizes the exploitation of workers by the ruling class and incites workers to seize the means of production; communism is derived from this theory
Matigari ma Njirũũngi (Gĩkũyũ)
Matigari's full name, referencing the anti-colonialist fighters who survived the liberation war and their political offspring; literally, "the patriots who survived the bullets"
Mercedes-Benz
A brand of German luxury car
mũgumo (Gĩkũyũ)
Fig tree
mzee (Kiswahili)
Old man
non-prosequitur
A court decision in favor of the defendant because the plaintiff did not appear in court
sababu
Kiswahili word for 'reason'
samosa
A fried or baked pastry with a savory filling
"Shauri Yako" (Kiswahili)
"That's your problem"
SWAPO
The South West Africa People's Organization, a socialist political party in Namibia
topi
A type of round cap often worn as part of Muslim religious observance
ugali
A dish made of flour cooked in boiling water or milk
uvumi (Kiswahili)
Rumors
"Wapi ule mwivi?" (Kiswahili)
"Where is that thief?"
"Wewe mwenda wazimu" (Kiswahili)
"You're crazy"
"Wewe punda milia" (Kiswahili)
"You zebra"
