Sabela is a covert communication dialect of several major South African languages formed by the Numbers gang.[1][2] Sabela was originally developed in the mines during the early 1900's as a means of communication between the members of The Numbers Gang but as the gang's influence in grew in various South African prisons, the language became eminent in prison and since then, released inmates have introduced it to the general populace of South Africa.[3] UkuSabela means to respond in various Nguni languages.
| Sabela | |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | Afrikaans pronunciation: [sabɛilɑː] |
| Created by | – |
| Setting and usage | South Africa |
| Purpose | Communication between inmates |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
Structure
editSabela inherits most of its vocabulary, phonology, and syntax from Xhosa and Zulu.[3][4] Due to the Xhosa and Zulu influence, Sabela contains click consonants.[5]
Words in Sabela
edit| Sabela | IPA | English Literal Translation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phakamisa | [pəkəmisə] | Confirmation / Agreement | Used to show general approval or interest |
| Biteeza | [bajtiz∧] | Food | Food |
| Chise | [tʃajs] | Receive or to get / speak to someone | Any situation in which one needs to get something |
| Lyn | [līn] | Line | To go somewhere |
| Skrif | [skrɪf] | Writing | An item that is significant or important |
| Nommer | [nomɘr] | Number | In agreement in respect to the laws and ethics of the number. An object or situation of importance. (Direct allusion to The Numbers Gang) |
| Skombizo | [skɘmbizo] | Gangster | "A member of the 27 number gang" |
| Hom | [hom] | Gangster | To make you aware |
In popular culture
editDie Antwoord
editSabela is often used by groups associated with the Zef movement, such as Die Antwoord. The group's 2019 gqom single "Baita Jou Sabela" (featuring Slagysta) contains lyrics partially written in Sabela that talk about the South African prison system.[6] The song's music video showcases the corruption present in the South African prison system.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ Kgosana, Rorisang (28 April 2023). "How secret communication and codes run prison's Numbers gang". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
- ^ Ravyse, Natasha E. (2021-12-28). Revisiting Ethnolinguistic Vitality: Language and Subcultural Repertoires. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-51647-0.
- ^ a b c Saville, Marco; McKinney, Carolyn (2017). "Power Playground" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "The Sabela". The Numbers Gang. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ Onselen, Charles Van (1984). The Small Matter of a Horse: The Life of 'Nongoloza' Mathebula, 1867-1948. Ravan Press. ISBN 978-0-86975-239-5.
- ^ "Baita Jou Sabela Lyrics". Genius. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ Francke, Robin-Lee (13 December 2019). "Watch: Die Antwoord's new music video slammed for 'insulting coloureds'". IOL. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ ""Baita Jou Sabela", le nouveau clip du groupe Sud Africain Die Antwoord en featuring avec Slagysta". Beware (in French). 2019-12-01. Archived from the original on 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2024-06-16.