mabela
A South African term for a variety of sorghum used to make traditional porridge, bread, and fermented drinks.
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#1·Apr 28, 2026
A South African term for a variety of sorghum used to make traditional porridge, bread, and fermented drinks. Mabela is a staple grain in southern Africa and the word comes from Nguni languages (Zulu and Xhosa). Widely used in South African English in cooking and food contexts.
She made a thick pot of mabela porridge for breakfast, the way her grandmother had taught her.
Origin: From Zulu and Xhosa umabele, the word for sorghum or kaffircorn. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
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#2·Apr 27, 2026
(South Africa) A type of sorghum.
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