Amagqira aseCofimvaba,
Lakha Pato, Aug 1, 2019
-snip-
Google translate's translation of this title: "Traditional healers from Cofimvaba"
-snip-
information about "Cofimbaba" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cofimvaba
"Cofimvaba is a town in Chris Hani District Municipality in
the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.[2]
The town is on the R61 road 79 km east of Queenstown on the
route to Ngcobo.",,,
-snip-
Xhosas are the largest ethnic population in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
****
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of a traditional Xhosa (South African) dance.
In addition, this pancocojams post provides information about the Xhosa word "amagquirha" that is part of the title for this showcase video. This post also provides information about the Xhosa word camagu" that is found in a number of comments in this video's discussion thread.
My editorial notes are given about the reason why I'm publishing this post.
The content of this post is presented for linguistic, cultural, folkloric, religious, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this showcase video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE XHOSA WORD "AMAGQUIRHA"
From AI Overview
"Amagqirha (singular igqira) are traditional Xhosa healers,
diviners, and spiritual leaders in South Africa.
• Healing and Diagnosis: They treat physical and emotional
illnesses using traditional medicines, herbs, and spiritual counsel.
• Divination: They can "smell out" negative
spiritual forces or social disharmony during gatherings and seances (intlambo).
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE XHOSA WORD "CAMAGU"
From AI Overview
"Understanding Camagu Meaning in Xhosa Culture
Camagu is a traditional Xhosa expression that translates to
"let it be so," "be honored," or "I give thanks,"
and it is used primarily during spiritual or ancestral communications.
Core Meanings and Uses
Spiritual Affirmation: It acts as a sacred prayer,
agreement, or blessing, similar in spirit to saying "amen" or
affirming a spoken truth.
Gratitude and Respect: It expresses deep thanks and
humility, often said in response to a blessing, a ritual, or an ancestral sign.
Gathering Attention: Clan leaders or speakers use the word
at the start of traditional speeches to demand respect and focus from the
audience.
Opinions on Facebook are mixed regarding whether Camagu can be directly equated to the word "amen," with some seeing them as functional equivalents in prayer, while others emphasize that Camagu carries a unique, culture-specific vibration tied to indigenous spirituality and ancestral heritage."
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I'm African American who unfortunately only speak and read English. Because I'm interested in learning about African cultures, I've come across a number of YouTube discussion threads -such as the one for the video that is showcased in this pancocojams post-whose comments are mostly written in a non-English language. (Almost all of the comments in the discussion thread for this particular video are written in IsiXhosa (Xhosa).
I became familiar with Google's translate page some years ago and routinely use it for translating non-English words and phrases that I come across in YouTube discussion threads. I continue to use that Google translation page instead of the translation feature that is included on YouTube.
According to AI Overview "YouTube officially rolled out its native comment translation
feature on September 13, 2021.
Prior to the wide release, Google began testing
the feature with YouTube Premium subscribers as an experimental tool in August
2021. The update integrated Google Translate directly into the Android and iOS
mobile apps, allowing users to translate comments into their preferred language
from over 100 supported languages with a single click"...
-end of quote-
In spite of the fact that "the update integrated Google Translate directly into [YouTube]", unlike Google Translate, YouTube's translation feature doesn't identify the language that is used in the comment being translated (an omission that deprives people like me from the opportunity to learn some words and phrases in the language that is being translated.
Also, even though both of these translation features are identified as being "Google", I've often found' significant discrepancies between the results that I receive from the Google translation page and the results of YouTube's Google translation feature.
Since I don't know these languages that are being translated, I can't be 100% sure if Google Translate is totally accurate. However, it seems to me that Google Translate's results seem to more often fit the content of the videos that I'm watching than YouTube's translation feature.
Which leads me to the video that is showcased in this pancocojams post and that video's discussion thread.
I came across the YouTube video that is showcased in this post while "surfing" YouTube (randomly looking up YouTube videos) for examples of groups of South Africans performing traditional South African dances. When I came across this particular video, I thought that the dancers were Xhosa based on my limited knowledge about the dancers' attire and dancing styles. However, I wasn't sure about that until I looked up the translations of those videos' titles (on Google translate). I also didn't know the language source or meanings of certain words in that video's discussion thread (such as the word "camagu").
After watching that YouTube video, I glanced at its discussion thread to see if someone there had identified what the title of the video meant and to see if someone had identified which language was being used by the commenters in that discussion thread. When I didn't find any answers in my cursory read on that discussion thread, my next step was to do a Google search of the title of the video. That Google search led me to AI Overview which provided a translation for that title. That translation and the rest of that AI Overview confirmed that the video in question is from South Africa's traditional Xhosa culture.
After I learned that information I returned to that video's discussion thread and noticed that a number of its comments included the word "camagu". I queried AI Overview about that word and again returned to the YouTube discussion thread to actually read its comments. At first I tried to use YouTube's built in translation feature. However, I quickly became dissatisfied with its results and instead started using d the Google Translate feature.
A case in point is a comment from that YouTube video's discussion thread that is given as example #23 in this pancocojams xompilation:
@SamkeleQelani, 2026
"Camagu awlele"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Peace be upon you."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"The cat is not sleeping"
-end of quote -
I decided to publish a pancocojams post that includes the Google Translate results and the YouTube translate results in case people who may be confused by or frustrated with the YouTube translation results may think that Google Translate gives the same results (It usually doesn't).
Check it out!
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS SHOWCASE VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
The link to this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9OmmgxjLUE
The link to Google translate's feature: https://translate.google.com/?sl=xh&tl=en&op=translate
YouTube's translation results for these selected comments are given in italics for highlighting purposes only.
2020
1. @lilithasotondoshe8226
"intle le ntlombe iyavuma"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"This gathering is wonderful; it is a
success."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"This girl is beautiful, she agrees."
**
2. @mgxajisithembele9269
"Camagu bantwana bethongo
kwakukhutshwa uMpinga apha e
Qolweni Emcambalaleni"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Greetings, children of the ancestors;
Mpinga was brought out here at Qolweni, Emcambalaleni."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"The children of the tribe were being released from Mpinga here in Qolweni Emcambalaleni."
**
3. @xolilemgijima6009
"Ingoma yimpilo inene....camagu"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Music is truly life... blessings."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"The song is truly
life....awesome"
**
4. @nomsaqezu7568
"Ndacinga umama wam, yho mhlaba uyafihla,
Ndzaba"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"I thought of my mother—oh, the earth conceals so much—and I was overcome with emotion."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"I thought of my mother, oh world, you
hide, I'm sorry"
**
5. @khanyisilejakeni2235
"Wooow ndasuka ndacinga kude Camagu maCofimvaba senza kanje
pha kuthiwa🥁🥁niyandigulisa"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Wow, that really got me thinking—kudos to the people of
Cofimvaba for doing things this way; you guys are amazing!"
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"Wow, I just thought, Camagu, the Cofimvabas,
we're doing this because they say 🥁🥁 you're making
me sick."
**
6. @zanelemfecane2692
"Kwatsho kwathi xibilili emphefumlweni
philile le ntlombe"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"This gathering stirred the very soul."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"That's when the soul felt refreshed and
alive."
**
2021
7. @thabisasopangisa2607
"Yini yini yini nobangela ndamcela"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"What exactly is the reason I asked
him/her?"
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
What is it and why did I ask him?
**
8. @thabisasopangisa2607
"Tsiiii abakulomama awhuuu tshisaaaaa"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Wow, this mother is absolutely sizzling
hot!"
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"Hey, they're not like that, oh, they're
so cute"
****
2022
9.@binjanaphumeza5996
"Khumbule Khaya mdukwadini"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Remember home, you wanderer."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"Remember Khaya in the family"
**
10. @vuyisekamtututu2425
"Ndivuka ngayo qho kusasa 😊
yipapa yam yasekuseni"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"I wake up to it every morning 😊
it's my morning porridge."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"I wake up to it every morning 😊
it's my morning papa"
****
2023
11. @iamkhanyasakawuli
"Yazi singamaqaba kula Cofimvaba 😂"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)Google translation from Xhosa to English:
"You know, we are traditionalists here in
Cofimvaba."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"You know, we are the ones who are the
worst in this Cofimvaba 😂
****
2024
12. @ThandiweElizabeth-y3r
"Camagwini zindlondlo"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Greetings, esteemed elders."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"The sea is full of life."
**
13. @Nomasakhe
"Bayeza nangoku Camagu Bantwana Bethongo
ndavakala ndicinga Lindelwa cc wam"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"They are still coming—Camagu, Children
of the Ancestors—and I found myself thinking of you, my sister Lindelwa."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"They are still coming, Camagu, Bantwana,
Bethongo, I heard them thinking, "Wait for me, CC."
**
14. @abenathisamela4745
"kuyanqulwa camagu"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Worship is taking place; peace and
blessings."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"Prayer is being prayed for."
**
15. @NtombomziSigege
"Camagu Bantu bethomgo ndilapha ekapa
ndisuka ecofimvaba"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Greetings, people of my roots; I am here
in Cape Town, having come from Cofimvaba."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"Camagu People of Thomgo, I am here in
Cape Town from Cofimvaba."
**
16. @Amos-md1cq
"Amagqirha esixhosa la nyaniso"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Xhosa traditional healers confirm this truth."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"Xhosa traditional healers confirm this truth."
**
17. @lu1740
"Aw!!ndiwazi enje ke awakuthi
nangengoma nangesinxibo amaqgirha"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Oh! I recognize traditional healers by their songs and their
attire."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"Aw!! I know how they are, both in song and in dress."
**
18. @phelisamalveki
"Ndicelu buza esisdlokolo sifumaneka phi?"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"May I ask where this headgear can be found?"
-snip-
YouTube's Google translation to English:
"May I ask where this dish is found?"
****
2025
19. @NobesuthuEuphonia
"Camagu mntomdala ❤wowww ndatsho ndaphila nkosiyam"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Blessings, elder... Wow, I truly feel alive—thank you, Lord."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translate to English:
"I'm sorry, old man ❤wowww I said I'm fine my lord"
**
20. @NobesuthuEuphonia
"Camagu mntomdala ❤wowww ndatsho ndaphila
nkosiyam"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Blessings, elder... Wow, I truly feel
alive—thank you, Lord."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translate to English:
"I'm sorry, old man 
wowww I said I'm fine my lord"
**
21. @lamlamduma4516
"Aziba ayaphi lamagqirha anje camagu"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"One wonders where such traditional healers go—may there be
peace."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translate to English
"Where do these doctors go?"
**
22. @SithandiweNkuhlu
"Manga ke amaqgirha esiwaziyo"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"These, then, are the traditional healers we know."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translate to English
"These are the tricks we know."
****
2026
23. @SamkeleQelani
"Camagu awlele"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"Peace be upon you."
-snip-
YouTube's Google translate to English:
"The cat is not sleeping"
**
24. ThandiweNtoyakhe
"Ndiyabatanda ngalawa wakudala Lana atsho ngesingqi esinesdima kuvuke umoya❤❤"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"I love those old-school songs; they are delivered with such a dignified rhythm that they stir the soul. ❤❤"
-snip-
YouTube's Google translate to English:
"I love those old songs. Lana sings with a dignified rhythm
that lifts the spirits❤❤"
**
Reply
25. @samorambambi4164
"Bayombela straight. Benza ezasembo straight"
-snip-
Google Translate (from Xhosa to English)
"They dig straight. They make straight swords"
-snip-
YouTube's Google translate to English:
"They dig straight. They make straight holes."
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