Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents information about Sheng and presents some online definitions of and examples of the word "Bazenga" and the referent "Bazenga Dadii."
Information about the American word "bazinga" is included in this post to point out that the word "bazinga" and the word "bazenga" probably have different origins and definitely have different meanings.
This pancocojams post also includes an Addendum about the lack of results for the word "bazenga" in Google translate.
The content of this post is presented for linguistics and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
DISCLAIMER:
I'm African American and only understand English. This pancocojams post presents online information about Sheng and online Sheng definitions.
Additions and corrections are very welcome.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITORS NOTE
The American English word "Bazinga!" has a different meaning than the Kenyan Sheng word "bazenga". These words demonstrate how words with very similar or the same spellings and/or very similar or the same pronunciations can have different origins and meanings.The Kenyan Sheng word "bazenga" predates the American English word "bazinga". I'm not sure whether the word "Bazinga!" was modeled after the Kenyan word "bazenga",
Here's information about the English word "Bazinga!" (also given as "Bazinga)".
From https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bazinga
Here's information about The Big Bang Theory (television series)
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory
"The Big Bang Theory is an American television sitcom ...The show premiered on CBS on September 24, 2007, and concluded on May 16, 2019, having broadcast a total of 279 episodes over twelve seasons"...
-snip-
For what it's worth, I'm African American and have never watched
an episode of The Big Bang Theory. My guess is that this television series
didn't have many African American viewers.
****
This pancocojams post presents information about Sheng and presents some online definitions of and examples of the word "Bazenga" and the referent "Bazenga Dadii."
Information about the American word "bazinga" is included in this post to point out that the word "bazinga" and the word "bazenga" probably have different origins and definitely have different meanings.
This pancocojams post also includes an Addendum about the lack of results for the word "bazenga" in Google translate.
The content of this post is presented for linguistics and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
DISCLAIMER:
I'm African American and only understand English. This pancocojams post presents online information about Sheng and online Sheng definitions.
Additions and corrections are very welcome.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITORS NOTE
The American English word "Bazinga!" has a different meaning than the Kenyan Sheng word "bazenga". These words demonstrate how words with very similar or the same spellings and/or very similar or the same pronunciations can have different origins and meanings.The Kenyan Sheng word "bazenga" predates the American English word "bazinga". I'm not sure whether the word "Bazinga!" was modeled after the Kenyan word "bazenga",
Here's information about the English word "Bazinga!" (also given as "Bazinga)".
From https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bazinga
"Bazinga
A word used instead of saying:"fooled you!" after a prank. It first appeared in the series of "The Big Bang Theory" and is used by the character named Sheldon. It comes from the word "zing" which means to fool or rediculous someone. and just for a cool slang, the[y] added the "ba" to it. And later the series added the "a" to it, and then it became "Bazinga".
So this is a conversation between all the characters where Sheldon fools everybody with his classic joke and then say:"Bazinga!" instead of fooled you!" or "Gotcha!"...:
From Howard and Rajesh: "We're going to the goth club!"
Sheldon:"I've always wanted to go to a goth club!...... Bazinga!"
by bazhelga August 16, 2011
-snip-
"Rediculous" is probably an accidental misspelling of the English word “ridicule”.
-snip-
"Rediculous" is probably an accidental misspelling of the English word “ridicule”.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory
"The Big Bang Theory is an American television sitcom ...The show premiered on CBS on September 24, 2007, and concluded on May 16, 2019, having broadcast a total of 279 episodes over twelve seasons"...
-snip-
For what it's worth, I'm African American and have never watched
an episode of The Big Bang Theory. My guess is that this television series
didn't have many African American viewers.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SHENG
From https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2013/11/sheng-is-becoming-a-kenyan-language-how-the-urban-slang-of-nairobi-slums-is-spreading.html "Street Talk: How the urban slang of Nairobi slums is becoming the language of the people.
Area of origin : Unknown
-snip-
A number of commenters in YouTube discussion threads for Breeder LW's music videos refer to that rapper as "Bazenga" and/or "Bazenga Dadii". To read a few of those comments, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/08/khaligraph-jones-and-breeder-lw-ni.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Khaligraph Jones And Breeder LW - "Ni Kubaya" (Official Music Video & With Comments From TFLA Discussion Thread)"
In that comment, the word "beast“ has the African American Vernacular English (AAVE) definition "someone who excels at something". This meaning comes from the custom of considering someone who does something very well as being extraordinary (extra-ordinary) and/or superhuman (doing something beyond what mere humans can do) coupled with the AAVE originated terms "killing it"/ "killed it" (murdered", "slayed" etc).
"Fifa" is the highest governing body for football (what people in the United States call "soccer". Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA for information about FIFA.
Is this a correct definition of the Sheng word "bazenga"? And if so, does it predate the use of that word as a referent for Kenyan Hip Hop artist Breeder LW who many consider a beast in Kenyan Hip Hop music?
Visitor comments are welcome.
From https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2013/11/sheng-is-becoming-a-kenyan-language-how-the-urban-slang-of-nairobi-slums-is-spreading.html "Street Talk: How the urban slang of Nairobi slums is becoming the language of the people.
By Laura Dean, Nov. 01, 2013 ..."There are 42 languages
spoken in Kenya—Swahili and English are the two official languages—but Sheng is
overtaking them all as the language of the big-city youth. It is a
Swahili-based slang, with bits of English thrown in alongside other Kenyan and
non-Kenyan languages. And, remarkably, it’s catching on across all parts of
society.
Sheng began its life as a slang largely used by gangs in the poorest corners of Nairobi. The widely agreed upon origin story of Sheng is that in the 1980s and 1990s, a massive migration of people from the countryside to city resulted in large numbers of young people living in close quarters with their families in low-income neighborhoods in Nairobi. “When you had all these young people living together in these very crowded areas of Nairobi, [they needed] a language of secrecy,” says Professor Mungai Mutonya, senior lecturer in socio-linguistics at Washington University in St. Louis, “where they could be able to communicate without getting the information out to their parents.”
Now the secret is out. Today it isn’t uncommon to see Sheng pop up almost anywhere—on billboards, on the radio, in political campaign ads, and public service announcements. It has become the lingua franca of Nairobi’s youth, who make up 60 percent of the Kenyan population. Politicians, advertisers, and schoolteachers are taking notice.
Each neighborhood speaks its own variety, and the language itself changes almost weekly. “Whatever Sheng you are speaking now, the words you’re saying now, when you go like even for three months and you come back, they’re done,” says [Kenyan rapper] Octopizzo. The language is familiar enough that a Sheng dictionary came out recently. But dictionaries for Sheng have a short shelf life because of how rapidly the vocabulary change. “After a year,” he says, “the dictionary is expired.”
Its dynamism is one of the language’s unique features. Mutonya says that new Sheng words or phrases are often introduced by entertainers, DJs, and musicians like Octopizzo, all of whom compete to make their own original contributions. Sometimes such innovation is driven by necessity: Octopizzo invented a word for marijuana, octombeedo, so that it would get past the radio censors. Not surprisingly, words that describe illegal substances or law enforcement change most rapidly.
“It’s like a code,” says Octo, “[even] your parents don’t know what you guys are talking about.”...
****
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORD "BAZENGA" AND THE REFERENT "BAZENGA DADII"
These excerpts are given in relative chronological order with the oldest excerpt (in this case, the one with the oldest date for the word "bazenga" that I've found) given first. Numbers are included for referencing purposes only.
Excerpt #1
From https://www.sheng.co.ke/kamusi/index.php?word_id=1271
"Bazenga- (Noun) [ ba-ze-nga ]
"Bazenga- (Noun) [ ba-ze-nga ]
Meaning : Father (Dad)
Use : Na nywaku breko na bazenga = I'm having breakfast with
my father
Period: Late 90's
Related to: Relatives
Synonyms: Mbuyu, Mbules, Fadhe, Fathe, Mudhabu, Bhazenga,
Spelling variation: Buzenga, Buzzenga, Bhazenga
Meaning clarification: -
Area of origin : Unknown
Etymology:
This word is from the evolution of Buda."
-snip-
This definition doesn't appear to fit the use of the word "bazenga" in YouTube comments that I've read from 2019 & 2020. Read the meanings from Excerpt #3 on for what I read online are more contemporary meanings of "bazenga" and "bazenga dadii".
****
Excerpt #2
From https://www.sheng.co.ke/kamusi/index.php?word_id=1419#:~:text=Meaning%20%3A%20A%20Father,turn%20%3D%20My%20father%20is%20back
-snip-
This definition doesn't appear to fit the use of the word "bazenga" in YouTube comments that I've read from 2019 & 2020. Read the meanings from Excerpt #3 on for what I read online are more contemporary meanings of "bazenga" and "bazenga dadii".
****
Excerpt #2
From https://www.sheng.co.ke/kamusi/index.php?word_id=1419#:~:text=Meaning%20%3A%20A%20Father,turn%20%3D%20My%20father%20is%20back
"Buda- (Noun) [ buh-dah ]
What people say about Buda
Meaning : A Father
Meaning : A Father
Use : Buda ame turn = My father is back
Period: Unknown
Related to: Family, Gender,
Synonyms: Mbuyu, Fathe, Fadhe, Dhefs, Zaiq, Mzae, Fadhela,
Bazenga, ,
Spelling variation: Budah,
Meaning clarification: The word is also used as a term of
respect when addressing peers or a slightly older person
Etymology:
Borrowed from the Hindi language where the word BUDAA is
used to refer to an old person. From English slang, "Old Man" to
refer to ones Father".
****Excerpt #3
From https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/features/2001274336/sheng-republic-the-latest-sheng-in-town "Sheng republic: The latest sheng in town" by Caroline Nyanga
and Felix Kavii, 2018
"78. Bazenga – The
big man"
****Excerpt #4
"Utashangaa! Here Are The Latest Sheng Words From Kayole" by Caren Nyota, September 2, 2019
[Pancocojams article summary:
[Pancocojams article summary:
This article provides a list of Sheng words that came from Kayole including "bazenga"
"Bazenga – the big man"
Kayole, a neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya, is where a lot of Sheng words come from.
Click https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2019/08/in-kayole-youthful-criminals-are-ready-to-kill-just-to-impress-their-girlfriends/ In Kayole, Youthful Criminals Are Ready To Kill Just To
Impress Their Girlfriends" by Joseph Muraya, August 21, 2019 for more information about Kayole.
-snip-
It seems like the meaning of the word "bazenga" ("father" as given in Excerpt #1 & #2) has changed to "big man". However, I'm curious whether the word "bazenga" in the 1990s was a shortened form of "bazenga dadii" ("big daddy). Or is "bazenga dadii" a new form of the old word "bazenga"?
-snip-
It seems like the meaning of the word "bazenga" ("father" as given in Excerpt #1 & #2) has changed to "big man". However, I'm curious whether the word "bazenga" in the 1990s was a shortened form of "bazenga dadii" ("big daddy). Or is "bazenga dadii" a new form of the old word "bazenga"?
****
Excerpt #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ch7P1IfrdQ [discussion thread]
Excerpt #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ch7P1IfrdQ [discussion thread]
Khaligraph Jones and Breeder LW- "Ni Kubaya (official music video) discussion thread
Eric Geovanni, June 2020
Eric Geovanni, June 2020
"Ni kubaya can be same as It's LIT or it's Baaaad 🔥🔥
The cane reps the big Daddy factor(Bazenga
Daddy).He is talking about how hard he is into the hustle to get to the top of
the game.”…
-snip-
The Kenyan rapper Breeder LW uses the nickname "Bazenga Daddii" and "Bazenga Dadii".
I replied to this comment on that YouTube discussion thread. To summarize that comment , I think that the name "Bazenga Daddy" ("Big Daddy") reminded me of the very well regarded African American rapper Big Daddy Kane, particular since Breeder LW (Lyrical Wizard)'s use of a cane in this (and in some other videos?) might be a play on the name (and homage to) Big Daddy Kane.
-snip-
The Kenyan rapper Breeder LW uses the nickname "Bazenga Daddii" and "Bazenga Dadii".
I replied to this comment on that YouTube discussion thread. To summarize that comment , I think that the name "Bazenga Daddy" ("Big Daddy") reminded me of the very well regarded African American rapper Big Daddy Kane, particular since Breeder LW (Lyrical Wizard)'s use of a cane in this (and in some other videos?) might be a play on the name (and homage to) Big Daddy Kane.
A number of commenters in YouTube discussion threads for Breeder LW's music videos refer to that rapper as "Bazenga" and/or "Bazenga Dadii". To read a few of those comments, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/08/khaligraph-jones-and-breeder-lw-ni.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Khaligraph Jones And Breeder LW - "Ni Kubaya" (Official Music Video & With Comments From TFLA Discussion Thread)"
****
Excerpt #6
"Bazenga
It's a Kenyan slug used to mean that one is a beast in
something
I am a bazenga in fifa"
by Thau May 11, 2020
-snip-
“Slug” is probably an accidental is spelling of the English word “slang”.
In standard American English this sentence reads "I'm extremely good at playing football (soccer) and I'll be that way for the rest of my life".
In that comment, the word "beast“ has the African American Vernacular English (AAVE) definition "someone who excels at something". This meaning comes from the custom of considering someone who does something very well as being extraordinary (extra-ordinary) and/or superhuman (doing something beyond what mere humans can do) coupled with the AAVE originated terms "killing it"/ "killed it" (murdered", "slayed" etc).
"Fifa" is the highest governing body for football (what people in the United States call "soccer". Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA for information about FIFA.
Is this a correct definition of the Sheng word "bazenga"? And if so, does it predate the use of that word as a referent for Kenyan Hip Hop artist Breeder LW who many consider a beast in Kenyan Hip Hop music?
****
ADDENDUM- GOOGLE TRANSLATE AND THE WORD "BAZENGA"
I've found that Google translate from Swahili to English usually doesn't provide any results for the word "bazenga" or the word "bhazenga" (which I put in that translation feature to see if that would result in any definition.)
However, Google translate gave this result for this comment from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-vr2-Q9mp0 "BREEDER LW - "YES BANA FREESTYLE" (Official Music Video)" posted by Breeder LW, Feb. 4, 2020 yielded t
ADDENDUM- GOOGLE TRANSLATE AND THE WORD "BAZENGA"
I've found that Google translate from Swahili to English usually doesn't provide any results for the word "bazenga" or the word "bhazenga" (which I put in that translation feature to see if that would result in any definition.)
However, Google translate gave this result for this comment from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-vr2-Q9mp0 "BREEDER LW - "YES BANA FREESTYLE" (Official Music Video)" posted by Breeder LW, Feb. 4, 2020 yielded t
mwangi victor, 2020
"Eeei buda ..we ni bazenga enyewe 💪
we ni bazenga enyewe 💪
-snip-
-snip-
Google translate from Swahili to English
"Eeei buda ..we are the ones who will come 💪
he is the guardian of himself 💪"
-snip-
Notice that Google translate didn't give any English translation for "Eeei buda".
Read a definition for "buda" above in this pancocojams post.
Is "guardian" a correct definition for "bazenga"?
-snip-
Notice that Google translate didn't give any English translation for "Eeei buda".
Read a definition for "buda" above in this pancocojams post.
Is "guardian" a correct definition for "bazenga"?
**
Here's another comment from that same discussion thread:
Here's another comment from that same discussion thread:
Mesh Ronald, 2020
"I remember singing "chuki ndiyo nahisi nikiwaza..." song you came thru sang with me your name back then was baraka. That was in highschool bro "Nyati boys" on that "Murgor ablution block" basking during the evening ulikuwa baraka kweli na chuo ilikuwa inatambua we ndo bazenga. You being in form 4 and we being barely on second year men we really appreciated your efforts kuna siku preps ulitokolezea na ukatufunza chemistry subject and it was really a wake up call and a different perspective given the attitude we had towards the subject man, to cut it short you a true inspiration not only to nyati family but also to Kenyan hip hop industry. BAZENGA DADDY TK TO THE WORLD.
-snip-
According to a commenter on another Breeder LW YouTube discussion thread (Khaligraph Jones And Breeder LW- "Ni Kubaya") "TK" = "Tough Klan" Breeder LW (Lyrical Wizard)'s record label. Another commenter on that same discussion thread wrote that "TK" are the rappers that Breeder LW performs with. Those comments can mean the same thing.
I put the words "ulikuwa baraka kweli na chuo ilikuwa inatambua we ndo bazenga" in Google translate Swahili to English and got this result: "you were a real blessing and the college was recognizing you". Google results Swahili to English gave the exact same result for those words without the word bazenga at the end. It's possible that that translation feature might have assumed that "bazenga" was a name although that word isn't capitalized. But it seems to me that -in this example and in full sentences other portions of sentences that include the word "bazenga" Google translate either acts like that word isn't there or repeats that word in the box for the English translation.
If I correctly understand what I read, "bazenga" is a Sheng word that didn't come from Swahili. Therefore there's not surprising that Google translate from Swahili to English wouldn't have a result for that word. However, it seems strange to me that that results sometimes acts like that word isn't even found in the sentences or portions of sentences that I've copied for Swahili to English translation.
"I remember singing "chuki ndiyo nahisi nikiwaza..." song you came thru sang with me your name back then was baraka. That was in highschool bro "Nyati boys" on that "Murgor ablution block" basking during the evening ulikuwa baraka kweli na chuo ilikuwa inatambua we ndo bazenga. You being in form 4 and we being barely on second year men we really appreciated your efforts kuna siku preps ulitokolezea na ukatufunza chemistry subject and it was really a wake up call and a different perspective given the attitude we had towards the subject man, to cut it short you a true inspiration not only to nyati family but also to Kenyan hip hop industry. BAZENGA DADDY TK TO THE WORLD.
-snip-
According to a commenter on another Breeder LW YouTube discussion thread (Khaligraph Jones And Breeder LW- "Ni Kubaya") "TK" = "Tough Klan" Breeder LW (Lyrical Wizard)'s record label. Another commenter on that same discussion thread wrote that "TK" are the rappers that Breeder LW performs with. Those comments can mean the same thing.
I put the words "ulikuwa baraka kweli na chuo ilikuwa inatambua we ndo bazenga" in Google translate Swahili to English and got this result: "you were a real blessing and the college was recognizing you". Google results Swahili to English gave the exact same result for those words without the word bazenga at the end. It's possible that that translation feature might have assumed that "bazenga" was a name although that word isn't capitalized. But it seems to me that -in this example and in full sentences other portions of sentences that include the word "bazenga" Google translate either acts like that word isn't there or repeats that word in the box for the English translation.
If I correctly understand what I read, "bazenga" is a Sheng word that didn't come from Swahili. Therefore there's not surprising that Google translate from Swahili to English wouldn't have a result for that word. However, it seems strange to me that that results sometimes acts like that word isn't even found in the sentences or portions of sentences that I've copied for Swahili to English translation.
****
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