What "Momala" ("Mamala") Means In General & As A Referent For Kamala Harris

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about the general meanings of the referent "momala" (also given as "mamala") and the meaning of those words specifically as a referent for Democratic Vice President nominee Senator Kamala Harris.

This post also includes selected tweets from the trending twitter #Mamala account (August 12, 2020).

The content of this post is presented for linguistic and political purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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I'm not at all neutral in this upcoming United States election. For the sake of our democracy, and for the safety and benefit of the entire world, I encourage all people who are eligible to vote in the United States election on November 3, 2020 to vote for the Democratic ticket, including Biden-Harris.

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GENERAL DEFINITIONS FOR THE WORD "MOMALA", "MAMALA", AND "MAMALEH"
These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referent purposes only.

Excerpt #1
From https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070111004019AALdYBY

What does the yiddish term "mamala" or "mamaleh" mean?

1. Favorite Answer

chamkadaar, 2010
"Mamala, mamaleh or mamuhluh, in Yiddish, means child or toddler (female). Some other related words are Bubbala (baby), Buba or Boobuh (doll)."

**

2.Chief BaggageSmasher, 2010
"It is a term of endearment, usually for a child. It literally means "little mother" but in coontext it means "mother's little one"

The opposite side is tateleh, or "father's little one" "

**
3. elladawn, 2016
"Mamaleh is a term of endearment meaning Litlle Momma..It is about the Spanish  equivalent of Mamacita...Even though it means little Momma(mama), it is oftentimes used toward the younger (child)female family members by the elder family members..Just like Spanish parents sometimes call their 2 year old daughters "Mammi" or "Mama"...So, if you go call your wife, girlfriend, Mother, Grandmother..even aunt, Mameleh, it is okay!"

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Excerpt #2:
From https://www.mamalamedia.com/about-mamala

"Mamala Media was created to celebrate parenthood in the way we know best. With fun-filled lyric videos, children’s books, and parenting tools - we are invested in your family. Our heart is to bring the experience of God’s love to children of every age.

[…]

BEHIND THE NAME

má·ma·la

Our company name, Mamala Media, was born out of a combination of “Mama” and “la” - two of my favorite sounds, each with significant meaning.

“Mama”, a more global way of saying Mom, is also a term of deep and abiding love used in various parts of the world when addressing one’s children, both girls and boys. Many parents in the Middle East, Near East and Africa, awaken their children with the phrase “mama, mama, time to wake up”, all while gently nudging them out of their slumber. It’s a loving way to wake little ones out of their sleep to face the day. “La” is another global term of endearment. When adding “la” to the end of someone’s name it becomes a way of addressing that person with affection…as in Bobbyla or Cindyla. Coming from a European and Middle Eastern background myself, I heard this term in my own family for years. It always warms my heart when someone calls me Cassiela! Try adding “la” to the end of your child’s name or your own name and see how cozy and fun it sounds!

The mash-up of the beautiful word “Mama” and the endearing term “la” has become “Mamala”, as in our company name, Mamala Media."

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Excerpt #3
From https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Momala

" TOP DEFINITION

Momala

1. Term of endearment to refer to your significant other who serves as a mother figure to your children. Not to be confused with some random woman that gets knocked up and ends up actually bearing your children.

Ex. Momala is the woman who opens her heart and pocket book to care and provide for the numerous step children you bring to the relationship from repeated failed marriages."

by M.Anne May 03, 2007

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MEANING OF MOMALA (MAMALA) AS A REFERENT FOR SENATOR KAMALA HARRIS
From https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a27422434/kamala-harris-stepmom-mothers-day/

Sen. Kamala Harris On Being 'Momala'

BY KAMALA HARRIS. MAY 10, 2019

"California Senator Kamala Harris announced in January that she would be running for president. But aside from being a United States Senator and a 2020 presidential candidate, she's also a stepmom to her husband Doug's children, Cole and Ella. In honor of Mother's Day, Sen. Harris writes about what it's like to be a stepmom—or, as her kids call her "Momala."

[….]

To know Cole and Ella is to know that their mother Kerstin is an incredible mother. Kerstin and I hit it off ourselves and are dear friends. She and I became a duo of cheerleaders in the bleachers at Ella’s swim meets and basketball games, often to Ella’s embarrassment….

A few years later when Doug and I got married, Cole, Ella, and I agreed that we didn’t like the term “stepmom.” Instead they came up with the name “Momala.”
-snip-
Here is the profile for Senator Kamala Harris (as of August 11, 2020)
"Kamala Harris

@KamalaHarris

U.S. Senator and Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States. Wife, Momala, Auntie. Fighting for the people. She/her."

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SELECTED TWEETS FROM THE TWITTER ACCOUNT

Note: This twitter account was #7  in trending tweets in the USA around 7:30 PM August 12, 2020 with 13 K tweets.

Numbers have been added for referencing purposes only. These tweets are given without GIFs.

1. kerry b

@gwynzach

3h

Is anyone else crying listening to #BidenHarris2020 town hall? Thank you for giving us hope again.

#Mamala

**

2.Marvin Queets, Esq.

@marvinqueets

3h

#MAMALA

I love it!

#BidenHarris2020

**

3. Mamas4Kamala

@mamas4kamala

3h

#Mamala is trending-which means it’s time to take y’all to school!

ITS #MOMALA or #MadameVicePresident if you’re #nasty

https://elle.com/culture/career-politics/a27422434/kamala-harris-stepmom-mothers-day/

Join us

@mamas4kamala

-snip-

Here's information about Mamas4Kamala

"Mamas4Kamala 💛

@mamas4kamala

A national group of moms, caregivers, moms-to-be, grandmas, aunts, and all the parental figures in between, working to support Kamala Harris."

**

4. Mama Johnson

@kskippy

3h

I have hope.  Knocked it out of the park!  #momala #mamala #BidenHarris2020

Quote Tweet

This Week

@ThisWeekABC

 3h

Joe Biden: "This morning, all across the nation, little girls woke up, especially little Black and brown girls, who so often feel overlooked and undervalued...Today, just maybe, they're seeing themselves for the first time in a new way." http://abcn.ws/320qSpR

**

5. BlackWomenAreKryptoniteToGOP

@battletested5

3h

Dear GOP

If you thought 94% of Black Women that voted for Hillary was a lot, wait till you see 94% of Black Women AND Men  vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

We coming for the Senate and the White House on Nov 3rd

#Mamala

**

4. Kara Swisher

@karaswisher

3h

It’s Momala, though #mamala works too. In either case, a powerful dose of lady power is headed Trump’s way.

**

5. Kristi Powell

@mychiarinotion

3h

Y'all know the "Mom look" that puts the fear of God in you. Ms. Harris has it down.   Buckle up Trump cult... Kamala's coming for you.

#Mamala

**

6. Morgan J. Freeman

@mjfree

3h

#MAMALA!

Vice President will be a nice title but the one that matters most is Mamala.

**

7. Sarah Phillips

@sphillips2000

3h

I'm a #WarrenDemocrat and I'm ready to #VoteBidenHarris2020 She got me at #Mamala

**

8. physicaledward✊🏾Pensive face

@ERB804

3h

Yup I’m down with  #Mamala

**

9.Byron Joe David (Da-veed)

@MyCityofDAVID

3h

“Case against #Trump and #Pence is open and shut. More than 160,000 lives cut short. Many with their loved ones who never got the chance to say goodbye.”-

@KamalaHarris

 #mamala #BidenHarris2020 #TrumpThreatensAmerica #Charlottesville #KamalaHarris #JoeBiden

**

10. DeMarginalizeUS  🧑🏾|| #AllBlackLivesMatter

@DemarginalizeUS

3h

I haven’t felt hope in years. My system is in shock. #mamala

**

11. jodie maguire

@JodieMaguire

3h

My daughter has a new role model #Mamala- let’s go!

**

12. Rain

@raininpdx

3h

I feel the most hopeful  I’ve felt in years. Crying. #mamala #BidenHarris2020

**

13. Angela Sirls, CAPM

@angelasirls

3h

"Let me tell you, as somebody who has presented my fair share of arguments in court, the case against Donald Trump and Mike Pence is open and shut." #mamala

#BidenHarris2020 #BidenHarris2020 #BidenHarris2020 #BidenHarris2020 #BidenHarris2020 #BidenHarris2020 #BidenHarris2020

**

14. Howard ✡

@HowardA_Esq

3h

After Trump sexist tweet of “suburban housewife” Kamala Harris is exactly what we need. My mom was the Head of Copyright at PolyGram Records before quitting to take care of me. She then went on to teach for 20 years, while raising us. Kamala has my vote. #Mamala

**

15. Clair Huxtable

@SakialamAvenue

3h

Senator and soon Vice President Kamala Harris methodically knocked it out the park today!  She gave one of the most powerful speeches of a VP, ever!

Trump is running scared!

#Mamala or #Momala either one she is THE one!

**

16. deecannon

@Dee_cannon0714

3h

Black women always been #Mamala and I cant wait too see you in the White House

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17. Mrs. Krassenstein

@HKrassenstein

2h

After Kamala Harris’ speech Donald Trump is going to hide in his bunker and cry for his own #Mamala.

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