Xhumanisa is a verb from the Nguni language family, which includes isiZulu and isiXhosa. It means “to connect,” “to join,” or “to link.”
At Xhumanisa Eco-Safaris, this word perfectly captures our purpose -connecting people to Africa’s wild beauty, its people, and its spirit.
How to say it?
The pronunciation of the “xh” sound can be tricky for non-native speakers, but the rest is said as it looks. Here’s a quick guide:
The “x” sound: A click made by placing your tongue against the back of your top teeth and pulling it away quickly -similar to the sound used to urge a horse forward. The following “h” adds a soft puff of air.
“u” – like oo in “soon” or “blue.”
“ma” – like ma in “mama.”
“ni” – like nee in “knee.”
“sa” – like sa in “saga.”
Phonetically: [click]-oo-ma-nee-sa
Xhumanisa -a word that reminds us that every journey begins with connection.