Sabela
South African linguistic register
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sabela is a covert communication dialect of several major South African languages formed by the Numbers gang.[1][2] Sabela was originally developed in the mines during the early 1900's as a means of communication between the members of The Numbers Gang but as the gang's influence grew in various South African prisons, the language became eminent in prison and since then, released inmates have introduced it to the general populace of South Africa.[3] UkuSabela means to respond in various Nguni languages.
| Sabela | |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | Afrikaans pronunciation: [sabɛilɑː] |
| Created by | – |
| Setting and usage | South Africa |
| Purpose | Communication between inmates |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
Structure
Words in Sabela
| Sabela | IPA | English Literal Translation | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phakamisa | [pəkəmisə] | Confirmation / Agreement | Used to show general approval or interest | |
| Baitela | [bəitelə] | Gangster | To leave something | To leave a situation or an item |
| Biteeza | [bajtizʌ] | Food | Food | |
| Chise | [tʃajs] | Receive or to get / speak to someone | Any situation in which one needs to get something | |
| Lyn | [līn] | Line | To go somewhere | |
| Skrif | [skrɪf] | Writing | An item that is significant or important | |
| Nombor | [nomɘr] | Number | In agreement in respect to the laws and ethics of the number. An object or situation of importance. (Direct allusion to The Numbers Gang) | |
| Skombizo | [skɘmbizo] | Gangster | "A member of the 27 number gang" | |
| Hom | [hom] | Gangster | To make you aware |
In popular culture
Die Antwoord
Sabela is often used by groups associated with the Zef movement, such as Die Antwoord. The group's 2019 gqom single "Baita Jou Sabela" (featuring Slagysta) contains lyrics partially written in Sabela that talk about the South African prison system.[6] The song's music video showcases the corruption present in the South African prison system.[7][8]