anthropol history (among Bantu peoples of southern Africa) a meeting to discuss a serious topic
informal a matter of concern or for discussion
1890–95; < Zulu indaba, izindaba (with implosive b ) matter for discussion, affair, account
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Last month Buthelezi opened a historic indaba, or meeting, between whites and blacks to discuss guidelines for creating in his home state of Natal the country's first completely multiracial government.
From Time Magazine Archive
If the great indaba finally does begin, it could founder all too quickly because the fundamental aims of the two main parties are so far apart.
From Time Magazine Archive
For now, the first one is to convene the indaba.
From Time Magazine Archive
But the Great Great One seemed in no mood for further indaba.
From The White Shield by Mitford, Bertram
“Well,” said he, “dere was one time, dough, when it took a whole big indaba of all de birds to say which flew de highest—him or Young Tink Tinky.”
From Old Hendrik's Tales by Vaughan, Arthur Owen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
