Every generation and people have a unique style when it comes to the continuous evolution of language into slang. Upgrade your knowledge of Kenyan lingo with these popular Sheng slangs.
The Origin of Sheng
Sheng is the acronym for Swahili and English. It started in the multicultural and diverse slums of Nairobi, Kenya, and was popular among Kenyan youths. Sheng is the real deal when it comes to communicating in Kenya and it has different flavours of Kenyan languages such as Kikuyu, Luyha, Dholuo and Kikamba.
Although Sheng is not recognized as an official language, Kenyan youths have embraced it as a versatile way to communicate and express themselves. Sheng has been incorporated into Kenyan society because of its fluidity, and cultural identification that transcends socioeconomic class boundaries, status, and gender.
Initially, it was a stigmatized code from the “ghetto”, spoken by criminals, touts, and social misfits, and was rejected by the older generation. But today, Sheng has grown beyond the borders of Nairobi to other urban cities. From formal to informal gatherings, from the media to the marketplace, Sheng is uniting the 42 ethnic groups in Kenya and from the looks of things, it could end up being recognized as an official language.
Here are 50 popular Sheng words you should know in 2023
Bazenga – a liked and respected person
Bazu – a respected person, or someone considered a big man/a leader
Cheza chini – playing it cool/to chill out
Chuani/Finje – fifty Bob (Ksh. 50 or 50 shillings)
Dem – a girl (young woman)
Doh/Chapaa/Cheddar/ – money
Donga – a boss or a CEO
Fathe/Fathela – someone who is respected, a male person
Form – to ask ‘what’s up/what’s popping’ or to have a plan of what’s up
Gwaya – to fear
Hessy – a police officer
Jipin – to get the necessary protection
Kanairo – The city of Nairobi
Kinde/Ashu – ten Bob (Ksh. 10 or 10 shillings)
Kindukulu – marijuana/weed/cannabis sativa
Kiombitho – cannabis sativa/marijuana
Kolo – weed
Lamba Lolo – licking a lollipop
Luku – fashionable and elegant style
Makali – Gin or strong alcoholic drinks
Mamu/denge/quella/ – a beautiful woman
Manambling – haters
Mbleina – someone who is absent-minded or knows nothing/bad person
Mbogi – a group of people
Mboka – a job
Mbuku – a book
Mbulu – television
Mode – a teacher
Monchoka – to come or come over/ to drink alcohol
Morio – a male friend
Mraa – the hustle
Mta – home
Mtiaji – snitch
Mushatha/Moshatha/Ocha – village
Ndula – shoes
Nguna/Maguna – sexy lady/ladies
Ngunga – cannabis sativa
Odi – an ordinary person
Omoka/Kuomoka – getting rich or making to make it in life
Poko – a prostitute
Riambez – a cute girl
Riang/Rieng – what’s up/what’s popping
Riba – a story
Ririma – smoking or taking cannabis
Rotejo – your house
Shada – a roll of weed
Tispo – sports
Tulutulu/Mulika mwizi – an old-school phone which is not a smartphone
Uradi – the way forward or an interesting plan
Vuva – to meditate over weed or marijuana
REFERENCES
Harvard International Reviews: Shaping New Identities: Sheng, Youth, and Ethnicity in Kenya
Open Edition Journals: Evolution of Sheng during the Last Decade
The Standard: 42 sheng words you must learn to use in 2021
Kenyan Magazine: 200+ Sheng Words and Their Meanings 2022
