IsiNgqumo, or IsiGqumo, (literally "decisions" in the language itself) is an argot used by homosexuals of South Africa and Zimbabwe who speak Bantu languages, as opposed to Gayle, a language used by the homosexuals of South Africa who speak Germanic languages. IsiNgqumo developed during the 1980s. Unlike Gayle isiNgqumo has not been thoroughly researched or documented, so figures on numbers of speakers are nonexistent.
Contents
IsiNgqumo is a Nguni language and seems to have derived from Zulu. IsiNgqumo is often considered a Western invention by indigenous Zimbabweans but it was actually a creation of indigenous homosexuals, an only recently self-aware group.
Sample
Although the following sample conversation may be slightly obscene, it is a good representative of isiNgqumo's use as most of its vocabulary has some connection to sex or gay men.
IsiNgqumo:
"Isiphukwana sake, kuyavuswa na?" "Maye" "Injini!" "Kuncishiwe" (or) "kuyapholwa"Zulu translation (to show difference):
"Ubolo sake, kuyakhulu na?" "Yebo" "Imbuqo!" "Kuyancane"English (literal translation):
"His little stick, has it awoken?" "Yes" "Lie!" "It's not talented" (or) "it makes one cold"English translation:
"His penis, is it big?" "Yes" "Lie!" "It's small" (both terms mean the same thing, and are very derogatory)Etymology
The origin of the vocabulary used in the above sample is given below: