Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A West African
talisman orcharm .
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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A saphie writer was a man of too great consequence to be long concealed; the important information was carried to the Dooty, who sent his son with half a sheet of writing paper, desiring me to write him a _naphula saphie_ (a charm to procure wealth).
Life and Travels of Mungo Park in Central Africa Mungo Park 1788
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A saphie-writer was a man of too great consequence to be long concealed; the important information was carried to the dooty, who sent his son with half a sheet of writing-paper, desiring me to write him
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About midnight, when the Moors had left me, he paid me a visit, and with much earnestness desired me to write him a saphie.
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He brought me, as a present, some meal and milk, and when I had finished the saphie, and read it to him with an audible voice, he seemed highly satisfied with his bargain, and promised to bring me in the morning some milk for my breakfast.
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Christian, he immediately thought of procuring a saphie, and for this purpose brought out his walha, or writing-board, assuring me that he would dress me a supper of rice if I would write him a saphie to protect him from wicked men.
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Finding that his guest was a Christian, he immediately desired him to write a _saphie_, saying that he would dress him a supper of rice if he would produce one to protect him from wicked men.
Great African Travellers From Mungo Park to Livingstone and Stanley William Henry Giles Kingston 1847
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The _dooty_ of the place next sent to have a _saphie_ written -- a charm to procure wealth.
Great African Travellers From Mungo Park to Livingstone and Stanley William Henry Giles Kingston 1847
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Some of the Negroes wear them to guard themselves against the bite of snakes or alligators; and on this occasion the saphie is commonly enclosed in a snake's or alligator's skin, and tied round the ancle.
Life and Travels of Mungo Park in Central Africa Mungo Park 1788
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Christian, he immediately thought of procuring a saphie, and for this purpose brought out his _walha_, or writing board, assuring me, that he would dress me a supper of rice, if I would write him a saphie to protect him from wicked men.
Life and Travels of Mungo Park in Central Africa Mungo Park 1788
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He brought me, as a present, some meal and milk; and when I had finished the saphie, and read it to him with an audible voice, he seemed highly satisfied with his bargain, and promised to bring me in the morning some milk for my breakfast.
Life and Travels of Mungo Park in Central Africa Mungo Park 1788
qms commented on the word saphie
In Lagos when taking a taxi
The old hands are wary and savvy.
They close their eyes tight
To limit the fright,
And cling to their favorite saphie.
April 9, 2017