Hottentots

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A term historically used to refer to the Khoikhoi people of southwestern Africa; now considered outdated and offensive; it denotes an ethnic group indigenous to the region
  2. An archaic label once applied to the indigenous pastoralist inhabitants of the Cape region in Africa; present usage is regarded as insensitive; relating to a specific native community
  3. A former designation for the Khoikhoi, native pastoralists of South Africa known for their distinct culture and languages; currently recognized as derogatory; identifying a people group distinct from others in southern Africa

Etymology: The term "Hottentots" originated in the early Dutch colonial period of southern Africa during the 17th century. Dutch settlers used it to describe the Khoikhoi people, indigenous pastoralists inhabiting regions now part of Namibia and South Africa. The word was likely an onomatopoeic imitation of the clicking sounds in the Khoikhoi languages, which were unfamiliar and striking to European ears. This mimicking of speech sounds was a common practice among European colonists when encountering new languages. Initially, the term was a neutral ethnonym used by Dutch and later English speakers, but over time it developed derogatory connotations, reflecting the colonial attitudes and racial prejudices of the era. The Khoikhoi themselves did not use this label; it was imposed from outside and became associated with stereotypes and misunderstandings about their culture and people. Modern scholarship and communities reject the term due to its offensive nature, preferring "Khoikhoi" or other specific tribal names. Linguistically, the word does not derive from the Khoikhoi language itself but is an outsider's attempt to capture the unique click consonants characteristic of their speech. The name’s persistence in European languages reveals how early colonial encounters shaped the vocabulary used to categorize and often marginalize indigenous peoples. By the 20th century, "Hottentot" had largely fallen out of favor in serious academic and social contexts, replaced by more respectful and accurate ethnonyms.

Synonyms: Khoikhoi, Khoisan people