Thebe

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A subdivision of the pula, the currency of Botswana, equivalent to one hundredth of a pula
2. A coin or monetary unit used in Botswana equal to one hundredth of the national currency
3. One of the hundred equal parts that make up a pula in the monetary system of Botswana

Etymology: The word "thebe" is the name of the basic monetary unit of Botswana, and it comes from Tswana, the language of the Batswana people, where "thebe" means "shield." The choice is a nod to the country's own heritage: a shield is a traditional emblem of defence and protection, and the name was adopted for the coin's denomination when Botswana introduced its own currency after independence. Because the currency is subdivided into one hundred thebe to the pula, the term now functions as a small-denomination unit in everyday commerce. Its meaning has stayed close to its origin, which is unusual for a monetary term: where many currency names trace back to weights of metal or to foreign rulers, this one carries an ordinary word from the local language, transferred intact into the vocabulary of finance.