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Also poola.
[Tswana.]
1. Rain. Freq. used as int.:
in southern Africa, a traditional salute or expression of good luck.
1827
G. THOMPSON
Trav. & Adv. S. Afr.
I. 180
Mattebe..waved the point [of his assagai] towards the heavens, when all
called out ‘Poola!’ i.e. rain or a blessing.
1842
R. MOFFAT
Missionary Labours & Scenes S. Afr.
xxi. 350
The audience shouted, ‘Pùla’, (rain,) on which he sat down amidst a
din of applause.
1934
in C. P. Swart
Africanderisms
(M.A. thesis, Univ. S Afr.) s.v.,
When Prince George..uttered the traditional Basuto salute ‘Pula’
which means rain, a wave of enthusiasm swept the natives in the council
chamber.
1974
S. Afr. Panorama
Mar. 38/2
‘Pula!’ shouted the excited crowd of Bantu children.
2. The principal monetary unit of Botswana, consisting of one
hundred thebe; a note of this value.
1976
Eastern Province Herald
(S. Afr.) 23 Aug. 1
Botswana's new currency, the pula, will be introduced today.
1976
Whitaker's Almanack 1977
980
Botswana... Monetary unit... Pula.
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