bamboula
|bam-bou-la|
/ˌbæmbuːˈlɑː/
African-origin drum and dance
Etymology
'bamboula' most recently entered English from French (and French Creole) where it names a drum and dance; its ultimate origin is West and Central African languages, but the precise source is uncertain (possibly related to terms in Bambara or Bantu languages referring to drums or dance).
'bamboula' appears in French and Creole records of the Caribbean and Louisiana from the 18th–19th centuries and was then borrowed into English to refer to the same drum and dance traditions.
Initially used to name a specific type of drum and the associated dance in Creole communities, the term has largely retained that cultural meaning in English; in some European contexts the word acquired a derogatory sense when applied to people, a usage that is now regarded as offensive.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a drum of African origin and the rhythmic dance performed to it in parts of the Caribbean and Louisiana (Creole traditions).
The troupe performed a bamboula to celebrate the harvest.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a lively rhythmic dance or festive gathering associated with the drum and Creole culture (often referred to simply as 'the bamboula').
They joined the bamboula around the bonfire late into the night.
Synonyms
Noun 3
(Historical/pejorative) In some European/French colonial contexts, 'bamboula' has sometimes been used as a derogatory term for Black people; this usage is offensive.
He objected when the term was used as an insult — 'bamboula' is offensive in that usage.
Last updated: 2026/01/09 06:28