Earth’s story encompasses events in Germany, England, America, and South Africa between 1740 and 1838.. The story of Marie, Lanier, and Clayton takes place in the US and South Africa in 1999.  The search for connections therefore takes a reader into often unknown territory, so here are some suggestions for pronunciation of names and terms and something about their meaning. Many of these names and terms have received several different spellings in the course of their literary life.

For historical background consult the titles mentioned in the Discussion Group Guide.

Glossary

Ani-Yunwi-ya – Cherokee for “principal people,” or “primary (original) people.”

Apartheid – (pron. A-par-tayt). System of racial-ethnic segregation in South Africa instated between 1948 and 1994.

Dingane (Dingaan) – Shaka’s brother and one of his assassins. Ruler of Zulus from 1828 until 1838.

Duyukta – Cherokee word for “path of harmony,” “way of right relationship.”

Kaffir (also: kafir) – Originally from the Arabic for “infidel,” but became a deeply derogatory term used by Europeans about South Africa’s native peoples. The American equivalent is nigger. Both are excluded today from civil discourse.

Mthethwa – ( pron. Mmtay-twa) Ethnic group (ama-Mthethwa) from the region presently lying between South Africa and Mozambique. They were absorbed into the Zulu nation under Shaka.

Mzili -  (pron. Mm-zeelee). Thembinkosi’s lover. He came from the ama-Mthethwa, a rival group to Thembinkosi's Ndwandwe, who were absorbed into Shaka's empire.

Nan-yehi – (pron. Nan-ye-hee). “Nancy” in Cherokee. Valentine Trask’s second wife.

Ndwandwe – The ama-Ndwandwe are Thembinkosi’s people. Often in conflict with the Mthethwa, they are drawn into Shaka’s empire.

Nokuthula – (pron. Nokoo-toolah). “Mother of peace,” Thembinkosi’s friend at the slave lodge in Cape Town.

Nomkhulbulwana – (pron. Nohmkooboolwana). “Great Princess of the Heavens” associated with fields and harvest, especially the production of corn and with it, of beer. Thembinkosi draws on her powers through her prayers.

Nunnehi – (pron. Noo-nahee). The little spirit people of the forest in Cherokee myth and legend.

Shaka (Tschaka) – Consolidator and military ruler of the Zulu peoples 1816-1828.

Thembinkosi – (pron. Tembee-enkohsi) Her name means “trust in the Lord/God.” Woman’s name of Zulu and Xhosa origin.

Tsalagi – Western pronounciation of the word "Cherokee." The “l” and “r” sounds tend to converge in traditional usage and are not represented well in English letters.

Umhlabati – (pron. Mmshlabatee).  The Earth in Zulu tradition. Thembinkosi speaks often with Umhlabati.

Unkulunkulu – (pron. Nnkooloonkooloo). The Great Great One. God above all gods in Zulu culture.

Xhosa - One of the major ethnic groups occupying the region called the Eastern Cape. They share many cultural characteristics with Zulus. President Nelson Mandela comes from the Xhosa people. While English speakers pronounce it as "Kohsa," the Xh is actually like the "Tshk-tshk" made between tongue and cheek to get a horse moving.

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