Definition of toyi-toyi in English:
toyi-toyi
nounPlural toyi-toyisˈtɔɪtɔɪ
South African A dance step characterized by high-stepping movements, typically performed at protest gatherings or marches.
Example sentencesExamples
- A senior staff member present during the toyi-toyi pleaded with police not to arrest the students, saying it would make the situation worse.
- There was no toyi-toyi for houses, shortage of medicines at clinics, insufficient learning materials for schools and student class boycotts.
- This, she and others attending the event said, was the first ever recorded toyi-toyi in Xhosa history.
- The documentary also captures the archetypal South African war dance, the toyi-toyi.
- ‘For us, the toyi-toyi was like a weapon of war,’ says one of the activists in the film.
verbtoyi-toying, toyi-toyiing, toyi-toyis, toyi-toyiedˈtɔɪtɔɪ
[no object]South African Perform toyi-toyi dance steps.
when the accused were brought back to court they were singing and toyi-toying
Example sentencesExamples
- In Port Elizabeth, close to 3000 teachers, nurses, police officers, prison warders and clerks marched on the city hall, carrying banners, toyi-toying and singing about having ‘empty stomachs’.
- This are the very guys who are toyi-toying for more money whilst the quality of their work leaves a lot to be desired.
- I understand why these guys are toyi-toying, but this is going to affect me greatly.
- When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the school yesterday afternoon, pupils were toyi-toying inside the school premises.
- Does the art world not toyi-toyi, or find a suitable equivalent if it wants something badly enough?
Origin
Ndebele and Shona; probably introduced into South Africa by ANC exiles returning from military training in Zimbabwe.