phoko, noun

Forms:
luphoko, pocoShow more Also luphoko, poco, poko.
Origin:
IsiZuluShow more IsiZulu uluphoko, uphoko a species of millet used in beer-making.
obs.
Either of two species of millet of the Poaceae, used in beer-making and as a porridge: a. Pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum (sub-family Panicoideae). b. African finger millet Eleusine corocana (sub-family Chloridoideae). Also attributive.
1836 G. Champion in J. Bird Annals of Natal (1888) I. 202He sent us..a quantity of flour made from a plant called ‘poko’.
1836 A.F. Gardiner Journey to Zoolu Country 165I immediately desired Umpondombeeni to boil some lupoko meal which I had by me; but he was unable to borrow a vessel for the purpose.
1837 N. Adams in D.J. Kotze Lett. of American Missionaries 176The principal productions of this place are Indian corn, Kafir corn, and poko — species of millet, — pumpkins, calabashes, sweet potatoes, beans, etc.
1856 Cape of G.H. Almanac & Annual Register (Natal) 282The productions of the Native Gardens are Indian corn,..an edible root resembling the wild turnip (arum) called ‘idumbi,’ beans, and a sort of millet called ‘upoko’.
1925 D. Kidd Essential Kafir 323Gourds, beans, yams, sugar-cane, sweet reed, and poco are grown, and in Zulu kraals pineapples are frequently to be seen near Lake St. Lucia.
Pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum (sub-family Panicoideae).
African finger millet Eleusine corocana (sub-family Chloridoideae). Also attributive.
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18361925

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phezulu, adverbadv.phuza, nounn.
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