What does kraal mean?
A kraal is a type of enclosure used to hold livestock, particularly in southern Africa. It is typically made of thorns, fencing, or other materials and serves as a protective barrier for cattle, sheep, or goats. The term can also refer to a small village or settlement in some African countries. Kraals have been used for centuries as a way to safeguard livestock from predators and provide a central location for herders to manage their animals. The word has its roots in African languages and has been adopted into various forms of English. Understanding the term kraal provides insight into the cultural and practical practices of rural communities in southern Africa.
An enclosure for livestock
"The herder drove the cattle into the kraal for the night."
A village or settlement
"The village was a small kraal surrounded by hills and savannah."
The plural form kraals is used to refer to multiple enclosures or villages.
"The farmer maintained several kraals on his property to separate his different herds."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of kraal
The word kraal originates from the Afrikaans language, which in turn borrowed it from the Portuguese 'curral', meaning 'enclosure for animals'. This Portuguese term is derived from the Latin 'currere', meaning 'to run', possibly referring to the act of driving animals into an enclosure. The term kraal has been used in English since the 17th century to describe enclosures and villages in southern Africa.
How kraal is actually used
The term kraal is more commonly used in southern African countries such as South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.