Trans-African Dictionary

Words that
predate borders

Google Translate tells you the word.
Ulimi tells you the story behind it.

Search in any African language, receive answers from all of them — with the pre-colonial context that colonial dictionaries erased.

Explore the dictionaryAPI Docs
RainNature
SwahiliMvua
ZuluImvulasacred at royal kraal
LuoKothrainmaker: Onjinjo
KikuyuMũũgũprayers to Ngai
HausaRuwaalso means water
“Rain ceremonies and rainmakers were central to pre-colonial governance across the continent.”
12
Languages
2555
Words
4
Countries
100%
Open source
01
Bidirectional search
Search “lion” or search “simba” — either direction returns the same word with all its translations across every language in the database.
02
Pre-colonial context
Every entry carries the story of what a word meant before colonisation — recovering the names and meanings that existed long before European naming systems arrived.
03
Community contributed
Native speakers, scholars, and elders submit words and corrections. Every contribution goes through admin review before going live. The dictionary grows with the community.
04
Kabila API linked
Each translation connects to its ethnic group — linking language to clan, kingdom, and cultural lineage across the continent.
Community
Your language
belongs here

Native speakers, elders, and scholars — you hold knowledge no API has yet captured. Every word you add carries your culture forward. Contributions are reviewed and credited.