Sabela

For the South American language, see Waorani language. For the municipality in Nepal sometimes spelled Sabela, see Sabaila, Nepal.

Sabela is a covert communication dialect of several major South African languages formed by the Numbers gang.^[1][2] Sabela was originally developed in the mines during the early 1900's as a means of communication between the members of The Numbers Gang but as the gang's influence grew in various South African prisons, the language became eminent in prison and since then, released inmates have introduced it to the general populace of South Africa.^[3] UkuSabela means to respond in various Nguni languages.

Sabela
Pronunciation	Afrikaans pronunciation: [sabɛilɑː]
Created by	–
Setting and usage	South Africa
Purpose	Communication between inmates
Language codes
ISO 639-3	–
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Structure

Sabela inherits most of its vocabulary, phonology, and syntax from Xhosa and Zulu.^[3][4] Due to the Xhosa and Zulu influence, Sabela contains click consonants.^[5]

Words in Sabela

Examples of Words in Sabela^[3]

Sabela	IPA	English Literal Translation	Meaning
Phakamisa	[pəkəmisə]	Confirmation / Agreement	Used to show general approval or interest
Biteeza	[bajtizʌ]	Food	Food
Chise	[tʃajs]	Receive or to get / speak to someone	Any situation in which one needs to get something
Lyn	[līn]	Line	To go somewhere
Skrif	[skrɪf]	Writing	An item that is significant or important
Nombor	[nomɘr]	Number	In agreement in respect to the laws and ethics of the number. An object or situation of importance. (Direct allusion to The Numbers Gang)
Skombizo	[skɘmbizo]	Gangster	"A member of the 27 number gang"
Hom	[hom]	Gangster	To make you aware

In popular culture

Die Antwoord

Sabela is often used by groups associated with the Zef movement, such as Die Antwoord. The group's 2019 gqom single "Baita Jou Sabela" (featuring Slagysta) contains lyrics partially written in Sabela that talk about the South African prison system.^[6] The song's music video showcases the corruption present in the South African prison system.^[7][8]