Bangi
/ˈbæŋɡi/noun
A regional English and Swahili term for cannabis or marijuana, especially in East Africa.
Did you know?Bangi is generally understood as a regional form related to Hindi bhāṅg, the traditional cannabis preparation associated with South Asian religious festivals and ritual intoxication.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhengh-
“To break, split, or shatter; the proposed deep root behind the later cannabis term”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
bhaṅgā
“Hemp or cannabis; also something broken or fragmented”
Medieval Indo-Aryan
Prakrit
bhaṅgā
“Cannabis and preparations made from it”
Medieval Hindi
Hindi
bhāṅg
“Cannabis, especially an intoxicating drink or edible preparation”
Modern Swahili
Swahili
bangi
“Cannabis or marijuana”
Modern English
English
bangi
“A regional loanword for cannabis, chiefly associated with East African usage”