Urundi Etymology - Origin & History

Urundi

/ʊˈrʊn.di/noun

Urundi is a historical European name for the African kingdom and territory now associated with Burundi.

Did you know?Urundi was paired with Ruanda in the colonial name Ruanda-Urundi, the Belgian-administered territory that existed from 1922 until 1962.

Etymological Timeline

Precolonial period

Kirundi

“A traditional name associated with the Rundi kingdom or polity; its deeper linguistic meaning is not securely established.”

19th Century

European usage

“A recorded European rendering of the name of the central African kingdom.”

1885–1916

German

“A colonial geographical designation used during German influence in the region.”

1922–1962

French/Dutch

“The name of the League of Nations mandate and later Belgian-administered territory comprising Rwanda and Burundi.”

1962

English/French

“The modern independent country name adopted when the former kingdom became independent.”

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