“Tantor” is the word for “elephant” in Mangani, the fictional language of the great apes in the Tarzan novels.
“Simba” is Swahili for “lion.”
“Tarmangani” means “white man” in Mangani.
“Onngowah” means absolutely nothing. Jim has misspelled “ungawa” or “umgawa,” a made-up word first used in a Tarzan movie in 1932, and repeated in later Tarzan movies. It originally meant “get down,” but, later, they used Umgawa for anything like “come here” or “look out” or “go away” or “stop” or “danger.” The movie Tarzan also used it to talk to the animals.
In “George of the Jungle,” there was the Ungawa
or Umgawa Gorilla God, who fought with George.
JANCIN Let’s see, I read everything Burroughs wrote sometime in the sixties. All his characters protected the weak, women and American values. I suppose I should have been reading Jerry Rubin, Ginsburg, Abbie Hoffman. Perhaps they would have given me better values.
oldbooger over 14 years ago
Different. Very different.
lewisbower over 14 years ago
I used to speak that language when I drank.
dvoyack over 14 years ago
Go get’em Clyde!
OldManMountain over 14 years ago
“Tantor” is the word for “elephant” in Mangani, the fictional language of the great apes in the Tarzan novels.
“Simba” is Swahili for “lion.”
“Tarmangani” means “white man” in Mangani.
“Onngowah” means absolutely nothing. Jim has misspelled “ungawa” or “umgawa,” a made-up word first used in a Tarzan movie in 1932, and repeated in later Tarzan movies. It originally meant “get down,” but, later, they used Umgawa for anything like “come here” or “look out” or “go away” or “stop” or “danger.” The movie Tarzan also used it to talk to the animals.
In “George of the Jungle,” there was the Ungawa or Umgawa Gorilla God, who fought with George.
DougDean over 14 years ago
What is it about “ungowa” that makes it the archtypical command for large trained animals? I just heard the same exact word used in a Monk episode…
DougDean over 14 years ago
Guess I should have read the comments first…
BASSMANBOB6 over 14 years ago
Hey, you forgot one who’s getting away!!!
marvee over 14 years ago
The “horse whisperer” for wild animals?
JanLC over 14 years ago
Last time I read the Tarzan novels, I was appalled at Burroughs’ prejudices and ignorance. I won’t elaborate, but you really have to read them.
lewisbower over 14 years ago
JANCIN Let’s see, I read everything Burroughs wrote sometime in the sixties. All his characters protected the weak, women and American values. I suppose I should have been reading Jerry Rubin, Ginsburg, Abbie Hoffman. Perhaps they would have given me better values.
axe-grinder over 14 years ago
OMM, I thought that was Tarzan language! Thanks for the lesson.