Sir, – I was amused to read the letter from Anne Curran (May 6th), which reminded me of my short time in east Africa. She refers to whites being affectionately referred to as "mzungu" (plural "wazungi"). When I asked the origin of the term, I was told it meant "those who dart about like ants"!
In Ghana, whites were affectionately called “bruni” (short for “oboroni”).
When I asked the origin, I was told it was, politely, “foam from the waves”, or less politely, “scum blown in by the sea”! – Yours, etc,
COURTNEY
READ SOME MORE
MURPHY,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.