benne
UK[ˈbɛni]US[ˈbɛni]
n
A plant (Sesamum indicum) cultivated for its edible seeds; sesame.
n
The seeds of the benne plant, used as food and as a source of oil.
Etymology
The word 'benne' entered English in the 18th century via the American South, specifically through the Gullah language, which preserved many African linguistic elements. It is a direct borrowing from the Malinke word bene, referring to the sesame plant. The term reflects the forced migration of the plant and its name from Africa to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. In the Southern U.S., 'benne' remains a culturally significant term for sesame, especially in traditional recipes like benne seed wafers, preserving a linguistic connection to its African origins.
Analysis
This word is a simplex loanword. It originates from the Bantu languages of West Africa (e.g., Malinke bene).
Examples
The old recipe calls for toasted benne seeds for a nutty flavor.
Benne was historically grown in the coastal regions of South Carolina.
She planted a row of benne in her garden to harvest the oil-rich seeds.