susu
susu
UK[ˈsuːsuː]US[ˈsuːsuː]
n
A West African term for money saved in a traditional rotating savings and credit association (ROSCA) or a collective savings pool.
n
The practice or system of such communal saving.
Etymology
The word 'susu' entered English through contact with West African cultures, particularly via the Caribbean. It originates from languages like Twi (spoken in Ghana), where the term denotes the act of saving or contributing to a common fund. This concept traveled with the African diaspora, becoming institutionalized in practices like 'partnerhand' or 'sou-sou' in the Caribbean. In modern financial anthropology, it refers specifically to a traditional, trust-based rotating savings and credit association, highlighting a communal approach to capital accumulation distinct from Western banking systems.
Analysis
This word is a direct loanword from West African languages, such as Twi, where "susu" means to save or contribute money collectively. It functions as a simplex noun in English.
Examples
She used the susu to save enough money to start her small business.
The community's susu scheme has been operating successfully for decades.
Contributing to a susu provides a disciplined way to save without access to a formal bank account.