Where does “chikungunya” come from?
chikungunya (Finnish) comes from English chikungunya, from Makonde chikungunya, from Makonde kungunyala — to dry up or become contorted.
chikungunya (Finnish): chikungunya
Ancestry of “chikungunya”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | chikungunya | A viral fever caused by the "Chikungunya virus",... |
| 2 | Makonde | chikungunya | that which bends up |
| 3 | Makonde | kungunyala | to dry up or become contorted |