An indaba is an important conference held by the izinDuna (principal men) of the Zulu and Xhosa peoples of South Africa. (Such meetings**** are also**** practised by**** the Swazi,**** who refer to**** them**** using the close cognate .)**** Indabas may include only**** the izinDuna**** of**** a particular**** community,**** or**** they**** may be**** held**** with**** representatives of**** other communities.**** The term "Indaba" comes from the Zulu and Xhosa languages. It means "business" or "matter".

Usage

The term is used by various organisations around the world for their meetups or conferences; for instance, the Wiki Indaba, South African Tourism's Africa’s Travel Indaba and Canonical's Ubuntu Indaba.