[Arab. faqīh one learned in the law.] A title given in Africa to schoolmasters.
1872. Baker, Nile Tribut., viii. 112. As he chanced to combine in his own person the titles of both sheik and faky, I had acquired a great ascendency in the village, as my medicines had proved more efficacious than the talismans.
1884. A. Forbes, Chinese Gordon, vi. 151. [‘The Mahdi’] became the disciple of a faki (head dervish) who lived near Khartoum.
1892. W. B. Harris, Holy Wazan, in Blackw. Mag., Sept., 429/2. When they can get away from school, generally to be arranged by tipping the faki or schoolmaster, the horses are saddled.
