Possible explanations:
* Misspelling: It could be a misspelling of another Swahili word. For example, "Dala" could be the word for "fare" (as in transportation fare) or "a small amount of money."
* Borrowed word: It could be a borrowed word from another language, possibly Arabic or English.
* Regional slang: It could be a regional slang term or a nickname not found in standard Swahili dictionaries.
To get a clearer answer:
* Provide more context: What was the word used in? Was it a conversation, a song, a written text?
* Check for spelling errors: Ensure you've spelled the word correctly.
* Look for other clues: Were there any other words or phrases used that might provide context?
Without more information, it's impossible to say for sure what "Dela" might mean.