kamba alphabet
From: carolyne nyamwala
1. A (Hay) FOR HUNDERWEAR (Underwear)
2 . B (Mbi) FOR Mbushit (Bullshit)
3. C FOR CEENAKI (Snake)
4. D (Ndi) FOR NDAMBILIU (W)
5. E (Hii) FOR HEATING (Eating)
6. F (Hef) FOR FINJAWT (Peugeot)
7. G (Nji) FOR NGONJIAS (Gorgeous)
8. H FOR ONY (Horny)
9. I FOR ICCUPS (Hiccups)
10. J (Njei) FOR NJUIS (Juice)
11. K FOR KETO (Kettle)
12. L (Elo) FOR LEMBO (Label )
13. M FOR MBIGIE-NJI (Big - G)
14. N FOR NGILINI (Green)
15. O FOR HOMBIT (Orbit)
16. P FOR FACKING (Parking)
17. Q FOR KWININE (Quinine)
18. R FOR LAIS (Rice )
19. S FOR SONJA (Soldier)
20. T FOR TWINGOH (Twinkle)
21. U FOR YULAINO (Urinal)
22. V FOR FENGETEMBOS (Vegetables)
23. W FOR "SII NDII" (See D Above)
24. X FOR ENGZEL ( Excel)
25. Y FOR Y (Why)
26. Z ( Nzedi) FOR NZED (Z)
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Kenya: Harambee is not a Hindu god and can not be a hindu word it is a Swahili word and Kenyan
Dear Friends,
I would like to say that as much as the word Harambee may sound the same as the Hindu word Hare Ambe or the like I object in the strongest terms that it means the same with what the Kiswahili word means. The word is a Bantu word from one of the Miji Kenda dialect Halumbe Which meant pull or push together. The word is a kin to another word Kulumba which means make or prepare like in the composing of a poem hence a poet known as Mlumbi.
The word has resemblance with a Luhya word khulumba which can be translated to push. When all is said and done, it is not fare to give a meaning to a word because it sounds like another word in a another language. For example we have words in our Kenyans languages which mean something else in another language. Some can not be uttered by the speakers of those languages. For Example Kipchoge's Second name or Surname Keino can not be uttered in a church in Kitui or among the Kikuyu. Does the same sound of the word make the word have the same meaning in both languages?
Second, it is in History that Mzee Jom Kenyatta is the one who used this name Harambee when he found the Mijikenda people using it to urge the people to work together. It means to pull together so if our National team and the technical bench with the support of the goverment pull together, we can win games.
If we think that since the word harambee may sound the same as hare ambe hare rama hare krishna etc, and therefore making our harambee satanic, then why cann't we go ahead and remove all the names of the days of the week; Monday, Tuseday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Satuday and Sunday from our calendar because each of them was a day dedicated to Roman gods?
In applied lingustics and sociolinguistics, when a word is taken from language A and used to mean something else in language B, the original meaning becomes absolete as far as the speakers of language B are concerned. For example the Kiswahili word Meli which mean a ship, came from the English word Mail meaning letter. To us kiswahili speakers we know that meli is that ship that sails on the in ocean. The word as it exists meli has no meaning in English whatsoever.
Another word related to this is the Word Man of War which was translated into Kiswahili as manowari , to us manowari is an Armored boat, in oher places it is defined as a venomous dangerous sea organism. Does this change the way we use the word in Kiswahili? There are other many words like Keya a name used by many Communities in Kenya which actually is the abreviation of The Kings African Rifle ( KAR) Panyako,- Pioneer Corps, Girimiti agirimiti, jirimiti, chilimiti - Agreement, Kandarasi- contract, Aluvanze- advance salary, and other names like Perpetua- Pelepetua( especially among the Luhyas- Scholarstica- Sikolo, Bartholomeus- maturumayo, etc
Harambee is not a Hindu god and can be a hindu word it is a Swahili word and Kenyan, it is only used in Kenya. Tanzanians do not use it.
I know the person who wrote a book on this issue of Harambee from Eldoret and when I asked him to talk about what I have raised here he couldn't speak.
Kenya: Meaning of “Menengai.”
from Owuor Willis
Hi,
The word "Ngai" means God as per kikuyu language. May be we need to understand the prefix 'mene' to understand what it means. However, I do not understand very well what I read at:
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/news/InsidePage.php?id=2000016094&cid=159&story=Leaders%20defend%20Gideon%20over%20county%20remarks
Could more people help me understand more such that we end up with piece and make many friends.
Kenya: Margaret Looses Starehe Seat
From: "Paul Nyandoto"
Guys
Oloo still lives in the old English colonist life or mentality, where Africans were supposed to know English better than even their own mother language. What a shame of an education. I am afraid that wisdom and cleverness sometimes does not fit in one head. Has he even heard how a German or a french or a Dutchman speaks English even though their countries are much closer to Britain than even the former colony like Kenya?. Most of the diasporas live in countries where English is not even the spoken language. Places like Spain even TVs are all in Spanish even if the movie is made in Hollywood it has to be translated into Spanish before it is shown in the TV. Those are the people who are proud of who they are. Oloo should learn to do the right thing at the right time. I think who wrote about Magaret`s affair managed very well to pass the information he wanted to do despite of only one additional o or zero according to Mr. Oloo. I still look to one time or one day when we Africans will eventually know who we are and where we came from. What the hell should somebody take a lot of time learning and speaking other peoples language at a time when his mother language needs development and does not have even an elementary dictionary ?. And given the fact that the English is some baggers language who was even a colonist, a slave diller, a thieve, a skin head, a racist, a land grabber, a killer etc?.
Paul Nyandoto
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>>> Rose Kagwiria wrote: >>>
Maurice
i think the guy is very intelligent in English and he may be too idle. How many of us have time to reread what we have written. In any case who told him only the ones who know English grammar very well are the ones who contribute here. English is our second language.What is his contribution?
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From: "mauricejoduor@ . . . "
Are we now teaching grammar here or there's a point to this?
If teaching grammar, do it privately. It's in poor taste to embarrass one in public.
Courage
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From: Onyango Oloo
On a light touch:
The Bishop is no longer MP.
But did she lose or "loose"?
Sometimes we lose it when we are loose with the lingo.
Onyango Oloo
Kenya: WHO SAID KENYANS CAN’T SPEAK ENGLISH ?
From: Solomon Ojoo
Who said Kenyans can't speak English?
AI yawa?!!!
Jaluo drives into a service station in his battered Volkswagen clad in shorts, All-Stars, funky beard and I-spoti (small hat). He hands the attendant the keys complete with a beautiful Tupac key ring:
"Jasa tank-Super" (jaluo means fill up the tank!)
Attendant: "How much?"
JALUO: "Omera adwaro petrol mar super full tank?" - meaning, hey I said super... Full tank!
Attendant: "I only speak English!"
JALUO: "No problem. Good day to you Sir. I currently feel a profound desire to replenish the propellant of my motorized vehicle. Therefore, I cordially request you to transfer, from your subterranean
Reservoir, a sufficient quantity of the combustible fluid of the highest octane rating to fill the appropriate receptacle of the said means of perambulation to the brim."
Attendant: "YAWA?"
Jaluo: "Do you have a problem Sir? I thought you said you spoke only English?"
Attendant: "English? That is not English!"
JALUO "My dear Sir, are you veritably attempting to insinuate that you do not even recognize the language which you allege to be your singular means of communication?”
Attendant: "AN'GO
AI YAWA!
S. Africa: Roots
From: Sebolelo
Dear JALOU
What is the meaning of the word "machogo" in English? I'm a black South AFRICAN. My surname is Machogo I need to trace My roots I see the word "machogo" in your language which is foreign to me.
Kindly respond.
Sybil Machogo
What Does Abuor Mean in Dholuo?!
Just reading your website.
Q-what does Abuor mean in Dholuo!
Abuor.;
James
_______________________________________________________________
Hello James,
Thank you for visiting our site. Rabuor means brown. Abuor may mean "a brown girl." It is a compliment, but is insulting to dark women as it implies that dark women are not beautiful. Some people use it casually to apply to women in general.
Regards,
Jaluo Press
Tiend Okuku, Okaka, gi Owino?
Nyakwar Ramogi,
Ageno ni ingima. Akwayo ni ifulnane weche adek. (1) Asomo kamoro ni Okuku en nyathi mane onyuol ka guoguo oumo. Penjo na en ni guoguo en ang'o? (2) Okaka ichako nyathi monyuol e tie okaka. Tiend okaka en ang'o? (3) Owino en nyathi monyuol gi wino. Wino en ang'o? Di amor ahinya ka di nyisa weche adek gi. Inyalo kata medo nyisa gi dho wasungu.
Ero kamano.
Ochieng'-OdhiamboFred Ochieng'-Odhiambo
ATTN Maureen: Translation – Plant Species (Dholuo – English)
Kit Yiende - Plant Species Â
Dholuo                                            English (biological names)
- Osiri                                        Wait - a - bit thorn tree ( Acacia brevispica )
- Odaga (Obalandagwa)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (Castor oil plant) Ricinus communis; palma christi
- Obino                                      Wild senna tree (Cassia didymobotrya)
- Ogongo (Akurukuru)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fragrant hook thorn tree (Acacia gerrardii)
- Nyabende (Nyabend Winyo)Â Â Â Â Â Â Small red flowers & edible clusters of seeds (Lantana)
- Kudho                                       Thorn
- Togo                                          Papyrus (Cypefus Papyrus)
- Omburi                                     Pipe seed
- Odundu                                     Mauritius reed grass, cane, rattan
- Bao (Baw)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gum tree (Eucalyptus)
Wechegi ochoki kendo okelnu gi Jaluo dot Kom e kom Wuon Abila Mig. Ajos wuod Atiga Ny'Ochola
