Mulembe swa! Learn how to say days of the week in Bukusu in this free beginners Lubukusu lesson.
A synopsis on the cultural importance of days of the week in Bukusu
What influence did the Gregorian calendar have on traditional Luhya societies? At first thought, it is hard to draw obvious imprints. But you only have to look at the names of days of the week in Bukusu, or many other African languages. Then, as is the case with Babukusu, try and suss out how some names – indeed popular Luhya names for boys – came about.
Barasa
In French, lundi is Monday. In Lubukusu, lundi means ‘again’. Barasa, the Lubukusu word for Monday, has its root in a colonial practice. Mondays was the day when colonial masters (Barasa) held meetings and collected taxes from people. Barasa is also a popular name for Luhya boys.
Lwokhubili
Tuesday
Lwokhutaru
In Kikuyu language, the third day of the week, Wednesday, is known as wa gatatũ. Similarly in Lubukusu, the name of the third day of the week has its roots in
Lwokhune
Thursday
Lwokhurano
Friday
Nyongesa
If found Saturday to have the most curious origins of the days of the week in Bukusu. Nyongesa is not Saturday in Lubukusu, but male boys born on this day also tend to be named Nyongesa. So, what is the origin of the word Nyongesa?
Well, oral literature has it that it arose from the concept of overtime (and attendant benefits such as overtime pay) from the five day work week. In Swahili, ‘ongeza’ means ‘add on’. Thus ‘Nyongesa’ could might as well be Lubukusu-nisation of this Swahili word.
Chumapili
Sunday.
Learn Lubukusu with us. Discover more Bukusu words concerning time, day and weather
Bukusu language or Lubukusu is the tongue of Babukusu, the largest of the 18 houses of mulembe. Learn how to speak Bukusu language through our free lessons in Bukusu language; our stories on Bukusu culture that harness the richness of Lubukusu in their narrative; our continuous search for the meaning of different Bukusu proverbs and sayings; and if your Lubukusu is already good enough, sharpen and challenge yourself with our new blog sibukusu that covers everything Bukusu in the purest Lubukusu.
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Today tomorrow yesterday in Bukusu
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