Learn Lubukusu – Bukusu Language

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. Get started with our mega post:  130+ common Bukusu words and phrases their meaning, translation and pronunciation.

Learn Lubukusu online: The Mulembe Nation list of 33+ common kinship terms, words for relatives and family members in Bukusu language

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poster with man sleeping on couch with words words for relatives and family members in Bukusu

In this article, we’re going to look at the kinship terms and family words needed to refer to relatives and family members in Bukusu language. Post highlights Immediate relatives and family members. Extended relatives in Bukusu. In-law relatives and family members in Bukusu. Immediate relatives and family members in Bukusu In this section, we’ll cover … Read more

Learn Luhya online: The Luhya Lingala connection – 22 different words, four tongues, similar sound, same meaning

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poster with geometric shapes titled the Luhya Lingala connection.

Gather your loved ones. Here’s yet another of our absolutely free lessons through which you get to learn how to speak Luhya. Ile ya kuomba maji. This time, we meet 20+ Luhya Lingala word pairings whose construction, meaning and pronunciations are somewhat, if not completely, similar. 20+ diverse and interesting Luhya Lingala word pairings The … Read more

Names of Crawling Creatures, Tinny Beings, Bugs and Insects in Bukusu

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poster titled bugs + insects in Bukusu

Stories, names of crawling creatures, tinny beings, bugs and insects in Bukusu language. To state the obvious, the Bukusu Luhya of western Kenya had to do with insects, crawling creatures and tinny bugs in and around the homestead. Some of these beings were useful as food while others were harmful. All the same, our Bukusu … Read more

From caterpillars that sooth children to those that bring death: All about lisa (caterpillars) among the Bukusu

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multicolored sparsely haired caterpillar known as lisa lilela bana among green forage

Back when I was a small girl, the days when I was still dressed like eswa efure, a termite with without wings, life in the village had its joys and pains. One of the pains I encountered was the need for me to deal with caterpillars. Let me just say it upfront. I hate and … Read more

50+ Names of birds in Bukusu, a Luhya language of East Africa

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poster with image of perched orange bird titled names of birds in Bukusu

Planning on going bird watching? Kakamega forest in Kakamega and Vihiga counties is a heaven for bird watchers. Pack along this list of names of birds in Bukusu as it will be a worthy companion. The well researched list will reintroduce bird watching aficionados among you to birds that they know and love. Further, to … Read more

'Nacha nacha nacha' the play folk song: A fun way to learn Lubukusu – meet the Bukusu words for tortoise, gazelle and more

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cartoon drawing of tortoise, one of the subjects of the Bukusu kids song nacha nacha

A fun way to learn Lubukusu through the much loved Bukusu play folk song: nacha nacha nacha. Folk songs are an important part of a community’s oral literature. This because their use of memorable rhyme, imagery and simple words serve as a potent tool of preserving and passing on a community’s body of knowledge. Consider … Read more

Learn Lubukusu: On First fruits and Bukusu culture

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fuchsia effect on image of field of sweet potato vines with words 'on Bukusu culture and first fruits'

Be it in African culture, Christianity or many other cultures of the world, the first fruits of a virgin land hold special importance. Join us as we learn special Lubukusu names given to various farm produce that are first fruits. The other day I had a chance of enjoying a bountiful harvest from my farm. … Read more

Days of the week in Bukusu

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personal planner with days of the week

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 … Read more

Today tomorrow yesterday in Bukusu

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tag cloud of the words today tomorrow yesterday

How does one ‘order days’ in relation to each other in Bukusu? Today we learn how to say: today tomorrow yesterday in Bukusu; plus more Lubukusu words for ‘ordering days’. Like most languages, Lubukusu has words that are of importance to everyday conversation as so far as describing time. English grammar struggles to clarify whether … Read more

Describing weather in Bukusu

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golden sky with the sun representative of a common event of weather in Bukusu culture

How does one describe weather in Bukusu? Today we learn Lubukusu words for important weather events. A synopsis on the cultural importance weather in Bukusu culture Seasons and time of day are more common ‘reference’ points in Bukusu culture. Notably, these markers of time are of value during naming ceremonies and rituals; and in traditions … Read more