Learn Maragoli online: The Mulembe Nation starter pack of 70+ common Maragoli words translation and meaning

We saw how some Maragoli words have similar pronunciation and meaning with Kinyarwanda words. Moreover, we have also explored a clutch of Maragoli words that sound like Kinyarwanda words, but mean different things. Today, we go pure Kimaragoli, Uloogoli, L’logoli or Maragori if you like. We have curated a list of 60+ common Maragoli words for the casual learner of the language of Andimi.

At a glance

Quick links to our list of 60+ common Maragoli words that should get you started on learning Kimaragoli easy, free and fast.

This short introduction to the Maragoli language is meant to add to our efforts of sharing the spirit of mulembe through language, by frequently using Luhya words to bring to life our content. We do this as a gentle way for non-native Luhya speakers to learn Luhya easy, free and fast. However, serious speakers of Maragoli will notice that some of the words we have listed here may not be as Andimi, the father of Mulogoli, spoke them.

This is because some words refer to things that Andimi never might never had use of e.g. ingida (bicycle) In Further, some of the Maragoli words in this list might appear Swahilinized e.g. ikifuria (sufuria); understandably bringing up the whole chicken and egg debate that surrounds Bantu words that sound Swahili. All considered, we guarantee that you’ll find exactly what we promised: Sixty plus common Maragoli words, translated and given meaning – your starter pack to speaking lulogoli.

Time, time of day or greetings

Vuche

Means ‘good morning’. To answer back, you simply say vuche or vuche mno, meaning a good morning it really is.

Mbe Garaha

This is a common answer to the greeting mulembe among the Maragoli. It means ‘I am fine’. However, as often with African salutations, we find a deeper meaning if when we consider our cultures. For this greeting, the word garaha literally means ‘slow’ in Lulogooli. Therefore, when one answers mbe garaha when greeted, it could be taken to mean that life is slowly ebbing on with no drama or upheavals. Therefore, they are ‘cool’ or ‘tranquil’, chilled out, so to say. Mbe garaha is the Maragoli version of the the world famous Swahili phrase: hakuna matata.

Sandiza

In strict terms, this Maragoli word means: thank you. However, more commonly, sandiza is used to mean that the person is grateful or appreciates one thing or another. Therefore, when exchanging greetings, answering back ‘sandiza’ is a way to say that you are grateful for life and God’s blessings.

Uzizangala ndi?

How are you doing? Precisely, it means: how are you faring on?

Vurahi

In the context of greetings, it means am good. With regards to everyday conversation, vurahi means ‘well’.

Kisundi

Darkness

Umbasu

The sun or daytime.

Karunu

Today or now.

Mgorova

Yesterday

Mgamba

Tomorrow

Muhiga

Muhiga means year in Lulogooli. For example, muhiga gwa ’76 is the year 1976. To say years, one says mihiga. For example, Mihiga gya Kenyatta in reference to the years in which President Jomo Kenyatta the founding father of Kenya ruled.

Common Maragoli words for things

Emesa

Means ‘table’. The Swahili word for table is ‘meza’.

Ikifuria

Sufuria in Swahili, metallic cooking pan in English. A common Maragoli abuse – or rather expression of disgust and/or disappointment at a persons conduct, character, uselessness or stupidity- is: Umundu yu ni ikifuria! Meaning, this person is such a sufuria.

Ichikuria

Food. Literally translates to: ‘ that to eat’.

Isavuni

This common Lulogooli word means ‘soap’. In Swahili, that would be ‘sabuni’. When one washes their hands or maybe feet after going to the shamba, a Maragoli would say that he/she has gone to ‘kuisava’. On the converse, in Lubukusu, ‘kuisava’ means to take a bath. However, this use of the word might still suffice in Kimaragoli, but its common use remains as above.

Zinguvu

Clothes.

Ridiji

Means ‘wall’ in English.

Rigina

Stone.

Imbimbu

Refers to a cane or stick.

Tsinyimbu

Songs.

Common Lulogooli words of birds, animals and living beings of nature

Mritu

Means forest or heavy thicket. Of which, the latter meaning is a more cheeky choice given that ‘mritu’ also means heavy in Lulogooli. Like one might say: ‘Mundu mritu.’ When describing a giant of a person.

Msara

This is the Maragoli word for tree. For example, msara wo uluwovu. Or musara wo kumwimbiwi. On the other hand, the word kumsara in Maragoli is a coded word for marijuana.

Imbwa

Dog.

Manyonyi

Birds.

Imburi

Goat. Use in a popular Maragoli proverb: Imburi yu mudaka yivura amalongo dave.

Common Maragoli pronouns, words of action and being

Hamba

Means ‘come’. Moreover, another common Maragoli word that stems from this one ‘hambane’ means ‘to unite’ or ‘to come together’.

Govore

Translates to mean ‘tell you’. Combining the word above and this one, a simple sentence is made from these two common Maragoli words: Hamba govore. This translates to: Come I tell you.

Zia

Go. For instance, one might say: “Zia urore” when instructing someone to go and see.

Nziza

I am coming.

Uraza?

Utakuja? in Swahili. Will you come? in English.

Araza

Means ‘atakuja’ in Swahili. Translates to ‘he/she will come’ in English.

Chiring’ana

Lulogooli for ‘keep quiet’.

Chigiraki?

This is how one inquires ‘why’ or ‘because of’ in Maragoli.

Ziriha?

How to inquire ‘which ones’ in Maragoli.

Ziosi

A likely answer to the question above ‘ziriha?’ might be ‘ziosi’ meaning, all of them.

Reta

Means ‘bring’. Thus If you want somebody to bring everything of something, in Maragori you’d say: Reta ziosi.

Vwangu

Means ‘quickly’. Therefore one can say: Reta ziosi vwangu when instructing someone to: quickly bring all of them.

Kuisinga

Bathing. On the converse, in Lubukusu, khwisinga would be what one does when cleaning inanimate things like a car, laundry or utensils.

Kudeka

Cooking. Also a polite way of saying so and so is married somewhere. For instance, a proud parent can say: “Mkana ange azii kudeka M’abanyala.” Translating to: My daughter has been married to a Abanyala man.

Human body parts in Maragoli

Virenje

Legs

Videte

Fingers.

Aminu

Teeth.

Munda

Stomach/ abdomen area. Includes all issues pertaining to that area. A good example of this extended meaning comes from the Abanyole who say: Yatsia nabana munda. Literal translation is: she went with children in her stomach. Thus the true meaning is she died went without giving birth. Kunyalala munda is a common expression in Lulogooli. It means to suffer a stomach upset that occasions diarrhea.

Common Maragoli words concerning people

Mariviti

Describes someone who has an exuberant forceful personality and is all over the place. Further, this word could be used to describe an extrovert.

Mahangari

An argumentative person. Besides, this Maragoli word also refers to act of being argumentative over every little thing. Moreover, it could also refer to a haggling for goods or services that has gotten out of hand.

Amwavo

Colloquially means brother.

Umwana

Child.

Avandu vosi

All the people. Note that it is vosi, not viosi, as above.

Common Maragoli words for places

Ekego

Means cow shed in English. In Maragoli building and construction traditions, the ekego, was often a space within the living area of the traditional hut. Often, it was an area that looked onto the living area that was demarcated by a mesh of sticks and poles.

Inzira

Road.

Muiduka

In the shop. In Swahili duka is shop. It is a word with Indian roots. However, the Maragoli word kuduka means ‘to arrive’ or to get to a place.

Mu chandangu

Chandangu is the veranda area/ backyard of traditional Maragoli house.

Words of ways of Mulogooli

Mwodi

Sorry.

Umwimani

Refers to a person who is selfish. Not generous.

Mbeku

It means ‘please help me with’. Such as in, mbeku isoda; meaning: please give me a soda.

Agirigari

The truth.

Uveshi

Lies.

Uvwoni

Evil or trouble. On the other hand, this word sounds like the Maragoli word for the fish delicacy omena or daggaa – uvuoni.

Sieva

Dance.

Asande

Thank You.

Build your vocabulary

About the Maragoli

The Maragoli or Mulogoli is a Bantu tribe that’s one of the larger houses of the Luhya supra-community that’s presently mainly domiciled in Western Kenya. Maragoli language or Lulogooli, Logoli is the tongue of Maragoli. Join us and learn how to speak Maragoli language. Start of with our free lessons in Maragoli language. Build your vocabulary with our stories from Maragoli culture whose narrative harnesses the richness of L’logoli in telling our origin, beliefs and way of life. Hop on our continuous search for the meaning of different Maragoli proverbs and sayings. Test yourself with our dalliance at the intersections, such as in our ongoing Kinyarwanda-Lulogooli and Lingala- Luhya discourse. Let’s get you started with Kimaragoli, with our mega post: Learn Maragoli Online: The Mulembe Nation list of 60+ common Maragoli words, their translation and meaning.

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