Get to know the meaning and translation of mbimbu yomungongo, a common Luhya figure of speech from Maragoli language. Learn pronunciation, know similar phrases and build vocabulary.
Translation of mbimbu yomungongo
| Maragoli word | English translation |
|---|---|
| Imbimbu or mbimbu | stick |
| (yo)mungongo | (of) the back |
Meaning of phase
Literally, ‘ a (support) cane for my back’.
Picture an elderly person who is old and bent, unable to stand upright. To such a person, a walking cane is of great help in keeping them upright as is physically possible. Now imagine if there was a way to straighten their backs, such as implanting a rod into their backs. If this could happen safely, it appears to me to be a method with more utility to them. Allowing for such wishful thinking enables us to easily see the full meaning of this Maragoli saying.
In Maragoli culture, this phrase is often used to show the value of children to their parents and society at large. Your children are considered to be a way through which your legacy is carried on i.e. even as you slow down with age your back gets ‘straightened’, as your children will make your name go up.
Singular or plural form
Typically, figures of speech such as this one do not have a plural or singular form. But if we were to attempt to, we’d add the prefix – zi – which in Lulogoli is often used to plural forms. If we apply this prefix to both words in this phrase, we end up with: ‘zimbimbu zimungongo’, meaning ‘support canes for my back’.
Practice sentence
Coming soon.
Other Luhya figures of speech of similar, same or close meaning to mbimbu yomungongo
Luhya words of similar or close meaning to mbimbu yomungongo
Similar Maragoli figures of speech
Same/Similar Wanga figures of speech
Similar Bukusu figures of speech
- Afwile ebikele ne emurwe babana baliyo
Beyond the everyday: The meaning of mbimbu yomungongo in Maragoli and Luhya culture
- Meaning of ‘your child is the supporting stick of your back‘, a Maragoli saying
About Lulogoli and The Maragoli
The Maragoli (Mulogoli the person) is a Bantu tribe that’s one of the larger houses of the Luhya supra-community that’s 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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