To get to the meaning of the figure of speech nyanga ya mabasa in Bukusu, we will break down the phrase and learn new Bukusu words along the way. Meaning of nyanga In Bukusu language, nyanga means: The sun, also called enyanga; Day Meaning of khubasa The word mabasa comes from the Bukusu action word khubasa … Read more
Drawing from my experience growing up Luhya in the village, I recall curious associations and myths about the owl in Bukusu culture. As you know, the owl is much feared in Luhya culture. The sighting of an owl is considered a bad omen. It tells of death stalking the community where it is sighted. And … Read more
A reader had the following question for us: How do we say, I am amazed in Bukusu language? Khuuka In Bukusu language khuuka means to be amazed (greatly surprised or astonished). Additionally, khuuka used to refer to exclamation sounds or ‘words’ common in Lubukusu such as: Wah! Eh! Eish! Balebe! Befwe! Bayee! Khuuka practice sentence … Read more
Here are names of 10 common rodents in Bukusu language + Bonus: Bukusu names of animals thought to be rodents, but are scientifically not rodents. Emuna Esabale Yabunje In Bukusu culture, this rat is said to be the ‘royal rat’ for its strange habit of having its resting nest littered with money. Curious to know … Read more
The Bukusu do have a specific greetings for different times of day. Let’s learn how to say good morning in Bukusu. Bwasiele You can comfortably say bwasiele translated as its dawn. This is closely related to how other Luhya subtribes say it, the only difference being the pronunciation. For example. the Maragoli say ‘vuche’, which … Read more
The moon was so bright that you could pick a needle in the grass. When you have a bright moonlight illuminating the night, in Bukusu language, it’s described as enje chelechenje. Meaning of phrase A moonlit night either in full moon or even earlier phases when the skies are clear. Learn new Bukusu words from … Read more
Drawn from across the 18 houses of mulembe, these are common Luhya words for darling. Come, let’s learn Luhya, the language of love. Common Luhya words for darling As we will be regularly updating this list, bookmark it for future reference. Egiswidi That’s sweetie in Kimaragoli. Kimeremende Peremende is sweet (the confectionary) in Swahili. Kimeremende … Read more
There’s no single word to say I miss you in Bukusu language, Lubukusu. That said, the following phrases maybe of help. The Bukusu word liofu, like it’s variant mahoru in Lulogooli is more about longing than missing. In Maragoli language, Lulogooli or Kimaragoli, one uses the word mahoru. Therefore, you can simply say Mbe na … Read more
Meet the Bukusu proverb ‘slippery ground has no king’. In Lubukusu Burerere sebuli ne omwami ta. You can also say Bumuimiu seburia omwami. Meaning and use of this Bukusu proverb Some situations or circumstances or happenstance is life have no regard for social status or self bravado. You could use this proverb to warn someone … Read more
Want to learn a bit of Luhya? This is how to say where are you going in Luhya language. We start off with the Maragoli and Bukusu dialects. In the Luhya language of Maragoli/ Lulogoli / Kimaragoli Uziza hai? Uzia hai? Informal Uhenzi hai? An English equivalent is: “Where are you headed?” Meaning of words … Read more
