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Digitized by VjOOQIC
^5 5'.»o|.g'
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
OP THE
PEABODY MUSEUM
GIFT OF
JOHN B. STETSON, Jr.
(Class of 1906)
OF PHILADELPHIA
DEPOSITED IN THE COLLEGE LIBRARY
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k
A HANDBOOK
YAO LANGUAaE
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A HANDBOOK
OF THE
YAO LANGUAGE
BY THE REV.
ALEXANDER HETHERWICK, M.A., F.RG.I
OP THB CHURCH OF SCOTLAND'S MISSION
BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA
SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED
SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE
LONDON: NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.a
1902
Digitized by GoOglf'
Z,-L.\r. lOl.i
Joim E. ^tt.tscn. jr.
June 7, le^OO
RiCQARD Clay h Sons, Limited,
London & Bungay.
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PREFACE
Since the first edition of this work appeared in
1889, the Yao country has been the sphere of con-
siderable developments, both from a missionary as
well as from a commercial and political point of view.
The country around Blantyre is now under British
protection, ruled by a vigorous Administration in
the name of His Majesty's Government. A number
of successful and enterprising commercial establish-
ments have been for some years prosecuting their
interests, and in no small measure aiding the develop-
ment of the country and the civilization of the natives
under our rule. The Church of Scotland Mission has
been consolidating and extending its work among the
Yaos of the Shire Highlands, Zomba and Mlanji.
To the East of the Lake the Yao country has been
divided into two by the German and Portuguese
Governments, whose mutual boundary is the great
river of Yao-land, the Rovuma. The Grermans are
firmly administering the country to the North of tha^
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VX PREFACE
river. Within their sphere the Universities Mission
has for many years carijied on missionary operations
among the Yao tribes in the Masasi districts.
Portugal, on the other hand, has only within the last
year conceded rights to a commercial company which
has dispatched an expedition from tHe coast t/O Lake
Nyasa through the great Yao centres, and made
preparations for effective occupation. In their terri-
tory on the Highlands eastward of the Nyasa, the
Universities Mission has opened up several new
stations in the Yao districts, and is preparing for a
further advance among the Yao population north of
the Lujenda River and along the densely peopled
Lujenda Valley. All this points to further develop-
ments among the Yao-speaking peoples of East Central
Africa.
The Yaos of British Central Africa proved themselves
at first bitterly hostile to the British Administration
on its establishment in 1891. Under native rule
their villages had been for long the centres of the
slave traffic, and in consequence their chiefs and
headmen looked with little favour on the advent of a
power that threatened their old privileges. The early
difficulties experienced by the Administration occurred
for the most part in territories under the jurisdiction
of such chiefs. These have in great measure been
overcome, and the Yao people — ^a race physically
and intellectually the most powerful in East Central
Africa — ^have given various tokens of their acceptance
of the rule of a civilized power. Numbers of the tribe
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PBEPACe • Vll
have entered the service of the Administration as
interpreters, policemen, etc., while a large proportion
of the soldiers belonging to the native regiment have
been enrolled from that tribe.
During the past twelve years the Mission presses
at Blantyre and Domasi have produced a supply of
educational works for the use of their schools, while
the British and Foreign Bible Society has completed
their version of the New Testament in Yao. For
some years the first edition of this handbook has been
out of print, and as applications for it have been
frequent, it has been deemed advisable to re-issue it
in a new and enlarged form. The growing interest
in the country shown by the increasing developments
of the missionary and commercial enterprises, makes
the study of the native language a matter of duty
on the part of all whose occupation brings them in
contact with native life.
Almost no alterations have been found necessary
in Part I. beyond a few additional illustrations of
points in grammatical structure that seemed to require
further elucidation.
In Part II. various additions and alterations have
been made, enlarging the scope of the vocabulary,
and modifying the meaning of not- a few terms.
Several omissions, natural in a first edition of a
vocabulary of any language, have been supplied, and
the work thus rendered more complete.
Part III., the English- Yao vocabulary, is entirely
new. For the basis of it I am indebted to the Domasi
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viix PRBFACfi
Mission Press, which compiled from the first edition
of this work a vocabulary for the use of their schools.
For this valuable assistance I owe my thanks. The
addition of this Part III. will supply a want much
felt by a student of the Yao tongue.
Since the first edition of this handbook was pub-
lished, the study of African languages has been greatly
facilitated by the publication of the "Comparative
Grammar of South African Languages," by the Rev.
J. Torrend, S.J. of the Zambesi Mission. This work
has replaced, though it has in no way superseded,
Bleek's monumental work on the same subject. The
field of Bantu languages has been so vastly widened
since the latter work was produced, that the student
of Comparative Bantu Philology has now a much
larger field on which to make his observations and
elucidate the results of his researches. Father
Torrend has laid all students of Bantu languages
under a deep obligation for the aid to their linguistic
labours which his erudite researches have afforded
them. The path of any pioneer in the still unexplored
territory of Bantu language is now made compara-
tively easy, while no future work on any of these
tongues can be satisfactory without reference to
Father Torrend's Grammar.
In his classification of the Bantu languages Father
Torrend places Yao in a division by itself. Further
on he adds in a note on page 17, "that most of the
peculiar features of Yao have their counterpart in
the languages of the Chwana-Mozambique-Mpongwe
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PREFACE IX
group.** While agreeing with Father Torrend as to
the distinctive character of the Yao language pre-
venting its being classed along with any of the usually
defined groups of Bantu speech, I am inclined to
believe that its affinities will be found to lie with the
varieties of language lying to the north and north-
west of Yao-land, among the tribes of North Nyasa-
land. However, our still limited knowledge of the
languages of that region forbids any decision being
arrived at on this point,
Aberdeen,
WhUsunday 1901.
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PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
The following pages contain the result of five years'
study of the Yao tongue. The outlines so admirably
drawn by Bishop Steere, in his ** Collections foi: a
Handbook of the Yao Language," have been filled
in, and the principal features in the structure of
the language have now been reduced to systematic
form.
The Yao tongue was first presented to the student
in the vocabularies of Salt. He was followed by
Krapf, and afterwards by Koelle in the " Polyglot ta
Africana," who each give lists of words which they
believed to be spoken by the Yao tribe. Bleek also,
in his edition of " The Languages of Mozambique/'
gives a limited vocabulary. But, with these excep-
tions, nothing was known of the language till, in
1871, Bishop Steere increased his magnificent
linguistic gifts to Africa by the publication of the
"Collections." From the Yao boys in the mission
schools at Zanzibar he made his first acquaintance
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Xll PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
with their mother-tongue. Afterwards a Yao f reed-
man, who knew Swahili also, enabled him to test
and correct the knowledge he had obtained from other
sources. The result of his researches he published
in 1871.
In 1876 the mission of the Church of Scotland in
East Africa was first started at Blantyre, on the
Shir^ Hills. There the members of the mission
found themselves in the midst of a branch of the
Yao tribe which had come from the country round
Mangoche Hill, and had settled in that district,
from which they had first expelled the original
Mang'anja possessors. In 1878 the Rev. Duff Mac-
donald, B.D., was appointed head of the mission,
and before his retirement in 1881 he was enabled
to publish a selection of Scripture passages in Yao,
together with a small collection of native stories
for use in the mission schools.
These, together with Bishop Steere's work, formed
the whole literature of the subject when I joined
the staff of the mission in 1883. With the aid of
Walani, one of the mission boys, I was enabled to
make use of these materials and to extend the know-
ledge of the grammar and structure of the language.
I availed myself largely of native " literatui-e," in
the shape of legends and folk-lore stories, which
almost every native is familiar with. Many of these
I wrote down from the lips of different individuals,
and in this way enlarged my vocabulary and my
knowledge of grammatical forms and idioms. No
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PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION xiil
better material for acquiring an insight into the
genius of any African language could be found than
these native stories. In them we see the language
as the native speaks it, and not as he adapts it to
any foreign • idioms or expressions he may have
picked up. A raw native from the " bush/' who
has never been in contact with Europeans, is by far
the best guide in the study of a native language, as
he usually speaks it in its purity. Natives who
have been under tuition are very apt to adopt the
expressions and phraseology of their teachers, and
thus often to make sad havoc of the pure idiom of
their mother-tongue.
From these sources the following pages have been
compiled. Simultaneously with their completion
there have been issued from the press of the British
and Foreign Bible Society translations of the Gospels
and the Acts of the Apostles in the Yao language.
I must acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. John
Buchanan, head of the firm of Buchanan Brothers,
planters, Zomba, H.B.M. Acting-Consul for Nyasa,
who gave me copious additions to the vocabulary,
and at various times has made valued suggestions
regarding many points in these pages. To the
Rev. Duff Macdonald, B.D., late of Blantyre, minister
of South Dalziel parish, I also must ascribe my thanks
for his generous assistance in correcting the proof-
sheets of this work.
The compilation of this grammar and vocabulary
has been the work of intervals in the midst of the
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XIV PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
varied occupations of a missionary's life in Africa.
It is put forth as a contribution to the knowledge of
a linguistic field that every year is growing wider
and wider with the progress of Central African
missions. It is intended more especially as an o^id
to my fellow-workers in acquiring the language of
the people about them, and, I trust, may in this
way assist in extending the kingdom of our Blessed
Master.
Alexander Hbtherwiok.
Aberdeen, Easter 1889.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER
PAGE
Preface .....
V
Preface to First Edition .
xi
Introditction ....
. xvii
PART I
I.
Sounds and Sofnd-Modifications :—
1. The Alphabet
1
2. Accent ....
4
3. Elision and Coalition of Vowels .
5
4. Syllables ....
6
II.
The Concord ....
6
III.
The Substantive :—
1. Noun Classes ....
12
2. Possessive Relation
17
3. Formation of Nouns .
. 18
IV.
The Adjective:—
1. Proper Adjectives ,
21
2. Nouns used as Adjectives
. 24
3. Verbal Adjectives .
24
4. Comparison of Adjectives
. 25
V.
Numerals ....
26
VI.
The Pronoun :—
1. Personal Pronouns
. 80
2. Possessive Pronouns
84
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VII.
YJII.
CONTENTS
R
PAGE
3- Reflexive Pronouns
35
4. Demonstrative Pronouns
. 35
6. Relative Pronouns
39
6. Interrogative Pronouns
. 41^
7. Other Pronouns . . .
42
The Vekb ....
. 44
1. Voices ....
45
2. Indefinite Tenses
. 47
3. Imperative Mood .
48
4. Infinitive Mood
. 49
5. Indicative Mood .
50
6. Conditional Mood
. 63
7. Contingent Mood .
65
8. Subjunctive Mood
67
9. Potential Mood .
69
10. Participles
. 70
11. Other Verbal Forms
72
12. Auxiliaiy Verbs and Copula .
. 73
13. Verbal Formation .
78
14. Continuative Suffixes, -gay -je^ and -pe . 81
The Advekb, Preposition, Conjunct]
[ON, AND
Interjection : —
1. Adverbs ....
83
2. Prepositions .
. 91
3. Conjunctions
93
4. Interjections .
. 93
PART II
Yao-English Vocabulary .
95
PART III
English-Yao Vocabulary
339
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INTRODUCTION
The Yao tribe, whose language is described in the
following pages, inhabits the lofty tableland lying
between Lake Nyajga and the coast. The region over
which it is spoken extends from near the coast on the
east to the eastern shore of Lake Nyasa on the west,
and from the latitude of the Eovuma sources on the
north to the Lujenda river on the south. Lately,
however, a large district in the centre of this region has
been devastated by the ravages of the Magwangwara,
a powerful raiding tribe, whose home lies to the north
of the Kovuma river. Isolated villages and districts
where the language is spoken are to be found on the
western shore of Lake Nyasa and in the country lying
interior to it. About 1860 one branch of the tribe
forced its way down into the Shir6 Hills, where now
the mission stations of the Church of Scotland are
situated, while another smaller offshoot established
itsdf east of Mount Mlanji, on the trade route to the
coast at Quillimane.
b
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XV1^ INTRODUCTION
The name of the tribe appears under various forms
in the record of African discovery — Wahiau, Waio,
Hiau, Veiao, Adsawa, Adsoua, Mudsau, Mujao, Ajawa,
Achawa, Wayao. This last is the form in which the
people speak of themselves, while Ku-Yao or Kwi-Yao
is the name applied to their country, and Chi-Yao to
their language. By the name Ajawa or Achawa they
are know to the river people, and by this name we
find them alluded to in Livingstone's book on the
" Zambesi and its Tributaries."
The Wa-Yao, or, to drop the prefix, which is the
sign of personality, the Yao, are an agricultural
people. They have no cattle, and only a limited
number of sheep or goats. In their original home
there were no large rivers or lakes, hence theii*
language is poor in the nomenclature of objects of
river life. Most of the names of fishing implements
they have borrowed from the Mang'anja, their nearest
river neighbours. Their agricultural methods are of
a very rude type — ^just such as one would expect in a
people living in a country where the soil is poor, where
the cultivator has no fixity of tenure, and where large
traots of virgin soil lie ready to hand. Their habits
and customs will be found admirably described in
^* Africana," by the Rev. Duff Macdonald, B.D., and
in " The Shir^ Highlands as Mission and Colony," by
Mr. John Buchanan, planter, Zomba.
Lying within easy reach of the coast, the territory
inhabited by the Yaos has always been a favourite
huntingrground of the slave-trader. The tribe supplies
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INTRODUCTION xix
large numbers of porters to make up the caravans
that start from the coast for the lake regions of the
continent. Thus the people have for long been, and
are still, imder the influence of Arab and Swahili
ivory and slave-traders. Hence the existence of a
wider world and of a higher civilization has long been
known to them, and many new ideas have permeated
the old native life. A few additions have been made
to their vocabulary from the Swahili language of the
coast ; but traces of this influence are to be found
only in the districts most ' frequented by the coast
trader.
The Yao has a fondness for travel. Almost every
young man has made one or more journeys to the
coast, while some are described as Iwendolwendopey
wanderers. The different branches of the tribe have
in this way been frequently brought in contact
with each other, and we find but few instances of
dialectic variety. Such as do occur lie chiefly in
accent or idiom : there are no traces of variety of
grammatical structure. Five different divisions have
been pointed out, corresponding to the different
branches of the tribe: (1) the Amakale, near the
sources of the Rovuma ; (2) the Mwembe people, near
Mataka's Town ; (3) the Masaninga, near the south
end of Nyasa ; (4) the Machinga, on Mounts Chikala
and Zomba ; (5) and the Mangoche, in the neighbour-
hood of Blantyre.
The language is classed by Gust in the southern
sub-branch of the great group of languages, to
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XX INTRODUCTION
which the name Bantu has been applied; but the
division of this great family into its various branches
has never yet been satisfactorily accomplished, nor can
this be done till the characteristics of each language
have been more fully ascertained. Yao must be
classed in the same group to which Swahili belongs,
and has more affinity with this group than with the
great Zambesi-Nyasa group, which lie immediately
to the westward of it. Its nearest relation is the
language of a small tribe lying between the Yaos and
the Swahili, called the Makonde. Geographically
speaking, its neighbours may be described as follows : .
on the east the Swahili and Makonde ; on the north
the Magwangwara, a Zulu-speaking race ; on the west
the lake pec^le, called Mang'anja, or Wa-Nyanja;
and on the south the Makua, or Lomwe.
Several characteristics at once arrest the attention
of the student.
The excessive number of euphonic changes is at
first a source of difficulty. No harsh combinations of
consonants is allowed ; the one or the oth^ is modified
so that the articulation of the sounds may be made as
easy as possible. Of two consonants in combination
one must always be a nasal, while the nasal n causes
extensive modification in the sounds combined with
it. The result of such changes is that a peculiar
softness is given to the language, causing it to stand
in its relation to the neighbouring languages of the
Bantu group, as Italian stands to its European neigh-
bours. From the same cause, also, words are so
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INTRODUCTION XXI
modified in the process of grammatical construction
as to be almost unrecognizable by a beginner. Thus
fr(»n hulekat " to leave," we have ndesile, " I have
left 'j " where the e adone remains of all the letters in
the simple stem. Again, from hipa, " to give/' we have
cmbde^ ** he gave me " 3 where not a single letter of the
original has been retained. Such changes are at first
exceedingly puzzling to a foreigner.
In additicm to these euphonic changes, the Yao
verb presents a}so a variety of terminal modifications
that is seen in none of its neighbours of the same
language-group. Thus, in forming the' past tenses,
we have such changes as kagwUe fiom kagula^ tasUe
from toga, weni from wona, etc. The rules laid down
in the Grammar are a sufficient guide in determining
the formation of the past tenses; yet, as Bishop
Steere well remarks, " such changes are more easily
felt than described." In Part II., for the convenience
of the learner, the past tense of most of the verbs is
appended to the simple form.
Like the others of the East African languages, Yao
is exceedingly vivid in its descriptive and demonstra-
tive application. The speaker seems to look upon
every scene or incident as present to his eye, and
every successive detail is depicted as if it were pass-
ing in a show before him. Hence the use of the
demonstrative pronoun is more frequent in Yao
than in English, and hence, too, a peculiar con-
struction of the infinitive, which reduces all actions,
past or future, to the present time. A native has been
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XXU INTRODUCTION
•
heard to say, Aji nguo *ji ja cheni ajiji ? " Whose
cloth is this?" where the demonstrative 'ji occurs
four times, where " this " in English occurs but once.
The simple demonstrative in Y&o appears under ten
different forms, divided into three different classes,
according to the situation of the object indicated.
The pitch of the voice also modifies the distance, so
that whether present or arbsent, near or distant, the
object is distinctly presented to the listener's mind.
In the following chapters, the chief characteristics
of the language are unfolded, and the principal laws
that guide its structure are explained. As far as
possible^ examples are given of every form of con-
struction explained in the text.
Part II. contains the Yao-English vocabulary. It
is necessarily far from being complete at the present
stage of the study of the language. Words were daily
being added, and it is only after several further years
of acquaintance with the people that anything like
a complete dictionary of their language can be
attempted. The present list of words will form a
contribution to such an undertaking.
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PART I
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A HANDBOOK
YAO LANGUAGE
CHAPTER I
SOUNDS AND SOUND-MODIFICATIONS
1. Tlie Alplwhet,
The sounds of the Yao language may all be repre-
sented by the letters of the Boman alphabet ; those
in use being the five vowels, a, c, t, o, u, the fourteen
consonants, 5, d, f^ g^ y, h^ I or r, m, w, jo, «, t, w, y,
together with three compound consonants, ch, ng\
and ny»
Vowels. — ^The vowels are pronounced as in Italian.
A has the sound of a in father ; in certain cases,
however, somewhat opener and flatter. The vowel
may be long or short.
E has the sound of e in there. A closer modifica-
tion is sometimes heard^ the pitch of the voice being
lower,'
K in combination A; or ^ is followed by e, the Tc or
g becomes ch orj.
I has the sound of ee in keep. In a very few
B
Digitized by VjOOQIC
i SOUNDS AND SOUND-MODIPICATIONS
instances :th* sound approaches more to that of the
i in sick,
has always the open sound of o in door, never
the o of only.
U has the sound of oo in moon. Followed by
another vowel, the u becomes w.
Note. — There are no diphthongs in Yao. The
nearest approach to a diphthong is the sound of au
in jaula ; but in this instance the two vowel-sounds
are distinct, the accent resting on the a.
Cofisonanis. — ^The consonants are pronounced as in
EDglish.
B is the EngKsh h. When n is prefixed to 5, p,
or w, the two become m6, as arnhutUe for cmputUe,
humhona for kunwona.
D is the English d. When n is prefixed to t or ly
it forms the combination nd.
F occurs only in a few words, and these intro-
duced from neighbouring languages. As a rule, the ,
y of a cognate tongue becomes a jt? in the mouth of
a Yao.
G is always pronounced hard, as in the English
gate. Before e and i, g becomes y.
\H occurs nowhere in Yao. ** Arabs, when they
speak the Yao language, insert an h between two
consecutive vowels'' (Steere, "Collections").]
J" as in English. N' before j makes ny ; n before
ch makes nj.
K as in English. K followed by e or i becomes
ch. The combination of n with k forms n^.
L, R. L approaches the English I, but the exact
sound must be caught from a native^s lips. Except
when it stands at the commencement of a word,
I may be interchanged with a slightly trilled r.
Gerego is more common than gelego, but both are
admissible.
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SOUKDS AND SOUND-MODIFICATIONS 3
Between two vowels I is often dropped, and the
consequent vowel-coalition takes place. We have
jegxmgo for ja ligongo; kupikana for hlpUikafm.
After 71, I becomes d, or is dropped altogether ; as
cmdinde or aninde for ardinde,
R never occurs at the commencement bf a word.
M is prbnounced as in English. M before h is
generally ft modified ft; mb may stand for wp, nw,
mw. N is always dropped before m.
j^. The Yao n has the sound of an English n.
It is the cause of a large number of changes among
the other consonants. The following list sho^s the
various changes tdiich it cituses in combination : —
n before b becomes mb ;
as mbaUdich&
For nbalaliche.
n
ch
»
nj
„ njapile
,, nchapile.
n
J
»
ny
„ nyigele
„ Ti/i^eZe.
n
k
>>
ng
„ nganile
„ nka/iiUe.
n
I
»
norndy, aninde
„ anlinde.
n
m
>>
m
„ hum'Tnanya
,, hinmanya.
n
n
>>
n
„ natvile
„ nnawile.
n
P
>>
mb
„ kwrnba
„ kunpa.
n
s
)>
s
„ 808ile
„ noodle.
n
t
»
nd
„ kundola
„ kuntola.
n
i
)>
i
„ Hiche
,, niiche.
n
u
yy
u
„ *uu8ile
„ nuusiU.
n
w
»
mb
or mbu
„ leumhona
>„ cmibweni
„ kanwona.
„ anvjeni.
Hencb, whferfever \^e fihd —
7w5 it may staiid for m6, wft, njo, or nt^?.
■rtu/
IMJU
y yftt', ux
ng
ng
or wA;
nj
nj
or Tic^.
ny
ny
or n;.
n
n or TiZ.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
4: SOUNDS AND SOUND-MODIFICATIONS
F is pronounced as in English. N before j)
becomes mh,
S may have the sound of s in risCf or of s in sun.
In many instances either may be used as mtm, mesi,
etc.
T is the English /. iV prefixed to t becomes nd,
W has an open vocalic sound formed by keeping
the lips well apart during the pronunciation of the
vowel. iV prefixed to w becomes m5 or mbw,
Y is the English consonantal y in yeL
Compov/nd Consoncmts. — There are three compound
consonantal sounds, represented by c/*, ng\ and ny.
Ch is pronounced as ch in church, N before ch
becomes nj; k followed by e or t becomes ch,
Ng* is pronounced as ng in singing. iV simple
before g has its ringing sound as in finger,
Ny is the Spanish n or Portuguese nh. It re-
sembles the ni of com'panion, only it is somewhat
more nasal. •
2. Accent*
In Yao the accent usually falls on the penultimate
syllable {majumba), more rarely on the antepenult
(wdngalij waichile), never on the final syllable.
When a suffix is appended to a word, the accent
sometimes shifts so as to be on the penult (kumpili-
kdna, ku/mpUikanUa) ; sometimes it remains on its
original syllable {waiclie, waichile). The addition of
the enclitic syllables -je^ -ga, always draws forward
the accent {waicheje, wata/mdga). The demonstrative
and personal pronouns, when the vowel is elided,
are looked upon as forming an enclitic to the word,
and so serve to draw forward the accent. Thus we
have nyumba aji, but nyumbd ^ji; nguti une, but
nguti 'we. Elision of a vowel or consonant always
Digitized by VjOOQIC
SOUNDS AND SOUND-MODIFICATIONS 5
draws the accent to the syllable where the elision
takes place.
3. Elision and Coalition of Vowels,
Elision often takes place of the vowel at the be-
ginning of a word when the word before it is closely
connected with it. This occurs most frequently in
the case of the demonstrative and personal pronouns ;
as nyumba 'jo for nyumba ajo, ahimbHanga ^ne for
akunMla/nga wne, wandu 'wala for watuhi awala.
When stress' is laid on the pronoun no elision takes
place. In such cases as ajU* ako for ajile ako, and
TnsejeUr ako for tnsejelele ako, the e is dropped, being
the weaker vowel, while at the same time stress is
laid upon the demonstrative.
When, by combination or by elision of the con-
sonant l^ the vowels a and e, a and i, a and u come
together, ae becomes e, ai becomes e, and au becomes
o; as lyesiwha for lya lisimbaf yeswela for ya isivela,
wojumu for wa ujv/mu.
After ch and j, i is dropped before a following
vowel ; as cha for chi-a, chose for chiose,
I followed by a has the sound of ya,
4. Syllables.
In Yao all syllables end in a vowel. This vowel
must be preceded by a sihgle consonant, which, again,
may be preceded by a nasal m or n, or followed by w
or y ; as ha, mha, mhwa.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
CHAPTER II
THE CONCOBD
The grammatical structure of the Yao language, as
of all thQ Bantu group, depends on the principle
of what has been called Concm^d. All nouns are
divided into a certain number of classes, according
to their initial syllables. Every word in the
sentence, which is in agreement with the noun,
takes this syllable, or a modification of it, as its
characteristic or significant syllable. JAwago a\i
lili Ijangu, nginiXijasiha, lje7iu *\ila lijasiche, This
axe is mine, it is not lost, your one is lost. Here
the li of liwago appears as the characteristic syllable
of every word in the sentence agreeing with it.
Again, M.a.wago aga, gsbli gdmjgu, ngomagSijasika, genu
'gsbla gsijasiche, These axes are mine, tlaey are not
lost, your ones are lost. Here the ma of ma/wago has
as its characteristic syllable ga, which appears as
the characteristic syllable in all the other words in
agreement with it. Thus the language is to a
great extent alliterative, and the grammatical con-
nection of the various parts is at once apparent.
This principle, which runs through all the Bantu
family, has been called the Concord, and the signi-
ficant or alliterative syllables of the various classes
may be called the Cha/racteristic.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE OONCOBP
The various characteristics or coocord parts,
arranged according to the noun classes, are as
follows : —
Class. Sing.
Plnr.
I. JU.
WA.
II. u.
JI.
III. JI.
SI.
IV. QUI.
I.
V. LI.
GA.
VI. LU.
SI.
VII. KA.
TU.
VIII. KU.
FA.
MU.
There is no doubt that these cojicord-pharacter-
Istics are themselves the remains qf obsolete
primitive nouos. According to Pr. BJeek, there
are eighrteen of thei^ to be found throughout thp
Bantu family. Fifteen of these ocpur in Yao.
They are evidently of great antiquity, and form the
foundation on which the structure of the language
has been built up.
4-t one time these cl^aracteristips may have had
each a definite meaning, whereby the various root-
ideas of the language were classified. At pr^sent,
however, no such definite meaning can be attached
to the syllables separately. It is only >vhen we
come to cpnsider the various classes of the noun
that we can venture to say what m^-y bave been
the idea represented by each characteristic syllable.
Thus JU, or, as it; appears in the noun prefii, MU,
expresses personality ; ^/, greatness or mass ; CHI,
instrumentality or individuality ; and KA, littleness.
Yet such classification is applicable only to a very
hmited extent.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
8 THE CONCORD
Starting from this conception of the original
meaning of these prefixes, it is easy to see how the
constant recurrence of the significant syllable gives
definiteness and preciseness to the meaning of the
sentence. This, and not a mere desire for allitera-
tion, seems to be the origin of the system of con-
cordant speech. Bantu speech is remarkable for its
vividness. The speaker has always his subject
prominently before his mind, and by his constant
use of the demonstratives he points out the various
objects in his field of thought. The frequent
recurrence of the characteristic syllable helps to add
to this vividness, and has the effect of keeping the
subject-idea always prominent. There is thus never
any difficulty in seeing to what part of a sentence
any other part refers.
It will thus be easily seen how the characteristic
has come to be used as a demonstrative, as a relative
pronoun, and as a personal pronoun of the third
person. In reality there is in Yao no such thing
as a pronoun. Its use in the language is replaced
by the class-characteristic, the same characteristic
serving as the significant syllable of the demon-
strative, and of the other parts of speech in agree-
ment with the substantive. Thus, Ksbnache 'kkngu
aka iLsdwasile, IsiSiposile soni, The child, my little one,
the little one here was ill ; the little one has recovered
again. Here the idea of littleness, expressed by the
kay runs through the sentence, and the ka, associated
with that idea, stands in place of our demonstrative,
i-elative, and personal pronouns. Again, the sen-
tence, JJ chimrvene wokulungwa ws,ngu *ula nlimkv/mala,
may be translated, " The kingc^om, the great dorrij my
donif that dom, (dom) is coming to an end," where the
u of uchimwene may be expressed by the -dom of
kiTigdom.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE CONCORD \)
The following sentences illustrate the changes
produced by the principle of concord operating in
the various noun classes : —
Class I. AfWAnache aJU AH JUangu, nganAjasika,
JUenu 'JUla AJasiche. This child is
mine, he is not lost, your one is lost.
WAnache aWA AH WAngUj nganAjasika,
WEnu ^WAla Ajasiche, These children
are mine, they are not lost, your ones are
lost.
II. Mtela all UH WAngu, ngunUjasika, WEnu
^Ula UjasicJie. This tree is mine, it is
not lost, your one is lost.
Mhela aJI JIH JAngu, nginiJIjasika,
JEnu *JIla Jlja^che, These trees are
mine, they are not lost, your ones are
lost.
III. NYundo aJI Jlli JAngu, nginiJIja»ikay
JEnu ^Jlla Jljasiche. This hammer is
mine, it is not lost, your one is lost.
NYundo aSI SIH SYangu, nginiSIjaaika,
SY&nu *SIla Sljasiche, These hammers
are mine, they are not lost, your ones
are lost.
IV. CHIaoti aCHI CHIH CUAngu, nginiCUI-
jasika, CHEnu 'CHlla CHJjasicJve. This
cap^is mine, it is not lost, yoiu' one is
lost.
Isoti aYI lU YAngu, nginiljaaika, YEnu
*Ila Ijasiche. These caps are mine, they
are not lost, your ones are lost.
V. Llwago aLI LIH LYAngu, nginiLIjoMka,
LYEnu *LIla LljasicJie, This axe is
mine, it is not lost, your one is lost.
MAwago aGA GAH GAngu, n^anaGAjasika,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
10 THE CONCORD
GEnu *GAla GAjasiche. These axes are
mine, they are not lost, your ones are
lost.
VI. LUpeta aLU LTJli LUangu, ngumiLUjasikay
LUenu ^LUla LUjasicke. This basket is
mine, it is not lost, your one is lost.
MBeta aSI Slli Siangv,, nginiSIjasikay
SYenu ^Slla Sljasiche, These baskets
are mine, they are not lost, your ones
are lost.
VII. KAThoche aKA KAli KAngu, nganaKAjasiche^
KEnu 'KAla KAjasiche. This little child
is mine, it is not lost, your one is lost.
TWanache aTU TUli TWangu, ngunuTU-
jasika, TWErm ^TUla TVjcmcbe. These
little children are mine, they are not lost,
your ones are lost.
VIII. KUlemha aKU KUti KWAngu, ngunuKU-
jasika, KWEnu 'KUla KUjasiche. This
writing is mine, it is not lost, yours is
lost.
FAKtUemba aPA PAli PAngu, ngcmaPA-
jasika, PEnu 'PAla PAjasiehe. This
writing place is mine, it is not lost, yours
is lost.
MUkfidemha aMU MUli MWAngu, ngunu-
MUjasika, MWEnu 'MUla MUjadche.
This place for writing in is mine, it is
not lost, yours is lost.
In these sentences the variable prefixes of the
noun classes and the class characteristics which
depend on them are in capitals.
In comparing the various initial syllables of the
noun classes with the concord-characteristics of the
same classes, it will be seen how far the one differs
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE CONCORD 11
from the other. Thus the initial .of the first class is
MU^ while the characteristic is JU ; the plural of the
fifth class is MA, while the characteristic is GA.
The analogy of other branches of the Bantu family
would lead us to infer that, though differing at
present, both have had an original common form.
It has been suggested that the original class-
characteristic of the first class may have been
NGUA, which in thp first syllable of the noun has
been modified into MU, and in the class-character-
istic into JU, But it is manifest that only a wider
and fuller knowledge than we possess at present of
the various branches of this family tree will show
us with certainty what all those original forms may
have beei^ whose modifications have come down to
us from remote ages.
The different aspects of this great principle of
concord will be be^t presented in relation to tjie
various parts of speech.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
CHAPTER III
THE SUBSTANTIVE
1. Noun Glasses,
The substantive in Yao consists of two parts — the
prefix and the stem or root itself. The prefix con-
sists of the class-characteristic or a modification of
it, and upon its form depends the classification and
concord of the substantive. Thus in munduy chinduy
kandu, the -ndu is the stem or root signifying objed,
while mu- chi-, and lea- are the significant prefixes
signifying personality, neutrality, and smallness.
All Yao nouns are divided into classes according
to the form of the prefix. There are two numbers,
singular and pliu^al, distinguished by the change in
the prefixes.
I. To the first class belong all proper names and
words beginning with mu-, m-, or mw-y denoting living
beings, names of persons, relations, and offices. The
plural is formed by changing the m-, niu-, or mw- into
wor, Or, acha-y or achi-. Sing, mundu, a person, pi.
wandu; mwcmache, a child, pi. wariache; rrdongOy a
relative, pi. achalongo or ahngo; msawiy a witch,
pi. wdsawi; mchomda, a youth, pi. achanda or dcfw,*
chomda; rrdcmiu, a brother-in-law, pL cdamu; rrduJcpsi/Oy
a freeman, pi. wahikosyo; mriasi, an acquaintance^ pL
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE SUBSTANTIVE 13
anasi ; mputi, a counsellor, pi. aputi; mhalUf an elder,
pi. ahulu and achakulu; rrdendoy a stranger, pi. alendo
and acludendo. Several nouns in this class, chiefly
nouns of respect, are used almost entirely in the
plural form : such as atati^ father ; weae^ father ;
aaonogo^ a wife or husband. When used in the
plural they take the form aclior, as, achatatif ochiweBe^
fathers ; achasono wangu^ my wives.
Mchimwene^ a chief, takes the plural form achi-
mwena, but this has been so customarily employed
in the singular nimiber as a title of respect that it
has lost the plural significance, and a new plural
form has come into general use, waimwene, chiefs.
A few other nouns belong to this class ; as —
Sing. Plur.
Singano, a needle. Achasingano.
Kaliwo, a pipe. Achakaliwo,
Sona, tobacco.
Tambala, a cock. Achatambala.
Katwnduy a load. Achakatundu,
Biduy a donkey. Achabtdu.
Kavalo, a horse. Achakavalo,
Kalata, a letter. Acliahalata,
Seta, tin. Achaseta, tins.
Foreign names introduced are sometimes put into
this class.
The class-characteristics are — sing. JL^, pi. WA,
II. To the second class belong nouns in m-, mu-,
or mw', not included in the first class ; also all
abstract nouns in Vr, and nouns in u- which admit
of no plural. The plural is formed by changing
the prefix m-, mu-, or mw- into mi-. Sing, mtela, a
tree, pi. mitela ; uchcmday boyhood ; uhma, beer ;
mchiga, a root, jpl, michiga ; mchila, a tail, pi. michila ;
mkono, an jarm, pi. mikono ; maeo, a wide hoed road,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
14 THE SttbSTANTIVE
pi. fniseo ; mtimd, st hfeart, pi. mitima ; inpikUj a pot j
pi. fJiipihi ; mud, a tillagb, pi. fniH / fHwiiod, ^ thbrii,
pi. iniioa ; malt, potridgb ; ugtinja, friendship ; ujitBt,
beggary ; vkungvyiy skill ; umi^ healthy life j vlwrne^
mahhood.
Note. — Noiitid in mb (the iti being a niodified n)
gfehet^Uy belong to Class III.
The class-characteristics are — sing. 17, fll. JL
III. To the third class belong nOuns iti n- befoi'e a
bonsonant, or ny- befbre a vowtel. Thfe plural Ustxn. is
the same as thia singular. Sing. nyAmba, a ilbuse,
J)l. nyumha ; ndala/fjia, money, pi. ndalama; ndeu, a
bearc^ pi. ndeu; ngoma, a drum, pi. ngonta; fijati, a
buffalo, pi. njati; njuwa, sL dove, pi. Hjuwa; iiguku,
a fowl, pL nguJcu; nyama, flesh or game, pi. nywma,;
nguo, cloth, pi. nguo.
Nouns in 7vg^ belong to this class, as ng^omhe, an
ox, pi. ng^omhe; ng^aso, a furnace, pi. ng^asoi rtg^ando,
play-
Note. — Words beginning with mb- (where m is a
modified n) generally belong to this class ; also words
in «-, u-y or *-, where an n has been dropped before the
8, u, or i. Mbusi, a goat, goats ; mhaliy a side, pi.
mhcdi; mbale, a plate, pi. mbale; mbepo, wind, pi.
mbepo; mhindi, a joint, pi. mbindi; mboni, a witness,
^1. mhoni; mbttgu, a hole, pi. mhugu; mbwtx, a dog,
pi. TTihwa; inga, rations, pi. inga; uti, a gun, pi. uti;
uuliy white hait, pi. v/uU; Baka^ an open shed, pi. sajca;
sapatOf a boot or slippei', pi. eapcUo (also dchasapato) ;
8oni, shame ; sUiya, sheeting (also ctchdsiUya) ; via,
rain, pi. t^fe; 8ala, hunger.
Thfe class-characteristics are — sing. JI, pi. SI,
IV. To the fourth class belong words commencing
with chi-. The plural is forfaied by changing cAi- into
i-. Sing, chitindo, a watchhouse, ph^lindo; chijuni,
a bird, pi. ijuni; chikoi, a ladle, pL ikoi ; chUu, the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE StJBStANTlVE IS
body, jpl; ilu ; cMrhangd, maize, |)1. im^angra; cliigoti, a
lash made of d Hippo hide, pi. i^oti; chipanje, wealth,
pi. ipanje; chAsyano, iron, pi. isycmo; chisima, a well,
pi. isima; chisisa, a fireplace, pi. isisa; chisui, a
lfeot)ard, pi. isui, *
Nouils ill ^hor formted from a coriibination 6i chi-
diid -Or ihake their plurals in ya-: as chaka^ a year,
jiL ydka; chaia, a finger, pi. yala; ckaso, an elephant's
trtink, pi. yaso. feimilarly nouns in c/w)- and chu-
fbi-m theii* pliirals in yo- and yu-. Ckomey a black
cat, p\, poifie; choU, the toiich-hole of a gun, pi. ycle;
chmnM, si. huihp on An animal's back, pi. yumJbi ; chuhuy
the rainy season, pi. yuha.
The class-characteristics are — sing. (7i77, pi. /.
Y. To the fifth fclass belong words in li-, Thi3
plural is fol^med by changing Zi- into ma,-. Sing. .
lisimba, a lion, pi. masiniba ; liganga, a stone, pi.
ma/gcmga; lijani, a baboon, pi. majcmi; lijela, a hoe,
pi. majda; likuga, a herd, pi. onakuga; lilowe, a word,
pi. fnalowe; Undcmda, an eggy pi. rminddnda; linOy a
lobth, pi. rtieno {maim) : liso, an eye, pi. meso {maiso) ;
lUwmbi, a mountain, pi. matumhi; lUcUa, a road or
pEtth, pi. ntatala; liwago, an axe, pi. mawago.
The class-charactetistics are — sing. Z/, pi. GA,
A few nouns in u- form their plural by prefixing
rhor-y (or changing u into ma-; as ukwnjey d bow, pi.
makunje; wato, a canoe, pi. mawato; ugono, a mat,
pi. magono; uhloy a bridge, pi. mauUdo; vJLusi, thread,
pi. TTialusi; vluwaj a flower, pi. maluwa; utope, mud,
pi. matope; v/wigo, a game fence, pi. mawigo.
These nouns hslve their characteristic}^ — sing. U-,
pi. aA:
Note. — Properly speaking, these words shbuld
belong to Jt special class which in other kindred
languages of the Banttt class has its singular prefix
BU- aiS its |)liiral prefix MA-. The number of such
Digitized by VjOOQIC
16 THE SUBSTANTIVE
words, however, in Yao is very limited, and it is
undesirable to multiply classes. It has, therefore,
been deemed more advisable to include them as a
variation of this li- mor class.
VI. To the sixth class belong words in lu-. The
plural is formed by changing lu- into n- before a
consonant or ny- before a vowel. Before 8 the n is
dropped. The n- prefixed causes the usual phonetic
changes. Sing, lupeta, a sifting basket, pi. mf>eta;
luao, a net, pi. nyao; litsaso, firewood, pi. saso; luambiy
a branch, pi. nyamhi; lujili, a course, pi, nyili; luko-
ngohj a leg, pi. ngongoh; lukwiy a piece of firewood,
pi. ngwi; Ivlimi, a tongue, pi. ndimi; Iv/pyo, a kidney,
pi. mhyo; lusasa, a partition wall, pi. scMa; hiaetiga^
dregs, pi. 8&nga; lusichi, a post in the wall of a house,
pi. sichi; IvmUo, a stream, pi. siUo; luumbo, a hair,
pi. umbo ; luwcdatiy a rib, pi. mhalati.
The plural of lumtdi, a torch, is dmuli.
The class-characteristics are — sing. LU, pi. SI.
VII. To the seventh class belong all diminutive
nouns which are formed from the original by changing
the noun prefixes singular and plural into kor and tvr.
Thus from ffiwcmacliey a child, we have kanacJie (for
kaanache), and from the plural wanadie, children, we
have twanache (for tuomacJie) ; from mtela, a tree, we
have katela, a little tree, pi. tutela, little trees ; kasulo,
a little stream, from lusvlo, pi. tu8ulo; kasoti, a little
cap, from chisoti, pi. tusotL
The class-characteristics are — sing. KA, pi. TU,
VIII. To the eighth class belong the infinitives of
verbs used as nouns, and locatives in ku- or kwa-^ mvr
or m/wa-, and/^o-. These admit of no plural. Kuuwa,
death, the infinitive of the verb kuuwa, to die ; kuku-
tama, mukutmruiy kwakutama, mwakuta/may pakutamay
a dwelling-place, a place to stay in or at.
The class-characteristics are — KU^ MUy PA^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE SDBSTANTIVB 17
2. Possessive Relation.
There is no inflexion in Yao to express the possessive
or genitive relation. Its place is supplied by the
preposition -a, of, with the class-characteristic pre-
fix^. The chiefs slave (the slave of the chief),
mkapoloju-a {jua) mchimwene; the woman's axe (the
axe of the woman), liwago li-a (lya)jtbamkongwe; majela
ga mpwanga, my younger brother's hoe ; wanache wa
mlendoy the stranger's children.
With the -a affixed, the two characteristics chi- and
ji- drop the -i- and form the particle of genitive
relation in cka- and jor. Thus chisoti cha mchanda,
the boy's cap ; nyumha ja atati, the father's house ;
mhusi ja mlendo, the stranger's goat.
The preposition of purpose, for, is also expressed in
the same way. Liganga lya uti jangu, a flint for my
gun ; mam,yasi ga nyumha^ grass for the house.
With the addition of the preposition kvr the relations
to and from are sometimes expressed by the same
relative particles, jua, wa, etc. Thus vlendo loa ku-
m/usi, a caravan to or from the village ; mesi ga ku-
chisima, water from the well ; litope lya hurlisugulu,
clay from the ant-heap ; njirwa sya ku-nyumba, bricks
from or for the house.
The following table shows the preposition -a, with
the class-characteristics prefixed : —
I. jua, wa, VI. lua^ sya,
II. wa, ja. VII. ka, tma.
III. ja, sya, VIII. kfwa.
IV. cha, ya. vnwa.
V. lya, ga. pa.
When the possessor is a person of dignity to whom
Digitized by VjOOQIC
18 THE SUBSTANTIVE
respect is shown, the strengthened form, -aha, is
sometimes substituted for -a; as uti jaJca mchimtoene,
the chief's gun; lyuwa lyaha MvlungUy God's day, Le,
Sunday.
3. Formation of Nouns,
As has already been stated, the noun consists of
two parts — the prefix and the stem or root itself.
In certain cases, the prefix determines the meaning
to be attached to the noun ; in others, especially in
the names of natural objects, we cannot now at this
stage in the history of the language trace any con-
nection between the prefix and the significance of the
word. In other words, the original meaning of the
prefix has been forgotten. Thus, in mjigomyOf teacher,
from hmgcmya (hu,jiganya\ to teach, the m- signifies
personality ; and in chitela^ a block of wood, the chi-
has the significance of individuality. But in such
cases as mhcdoy lijela, chisui, etc., the prefix gives no
clue to the meaning of the word.
When, however, we come to consider substantives
formed from verbal roots, we find that nouns may be
formed of various significance, depending upon the
class-prefix employed. Thus from the root -tumba,
manifestly an older form of the verb tupa, to swell,
we have mtitmba, a truss of calico (in Mang'anja, a
bag) ; chi^m^o, the belly ; ndumba (for ntymba)y the
corner of a house (i. e. the swollen-out part) ; \itumbi,
a hill; lutumho or maiumhoy the gut or intestines.
Thus, by means of these various class-prefixes, we
have a series of different nouns formed from the same
verbal stem.
The m- or mvr of the first or personal teacher, pre-
Digitized by V|>00QIC
THE SUBSTANTIVE 19
£bced to the stem of the verb, with or without change
of the final -a, signifies the agent. Thus, mjiganyo, a
teacher, from hujiganya (kwiganya), to teach ; mlanga,
a shepherd, from kuianga, to herd. In actual use,
the relative forms, juahmganya, jv>ahdcmgay are more
frequently employed.
In the second class, with the prefix m-, or ^^-, we
have the abstract idea conveyed by the verbal stem.
Thus vlinda signifies watching, or the act of watching,
from hdinda, to watch ; utoii, theft, from kwiwa, to
steal; mboni, testimony, from kuwona, to see. By
changing final -a of the verbal stem into -e'and pre-
fixing U-, method or manner of doing a thing is denoted ;
as tUtiwe, plan of building ; upcmganye, mode of making ;
tUende, mode of doing.
To Class III. belong most animals and large game
that go in herds.
Effect or instrument is sometimes denoted by the
prefixes chi-, li-, lu-^ with or without change of the final
vowel. From Jcupima, to measure, we have chvpimOy
a measure ; chUindOy a watchhouse, from kulindoy to
watch. From huwcma, to squeeze between two sticks,
we have various forms ; as liwani, a skewer or spit ;
liwa/noy a trap of split bamboo ; Iwwano, an erection
for drying flesh or fish, a fish split up and spread out
between two small sticks.
When anything is spoken, of as particularly large
it is put into the li class, by substituting li- and mor
for its ordinary singular and plural prefixes ; as uhunjey
a bow, likimjey a large bow ; ujusi, begging, lijvM,
persistent begging.
Words are made diminutives by being put into the
ka class ; as mwanache, a child, kanache, a little child ;
liwagOy an axe, kawago, a little axe.
Foreign words introduced into the language are
usually put into the first, or mu, class, but in the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
20 THE SUBSTAFTIVE ^
plural they frequently take the prefix two-, with its
corresponding characteristic. Thus we have Imku
jiumgu, my book, while we have acliabuku wangu, or
mabuku gangu, my books. In some cases foreign
words take the u- prefix ; as ttauhdUf from school.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
i
aHAPTER IV
THB ADJECTIVE
The number of proper adjectives in Yao is very
small. Their place is supplied either by participial
forms of the verb, or by nouns.
The adjective is always placed after the object
qualified.
1. Proper Adjectives,
The adjective proper consists of a stem, which, by
taking the class initial syllable, forms a substantive
of the same class as tne substantive it qualifies.
By means of the preposition -a, of, this substantive
is brought into adjectival relation with the qualified
word. Thus the stem -ktdungica signifies the attri-
bute of greatness. By prefixing the m- of the first
class the stem is brought into agreement with any
noun of that class. Prefixing now the preposition
-a, with its proper class-characteristic jvr, we have
mundu jua mkulungwa (or, as we prefer to write it in
one word, juamkulungwa), a man of greatness, a great
man. The stem 4coto signifies the attaibute of
beauty; by prefixing chi- the stem is brought into
agreement with a noun of the fourth class ; and so
we have, by the use of the preposition -a, of, chipende
21
Digitized by VjOOQIC
22 THE ADJECTIVE
cha chikoto (or chachikoto), a skin of beauty, a beau-
tiful skin.
This use of the relative particles in addition to
the pronominal prefixes is not common in Bantu
languages. Most, as Swahili and Kaffir, merely
prefix the 4)ronominal prefix. (See Torrend's " Com-
parative Grammar," page 147.)
In the third class the stem may prefix the class-
characteristic instead of the noun prefix, showing
that these both, though now different forms, are
merely modifications of an original form. We have
nyumha jcmgukmgway as well as nyurnhajajikulningwa.
The following table shows the adjectival stem
hdungwa, in agreement with the various classes of
the noun: —
I. Mundu juarnkidungway a great man.
Wandu wakulimgwa (not wawahulungwa)^ great
men.
II. Mtela wokulwngwa (for wa uhdungwa), a great
tree.
Mitela jamikvlungwa, great trees.
III. Nywmha jcmgvlungway or jajikiUungwa, a great
house.
Nywmha sycmgukmgwa, or syasikulungway
great houses.
IV. Chindu chachikulungwa, a great thing.
Indu yekulungwa (for ya ikulungioa), great
things.
V. Lisimba lyalihulungwa, a great lion.
Maaimba ga/makvlungwa^ great lions.
VT. Lupeta lualuhdungwa^ a great basket.
Mheta syasikidungwa, great baskets.
VII. Kanache kakakulungwa, a large baby.
Twanache twatukulungwa^ large babies.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE ADJECTIVE 23
YIII. Kulima hvakfuhul/ungwa^ a great hoeing.
Pahdima pajpahdungvxi, a large hoeing-place.
MwahuUma mwamvukakmgwa^ a large hoeing-
place.
The following list contains most of the adjectives
proper : —
Beautiful, 'hoio. Living, -jumi.
Black, -piliyu. Little, -mmdL
Difficult, -nonono. Long, -leu.
Dry, -jumu, Male, -lume.
False, -ncmd. Many, -jinjL
Female, -kongwe. Old, -chekuhi.
Fresh, -wisi. Red, -chejeu.
Great, -kulungwa. Short, -jipi.
Heavy, -sito. White, swela.
Examples ; — Nguo jorji-piliyu^ hlack cloth ; masengo
gorrmirTunumo, hard work ; lijela lyorli-sito (contracted
lyegito), a heavy hoe ^ nyama ayasijumi, living game ;
^uma chchchi-chejeuy red beads ; toandu toa-jipi, short
people.
The following simply prefix the class-charac'
teristic : —
All, -086,
Every one, ■<ma -ose, -oaepe.
Other, -ine,
-ose in the singular has the meaning of " the whole. '*
In chi-ose and ji-oae the -i- is dropped and the
particles become chose and joae. In the same way we
have wane and hone for worine and ka4ne.
All the houses, nyumha eyose; every one of the
houses, nyumha eyana syose or nyumba ayoaepe / the
whole house, nyumba joaepe ; mowa goae, motva goaepe
or mowa gana goae, every day, always ; lyuAJoa lyoae,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
24 THB ADJECTIVE
the whole day ; wamdu wose, all the people ; mmidu
jvme, another man ; wcmdu wane, other men.
Note. oae with the singular has also the meaning
of " any." Thus lyuwa lyase may also mean any day.
2. Nouns used as Adjectives,
The noun may be employed as an adjective by the
use of the preposition -a ; a stone house, nyumba ja
magcmga; a long road, litala lya uleu (as well as
litala lyalUeu),
-Mbone, goodness, and -mnono littleness, are really
nouns, and are used as such ; a good man, fmiTidu
jimmhone ; a small axe, liwago lyamnono.
In the case of abstract nouns, -ana is frequently
used as a strengthened form of -a / a lazy man,
mundujua/na uhsi ; a tall tree, mtela wa/na uleu,
3. YerhaZ Adjectives,
{a) Adjectives with an active meaning are formed
by prefixing the preposition -a to the infinitive form,
of the verb ; mkalo waJcutema (wa kiUema), a sharp
knife ; mundu juakuhdamvka, a clever man ; nyama
syakuutuka, running game.
The negative of the indefinite tense is used in the
same connection (see page 47). Wandu wanga-
manyUUa, ignorant people ; mikalo jangatema^ blunt
knives.
(6) Adjectives with a passive meaning are foimed
by changing the final a of the verbal stem into e,
and using thi« form as the adjectives proper. Frcwn
hijbuwa, to die, we have mwndu juarwuwe {juarWruwe)^
a dead man ; nyanmt sya^siutoe {syorsi-wwe), dead game;
from hwmaia^ to finish, we have mcuengo gamamale
(ga-mchmale), a finished work ; from ktUemeJca, to bo
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE ADJECTIVE 25
broken, we have, Tnhcdo wotemeche {worit-temeche), a
broken knife.
(c) As will be seen under the Adverb, an adjectival
form is obtained from the use of -ati, it says, with the
class-characteristic and the adverbial onomatopoetic
forms (see page 88). Thus ngiM jorti bi, black cloth,
lit. cloth which says bi (black) ; rm/ao worti choti, a full
cup ; lyuwa lycb-ti mbe, a bright clear day.
4. Comparison of Adjectives^
There is no inflexion for the comparison of adjec-
tives. Objects may be compared by the use of the
simple adjective followed by nay with ; Nywmha aji
jUi jc^ikultrngtva na jojo, This house is bigger than
that ; Manda/nda gen/u gcUi gmnawisi ni gam/gu^ Your
^gs are fresher than mine.
The superlative degree is expressed by the use of
the simple adjective ; Kcbsisi cUi mchvmwene jtumiku-
lungwa m'chdambo *muno, Kasisi is the great chief
(i. e. the greatest chief) in this country.
The verb hupwnda, to excel, may be used in com- -
parison ; Mitela aji jose jili jamhone, au nambo
vpu/ndiie. All these trees are good, but this one is the
best (t. e. excels).
, The adverb Trmope may be used ; perepo no penani
mnqpe, that is the highest point.
Uhulu, greatness, unandi, smallness, winji^ a great
many, are also employed as in the following instances ;
Au mtela 'u vkuhi^ ao nambo unandi, This tree is too
big ; but that one is too small ; Ai loinji, These are
too many ; Chwma ^chila unandi, Those beads are too
lew
Digitized by VjOOQIC
CHAPTER V
NUMERALS
The Yaos count on their fingers, commencing with
the little finger and stretching out each finger that is
counted, keeping the others closed over the thumb.
When five is reached, all the fingers are closed over
the thumb. When the number exceeds five, the
fingers of the completed hand are closed over the odd
fingers of the other hand, which are extended as in.
the case of numbers below five. Thus, in counting
seven, the four fingers of, say, the right hand would be
closed over the thumb together with the little finger
and its neighbours of the left hand. Ten or tens are
denoted by clapping together the closed fists or the
extended palms according to the niunber indicated.
In denoting twenty-eight, a Yao would first clap his
hands twice, close the fingers of one hand over the
thumb, then insert into the folded fingers the three
last digits of the other hand, at the same time repeat-
ing the various parts of the numeral, likumi, lUcv/miy
maano, ndi itatu.
Notation in Yao is quinqual, consisting of additions
of fives. Numeration does not go beyond ten tens, or
one hundred. No word in the language denotes one
hundred ; mwcmdaf which in our translations has been
• 26
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
NUMERALS 27
adapted to that meaning, is applied to any large
number, and expresses inability to be counted.
Only the first three numbers, (me, twOy threey are
inflected and take the class-characteristics of the
objects they enumerate.
Mvohdujvrwo, one man ; nyund>a jirmo^ one house.
Wamdu wa-toili, two people ; nyuwha ai-toili, two
houses.
Wandu wa-tatu, three people ; nyumba sirtastUy three
houses.
Wandv, mcheche, four people ; nyumha mcheche, four
houses.
In simple "counting on the fingers" the charac-
teristics cMr ir of the fourth class are used, probably
taking the characteristic from chodaf ycda, finger,
fingers \ as chimo^ iunli, itatu, etc.
The cardinal numbers are as follows : —
1. -mo.
2. -mil.
3. -tatu.
4. mcheche.
5. msa/no
6. msano na \
or „
hupcmbvla J
-mo.
or „
mbambu i
or „
kivisa )
7. „
9f
-wUL
8. „
»
-tatu.
9. „
»
mAiheche,
10. IVcumi
11. „
na -mo.
12. „
„ wUi,
13. ,.
„ 'tatu.
u. „
„ mcheche.
15. „
„ maa/no.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
28 KUMIBRAL8
16. likfU/ini na msano ni -mo,
17. „ „ „ „ -vnli,
18. „ ,„ „ „ -Uttu,
19. „ „ „ „ mohechs.
20. mahamii gawili,
21. „ „ rd -mo.
30. makumi gatatu.
40.
>»
mcheclie.
50.
j>
mscmo.
60.
»
„ ni limo.
70.
»
„ „ gawili.
80.
99
„ „ gatatu.
90.
99
„ „ meheche.
100. mahmii Ukumi,
It will be observed that the "tens" take the
concord of liktrnii, the units that of the substantives
they qualify.
Examples : — Ninety-nine sheep, ngosa mahumi msa/no
na mcJieche ni msano ni meheche ; eighty-eight houses,
nyumha mxikwmi msamjo ni gatatu kwisa msa/no ni
sitatu; thirty-seven leopards, isui Trmhwmi gatatu ni
msano ni ivnli; one hundred and forty-six people,
wa/ndu makwmi Ukumi kwisa m>checlie kwisa msano ni
jwmo.
The adverbial numerals, once, tttrice, thrice, etc., are
expressed by the use of the prefix ka-.
Once, kamo.
Twice, kawilL
Thrice, katatu.
Four times, kacheche.
Five „ kasano.
Six „ „ ni kamo.
Ten ,, kakumi, etc.
In this instance the use of large numbers is rarely
Digitized by VjOOQIC
9 NUMERALS 29
heard ; kamo kamOy rarely, hawUi katmli, very often,
ai*e generally substituted.
Ordinal niunbers are expressed by the use of the
preposition of with the plural of the object indicated.
The Lyuwa lya gawil% the second day; mvmdujua
likumi na wavnlL
Another form of the ordinal in less frequent use
is the substitution of the adverbial numeral for the
plural in the above instance; Lyuwa lya kawUi, the
second day.
First is expressed by the verb hatcmda, to begin ;
mundu jvxihuta/rida, the first man.
Last is expressed by the use of the verb kumala or
kimwZichisya, lyvwa lyahtmncdichiBya^ the last day.
Last in order is expressed by hunywma or munyuma ;
mundujua hunyuma, the last man.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
CHAPTER VI
THE PRONOUN
1. Personal Pronouns,
The characteristic of the various classes, except the
first, is used as the third person of the personal pro-
noun. The first and second persons, and the third
person of the first class have distinct parts.
Fvll Form, — ^The full forms of the first and second
persons when not in combination are —
Une, I. Uwe, we.
Ugwey thou. Umwe, ^Mwe, you.
There is no pronoun of this form corresponding to
our third person. In cases of special emphasis, its
place is supplied by the demonstrative pronoun of
the corresponding class. Thus, for he, they, we may
use aju, atoGf or c^o^ awo, as the case may be.
A stronger form of the pronoun is obtained by the
addition of the suffix -ju or -ji,
Unejij I. Utoeji, we.
Ugweji, thou. Umweju, Umwejiy ^Mwej% you.
-Self is expressed by reduplication of the last
syllable.
Unene, I myself. Uwewe, we ourselves.
Ugtoegwe, thou thyself. Umwemwe, you yourselves.
30
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE PRONOUN 31
-Self is also expressed by the use of -ayene with
the characteristic of the third person of all classes
except the first, in which case and in the case of the
first and second persons the subjective form of the
pronoun used in combination is employed.
Namisy&M^ myself. Tusyem or Twaayene^ ourselves.
Wasyene, thyself. Mtvasyene, yourselves.
Msyene, him- or Asyene or Achimsyene, them-
herself. selves.
Class II. Usyene, itself. Jisyene,
„ III. Jisyene. Siayene.
„ IV. Chisyene. layene,
„ V. lAayerie, Gasyene,
„ VI. Lusyene, Sisyene,
„ VII. Kasyene. Tusyene,
„ VIII. Kusyene.
Musyene,
Pasyene,
The second person singular of the pronoun is rarely
used. Its place is usually taken by the more polite
form of the plural. Very frequently the third person
plural is used in this instance, so that one person
may address another as " They."
The preposition ni or na, with, is combined with,
a shortened form of the pronoun.
yone^ with me. ' Nowe, with us.
N'ogwe, with thee. Nomwe and Kamwe, with you.
In the third person, ni or na is combined with the
demonstrative a/o, ao, ajo, acho, etc. , and pi. awo, ajoy
asyo, etc., forming, najo, nao, najo, nachoy etc., nawo,
najo, nasyo, etc.
The prepositions, ku, mu, pa, to, in, at, are joined
to the possessive form of the pronoun.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
32 THE PRONOUN
Sing. Kwor, Mwor^ Pa^ngune, to, in, at me.
„ Kwor, Mwory Pa- hOy to, in, at thee.
„ Kwck-^ Mwor, Par kwe, to, in, at him.
PI. A'toe-, Mwe-, Pe-tuwe, to, in, at us.
„ Kwe-, Mwe^ Pe-nurmmy to, in, at you.
„ Kwor^ Mwa^ PorO, to, in, at them.
Such forms as hwa wne, hvoa wwe, are rarely if
ever used for " to me," " to us." The above forms
kwangime, kwetuwe, are ahnost invariably employed.
Connective Form — Stibjective. — ^When the pronoun
is combined with the verb as subject, a shortened
form is used for the first and second persons, and for
the third person of the first class.
ni-^ or n-, I. tu-^ we.
w-, thou. m-, mvr, or mu?-, you.
a-, he or she. a or wor^ they.
For the third persons of the other classes the
ordinary form is employed.
Vry ji-f chi-, etc. ji-y si-, t-, or yi-, etc.
Thus in combination with the verb ku-tama, to
stay, in the present tense, the pronouns take the
following forms : — I stay, ngtUama for n-kutama ;
m-hutama, you stay ; a-kutama, he stays ; it (the ox,
7tg*ornhe) ste-ys, ji-kutama; they (the oxen, ng*omhe)
stay, si-kutama ; we stay, tu-hiUarrui ; they (the people,
wandu) stay, wa-ktUama ; it (the lion, lisimba) stays,
li'kutama ; they (the lions, ma^mha) stay, gakutama ;
it (the leopard, chisui) stays, chikutama; they (the
leopards, isui) stay, ikutamia.
Connective Form — Objective. — When combined with
the verb in the objective case the pronoun is inserted
immediately preceding the verbal stem, and takes the
following forms : —
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE PRONOUN 33
-n-j me. -tu-y us.
-hur^ thee. -m-, you.
-w*-, him, or her. -a- or -wd-y them.
In the third person of the other classes the char-
acteristic is used in the ordinary course.
-Vry -ji', -chi-y etc. -ji-y -8i-y -i-y otc.
Thus in combination with the perfect tense of the
verb kuhUby to see, cUQUte, he saw, we have the pro-
nouns in the following forms : — ^He has seen me,
andolite for a-n-loUte ; he has seen us, artvrlolite ; he
has seen you, Orm-lolite : he has seen them (the cattle,
ng*ombe)y Orai-lolite ; he has seen it (the house,
rvgwmba^y orjirloUte ; he has seen it (the hoe, li-jela)y
Or-lirlolite ; he has seen them (the hoes, majela), Orga-
lolite ; he has seen it (the basket, lupeta)y a-lvrlolite.
The full form of the pronoun may be used together
with the contracted form in cases of special emphasis.
NdoliUy I saw, but TJ'M ndolite may be translated.
As for me, it was I who saw.
The following examples illustrate the use of the
pronouns : —
"Nalitoeni nywmba, I saw the house.
Wsdc&e hmctagidUa liso. He came to tell me
yesterday.
Mwasitoeni nyama *8ila ? Did you see those game %
'Na/weni Ujoka, I saw a snake.
NaUweni lijoka 'lUa soni, tu^^^uwe, I saw that snake
again, we shall die.
WagedeTTienye mahinje gcmguy They broke my bows.
TiMchituluma uwe lijoka 'lUay That snake will bite
Digitized by VjOOQIC
34 THE PRONOUN
2. Possessive Pronouns.
The possessive pronoun, like the adjective, is
always placed after the substantive denoting the
thing possessed.
The simple forms of the possessive pronoun are as
follows : —
-angu, my. -etu, our.
-ako^ thy. -enu^ your.
-akwey his, her, its. -ao, their.
To these parts are prefixed the characteristics of
the various classes of nouns ; mtela wangu, my tree ;
majela getu, our hoes ; nyama syao, their game ;
mikono jetu, our arms ; luhdala Iv^ngu, my basket ;
nguhi syahwe^ his fowls ; your sorrow, chcmasa dvenu ;
ridalama syao, their money ; umbo syakwe, her hair.
My own, thy ovon, etc., are expressed by adding the
final syllable of the personal pronoun as an enclitic.
-angune, iily own. -etuwe, our own.
-akogwe, thy own. -enumwe, your own.
etc. etc. etc. etc. '
An enclitic form of the pronominal suffix is fre-
quently used in the case of proper and personal
names and names of relations.
-Tvgu and -gwangu, my. -gwetu, our.
-gwaho, thy. -^fwenu, your.
-gwe, his, her, its. -gv)a0y their.
Mwwiiangu, my child, as well as inwanofche jucmgu ;
mlumhugwangu, my sister ; mwanagwao, his son ;
mhujegwenu, your master, as well as mbuje juenu ;
7nchihuh(/gwe, his mother; rnchikulugwcio, their
mother; alamugwangu, my brother-in-law.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE PRONOUN 35
3. Reflexive Pronouns.
The verb is made reflexive by inserting -li- before
the stem of the verb. Tinga-li-tUaje, I will kill my-
self ; A4i'8wmile yakulya^ Let them buy food for
themselves ; ng^omhe sya4ir808ele manyasiy the cattle
searched for grass for themselves; mcmmba gorli-
kamvUh ngosa, the lions caught sheep for themselves ;
tvtVrHrgawe ni mkcdo, we will cut ourselves with a
knife.
This form is made more definite by the use of the
pronoun substantive -syene ; as tingotrli-ulaje namsyene,
I will kill myself ; a-li-gaunle msyene, he cut himself.
4. Demonstrative Pronouns,
The demonstrative pronoun in Yao is divided into
three classes according as the object indicated is near
at hand, at some distance, or remote.
The demonstrative, like the adjective, follows the
substantive indicated. It may, however, precede
the substantive, in which case it is also repeated after
it. In most cases the first vowel of the demonstra-
tive is elided after the final vowel of the substantive.
Mundu ajuy or mvmdu ^ju, this man ; aju mvmdu ^ju,
this very man ; womdu awcUa, or wcmdu ^wala^ those
men ; awdlxi wandu ^wala, those very men ; nyama
^sila, those game ; alila liwago ^liZa^ that very hoe, or,
that hoe yonder.
1. To the first or near class belong those forms of
the demonsti^ative which indicate objects near at
hand. A-, prefixed to the representative syllable,
corresponds to the English this^ these. Mundu a-ju,
this man, by elision, mundu ^ju; majela a^a^ or m^jela
^ga, these hoes; litumhi 7e, this hill. Reduplication
Digitized by VjOOQIC
36
THE PRONOUN
of the characteristic adds preciseness to the demon-
strative ; mundu ajuju, this very man ; nywrnha asisty
these very houses. By adding the suffix -no to the
simple demonstrative the idea of proximity seems to
be strengthened, corresponding to the English, ** This
. » . here ; " rmmdu aju^no, this man here ; matumbi
aga-nOy these hills here ; somba aainOy these fishes here«
Two other forms of this class also occur ; -«, with
the class-characteristic preceding the substantive
followed by the simple form of the demonstrative,
as ju-e mundu ^juy this man ; we wandu 'wa, these
people ; we mtela \ this tree ; and -ele-, with the
class-characteristic as prefix and suffix ; as, mundu ju-
. eh'ju, this man ; miela w-ele-Uy this tree ; majela gele-
ga (for ga-ele-ga), these trees. This form chiefly
occurs in the case where the demonstrative stands
alone, as in the English "this one," "this is the
one.
The following table illustrates the various forms
of the demonstrative : —
Class
1.
2.
3.
4.
I.
Sing.
Plur.
aju,
moa.
ajwno,
awano.
we..
.'wa.
jv>eleju.
welewa.
IL
Sing.
au.
cmno.
we.
.'u.
weleu.
III.
IV.
Plur.
Sing.
Plur.
Sing.
aji.
aji.
asi.
achi.
ajino.
ajino,
asino.
dchino.
je...
je..
sye.
che.
..'si.
..'chi.
jdeji,
jdeji.
syelesi.
chelecki.
V.
Plur.
Sing.
ai,
ali.
aino.
cdino.
ye.,
lye.
..'li.
yelei.
lyeleli.
YI.
Plur.
Sing.
aga,
alu.
agoMO,
alv/rw.
ge..
lue.
.'ga.
..'lu.
gelega.
lueldu.
VII.
Plur.
Sing.
asi.
aka.
asino.
aka/rvo.
sye.
ke,.
..'si.
.'ha.
syelesi,
keleka.
Plur.
atu.
atuno.
twe
..Hu-
tweletu.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE PRONOUN
^i
Class. 1.
VIIL Sing, ahu,
amu,
a/pa.
2. 3.
ahino. kwe..,*hi.
amufio, mwe . . . 'mu,
apano. p6..Jpa,
4.
hweUku,
mwelemu,
pelepa.
Example : Aji ngtu> *ji, jacheni ? This calico here,
whose is it ? Jus mundu 'ju ngongum ^manya^ [As for]
this man, I don't know him.
Chipeta achi angati chenumwe ? Ngwamha ! namho
cherechi, This sif ting-basket, is it not yoiu^s ? No ! but
this one [is mine] ; Ajinjile m* nyurnha ajino, elo,
ajincjino, He entered this house here, yes, this very
one here.
2. To the second or middle class belong those
demonstratives which indicate objects at some
distance. A-o, combined with the simple class-char-
acteristic, has the meaning of the English " that " ;
as, mundu ajo (for orjuro), that man ; nyumba ajo (a-
ji-o), that house ; liwago alyo {orli-o), that axe.
This form of the demonstrative is in many cases
used where in English the definite article " the "
would occur.
Two forms occur similar to those in the first class ;
-6, with the characteristic preceding the substantive,
followed by the simple form of the demonstrative, as
jvre Tthundu ^o, that man ; ge matuTnhi ^go, those hills ;
and -ele-i preceded by the characteristic and followed
by the simple demonstrative of this class ', as, mundu
jurele^jo, that man ; chitundulima c/ielecho, that low
hill ; yala yeleyo (i-ele-yo)y those fingers : pelepo (pa-
ele-po), that [place].
The following table gives the various forms of the
demonstrative belonging to this class : —
Class. 5. 6. 7.
I. Sing. ajo. jue,..\jo. juel^o.
Plur. awo, we.,. 'wo, welewo.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
38
THE PRONOUN
Class
5.
6.
7.
n.
Sing.
ao.
we..,'o.
weleo{oTwelewo^
Plar.
ajo.
je.,,'jo.
jelejo.
IIL
Sing.
ajo.
je„:jo.
jehjo.
Plur.
asyo.
8ye..,'syo,
aydesyo.
IV.
Sing.
acho.
cJve..,'cho,
chelecho.
Plur.
ayo.
ye,.,*yo.
yeleyo.
V.
Sing.
cdyo.
lye,.:iyo.
lyeldyo.
Plur.
ago.
9e..:go.
gelego.
VI.
Sing.
aluo {or alo). lue,,.^lv^
lueleluo.
Plur.
asyo.
Bye.., 'ayo
aydesyp.
VII.
Sing.
ako.
he..:ko.
kdeko.
Plur.
attw.
tue.,.*tuo
tueletvx).
VIII.
Sing.
ako.
kwe.,,*ko
kwdeko.
amo.
mwe,,,'mo
. mwelemo.
apo.
pe...'po
pdepo.
Example : Mkatagidile juamkongwe ^jo ajise, Tell
that woman to come here.
Ajo nguo *jo jUi jangtme, That calico there is mine ;
Ngrw japiy aji? Ngwamha! jer^o^ Which calico,
this? No! that.
Natavnle nywptha^ ngondo namho jaiche, nyumba *Jo
Tiekumala, myu I I built a house, but war came, and
the house was completely destroyed.
3. To the third or remote class belong those forms
that indicate objects at a remote distance or objects
not present to the eye, but known and understood
when alluded to. The simple form of this class is
a4a ; as, muvdu Orju-la^ that man, yonder man ; ma-
gomho a-^a-la, those banaaas.
Other forms are -e . . . a-la, -e-la ; &8,jtire munda a-
ju'lay mundu ju-e-ju-lay yonder man ; lye litumbi Hila,
litumhi lyelila, yonder hill.
The following table gives the various forms of the
demonstrative belonging to this class : —
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE
PBONOUN
39
Class
8.
9.
10.
I.
Sing, ajula.
jfie.,,'jula.
juejtUa.
Plur. awcda.
we.,,'wala.
wewala.
II.
Sing, aula.
tve...*ula.
weula.
Plur. ajUa,
je,..\jUa.
Jejila.
III.
Sing. ajUa,
je...'jUa.
jejUa.
Plur. aaila.
8ye...*8ila,
syeaila.
IV.
Sing, achila.
clie..,'chila.
chechila.
Plur. a/Ua.
ye...'ila.
yeila.
V.
Sing, alila.
lye,.J'lUa.
lyelila.
Plur. agcUa.
ge,.:gala.
gegcUa.
VI.
Sing. a/t«^.
(Zi*«) Zii?e . . . *lula. {lue) IwdvXti ,
Plur. flwi^.
8ye.,,'8ila,
ayesUa^
vn.
Sing. aJcalfi.
ke\.,kala.
kekala.
Plur. a««^.
{tue)twe..,Hula,
twetula.
VEIL
Sing. a^;t«^.
(kue)ktoe...'kula.
kwehda.
amula.
(mue) mwe . . . ^miUa
mwemvla
apala.
pe,..*pala.
pepakb.
Example : Mhani masengo 'gdUi soni, Give me that
work again ; Pasyeto petumbi 'pala pana mseso, On the
other side of that hill there is a forest.
Pepala Maungu agunle, apanopano wa^murile, Over
there the European fell, here at this place he rested ;
Ge inowa *gala wandu nganasuma loanduy In those
days people did not buy slaves.
In the second and third classes still greater distance
is indicated by raising the pitch of the voice, and the
more it rises into falsetto the greater is the distance
indicated.
5. Relative Frorumna,
The relative pronoun is identical with the char-
acteristic syllable of the various classes.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
40
THE
PRONOUN
Class. Sing.
Plur.
I. ju {
II. u,
III. ji.
IV. chi.
[andjwa).
toa.
si,
i.
V. IL
VI. lu.
si.
VII. A;a.
tu.
VITI. A;i^.
mu.
pa.
^EiXample : Nyuwha ji jagwHe liso jipile moto, The
house which fell yesterday has been burned [with] fire.
Chipemhere chi twachiuleje liso chimasHe rmUan/Uf The
rhinoceros which we killed yesterday has been eaten
up by hyenas.
Mundu ju {ov jv^a) twmnbweni liso aioile, The man
whom we saw yesterday is dead.
lAsirnba li lyacJie Pwcdiuleje, The lion which came we
killed.
Lukalala lu ttoalujasile luwoneche soni, The basket
which we lost has been found again.
The relative may be made more definite in its
reference by the addition of the demonstrative pro-
noun. In this case the demonstrative follows the
verb, or is placed at the end of the clause, if it be
not thus too far separated from its corresponding
relative. Mundu jua twagamfibaga Uso julcc^ That man
^e were talking about yesterday; Twaaosaga fnar-
sengo ga mwatutanjile mLujigu wa liso *galay We were
wishing the work that you showed us last week.
The relative in Yao is used to introduce an ad-
verbial clause in English. Lisaka^sa lyakugona (or
lyahagonela) wanachsy The grass shed where the chil-
dren sleep.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE PRONOUN \ 41
When the relative is used with the definite sense
represented by the English definite article, the
objective fotm of the persong^l pronoun is inserted
where the sense admits. Without the use of the
objective form the reference is less pointed, and may-
be expressed by the English indefinite article.
Nywmba ji twaweihi liso, A or the house which we
saw yesterday; Nywmba ji twajiweni lisoy The house
which we saw yesterday; Lipanga li nalohwete liso
Ujasichey The spear I picked up yesterday is lost.
Lipanga lyapi ? Which spear 1 Li nalUokwete liso
'I'da, The one^I picked up yesterday.
6. Interrogative Pronouns.
Interrogatives are introduced by the interrogative
ana ? as, Ana wa/ni ? Who? Anakwapi? Where?
Who? is expressed by nduni, pi. wani. Ana wani
(umwe, Who are you ? Lina lyenu wani, What is your
name?
**What?" and "which?" are expressed by -api,
with the class-characteristic prefixed, and chi ? Which
hou^e ? Nywmha japi ? or, Nymmha chi ? What man ?
Mundu juapi ? or, Mwadu chi ? What is the matter ?
Ana chi ? or, Ana chichi ? What do you say ? Mkuti
vli? (literally, *'How do you say?") What is it
like ? GhisoAi chakwe chichi ?
What sort of? What kind of? are expressed by
-achi, or -a chi, with the class-characteristic pre-
fixed. MkaXo wachi ? What kind of a kilife ? An
idiomatic use of the verb kuti, to say, has a similar
significance. To the form -ati uli are prefixed the
cbarafcteristics in the usual manner. Mkalo wati tdi?
What kind of a knife ? Chisau c/iakwe chati uli ? What
is it like?
"Whfen?" is expressed by cliakachi {chaka chi),
Digitized by VjOOQIC
42 THE PRONOUN
lyuwa chiy literally, What year? What day] What
time ?
The interrogatives "where?" "whither?"
" whence ? " are expressed by kwapi, or, shortened
form, hwa, Alt kwapi ? Where is he ? Kwapi
aumile ? Whence did he come 1 Ajih hwa ? Where
did he go to ?
"Where?" "wherein?" are expressed by papi,
mwapiy with the shortened formaf pa, mwa. AkiUama
papi? Where does he dwell? Maomali vli mwa?
Where is the nail ?
**How many?" is expressed by 4ingwa, with the
cori'esponding characteristic. Wandu walingwa ? How
many people ? Makau galingwa mwagaweni mwitala
'mula ? How many footprints did you see in the path
yonder ?
" How ? " is expressed by tUi f How did he fall ?
Wagwile vHi? In several instances the English
"what?" is represented by vM? Arm mhui vM?
What do you say ? Anibiy tindende tdi f Now, what
shall I do?
" How often ? " kalingwa ? palingwa ?
7. Other Pronouns.
"Whatever" is expressed by -o«e, with the char-
acteristic. M^nywmba jose mu mktvinjila, Into what-
ever house ye enter.
"Whoever," "whosoever," are expressed by -ana,
'086, Juana juose juahaaoaa hwoAda, Whoever wishes
to go away. If the pronoun is followed by a verb in
the future tense, the future of the verb hiway to ife,
is used instead of -anfia, Jua tavje jtbose tc^'aiUe vlendo
tapochele mhjoa/mba. Whoever will go on the journey
shall receive a fathom ; Chi tichiwe chose chi tumjuje,
tumpochele, Whatever you ask for you will receive.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE PRONOtJN 43
The present tense of the verb " to be," -all may be
used in the place of -ana in the above form. vThus we
have jv4di juose ah/sosa kwauLa^ as well as, juana
juose akusoaa kwaula; juali juose tajinjils amunOy
whoever will go in here.
"Any" is expressed by -o«6, with the singular.
Lyuwa lyoaey any day. ** Any " is also expressed by
the present tense of the verb " to be " with -ow, as,
lyuwa lili lyose, any day ; nyimbo jili jose^ any song ;
gali gose, any (hoes).
** Another," "other," are expressed by -ine. Mwndu
juine^ another man; mowa gane, katema kaney at
another time. " One after another " is expressed by
-me ni -ine, Nyumha jine ni jine, one house after
another.
" Certain " is also expressed by -ine. Lyuwa liney
on a certain day.
-alaJcwey with the characteristics of the first class,
is frequently used in the sense of "this person,"
"he," " those persons," "they," and maybe used as
representing the third personal pronoun. Anu wa/ni
ajiwUe ? angati juaUihwe ? Who stole ? Was it not he 1
Digitized by VjOOQIC
CHAPTER YII
THE VERB
The verb in Yab always ends in -a. The simplest
form is to be found in tbe second person of the
imperative mood, as,
Jenda, go.
Taway bind.
Sumha, leap.
The other parts of the verb are formed from this Jjy
means of prefixes, suffixes, and by modification of the
verbal stem. Thus, from hutawa^ to bind, we have
watcmile, they bound, wheKe, to form the perfect tense,
the -a of the simple form has been changed into -4le,
and the personal pronoun, wa, of the plural has been
prefixed.
All prefixes and suffixes combine with the stem of
the verb to form one word.
The prefixes consist of (1) the tense prefix, (2) t\e
modal prefix, (3) the subjective personal pronoun,
(4) the objective personal pronoun. The suffixes and
suffix-changes consist of (1) the tense suffix, (2) the
modal suffix, (3) qualitative suffixes denoting com-
pletion or continuity of action. The objective personal
pronoun always precedes the verbal stem, aud stands
next to it; the other parts occur in various order.
44
Digitized by VjOOQIC,
THE VERB 45
In najiiodvile, I bpund it {i, e, an animal, nyama)^ we
have tlie n- of the first personal pronoun, -a- denoting
the past tense, -ji- the objective pronoun of the third
class, and the suf&x Me of the past tense. In
sachindawdga^ He will be tying me, we have S'-ohi-f
denoting the future tense, -a- the subjective personal
pronoun, -n- the objective personal pronoun, modify-
ing the t of tawa into d, and the -^a of continuous
action.
In the formation of the various parts of the verb
the five following steps have to be noted : —
1. Find the tense prefixes, suffixes, or modifications
of the verbal stem.
2. Insert or prefix the subjective pronoun.
3. Insert the objective pronoun immediately before
the verbal stem.
4. Note the euphonic changes.
5. Add the qualitative suffix.
There is a negative as well as an affirmative con-
jugation which distinguishes persons, moods, and
tenses in the same way.
The simple form of the verb is inflected for voice,
mood, tense, person, and class. The voices are the
active and the passive. The moods are the indica-
tive, subjunctive, potential, conditional, contingent,
imperative, and infinitive. There are also participles
corresponding to the present and past tenses of the
indicative mood.
The various parts of the verb are illustrated by the
example of the verb hUawa^ to bind.
1. Voices.
The passive voice in Yao is not of frequent occur-
rence. A native usually gives his sentences an active
form. Instead of saying, " He was killed by light-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
46 THE VERB
ning," he would rather say, " The lightning killed
him."
The passive voice in Yao may be formed by
changing the terminal a of the simple stem into
'Wa or -ilwa.
Kukamulaf to seize. Ktikamtdwa, to be seized.
Kutawa^ to bind. Kutaunlwa, to be bound.
A neuter or stative form which has also a quasi-
passive meaning is formed from the stem of the active
verb (1) by changing the final -a into ika, or -eka if
the preceding vowel be 6 or o, (2) by changing a
final -ula into -uka, or (3) by changing a final -sya
into syika, or syeka if the preceding vowel be e or o.
This form has two distinct meanings, (1) a state
or condition of the subject as actual without any
reference to the agent, (2) a state or condition as
possible or capable of being accomplished.
Kusicfiita, to cut. Kusichitikay to be cut, or cut-
able.
Kutama^ to sit. Kutamika^ to be set down.
Kapapula, to tear. Kupapuka^ to be torn, or tear-
able.
Kupasula^ to ravage. KwpaBuka,^ to be ravaged.
Kutyosya, to remove. Kutyosyeka, to be removed, or
romovable.
As a rule the difference between these two forms is
that the former in -wa or -ihoa supposes a personal
agent or external cause, while the latter in -ka supposes
that the condition is natural or the product of an
internal cause. Thus kukasilwa or kuhaswa would be
used when the actual agent was being spoken about,
while kukaaika would denote simply that the subject
was broken or breakable.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB
47
2. Indefinite Tenses.
An indefiDite or relative tense is formed by placing
a before the infinitive form of the verb, and prefixing
the relative pronoun. It has the adjective meaning
of " who " or " whfch binds."
Class.
Sing.
Plur.
I.
Juakatanjoa,
Wakutawa,
n.
Wcdeutawa,
Jahutawa,
Jii.
Jahutawa,
Syakutawa,
IV.
ChahUawa.
Yakutawa,
V.
Lyahitawa,
Gakutawa,
YI.
Luahatawa,
Lyakutawa,
VII.
Kakutawa.
Twakutawa,
VIII.
Kwakutawa,
Mwakutawa,
Pdkutawa,
%
Example : Wa maseyigo wakugvmba njerwa, Work-
men who make bricks.
Mwitala ^mo mwana maganga gakupoteka m'masajoy
On the path there are stones which hurt the feet.
Auleje isui yakuJcamiUa wandu. He killed leopards
which catch people.
The negative of this tense is formed by putting
-anga before the verbal stem, and prefixing the pro-
noun corresponding to the various classes. It has
the meaning of "who does not bind/' or ** which does
not bind."
Class. Sing.
I. Jitangatawa.
II. Wangatawa.
III. Jangatawa,
IV. Changatawa,
V. Lyangatawa.
Plur.
Wangatawa.
Jangatawa.
Syangatawa.
Yangatawa.
Gangatawa.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
48 TBraS VBBp
Class, Sing. Plur.
VI. LuangatoMja. Syangatawa.
VII. Kangatawa, Twangatawa.
Vni. Kwangcmtawa,
Mtvav^gatavxi,
Pangatawa.
Mkalo au vxtrigatema^ This knife is one which does
not cut. '
Perepo pangapita wcmdu^ People do not pass there.
MundujuangwpangaiMfa masengo ngapochelA modipilo,
A man who does not work will not receive a wage.
Ikoko 'yo yangakcurmda wandu, Those wild beasts
are not the kind which catch people.
Both these forms are used in a quasi-objective sense,
as in the following instances : aji nyami^ji jahulya
wandu, this is meat which people eat ; ajo nyania'jo
jangalya wandu, that kind of meat people do not
eat.
3. Imperative Mood,
The imperative mood is the simple form of the
verb.
Sing. ToAJoa.
Plur. Tawani,
In the plural, the continuative suffix ga may be
appended together with the plural suffix ni,
Tawa-gorni, Go on binding.
The subjunctive forms, mtatoe^ mkatawey together
with the third persons, atawe, akatawe, are very
often substituted for the stronger imperative. These
frequently have an obligatory sense, which may be
represented by our English " must."
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VEEB 49
When in English two imperatives are coupled by
"and," in Yao the **and" is omitted.
Mjiae mta/me apano, Come and sit here.
Mjende mkawilanje che Matope^ Go and call Matope.
Other forms used as imperatives are —
Nim-tawe,
Na-tawe.
Kum-tawe.
Ka-tawenL
There is no proper form of the negative imperative.
The negative form of the subjunctive mood is always
used for the negative imperative.
Mkortaway Don't bind.
Mkagwaf Don't fall.
Vkdkwela a/pa, mwana^he ugwe. Don't climb there,
you child.
4. Infinitive Mood,
Ku is the sign of the infinitive mood, and is pre-
fixed to the simple form of the verb,
Kutawa^ to bind.
If the verbal stem commences with y, the j is
dropped, and in the subsequent combination of
vowels, u has the sound of w. Thus, hujasika,
hujenday kujiganya, becomes kwasika, kwenda, kwi-
ganya. If the vowel following j be o, the u is also
dropped, as koga for kujoga, konga for kujonga.
In the case of verbs of intention or purpose —
especially after the verbs *Ho go " and " to come " — a
sort of double infinitive is in use, as apite kukuteka
mesif he has gone to draw water ; waiche ku musi
hikutola nyama, he came to the village to fetch game ;
wautv^chUe kunganya kukusdla maloaay he ran to the
E
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
50 THE VEEB
courtyard ta report bad news. Properly speaking
the first hi is the locative hi of direction, making
the rendering to run, he went to the drawing water.
A use of the infinitive in narration is of constant
occurrence. By prefixing the conjunction na, and,
or its forms, we, m, 7m>, vai^ to the infinitive, the verb
'takes the time, action, and subject of the preceding
verb. In this way the intricate process of verbal
formation is much simplified, and' the cumbrous re-
currence of the same prefixes, tense formations, and
pronouns is avoided.
Example : Ml&ndo waiche hi musi, ne- higana,
hmdavn ne- hmmuka, ne- hvatda, A traveller arrived
at the village, and slept [there], next day he rose, and
went away.
Malawi tajise nehitawa nyvmbajine, To-morrow he
will come and build another house.
Mkakweh samham) Tiehigopola migoji ^jo, Olimb up
now and untie that rope.
Ula nehinya nehitusisimya^ Rain fell and made us
very cold.
Note. — Certain verbs commencing wjth ^ or ^ in
this instance drop the hi, so we have nekola, negona,
negopola, nekana, for nehikola, nehigona, nehigopola,
nehihvna.
The infinitive may precede any other part of the
verb, the effect being to emphasize the idea conveyed
by the verb.
Kwisa akwisa, Coming it is, he is coming.
Kupagwa napagwile, As for my birth, I was bom.
5. Indicative Mood,
Present Tenses, — ^The simple present is formed by
prefixing the subjective form to the infinitive. It
has the meaning of " I bind," " thou bindest," etc.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB
51
Plur.
Tuhitawa.
Mkutmva:
Wa-, or A-hitawa,
Jikutawa.
Sikutawa,
Ikutawa.
Gahutawa,
Sikutawa.
Tukutawa,
Class. Sing.
I. 1. NgutoAJoa (N-ktirta/wa).
2. Ukutawa.
3. Akutawa,
II. Ukutawa.
III. Jikutavja.
TV. Chikutawa.
V. Likutawa.
VI. Lukutawa.
VII. Kakutawa.
VIII.* Kakutawa,
Mukutawa,
Pakutawa.
The negative of this tense is formed by prefixing
the syllable nga- to the positive form. Nga may
assume any of the forms nge, ngi, ngo, or ngu, the
vowel usually being assimilated to the vowel of the
pronoun. It has the meaning of " I do not bind/'
etc.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Ngenguta/wa {Nge-rv-kutatna), Ngutukutawa,
2. JNguukutawa^ Ngumkutawa.
3. Ngakutawa (or Akahuiawa), NgakutoAva,
II. NgwukatOAJoa. ^gijikutawa.
III. Ngijihatawa. Ngisikutawa.
IV. NgicfdkutaAJoa, Ngixkutawa,
V. NgUikutoAJoa. NgagakutOAJoa.
VI. Ngrdukutawa. N
VII. Ngakakutawa. iV
VIII. Ngukukutawa.
NgwmuhatoAjoa,
NgapaJcutawa.
A present imperfect tense is formed 1
the present tense of the verb "to be,"
Digitized by VjOOQIC
52
THE VERB
the euphonic -m-. It has the meaning of '*I am
binding," etc.
Class
Sing.
Plur.
I.
1. NdAlimhuMwa {NdUirm-
kutawa).
Tvlimhitawa,
2. UlimTcutawa,
MuHmkutawa.
3. Alimkutawa.
Alimkutawa.
II.
Ulimkutawa.
Jiliifyikutdhjoa,
III.
JUimkutawa.
Silimkutawa.
IV.
Chiliitikutawa,
IlimkvMtfuoa.
Y.
LUimkutawa,
Gdlimkutawa.
VI.
Lidimkutawa,
SilimkutauHi.
VII.
Kalirrikutawcb.
Tulimkutawa,
VIII.
Kvlimkatawa.
Mulimkutawa.
PalimkutoAJoa,
Another form of the present imperfect is obtained
by the use of the auxiliary verb kutenda, to do.
This form has the meaning of " I am in the act
of binding," etc.
Class
Sing.
Plur.
I.
1. Ndenda kutawa {N-
tenda k.).
Tutenda kutawa.
2. Utenda kutawa.
Mtenda hu/ta/wa.
3. Atenda kutawa.
Atenda kutawa.
II.
Utenda kutawa.
Jitenda kutauHi,
III.
Jitenda kutawa.
fSitenda kutawa.
IV.
Ghitenda kutawa.
Itenda kutawa.
V.
Litenda kutawa.
Gatenda kutawa.
VI.
Lutenda ktUawa.
Sitenda kutawa.
VII.
^III.
Katenda hitawa,
Kutenda kutawa.
Tutenda kutavx/j
Mutenda kutawa.
y
Patenda kutawa.
Digitized by V*00QIC
THE VERB
53
In a few verbs the ku is dropped, as atenda kana,
he refuses, for atenda hikana.
An habitTial present is formed by prefixing -kTisa- to
the verbal stem. It has the meaning of **I am
accustomed to bind," "I am in the habit of bind-
ing," etc.
Class
Sing.
Plur.
I.
1. Ngusatawa {N-husa-
tawa).
Tvkvsatawa,
2. UkvsataAjoa.
Mhaaaianjoa,
3. Akuaatawa,
War or A-kuaatawa.
n.
Ukusatawa.
Jikusatawa.
III.
JikuscUawa,
Sikuaatawa,
IV.
Chikusatawa.
Ikuaata/wa.
V.
^Likuaatawa, \
Gakusatawa.
VI.
Lukmatawa.
Sikusatawa.
VII.
Kakusatawa.
Tukusatawa.
vni.
Kukuaatawa,
Muhaaatcma,
Pakusatawa.
The continuative suffix -ga may be appended to
any of the present tenses.
Perfect Tenses. — The present perfect tense in Yao
answering to the English " have " is formed by pre-
fixing the subjective pronoun, and modifying the
termination.
The nature of the change in the termination may
be explained in a few general rules, to each of which,
however, several exceptions occur.
(a) Verbs not included under any of the follow-
ing rules change the final -a of the simple verb
into 'ile.
KutoAJoa^ to bindj -tawile,
Kurnenycif to beat, -fnenyile.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
54 THE VERB
If the consonant preceding the final a is g^ the
modification of -a into -He changes g into^.
Kulangay to say farewell, -lanjUe,
{b) Yerhs ending in a... a change a,., a into e..,e.
Kuwomdikana, to be near, -wandikene.
Xupanganya, to make, -pangenye,
Kwvmboda {ha- jimhoda), to be stout, -jimbeU,
(c) Verbs ending in o...a change o...a into we.,.e.
If the final consonant is -k, it becomes -ch by the
change of the a into e.
Kukopoka, to go out, -kopweche.
Kukomoka, to faint, -komweche,
KukokoUb, to gather up, -kokwele.
(d) Verbs iiiu...a change w...a into wi...e. If the
last syllable is -ka, the k is modified as in the above.
KvJcagula, to follow, -kagwile.
Kupatuka, to fall down, -patvnclis.
(e) Most verbs of two syllables ending in -ga or
-la change the -ga or -la into -sUe,
Ktda^a, to be miserable, -lasUe.
Kuloga, to bewitch, -losHe.
KwTialay to finish, -masile,
Kuwola, to rot, -wosile,
Kmda, to groan, -uusUe,
XtimUa, to swallow, -misUe.
Kv/mda^ to grow, -mesUe,
(/) Verbs ending in -^ change -A:a into -c^.
Kupotekay to hurt, -poteche.
Kupachdka, to hang up, -pachiche.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
THE VERB
55
{g) Verbs in -ila of more than two syllablies change
the final -a into -e or -He,
Kuichilay to arrive at,
Xujisila, to come for,
Kujinjila, to enter,
-ichUe,
'jiaile.
•jinjUe, or jinjilile.
ye,
'istsye,
-kcmiaye.
(h) Yerbs of two syllables ending in -sya change
-sya into -sisye ; in other cases -a becomes -e.
Kukusya, to make larger,
Kuisydy to sigh,
' Kukcmiayay to forbid,
KupUccmichisya^ to hear well,
The following are a few of the more common ex-
ceptions to the above rules : —
Kuaichita, to cut,
Kupita, to pass,
Kukotay to possess,
Kutenda, to do,
Kuwala, to wear,
Kuweclitty to clothe,
Kujenda, to go,
Kupa, to give to,
KiUola, to see,
Kvmna (for ku-jima), to stand, -jimi.
Kutamou, to sit or stay, -temi.
The paradigm of the present perfect tense is as
follows. It has the meaning of, " I have bound,*' etc.
-sichite.
-jpite,
-kwete,
-tesile.
-wete.
-wechiche.
'pele.
'lolite.
Class. Sing.
I. 1. Ndawih {N'tawile),
2. UtawUe.
3. Atawile.
II. Uta/wUe,
III. JitawUe.
Plur.
TutawUe.
MtawUe.
A- or Wortawile,
Jitawile,
JSitawUe,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
56
THE VERB
Class. Sing.
Plur.
IV. ChitawUe,
Itawile,
V. Idtawile,
GatavMe,
VI. Lutavnle.
SitawUe.
VII. Katcmile,
TutavrUe
VIII. Kutcmik.
Mutcmile.
Fatavdle,
The 'use of th,e auxiliary verb Icutenda gives the
following form, with the meaning of "I hav6 bound
once and for all," ** I have really bound," etc.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Ndesile hitawa, TtUesUe kutawa,
2. Utesile kutawa, MtesUe kutawa,
3. Atesile kutawa. A- or Wa-tesile kutawa.
II. Utesile kutawa. JitesUe kutawa.
III. Jitesile kutawa. SitesUe kutawa.
IV. Chitesile kutawa. ItesUe kutawa.
V. LitesUe kutawa. Gatesile kutawa.
VI. LutesUe kutawa. SitesUe kutawa.
VII. Katesile kutoAJoa. TutesUe kutawa.
VIII. Kutesile kuta/wa.
MutesUe kutawa.
Fatesile kutanva.
A contracted form of kutenda is also used, with a
similar meaping.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Nde kutawa. Tute kutawa.
2. Ute kutawa. Mte kutawa.
3. AtekutoAva. A- or Wa-te kutatpa.
II. Ute kutuwa, etc Jite kutawa, etc.
The pa>8t imperfect tense is formed from the simple
stem by putting a before the stem, prefixing the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB
57
pronoun, and adding the continnative suffix -ga,
has the meaning of " I was binding/' etc.
It
II.
Y.
VI.
Plur.
Twatawaga.
Mwatawaga.
Wa-, or A'tawaga.
Jatawaga.
Syatawaga,
Yatawaga,
Gatawaga.
Syatawaga,
Twataiodga,
Class. Sing.
I. 1. Natmjoaga {N-a-tawa-ga),
2. Watawaga,
3. Atawaga.
Watawaga,
III. Jatawaga.
IV. Chatawaga,
Lyatawaga,
Luatawaga.
VII. Katawaga,
VIII. Kwatawaga,
Mwatawaga.
Patawaga. *
The negative of this form is obtained from the
simple negative by adding the continuative suffix
-ga, Nginindawaga, "I was not binding," etc.
The past perfect tense is formed from the present
perfect by inserting a between the pronoun and the
verb. It has the meaning of " I bound," or ** I
had bound,"
Class. Sing.
I. 1. NatawUe {N-a-tawih).
2. Watawile.
3. AtawUe.
II. Watawile.
III. Jatawile.
IV. ChatawUe.
V. Lyatawile.
VI. Luatawile.
VII. Katawih.
VIII. Kwatawile.
MwatawUe.
Patawile.
Plur.
TwatawUe. .
Mwatawih.
Wa-y or A-tawile.
Jatawile.
SyatawUe.
Yatatoile.
Gatawile.
SyatawUe.
TwatawUe,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
58 THE VERB
A cjontinuative meaning is given to this form as
well as to the present perfect by the addition of the
suffix 'JBy which is probably a modification of the
suffix -ga.
The auxiliary verb hutenda gives the, form of the
past perfect tense, Natesile kutawa, as well as its
contracted form, ^ate kutawa. It has the meaning of
" I bound once and for all."
Class.
Sing. -
Plur.
I.
1. Natesile kutawa.
Twatesile kutawa.
2. Watesile kutawa.
MwatesUe kutawa.
3. Atedle kuta/wa.
War, or A-tesile kutawa.
II.
WatesUe kutawa, etc.
Jateaih kutoAjoa, etc.
Class
Sing.
Hur.
I.
1. Nate kutawa.
Twate kutawa.
2. Watekatawa,
Mwate kutawa.
3. Ate kutawa.
War, or A-te kutawa.
II.
Wate kutawa, etc.
Jate hata/wa, etc.
The negative of these two tenses is formed by
prefixing ngana- to the simple stem, interposing the
subjective pronoun. The vowels of the prefix are
usually assimilated to the vowels of the pronoun
as in the present negative.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Nginindawa {N'gini-n'tawa). Ngunututawa.
2. Ngunuutawa. Ngwnumtawa.
3. Nganatawa. NgamMdwa.
II. Ngunuutawa. Nginijitawa.
III. Nginijitawa. Nginisitawa.
IV. Nginichitawa. Nginiitawa.
V. NginUitawa. '- Nga/nagatawa.
VI. Ngunulutawa. Nginisitawa,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
,THB vicaB 59
Class. Sing. Plur.
YII. Nganakatawa. NgunututoAJoa.
VIII. Ngunvkutawa.
Ngunwmutawa,
Ngariapatawa.
Another form of the past negative is obtained
from the above by changing the final a into e. It
has the meaning of '* I have not bound/' or " I have
not yet bound."
Another form, with the meaning of " I had not yet
bound," is also obtained by placing kana before the
verbstl stem, prefixing to this and to the verbal stem
the subjective pronoun, and changing final a into e.
As in the simple negative, the vowels of the prefix
kcma are assimilated to the vowel of the pronoun.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Nginindawe{N-kin'irn-tanjoe). Tukunututawe,
2. Ukfunutawe, Mhunumtawe,
3. Akanatawe. Akanatcuwe.
II. Dkunutawe. Jikinijitawe.
III. Jikinijitawe. Sikinisitawe.
IV. Chikinichitawe, Ikiniifawe.
V. Likimlitawe. Gakomagatawe.
VI. Lukunvlutawe. Sikinisitawe.
VII. Kakanakatawe. Tukunututawe.
VIII. Kukunukutawe.
Muhwwwmutawe,
Pakomapatawe. •
An idiomatic use of this form, to represent the
English adverb " biefore," is of very frequent occur-
rence iii Yao. Its construction will be seen in the
following examples : —
Akanaiche Wasungu uwe twasumaga wandu, Before
the Europeans came, we used to trade in slaves ]
Digitized by VjOOQIC
60 THE VERB
Tutvmtcde masengo getu, tukunutugone, "We will finish
our work before we sleep ; Kwende tuutitche, tukaiche
kumangwetu, jihinijitusimcme via 'ji, Come, let us run,
and reach home before the rain overtakes ns ; Mhi-
nv/myiche rrudawi uwe tupite. Before you arrive to-
morrow, we shall have gone.
Frequently in actual use the first subjective pro-
noun is omitted, and the negative assumes the
following forms, Nkmindawe, Uhu/nutawe^ NganMawey
etc Nhunututawe, MkunumtOAJoey etc.
Future tenses. — ^There are three future tenses in Yao.
1. The^ra^, or immediate, future is formed, by pre-
fixing tor, or its equivalent forms, -ti, tur, interposing
the subjective personal pronoun, and changing the
final a into e. This form is used of immediate action
or result, and is expressed by the simple future, " I
shall or will bind,*' etc.
Class. Sing.
Plur.
I. 1. Tindawe (Ti-n-tawe).
Tututawe,
2. Tuutawe.
Tumtawe.
3. Tatawe.
Tatawe.
II. Tuutawe.
Tijitawe.
III. TijitoAJoe.
Tisitawe.
IV. Tickitawe.
Tiitawe.
Y. TUitawe.
Tigatawe.
Vi. Tvlutawe.
Tisitawe.
VII. Tahata/we.
Tututawe.
VIII. Tuhutawe.
TvmutoAJoe.
Tapatawe.
2. The second, or middle^ future is formed from the
first by inserting -kor between the pronoun and the
verbal stem. It is used of actions done at some
little time or distance, and may be represented by
"I will go and bind," etc,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB
61
class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Tingatawe (Ti-n-ka-tawe). Tutukatawe.
2. Tuukatawe. Tumkatawe.
3. Takatawe. TakatoAJoe.
II. Tuukatawe. Tijikatawe.
III. Tijikatawe. Tisikatawe.
IV. Tichikatawe, Tiikatawe.
V. Tilikatawe. Tigakatawei
VI. Tulukatawe, Tisikatawe.
VII. Takakatawe, Tutukatawe.
VIII. Tutukatawe.
Tumiukatawe.
Tapakatawe.
Both of these tenses express simple futurity. By
changing -ta^ -ti, etc., into -sa, -si, a form is obtained
which expresses necessary consequence or obligation.
Mjende mkatagulile Che Malunga saiche akurw malawi,
Go and tell Che Mahinga that he must come here to-
morrow; Eh, taiche, Yes, he will come; NarnJcugu-
TYiula apa, meai, sigapite, If you break down [the bank]
here, the water will escape.
To both of these forms a continuative sense is
attached by adding the suffix -je ; Tindaweje, I shall
be binding, etc.
3. The third, or distant, future is formed from the
simple stem of the verb by prefixing the two
syllables ti-chi-, or si-chi-, interposing between them
the subjective pronoun. It is used of actions done
at some distant tjme, or regarding the performance
of which there is some doubt.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Tinjitawa {Ti-n-chirtawa), Tutuchitawa,
or Sinjitawa, or Sutuchitawa.
2. Tuuchitawa. Tumchitawa.
3. Tachitawa. ^ Tachitawa.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
62 THE VEBB , \
Class. Sing. Plur.
II. Tuuchitawa. Tijichdtawa,
III. Tijichitawa. Tisichitcuwa.
IV. Tichuihitawa. TUchitawa.
V. Tilichitawa. Tigachitawa.
^ VI. TuLuchitawa. Tisichitawa.
Vn. Takcbchitawa. Tutvjchitawa.
VIII. Tukuchitawa.
. Twmuchitawa.
TapachitoAJoa.
A continuative sense is attached by the use of the
suffix -ga ;
Tinjitawaga, I shall be binding, etc.
The negative of the simple future is formed by
prefixing ngor to the simple stem of the verb, inter-
posing the subjective pronoun. As usual, the vowel
of the ngor is assimilated to the vowel of the pronoun.
It has the meaning of " I will not bind."
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Ngindanjoa (N^gi-n-tawa). Ngututawa.
2. Nguutawa. Ngumtawa,
3. Ngatawa, Ngatawa.
II. NgvAitawa, Ngijitawa.
III. Ngijitawa. Ngisitawa.
IV. Ngichitawa. Ngiitawa.
V. Ngilitmjoa. Ngagatawa,
VI. Ngvlutawa, Ngisitawa,
VII. NgakatoAJoa, * Ngututawa,
VIII. Ngukutawa,
Ngumutawa,
Ngapatawa.
A stronger form of the above is obtained by sub-
stituting ngasa-f ngisi-, etc., for nga-^ 'n>ffi-f etc.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THe VERB
63
Class. Sing.
I, 1. Ngisindawa,
2. Ngvsuutawa,
3. Ngasatawa,
II. NguBuviaway etc.
Plur. -
Ngvsuiutay^a,
Ngusfu/mta/wa, ^
Ngasata/wa,
Ngiaijitamay etc.
6. Conditioned Mood,
A present, or future, conditional mood is formed by
pie^xing the conjunction nor, if, followed by the
personal pronoun, and appending the suffix -ga. It
has the meaning of **If I bind," "If I shall bind,'*
etc.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Nindawaga {Ni-n-taworga). Natutawo/ga.
2. Nuutawaga. Namtawaga.
3. N'atawaga, Natawaga.
II. NvAJutawaga. Najitawaga,
III. Najitawaga, Nasitawctga,
IV*. Ndchitawa^a, Nmiawaga.
V. NaLitawaga. Nagatawa^a,
VI. Nalutawaga. ^asitawaga,
VII. Nakatawdga. Natutcuwaga,
VIII. Nakutwwaga,
Namutawaga,
Napatanvaga.
The conjunction na, with the simple infinitive, has
a meaning similar to the above tense.
Norkwika ngondo} If war come.
Norji-ikorga ngondo, If war come.
A past conditional mood is formed by prefixing the
subjective pronoun, followed by the syllable -nga, and
changing the final a into e. It has the meaning of
" If 1 had bound," etc.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
64
THE VERB
Class. Sing. Plur.
, I. 1. Ningata/we (^Ni-nga-tawe), TuTiga/tawe,
2. Ungatawe. Mungatawe.
3. Angatawe, Angata/we, ,
II. UngcUa/uje, Jingatawe.
III. Jingatawe, Singcbtawe,
IV. Chingatawe. IngcUatoe.
V. Lingatawe, Gangatawe,
VI. Lungatawe. Singatawe,
VII. Komgatawe. Tungatawe.
VIII. Kwngatawe,
Mungatawe,
Pangatatoe.
The negative of this mood is formed by prefixing
the personal pronoun followed by the syllable ka,
and adding the suffix -ga. This form has the mean-
ing of " If I do not bind," or, **If I had not bound,"
etc.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Ngatawaga (N'-kortawa-ga), Tukdtawaga.
2. Vhai,awaga, Mkatawa^a,
3. Akatawaga, Akatawaga,
II. Ukatawaga, Jikata/waga,
III. Jikatawaga, Sikatawaga,
IV. Chikatawaga. IkatoAJoaga.
V. Likatawa>ga. Gakatawa>ga,
VI. iMkatoAJoo/ga. Sikatawaga.
VII. Kakatawajga. Tukatawaga.
VIII. Kiikatawaga,
Mukatawaga,
Pakatawaga,
Another form of the above is obtained by using the
same prefixes, but changing the final a into e, and
adding the suffix -je.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB
Class. Sing.
I. 1. NgdtoAJoeje {N-Jcortawe-je).
2. Ukataweje,
3. Akataweje,
II. Ukataweje, etc.
65
Plur.
Tuhdtaweje.
MhUaweje.
Akataweje.
Jikata/weje, etc.
In both of these cases stress is laid on the accentu-
ation of the ka, to distinguish them from the sub-
junctive, which has the same form.
7. Contingent Mood.
A present contingent mood is formed by prefixing
the subjective pronoun, followed by -nga, and append-
ing the suffix -^a. It puts the results of a condition
as present, and has the meaning of "I should be
binding " (i. e. if something else had happened).
Class. Sing.
Plur.
I. 1. Ningatawaga {Ni-nga-tawa-
Tungatawaga,
ga).
2. Uhgatawaga.
Jingatawaga.
3. Angatawaga.
Angatawaga.
II. Ungatawaga.
Jingatawaga.
HI. Jingatawaga.
Singatawaga.
IV. Chingatawaga.
Ingatawaga.
v. LingatoAJoaga.
Ga/ngatawaga.
YI. Lungatawaga.
Singatawaga,
VII. Kangatawaga.
Timgatawaga.
VIII. Kwngatawaga.
Mmigatawaga,
Pcmgatawaga.
A past or futwre contingent mood is formed by
prefixing the pronoun, followed by the syllable -nga,
and making the terminal change as in the perfect
tenses. It supposes something else to have happened
Digitized by VjOOQIC
66
THE VEBB
or to be about to happen difPerent from the actuality,
and may be expressed by the English, " I should hav^
bound," or "I should bind."
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. JVingatawile {Ni-nga-tawUe). TungatawUe.
2. Ungatawile. Mungatawile.
3. Angatawile. Angatawile,
II. Ungatawile. JingatawUe,
III. JingatawUe. Singatawile.
IV. Chingatawile. Ingatawile.
V. LingatawUe. Gangatawile.
VI. Lungatawih. Singatawile.
VII. Kangatawile, Tungatawile.
VIII. KungatawUe.
MungatawUe.
Pangatawile.
A negative of this mood is formed by prefixing
ngingini; or ngihini-^ to the simple form of the verb,
interposing the subjective pronoun. It has the mean-
ing of " I should not have bound " (i. e. if something
else had been the case), etc.
Class. Slug. Plur.
I. 1. Ngin^inindawa {Ngingini- Ngukunututawa.
n-tawa).
2. Ngukunuutawa.
Ngukunumtawa.
3, Ngakanatawa.
Ngakanatawa.
II.
Ngukunuutawa.
NgiMnijitawa.
III.
NgiMnijitawa.
Ngikinisitawa.
IV.
Ngikinichitawa.
Ngikiniitawa.
V.
Ngikinilitawa.
Ngakanagatawa.
VI.
Ngukunidutawa.
Ngihinisitawa.
VII.
^III.
Ngakanakatawa.
Nguhumukutawa.
Ngukunwmutawa.
Ngakana/patawa.
Nguhinututawa,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB 67
The following examples illustrate the use of the
conditional and contingent moods : —
Angaiche sing^anga ngakanauwa mpwanga, If the
doctor had come, my younger brother should not
have died.
Jikdicheje via rrudavn tutvjiae, If rain don't fall
to-morrow we shall come.
Najiikaga ula lelo tutugone aq)cmopcmo^ If rain fall
to-day we shall sleep in this place here.
Akdihaga liao taiche lelo, If they did not come
yesterday they will come to-day.
Akdkarmdaga lukonji angagwile, If he had not seized
hold of the rope he would have fallen.
Amcmgwetu/ ningagwUe, Dear me ! I almost fell.
TungcUa/wile kundawipe, nginginijitusimana ula 'ji.
If we had started early in the morning this rain would
not have overtaken us.
8. Subjunctive Mood.
The subjunctive mood is formed by prefixing the
pronoun to the simple form of the verb, and changing
the final a into e. It expresses an action which is the
consequence or result of another action, and may be
expressed by the English, "That I may bind," or
" Let me bind," etc. It is also used as an imperative
(see Imperative Mood).
Class. SiDg. Plur.
I. 1. Ndawe {N-tawe), Tutawe,
2. Utawe. Mtawe.
3. Atawe. Atawe
II. Utawe, Jitawe,
III. JitoAJoe, Sitawe.
IV. Chitawe, Itctme.
V. lAUmjoe. Gatawe,
VI. LutoAJoe, Sitawe,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
68
THE VERB
Class. Sing.
Plnr.
VII. Katawe,
Tutawe.
Vill. Kutawe.
Mutawe.
Fatawe,
When emphasis and directness of action are implied,
-kob^ is inserted between the pronoun and the stem ;
also when the action is to be performed at some
distance.
Class. Siag. Plur.
I. 1. Rgatawe {N-kortawe), Tukatawe,
2. TukatOAJoe, etc. MkataKje, etc.
This form in -ka- occurs where a simpile future
occurs in English. Ana 7igatende ai ? Shall I do
these things ]
The negative of this mood is formed by prefixing
the pronoun to the simple form of the verb, inter-
posing the syllable -ka-. It has the meaning of
"That I may not bind," "Lest I bind,'' etc.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Ngatonjoa (N-kortawa), Tvkatawa,
2. JJkatawa. Mkatanva,
3. Akatawa, Akatawa,
II. TJkatawa, Jikatawa.
III. JikatoAJoa. Sikatawa,
rV. Chikatawa, IkxUawa,
V. Likatawa, Gakata/wa.
YI. Lukatawa, Sika^tOAJoa,
VII, KakatoAJoa, Tvkatawa,
VIII. Kukata/wa.
Mukatawa,
Fakatawa,
A stronger form of the negative is obtained by
substituting -kaaa- or -kaja- for ka-.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE YEBB 69
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Ngaaatawa (^N-kasa-tawd), TukascUawa,
2. Ukasatawa. Mkaaatawa.
3. Akasatawa. Akasatawa.
II. Ukaaatawa, etc. Jikasatawa^ etc.
Continuative meanings are attached to the positive
form by appending the suffix -je-y and to the negative
form by appending the suffix -ga.
The subjunctive mood has very frequently an
obligatory meaning almost corresponding to our
English "must." Ngengupakornhola kwika lelo, ngajavie
ku magambo, I cannot come to-day, I must go to the
court. " Must " or " ought '' in the sense of duty are
better rendered by the verb kuwajUay or kuwajUwa,
to be fitting, to behove.
Example : Ndawi ; jijise, [I have] a conundrum ;
let it come.
Ngahwele kwitwmhi ngaloh kanga jipite ngondo. Let
me climb the hill that I may see whether the war has
gone.
Mtagviile Che Chitde akoUsye moto, Tell Che Chi-
tele to light the fire.
Mjime chiri kuti Tnlole pachanya pakwe. Stand
straight up that you may look at the top.
9. Potential Mood.
The potential mood is formed by putting ta- before
the infinitive, and prefixing the subjective pronoun.
It implies permissibility as well as possibility. The
meaning is expressed by the English, " That I may
bind," " Lest I bind,'' etc.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. NdxihatoAjoa [N-ta-kutawa), Tutakutawa,
2. Utdkutatoa, Mtakutwwa,
3. Atakutawa. AtaJcutawa.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
70 THE VERB
Class. Sing. Plur.
II. Utahutawa. JitaJcutcuwa,
III. Jitakutawa. Sitahatawa,
IV. Chitahutawa. Itakutawa,
V. Litahutawa, Gatdkuta/wa^
VI. Lutdkutawa. Sitakutawa,
VII. KatakutoAva, Tutakutawa,
VIII. Kutahutmjoa.
Mutakutawa,
Patakutawa,
Example : Mhxv/jvh humlcmgo atakurinjUa, Open
the door that he may come in.
MkaugaU hmdango atakwinjUa, Shut the doQr lest
he come in.
Mka/mulUe mwanache *chenene ataJcugwa, Take hold
of the child carefully lest he fall.
Na/mhisaka, doy mtakutenda sai, If you wish, yes,
you may do so.
By appending the suflSx -ga, a peculiar meaning is
attached of discontinuing for the present and resum-
ing again at a future time. Mtaknpanganyaga masengo
sambano, na/mho ligvloy Leave off your work just now,
but [resume it] in the evening.
10. Participles.
There is no complete form of the present participle
in Yao. Its place is supplied (1) by the definite
tenses present or past, (2) by the use of the infinitive
with the prepositions pa and mu^ (3) by the conjunc-
tion nay and, with the addition of the suffix -pe,
(1) Example : Twamfisvmene (dvmhukvoemha scma^ We
found him smoking.
Alimkwangala wakuwele pa chisichi, Skipping about,
he stumbled on a stump.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB 71
Tvnngamibile hu/msimcma apite, You will only find
him gone.
(2) The second form is used only in the case of
participles in agreement with the subject of the
sentence.
Example : Fakulinga uti wasomUe mjakwe, Trying
the gun, he shot his companion.
Mkutyoka wangalijvxiktdongolela wasokonochde mwi-
tala, Starting without a guide, they strayed from the
path.
(3) The thwd form is used in a similar construction
to the second. Na-tawa-pef Tying ; On tying ; Having
tied.
Example : Naikape ku muai walaliche wa ulendo
wose, Arriving at the village, he called for all those
[who had agreed to go] on the journey.
Natamho/pe pa ugono wakomweche, Sitting down on
the mat, he fainted away.
(4) A fcmrih form of the present participle occurs
in connection with verbs of motion or action which
describes the second of tw(^ concurrent actions, as
when we say. He went away crying. In the case of
the three personal pronouns of the first class this
form is made up of the subjective personal connective
proi^oun with the auxiliary -chi- prefixed to the verbal
stem ; generally the continuative -ga is added.
Njitawaga, (I) binding. Tuohitawaga, (we) bind-
ing.
Uchitawaga, (thou) bind- Mchitawaga, (you) bind-
ing, ing.
Achitawaga, (he, she) Achitawaga^{\hey)hm^-
binding. ing.
In the other classes the mchi- is simply prefixed to
the verbal stem and is the same for all classes.
Naiche nnutukaga, I came running.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
72 THE V^BEB
Mwapite mchilokotaga ndahmay You went away
picking up money.
Tujuile Puchiseclheleibagay We have come rejoicing.
Nyama jipite mchisfmihiigay The game has gQn^ off
leaping.
The pa8t participle is formed by changing the final
a of the stem into e, and adding the prefixes as in the
proper adjective,
-tawe, bound.
Twasimene ndemho jajiuwe^ We found the elephant
dead.
. The finite form of the verb in the past perfect tense
is also used to represent the participle.
Twasimene ndemho jivnle, We found the elephant
dead.
Twajiweni nywmba jipHe, We found the house
burned.
11. Other Verbal Forms.
(a) By inserting -pa- *before the verbal st^m, a
meaning is obtained that may be represented by the
English "able."
Ngvrpa'toAJoa, I am able to bind.
Ngongw-parichilay I am not able to reach up to.
(6) By changing the terminal a into ile^ or efe, and
prefixing chi-y a form is obtained which, used with
the verb "to be," has the meaning of "I am still
binding," etc.
NdUi chi-tatuUe, I am still binding.
Ali chigonele, He is still sleeping.
Waliji chikanUe^ They were still refusing.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB 73
(e) The above form used alone has the meaning of
"Since I bound," etc.
Chi'tawUe nyumha janguy Since I built (bound) my
house.
ChitcmdUile kultoala, nganajimuka, Since he took
ill, he has not risen [out of bed].
OhiichUe ngininimhona, Since he came, I have not
seen him.
This form may take a substantive construction, and
be qualified by adjectives, pronouns, etc.
ChavlUe (chi-javlile) clisnu ^chUa, Since you went
away.
(d) By prefixing the relative pronoun, followed by
ana, to the verbal stem, and adding the suffix -pe, a
form is obtained which marks the action of the verb
as simply completed.
Mwariache jucma-pa/gworpe, A child just born.
Masengo gana-Trialarpe, A work just finished.
(e) By reduplicating the stem and changing the
final -a into -e the continuative action of the verb is
denoted. This reduplicating may go on to any length,
often accompanied by some action of the speaker's
hand or body descriptive of the meaning of the word
or phrase. WcUisile tUetUe, He fled and continued
fleeing; Sinjiwelecheta wechetewechete au utende^u, I
will speak and go on speaking in this way. f
12. Afiodliary Verbs cmd Copula.
The verb hU% to say, is used as an auxiliary verb
in its past tenses, -chite or -tite. It is used in con-
junction with the subjimctive form of the principal
verb. The suffix -je may or may not be appended.
The present perfect tense has the meaning of "I
would bind/' " I am about to bind/' etc.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
74 THE VEBB
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1 . Njite ndatoe (or Njiteje ndawe). Tuchite tutawe.
2. Uchite utawe.
Mchite mtawe.
3. Achite atawe.
Achite atawe.
IT.
Uchite utawe.
Jichitejitawe.
III.
Jichitejitawe,
Sichite sitawe.
IV.
Chichite chitawe.
Ichite itawe.
V.
Lichite Utawe,
Gachite gatawe.
VI.
Luchite lutawe.
Sichite sitawe.
VII.
Koichite katawe.
Tuchite tutawe.
VIII.
Kuchite hutawe,
Muchite mutawe,
Pachite patawe.
The past perfect tense has the meaning of " I would
have bound," " I was about to bind," etc. The form
of the past tense -tiji is employed, as well as -chite
and -tite.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. N^achite a.ud Natiji ndawe. Twachite smd Twa-
tiji tutawe.
2. WoKihite and Watiji ndawe. Mwachite and Mwa-
tiji mtawe.
3. Achite and Atiji atawe. Wachite and Watiji
atawe.
II. Wachite and Watiji Utatjoe^ etc. Jachite and Jatiji
jitanve, etc.
In the future tense and subjunctive mood ktUi
takes its forms as from a verb kujila, to say. Thus
we have tinjUe, I will say, tuujiie, thou wilt say,
tajUcy he will say, etc. This form takes also the
second and third futures in due order, tingajUe^ etc.,
and ainjijila, etc., I will say. As auxiliaries to the
verb these forms give it the meaning of "I will be
about to bind."
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB 75
Similarly the subjunctive form is in use mjile, and
the continuative mjileje.
The negative parts of the verb kuti are rarely
heard. Those in use are ngakuti, he does not say, and
ngancUiy he did not say. The negatives of kujUa are
more frequently heard, as, Tigtjmv/mjilay you did not
say, ngtmutujilOf we did not say, ngusiUujila, we will
not say, etc.
A part of the negative of kut% ngatif is used as a
general negative of the copula (see page 78).
Kuwa, to be.
The verb kuwa has peculiar forms in its present
and past tenses. The remaining pdrts in use follow
the usual formation.
The present tense has the meaning of " I am," etc.,
denoting mere existence.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Ndili, Tidi.
2. Uli, Mull
3. AH. All
II. Uli, JUL
III. JUL SUL
IV. ChUL EL
V. LUL GalL
VI. LvlL SUL
VII. KcdL TulL
VIII. KvlL
MvZL
PcdL
The past tense has the meaning of ** I was," etc.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. NcdijL TwalijL
2. WcUijL MwalijL
3. Waliji (Aliji), Waliji,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
76
THE YSBB
Class. Sing.
Plur.
II. WalijL
Jaliji,
III. Jaliji.
SycUiji.
IV. Chcdiji.
Ycdiji,
V. LyalijL
Galiji.
VI. I/iudiji,
SyalijL
VII. Kaliji.
Twaliji.
VIII. Kwaliji.
%
Mwcdiji.
FcUiji
When being in or at a place is denoted, the pre-
positions ku^ mUy pa, are combined with the verb " to
be.*' With hu and pa the combined form has the
meaning of " I am at," etc.
Class. Sing.
Plur.
I. 1. Nihdi.
Tukndi.
2. Uhuli.
Muhdi,
3. Ahuli.
Wahdi,
il. Ukul% etc.
JHculi, etc.
Class. Sing.
Plur.
I. 1. Nipali,
Tupali.
2. Upali,
Mupali.
3. ApalL
WapalL
II. UpaZ% etc.
Jipali, etc.
III. Jipali, etc.
Sipali, etc.
h mu, the combined form has the mean
in," etc.
Class. Sing.
Plur.
I. 1. Nimuli,
TumvlL
2, Wamuli.
MumvlL
3. AmvlL
Wamuli,
II. UmvU,
Jimvli,
m. Jimuliy etc.
Simvli, etc.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB 77
The past tense of these forms is obtained by in-
serting a between the pronoun and the preposition.
Class. Sing. Plur.
I. 1. Nahdi. Twahuli.
2. WahulL Mwahvdi,
3. Ahdi. Wahdi,
II. WoJculi, etc. Jakidi^ etc.
The remaining parts in use follow the usual form.
These are —
1st Future, Timhe or Timhwe for {Tinwely etc.
2nd „ Tir^gcme, etc.
3rd „ Sinjiwa, etc.
Subjunctive, Mhe^ Uwe, etc.
Conditional, Nmgawe^ etc.
Contingent, Ningcdiji, etc.
Imperative, Mbcmi, etc.
The negative parts of kuwa are formed in the
usual way.
Present negative, Nginimha, etc.
Past negative, Nginimha, etc
Future negative, Ngisvmha^ etc.
Negative Imperative, Mkosomha,
Indefinite Negative, Juang(d% etc.
Kutefnday to do.
As has already been f)ointed out under the various
tenses, the verb kut&nda is used as an auxiliary, giving
in the present tense the verb (which is in the infini-
tive) the meaning of, I am in the act of doing, and
in the perfect tenses the meaning of, I have actually
or really done, or I have done once and for all. The
forms have been already noted undet the various
tenses.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
78 THE VERB
Tfte Co]9iUaf Na, N'e, My No, iVe, Kdi, Ndo,
While the verb "to be " -li occasionally bears the
force and has the use of the copula, the true copula,
L e, that which actually denotes the identity of the
two substantives, is expressed by^the conjunction
iVa, JV^e, M, No, Nu, Ndi, Ndo, On the other hand
the verb " to be " in its various forms (see page 75)
is used in those cases where the connection is that of
description or classification. Thus the Yao \ says,
Lisimba no chikoko, the lion is a wild beast ; Muaa ndi
mclwbuda, Moses is a boy ; Tidi une, it is I ; chicid
cherecho, what is that ; ndi makau ga mbtva, it is
a dog's footmarks. When, however, he wishes to
describe or classify, he uses the verb "to be " as in
English. Thus Muaa ali juakalamuka, Moses is
clever ; nyama^jo aambano jili ndu / that animal is
now out of sight.
The negative of the copula may be expressed by
the negative form of the verb " to be " (see page 75).
Generally this negative is rendered by ngati, which is
doubtless a negative of either the present or the
future of the verb huti, and is used for all classes,
persons, and numbers of the substantive ; ngati ajo
nambo aju, it is not that one but this ; ngcUi wajinji
nambo anamdwpe, not many but let them be few.
When connected with the demonstratives ajo, ao,
etc., the copula is joinjed to them, making ndijo, it is
he, or, that is the one, ndilyo, it is that one.
13. Verbal Formation,
The root-idea of the verb is capable of undergoing
several modifications of meaning. These are ex-
pressed by modifications of or additions to the verbal
stem. In this way, six different forms, in addition
to the simple form, are obtained.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE VERB 79
1. Applied Form.
2. Causative and Permissive Form.
3. Intensitive Form.
4. Beflexive Form.
5. Reciprocal Form.
6. Reversive Form.
1. What is called the applied form is used in cases
where, in English, a preposition would be employed
to connect the verb with its object. The paucity of
prepositions in Yao brings this form into constant
use. It is obtained by changing the final -a into -Ua
or -ela. The termination -Ua is used when the vowel
of the preceding syllable is a, i, or u, and -ela when
it is e or o.
Kujigala^ to carry. Kujigalila, to carry for.
Kuuja, to turn back. KuujUa, to turn back at.
Kviua, to flee. Xutilila, to flee to.
Kutola, to bring. Kutolela^ to bring for.
Kwenda, to go. JCwendela, to go for.
Kuwelecheta, to speak. Kuwelechetela, to speak for ;
to speak against.
The same modification is also expressed in some
instances by changing the final -a into 48ya, -ichisya,
or -esya, -ecliesya,
KtLgalavka^ to turn. Kugalauchisya, to turn to.
KutUTnay to send. Kutumichisya^ to send for.
2. A verb is rendered causative or permissive by
changing the final -a into -isya or -esya^ or by
changing the final syllable into -sya.
Kutenday to do. Kutendesya, to cause to do ;
to allow to do.
Kukmmda^ to seize. KuTcamvUsya^ to cause to
seize ; to allow to seize.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
80
TH* yBRB
Kvsauka, to sufffer.
Kuhdupuka^ to escape.
Kuscmsyaj to cause to suffer;
to punish.
Kuhikupusya^ to save; to
allow to escape.
A stronger form is obtained by substituting -chisya
or -cheaya for -sya ; as kukornivXichiayay Icuhdupuchisya
for kukamvlisya, kuhdupusya.
With this form the objective personal pronoun is
always used as distinguished from the following
intensitive form.
T'ivo verbs hutama and hujima (hvima) make their
causatives in ka ; hitamika, to set down ; kujimihij to
cause to stand.
3. The meaning of the verb is intensified by making
the same modifications of the verbal stem as in the
above form. With this form the objective personal
pronoun is never employed. Thus kuwelechetesya
means to speak much, but kumbelechetesya, to cause
him to speak ; kugumilisya, to cry aloud exceedingly,
but kmngumilisya, to make him to cry aloud.
4. A verb obtains a reflexive meaning by prefixing
li- to the stem.
KuaumHa, to buy for. Kvlisumila, to buy for one's
self.
Kugawa^ to wound. KtUigawa, to wound one's
self.
KvAJoaUmga^ to plead. Kuliwalanjila, to plead for
one's self.
5. The reciprocal form is obtained by changing the
terminal -a into -ana,
Kunonyda^ to love. KunonyeUma^ to love otife
another.
Ku6wmdy to trade. Kuawmanay to trade With
one another.
Digitized by VjOOQIC ■
THB VEBB 81
In certain vetbs, where the idea of multitude is
conveyed, -ctm^cma, may be substituted for -ana.
Kusonganay to come together. Kvsongangcma, to come
together (of a great
number).
Xwika, to arrive. Kwikcmganay to arrive
all together.
A causative meaning is assigned to the above by
changing -a/na into -anya.
Kusonganay to come together. Kusongam,ya^ to gather
together.
6. Many verbs have their action reversed by chang-
ing the final -a into -uhda or -ihda,
Kvsyenfiga, to twine. Kusymvguhdat to untwine.
Kul/vmibay to join. KvlumbvJeula, to detach.
In some cases the action is reversed by changing
'ilea into -uhula,
KuuniJca, to cover. KvAinuhda, to uncover.
14. Continuative Suffioces, -ga, -je, and -pe.
By adding the suffix -ga to all verbal formations
ending in -a, and -je to all formations ending in -e,
a continuative meaning is given to them. This has
been already pointed out under the various moods
and tenses.
The enclitic -pe has the same significance. Alimkvr
tawaqye^ he continues to bind, he is still binding.
The same -pe has also the effect of postponing the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
82 THfi VBRfi
action of the verb till some fatui^ time. Thus-
tingalemhepe may mean, I will go on writing; but it
may also signify, I will write afterwards, not just
now. This latter form ie probably not originally a
Yao idiom. In all likelihood it has been borrowed
from the neighbouring Chinyanja tongue.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
CHAPTER VIII
THE ADVERB, PREPOSITION, CONJUNCTION, AND
INTBBJECTION
1. Adverbs.
The adverb in Yao follows the word it qualifies.
Mhekchete 'chenene. Speak distinctly.
Wambone mnope. Very good.
Several verbs form adverbs by prefixing kwa and
2/a to the infinitive.
Kwahulimba, Strongly.
Yakulimba, Strongly.
Sometimes the ku of the infinitive is omitted, as
Ya kcmgomiha, Forceably.
Cha and ya followed by a noun are also used
adverbially, as
Cha machUi, Strongly.
Ya chanaaa, Sorrowfully.
Cha lunda, Wisely.
Cha mhone, Well.
Ya mtega, Vainly, foolishly.
Many English adverbs may be translated by the
83
Digitized by VjOOQIC
84 THE ADVERB, PREPOSITION, CONJUNCTION,
adverb mnopey which intensifies the action or quality
expressed by the word which it governs; others
by richenene, ickenene, or ^cheneney which has the sig-
nificance of our English well, nicely. Other adverbs
again are expressed by the intensitive form of thk
verb.
Mnyanyicfie mnope, Speak loudly.
MJcakweie mnope, Climb far up.
Akuwelecheta 'chenene, He speaks distinctly.
Mtendeje 'chenens, Do it carefully.
Solesycmi, Dig deeply.
The following examples illustrate the use of the
adverbs, when, where, whence, whether, wherein : —
1 . ** When,'' po, pe, po. . .'po, pe.,.^pala, po,,.^paUi,
Po taiche, When he comes.
Po wajawUe ^po, When he went away (alluding to
some known event).
Po wajawile ^pala, When he went away (alluding
to some still more distant event).
Pe twapanganyaga masengo ^pala, angati twakanjUe
mitela msano na v/moy When we were working that
time, did we not fell six trees ?
The adverb always immediately precedes the verb
of the adverbial clause, and the principal clause may
or may not be introduced by the conjunction nipoy
or nay ne, ni, no, nu, or the verb of the clause may
be in the infinitive with ne, as in the following
forms : —
When the war was over the chief returned, Pe
japite ngondo wausUe mchimwene ; Pe japite ngondo
nipo wausile mchimwene ; Pe japite ngondo W) wausile
mchimwene ; Pe japite ngondo nekuuja mchimwene,
2. "Where," po, hu, po,..*po, po...*pala, ku...^ko,
^hu...^kula.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
AND INTERJECTION 85
Nwmhweni (dimhwima po watawile nytmiha jakwe, I
saw him standing where he built his house.
Nambweni ali/mkxjoimapo watawile nyuwha 'po, I saw
him standing where he built the house (referring to
some definite spot).
Na/mhweni alimkwima po watawile nyumha 'pala (re-
ferring to some remote definite spot).
Ngongumanya kwali (hi ali), I don't know where
he is.
NarnhsUe ku twamsimene *hda, I left him yonder
where we met him.
3. "Whence," "whither," ku, ku..:ko, ha..:hala,
Wauaile ku waumile ^ko, He returned whence he
came.
Ngongumanya ku wajHe, I don't know whither he
went.
4. " Wherein," mu, mu . . . 'mo, mu. . . ^muLa,
M'hokosi mu wawiaUe nguo 'mula tumbone mIesOy In
the box in which he placed the cloth you'll find a
handkerchief.
The following list contains most of the adverbs in
common use : —
Abroad, pa^a, kusa.
Across, chamchitipa, chcmichipingula.
Afterwards, panyuma, kanyuma.
Again, soni ; the second time kaunli.
All together, jtwmo.
Aloft, penam>y pachanya.
Alone, jikay jikape.
Always, mowa goaepe.
Apart, jxichisyepela, kundundumala.
Backwards, hanywma.
Directly, aambano *jino.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
86 THE ADVERB, PREPOSITION, CONJUNCTION,
Down, downwards, kusiy pasi.
Early in the morning, kundatvi, hundaudpe, before
cockcrow, huwasihasxhwjpe.
Every wjaere, j)08epo8e, pana/pose, posepe.
Far away, kwanaitlay kwakutcdika.
Fast, chitema.
Finally, pa mbesi.
Forwards, pcmjo, kujnbujo.
Further, kupv/nda.
Gently, mbolembole.
Gratis, Ivlele.
Hereafter, panyuma pano.
Immediately, sambcmo, scmibario *Jino.
Inside, mhati.
Lengthwise, chcmichUeu,
Little, a, pcmcmdi.
Merely, pe.
More, hupunda.
Much, kwakujinji, mnope.
No, ngwamba.
Not: is it not so] eti? is it not, ngati? it is not,
ngati, angati ; it is not here, he is not here, huxmgaii ;
nothing, ngechipcdi; he is not here, nganakugwa ; it
is not he, ngcmali ^wo.
Now, samhano, sambano pano, sambano ^jino.
Often, kavnli kawili, kwakujinji.
Once, krnno, komipepe.
O ! mwa. O chief, mwa ^chimwens.
Outside, kusa, pasa.
Pairs, in, -loUi -wili.
Privately, pa mhali, pa^hisyepela.
Quickly, chitema, chitema.
So, sai, iyoyo, aii.
Sometimes, kamokamo.
Soon, sambano.
There, akuno, ako, akula, apano, pepano, apo, apala.
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AND INTBBJECTION 87
Throughout, 'paae.
Thus, m.% aai, inoino.
To-day, Ido, lelo ^jino, Ido [/t.
Together, pcumoy pampepe.
Well, ueken&nsy ichenene^ ^cheneney hu>ambone.
Within, m^mhatiy pakati.
Without, pasay hdsa.
Yes, do.
Enclitic -tu gives an intensive force to all verbs
and other parts of speech to which it is affixed.
** Before " is expressed by the negative past of the
verb in -e. (See page 59.)
" After" may be expressed by the word panyvma or
panywma paJcwey after or afterwards. More generally
the verb kumcday to finish, is used in the past perfect
tense jtw wamasile, or pcmuiaUey when he had finished,
or in the form v^cmudapey immediately on finishing.
Po wamiasile kutmoa nywmha wajawUey when or after
he had built the house he went away. NcmuUape
hidya watisUey after he had eaten he ran away.
Certain words onomatopoetic in their character
may be classed as adverbs. They represent the
action or the idea referred to, and may be used with
or without the descriptive verb ; thus chwm ^signifies
the sound of falling into water, like our English
**splash"; Wcbgwile m^Twes*,* chum I He fell into the
water, splash. MyUy with the fingers drawn across
the lips, or accompanied by a peculiar motion of the
hands one over the other, signifies completion ;
Ngondo jaicfie nehvmicda wandu myu ! The war came
and the population was completely destroyed.
An idiomatic use of the verb kutiy ** to say," is used
in conjunction with such words. To the form -ati is
prefixed the characteristic or pronoun of the object
described, and joined with the onomatopoetic has the
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88 THE ADVERB, PREPOSITION, CONJUNCTION,
force and application of an adjective. Nguoj(Ui pyu.
Red cloth (literally, the cloth which says pyu^ or red).
Nah, ngope jakwe jati bi, Look, his face is black {i.e.
he is angry).
The following list comprehends the chief onoma-
topoetic words with the ideas they are expressive
of:—
£i, blackness, anger.
Chcdichali, elastic.
Chena, splitting open.
Chirif standing upright.
Ckotif fulness.
Chwm, falling into the water.
Chwa, dryness.
Chwe, fizzing, as hot iron causes on being immerged
in water ; aching pain.
Chwiy abundance, great numbers.
JDedede, sound of drumming.
Z)^, di...y sound of two-legged animal running or
walking.
Gau, soft, like porridge.
Gowoy hanging limp and loosely.
Gvmiu^ falling of plaster off a wall.
Gundvlij lying on the bare floor.
Gwa, rigidly.
Gwagwcda gwagwala, bare upright objects.
Gwahita^ sprouting.
Gwere, disappearing.
Gwesigwesi, going round and round about a thing.
GwUi, swallowing.
Jwwa^ lightly.
J% invisibility.
Jijiri jijiri, disorder.
Jqjqfojo..,f water trickling down, rain falling.
Juu, quite still.
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AND INTERJECTION 89
Kachi, puff of smoke.
Kapi, lapping of water.
KaPu, gnawing.
Kee^ cutting or tearing.
KohtOy squeezing.
Kuy falling.
Ku<t objects scattered about.
Kuhwiy water lapping on the sides of a vessel.
Kuputu kupiUu, sound of four-legged animal
running.
* Kwala, basking in the sun.
Kwapu, running off in haste.
Kwehwere, dragging along the ground.
LapUy flash, as of gunpowder.
Lcmy crouching.
Lelu, whiteness.
Lyolyolyo,..y sweetness.
Jf 6e, whiteness, brightness.
Mhuy whiteness, brightness.
Mhwi, leaping.
Mbwe, scatteriilg about.
MhyUy thin above and thick below.
MuLirrmlly shining.
Mvhi, crowding together.
Mway coming up suddenly into the open.
MunmOf standing.
Mya, smoothness, softness, quietness.
MyOy diving.
MyomyOj sucking.
MyUf completion.
Myuy being startled.
Nde, fulness.
Ndi, strength, firmness.
Ndindindiy full to the brim.
. Ndondondo, falling of drops.
Nduy invisibility.
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90 THE ADVBRB, PKEP08ITI0N, CONJUNCTION
Ndwa, face to face.
Ndyay fineness or beauty of finish. '
Nga, pungent tast^>
Ngoy congregating together.
Nj% strength.
Njo, prominence.
Njonjonjo...^ steadily running.
Nyonjenyonje, gnawing of hunger.
Pe, completeness.
Pee, quietness, stillness.
Fese, falling into the water.
Peta^ waving in the air.
Pete, completion.
Pihuy falling over.
Pipipi^ wrapping up anything.
Piringu piringu, disorder.
Powa, soft, juicy.
Pvlika pulika, running blindly.
Pupulu, extinction.
PivcUUf tripping up.
Pwemwe, protruding.
Pya, redness.
PyalUf tripping up.
Pye, splashing in water.
PyeSf pushing in a hot iron into wood.
jSapif water running.
Si, coldness, saltlessness.
JSiif emptiness, silence.
Sililif invisibility.
Site, smoothly.
SupUf being startled.
Syo, turning back.
I'vririri, smoothness, softness.
Tititiy cutting.
To, fulness.
Tqjo, being startled.
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AND INTEBJBCTION 91
Tola J in a heap.
Tonyu, poking into a hole.
Tu<3d^ rising up of a column of smoke.
Tu8u, smashing.
Tutvmhu, pulling up out of the ground.
Tuti4u, people going in " Indian file."
TwCf scattering.
TtirL piercing.
Tvntu, coming into view.
Tya^ flatness.
Tyatya, marking, writing.
UnvJm, opening up.
Waka, falling off.
Waaa, water spouting up from below.
Weluwelu, softness, smoothness.
WewewBy soft.
WUiwUi, black, blue.
Winu, overleaping.
Witukuy falling ii\to a trap.
Wiyjiwif throbbing.
Wowowo, noise of people talking.
2. Prepositions,
There are very few prepositions in Yao. Their
place is usually supplied by the applied form of the
verb (see p. 79). Many are expressed by a noun, or
by the relative preposition -a. Some English preposi-
tions have no Yao equivalent. " From " is an example.
It must be expressed by kutyohiy "to start," if it
refers to place, and by kttkmda, "to begin," if it
refers to time.
iVa, **with," **hy," may assume any of the forms
Tie, ni, no, nu. Ni mpeni, with a knife. It is joined
to a contracted form of the pronoun (see p. 31).
Ku, to. It expresses motion towards, but is also
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92 THE ADVERB, PREPOSITION, CONJUNCTION,
used in the sense of *'at." When connected with a
proper name hur becomes kwa.
Mu, in. It expresses position within the object or
action conveyed by the substantive or verb.
Pa, at. It denotes position at the object indicated.
Mpaka, mpaka ku^ mpikay denote "as far as,"
"until," "up to." TwajesUe mpaka hwitvmM, We
went as far as the hill. It is used also of time;
Mpaka leiof Until to-day.
The following list contains most of the prepositions
in common use : —
Above, penaniy pena/ni pa,' pachanya, pachanya pa.
According to, mpela»ga, mpela, malinga ni.
After, panyuma pa, mv/nyuma mwa.
Among, jKi, pakati pa.
Before, pa/ajo pa, pa mbujo pa.
Behind, panyvma pa.
Beside, rrvgulugyZu, pa mbali pa.
Between, pa chilikati pa, pakati pa.
By, ni, na.
Except, akaweje.
Instead of, m'malo mwa.
Into, m\ mu.
On, pachanya, pa, mwa.
To, ku.
Under, poM, pasipa, husi, kusi kwa.
With, ni, -na (with relative particle).
Within, m^mkati mwa.
Without, paaa pa, -ngali (with relative particle).
Note. — In Yao ** before" and "after" bear a
significance different from that they bear in English.
This applies both to time and place. Where in English
we would say, The day after to-morrow, the Yao
would say, The day before to-morrow. His attitude
is that of one standing with his face turned forwards,
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AND INTERJECTION 93
•
and hence all that lies in the future is " before ** all
that lies ** after/' and so with events of the past.
The same holds good as regards his attitude towards
things in space. " Before " is that which lies in front
of what he is looking at, where in English we would
most frequently say "after." This idiom must i)e
noted in a native's description of events both as
regards time and place.
3. Conjunctions,
JVa, ne, ni, no, nu, "and," is used to couple sub-
stantives, adjectives, pronouns, and adverbs; nipo,
" and," is used to couple verbs, except in the case of
the infinitive mood, when ne is used.
Namboy but, now, nevertheless. Namho has fre-
quently the meaning of "rather," "but rather,"
"rather would I have," etc. Nguo ajo husalal/i,
nguaaha aji rumtbo, That cloth is pretty, but I would
rather have this.
Namwno, Nachiwa/nvwno, Nam^se, although.
iVa, Nawaga, Naga, if. "If" is more generally
expressed by the conditional mood of the verb.
Komga, perhaps.
Kut% that, in order that. "That," "in order
that," is also expressed by the subjunctive mood of
the verb, with or without the use of the kutL
Men/ema, therefore, consequently.
Panjipa, perhaps.
4. Interjections.
Many natives use a great deal of action, joined
with half -articulate sounds, to express their meaning,
and, as a rule, these vary with the speaker. The
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^94 INTERJECTIONS
following list contains the interjections in common
use with the ideas or meanings they represent : —
Ugwi ! sur|)rise, wonder.
Amangtoetu ! Dear me !
Ngondol surprise.
Ea! wonder.
Amao ! grief, sorrow.
Mi ! Did you ever hear the like ! The idea of such
a thing !
M* ! (with a shrug of the shoulders) dislike.
Sa! impatience.
There is no vxyrd in Yao to express thanks, but a
gift is properly received with both hands, the recipient
saying at the same time ** Ea, Ea^
The Yao salutation is " TwagonilSf^ We slept. In
those districts frequented by the Arab and coast
trader, the expression NaaVccmm^ for NaahUca miguu,
**I embrace your feet," is used by an inferior to a
superior, who in response uses the Arabic form
Ma/rahahay Thank you, or Welcome. In parts
reached by English influence, a European receives
the salutation " Moni,'^ which to the native mind is
a phonetic representation of " Good morning."
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PART II
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABUI
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k:
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YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULAKY
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS
In the following vocabulary only words in actual
use have been inserted. With its system of prefix
and suffix changes, Yao lends itself very readily to
the formation of new words. By the use of the
various class prefixes every verbal stem may be
made the basis of a large number of substantives,
whose meaning varies according to the class prefix
employed. In this way large additions to the exist-
ing vocabulary may be made. The following list,
however, contains only such words as are embraced
in the language as spoken at present. Few foreign
words are incorporated, and those only which have
already been naturalized, such as kaaa, a box, hdata^
a book, from the Portuguese kmha, cha/rta. Thus,
60 far as it is complete, the vocabulary represents
the terminology of the Yao tribe at its present stage
of development.
As the formation of the past tenses is the chief
source of difficulty in obtaining a knowledge of the
verb, the stem of the perfect tense, omitting pro-
nominal prefixes, has been inserted after very many
of the verbs. After each stem are given most of its
derivatives in actual use, and where there is any
97 H
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98
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
diversity from the usual passive, intensitive, etc., the
meaning is appended.
In searching for a word in the vocabulary, it is
necessary first of all to find the stem by clearing it of
all adventitious syllables, and to correct any changes
which have been made in the stem during the process
of grapimatical construction. The following list of
the principal prefixes may be useful : —
Substantive
Prefixes,
Chi',
KVr,
Mu-,
U-,
/-,
Li-,
N-,
Wa-,
Jir,
Lu-,
Pa;
JVr,
Ma-,
Si-,
,
Ka-,
Mi-,
TU;
Adjectival Prefixes.
Chxichi-,
Juam-,
Lualu-,
Twatvr,
Gcmvor,
Kaka-,
Mwamu-,
Wa-,
Jaji-,
Kwahu-,
Papa-,
Wo-.
Jami-,
Lyali-,
Syasi-,
Pronominal Prefioces.
A-,
Jua-,
M-,
JSi-,
Chi',
Ka-,
Mu-,
TVr,
Go-,
KVr,
Mw-,
U-,
/-,
Li.,
^',
War,
Ji^,
Lu-,
Par,
Verbal Prefixes,
^-,
KVr,
Ngana-,
Tir,
Chi-,
-hUr,
Ngisir,
Ti-kor,
Ka-,
Kwm-,
Nim-,
TVr.
-KOr,
Nga.,
Sirchir,
'Kanor,
-Nga-,
Tar,
-Kasa-,
Ngahoma-,
-Tahor,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A has the sound of the a in " father.'* It is perhaps
somewhat opener and flatter, especially in the
case of the syllable wa.
Ay followed by u, has the tendency to coalesce
with it into an o sound. This is true of every
case of combination of a and u in inflection ; as
wojumu for wa ujwmu. In words such as hvoavla
the sounds remain distinct.
Ay followed by i, coalesces with it into e, as
lyesimha for lyaisimha, from lya lisimha.
A, sign of third person singular, prefixed to verbs
agreeing with a substantive of the first class.
-A, with the syllable of concord prefixed, denotes the
prepositional relation, of, for. When the con-
cordant syllables chi, ji, are prefixed to -a, the i
is dropped, forming chuy ja. Lira, si-ay become
lya, sya,
-A-, prefixed to the stem of the perfect tense, trans-
forms it into a past tense. Lijela lijasichsy the
hoe has been lost ; lijela lyajasichsy the hoe was
lost.
Abwana, master, sir (Swahili).
AcHAJBTU, pi. of mjetu, our friends ; companions.
Achajenu, your friends.
Ackajao, their friends.
AcHAKONGWE, pi. oi juomlcongwe, females ; wives.
99
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100 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
AoHALENDO, pi. of wlendOf travellers ; strangers.
AcHALONGO, pi. of mloTigo, relations. See Mlongo.
Aghambumba, pi. of juandyumba^ shortened form
dchamhay women.
Achanasi, Anasi, acquaintances ; neighbours.
AcHAPWANGA, pi. of mpwanga^ my younger brothers.
See Mpwanga.
Achapwenu, your younger brothers.
AchapuxiOf his younger brothers.
-ACHENi, with the syllable of concord prefixed.
Whose 1 "Whom ? Nyumba aji jackeni f Whose
house is this? AjUe kwacheni? To whom did
he go]
-ACHi, what for. Nyumha jachi 9 What is this house
for?
AcHiKATEMU, axos used in killing game.
AcHiKULU, AcHiKULUGO, mother, used in speaking of
her. The term used in addressing her is ammo.
Achikuhiwcmgu, my mother.
AcHiMSYENE, pi. of msyene, themselves, the owners.
Achvmsyene migunda, The owners of the gardens.
AoHiMWENE, pi. Waimwenb, chief, king. A polite
form of address is achimwene, in the sense of
"sir."
AcHiNAKALANAKALA, the old people who are supposed
to be conversant with all national customs and
habits.
AcHiNAMGAGADA, a tribe which uses a special axe
(katemu), with a long straight tang and a half-
moon-shaped head at the end of it.
AcHiNASALA, pi. of MnoscUa, the coast traders,
generally Swahilis. The Swahili language is
called Chi-N'aaala,
AcHiWANA, AcHiwANAGO, pi. of mwanogOf children ;
subjects. A chief calls his slaves achituanangu
or achiwana wangu, jnj children.
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YAOENGLISH VOCABULARY 101
Ai, thus; literally, these things. Mtende at, Do it
in this way.
Ajangu, Ajako, Ajakwb, etc., pi. of mjcmgu, etc., my
friends ; my companions.
Akawe, Akaweje, but ; except. Wandu wcmgalya
akatoe ku/natoa kaje, People do not eat without
first washing their hands.
-AKO, with the concordant syllable prefixed, repre-
sents the second person singular of the possessive
pronoun. It is rarely used, the more polite
plural -enu being in general use.
Ako, Akoko, there ; at some little distance. Ajmjilile
ctkOf He disappeared in there.
Aku n'aku, here and there.
Akula, Akulakula, there ; at a distance, or at some
place previously alluded to. Auaile akulakula,
He has returned to that same place.
Akulu, Akulugo, older brother.
Ahdu waOy his older brother.
AchahduwaOf his older brothers.
Akuno, here ; Akunokuno, close at hand.
-AKWE, with syllable of concord prefixed, his, its.
Idioago lyakwe, his axe.
Akwego, father-in-law; mother-in-law. In reality
it denotes the relationships that exist between
parents and their children-in-law, and hence is
used by a man in speaking of his son or daughter-
in-law, as well as vice versd.
AhwegwomgUy my mother-in-law.
AhwegrjoaOy his mother-in-law.
Aewelume, maternal uncle. A man is heir to the
name and possessions of his maternal uncle.
-ALAKWE, with concordant syllable corresponding to
first class prefixed, he ; this man.
Alambi, pi. of rrUambi^ subjects who acknowledge the
chieftainship of a chief. Although there is no
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102 YAO-BITGLTSH VOCABULARY
such thing among the Yaos as tribute in our
sense of the word, yet the alamhi make frequent
payments to the chief (lUmnbi) in acknowledg-
ment of his authority.
Alamu, brother-in-law; sister-in-law. Alambangu^
aUrnnbemiy cUamhaOf my brother-in-law, etc.
Alolaga, he deserves it. Alolaga a/voUef he deserves
to die.
Amao, or Amawo, mother. A grown-up person usually
speaks of his mother as achikuluwangu,
Ambiri {Chi-Nya8a)y under chiefs or headmen of
villages.
Ambosanga, pi. aclmmhosiomga^ friend.
Ambuje, Achambuje, pi. of Mhuje, master; grand-
father ; grandmother.
Amkawa. See Ankawa.
Amwali, Achiwali, pL of mwali, girls who have
passed through the unyayo ceremony, but have
not borne children.
Amwene, friend.
Amwenye, chief.
Amwenye, the Banian traders.
Anganga, friend, lover.
Angati, '^gati, Is it so ? Is it not so ? It is not so.
An^ati waiche liso ? Did he not arrive yesterday 1
Angati liao^ namho lijiisi, Not yesterday, but the
day before. Ngwcmba, ngaU awowo. No, it is
not those people.
Ankawa, Amkawa, perhaps.
-ANGU, with syllable of concord prefixed, my. Liwago
lyan^u, my axe.
-ANGUNE, with syllable of concord prefixed, my own.
Mleso wangune cm. This handkerchief is my own.
-AG, with syllable of concord prefixed, their. Chilambo
chao, their country.
Anyono, any one, so-and-so.
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YA0-KNQLI8H VOCABULABT 108
Apa, Apapa, here ; close at h^nd.
Apala, Apalapala, there ; at a distance.
Apali, he is there, there is. Apcdi wanduy there are
people.
Apano, Apanopano, here ; in this place here*
-AP1 1 which ? Which house 1 Nyww^a japi f
Apo, Apopo, there ; at some little distance.
Apwitichisi, the Portuguese.
AsiWANi, pi. of Trmwani, cousins ; children of mother^s
brother, or father's sister. ^
AsoNO, AsoNOGO, wife; husband. A man speaks of
his betrothed as Aaono wcmgu,
AsYACHi, the owner.
AsYBNB, owner. Asyene GhUambo, The owner of the
country. Asyene must, The headman of the
village.
-ASYENE, with concord syllable prefixed, another's.
MkcUo cm wasyene, This knife belongs to another.
Atati, pi. aohatati, father. The term is used as a
title of respect, and is frequently used in address-
ing women, although in their case cmuw is the
general term.
Atelesi, the instructress who performs the cere-
monies at the commencement of the women's
unycigo.
-ATI ULi % what like, what kind of.
Atujao, let's have a little.
AuTUSi, the runners in a race.
AwELA, the plural of myela.
AwENi, he deserves it. Aweni awUe, he deserves to
die.
AwiLO, AcHAWiLo, plural of mbUo, the parties who
perform the last services at the grave. Some-
times also they ofEer the sacrifices that usually
accompany the burial rites.
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104 TAO-ENGLISH VOCABULABY
B.
B has the same sound as in English.
Balala-balala, hither and thither; in confusion;
helter-skelter.
Balalika, ku (-balaliohe), to be scattered in different
directions.
BakUisya, ku, to scatter.
BakUikangana, ku, intensitive.
BcUalikcmgcmya, ku, causative and intensitive.
Bambala, ku (-bambblb), to lie flat as a crocodile does
on its belly.
Bandukuka, ku (-bandukwiche), to open out ; to gape.
Bangula, ku (-bangwile), to roar as a wild beast ; to
give a shout. (A chief on rising in the morning
gives a shout, that people may know he is out.)
Bata, calm. Kugwile hata, It is very calm. LigioUe
lata pa nyasa. The lake is calm.
Bebedula, ku (-bebedwile), to break off a piece ; to
divide off so as to give to another.
Belubelu, expressive of unsteadiness.
Bbluka, ku (-BELwiOBaj), to be unsteady as a canoe, or
as a drunken man walking.
Bendula, ku (-bendwile), to chip off, to take a bite
of.
Benyula, ku (-benyuwilb), to chip off little by little.
Bi, expressive of blackness or anger. Ngibo ja H,
black cloth. Ngope ja Ntehe jUi bi, Ntebe's face
has an angry look.
BiMBi, a man possessed by the spirits (masoka) who
foretells by dreaming. The word is not in
common use.
BiNDiGHiLA, KU (-bindiohile), to stay in the house and
not come out frequently, to stay a long time in
one place.
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YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 105
BoDOLA, KU (-bodwile), to break bread with ; to give
another a share of what one is eating.
BoEOLA, a walking-stick. BoholajcmgUy my walking-
stick.
BoNGOMA, KU (-bongweme), to be useless and foolish
(Scottice feckless) ; to lack backbone.
BuLUNDWE, a species of lizard. .
BuNYULA, KU (-bunywile), to be blunt ; to blunt.
BwALiso, a shelf for drying fish, game, etc. Bwaliso
wa somba.
BwANA, master, sir. A Swahili form of address.
BwASiRA, KU (-bwasire), to be raving drunk. Bwor
siriaya^ Ku, intensitive.
BwASYA, KU (-bwasisye), to leap (of fishes).
BwATA, KU (-bwatile), to crouch down.
BwATATALA, KU (-bwatatele), to be low and flat ; to
crouch down.
Bwerezere, minnows.
CH.
Ch has the sound of the English ch in ** cheer."
Cha, of, used with the singular of nouns of the fourth
class. Cha cheni ? Cha nduni ? Whose 1
Cha, KU (-chele), to dawn ; to clear up (after rain) ;
to burst open (of leaf buds). Kuchele, hwende
tujavle. It is clear, come let us be going. Fe
hwachehi At dawn.
Chekoa hu^ used of the position of the moon in the
sky at sunset. Pa hwinjUa lyuwa, kuchelwa
pakati mtrvBy The moon is overhead at sunset.
Chachambuka, KU, to boil up ; to become angry ; to
be sour-tempered ; to rise as yeast. Liponda
lya^hachamhwiche m' mpika, The relish boiled up
in the pot. Che Nyono achaohambwiche, kala
waXiji juahungvl/aka, Mr. So-and-so has become
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106 YAO-BNGLISP VOCABULARY
sour-tempered, hitherto he was one who was
pleasant to talk to.
Chac^ingana, anything ; such and such ; something.
Wajigde chachingana chachingcma, He brought
such and such articles.
Chaigala, anything ; something ; such and such.
Chaila, response in singing. AmbichUe chaila, give
me a response,
Chaka, a year, coimting from the time of planting the
crops ; a season ; time.
Chaka chvne^ Chaka hwa. Pa chaka, next year.
MwaoheaOy last year. Mwachejud, the year
before last. MwacMjud aula, some years ago.
Chaka muchikwpitila, year by year.
Chakachi] When? What time?
Chakama, ku (-ohakbme), to step lightly.
Chakapula, ku, to be disobedient ; to refuse to listen
to advice ; to dig up ground as for rice ; to begin
a quarrel.
Chakulya, food. Mham chakulya, Give me something
to eat.
Chala, finger; toe.
Chala oha chikongo, thumb ; great toe.
Chala cha TnianjilUo, first finger.
ChoZa cha sUikatit middle finger.
Chala cha nyonje, little finger ; little toe.
Chalachatika, ku (-ohaohatiohe), to be swift of
foot; to flit about.
Chalamandala, ku, to be tough; to be stiff anS
unpliable, as an unprepared skin ; to be obsti-
nate ; to be stubborn.
Ohalang'alang'a, rebounding, as a hoe does off hard
soil; finding a thing won't go straight or even, as
in bending a basket into shape.
Chalb, heeac fermented after the fiirst night's fer-
mentation.
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YAO-BNGLISH VOCABUXiARY 107
Chaliohali ! elastia.
Chalu, insolence.
Cha lugali, backwards. '
Chaluka, a kind of bean.
CHAliU&A, impudence.
Chalumo, Yalumo, the same ', at the same time.
MkaUmgaaie nao, mkoMe ohalvmio^ Accompany
him, and arrive at the same time. Mtende
umwe chdkumo na ^jyju, Do the same as this
man.
Chalusi, impudence ; insolence ; irreverence.
Chalubyo, (Usrespect.
Chaluwa, light blue cloth.
Chamba, Indian hemp.
Chamba, pa, Kujigdla Tnwwnache pa chambay to carry
a child astride on one's haunches, supporting it
with the arm.
Cha mbote, as a prize ; as a reward.
CpAMBUJU, in front.
Chamchileu, lengthwise.
Chamohipingula, crosswise.
Chamchitipa, crosswise.
Chamilwa, ku (-chamilwb), to stick at anything, to
come to a dead stop.
Cha mtbga, nothing, a thing of, no consequence.
Chanachb, derision; joking; Sungula nekwmiendela
chcmachd lisimba, The rabbit played a trick on
the lion. Mkwete chcmachd umwe^ You are
joking.
OhanasAi pity ; mercy.
Chanasa, Ku kola, to have pity.
Chanasat Ku tenda, to show mercy.
Ngwete chanasa na 'jvju, I have pity on this man.
Chanasi, acquaintanceship.
Oha npungu, backwards.
Chanoala^a^ hair on the ohest.
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108 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Changalama, kcj, to be stiff and unpliable; to be
strong ; to be stubborn.
Changalamana, ku, intensitive.
Chang'anda, a handsome man.
Changula, sound of wind blowing through the trees.
Chanja, ku, to rebound, as a ball does.
Chanja, ku gomba ghanja, to clap the hands in token
of assent or agreement.
Chanjamula, ku, to tilt up one end or side ; to lever
up.
Chmtjamuha kuy to be tilted up.
Chanjamusya, ku (-chanjamWisyb), to swell out; to
puff out.
Chanya; teeth growing irregularly one over the
other.
Chanyanda, ku, to smash up.
Chcmyandika kuy passive.
Cha nyuma, backwards.
Chaola, a deadly pestilence ; black death ; bubonic
plague.
Ohapa, ku, to wash clothes; to take a pinch of
snuff.
Ckapika hi, to be washed.
Chapacha, ku (-chapachichb), to speak at great
length.
Chaso, trunk of an elephant.
Chati chati, such and such ; so and so. Mtenga
watemi pakati pa nganya, nekugombelesya chati
chati, The messenger sat down in the middle of
the courtyard, and declaimed in such and such a
way.
Chati sai, such and such; so and so; thus, MjHe
chati sai, chati sai, Say so and so. Mtende chati
sai, Do it in this way.
Ohau, the hot season, lasting from August to
November. During this season native gardens
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENOLISH VOCABULARY 109
are hoed, the grass and trees are cut and burned
for manure, and all is made ready for sowing the
crop as soon as the first rains have fallen.
Cha ulokosto, like a chief or freeman; ^Mike a
gentleman/'
Cha usakwa, dirtily.
Cheobb, Ku 8itma cheche, to buy little by little, or
piece by piece.
Chbghbluka, ku (-ghechelwighb), to cause to delay.
Cheohbma, ku, to give a rustling noise, as white
ants do when disturbed ; to swell up, as a corpse
sometimes does, causing the wrappings to crack
or rustle.
Cheqhena, kwasama chechena, to grin and show the
teeth. Liwanga lyatipe chechenay a gaping
wound.
Chechekukuka, ku, to crack ; to gape.
Chegheta, ku, to rubble.
Cheohjjla, ku (-ohechwile), to tear a strip oS calico ;
to pierce below the skin ; to cut a slice o£E
anything.
Chechuka ku, passive.
Chejela, ku, to be red.
Chejeaya kuy to redden.
ChejdtBya ku, to be of a deep red colour.
-CHEJEU, red. ^dalama jajichejeu, gold.
Oheka, ku (-ohechile), to cut with a sawing motion.
See Licheka.
-OHEKULU (-ohekulupe), old, aged. JuajnchehdUf an
old man.
Chekulupa, ku (-chekulwipe), to be old.
Chela, ku, to castrate, to clean cotton.
Chbleoa, ku (-chelejile), to cut ; to gnaw ; to carve.
Chelenyekdula, ku, to take a piece off the end ; to
remove a little from the top.
CheUnyenduka ku^ passive.
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110 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
CheIibula, ku (-cherbwilb), to shave the head in
patches.
Chereusta, ku (-cherewisyb), to cause another person
to loiter. *
Chbmba, ku, to take a small part of. Aehembe sona,
achimwene, Take a pinch of snuff, sir.
Chehbbhbb, hair on the arms and chest.
Chembesya, ku (-chembbsyb), to bear the first child.
Chembulusya, ku, to be disrespectful.
Ghembuluka ku, to be treated with disrespect.
Chemwali, a girl, used in speaking of or to any girl.
ChemwaM umwe, twoffcmi, You girl there, keep
on pounding.
Chena ! splitting open.
Chenama, ku, to be quarrelsome ; to be fierce.
Chbnga, ku, to dazzle, as the sun does when one
looks at it ; to roof a house.
Chenjeka ku, passive.
CflENGULANYA, KU, to interfere and stop a quarrel.
CHEibECHESYA, KU (-chenjechesye), to iuterposo, as
when one frightens game which another is try-
ing to shoot ; to spoil a bargain by interf erihg
between buyer and seller regarding the price;
to help one against another.
Ohenjbla, ku, to interfere and stop a quarrel.
Chenjerbre, soot hanging in threads from the roof
of the house.
Chenuka, ku, to tumble down.
Chbrenga, ku (-chbresile), to go fast ; to be in a
hurry.
Cheresya ku, to quicken ; to hasten.
Cherera, ku, to carve or scoop out with an iron
chisel (njeldo).
Cherereka, ku, passive.
Chereresya, ku, to hollow out deeply, as in making
a powder box (mtete).
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YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 111
CHlstiBREKA, KU, to finish off nicely a piece of work ;
to cause another person to wait a long time for
one.
Cheresya, ku, to draw away one's attention ; to cause
to delay.
Cherbwbka, ku, to draw off the attention.
Ohbrewbsya, ku, to draw away one's attention.
Chbsa, ku, to wash the feet so as to render them
white) to whiten by rubbing.
Cheeeka ku, to be white (of the feet) ; to be with-
out eyelashes.
Chesela ku, to whiten by rubbing with a stone.
Chese ! natipe chese / when maize gives evidence of an
abundant crop.
Chesula, ku (-chbswile), to dye.
Chesuka ku, to ferment, to be dyed.
Chesya, ku (-chesisye), to be awake the whole night.
Kuchesya chilo ne kwina, to spend the whole
night dancing.
Cheta, ku (-chetile), to make oneself a favourite ; to
curry favour.
Chete, silently. Kutomia chete chete ckete, to sit
silently. MjUe chete, Be still.
Cheuchila, ku, to look over the shoulder.
Cheuje, hair on the body.
Cheuje, dust of grain ; chaff.
Ch«uka, ku (-chewiohb), to look over the shoulder.
Chi forms the characteristic and prefix to nouns of
the fourth class. When nouns are formed from
verbs by prefixing chi, and modifying the final
vowel, the substantive thus formed gives the
result or instrument of the action denoted by
the verb.
When any noun prefix is changed into chi,
the form obtained denotes the object in its
singularity or its individuality. The same
Digitized by VjOOQIC
112 YA0-ENGLI8H VOCABULARY
operation also denotes increase or enlargement
of the object alluded to.
V When prefixed to tribal nouns chi denotes
the kind of, the sort of. Chi Mang^anja, the
Mang'anja kind. Nguo ja chi Ngeresiy English
cloth, t.6. cloth of the English kind. Used
alone, the form generally refers to the language.
Thus, mtela wa chi Yao means medicine of the
Yao kind, while chi Too, used alone, as a rule,
signifies the Yao language.
-CHil Whati Which? Mtela wachi? Which treel
Chi] What? Which V Lihmibi chi? Which hill?
Mundu chi? Which man?
Chibaba, a tiny basket.
Chibani, a fish split up.
Chibaningwa, the rind of a gourd cup; a plank or
board.
Chighanda, a boys' sleeping-house; a youth's neat-
ness of personal appearance.
Chichi? What? Ana chichi? What is the matter?
Ligongo chichi ? Why ? Kwa chichi ? For what
reason? Chichi mkutenda? What are you
doing ?
CuiCHiCHiSYA, KU, to compel assent to; to strike a
path; to support in an upright position.
Chichirichisya, ku, to support ; to prop up.
Chichisi, the upright bamboos in a plaited basket.
Chidokomilo, the larynx, the gullet of a fowl.
Chidulo, water that has been strained through ashes
of banana leaves and used as salt to be put in
the relish.
Chidunda, a large person ; large game.
Chiduswa, a small piece cut off anything.
Chifunde, beer or food that has lain for some time
and so has become bad.
Chifwende, a bad-smelling scent of an animal.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENOLISH VOCABOLABT US
Chioaga, great ftstonishment. KuLola chigciga, .to
look with fixed eyes.
Ohioajioaji, Kutota chigajigfajiy to darn. Thffy d^rn
by sewing round the hole until the sewifig
meets in the centre.
Chioamba, a patch.
Chiganja, friendship.
OfliGASA, the palm c^ the hand.
Chigogo, Chigogo chikundenda, I am unable to say
anything.
Chigogo, a woodpecker.
Chigolya, the gourd hancjle.
Chigologolo, a gag ; a leading string.
Chigombe, a bracelet made of plaited grass.
Chigom BELO, a stick for beating the floor smooth.
Chioongono, the elbow.
Chigongolomwa, a clod.
Chigono, a sleeping-place on a journiey ; a camp.
The length of a journey is estimated by the
number of camps on the way.
Pakwaukb ku mar^a igono ilingwa mwitala2 On
going to the coast, how often do you sleep on the
road?
Chigopola, Chigopolelo, explanation.
Chigoti, a switch or whip made of hide, chiefly of
hippopotamus or rhinoceros.
Chigugumisi, a rumbling or humming sound.
Ohigulaka, a fibrous |xlant used in making cord.
Chigumuchilo, a landslip.
Chigungulukutu, dry, hardened skin.
Chigungumila, an indistinct rumbling sound.
Chiguniya, thick strong cloth.
Chigwagwa, scandal; gossip; chattering. Chigwa,gwa
wewcUa akwete. That man is a chatterbox.
Chigwembele, want of strength ; helplessness.
Chigwenembe, a rat-trap made of the stem of a tree.
I
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114 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULABY
Chigwesi ! KUTBMA CHiGWESi, to be Donplussed at
anything.
Andemile chigwesi, he mystified me completely.
Chigwindilo, a stout man.
Chigwiri, a short stump left of a hoe or axe, or of a
gun-flint.
Chiiga, the thigh.
Chiisya-umi, something that lasts till very old, and
does not fail.
Chiiya, a swelling, as after the bite of a poisonous
animal or a blow.
Chij AiiA, jua chijama, one who flits about from place
to place.
Chijangu, friendship ; companionship.
Chijani, a running knot ; left-handedness.
Chijao, a beer feast made for those who have been
doing work for one. Kvlima cMjao, to hoe for
beer. The beer is spoken of as uhana wn
kvlima, or ukana wa manyasi, etc., according
as it is given for hoeing or carrying of grass.
Chijbghelo, a place for laying anything.
Chijbjb, the cheek.
Chijbtb, salt earth.
Chijewajewa, a restless, wandering disposition.
Chijiwajiwa, confirmed thieving.
Chijiwilo, stealing.
Chijosola, a cricket.
Chuumba, the cover or net which catches the bird in
the trap.
Chuungu, a pot with a narrow mouth, used generally
as a water-pot.
Chijuni, a bird.
Chikalakala, paper, especially that in which beads
are wrapped ; the cocoon of the caterpillar.
Chiealakasa^ the skull.
Chikalasa (Swahili), a small tusk.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YA0-UKGL1S& VOCABULAEY ll5
Chikalawesa, the nail of the finger or toe.
Chikalulilo, meaning ; explanation.
Chikamba, a tying of bark rope.
Chikambi, a quid of tobacco. When not being chewed
it is usually carried behind the ear.
Chikamulila, doing a thing against one's will.
Chikanga, a forest or thicket.
Chikanga, swollen glands in the neck.
Chieango, a mark on the face.
Chikapula, the broad strips of soil hoed for planting
rice, beans, or ground nuts.
Chikasa (Portug.), a box.
Chikasu, a species of ginger, used as a condiment
with fowl.
Chikata, a bundle of bark rope.
Chikata, moisture ; a wet soft place.
Chikau, an astringent taste in the mouth.
Chikawo, plucking fruit.
Chikengelb, a rattle carried at the waist-belt, which
tinkles as the wearer walks ; a small bell.
Chiko, a ford in a river ; a landing-place for canoes.
Chikoi, a large wooden spoon or ladle, used for
dividing out ugali. Chikoi cha kwine kwine, a
double ladle.
Chikojowa, nakedness.
Chikoko, a wild beast ; weeds ; a mote in the eye ;
a poisonous plant; any foreign substance.
Chikokolupya, the first rains.
Chikokomo, sound of rainfall or waterfall.
Chikokowu, loitering.
Chikola, a small yellow bead; beans, after being
husked by steeping ; bark cloth prepared by
boiling.
CfliKOLE, a small verandah room ; a pledge.
Chikolokoswa, an egg-shell after the chicken has
been hatched.
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116 YAO-BNaLISH VOCABULARY
Chikololo, a tobacco pipe.
Chikolongo, Chikolongwb, a hippopotamus spear,
consisting of an iron head with a rope attached,
into which is fitted the wooden shaft. When
the animal is struck, the shaft becomes detached
from the spear4iead, leaving the spear-head in
the wound.
Chieolosa, a part of a house separated from the rest
by a low partition and generally used as a^sleeping-
place ; a verandah room.
Chikolowa, the eyelid ; the chaff of sorghum grain.
Chikolowondo, a whirlpool in a stream.
Ghikombe, the shell of a bivalve moUusc, used as a spoon.
Chikombwa, an egg-shell ; shell of tortoise ; rind of
gourd.
Chikomo, hwuAJoa ckUcomo, to die suddenly.
Chikongo. See Chala.
Chikongo, the dottle of a pipe.
Chi KONG WE, female qualities.
Chikongwe, a granny knot.
Chikongwb, Kw&nda chikongtce, to walk slowly ; to
loiter. Ku welecJieta chikongwe, to interrupt in
speaking.
Chikono, the limb of an animal.
Chikonyo, the top of a pumpkin.
Chikopa (Chinyasa), a shield ; a skin.
Chikope, the eyelid.
Chikopela, a crab's hole.
Chikopiya, a close-fitting white cotton skull-cap,
usually worn by the coast traders.
Chikopoko, Lyuwa lya chUcopoko, the last day of
finishing up the women's miyago,
Chikosi, the bunch of grass tied to mark the limit of
a garden.
Chikosomola, a cough.
Chikotope, beautifully; well; nicely.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-KNGLISH VOCABULARY 117
Chikotwa, the lioof of an animal.
Chikowe, a leather belt.
Chikuku, measles.
Chikukulu, a mass of pig iron ; a dry, hardened
skin.
CsiKULA, small ant-hill.
Chikulukutu, strong calico ; unprepared skin.
Chikululu, adultery.
Chikulundine, a marriage agreement made with the
people of the village where the woman stays.
Ku tawa ehihuluTidine, To make the agreement.
Chikulungwa, greatness ; the qualities of a chief or
elder.
Chikuluwangu, my relationship to my older brother.
Chikumba, a flood.
Chikumbanguluwe, raking up the past — as an old
name or an old magambo.
Chikumbu, the handle of a knife.
Chikumbukumbu, memory.
Chikungu, brass ; copper. .
Chikuni, the tail of a bird.
Chieunje, a small bundle of grass or firewood.
Chikupa, a string of beads worn ove^ the shoulder
and under the arm.
Chikusa, a disease of the gums.
ChiKusilo, grass gathered into heaps for burning in
the garden as manure {see Kusa, ku); a stick,
used in taking off the bark of a tree in the
operation of making bark cloth.
Chikuti, a framework made of reeds for storing
food in.
Chikuti, a mode of preserving grain by placing it in
a pot and covering it over with a thick layer of
plaster so as to render the vessel air-tight.
Chikutumu, splashing with one hand in the water ;
stirring up water from the bottom of a pocd so
/
Digitized by VjOOQIC
118 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULAEY
that it jinakes a dull sound as it bubbles to the
surface.
Chikuwo, shouting.
Chikwaku, robbery.
Chikwakwa, a hook for cutting grass, usually made
of a knife £xed in a wooden handle at right
angles.
Chikwakwata, a sandal fastened on the foot when
the skin on the sole is cracked, and when walking
is thus rendered painful.
Chikwalb, a fowl laid open and fixed with a spit.
Chikwapatile, under one's arm.
Chikwau, a small cap, worn on the back of the head.
Ohikwe, a soft whistle made by a man when climbing
a hill with a heavy load.
Chikw£EW£, a heap.
Chikwelu, a whistle.
Chikwenta, intense cold and shivering.
Chiewesta, a steep ascent.
Chikwbtekwbte, a piece sewn to the side of a breadth
of calico to make it broad enough to wear.
Ohikwili, bark cloth that refuses to be stretched.
Chikwindi, Chingwindi, a short, stout person.
Chikwisaulo, a small crocodile.
Chilagu, medicine ; a charm.
Chilaja, an old axe or hoe fixed in the end of a
bamboo for digging holes in the ground.
Chilala, drought.
Chilala, old grass of last year.
Cbilambo, country ; territory ruled by a single chief.
Ku kaaa chUombOy to ravage a country. Ku
pasiUa chUambOy to lay waste a country.
Chilandamlima, Lelo ttigonile chUandcmdima pcmgali
ineaiy To-day we slept without water.
Chilanga, a song sung by people at work ; a chant
l^ung by one of t^e audience ^hile a speal^er is
^ Digitized by VjOOQ IC
YAO-ENGLIBU VOCABULARY 119
addressing a ma^cmho ; an agreement between
two parties. Kugomba ohilanga, to sing the
accompaniment.
Chibanoali, a large fire lit the first night of the
waya/go^ round which the friends of the boys
dance all night.
Chilangano, an agreement. Ku Icmga chilangcmo, to
make an agreement. Ku leka chilangano, to
break an agreement.
Chilapo, wonder ; admiration ; praise.
Chilasya, likeness ; resemblance to parents.
Chilawa, a mountain mouse.
Chile^ so as to be in readiness. Tawani ndvmdu
syenu lero chiles kundatoipe rrvwanja. Tie your
loads to-day, so as to be ready for a start early
in the morning.
Chilbga ku (-chilejile), to cut a notch in a stick so
that it may be tied round with a string.
Ohileka, a large hoe.
Chilemba, a cloth tied round the head leaving the
ends sticking out in front ; a fashion of shaving
the head.
Chilendo, the manner of a stranger. Cha chilendoy
strangely. Kwenda chilendo, to behave as . a
stranger towards one's neighbours. Naweni
chilendo pa mvsiy I saw something strange at
the village.
Chilengwa, a mysterious thing ; a " wraith."
Chilenje, slenderness. Mundujua chilenje, A man of
slender build.
Chileu, lengthwise.
Chilewalewa, the dewlap.
Chibewani, a striped scarf.
Chilbwe, a song, with chorus and dance, accompanied
by clapping of hands. Kwina chilewe, to dance
the chUewe dance.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
120 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABUliARY
Chiri, expressive of being tipvight. Wernck^ watemi
perepo chiriy The people sat there tipright.
Chirichira, ku, to add a condiment to the relish.
Chirichira, ku (-chirichirile), to prop np or suppoHi;
to give help in a case at law.
CniRiGANrA KU (-chirigenye), to treat any one well ;
to act fairly towards each of two parties.
Chilika, ku, to place medicine round a village; to
strain salt from burnt banana ; to stand upright
in a row ; to stick to work.
Chilikati, the middle ; the centre. Pa ohUiha4% in
the middle. See Pakati, Silikati.
Chirikula, ku, to jwrop up ; to lift out of its place
with a lever.
GJwrikuha^ ha, passive.
Chiriri, expressive of standing upright.
Chilili, a raised platform of clay for sleeping on ; a
raised seat in a verandah ; a sand-bank or mud-
bank in the middle of a stream.
Chililo, i^. malilo, weeping.
Chilimba, the ear fin of a fish ; the i^ur of a cock.
Chirimula, ku, to dear one's throat.
OfiiLiNDiwo, thunder.
Chilindo, a hut in the midst of a garden where a
watch is kept for thieves, wild animals, etc.
Chilingo, materials for work.
Chirisi, a grave, usually of some one of importance,
hung round with doth. Off^ings to the dead
are all placed here.
Chiliso, the hollow bamboo in the centre of the arrow
reed into which the iron head of the arix)W is
fixed. .
Chiliuka, ku (-chiliwiche), to avoid; turn aside
from ; to change one's attitude towards another.
Chiliwa, the house where a man has Aiedi which has
been burnt or taken down. "^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
tAO-HNGLlSH VOCABULARY 121
Chiliwaliwa, forgetfuliiess.
Chiliwata, a trap which catches by the legs.
Chilo, night. Pakati chilo, midnight. ChUo mnope,
at dead of night.
Chilolo, the ends of one's caKco fastened round one's
waist into which articles are carried.
Chilondole, a rap with the fingers ; a clucking it^oise
made with the tongue.
Ohilongo, a tobacco pipe.
Chilongowato, stifE ckyey soil, used in plastering
up holes in canoes.
Chilongwe, tax for crossing a ferry ; pay for work ;
a due.
Chilokje, a wedge-shaped piece cut out of a tree ; a
piece of meat cut from a larger piece.
Chiloosi, generosity ; openheartedness.
Chilopb, the traces of murder supposed to be seen in
the eyes of the guilty party.
Chilowa, a bamboo needle.
Chilu, steadily looking in one direction.
ChiIjIT, the body. Kwmbuoeteka pa chilu pose, I am
sore all over my body.
Chilulu, shouting, as women do on expressing joy.
Chilumbilwa, ku, to be in perplexity.
Chilumbo, a knot ; repeating a name often in praise
or in song.
Chilumbu, a musical instrument consisting of a
single string stretched over the mouth of a
gourd.
Chilumelume, a reef knot.
Chilumblume, manliness ; bravery. AtesUe ehihtme,
ajimnjile ngondo. He gained the victory and
repelled the attack.
Chilumi, rheumatism ; neuralgia.
OHtLtjwbVKDVf dumbness ; constipation.
Chilungo, malt, prepared by steeping the maize for
Digitized by VjOOQIC
122 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
two days, then covering it in a pot till it
germinates, then drying it.
Chilungu, an earthquake.
Chilupa, skill in hunting.
Ohilwele, a disease ; sickness.
Chilyelye, fornication ; adulterous conduct.
Chima, ku, to hate ; to treat badly.
Chimaje, a small double-edged knife.
Chi;malamasi, a large water crab that transforms
itself into various articles, and seizes people
who attempt to pick them up.
Chihamo, a wonderful thing ; a mystery.
Chimanga, maize.
Chimango, m/u/ndu jua chiimingo, a man who under-
stands everything.
Chimanyililo, a token by which anything is known ;
a credential — a gun, or shirt, or other article —
which a chief gives to his messenger that he
may be known.
Chimasika, ku, to groan.
Chimasya-lunda, a startling thing ; something which
puts one at one's wits' ends.
Chimatilo, a pot for storing food.
Chimatule, a rodent ulcer.
Chimbakdi, unyago wa chimbandi. See LiTiwo.
Chimbandingwa, a large-mouthed cup.
Chimbanga, a hawk.
Chimbatamila, a woman's dance.
Chimbeleta, a gap or opening in a fence or wall of a
house.
Chimbeta, a flute made out of a reed.
Chimbichisya, ku (-chimbichisyb), to honour ; to
reverence ; to do obeisance to.
Chimbichika ku, passive.
Chimbichiya, ku (-chimbichiyb). See Chimbichisya,
KU,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOOABULAEY 123
Chimbiku, a small piece of wood used in setting a
trap.
Chimbonano, disrespect ; insolence.
Chimbondogolo, mucus in the nose.
Chimbuli, a pot with a narrow mouth.
Chimbulimbuli, ha, tila chimhdimhdi, to run away
without looking hehind.
Chimbulumbundtandya, a blunt-pointed knife.
Chimbunde, a grass fence built round a house.
Chimbunga, a whirlwind.
Chimbuwila, a large species of ground nut.
Chimbwibimbwinda, a girl who is with child before
passing through the nnyago ceremony; rain
which has fallen before the usual period for the
rainy season to commence.
Chimbyoko, a kind of calico.
Chimelele, something which grows of itself without
having been planted.
Chimeme, kwwdecheta chimeTne, to speak with a
stammer ; to speak with hesitation.
Chimenya, a fierce thing.
Chimiko, a black dye.
Chimiogo, expressive of finishing; completion. Wo-
sepe wamaaile chimiogo^ All were killed. Mesi
m^chisima chimiogo^ The water in the well is
finished.
Chimpango, an agreement; a choice made of any-
thing.
Chimula ku (chimwile), to rattle ; tinkle. Fahmna
masewe gakv^chiimUa, The rattles tinkle in
dancing.
Chimwembe, a cloth folded round the loins and reach-
ing nearly to the ankles.
Chimwemwe, laughter ; mirth ; joy.
Chimyulamtima, the beating of the heart on receive
ing a surprise.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
124 YAO-ENOLISH VOCABULARY
Ohinambalala, seattering.
Chinamile, cUi cJdnamUe, he is stooping.
Ohinasi, neighbourhood ; aoquaintaneeship.
Chinawilo, pi. MANAWiLO, a finger ring.
Chindalangwisa, a wonderful thing, a strange thing.
Chindanda, a bedstead (movable).
Chindang'anda, a kind of harp with one string.
Chindelo, a place to which one goes because one has
friends.
Chindende, the heel. ,
Chindende, extreme nervous fear such as paralyzes
a man.
Chinbichi, two or three women potmding in one
mortar.
Chinbima, being unconscious of anything, as in pass-
ing a village unrecognized.
Chinbimba, a feast, with dancing.
Chinboko (Swahili, chidogo), syphilis ; gonorrhoea.
Chinbola, ku, to cry " cluck '* with the mouth.
Chinbola, a swampy place.
Chinbomwa, eating or drinking apart by one^s self ; a
break in a piece of work.
Chinboinba, the direction in which a place lies ; the
neighbourhood of a place.
Ohinbu, a thing ; anything ; something. Kwangali
chindu, There is nothing.
Chinbulisi, carrying a thing at two relays.
Chinbumba, a small seed, like uaanje.
Chinbunbamwa, corpulence.
Chinbunbumuli, a protuberant part of the body; a
hunchback.
Chinbunji, meeting with another person accidentally;
coming across another. Mwa chinduvje, directly,
accidentally.
Ohinbna, the pit of the stomach ; the upper part of
the abdomen.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENOLISH VOCABULABY 125
Chinga ku, to herd ; to traiu up ; to lead to (of a
path).
Chvnjika ku^ passive. See Ohin/ixa, ku.
Chingimgana ku, to meet on the path.
Chinoaumba, spur of a fowl ; tooth of an arrow-Jiead.
Chingamila ku (-chingamile), to go out and jneet on
the road.
Chingamisya ku, to send anything out so a$ to pneet
one on the way.
Chinganda, bracelets made of fine brass wire twisted
round a core.
Chingaitga, a small drum.
Chinganga, a necklace of beads.
Ching'ang'a, ill-nature ; teeth chattering. *
Chingangalima, a prominent ^emum caused by
emaciation.
Ohingonda, a stalk of Kafiir corn.
Chingongo, " longwindedness " in speaking a ma-
gambo. The speaker goes over all the remarks
of the previous speaker b^ore beginning his
own. Hence the time occupied by the viurious
speakers in a case is unwarrantably long accord-
ing to our ideas.
Chingongo, looking steadfastly at anything.
" Chingongoli, the crest of fowl or guinea-fowl.
Chingongome, green maize ground on the stones and
cooked.
Chingongomwe, porridge cooked hard.
Chingongondo, steadily looking in one direction.
Kvlola chmgongondo, to look fixedly in one
direction.
Ohingonje, plenty; prosperity.
Chinguli, a whipping top.
Chingulumuno, although ; or.
Ohingulungulu, a blue bead.
Chingulungundyandya, a blunt-pointed knife.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
126 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULABT
Chingungulu ! going into a crowd.
Chingusa. When one painty has been compelled to
drink the mwai poison and vomits it, he may
compel his accuser to drink it in turn either
himself or by substitute ; this is called kutenda
chinguaa,
Chingwamba, the big leaf of the dwarf palm.
Chingwengwb, a large hollow lip-ring.
Chingwindi. See Chikwindi.
Chino'anda, copper.
Ching'ang'a, madness ; rabies.
Ching'aning'ani, a flash of lightning. '
ChingVenyeng'wenya, a violin,, with a single string
sti^tched over the mouth of a gourd.
ChiningViningVi, explaining any matter distinctly.
Chiniko, a black dye made with oil.
Chinila ku (-chinile), to have a strong desire for
anything.
Chinjeranjeea, a water beetle.
Chinjichiea, ku, to catch anything that is trickling
down. Ku chinjichira mkono, to shake the fist
in threatening any person.
Chinjika, ku, to support ; to prop up ; to catch what
is falling. See Chinga, ku.
Chinjinika ku, to hold firmly to what one has
said.
Chinjinikano, harmony.
Chinjiriohisya, ku, to catch anything in falling that
it may not be lost ; to catch up a person's words
so as to prevent some one else from replying ; to
guard one's person as with a shield ; to refuse a
person repeatedly ; to strike a path while passing
through the bush.
Chinjirichiti, expressive of striking a path while
passing through the bush ; meeting one another
suddenly face to face on the road.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABY 127
Chinjieima, ku, to work steadily without being tired ;
to hold firmly ; to be firm in one's opinion.
Chinong'onong'o, a sweet substance.
Chinumbi, a shallow basket plastered over with a
kind of gum so as to render it water-tight.
Chinyago, a picture or image. Refers primarily to
the figures drawn by the "doctor" when he
is finishing up the unyago ceremony.
Chinyakapya, soft damp ground.
Chinyalakato, disgust. Ghakulya cushi chindenda
chinyalakato, This food disgusts one.
Chinyama, any large game.
Chinyama, one of the breadths in which a garden is
hoed.
Chinyangu, a caterpillar.
Chinyela, Bright's disease.
Chinyblele, a kind of mouse.
CHiNYELomTBLo, an unripe pumpkin.
Chinyelu, the Brycteropua (Swahili, Kinugere),
Chinyengo, cheating ; deceit.
Chinyenyelo, spices or pieces of pumpkin cut to put
into the pot.
Chinybsi, damp soil; the wet ground where water
has been spilled.
Chinyinda, ku, to knock lightly; to tie the end
threads of cloth.
Chinyindila, ku, to pack tightly, as in filling a bag
with articles. Achinyindile lisugulu kuti sikopoche
ngmmMj Beat the ant-hill, that the fiying ants
may come out.
Chinyindikay ku, to be packed tightly.
Chinyong'onyo, blue cloth (Swahili, EaniM),
Chinyusu, the crest of a fowl ; a patch of hair left
unshaved on the crown of the head ; a patch
in a garden left unhoed ; the hump on the
shoulders of cattle, such as are found among
Digitized by VjOOQIC
128 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
the WaNkond© at the uorih end of Lake
Nyasa.
Chinyuwinyuwi, a smail white kind of bead.
Chiombuluku, mould on an article tiiat has lain a
long time in one place.
Chipago, any deformity or peoaliarity that a person
is born with.
Chipagwilo, nature, manner born with oae ; char-
acteristic.
Chipaka, a platform or raised shelf for storing things.
Ngwete chipaka^ I have other work to do.
Chipala, a forge.
Chipalagwb, poor soil.
Chtpalamandu, a chip ; a piece of bark that has
become detached from the tree and fallen to
the ground.
Chipalangundwa, poor soil.
Chipalangwiso, a fowl's foot ; a ciear space in the
bufi^ where the guinea-fowls have scraped; a
kind of dance.
GfiiPALAPALA, the first hoeing of a garden.
Chipala WE, a sandy country.
Ohipalbpale, dirt on the body.
Chipalepale, hoeing without raising the ground into
heaps.
Chipalilo, shaving ; scraping.
Chipamba, kupita Wbchvpamnha^ to pass by the side.
Chipanda, a flat gourd used in drinking beer.
Ohipanda, a peg in the wall (usually. a branch of a
tree left sticking out) for hanging articles on.
Chipandb, a chip.
* Chipandu, a small splinter.
Chipandwa, a chip ; a splinter.
Chipandu, danger ; any fearful object.
Chipanga, the outlying villages of a chief.
CniPAKGOy a gumboil ; examining a tree to see if the
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YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 129
bark would form good bark cloth; an appoint-
ment ; mumps. ,
Chipanje, goods; riches. Jua chipanje^ a rich
man.
Chipanjiso, placing a branch of a tree on game that
one has killed as a token of ownership ; a test
placed on anything to see if any one meddles with
it in the owner's absence.
Chipapiko, a wing of a bird.
Chipaso, a bamboo for cleaning grass.
Chipasupasu, devastation made by war.
Chipata, a gate.
Chipata, a disease that passes from husband to wife.
Chipata, medicine for preventing theft from the
garden ; a gate or entrance ; a pass between
mountains.
Chipato, a chip.
Chipato, irreverence.
Chipbmba, great hunger and thirst.
Chipembbbe, a rhinoceros.
Chipbndo, the omens taken before commencing any
undertaking. Kupenda chipendo^ to test the
omens as before a journey.
Chipenb, fierceness ; ill-temper ; crossness.
Chipengule, an old worn basket (chiselo).
Chipeperu, paper. The word has also come to be
used for any book or writing.
Chipebe, beans husked and boiled until soft, used as
mboga.
Chipesa, a piece of calico, about 16 yards.
Chipewa, a hat with a brim.
Chipi, darkness.
Chipi chakandapala, thick darkness.
Chipi c/iakwepepalay slightly dark.
Chipi totoloy deep darkness.
Chipichiti, a small piece of anything.
K
Digitized by VjOOQIC
130 YAO-ENGLISH VOOABULART
Ohipikanano, mutual respect and obedieiKje.
Chipiku, the stick that supports the stone of a rat-
trap.
Chipiringu, people passing and repassing.
Chipiliqo, a kind of grass bracelet.
Chipimbi, a squirrel.
CflrprMO, a measure.
Chipinde, a kind of dance danced by boys.
Chipindupindu (I.), a pestilence.
Chipindupindu (II.), fickleness.
Chipini, the nose-pin worn by the Machinga women.
It is usually made of lead, and the point is
transfixed tlm>ugh either of the oUb of tie nose.
Chipintasi, a short, stout person.
Chipiri, war; famine, or other disturbance, such as
scatters the population of a country ; a floating
island of grass, sudi as are occasionally seen on
the Shire river.
Chipisya, a fragment ; a piece of anything. Saturday
is sometimes called Lywwa lya chipisya, because,
on the stations among the Shire and Shirwa
hills, work is stopped at noon.
Chipiti, old maize.
Chipolopolo, a bullet, usually made of iron. Non
mlembwej a conicalnshaped bullet. Njevma, a
spherical bullet.
Chipomela, a humming noise.
Chiponda-mtengo, pay for seeking medicine in the
bush.
Chipondwa, a mat woven of reeds.
Chipongolomwa, a lump in flour or salt; a piece of,
wood removed from between two wedge-shaped
incisions in a tree; a splinter.
Chipongwb, derision; making fun of; plajdng practical
jokes on one. Sungvla omitesile liaimba chipongwe^
The rabbit played a trick on the lion.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TfAO-Ul^GLlSH VOCABULARY l3l
CfliPOTB, a long string of beads wound round a core
of bark cloth to form a necklace.
Chipoto, a trap made of the stem of a tree for
catching field rats.
Chipowo, a hole ; a rent.
Chipuqo, foolishness.
Chipugwe, foolishness*
Chipuka, injuring another without cause ; a sore
that has commenced without previous flesh
injury.
Chipukuso, fresh green beans cooked and stirred in
the pot by twirling the stirring-rod between the
hands.
Chipukusu, a small wood-boring insect.
Chipula, a single-edged knife.
Chipuli, strands of a rope.
Chipululuchisya, a running knot.
Chipulxtputwa, a butterfly ; a moth.
Chipululu, name of a small animal.
Chipuluwe, a little swelling as from a bite.
Chipumulisi, a resting-place on a journey.
Chipundi, the chin.
Chipupu, a boil or abscess in the finger,, a whit-
low.
Chipusapusa, a man who has nothing of his own and
lives on others.
Chip OTA, pa, Twaiche pa chiputay We arrived and
found he was not there.
Chiputiputi, a bat.
Chipwa, a sister's son. The sister's son is usually
the heir according to native habit.
Chipwa, relation of uncle and nephew.
Chipwanga, the relationship of a younger brother or
sister.
Chipwenbme, a fat man's way of walking.
Chipwisa, emission of air from the bowel.
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132 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Chipyepyb, the tail of a fish.
Chka, ku, to trim (the beard, or grass in eaves of
houses).
Chisaowa, a bunch of bananas.
Chisajilt, a scaffolding or shelf for drying food.
Chisakasa, a kind of harp used by the A-Wisa, made
of threads stretched on reeds.
Chisalamwiko, something wonderful.
Chisamba, the iron head of an arrow.
Chisambilo-liwble, a large green caterpillar.
Chisambula, a tassel or tuft of anything.
OmsANDO, the death struggle of a man or an animal.
Chisanga, the sternum.
Chisang'asang'a, a litter made of bamboos for carry-
ing sick people.
Chisangaulo, a species of iguana.
Chisango, the divining instrument. Ku londcla
chisango, to divine. Ali m* chisango, He is
reading the divining instrument. AjUe ku
chisango, He has gone to consult the divining
oracle. Chisango chamkamwUe Che Nyonyo, The
oracle has fixed on So-and-so.
Chisanu, frost ; intense cold.
Chisapo, a bag used for carrying food, usually made
of bark cloth.
Chisasi, a vessel for holding oiL
Chisasiko, want of respect towards one's elders.
Chisasiko, the sediment of malt mixed up, boiled,
and eaten.
Chisato, hwm/puta chisato, to beat the wrong person.
Chisau, like ; likeness. Chisani chakwe chichi ? What
is it like? Chisau mtela, Chisau mti mtela,
Chisau m/pela mtela, like a tree. Chikoko chisau
c^kwe chati mpela lisirnba, a wild beast, like a
lion.
Chisejela -nyuma, kwenda, to walk backwards.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOOABULAEY 133
Chisbko, laughter. Akwete chiseko, He is continually
laughing.
Chiselo, a small shallow basket, generally a food
basket.
Chisbmbwele, lust.
Chisena, the funnel-shaped opening of a fish basket.
Chisbnga, a curved knife or hook.
Chisengule, a species of mountain mouse.
Chisbngwb, sidefwise; squintwise. Kwenda m^chiae-
ngiue, to be wilful. Kuvnka m^chisengwe^ to
place anything not in its proper position.
CniaEPULE, the tail of a fish.
Chisiano, iron ; an iron instrument or weapon.
Chisichi, a stump of a tree ; a root sticking up in the
path.
Chisiohirisi, wealth.
Chisieu, loitering.
Chisijiula, a mode of cuttifag^ the hair.
Chisijo, a red dye.
Chisila, ku, to rest one's foot against anything, as
when lifting a heavy load.
Chisilu, foolishness.
Chisima, a well. M'chisima twagonUe, We slept with-
out fire.
Chisimba, slag; a man's private property which he
does not sell.
Chisimba, the active property in medicine ; the essence
of anything that gives it its virtue.
Chisimopia, the first rains of the season which usually
put out the grass fires.
Chisimu, really, truly.
Chisinde, stubble of grass.
Chisindi, a large cap or hat.
Chisindo, a charge of gunpowder.
Chisinga, a small stump left of a log of firewood.
Ohisingwindi, a small stump left after cutting.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
134 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABY
Chisinje, oil plastered on the hair.
Chisinjino, the elbow.
Chisipe, what has been chewed and spit out again.
Chisipo, a muddy hole.
Chisisa, a fireplace, usually made by scooping out a
shallow hole in the fioor and placing round it
three stones for the pots to rest on.
Chisisili, a bottle made of bamboo basket-work,
plastered over with ngunga so as to render it
water-tight.
Chisisimbepo, a cold place.
Chisisimusya, Chisisimuchisya, a surprise. Akwete
chisisimvsya, He has been startled.
Chisisiba, damp ; cold.
Chisiula, a kind of diarrhoea or dysentery.
Chisiwa, a birth-mark.
Chisiwanb, cousinship by the mother's side.
Chisiwilo, a stopper ; cork. i
Chisogosi, fruit ; a seed.
Chisokasoka, a mantis.
Chisoma, any sharp stabbing pain in chest or back ;
a prickly fruit, used as medicine for this pain.
Chisonde, a cob of maize after stripping ofE the
seeds; an interruption in a magcmibo,
Chisondo, a small razor, carried stuck amongst the
hair.
Ohisonqo, a stake planted in the ground to hurt
the feet of a thief or war party attacking the
village.
Chisongolo, fierceness.
Chisopo, a fish-hook.
Chisosochi, a weed called " cobbler's pegs."
Ohisosola, Ku gona chisoaolay to sleep with the feet
to the fire.
Chisoti, a cap or hat of any kind,
Chisoto, a small hole.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISff VOCABULABY 135
Chisou, the navel; a sjcrew, generally of the kind
used in gun manufacture.
Chisu, a red dye got from trees (mseje).
Chisubao (Swahili, Ki8ubao\ a small coat or jacket.
Chisugugu, a small gnat.
Chisui, a leopard.
Chisukulu, a grandchild ; a generation.
Chi^xjkusuku, the olecranon process; the knee-cap;
any prominent joint in the hody; ankle-joint.
Chisukwasukwa, the stand of a drum ; the tail of a
bird ; the end of a hoe or spear that goes into
the handle.
Chisula, ku (-chiswile), to kick with the foot ; to try
to excel any one ; to get rid of a rival.
Chisulusyo, a straining basket.
Ohisumbukutb, a boil or abscess.
Chisijndi, a large number of people standing in one
place.
Chisungula, sterility.
Chisungumbe, strong grass used in thatching.
Chisungupute, a pimple.
Chisungusya, puerperal after-pains.
Chisunsasunsa, (UyoaUe chisunsasimsa, he went away
without telling any one.
Chisupundu, a knot in a tree.
Chisupusya, a surprise.
-Chisusi, a bird's nest.
Chisutulila, lying head downwards; sleeping with
the buttocks raised.
Chiswamba, man-stealing.
Chiswani, withered leaves ; rubbish.
Chiswela, interrupting another party in speaking by
answering for another. Akwete chUwela^ He
makes an interruption.
Ohiswenene, a small species of frog.
Chiswbnene, persistence ; perseverance ; zeal.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
136 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Chisya, ku, to urge on people while at work.
Chisiha, ku, passive.
Chisyano. See Chisiano.
Chisyasyano, " tit for tat."
Chisyasyo, resemblance.
Chisyeu, loitering.
Chisyo, good eyesight.
Chisyo, the state of those newly come to stay in a
place.
Chisyowb, friendship ; fellowship.
Chisyowolb, all of them. Ku mala chisyowoley to be
finished completely all of them.
Chisyungula, an impotent man.
Chisydngusyungu, giddiness.
Chitaba, great thirst.
Chitaka (I.), thieving medicine, the possessor of
which is able to lull the senses of any person
sleeping in the house, and so is enabled to steal
without detection.
Chitaka (II.), food a year old.
Chitako, the buttocks.
Ohitakulo, a loin-cloth reaching below the knees.
Chitalaka, a kind of red bead with a white eye,
much prized by the Yao.
Chitambala, a small piece of fringed cloth worn
round the head.
Chitambala, a large fiat rock.
Chitandano, being at variance with one another.
Chitando, the commencement; the width of a web
of calico. Nguo ja chitcmdo chachincmdiy narrow
cloth.
Chitani, a sweet sap got from certain trees; honey
found deep in the ground.
Chitapwila, a muddy pool.
Chiteleka, bark cloth which has been made white
by boiling.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 137
Chitblbtele, a crate for carrying fowls.
Chitbma, quickly. LitcUa lia chitema^ The shortest
way to a place.
Chitbmangu, an elongated red bead.
Chitbmangu, a species of caterpillar.
Chitemanje, unripe beans.
Chitbndbwelb, prosperity.
Chitbngu, a stool ; a chair.
Chitenjb, a load of firewood.
Chitete, drawing back from a thing after pr
to do it.
Chitete, grasshopper.
Chitetbmba, change of purpose. Akwete chii
He is always changing his mind.
Chitetete, masengo ga chitetetey work all day 1
Chitima, ku, to rush down a hill.
Chitimatima, yolk of an egg ; marrow of a boj
pith of a tree.
Chitingo, nausea after food.
Chitinjitinji, a bog or quagmire.
Chitipa, width ; breadth. M'chUipa mwakwe
wise. Mkcdo om wcma chitipa^ This knife
broad.
Chitipula, a garden of ground nuts.
Chititi, yolk of an egg ; pith of a tree ; marr<
bone.
Chititila, a whirlpool in a deep part of a strei
Chitiwa, plaited hair.
Chitiwi, water in which husked maize ha
washed ; beer which has stood three da;
Chitolilo, a flute made of a reed.
Chitolokoso, the buccal bags in fowls (wattles
Chitolomiko, the larynx.
Chitomoni, saliva trickling from the side
mouth; sap trickling from a tree.
Chitonga, calico worn by fastening the end
Digitized by VjOOQIC
138 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABY
piece round the waist in the form of a waist-
belt, and passing the other end between the
legSy suspending it from the waist-belt in
front.
Chitopa, a pestilence.
Chitopole, calico worn down to the ankles.
Chitopole, the crescent-shaped tribal mark of the
waLomwe.
Chitopotopo, things whose use is not understood;
magic.
Chitoto, a drinking-cup made of a leaf.
Ohitotolo, a large species of hawk.
Chitotosi, dung of fowls and birds.
Chitqwe, a wraith.
Chitukululu, kwenda, to walk backwards.'
Chitukuta, heat ; perspiration.
Chitulo, the apex of the roof of a house.
Ohitulutulu, an abscess or boil in the finger.
Chitumba, a calabash ; salt. «
Chitumba, a bud.
Chitumbalala, a death in childbirth.
Chitumbili, a monkey.
Chitumbo, the abdomen. Juamkongwe aju akwete
chitwnibo, This woman is pregnant.
Chitumu, a small bag-net for catching rats.
Chitumundu, a protuberance or swelling of the body.
Chitundilo, the bladder.
Chitundu, a coop or house for fowls or doves ; a
small basket.
Ohitundulima, a low hill; a mound; an ascent in
the path.
Chitunga, a large chiselo.
Chitungulu, the bamboo tied round the roof of a
house.
Chitungula, a creeper whose fruit tastes like a yam.
Ohitupa, a small door at the back of the hou;3e not
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGUSH VOCABULABY 139
in general use, but always made as a way of
escape ; a bulbous root ; stubble.
Chituti, the smell of animal decomposition.
Chitutu, the ashpit ; dunghill.
Chitutulb, a small bundle.
Chitutumba, a bow that has become too bent and,
therefore, useless.
Chituwa, a brass ear-ring.
Chitwana, a stoutly built person.
Chitwklo, a pestle.
Chitwesime, a patch of white hairs in a child's head.
Chiujilantuma, backwards.
Chiukala, the first stomach in animals.
Chiukula, diarrhoea ; dysentery.
Chiula, a frog.
Chiulawinji, the duodenum of animals ; the second
stomach or honeycomb bag.
Chiula WE, a large bamboo.
Chiula WE, a large stone, used as a sledge-hammer by
blacksmiths.
Chiuu, the small back-door of a house used as a way
of escape.
Chiuli, deafness. Jui chiuU, a deaf man.
Chiulo, froth ; scum ; surf of sea.
Chiulu, a grey cat.
Chiuluck), a pot used in making ugali,
Chiululu, a small glass roof erected over an ant-
hill to catch the flying white ants (ngtmibi),
Chiulusi, calico worn round the breasts. Women
wear calico thus during pregnancy.
Chiumbuohilo, a sudden appearance.
Chiumo, the narrow mouth of the fish basket (msipu).
Chiundo, a knot. Kvlimhikanya chiundo, to tie a
knot.
Chiundo, instruction.
Chiundo, a caterpillar.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
140 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Chiungwaungwa, a large round house.
Chiunichilo, a cover ; a lid.
Chiwalama, the Klipbok or Klipspringer {Nano-
tragus oreoVragua).
Chiwalawala, a scorpion.
Chiwalo, the thigh.
Chiwalo, a limb of an animal or fowl, especially the
hind leg.
Chiwalula, a headache.
Chiwamba, a seedling grown in the verandah and
afterwards transplanted. Native tobacco is
grown in this way.
Chiwamba, cold and shivering ; sleeping uncomfort-
ably.
Chiwando, a newly-hoed garden.
Chiwasa, higono lua chiwasa, the first sleep.
Chiwata, a flat piece of ground.
Chiwawb, bark cloth prepared by scorching before
stripping it off the tree.
Chiwawilb, smell of burning.
Chiwela, still there ; in the same condition. Alt
chiwela. He is still there ; he is still in the same
condition.
Chiwelegheto, what a man speaks ; language ;
speech.
' Chiwewe, a skipping-rope swung round and round by
holding one end. Wcmache cdimJcuyuya chiioewe,
The children are swinging the skipping-rope.
Chiwewe, smell of burnt hair or wool.
Chiwiga, a pot or vessel of any kind. The various
kinds of pots are, Chivlugo, *Chijvmgu, Mpika,
Chimbvli, Luido, Mtala, Litdeko,
Chiwilili, a shadow. The Yaos think of a man's
soul (Lisoka) as connected with his shadow.
Chiwilili, a likeness ; a picture.
Chiwjliwili, the thorax.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULABY 141
Chiwilo, derision ; laughter. AtesUe chivnlo ajaOy^e
made fun of his companions.
Ohiwisa (I»), plaited hair.
Chiwisa cha mgongo (II.), a vertebra.
Chiwisa (III.), old calico.
Chiwisiwisi, soft damp ground.
Chiwisuku, high fever.
Chiwombolo, the sum paid in redeeming a person.
Ohiwonoo, wetness and dampness on the ground, as
after heavy rains.
Chiwuko, a small bag closing at the mouth with a
string.
Chi¥?ukuta, the forge where . hoes are made ; the
furnace where iron is smelted.
Chiwunga, a night- jar.
Chiwuta, garden of ground nuts.
Chiwuta, a large ^^ that forms one of the pictures
at the wnyago,
Chiyelb, polygamy ; story-telling ; gossip.
Chochola, ku (-ohochwele), to break up the bush in
preparing to hoe a garden.
Chogweye, a fearsome thing.
Chokola, ku (-chokwele), to make a beginning of
anything ; to go ahead with anything ; to go on
ahead.
Chokopola, ku, to dig a hole with a stick ; to extract
• the charge of a gun.
Chohopoka, ku, passive.
Chokotola, ku, to dig out a hole in the ground ; to
excavate.
Chola, ku (-TE kuchola), to overdo a thing.
ChoUka, ^w, to be overdone.
Chole, the touch-hole of a gun.
Cholima, ku (-CHOLIME), to go far away ; to hoe
deeply.
Cholochoteka, KU,to run away, and not be seen again.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
143 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Cholochoteityai ha^ to drive away.
Cholowana, ku, to fail in the middle of an oration ;
to speak confusedly ; to fail in finishing any-
thing properly.
Cholowanya, ku, to speak confusedly.
Choma, ku (-chomilb), to stamp with an iron tool, as
in marking figures on a leather belt ; to fill up a
dish full.
Ghomboto, an epidemic which may attack men as well
as animals.
Ohombwa, a game played almost universally over
Africa. It is somewhat like draughts, and is
played on a board with four rows of holes, or on
the ground.
Chombwb, an epithet of reproach.
Chomb, a black cat.
Chonde, Please } The Yao commences his prayers to
the spirits with, CJionde, chonde^ Mul/angu,
Chondelela, ku, to supplicate ; beg.
OhoTideleka, ku, to be the object of supplication.
Chondola, ku, to speak disrespectfully of (to make a
clucking noise with the tongue).
Chongochbee, kwima chongochere, to stand upright.
Ohonjosya, ku, to " laugh " (of rats).
Chopa, ku (-chopile), to stamp with an iron tool, as in
marking a leather belt.
Chopa, ku, to probe with a stick. •.
Chopera somba, ku, to probe with a pointed stick or
spear among the reeds by the river-side so as
to frighten the fish and drive them into the net.
Chosi, a fibrous plant used in making string.
Chosirira, ku, to be very old.
Choteka, ku, to plant without hoeing the ground.
Chotechera, ku, to do anything without thinking ;
to do amiss.
Choti! packed full.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAOENGLISH VOCABULARY 143
t
Chuamasika, a species of wild grape.
Chuambepo, a gay-coloured cloth-like handkerchiefing.
Chuamsaoaja, a species of beetle used as gun medicine.
Chuamsaeaja, a gay-coloured cloth-like handker-
chiefing.
Ohuchu, a game consisting of guessing what another
has hid.
Chitku, the rainy season from December to March or
April. It is the season for growing the crops,
and the native population is usually busied in
hoeing and clearing their gardens of weeds.
Chuluka, ku (-chulwiche), i;o be many ; to be too
many.
Ckuluya, ku (-ehiUioiye), to increase the quantity ;
to make or put in too many.
Chululit, a drenching.
Chum, expressive of falling into the water. AgwUe
m^mesi, chum ! He fell splash into the water !
Chumba, a crane.
Chumba, a room in the verandah of a house ; a trap
for animals made with a falling door (Swahili).
Chumbi, the hump on the shoulders of cattle.
Chumbu, lead for bullets.
Chumu, lyuwa tetetete ckumu^ all day long until
sunset.
Chumuchila, ku (-chumuchile), to set (of the sun).
Chundu, anything ; something.
Chunja, ku, to rebound; to fail to reach one's
destination.
Chuuka, ku (-ohiwiche), to come out (of the water).
Chwula, hi^ to take out of the water.
Chuukula, huy to steep in water.
' Chuukuha, hi, to be steeped in water.
Chuwa, ku, to cut grass at the root; to taste food
while it is in the pot on the fire.
ChtMJoika, kuy passive.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
144 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Chuwi, a cupping horn.
Chuwika, ku (-cmwiCHE), to dip in water.
Chuwilisi, a place for lying in wait.
Chuya, ku (chuiye), to dip in water for an instant.
ChuyUca, ku, to be dipped in water.
Chwe-b-b, expressive of burning with a hot iron, or
of quenching a fire with water ; also of an aching
dull pain, such as that of weariness.
D.
D is pronounced as in English. Except in a few
instances, it never stands alone in Yao, only
combined with n, when it represents frequently
a modified t or I.
Dandaula, ku (-DANDAWiLBf), to grumble; to be
vexed.
Dcmdaulira^ ku^ to grumble at ; to be vexed with.
Dande, the slime from a snail. Kungcurauaya dande^
to leave me only the fragments.
Db ! DB ! DB I the sound of drumming.
Dblela, ku, to grumble at receiving too little.
Beleleka, ku, to be grumbled at.
Deletu, good. Gerego no ga deletu. That is very
good.
Dendechera, ku, to balance on the head.
Dendechereka ku, passive.
Di I Di ! Di ! expressive of the sound of walking.
DiDiDiDi..., expressive of the sound of running.
DoDOLOKA, KU (dodolweche), to be greedy.
DoDOMA, KU (-dodweme), to hesitate and be «low at
doing anything ; to stutter in speaking.
DoNDOOHESYA, KU (-dondochesye), to pour a little in ;
to pour in drops.
Dudulusya, ku (dudulwisyb), to put carelessly on
the ground; to pull along the ground.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TAO-ENOLISH VOCABULABY 145
DuLusi, Ku tamo, dul/asi, to live comfortably.
DuNJB, comfortably.
E.
E has the sound of the English ai in " chair." In
certain words the sound is flattened. When,
by the elision of an interposing I, a and i are
combined, the two together take the sound of e.
Lyehdungwa stands for LyaMhdungwa^ chesimba
stands for cha lisimba,
E, yes.
Elo, yes.
-ENU, with concordant syllable prefixed, represents
the second person plural of the ' possessive
pronoun your. Lijela lyenu, your hoe ; rruijela
genu, your hoes. '
-ENUMWB, your own.
Eti? Is it not sol (expecting the answer "Yes *').
Eti! an exclamation of surprise, answering to our
English " Did you ever hear the like ! " ** Such
an idea ! '* It implies disgust or dislike.
-ETU, with concordant syllable prefixed, represents
the first person plural of the possessive pronoun
our. Lijela lyetu, our hoe ; majela getu, our Hoes.
Btu ! (Mang'anja), Yes, indeed it is so !
-ETUWB, our own.
Eya, yes, that's it.
F.
The sound of / occurs very rarely in Yao, and in
that only in the case of words of foreign origin.
Generally an / of foreign origin becomes a p
in the mouth of a Yao, as, palasvra from the
Swahili yroM^, 35 pounds weight.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
146 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
FuMA, N.E. wind (Swahili).
FuNDisYA, KU, to teach.
FwAMBA, KU, to steal people (see Swamba).
G.
G has the sound of the English g in "get," never
that of j. When the vowel following g becomes
6 or ^, the g is modified intoy.
Ga, the class characteristic of the plural number of
the fifth class, of which the substantive prefix
is ma,
Ga, of, the preposition belonging to plural nouns of
the fifth class. It is used to express the posses-
sive relation of two substantives, as Mapanga ga
mfundi, The craftsman's spears.
Gadama, KU (-gademe), to lie on one's back; to
stretch oneself back.
Gadamika, ku, to place anything on its back.
Gagacheya, KU (-gagacheye), to fasten lightly
together.
Gagada, KU (-gagadile), to hack.
Gagambala, stumpiness.
'Gala, for agala by elision; the demonstrative (distant)
of the plural number of substantives belonging
to the fifth class.
Galagata, KU, to tumble about on the ground.
Galagatika, KU (-galagatiche), to tumble about on
the ground ; to act a double part ; to do any-
thing quickly.
Galambula, KU (-galambwile), to turn over ; to fold
over.
Gala/mhuka, ku, passive.
Galamuka, KU, to stand up quickly.
GalwmuBya^ hu, causative.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 147
Galauka, ku (-galawiche), to be turned round; to
be overturned; to be changed.
Godauaya, ku, to turn.
GcUauckisya, ku, to turn round for.
Galauchila, ku, to turn round upon.
Galawinda, ku (-galawindilb), to be restless ; to roll
about on the ground.
Galuka, ku (-galwiche), to crack ; to commence to
shown signs of a bad crop.
[Gamba, ku] (I.) (present in actual use -kuxjbmba^
Per/, -gambUe, or gaile, or gawUe), represented
by the English " only.'* Akuoamha kutama, He
is only sitting (t. 6. he is doing nothing else).
Agcumbile kuwdecheta, He was only speaking.
[Gamba, ku] (H.), to speak of ; to talk about. Mundu
jvAi twa/g<m^)aga ^jtUa, The man we were speaking
of. Chichi wagamfd)(tga Chenrdumhe? What was
Chemlumbe talking about.
Gambatukula, ku (-gambatukwile), to open up some-
thing shut.
Ganda, ku, to be very lean.
Gandasi^a, ku (-gandasiche), to be very lean and
thin.
Ganga, ku (-ganjile), to gut and lay open.
Ganoalama, ku (-gangaleme), to be strong ; to have
good health ; to be sturdy.
Gangasya, ku, to split open.
Gangasika, ku, to be split up ; to crack.
Ganisya, ku (ganisisyb), to think.
Gcmichiaya, ku, to think of ; to be in doubts about.
Gau ! the taste of anything soft as porridge.
Gawa, ku, to cut ; to cut up for dividing.
Gawanya, ku, to divide.
Gawikanya, ku, to divide.
Genu, possessive pronoun of the plural number second
person of nouns belonging to the fifth class.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
148 YAO-BNGLISH VOOABULAtlY
Getf, possessive pronoun of the plural number first
person of nouns belonging to the fifth clads.
Geya, ku (-geyiye), to belch.
GoBA, expressive of cloudiness. Kwiwnde kwati goha,
the sky was overclouded.
GrOGO, a male goat.
GoGODA, KU (-gogodilb), to beat ; to knock.
GoGODiOHiLA, KU (-gogodichile), to make false accusa- ~
tions against a person.
GoGOGO, Ku tamna gogogo, to sit alone silent.
Gojo, an impotent man.
GoLOKA, KU (-golweche), to be straight. Mitela
jahu^fcloha, or Mitela jagolokaf straight trees.
Goloayay ku, to straighten.
GoLOKWA, a poor crop last reaped in a garden.
GoMA, KU, to be baffled ; to be convicted ; to lose in
a magambo. Magamho ga/mgomeley The case was
• decided against him.
Gomeka, ku, to be convicted ; to be found guilty.
Wagomeche pa uwii ^pala, He was found guilty
of that theft.
GoMBA, KU (-GOMBILB, sometimes -gowile), to beat ;
to weave; to play on an instrument. Kugo-
TThba vJcali, to show fierceness. Ku gomba lilo-
Tnbalomba, to toll a bell. Kv>gomba uti, to fire
a gun.
Gombeka, ku, passive.
Gomhelwa, ku, passive.
Gomhda, ku, to shoot at.
Gomhdesya, ha, to speak strongly; to give warn-
ing ; to dilate on any subject.
GoMBOKOLA, KU (-gombokwble), to Untie ; to break an
agreement ; to return a bargain.
Gomhokoka, ku, to be untied.
Gomhokokmya, ku, to explain.
GoMBWA, KU (-gombwile), to be ** dead beat."
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 149
GoNA, KU (-GONiLBf, to lie down ; to sleep.
Kugona lugcdi, to lie on the back.
Ky^gona mdkuku, to lie on the belly.
Goneka, ku, to lay down.
Gk)NDA, KU (-gondilb), to spoak a case in a proper way
in a court of law.
GoNQOMALA, KU (-gongomble), to be crooked.
Gongomattyay ku, causative.
GopoLA, KU (gopwelb), to Untie.
Gopoka, ku, to be untied.
GopoUla, ku, to explain to.
Gopolanya, ku, to untie what has been fastened
together ; to explain.
GopoUmika, ku, to be imbound.
GosA (-gosilb), to refrain from anything; to taboO
anything or any person. Agosile pa mud, he
keeps clear of the village.
Goseka, ku, to be forbidden.
Ligosa, ku, to refrain one's self frcwn.
GoWA ! hanging limp and loosely.
Gowo ! wearied out.
GowoLA, KU (-gowele), to pull the heads of maize in
reaping.
Gowaka, ku, to be reaped.
Goya, ku (-goiye), to bend down a tree with one's
weight.
Ligoya, hi, to strike against a tree while going
along the path : to interfere in a magambo and
so cause it to be turned against one's self.
GuBUDUKA, KU (-gubudwiohe), to roll down.
Gubuduaya, ku, to cause to roU down.
GuDULA, ku (-auDwiLE), to cut SO as to leavo a
stump.
Gruduka, ku, passive.
GUDUMII.A, KU, to boil up so as to cover what is in the
pot.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
160 YAO-lBNGLISH VOCABULARY
GuDUMUKA, Ku (-gudumuka), to roU down; to be
startled and run away.
Gudumusyat hu^ to startle.
GuGUDA, KU (-gugudilb), to beat; to pound; to
stamp.
Gugusya^ hu (-gv^gwisT/e), to knock at.
GuGUDiLA, KU (-GUOtJDiLB), to drink up all and leave
none in the cup.
GuGUDULA, KU (-gugudwile), to cut the beard short.
Gugudukoy hi^ to be cut short.
GuGUNDA, KU (-gugundilb), to shiver.
GuGUNDALA, KU (-gugundele), to shiver with cold.
GuGUSi, knocking (at the door). Atesile guguai pa
mlcmgo, He knocked at the door.
GuGUNGUNGU, shortness of stature.
GuGusiKA, KU (-gugusiche), to get away fast.
GuGUSTA, KU (-gugwisyb), to knock lightly.
Gdlugusta, ku (-gulugwisye), to be mischievous.
GULUKA, KU (-gulwiche), to fly.
Chduaya^ huy to allow to fly away.
GuLUPANYA, KU (-gulupenye), to be wild and fierce ;
to be stubborn and obstinate ; to pay no heed to
anything that is said to one ; to be quarrelsome.
GuMA, KU, to bark (of a dog).
GuMBALA, KU (-gumbele), to be full.
Gumhasya, ku, to fill.
GumhalUay hu, to be very full ; to overflow.
Me&i gagumhalUe trCnyasa namiyaka, The lake is
quite full of water this year.
Gvmbalichisya, ku, to fill too full ; to be very full.
GuMU ! falling off as of plaster off a wall.
GuMULA, KU (-gumwile), to break down the plaster
of a wall, or the earth from the side of a hole.
Gmnuka, ku, to fall down ; to crumble down.
GuNDiMA, KU (-qundime), to work hard ; to be stout.
GuNDULi ! lying on the bare floor.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 151
GuNDULiLA, Ku (-gundulile), to chew tough meat ; to
force one's way through long grass ; to give a
false report of what another has said.
GuNGULUMA, KU (-gungulwime), to rumble (of the
intestines).
GuNGULUMYA, KU (-gungulwimye), to scurry away (as
rats do) ; to rush about.
GuNGUMiKA, KU, to come together; to meet by
chance ; to beat a big drum de I del del
GuNGUMiLA, KU, to give out a dull hollow sound.
GuNGULA, KU (-gungwile), to gather in food from the
garden; to bring cloth that has been spread
out to dry into the house; to go and fetch a
person from a distance.
GuNGUSYA, KU (-oungwisye), to knock lightly.
GuTA, KU (-gutile), to shout ; to cry.
Gwa! rigidly; firmly.
GwA, KU (-qwile), to fall. MalUo gagwile pa ma-
ngwenu, There is a mourning at your home.
Ghviaya, ku, to cause to fall.
GtoUika^ ku, to fall upon.
GwAGULA, KU (-gwagwilb), to Strip off (as the bark of
a tree or the skin of an animal).
Gwaguka, ku, passive.
GwAQWASUKA, KU (-gwagwaswiche), to be very thin
and lean ; to be torn off by force.
GwAOWASULA, KU (-gwagwaswilb), to tear off by force.
Gwajilisya, ku (-gwajilesye), to pass over quickly
(of a shower).
GwALA, KU (gwasile), to disappear; to hide; to go
away secretly.
Gwasya, ku (-gwasiaye), to stow away out of sight.
GwALATA, sprouting up.
GwAPULA, KU, slash with a knife.
GwAwiLiLA, KU, to track game; to follow people,
keeping at a short distance so as not to be seen.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
152 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABY
GwEBKDE, expresidve of the sound made by any
^ object failing on the ground.
GwBBEDESYA, KU (-gwebbdesyb), to gTope about seek-
ing for anything.
GwEDELA, KU (-gwedelb), to be loose, as a nail in its
hole.
Gtoeddesya, kuy to slacken (a nail).
GwEBE, expressive of disappearing.
AgwasUe mwitinji gwere^ He disappeared into the
bush.
GwESBLA, TLU, to nod on account of sleepiness.
GwESiMA, KU (-GWBSiMio;), KU, to be Ufeless and
foolish; to go round about a thing; to be dull
in the understanding.
GwEsiowESi ! going round and round about a t^ing.
GwiLi ! swallowing.
GwiNDiMALA, KU (-qwindihble), to be hard and
compact.
Gwiso, father ; master.
I has the sound of the English ee in " feeL" Before
a vowel i generally becomes y.
I, the class characteristic of the plural number of
nouns belonging to the fourth class.
'I, for a^, these things, pi. of <ichi,
IcHo! Let me pass! Let me inl used in seeking
admittance.
Ika, KU (-ichb), to arrive at ; to reach.
(jl&ndo uiche ku manga, A caravan has reached the
coast.
IchUa, hi, to arrive at ; to reach to.
Ikangana, ku, to come together (of a large number).
Ikam.gam.ya, ku, to gather a great number together.
PaichUa, ku, to be able to reach up to.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YA0-BKGLI85 VOCABULARY 153
Ikambilo, the part of sugar-cane or maize-stem that
is spit out after chewing.
Ilaila, the same things.
iLiuiiiA, the Pleiades, so called because their appear-
ance in the evening is the sign that the planting
seasoh is at hand.
Imango, a coloured cloth.
Imba, ku, to swell. PaimhUe pa mkono pcmgu posey
My whole arm is swollen.^
Ihbo, bark cloth worn at the unyago,
Imo, together. Tujende imo. Let us go together.
Wagcmisisye imo, They thought the same thing.
Ina, ku (-inile), to dance; to pass through the
tmyago ceremony.
Inigwa, ku (-inigtve), to have passed through the
unyago,
Inda, ku (-indile), to swell up as dry seeds do when
steeped in water ; to be stained from being wet.
Inoa, food for a journey. Asoie inga ayenu chile,
malatoi kundawipe mwcmja Seek for food so as to
be ready, to-morrow early in the morning we
start.
Inoalamula, ku (-ingalamwilb), to roll on the ground.
Ino 1 just now, at once, quickly.
Ipichibisi, the cord fastened round the notch of an
arrow to prevent it being split up by the bow-
string.
IsANGO, a coloured cloth.
Isiif A, ku taga, to do honour ta
IsiRisYA, a iibre plant, used as cord in basket-making.
IsoTO, small holes.
IsYA, ku (isisye), kwisya mtima, to sigh.
Isisya, ku, to sigh deeply.
Itinisi, cinders; sl^g.
Itula, ku (-itwile), to fire a gun ; to set off a trap.
Itunguwi, onions.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
164 YAO-ENOLISH VOCABULAEY
Itungwani, haze in the dry season arising from gi'ass
fires.
IwALA, a species of locust.
Iyoyo, so; thus. Mkuti 'yoyo wctgwasUe mwitinj%
Speaking thus he " bolted " into the bush.
J.
J has the sound of the English j in " jar." After n,
ch becomes y, while after the same sound j itself
becomes y.
Ja, of; the preposition agreeing with the plural
number of substantives belonging to the second
class, and to the singular number of substan-
tives belonging to the third class. It is also
used to express the possessive relation between
two nouns of this class.
Ja, ku (-jile), to go. Akyja leu rrmsi, He goes to the
village. Ana kwapi ajUe mlendo ^julaf Where
did the stranger go to?
JUa, kuy to go for.
Jaoama, ku (-jageme), to walk about " gingerly," as
when one is sore of foot. ^
Jajawala, ku (jajawble), to float.
Jajawcbsya^ ku^ to cause to float.
Jala, ku (-jasile), to lay in order side by side.
Jaluka, ku (-jalwiche), to be light; to be of low
character; to be light-headed.
Jalusya^ hi (-jalvnsye), to make light of; to dis-
honour; to lighten.
Jalukula, ku (-jalukwile), to remove one by one;
to remove the top layer of anything.
Jamba, ku, to lay the open palm upon anything.
Jambanya, ku, to pass the firs^ thread of a reed
mat; to commeuce weaving or sewing a palm-
leaf mat.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENQLISH VOCABULARY 155
Jambvchila, ku, to cross over; to infect (of a
disease); to leave one's own and seek that of
another.
Jambula, ku (-jambwile), to overhear what two people
are saying.
Jambulila, ku, to seek for the scent, as a dog does
by snuffing all over the ground.
Jamila, ku (-jamisilb), to scream.
Jamuka, ku (-jamwiche), to rebuke ; to scold.
Janga, ku, to catch (as a ball) ; to give an answer ;
to be set on fire ; to catch fire accidentally.
Janjila, kuy to reply to.
Jangala, ku (-jangble), to dance about.
Jangata, ku (-jangetb), to carry in one's arms.
Jangatika, ku, to be carried in the arms.
Jangalusya, ku (-jangalwisye), to pay no heed to
what is told one ; to finish a thing off quickly.
Janguya, ku (-jangwiyb), to make haste.
Jcmgunsya^ ku, to cause to hasten.
Janika, ku (janiche), to spread out to dry.
Januhula, ku, to gather up what has been spread
out.
Jwrmkuka, hi, to be gathered up.
Janichika ku, to be spread out to dry.
Japuka, ku, to ease one's self.
Jasa, ku (-jasile), to throw away ; to lose ; to
bury. *
Jasika, ku (-jasiche), to be lost ; to be buried.
Jasama, ku (-jasebie), to gape. Kwasama mwaju, to
yawn.
Jasima, ku, to lend ; to borrow. Munyaaime uti jenu,
mjende mkajaaiine jine kwa Mchimwene, Lend me
your gun and go and borrow another from the
chief.
Jaavmika, ha, to be ready to lend ; to be lendable.
Jatusya, ku (-jatwisye), to dry before the fire.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
156 YAO-BNOUSH VOOABULABT
Jatuaika, ku, to be spread out before the &:e to
dry.
Jaula, ku (-jawile), to go away.
Javsya, ku (-jatmsye), to let go away ; to send away.
Jawa! lightly.
Jawalawa, floating.
Jawalika, ku, to do work badly.
Jawaluka, ku, to leap up ; to start off.
Jebwe, gentleness and quietness of manner.
Jegama, ku (-jegeme), to lean against. Uti jijegeme
mwifmpa^ The gun was leaning against the wall.
Jegwniihoby ku^ to lay against.
JegcmivJcuIa, ku^ to lift up what has been leaning
against something else.
Jejeka, ku, to lean against. Ajejeche ukunje pa Tntela,
He leaned the bow against a tree.
Jejekula, ku, to lift what has been leaning against
something.
Jejema, ku, to shake.
Jelajela, ku, to float ; to run on the surface of the
water as water insects do.
Jelejesya, ku (-jelejbsye), to be quarrelsome ; to talk
loud so as to be heard far away.
Jeluka, ku, to burrow underground close to the
surface ; to be shallow (of a river) ; to be level.
Jelusya, ku, to advise.
Jembechbya, ku (-jbmbbcheye), to wAit; to have
patience.
Jembujembu, thinness.
Jembula, ku, to remove the inner part of a split
bamboo; to remove what lies on the surface.
Jemhika, ku, passive.
Jekda, ku (-jesilb), to go. Zero tujesile, To-day we
have gone (a long distance).
Jesyay ku, to convey ; to give goods to another to
trade with.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 157
Jendajenda, ku, to walk about.
Lijesya, ku, to behave well.
Jenbla, ku, to cover completely ; to be understood
by all ; to be sufficient for. Mpika ukasiehe meai
nehwenela moae mnyvmba, The pot is broken, and
the water has spread all over the house. Inga
aji jijenele tUendo, This food is enough for the
journey.
Jenesya, ku, to spread the report of anything ; to
proclaim ; to suffice ; to satisfy.
Jenechesya, ku, to satisfy.
Jenga, ku (-jenjilb), to cook out oil as the natives
do from castor-oil seeds and ground-nuts.
Jenjetukula, ku (-jenjetukwilb), to take off the
surface layer ; to skim off the surface of oil.
Jbpepala, ku (-jepbpele), to be thin. Ngtto aji
jijepepde, This cloth is too thin.
Jepepa^ya, ku, to make thin.
jEPtLA, KU (-jepwilb), to scrapo together the surface
soil. ^
Jesambula, ku (-jesambwile), to graze ; to touch in
passing.
Jesbmula, ku (-jesemwile), to sneeze.
Ji, class characteristic of the plural of substantives
belonging to the second class, and of the singular
of substantives belonging to the third class.
JiOALA, ku (-jigele), to Carry ; to carry away.
Jigaltoa, ku, Jigalilwa, ku, to be carried.
Jigaaya, ku, to make to carry.
Jigasyana, ku, to carry two and two.
JiGANA, ku (-jigene), to find.
Jiganya, ku, to teach.
Lijiganya, ku, to learn.
Jika, Jjkape, alone. WajawiU jikape, WajawUe pa
jika, WajawUe pa ji. He went away alone.
JiKUTA, KU (-jikwite), to be satisfied ; to have eaten
Digitized by VjOOQIC
158 * YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
enough. The expression Tujikwite^ We are
satisfied, or Nyikwite^ I am satisfied, is some-
times used to express thanks.
Jikutisya^ hi, to satisfy.
JiLA, KU, to say. Used rarely except in Future and
Imperative. Mjende mjile 8a% Go and say thus.
Tutujile tUi ? What shall we say 1
JiLANA, KXJ (-jilene), to agree together; to he on
friendly terms.
jilanya, ku, to reconcile.
JiLiJiLi, rattling of leg rattles.
JiLiLA, KU, to be short of stature.
JiRiJiTiKA, KU (-jibijitichb), to quivor, of any part of
the body.
JiLiusYA, KU (-jiliwisye), to Startle.
JiLULA, KU, to remove what lies on the surface.
JiMA, KU (-jime); to stand ; to refuse.
Jimika, ku, to set upright.
Jimiya, ku, to refuse ; to cause to refuse. Maungu
atujimisye or atujimiye masengo, The European
refused us work.
JirniUilay ku, to stand near.
JiMBA, KU (-jimbilb), to Sing. Ktoimba nyimbo, to sing
a song. Kwimba ndcmo, to tell a story.
Jim BALA, KU (-jimbblb), to be fat ; to be stout. Ate
kwimhalila kuno, He has become stout (by stay-
ing) here.
JiMBULA, KU (-jimbwile), to skim off the surface.
JiMUKA, KU (-jimwichb), to rise up ; to get up.
Jimusyay ku {-jimwisye), to raise.
JiNA, KU, to dye black by steeping in mud.
Jinika, ku, to be dyed black.
JiNAMA, KU (-jineme), to stoop ; to bend down.
Jincmiika, ku, to be bent down.
Jinamuhula, ku, to lift one's self up after stooping.
Jinarmda, ku, to lift up after being bent down.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 159
Jinamuka^ kuy to rise up ; to straighten one's self up.
Jinamukuka, ku, to rise up.
Jina/mukusyay ha, to lift upright what has been
bent down.
JiNOALAMULA, Ku, to roU along the ground.
Jingalamiuka, hu, to be rolled.
JiNiCHiLWA, KU (-jinichilwb), to prosper; to have
good fortune.
JinichUa, ku, to make prosperous.
Jinilwa, ku, to prosper.
JiNiKANA, KD (-jinikenb), to agree ; to be on friendly
terms with.
Jinikanya ku, to reconcile.
-JiNJi, many ; much. Wandu wajinji, many people.
Nguo syasijinji, much cloth.
JiNJiLA, KU (-jinjile), to enter. KwinjUa majttmba,
to inherit. KwirijUa Una, to succeed to another's
name and position.
JvnQvmyih, ku, to appoint a successor.
JinjilUa, ku, to go in the direction of. AjinjUile
ako. He went in that direction. AjinjilUe litcda
*lyo. He went along that road.
JiNJiLANOA, KU (-jinjilnajile), to make an attack on
a village or caravan.
-JiPi, short. Mitela jamijipi, short trees.
JiPiPA, KU (-jipipb), to be short.
Jipipisya ku, Jipipiya ku, to shorten.
JiPUKA, KU (-jipwiche), to be startled as game.
JiTA, KU (-jitilb), to pour out.
Jitika, ku, to be poured out.
JitUa, ku, to irrigate.
Jitika, ku, to answer on being called.
JUichisya, ku, to consent ; to say yes ; to answer to
one's name.
Zijitichisya, ku, to confess.
JiTULA, KU (-jitwile), to anneal iron.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
160 YAO-EITGLISH VOCABULARY
-JIU, ripe. Isogosi yejiu, ripe fruit.
JiULA, KU (-jiwile), to ripen ; to curdle (of milk).
JiWA, KU (-jiwile), to steal.
JiwiKA, KU (-jiwiche), to be easily stolen.
'Jo for AJO, demonstrative (middle) of the plural of
Class II., and the singular of Class III.
JocHA, KU (-jochIlb), to bum ; roast. AjochUe moto
nyumhajakwe myu^ He set fire to his house (and
it was) completely (burned).
JoGA, KU (-josile), to bathe.
Jojela, ku, to dress for (a dance).
Josya, ku, to bathe.
JoGOPA, KU (-J0GWEPE), to be afrdid.
Jogoya, ku (-jogweye), to frighten ; to be terrible ;
to be fearsome ; to be dangerous. Perepo kogoya,
that there is a terrible place.
JoJA, KU (-JOJILE, -TE kujoja), to make a noise in
talking.
JoKOLA, KU (-jokwelb), to take out of the fire as they
do roasted potatoes.
Jokokaj ku, to be taken out of the fire.
JoLOWA, KU (-jolwbwe), to be soft.
Joloya^ ku {-jolweye), to soften.
JoMBOKA, KU (-jombwechb), to cross over.
Jombosya, ku (-jombwesye), to ferry over.
JoNANGA, KU (-jonasile), to spoil ; to destroy.
Jonasika, ku (-jonasiche), to be destroyed.
JONGA, KU (-JONJILE), to SUCk.
Jongosya, ku, and Josya, ku, to suckle.
Janjeka, ku, to be suckled.
JoNGOLA, KU (-jongwele), to straighten; to stretch
out.
Jongoka, ku, to be straightened.
Jongosya, ku, to straighten.
Jongolela, ku, to steer a canoe straight; to open
out a straight road.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 161
Jonjolo8ya^ ku, to scare game.
LijoTigola, ku, to stretch one's self out; to straighten
one's limbs by a walk.
JoNGOLOMYA, KU (-jongolwemyb), to Startle game
which another is stalking ; to give premature
notice of a magambo.
JoNJECHESYA, KU, to make an addition to. Nyonje-
chesyomi, chindcmdi chuma achi, Give me more,
these beads are too few.
JosoGHELA, KU, to become less in bulk so as not to
fill the receptacle, as a newly-filled grave.
Josochesya, ku, to lessen.
JoTA, KU (-jotile), to Warm one's self at the fire.
Jotda, kuy to warm one's self in the sun.
Lijotela, ku, to warm one's self at the fire or in the
sun.
JowETA, KU (-jowetile), to make an attack on a village
or caravan.
Ju, class characteristic of the singular number of
the first or personal class.
JuA lYOYO, an impotent man.
JuAWii, (pi. WAWii), a thief.
JuGA, KU (-jusile), to beg from. Mjende mkajuje atcUi
ycbkvlyay Go and beg some food from your father.
Jujika, ku, to be easily begged from.
JuGA, a game of cards introduced from the Arabs —
a game played entirely for gambling purposes.
JuQUWALA, KU (-juguwelb), to riso as the skin of a
blister; to swell up.
JujULUKA, KU, to have an acid taste.
JuKULA, KU, to strip the bark ofE a tree.
JuMANA, KU (-jumene), to quarrol and fight.
-JUMU, dry. Juamjxmiujuamkongwe, a barren woman.
JuMULiLA, KU, to dry up; to grapple with. Mesi
gajumUUe m*Chi7VJoa namiyaka. The water has
dried up in Lake Chirwa this year. Wako-
M
Digitized by VjOOQIC
163 YAO-BNGLISH YOOABULAPY
pwecJie nehmijvmUila jiuxvni, He went out and
grappled with the thief.
JuMULA, KU (jumwile), to be dry ; to be h^xd.
Jurrmsya, ku, to diy.
JuNDA, KU, to be wet and tasteless (of potatoes and
cassava).
JuNDA, KU (-jundile), to be lean and thin.
JuNGUYA, KU (-junowiye), to beat the water ; to wash
one's mouth with water.
JuTULA, KU (-jutwilb), to jerk.
Juu ! quite still.
JuuLA, KU (-juwilb), to take out from a hiding-place ;
to take the bark oft* a tree ; to reveal (a s^ret).
Juuka, kuj passive.
JuwA, KU, to hide; to take shelter from. Tujuwe
ula. Let us seek shelter from the rain.
JuudlUa, ku, to lie in wait for.
K.
K is pronounced as in English. Before e or % k
becomes ch.
Ka, the class characteristic and diminutive prefix of
the seventh class.
Ka, of, preposition agreeing with the singular
number of nouns belonging to the seventh class.
It is also used to express the possessive relation
of nouns belonging to that class.
Ka-, prefix of a form of the imperative mood, as,
Kataweniy KcUendeni.
Kachi, expressive of explosion with a puff of smoke.
Kachilila, ku, to be industrious at one's work.
Kachula, ku (kachwile), to split up ; to tear up ; to
remove from one place to another. ,
Kdchukay hu, passive.
Kachukfida, hi, to imtie ; unfasten j to pull to
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TAO-ENGLISH VOCABUI4ARY ' 163
pieces. Mkal^a^^hvhule manyasi pepupa, nipcmiande
rmoipenu, Untie the grass on the wall and bind it
on the verancU^h.
Kachukuka, ku^ to be untied ; to be puUed to
pieces ; to split open (of dry wood) • to burst.
Kadiaumbe, a species of wild grape.
Kadumba, a round-headed arrow.
Kapwambila, the bowl of a bhang pipe.
Kagula, ku (-kagwilb), to follow; to reply to
another's arguments; to catch up the thread
of one's story.
Kajfkajb, really ; in very truth. Mchimwene msyene
kajekoQe no McUemya, A real chief is Malemya.
Mhulwisye kajekaje^ You have really paissed.
Kakaula, ku (-kakawile), to feel one's skin creepy.
Kakawala, jua Imkawala,^ a strong man.
Kakolong'ombe, a small tusk of ivory.
Kala, long ago.
-a kalay old ; ancient.
'Kala, for akcda^ there (of a remote distance).
ELA.LAKALA, old ; loog ago. Mwndu jua halahalay an
aged person.
Kalakatala, ku (-kalakatble), to be dry and
withered.
Kalalisya, ku, to be cruel-hearted.
KalaMckisya, hi^ to be cruel to.
Kalamala .(-kalamele), to be stiff, as when one
cannot move one's neck. Kalamala lukosi,
stiff-necked.
Kalamuka, ku (-kalamwiche), to be clever; to be
smart; to be wise.
KalamuchiUiy ku, to be too clever for one.
Kalanga, ku, to fry ; to scorch in a potsherd, ^s the
people do maize.
Kalawila, ku (-kalawile), to soil or spoil, as when
one touches anything with dirty hands.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
164 YAO-ENGLtSH VOCABULARY
Kali, Awelechete pa kali ^po. He told lies ; he spoke
aside from the point.
Kaligoselo kalagu, a charm from witchcraft.
Kalilolb, a mirror.
Kalilombe, a large species of chameleon.
Kalingwa? How often?
Kalipila, ku (-kalipile), to scold.
Karipa, a small comh.
Kaliwo, a tobacco-pipe.
Kalula, ku (-kalwile), to split up into two ; to tear
in two; to explain; to separate the thighs; to
go through the bush and strike a path ; to hoe
as far as the boundary of another's garden.
Kalume, one hundred (1).
Kalusele, dwarfishness.
Kamata, ku (-kamete), to make up a substance into
balls.
Kambanjule, a rascal.
Kambilenjb, a species of kingfisher.
Kambila, ku, to speak of. Twagamhile kumkarnbila
che Nyono^ We were only speaking of So-and-So.
Kambula, a small kind of cannon about a foot long,
filled with powder, and fired by applying a
match to the touch-hole.
Kamo, once.
Kampepe, once.
Kamula, ku (-kamwile), to seize ; to take hold of.
KamvlUaf ku, to hold in one's hands.
KamiUwa, ku (-kamwUioe), to be seized.
Kamusya, ku, to help. Kwangamusye, Help me.
Kamwa, Fa kamiway m^kamwa, the mouth. Anga^i
malotoe ga pa kamwa penu ? Are they not your
own words?
Kandapala, ku (-kandapelk), to be thick. N^gtio ja
kandapala, strong calico.
Kandapaaya, hi, to make thick.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 165
Kan A, KU (-kanile), to deny; to refuse. Utijikanile
moto, the gun flashed in the pan.
Kanisya, ku ; Kanya, ku, to forbid.
Kanichisya, ku, to persuade ; to compel.
Kanbnbga, shortness of clothing.
Kaxoa, a kind of print cloth.
Kanga, ku (-kanjile), to hew down ; to draw the
pictures at the Unyago,
Kanjika, ku, passive.
Kangcma, ku, to quarrel
Kangemichisya, ku, to compel ; to persuade.
Kanga, whether; either; perhaps. Kanga taiche
leloj kcmga malawi. Perhaps he may come to-day,
perhaps to-morrow. MtusalUe kanga achi mkuaosa
kanga acho, Tell us whether you wish this or that.
Kangaohiya, ku (-kangachiyb), to doubt.
Kangala, ku (-kangblb), to be strong ; to be un-
wearied.
Kangamala, ku, to go quickly ; to do a thing quickly.
Kanganauka, ku (-kanganawiche), to gape ; to open
out.
Kangula, ku (kangwile), to cut open the breast of
an animal.
Kang'a, expressive of catching hold of a wild animal.
Kang'anda, ku, to cut crosswise.
KakgVa, pa, at the mouth. Kuwdecheta pa kang'wa
pe, to speak empty words.
Kanganjenganje pe, anything very thin. Amhde
aabuni kxmganjenganje pe, He gave me soap, a
very thin piece. Mwesi wa kanganjenganje pe,
the new moon.
Kanichisya, ku. See Kana, ku.
Kanilila, ku (-kanilile), to be fast shut ; to refuse
to open.
Kanjema, a small baboon which acts as sentry while
the others are eating.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
166 YAO-BlTGLtStt VOtJAteULARY
Kakjesa, a spebies of wild date palm.
Kanjula, ku (-kanjwile), to open out.
Kanundu, a cigarette.
Kanyata, ku (-kanyete), to smash up.
Kanyenda, a bamboo needle for sewing mats.
Kanula, ku, to separate ; to bend open.
Kapa, ku (-kapile), to grow stout ; to make a slash
in.
Kapa, a stout person.
Kapeko, a fire-stick. A notch is ikiade in a piece of
dry wood, and in this is placed the end of a
short cane which is twirled between the hands ;
a piece of dry bark cloth is used as a match,
and when it has caught fire it is placed in a
bundle of dry grass and fanned into a flame.
Kapi ! lapping of water.
Kapichila, ku (-kapichIle), to lap against the sides
of a vessel (of water).
Kapilila, ku, to set (of sun) ; to dive into the water.
K APOLo, a slave. Kapolo jua cheni aju ? Whose slave
is this?
Kapukapu, gladness ; luxuriance of growth.
Kapula, ku, to hoe deeply, as for planting rice.
Kasa (pi. achikasa), a box (Portug.).
Kasa, ku, to break; to smash ; to ravage.
Kasikaj hi {-kasiche), to be broken ; to be wasted.
Kasanya, ku, to break up for division.
Kasalika, plentifulness.
KasaMusi, jua kasamusi, one who drives away all the
people from a village.
Kasapuli, a tale-bearer.
Kasawa, in great numbers.
Kasichila, ku (kasichilb), to be in great variety.
Kasipa, varicose veins.
Kasopela, a round-headed spear; a small boy; a
small ramrod.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 167
Kata, kit, to Cut (Swahili).
KATAlPUtA, KtJ (to remove lumps of any soft sub-
stance, as clay, and throw them on the ground) ;
to hoe deep in soft ground.
Katasi, some time ago. Katasi ^kala, that last time.
Katasipe, a little ago.
Kateqo, a kind of dance.
Katondo, red 6layey soil.
Katoto katoto, often.
Katu, gnawing.
!Katula, ku (-kaiwile), to break off ; to chip off ; to
nibble ; to gnaw.
KaTUNDU (pi. ACHtKATUNDXJ, NDUNDU), a load.
Katundu, a small basket ; a small fowl coop.
Katungwe, a swing.
Kaula, bitterness or sournesss of taste. Nyama aji
kmda rr^hcmvwa^ This meat tastes sour in the
mouth.
Kausi, an otter.
Ejlusi (dim. of mbtm), a small goat.
Kawa, ku (-kawilb), to pluck (fruit).
Kawika, kuy to be plucked^
Kawa, ku, to delay ; to be late.
Ka/wisya, kuy causative.
Kawalo, a horse (Portug.).
Kawili, the second time. Mvmdu jua kawU% the
second man.
KawUi kavnlif often.
Kee I tearing ; cutting (the soimd of).
KooHESYA, KU (-kochesye), to come to anchor; to
reach the siiore.
KoDOLA, KU, to cluck with the tongue; to beckon
with the hand.
KoKOLA, KU, to gather up; to gather together in a
heap.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
168 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
KoKOMESYA, KU, to do Lonour to; to religiously
adhere to a thing; to be attached to a thing.
KoEOMOKA, KU (-kokomweche), to be gluttonous.
KoKOSA, lying dead or flat on the ground.
KoKOTA, KU (-kokwete), to scrapo together ; to scrape
off.
Kokoteka, ku, passive.
KoKOWA, KU (-kokwewe), to loiter ; to linger.
KoKOYA, KU, causative.
Kola, ku (-kwete), to have ; to get ; to possess.
Koaya^ hi {-kosisye), to cause to have. Kumhosya
mundu umi, to heal a man.
Kolela, hi, to have for. Kumkolela clianasay to
have pity on.
Koleka, ku, to hang up ; to suspend ; to prove in the
wrong.
Kolehjoa, hi (-kolehve), to be suspended; to be
proved in the wrong ; to be caught by a thorn.
Kolekcma, hi, to be entangled.
Kolekcmya, hi, to hook together ; to set at variance.
KoLELA, KU (-kolele), to burn ; to make drunk ; to
put salt in the mhoga; to tie a string round a
pot for carrying. Chiselo cha h)lela, the basket
which receives the chaff in winnowing.
KoUlwa, hi (-kolelwe), to be drunk.
Koleaya, hi {-kolesisye), to light (the fire).
Koliga, ku (-kolijile), to finish a thing well.
KoLOGANYA, KU, to stir about.
Kologcmihi, hi, passive.
KoLOJELA, KU (-kolojele), to put the malt in the
newly-mixed flour in brewing. This is done on
the fourth day of the process of beer-making.
KoLOKOLA, KU, to take dow^ what has been hung up.
Kolokohi, hi, passive.
KoLOKOTi, staying in the house.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 169
KoLOKOMBOLA, Ku, to remove from a height by means
of a long pole (ngolokoTnbo).
KoLOLA, KU, to hawk up spittle.; to scrape a hole so
as to find water ; to rebuild a village which has
been destroyed. ,
KohUclieka, hu, passive.
KoLOMA, KU (-kolweme), to givo a snort ; to bellow ;
to snore.
KoLOMBANA, KU, to be interlaced ; to overlap ; to be
variegated in colour ; to be thrown down in
confusion.
Kolovnham/ya^ h% causative.
KoLOMBOKA, KU (-kolombweche), to come out with a
rush ; to shout loud in dancing.
Kolonq'ondola, ku (-kolong'ondwele), to scrape ; to
dig out.
KoLOPOKA, KU (-kolopweche), to spring forward.
KoLOPOLA, KU, to snatch away from ; to dip a stick
into oil for the purpose of besmearing one's
self.
KoLOSA, KU, to scrape up ; to go into the eye (of a
splinter, or point of a branch).
KoLOTOKA, KU, to be startled and run away; to be
knocked out (of the eyeball).
Kolotola, kUf to knock out the eye ; to startle.
KoLOTOLA, KU (-kolotwele), to squoeze.
KoLOTO ! squeezing out.
KOLOWOLA, KU (-KOLOWELb), to SCOOp OUt.
KoMA, KU, to strike ; to beat.
Komela, hi, to hammer in.
Komya, ku ; Komesya, ha, to make at variance.
LUcomya, ku, to make foolish.
KoMANGA, KU, to give a dying animal the coup de
grdce.
KoMANGALA, KU, to be big and full grown.
KoMASYA, KU (-komasisyb), to greet ; salute.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
170 YAO-BlJOLtSH VOOAfiULARY
KoMBA, KU, to lick up with the finger what rettiains
in a pot.
KoMBOLA, KU (-kombwele), to be able. Achikombiiyele
achi, He is ablie to do this.
Pakombola, ku, to be able.
Komboleka, huy to be possible.
Ngeihmboleka, it is not possible.
Tiikomboleche, it will be possible.
KomblA, eu, to snore during sleep.
KoitBLA, KU, to strike a man so that he becomes
unconscious ; to water plants in the hot sun so
as to do them harm; to ripen.
Kamoka, hsit, to faint ; to become unconsciousi
KoNA, Ali konahma, He goes alone.
KoKDOGANYA, KU (-kondogbnye), to splesh Water
about.
KoNDWESYA, KU, to go frequently to a place as on
terms of great friendship.
KoNDWA, KU (-kondwilwe), to be happy.
KoNGA, KU (-konjile), to sprinkle with water.
KoNGOLA, KU (-kongwelb), to slackeh a noose ; to det
free game from a net.
KoNGOLA, KU (-koi^gwele), to borfow goods for twtd-
ing ; to hire. «
f Kongosya, hi, to lend goocls for trading; to hire
out.
Kongoleka, hi, to be easily borrowed from.
KoNGOLEKANYA, KU, to gather together into a heap.
KoNGONDEKA, KU, to cacklc (of a fowl) ; to chattel^.
KoNGONECHELA, KU, to fit an ftrrow on the bow-string ;
to clasp between the legs.
KoNGONGOLi, a cackling of a fowl.
KoNGONOKA, KU (-kongonweche), to grow up quickly.
-KONGWE, female.
Kong'onda, KU (-kong'onimle), to tap.
Kcmg'ondde, ku, to ta|>.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-EltGLISfi VOCAfeULABt 171
Kong* ondeka, ^t^, to be tapped.
KoNi, take this, used in offering anything to another
person.
KoNiAJiLA, Ali koniajila, He walks about.
KoNJANYA, KU, to bring together things at a distance ;
to reconcile.
KoNJESYA, KU (-konjesye), to go often in a path.
Konjechesya, ku, to go often in a path.
KoNyoLA, KU, to break off a fruit at the fend of the
stalk.
Konyokdy ku, passive.
KoPA, KU, to lave out ; to entice away.
Kopesya, ku, to entice away.
KoPOKA, KU (-kopwechb), to comc ; to go out.
Akopweche m' nyumba, He went out of the house.
Kopochda, ku, to come out to.
Kukopochela kusa, to come outside.
Wakopockele pa musi, to arrive at the entrance to
a village.
Koposya, ku (-kopwesye), to put outside.
KosA, KU, to stab ; to poke in a hole with a stick ;
to pick the teeth.
Koso Koso Koso, expressive of coughing.
KosoLA, KU, to smash up the bones of any animal ;
to husk beans ; to pound to pieces.
KosoLiGO, in large numbers or quantity. Ndondwd
kosoUgo, stars in large numbers; ku toga njete
kosoligo, to put in a large quantity of salt.
KOSOMOLA, KU, to COUgh.
KosYA, KU (-K0SI8YE), to re-heat ; to care for.
-KOTO, beautiful ; good.
KoTOKA, KU, to shrug the shoulders in refusing.
Kotochesya, ku, to shrug the shoulders at.
KoTOPA, KU (-kotwepe), to be well ; to be beautiful.
KotOPO, knocking under the chih.
KoTOPOLA, KU (-kotopwbpk), to poke into with one's
Digitized by VjOOQIC
172 TAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
finger ; to dab into ; to knock under the chin in
an insulting manner.
KowA, KU, to scrape up sand or mud in handf uls.
Kowanga^ ku^ to scrape up wet sand or mud in
handfuls.
Kowela, Icu, to plant in wet soil.
Ku, sign of the infinitive mood.
Ku, to ; at. Ali ku rrmsi, He is at the village. Ajile
ku musi, He went to the village.
Kuu ! side by side in a row ; in great confusion.
Yosepe natipe kuu, everything in confusion.
Ku ! sound of falling.
KuBWi, sound of lapping of water on the sides of a
vessel.
Ku GHILUME, to the right. Juamkongtoe aju akuweleka
ha chilwfiM pe, This woman bears only male
children.
Ku LUPYANDA, to the left.
KtJ MCHiJi, to the left hand.
Ku MKULi, up-hill J up-stream ; on dry land. Wa-
kocheaye ku mkuli, They reached the shore.
Ku MLYO, to the right hand.
Ku MPOTO, the north.
Ku MWELA, the south.
Ku NGULO, the throat.
Ku NYUMA, behind. Kwnyurrva kwakwe, after him.
KucHiLA, KU, to cover up the embers ; to fill in a
hole ; to heap up.
KujiYA, KU (-kujiyb), to be hidden.
KujUKA, KU (-kujwiche), to be soft and pulpy.
KuKUJiLA, ku, to call her chickens (of the hen).
KuKUMA, KU (-kukumile), to hum with a dull sound ;
to rumble like distant thunder ; to make a noise
like a waterfall or the sea roaring.
KuKUMiKA, KU, to covor a rent with a patch ; to
cover over the hut at a grave with calico.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 173
KuKUNDEMBO, a turkey.
KuKUPULA, KU (-kukupwilb), to overhear.
KuEUSiOELE, a word often used by a speaker to
denote a pause in his thought, answering some-
what to our " In the next place.'*
KuKUSYA, KU (-kukusisyb), to Call her chickens (of a
fowl); to gather together from different places
one's people who have run away.
KuLA, KU (-kusile), to grow ; to pull out. Samhano
juamhtde aju, He is full grown now. Akvsile
lijda m*mpini, He pulled the hoe out of the
handle. This is usually done by tapping the
end of the handle on a tree.
Kulika, ku, to come out of the handle.
Kuaya^ ku {-kvsiaye), to make large.
KuLiKA, KU, to attach one's self to a party of people.
Kulikcma, ku. See Kulikana, ku.
KuLiKANA, KU, to como together. Mgamho 'gala
malatoi, wana wose akahdikane pa nganya, To-
morrow the case (will be spoken), let all meet
at the court.
Kuluchisya, ku, to inflict an injury unintentionally.
Kulusya, ku, to miss. See Kulusya, ku.
Ku LUCHiLA, towards the tail.
KuLUKUTA, KU (-kulukwitb), to scrapo off the top.
KuLUKUTALA, KU (-kulukutble), to be hard and stiff,
as cloth with batter.
KulUkutika, ku, to be old; to sit a long time in
one place.
KuLULUKA, KU, to slip down, as beads off a string,
or calico out of the hand ; to become unfastened,
as a bow-string ; to become slack.
KuLUMBANA, KU, to miss ono another.
KuT.UMisYA, KU, to cause to make haste.
Kulwmichika, ku^ to make haste ; to be finished
quickly.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
174 YAO-HNGIilSH VOCABULARY
KuLUMCLA, KU, to rub the body in bathing ; to dress
another person well; to wash a corpse prepa^i^toyy
to burial.
Kulumuka, ku, passive.
KULUMUNGUNYA, KU (-KULUMUNGWINYE), tO ToU l^bout
in the mouth as when one sucks a s^eet.
KuLUSYA, KU (-kulwisyb), to miss ; to make a mistake.
Kulusika^ ku {-hulvsiche), to be missed.
Kuluayaruij ku, to miss each other.
KuMASiKusiKU, very early in the morning, before the
cock crow.
KuMBA, KU, to hoe up loose soil ; to rake together ;
to sweep before it (as water does the rubbish
along a road).
Kumhanya, ku, to rake together into a heap.
KumhUiia, ku, to gather grass and branches into a
heap for burning as manure.
KuMBATiLA, KU (-kumbatile), to embrace in a conjugal
position.
KuMBEKUMBE, calico worn so long as to sweep along
the ground ; water that carries away articles.
KuMBUCHiLA, KU, to remember ] to think over.
Kumbusya, ku, to remind.
Kumhuchisya, ku, to remind.
KuMiKA, KU, to hem in * to £nd a man eating v/gali
and sit down to eat with him; to attach one's
self to a party of people.
KuNDA, KU, to rub the body in bathing.
Kundika, ku, passive.
KundamvJcaka, ku, to be washed off (of dirt on the
body); to speak of old times and things (as
garrulous old men do).
Lihtrnda, hi, to rub one's body.
KuNDA, KU, to consent ; to allow.
KUNDAMUKUKA, KU. See KuNDA, KU.
KuNDAWi, in the morning.
Digitized by GoOglf'
YA0-BNGU8H VOCABULABY 175
Kundawi hvakwe, next morning.
Kundawipey early in the morning.
KuNDUNGU, the back of the head.
KuNGA, Ku (-kukjile), to net over.
KuNGA, KU, to string a bow.
Kunjika, ku^ passive.
KuNGANA, KU, to meet together.
KuNGULA, KU (-kungwile), to take off one's calico
and lay it aside; to gather up what has been
spread out; to gather up the flour that has
been ground on the stones; to gather the fruit
off a tree.
Kunguka, ku, passive.
KuNGULUKA, KU (-kungulwiche), to converso. A
Yao, when he bids good-bye, says, Tukunguluoihe
malomi, Let us talk to-morrow. The reply
usually is, Ajendeje, nowe tv^igde. Go, we stay
behind.
KuNGUNA, KU, to stoop in passing under anything.
KuNGUNUKUKA, KU, to revive, as one does after being
unconscious.
KuNGUSUKA, KU (-kunguswiche), to be cleared away
as clouds with the wind.
KuNGUNUKUKA, KU (-kungunukwile), to unloosen.
KuNGULUSYA, KU, to welcome.
KuNGWANA, friendship made up between two parties
after a magamho.
!Kung'unda, ku (-kubtg'undile), to shake out; to
dust ; to beat the dust out of anything ; to beat
the dew off the grass. Kurvg^midika, ku, to be
dusted ; to be beaten ; to be stiff with cold.
KuNJiLiLA, KU (-kunjilile), to net over pots so as to
prevent them being broken.
KuNJUKULA, KU, to pull to pieccs.
Kunjukuka, ku, passive.
Ktjpa, ku (-kupile), to stir any thin mixture, as
Digitized by VjOOQIC
\
(
176 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
porridge. Amao, amkupile mwanache likokay
ngakupahomhola hutauna ; Mother, stir up some
gruel for the child, he cannot chew [anything].
KuPANJiLA, KU, to lave water over ; to throb (of the
heart).
LikupanjUa, ku^ to lave water over one's body.
KupiLA, KU (-kupilb), to wink.
KuPULA, KU, to beat dew off the grass ; to fan ; to
beat off flies.
Likwpula, ku^ to fan one's self.
KuPULA, KU, to have a bad scent.
KuPULA, KU, to abrase the skin.
KupUTUKUPUTU, expressive of a four-legged animal
running.
KusA, outside. Kuaa kuno^ the world below.
KusA, KU (-kustle), to gather together in a heap
(usually applied to gathering the grass in the
gardens previous to burning).
Kusika^ ku, to be gathered together.
Kuaikcmyaj ku^ to bring together.
Kusi, down ; on the ground.
Kuai kwitumbi, at the foot of the hill.
Kusi, the place below the grain store.
KusuLA, KU, to empty out ; to finish off a magambo.
Kvsuka, ku^ passive.
KusYA, KU, to lay aside.
Kuchisya, ku, to lay aside for one.
KusYETO, the head wife ; from ayeto, the other side,
and the locative ku, literally, on the other side of
the fence that surrounds the women's quarters.
KuTA, KU, to rasp ; to polish ; to tie up tightly.
Kutika, kuy passive.
KuTALiKA, distant. Chilambo cha kwakutalikay a
distant country. See Talika ku.
KuTANGULA, KU (-kutangwile), to jerk; to pluck a
person^s garment so as to attract his attention.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
YAOENGLISH VOCABULARY 177
KuTULA, KU, to bi^ak ; to snap (a rope).
Kuhikay ku, to be broken ; to be snapped.
KuwA, KU, to hem.
KuwAJiLA, KU (-kuwajile), to omit ; to pass over.
KuwALA, KU (-kuwela), to stumble over anything in
the way.
Kuwasyay ku^ to make to stumble.
KuwiLA, KU (-kuwile), to come upon anything un-
expectedly. ChenyoTio akuwile wandu petinji
nekwoQigalUa humcmgwao, So-and-so found people
in the bush, and took them home with him.
KpwiTA, KU, to thrash ; to beat.
KuYA, KU (-kuwiye), to pursue.
KwA, to ; for ; from ; at ; used only in proper names.
Kwa Malemyay at Malemya's.
Kwa chichi ? why 1
KwAKUJiNJi, often ; much.
KwAKULA, KU (-kwakwile), to snatch away ; to
rob.
KwALA ! lying basking in the sun.
KwALAMASiKA, KU (-kwalamasiche), to become very
lean.
KwAMBA, KU (-kwambilb), to carve out the inside of a
drum.
Kwamhilisya, kUy to scrape up the i
little ball of ttgcUi {mbmrm^
Kwambanya, ku, to pick up several ar
KwANAULA, far away. Chtlambo cha
distant country. Apite kwananda^ 1
a lon^ distance.
KwANGU^iA, KU, to drink up what rei
vessel.
Kwam/guka^ ku^ to be all drunk up.
Kwang'wandula, KU, to seize.
KwANGWASYA, KU, to sharpen.
\Kwcmgwasika, ku, passive.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
178 YA0-ENGLI8H VOCABULAKY
KwAPA, KU (-kwapilb), to draw in the stomach.
KwAPATA, KU (-kwapbtb), to caxTj Under the arm.
Kwapatika, hi, passive.
KwAPi? where? whither] whence?
KwAPU ! running off in haste.
KwAPULA, KU (-kwapwile), to let off a trap.
KwASULA, KU, to eat something nice and tasty, with-
out eating any ugcdi along with it.
KwASWELB, PE, at sunset.
KwATA, KU (-kwatilb), to cock a gun; to clap the
hands.
KwATiLA, KU (-kwatilb), to clap the hands towards
another in a dance.
KwAWA, KU (-kwawilb), to crawl.
KwAGA, KU (-kwajilb), to deceive.
KWAIYA, KU (-KWAIYe), to toUch.
KwAWiLA, KU, to crawl stealthily along as in follow-
ing game.
Kwekwbbb ! dragging along as an unwilling animal.
Kwekwela, KU (-kwekwebe), to drag along.
KwBKWBBENYA, KU, to drag.
KwELA, KU (-kwesilb), to climb ; to rise.
Kwesya, ku, to lift up ; to raise ; to exalt ; to
honour.
Kwdana, ku, to have intercourse.
KwELEGULA, KU (kwblegwile), to be talkative; to
joke ; to raise a laugh.
KwEMBA, KU (-kwembilb), to suck out, to smokc.
Kwembeka, ku, passive.
KwENYA, KU (-kwenyile), to gather up one's loin-
cloth; to pucker in hemming; to keep things
to one's self ; to be close-tisted.
KwENDUSYA, KU (-kwendwisye), to place a thing
obliquely?
KwENGWENDUKA, KU (-kwbngwbndwiche), to stumble
so as nearly to fall.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 179
KwENGWENDUSYA, Ku (-kwengwendwisyb), to drag
along.
KwENYBKWENYE ! curled up.
KwEPA, KU (-kwepilb), to be drawn in (of the stomach
with hunger).
KwEPULA, KU (-kwbpwile), to winnow with the chipeta
basket, to shake out of a heap.
Kwesambula, ku (-kwesambwile), to strip off leaves
or bark.
Kwesambuka, ku, passive.
KwBTB, expressive of meeting together, or of being
placed close together.
Kwetemula, ku (-kwetemwile), to pull to pieces.
Kwetemuka, ku, to fall in piec^.
KwEWA, ku (-kwbwile), to curdle.
Kwewcma, ku, to curdle ; to congeal.
KwiDULA, ku (-kwidwile), to twist one's mouth in
derision.
Kwikwilika, ku (-kwikwilichb), to poke anything
into a soft substance as a stick into mud.
Kwikwitika, ku, to sob after crying.
KwiNANi, above ; on the top ; heaven.
Kwinomi mnope, the highest point.
Kwinani kwitwnihi, the top of the mountain.
Imamibi Iv^ kwinani, the topmost branch.
KwiNAMBUKA, KU (-kwinambwiche), to rush forward.
KwiNDA, KU, to tuck up the loin-cloth firmly round
the loins ; to " gird up one's loins."
KwiNDiMALA, KU (-kwindimele), to be stiff; to be
hard; to be firm.
KwiNDiKWiNDi, rolling up.
KwiNYA, KU, to tuck up one's calico.
KwiNYALA, KU (-kwinyele), to be shrivelled up; to
hav^ hollow cheeks.
KwiPUKA, KU (-kwipwichb), to be startled (of game).
KwiRA, KU (-kwirile), to hem.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
180 TAO-ENGLISS VOCABULARY
EwisiSA, KU, to put firewood on the fire.
KwiWANDA, downhill ; down the stream ; downwards.
KwiwoGO, the direction in which the feet are turned
in sleeping.
L is pronounced as in English. In Yao the sound of
r is interchangeable with the sound of ^ except
at the beginning of a word when r never occurs.
The sound of r is that of a very slightly trilled
English r, and in mav^y cases can hardly bjB
distinguished from I.
After w, I is either dropped or becomes d.
Lachilwa, ku (-lachilwb), to be choked by rea&on. of
food going down the wrong passage.
Laoa, ku (-lasile), to suffer; to be miserable; to be
poor; to have trouble. Ajvju atenda kfdwoiay
tuttUaje naju rmmtala, This man is iU ; we will
have trouble with him on the road.
LajUa, ku, to suffer from.
Lagala, ku (-lagele), to be dry and crumbjy ; to dry
up. Samhcmo nda/geU tindahuley I am dry now,
I shall put on my calico.
Lagulila, ku, to spy out ; to sea»rch for. KvUfogulala
pakutamfw, pwmhone, to search for a good place to
stay at.
Lagusya, ku, to give a present.
Laguchiayay k% to present.
Laiya, ku (-LAIYE), to ask for m«vny different things ;
to be hard to please.
Ijljisya, ku (lajisye), to give to another per^cm to
sell.
Lakalaka, ku (-lakalakachilb), to long for ; to try
out for.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 181
Lakanta, ku, to make a dii^turb&nce.
Lakasa, ku (-lakasile), to cough on accotint of some
foreign substance in the windpipe; to have an
acrid taste in the throat.
Laeatika, ku (-lakatiohe), to fall down one after the
other, as leaves of a tree, or ripened fruit; to
trickle down.
Lakatula, ku (-lakatwile), to be talkative.
Lala, ku (-labile), to be worn done (of any iron
instrument, as a hoe or axe).
Lalata, ku (lalatile), to taiint ; deride.
LalatUa, ku^ to taunt; deride.
Lalika, ku, to gather an army ; to gather a caravan. ,
Lalikanya, ku, to place one on the top of anoUier.
Laluka, KU) to long for ; to cry out for.
Lalv^hUa, ku, to long for ; to cry out for.
Lalulila, ku, to fill up what anoth^ has said by
adding to it.
Lama, ku (-lamile), to recover ; revive ; to be in
good estate ; to return in safety from a journey ;
to be soft and smooth.
Lomiiayay ku, causative*
Lamya, ku, causative.
Lamba, ku, to pay tribute; to lick. Ghe Mlumhe
alambile Ma/ngane^gala, Mlumbe has paid tribute
to those Mangone.
Lambula, ku, to make tidy round one's house ; to put
a fM/gambo aright.
Lambusya, ku (-lambwisye), to tell lies ; to deceive.
lAxmbuchisya, ku, to make a pretence of ; to give a
false report ; to tell lies to.
Lamukwa, ku, to ripen quickly.
Landa, ku (-landite), to be like ; to resemble.
Lwndoma^ ku, to resemble.
Lcmdanichiaya, ha, to compare.
Laaya (4a8isye), to resemble one's parents.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
182 YAO-ENGLISH VOOABULAKY
Langa, ku (-lanjile), to keep tame "animals ; to say
farewell.
LangaTiay hi, to make an agreement with.
LanjUa, ku, to point out.
I/ANGUOHiLWA, KU (-languchilwe), to have an en-
lightened look on one's face.
Languka, ku, to shine ; to be clear ; to be free from
trees and bush.
Lcmgusya, ha, to shine upon ; to clear away trees
and grass.
Lanji, glue ; wax.
Lamula, ku (-lamwile), to decide a Tnagambo,
y LarmdUa, hi, to command ; to give orders to.
LmnulUwa, ku, to be commanded.
Lapa, ku (-lapile), to go and report any piece of
news ; to confess anything ; to admire ; to won-
der at ; to be astonished.
Lapila, hi, to praise ; to thank.
Laipilila, hi, to care for ; to mind.
Lapita, ku (-lapite), to lick.
Lapu, expressive of the flash of an explosion.
Lapula, ku, to take a taste of ; to flame up.
Lasima, ku (-lasime), to crouch down.
Lasya, ku (-lasisye), to be bare of grass.
Lasya, ku (-lasisye). tSee Landa, ku.
Latula, ku, to make thin ; to be very sharp.
Lawa, ku (-lawile), to start early in the morning.
TutvloAmle maZawi hi mgwfida. We shall start early
to-morrow for the garden.
Lawalawa, ku (-lawalawile), to move irom place to
place.
Lechela, ku, Kv/mUchda imundu m!rm»i, to throw a
person into the water. Kundecltjela juine mor
gongo, to leave one's quarrels to another, or in
another's hands. See Leka, ku.
Lejela, ku (-i^ele), to be loosely ti^d ; to be easily
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 183
abrased (of the ekin) ; to be easfly detached
from the stem (of bark cloth); to be pursed (of
the skin).
Leka, ku (-lesilb), to leave ; to let alone ; to spare ;
let go ; allow.
Lechekci, ku, to be left.
Lechela, ku, to leave for ; to leave at ; to pardon.
Lechesya, ku, to hand to (especially used of handing
the cup in drinking).
Lekwa, ku, to be left.
Lela, ku (-lblitb), to train up ; to nurse.
Lelecheya, ku (-lelecheyb), to balance on the head ;
to suspend ; to fit loosely (as a bracelet).
Leleya, ku, to balance ; to suspend ; to fit on
loosely.
Lblemba, ku, to suspend.
Lelemuka, ku, to be faint ; to be thick-lipped.
Lelo, to-day.
Leh^ji, this day.
Lelo^jino, LeWlino, this very day.
Lblu ! whiteness.
Lelula, ku (-lblwilb), to be white and clear.
Lema, ku, to be too difficult; to be impossible; to
prove in the wrong; to puzzle.
Lemwa, ku {4emim8yd), to err ; to sin against.
Lemwechesya, ku, to sin against.
Lemala, ku (-lemele), to be deformed ; to be rough
and difficult to walk in ; to be steep.
Lemba, ku (-lembile), to mark ; write.
Lemhelela, ku, to mark out (the foundation of a
house).
Lemheka, ku, to be written.
Lemwecheka, ku, to fail in one's hands.
Lbnda, ku (-lbndile), to be gluey ; to be sticky.
Lenjela, ku (-lenjele), to be pure ; to be fortunate.
Lbpela, ku (-lepele), to fail ; to be unable for. Twa-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
184 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULAKY
^alepde masengo^goy We were not able for that
work.
LepeleUiy hu, to leave unfinished. Mnndepekie cha-
Icub^a chamTionOy Leave a little food for me.
Lepetala, ku (-lepbtble), to be weaJc ; to be feeble ;
to be friable ; to be easily torn.
Lesa, kt; (-lesile), to be drunk and disorderly.
Lbsya, ku, to cut into thin strips ; to speak cleaiiy.
Leteka, ku, to be soft-hearted; to be feeble; to
speak in low tones.
Letuka, ku, to run quickly from place to place*
Leupa, ku (-lewipb), to be long.
Leuya, hi, to lengthen.
Leupisya, ha, to lengthen.
Lewalewa ! swinging.
Lewa, ku (-lewile), to err ; to commit a crime.
Lewda, hu^ to sin against.
-Li-, prefix denoting reflexive action of verb.
Li-, class characteristic and prefix <£ substantives
belonging to the fifth class.
LiAiYA, a kind of dance danced only by women.
LiAJA, the jack fruit.
LiBANi>A, a gabled house wiiere the verandah extends
down only two sides of the house.
,LiBATA, a duck.
LiBETi, a leather pouch worn on the belt for carrying
bullets, wads, etc.
LiBONGOLOMWA, a lump of dry flour in pco-ridge.
LiBOSA, slander ; quarrelsomeness.
LiBULUKUTULA, KU, to stumble and fall so ^s to do
one's self injury.
LiBULUMWA, a clod.
LiBUSA, a gun wad.
LiBWBTA, a box.
LicHEKA, a bracelet of ivory or hide.
LiGHEKO, a lai^e eland.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YA0-ENGLI8H VOCABULARY 185
LiofisLA, the foot of the hill. Kwickda, down the
hill. LUctla lyBohela, the paUi aloog the foot of
the hill.
LiGHEMBA, a hill slope.
LiCHEMWE, using high words. Umtoeje mkwete lichemwe
chichi? You, what are you using high words
for?
LiCHENGA, a species of fish.
LicHENJE, a deep descent ; a precipice.
LiOHETE, the weaver bird.
LiOHiKA, a mat formed oi maize stalks laced together
witii cord.
LicHiLE, the grime on a pot.
LiCHiLU, a species of monkey with a very bushy tail.
LiCHiNGA-usiKU, the milky way.
LiCHiNGA, a kraal for animals.
LiCHiNJi, a bat.
LiCHiTiKA, Ku (liohitiche), to sound as of a crowd in
passing.
LiCHiYA, KU (-liohiyb), to be talkative,
LiCHOCHOLOLO, a cock's comb.
LiDOLiLO, the pomum Adami.
LiDOTiLO, a goitre.
LiGAJA, a plaited bag, such as salt is often carried in.
LiGALAGASYA, KU (-ligalagasye), to roll one's self
about on the groimd.
LiGAMBA, KU, to be sorry for; to be penitent; to
repent.
LiGANGA, a stone ; a gunflint.
LiGANIGANI, thoughts.
LioASA, the palm of the hand.
LiGOMBO, a banana.
LiQONDO, the iguana.
LiGONDOLA, a coloured blanket or rug.
Lt€K)NBLO, the sheath of a knife.
LiGONGO, because ; a reason ; enmity. Mangene go-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
186 YAOENGLISH VOCABULABY
jombochele akuno ligongo Malemya wawilusUe, The
Mangone crossed over here because Malemya
called them.
Ngondo jejongo, a war brought by some enemy.
Juamiagongo, an enemy.
Ligongo pakuwa, because.
Ligongo chicid ? Why ?
Ligongo lyahvoe, the reason of it.
Ngondo japcbsvnlepamusi pa Kumtajay ligo7igo lyakwe
walyaga wandu wa Malemya, The war destroyed
Kumtaja's village, the reason being that he was
gathering to himself {liU eating) Malemya's
people.
LiGONGOLO, a centipede.
LiGONGWA, the pincers of a crab.
LiGOSA, Ku. See GosA.
LiGUGU, marsh grass.
LiGULO, the evening ; in the evening ; the afternoon.
Liguto'linOy this evening.
LiGULU, a platform in the house, on which food is
often stored.
LiGULUWE, a pig.
LiGUMBWA, the stock of a gun.
LiGUMi, a toad.
LiGWA, KU. See Lya, ku.
LiGWAGULiLO, a snake slaugh.
LiiCHiLA, KU, to pass one's self off as a rich man.
LiiGA (pi. maiga), a stone for supporting the pots on
the fire. There are usually three of these
forming the fireplace.
LiiMBACHiGA, swollen lymphatic glands in the groin.
LiiMBAPA, boils.
LiiNDO, a field-mouse.
LiiPATO, a charge of powder.
Luanda, ku, to wear calico thrown over one's
shoulders.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 187
LiJANDE, one half of a pumpkin. /
LiJANi, a baboon.
LiJANi, a running knot.
LiJALE, one side of anything split in halves.
LiJASA, KU (-lijasile), to come to a village seeking
to stay, having run away from another place.
LiJEGO, a molar tooth.
LiJEJE, the cheek.
LiJELA, a hoe.
LiJELE, an egg.
LiJEMBUJEMBU, the inner part of the thick end of a
split bamboo, which is generally removed before
the bamboo is made Use of.
LiJESYA, KU, to behave well. See Jenda, ku.
LiJiGANYA, KU, to learn. See Jiganya.
LuiLA, KU, to lie in wait.
LwrricHisYA, ku. See Jitika.
LiJOKA, a snake.
LiJONGOLA, KU. See Jongola.
Lijusi, the day before yesterday. The word is often
applied loosely to any of the past few days.
Lijusi alyo^ Lijusi 'lila, two days ago.
Majvsi 'gala, some days ago.
XiiKAKAKA, a species of weasel.
LiKAKALA, a fishing weir ; stopping a man in speak-
ing ; a mat made of maize stalks.
LiKAKU, dirt on the body.
XiiKALAMBWE, a scorpion.
LiKALANGULO, intense thirst.
LiKALAWA, a large canoe.
LiKALE, level open country.
LiKAMAMBO, native cloth ; sackcloth ; canvas.
LiKAMATU, any soft substance pressed into a ball with
the hand.
LiKAMBi, a quid of tobacco.
LiKAMBiLO, what is spit out after chewing.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
\
188\ YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
W
LiKAikBALB, a species of fish found in Lake Sbirwa.
LiKArDi, a newly-born cliild.
LiKAi^A, the fibre plant.
LiKANOiiOA, A strong reed that grows on soft damp
soilX
LiKANGALitv a bracelet or anklet; a tnat made of
maize stalks.
LiKANGATA, lying with the buttocks upwards; a
pumpkin lying on its side.
LiKAPA, a red cloth of thick, strong texture; a red
blanket.
LiKASA, a box.
LiKASi, an egg-shell.
LiKATA, old bark cloth.
LiKATiYA, flour stirred in cold water.
LiKAU, the sole of the foot ; a footprint,
LiKAWAMBA, a ground of a quarrel which will give
rise to a magambo.
LiKOKA, a large grass shed bmlt by travellers.
LiKOKA, a large drag-net.
LiKOKA, thin p(HTidge for children.
LiKOKOTO, the scrapings of the pot ; burnt bits of
porridge.
LiKOLA, the lower part of the stem of a tree. Pekola
mtekif at the foot of a tree.
LiKOLEKO, four cobs of maize tied together two and
two so as to form a bundle.
LiKOLO, flour of green maize in its first stage of
grinding.
LiKOLOMiLo, the gullet.
LiKOLONGO, the larynx and trachea ; the gullet.
LiKOLOTO, a scorpion.
LiKOMBWA, an egg-shell ; a shell of mollusc.
LiKOMB, a pavilion-roofcKi house, with a verandali all
round.
LiKONDE, the bush.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
VAO-ENGLlSH VOCABULARY 18^
LiKONDO, a path.
LiKONGWA, a slave stick.
LiKONGjONDA, an egg.
Likong'oxdela, a necklace composed of several coils
of rc^ covered with beads, and fitting closely
round the neck.
LiKONJA, KU (-likonjile), to throw one's calico over
one's shoulders.
LiKONOKONO, a snail.
LiKONYA, KU (-likonyile), to be forgetful.
LiKOSA, a large ivory bracelet.
LiKOSWE, a rat.
LiKOTi, green maize wrapped in leaves and pounded.
LiKOWA, the bark of a tree ; the husk ; the pod.
LiKOWELA, KU, to get mixed up in a quarrel.
LiKOWi, a blow on the cheek with the hand.
LiKOYO, the shoulder.
LiKUGA, a crowd ; a herd.
LiKUKA (-likwiche), to Overturn; to lever up; to
tilt up.
LiKULA, KU, to overturn ; to uproot ; to lay at length
on the ground.
Zikuka, ku, to be uprooted.
LiKULE, a jackal.
LiKULiLA, KU, to wear calico fastened round the waist,
and passing between the legs (chitonga).
liiKULU, the prow of the boat.
LiKULU, relationship of elder brother. A ku likiduy
the children of older brother or sister.
LiKULUWANGU, large strong grass used for the walls
of houses.
LiKUMBi, a cloth passed between the legs and fastened
with a string round the waist.
LiKUMBO, a track ; a spoor.
LiKUMi, ten.
Makvmii ga/mliy twenty.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
190 YAOBNGLISH VOCABULABY
Makumi Ukumi, one hundred.
LiKUNAMi, the skin.
LiKUNDA, a large drum.
LiKUNDB, disappointment ; failure to keep one's
promise; a false promise of anything.
LiKUNGtJ, ill-luck ; misfortune.
LiKUNGULU, a raven.
LiKUNGWA, the hark of a tree ; a bark canoe.
LiKUPANJILA, KU. See KUPANJILA, KU.
LiKUPULA, KU. See Kupula.
LiKUSA, a stinging plant.
LiKUSiKA, KU, to fold the arms across the chest, the
hands resting on the shoulders.
LiKUTA, a rough shed made of grass.
LiKUTi, a gun wad.
LiKUTU, a piece of calico 64 yards long.
LiKUTWB, a large creeper plant.
LiKUTWB, a small grain like semsem.
LiKWAMBALA, a strip of bark rope.
LiKWANJiLA, KU, to be dirty and neglectful of one's
person.
LiKWANYA, the cowitch plant.
LiKWATA, a dance without drums, engaged in only
by women.
LiRWATi, leaf of banana or maize.
LiKWBKWB, a noose.
Li K WEND A, a species of fruit, whose leaves are also used
as relish.
LiKWBNJE, a war drum.
LiKWBSA, a knife with a ragged edge used as a
saw.
LiKWiNJiLi, an iron bracelet.
LiKWiTA, an iron armlet or leglet.
LiLA, KU (-lisilb), to cryj to mourn.
LUUay ku, to cry for ; to mourn for.
LiLAMA, pride j jeering ; triumph over another.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
yao-english vocabulary 191
LiLAMBA, the flame of flre.
LiLAMBO, a plain ; a marshy piece of ground where
only grass grows.
LiiiANGUKA, light ; openness of view.
LiLAULAU, a species of pumpkin.
LiLBMBE, a grave.
Ku mobUnibey a cemetery. The words are used as
an oath.
LiLBSA, a conical-shaped trap for field rats plaited of
strips of sorghum stalks.
LiLiCHiKA, KU, to be eatable.
LiLiMA, EU (-lilimile), to make a roaring sound as
water in a rocky stream, or a bush fire.
LiLiMUKA, KU, to have the body covered with a rash.
LiLiWA, a flat stone used as a rat-trap; the flat
bottom of a caiioe.
LiLOLiLO, watering of the eyes; sap or gum oozing
from a tree.
LiLOMBE, a large drum.
LiLOMBBSYA, KU, to Seek in marriage (of a woman).
LiLOMBOLA, beads plaited among the hair.
LiLONDB, a lump of any soft substance made up into
a ball with the hands.
LiLONJE, the fruit of the baobab hollowed out and
used to hold salt in.
LiLOWE, a sound ; a word ; a voice.
Liiovye lyenandi, a low note.
LUowe lyehdungwa, a high note.
LiLOYA, KU, to seek for a husband.
LiLUNGO, the knee.
LiLUSA, a foetus.
EiLUWiLi, a heap.
Lima, ku, to hoe ; to cultivate.
Limisya, ku, limiya, ku, to hoe for. Kwende kwa
Aaungu tulimiye ngvo, Let us go to the Europeans
and hoe for calico.
y ' Digitized by VjOOQ IC
J
192 YAO-INGLISH VOCABULARY
. LiMASA, eczematous spots on the skin after eating tke
fiesh of certain auims^la.
LiMBA, KU, to be strong ; to be hard.
Liniba mtima, ku, to be brave ; to be unkind
to.
LimbUa, ku, to press home ; to speak strongly ; to
speak boldly.
Idmhika, ku, to be strong ; to fasten the door
firmly; to encourage.
lAmhukuka, ku, to tumble.
Limhangana, ku, to be very strong.
Limbichila, ku, to wrestle hard against.
LiMBALAMBALA, thin porridge or gruel.
LiMBULA, KU, to taste the first-fruits of the new crop,
after the offering of first-fruits is made.
Limhuka, ku, passive.
LiMBNYANGA, KU (-menyasile), to do oue's Self an
injury.
LiMiNYULA, KU, to stretch one's self ; to twist, one's
body. •
LiMUKA, KU (-limwichb), to be startled and run off.
LiNA (pi. mbna), a name.
Lina lya ku wcmache, the name given in infancy.
Lina lya ku uki^ngwa, a name given in man-
hood.
LiNAMiNiLA, KU, to tell lies about one's seH.
Linda, ku (-lindite), to watch ; to wait ; to wait for.
Nindomi, Wait for me.
lAndUUa, ku, to keep watch.
KulindUila pa mgunda, to watch the garden.
LiNDALA, a glass ; a mirror. Generally used in ^ural
MandaXa>,
LiNDANDA, an Qgg,
LiNDANDAMBULi, a spider's web.
LiNDBYA, a dance in which women alone engage.
LiNDiMU, a lemon.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 193
LiNDONDO, a drop.
LiNDUTU, a pop-gun.
LiNGA, a stockade.
LiNGA, KU (-linjile), to try ; to measure ; to tempt.
Idr^ika, ku, passive.
Linga/na, ku, to be arranged ; to be in order.
LmgavA/a, hu^ to arrange ; to put in order.
Ling'andu, the shoulder-piece and trigger-guard of a
gun ; a flat bracelet of iron or brass.
LiNQANJi, the rind of cane.
Lingong'Ajolb, any wild beast.
LiNGULAy KU (-lingwile), to peer in at.
LiNGULUNGULU, a small lip-ring.
Lino (pi. meno), a tooth.
LiiNOLO, whet-stone.
LiNYAMANGULA, KU (-linyamangwile), to stretch one's
self.
LiNYEMYA, KU (-linyemiye), to move along quietly;
to pass one's self carefully through a narrow
opening.
LiNYENYA, KU (-linybnyile), to keep one's self in good
humour.
liiNYENYENBLE, a weevil.
Linybnyeu, the humble-bee.
LiNYOLOLo, a relish of a stiff consistency eaten usually
by women.
LiNYOMWA, a hurried council held apart.
LiNYUNYA, a wing feather of a fowl.
LiNYUSU, the crest of a fowl.
LiPA, KU (-lipile), to pay. Kulipa magambo, to settle
a lawsuit by payment.
lApikby huy to pay to. TattUipile chichi ? What will
he pay us 1
liiPACHE, a large flat drinking-cup used in drinking
beer.
LiPALO, the shoulder-blade.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
194 YAO-ENOLISH YOOABULABT
LiPALASi, the bamboo stem of a pipe ; the bamboo by
which the loop of a noose trap is formed.
LiPALAMANDU, a scale of a fish ; a chip adzed off.
LiPANANOA, light (as the glare of a camp) ; an open
clear space.
LiPANDA, a forked stick.
LiPANDE, a split gourd used as a cup for beer-drink-
ing ; a chip.
LiPANGA, KU (-lipanjilb), to take the ** pet " and go
o£E by one's self ; to go ofE and stay by one's self
at a distance.
LiPANGA, a spear.
LiPAPATi, a flat bracelet ; a patch plastered on as over
a hole.
LiPAPiKO, a wing of a bird.
LiPATA, a weir ; the lower part of the stem of a tree ;
the large end of a maize cob.
LiPATO, a chip.
LiPAWA, the pleura.
LiPE, cleaned grass, used for walls of a house or
fences.
LiPEMA, a bad smelL
LiPENGA, a horn, or bugle.
LiPESA, an opening ; a space ; room.
LrpiLA WAMBA, avarice ; covetousness.
LiPiLi, a viper.
LiPiLiKANiLO, the ear.
LiPiNDA, KU (-lipindile), to sleep with the feet drawn
up under the body.
IiPiNGWE, a bullet of a large size.
LiPiPA, a large keg of powder.
LiPiPi, a small black ant.
LiPiSYA, a string of beads.
LiPOGOLo, a noose.
LiPOLWB, ugali that has lain over night.
LiPOMBo, a deep gully or ravine ; a steep rough piece
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TAOENGLISH VOCABtJLAET 196
of country. Mapomhomapomho, rough and steep
country.
LiPOMBOTi, unripe maize or corn.
LiPONDO, the stock of a gun.
LiPONGO, a foetus.
LiPONJi, a ball of fat for smearing the body with.
LiPUJE, breath ; vapour ; steam.
LiPUJUNGU, steam ; the heat that radiates from a fire.
LiPUKA, KU (-lipwiohe), to be slightly fevered (of a
child).
Lipuchilwa, ha^ to be fevered (of a grown person).
LiPUEUy a field rat. The names of the various
species are, Lindo^ Lipanyo, LUende, Chingowe,
LitUwa, Livluku8% NgwoAJci, Nalyelye, Chinyerere,
ChiselaguLa, Toh, Lichambiri, Libmnbo, Liayeta-
lambanga, Chitvluai, Nmgalwe^ Sunje,
LiPXJKU, the biceps muscle.
LiPUKUSi, a small bundle like a purse. A large
bundle is mtambala.
LiPULA, beeswax.
LiPULiPULi, a small bat.
LiPULUMUNDU, a large spider.
LiPULUMWA, a lump of dry flour in porridge.
LiPULUWA, a boilj the scar left after tattooing;
lumps of dry flour in porridge.
LiPUMBE, the closed fist.
LiPUNDA, a string of beads worn over the shoulder
and passing under the arm.
LiPUNQU, advice. A headman often gives advice to
parties in a magamnbo what to do before the
chief gives the decision. The chief may cor-
roborate the advice, or reject it, or accept it as
a basis of decision.
LiPUNGWB, unfilled grain.
LiPUPA, the wall of a house.
LiPUPB, a small beetle that feeds on the pumpkin.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
196 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Lipusi, the husk of grain, chaff.
LiPUTE, a boil.
LiPUTi, a species of long grass.
LiPWAPWA, a confluence of two streams.
LiPWAPWA, a flat side.
LiPYOMBYO, a reed pipe.
LisACHE, the threshed ear of sorghum ; a bundle of
ears tied up to form a sweeping brush ; a
sweeping brush
LisAGALA, a withered branch of a tree.
LiSAOAMiLO, a dream.
LiSAKASA, a grass shed or temporary hut made of
grass or branches.
LisALA, an old garden hoed again.
LiSALA, KU (-lisasile), to spoak for one's self; to
plead one's cause in a magambo ; to excuse one's
self. See Sala, ku.
LiSALU, firewood split up for burning.
LisAMBALA, a kind of dance.
LiSAMULO, a comb.
LiSANDA, a white cloth worn on the head by a
chief.
LiSANDi, a tree cut down ready to be burned for
manure.
LisASi, a bunch of leaves.
LiSEGA, the honeycomb.
LiSEKWE, a species of wild duck.
LisEHBELEEA^ a kind of millet.
LisEMBELEPETB, a hive without honey.
LiSBSENGULE, a worthlcss person.
LiSEWE, a sporran.
LisiAGO, the under millstone.
LisiCHiNi, an intestinal worm.
LisiLU, a crack on the sole of the foot.
LisiLWA, a top ; a float of a fishing-line.
LisiMBA, a lion.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 197.
LisiMBA, a toy used by children to make a howling
noise known as the " bull roarer."
LisiMBO, a hole in the ground.
LisiNDA, an amount of grain that may be pounded at
one filling of the mortar.
LisiNGA, Eu, to be content ; to make the best of the
circumstances.
LisiSYA, an addled egg left in the nest after the
others have been hatched.
LisiuoHiLA, an indolent sore.
Liso, yesterday.
Liso (pi. MBSo), the eye.
M'meso hu tola, openly.
PamiesOy before ; in front of.
Pameso pakwe, before his eyes.
LisoGO, a wild dog.
LisoEASOKA, a mantis.
LisoEOONDO, the mark left in the ground by a
mortar.
LisoMWA, the tunnels formed by the white ants.
LisoNGOLOMEMBE, a Canine tooth.
LiSOPOLOLA, KU (-LISOPOLWELB), tO put OUo's SOlf
straight ; to tidy one's dress or person.
LisuGULU, an ant-hill.
LisuNDO, a horse-leech.
LisuNGU, a heap.
LisuNGULo, a beer-strainer, usually made of basket-
work.
LisuLU, a ferret.
LisusA, a growing person.
LiswAji, the head of a corn-stalk without grain.
LiswALULUSWALULU PE, anything well-nigh finished
or useless.
Libya, eu (-lisisyb), to feed. See Lya, eu.
LiTA, EU, to be finished up (of a magambo) ; to be
burned out (of a fire).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
198 YAO-ENGLISH VQCABULARY
LiTAGALA, KU (-litagelb), to Spread out one's legs
before the fire.
LiTAGANDAGA, a litter.
LiTAJi, an egg.
LiTAKA, a piece of cloth measuring about 32 yards.
LiTAKO, a single handkerchief. See Matako.
LiTALA, a path.
LiTANDA, a pool of water.
LiTANDASYA, KU, to Walk Carefully.
LiTAPA, KU, to boast ; to pride one's self in anything.
LiTAPANJiLA, KU (-litapanjile), to boast idly.
LiTATO, a plaited mat.
LiTAWALE, a pool of Water.
LiTBKENYA, the jigger (Fidex penetrans).
LiTELEKO, a large pot for making beer in.
LiTEMBA, a blow on the side of the head; a small
fish somewhat less than a sardine.
LiTEMBE, a young cock.
LiTEMANYA, KU (-litemenye), to Walk proudly.
LiTENDBU, a wasp ; a hornet.
LiTENDYA, a rash on the skin.
LiTBPo, the spot where the seed is planted ; the birth
ground of a tribal group.
LiTEsi, a toad.
LiTETE, a reed.
LiTETE, the stem of the mouth-piece of a pipe.
LiTiCHiTi, the water melon.
LiTiKA, KU, to be unfilled.
LiTiKA, a vessel not filled to the brim. NajigeU meat
ga litika, I have brought the vessel of water not
quite full.
LiTiMALiKA, KU (-litimaliohe), to be of peaceful dis-
position.
LiTiMBA, unripe maize or corn.
LiTiMBWE, a green kind of grass, a large drum.
LiTiNDiSYO, troublesomeness.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 199
LiTiNDLA, KU (-litinwilb), to stretch one's self as after
awakening.
LiTiTA, a sheaf of grass, or grain.
LiTiTA, KU, to pound the coarse grains of maize.
LiTiTEMBWB, the green fresh shoots of a plant ; an
animal not yet reached maturity.
LiTiMUKO, full moon.
LiTiwo, a plait; a roll of tobacco plaited after the
native fashion.
LiTiwo, a ceremony of initiation passed through by
a woman when she is pregnant with her first
child. The ceremony gets its name from a
plaited charm which is placed round the woman's
neck. The ceremony is also called Unyago wa
chimbcmdi.
LiTOGA, the liver.
LiTOLOMiKo, the larynx.
LiTONDOLO, a halter ; a tether.
LiTONGA, a large lip-ring made of the hard rind of a
tree.
LiTONGo, the testicle.
LiTONJi, cotton ; thread.
LiTOWA, KU (-litowile), to do anything too much.
Atuponisye mgoji *o ; Umweju, mUsile hulUowa,
Throw us that bark rope ; oh, you have thrown
it too far.
LiTUKU, a blister.
LiTULi, a mortar formed out of the hollowed stem of
a tree.
LiTUMBA, full moon ; a bud ; long grass where the soil
is good.
LiTUMBELA, a wave.
LiTUNBi, a mountain.
LiTUMBO, the stomach ; the intestine.
Matwmho, the bowels.
Akwete litwmho^ She is pregnant.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
200 YAOENGLISH V6OAB0LARY
Kumbioeteka m'matumho mcmgaha 'go, Those cucum-
bers have given me indigestion.
LiTUMBUSi, a vulture.
LiTUNDA, a grave-mound.
LiTUNGUWE, a large stone or rock.
LiTUNU, a hyena.
LiTUSA, a blister.
LiTUTiLi, a heap of earth thrown up as by water or a
mole.
LiTUTO, the heap of soil scraped together round the
roots of maize.
LiTWANJiLA, KU, to Spread false reports about one's
self.
LiTWELO, a runner shooting out from any trailing
plant.
Liu, ashes.
LiuGHA, a house of a dead man pulled down, and the
materials left on the spot.
LiucHiSYA, KU (-liuohisyb), to take vengeance on any
one.
LiUGU, an opening ; a mouth ; a loop.
LiuGUGU, a deep hole in the ground; a hole in a
tree.
LiUGUUGU, the place in a mouse-hole where the nest
is.
Liuji, a bent tree which forms the spring of a trap.
LiuKA, a new-comer.
LiUKUSi, a species of wild rat.
LiUKUTU, a shrub.
LiuLA, KU (-liwilb), to roof a house.
Liulika, hu^ to be sufficiently pounded.
LmlUa, hij to pound the fine grains that have
almost reached the stage of flour.
LiULA, KU (-liusile), to cast off the slough.
LiULi, the unmarried state. Jvsvlij a bachelor or
spinster.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAOENGLISH VOCABULARY 201
\
LiULi, the sacrum
LiULUULU, a troublesome person, one who causes
strife.
LiULWA, a species of mouse that lives near the
water.
LiUMBi, an egg.
LiUMiLA, frequent coming to a placa
LtUNDA, a young pigeon.
LiUNDB, a cloud. Kimwadef the sky.
LiUNDi, an owl.
LiUNDiKA, bronchitis ; a cold j a cough.
LiTJNDU, an old garden.
LiUNGA, a goat's beard worn round the head in
dancing.
LiUNGA, KU (-liunjilb), to swing from side to side ; to
turn back on the way (of an army marching to
an attack) ; to fail of one's purpose.
LiUNGO, a smell.
LiUNGir (pi. MONGu), a pumpkin.
LiUNGUTWA, the fruit of the Tnhuv/gul/wa tree.
LiUNiKO, a lid.
LiUNJiLi, a heap ; a crowd ; a herd.
LiuPA, a bone.
LiuPULU, a cutting, or green branch of a tree.
LiUTO, a place ; a lair. KwangcUi liuto kiuereko, There
is no room there.
Liuwu, a species of snake.
Liuwo, the crown of the head; the fontanelles.
Feiiwo, on the crown of the head.
LiWAGO, an axe.
LiWALANGWANGWA, a flat bone in the body, such as
the scapula.
LiWALA, a spot.
LrwALANGULO, a species of locust.
LiWALB, a pledge given to another person, consisting
of a small piece of stick or straw j the piece of
Digitized by VjOOQIC
202 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
straw first thrown in the divining gourd (ehi-
8(mgo) to ascertain whether the person consult-
ing has been at another diviner previously.
LiwALE, a half of a cooked pumpkin.
LiwALiLA, Ku (-liwalilb), to forget.
ZitocUichika, ku, to be forgotten.
LiWAMBA, a ground of a quarrel which will give rise
to a magambo.
LiWAMBAy roasting a maize cob only on one side, and
eating it before roasting the other side, lest it
get cold and hard.
LiwAHBA, a fish-scale.
LiwAMBWE, a flood in the river.
LiwANDA, a foetus.
LiwANDAMA, the spleen.
LiWANDE, a track ; a spoor.
LiwANGA, a sore 3 a wound.
LiWANGULA, a beating.
LiwANi, a split stick for fastening anything, or carry-
ing anything.
LiWANiWANi, resemblance. ^
LiwANO, the hem put round a mat to keep it from
being torn.
LiWANo, a bird-trap made of a split bamboo.
LiwASA (pi. mawasa), the different houses belonging
to one man inhabited by his different wives.
LiwAsi, a flat piece of waterless country.
LiWATA, KU, to tread ; to trample on.
Liwatika, hi, to be trampled on.
LiioatUa, kuy to hide one's self.
LiWATA, a duck.
LiwELA, lead (used for making the nose-pin).
LiWELE, the breast.
Mawele, milk.
Kmninya mawehf to milk.
LiWELEOHELO, the placenta and its membranes.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAOENGLI8H VOCABULARY 203
LiWELENJE, the stubble of grass that remains after
burning.
LiWENDA, a blow on the side of the head.
LiWENGWA, a powder-horn.
LiwEWB, a rumour ; a large fire.
LiwiKA, KU, to come to a village to stay.
LiwiLA, the second hoeing.
LiwiNDA, the refuse of oil-seeds after the oil has been
extracted by boiling.
Liwiwi, the ear ; a chicken.
LiwoGO, the inner side of the hut where the owner
sleeps.
LiwoKOTo, the leg-bone of game.
LiwoLO,-the penis.
LiwoNDO, bark cloth.
LiwuMBi, an egg,
LiwuNGU, a caterpillar.
LiYA, KU (-liyiye), to be firm ; to be obstinate.
LoGA, KU (-lojile), to bcwitch.
Logwa, hi {-logwile), to be bewitched.
Logo, sliminess of fish.
LoKOTA, KU (-lokwbte), to pick up; to find by
chance.
Lokoteka, ku, passive.
LoXiA, KU (lolite), to look ; to see ; to be turned
towards. Agonile makongolo gakwe galolite ku
moto, He lay down with his feet turned towards
the mre.
LoUsya^ ku, to look steadily.
Lolesya lohsya, ku, to look all round.
LoUchesya, ku, to look well at ; to take care.
Lolda, ku, to look for ; to look after.
LoLOSYA, KU (-lolwesye), to dangle a child on the
knee so as to quieten it.
LoHBA, KU (-lombble), to marry.
Kuulomba Mulvm^u, to worship God.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
204 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Lombela, ku, to marry.
Lilombesyaj ku, to marry (of a woman).
Lombekcmya, ku, to arrange a marriage.
LoNDA, KU, to follow after; to speak straight on
without forgetting anything; to keep watch.
LoTidongana, ku, to be placed at intervals ; to agree
with a former speaker.
Londongcmya, ku, to place at intervals.
LoNDOLA, KU (-londwele), to consult the divining
instrument (Ghiscmgo) or augury. See Chi-
SANGO.
LoNDOLONDO ! following after.
LoNGA, KU (-lonjile), to place articles together into
a vessel or basket; to gather grass and weeds
into heaps in the garden.
LUonga, ku, to embark in a canoe.
LoNGANA, KU (-longbne), to accompany ; to go to-
gether. Kwende tuUmgavie, tuwe wa/wUi, Come,
let us go together, let us be two. Tcdongane najo
Tidwrvii Who will accompany him ?
LoNGOLA, KU (-longwble), to go before.
Longolela, ku, to lead ; to guide.
Juahdongolda, a guide.
LoNGOLOKOLA, KU (-longolokwblb), to remove things
that have been arranged from their place one by
one.
LoNGOLOLA, ku, to be always grumbling and speaking
in an ill-natured tone, to nag.
LoNGOMAKYA, KU (-longomenye), to spoak Well a case
in the court, to speak to the point.
LoNGOSOLA, KU (-longoswele), to arrange in order.
LoTk^oBoka, ku, passive.
LoNJELA, KU (-lonjelb), to tarry; to stay for some
time.
Lonjelesya, ku, to stay for a long time.
LoNYA, a rash on the head after shaving.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOOABULABY 205
LooKA, KU (-lowbohb), to go to Stay at the husband's
home.
Loosya, ku (loweaye)^ to bring home a wife.
LooEOEA, EU (-looewechb), to come with speed.
LooKOLA, EU (-lookwelb), to lift out of a hole.
LoPA, EU, to be uncooked ; to be badly rendered (of
a song) ; to be badly finished.
LopoLO, nervelessly; weakly.
LopoTOEA, EU (lopotweche), to be helplessly feeble.
Lose lung, all this time ; even up to this time. Lose
luno nganoAije, Up to the present time he has not
come back.
Lososo, catarrh of the nostrils and discharge arising
therefrom.
LosYA, EU (losiste), to show. See Lola, eu.
LoTOEA, EU (-lotweche), to be foolish.
LoTOMALA, EU, to be stupid ; to be bashful.
LoTOTOU, Jua lototou, one who can't bear pain.
LowBEA, eu\(-lowechb), to steep.
LowBLA, EU (-lowelb), to be foolish.
Lowetela, ku, to be lost sight of.
LuAMBi (pi. NYAMBi), a branch.
LuAU (pi. NYAu), a net.
LucHANAMiLA (pi. njanamila), a Verandah post of a
house.
LuoHBCHE, Jim htcheche, a crying peevish child.
LucHESA, a kick.
LucHiMBi, politeness.
LucHiNJi, the part of an iron instrument that is fitted
into the handle.
LuoHOCHOLA, EU, to run away very fast.
LuGA, a crack.
LuGAGAWi, niggardliness.
LuGALAMBUTi, wild asparagus.
LuGANGA, a crack.
LuGOMBA, a boundary.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
^
206 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
LUGOMO (pi. MGOMO), a Up.
LuGONGOLiMA, an elevation.
LuGONO, sleep. AU mHugono^ He is asleep.
LuGULU, Jua higvhi^ a man who takes good care of
his things so that they last a long time.
LuGULU, the faculty of imitating what one has seen
another doing.
LuGWA, a crack.
LUGWALAGWASULA, KU (-LUGWALAGWASWILB), to bolt ofP
at full speed.
LuGWANDULA, KU (-lugwandwile), to run off at full
speed.
LuJANGA, a ramrod.
LuJBMo, the lip.
LuJENJE, the torn end of a piece of calico.
LuJiLi, a course \ a ^yer ; a line.
LujiNGA, a pole for carrying two loads, one tied to
each end.
LujiPi (pi. NJiPi), a louse.
LuJONDo, a confluence of two rivers.
LuJONDOy a turn in a stream ; a backwater. /
LuJUCHi (pi. NJUCHi), a bee.
LuJWAJWA, a detour made by a party sent out from
the main body ; a party of skirmishers sent out
from the main body of an army. MkcUende hywajwa
mpUepambaliy'MjakkQ a detour and go past the side.
LuKA, KU (-luchilb), to weave (basket-work).
LuKALA, KU (-lukele), to be fierce and ravenous.
LuKALALA, a large basket woven of split bamboos.
LuKALi, the moon when it is four or ^ve days old.
LuKANDA, a plaited basket plastered over with a kind
of gum, so as to render it water-tight.
LuKOi, a slap.
LuKOKA, a trap made by suspending lengthwise over
a path a large log of wood, the path being lined
on either side by bamboos.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABT 207
LuKOEOLA, KU, to run away very fast.
LuKOKOsi, a belt of string for suspending one's calico.
LuKOLE, a room in the verandah of a house.
LtJKOLOKOMBO, a long pole used to take anything
from a height.
LuKOLOMA, a trench.
LuEOLOMO, something supposed to be in the throat of
the lion that makes it roar.
LuKOLOPiNGO, a pole used for carrying a single load
over the shoulder^
LuEOMBELOy a plaited trap for catching field-mice.
LuEONGA, a handle of a cup.
LuEONGOLO (pi. MAEONQOLo), a leg ; a spur of a hill.
LuEONJi (pi. NGONji), a rope.
LuEOSE (pi. ngose), a claw ; a finger-mark.
LuEOSELOy a stick used for poking in a hole ; a tooth*
pick ; a ramrod.
LuEOSi, the neck.
LuEOSO, a stick for poking in a hole with.
Ldeosyo (pi. NGOSYo), members of the same tribal
family. MlukoayOy a freeman. Ngoayongosyo, dif-
ferent kinds, Lukosyo lumpepey the same family.
LuEowo, desire for good things to eat.
LuEULA, EtJ, to spit out food ; to nuninate.
LuEXJMBi, a meeting ; a council.
Kutawa lukumbi, to hold a council.
LuEUMBUEUMBU, a good memory.
LuEUNDu, the anus.
LuEUNULA, EU (-lueunwile), to run awAy.
LuEUPi, being unobserved.
LuEUTA, EU, to rub ; to scrape. > ,
LuEWAEU, robbery.
LuEWAMBALA (pi. ngwambala), a Tope made of mlaza
palm leaf.
LuEWANGULO, a razor.
LuEWESO, bloody urine.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
208 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
LuKWi (pi. NGWi), a piece of firewood. Katemeni
ngvn sya chiutugo^ Go and cut firewood for our
ugali pot.
LuKwiMBi, the upper eyelid.
LuLA, KU, to froth up, of beer after the malt has been
put in ; to ferment.
LULA, KU (-LUWILB), to toU.
LvlUa, hvt^ to tell ; to command.
LuLANDA, resemblance ; likeness.
LuLANOA, sunshine, a part lit up by the sunshine.
LuLASi, baldness (of old age).
LuLASi, a scar.
LuLASTA, resemblance.
LuLELE, gratuitously; empty-handed. A'piU liUele,
He went away empty-handed.
LuLi, the hut used for a woman in confinement.
LuLiLA, a herding-place for feeding cattle or other
animals.
LuLiLWA, KU, to over-eat one's self.
LuLiMBA, a musical instrument made of vibrating
tongues of wood or iron fixed on a board.
LuLiMi (pi. NDiMi), a tongue.
LuLO (pi. MALULo), a water-pot.
LuLUKA, KU, to become tasteless.
LuLUMALA, KU, to swell up from over-eating (of the
stomach).
LuLUSi, Kugomha Ivlusi, to whistle.
LuLUSYA, KU, to swing round the head ; to interrupt
persons in speaking.
LuLUSYA, KU (-luluisyb), to strain water through
ashes of burnt banana leaves for the sake ^f
the salt; to boil and throw away the first
water.
LuLUTA, KU, to shout, as the women do on an occasion
of rejoicing.
LuMA, KU (-lumile), to bite.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH YOCABULABY 209
LuMALO, a method of tying a bundle with rope by
knotting it at each turn of the rope.
LuMANGANYA, KU (-lumangenye), to Set the teeth
firmly together.
Lilumomganya, kuy to gnash the teeth ; to bite the
tongue.
LuMANGU, the lower stick in the pair of fire-sticks
used in making a fire native fashion.
LuMBA, KU, to invoke ; to crack (of a falling tree).
LvmbUa^ ku^ to invoke ; to swear by.
LwrMkanya, ku, to fasten together.
Lwmhukulay ku, to unfasten.
I/umba/njUa, ku, to invoke one*s ancestors, or chief,
when one has fired a shot at game.
LuMBANA, KU (-lumbbne), to be good; to miss one
another. Mtela au wangalvmbana^ so, No, this
medicine is not good.
Lumbapa, a thin gruel made by stirring flour in hot
water.
Lumbili, fame; character; renown.
-LUME, male. Juwwhmae, a man.
Lumenya, ku (-lumenyile), to run away. Wati^i
akajiwe^ Wcdv/menyile kwndoAmpe, He was about
to steal, He ran away early in the morning.
(A native song sung over a slain baboon.)
LuMiKA, KU (-lumiche), to bleed by cupping.
LuMiLA, KU, to taste the flesh of an animal one has
killed before any others have tasted it ; to warn
another of what the decision of his magamho
would be.
LuMiNiNGA, KU, to run fast.
LuMULi, a bunch of grass used as a light ; a fire-
brand.
LuNDA, wisdom ; sense.
LuNDA, KU (-lundilb), to make an addition to ; to
lengthen by attaching another piece to the end.
p
Digitized by VjOOQIC
210 lYAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
LuNDAMiLA, KU (-lundamile), to fire the second shot
at a wounded animal.
LuNDANGA, a good memory. Wewala lundcmga, That
man has many things to say.
LuNDBWA, a species of strong grass.
LuNDUKA, KU (-lundwisye), to fit badly ; to be unsuit-
able. Jiiejula kurrdunduka chipanje cfiakwe 'cho,
That wealth of his does not become that man
well.
LuNDUMBiLWA, KU, to be at a loss what to say ; to be
nonplussed ; to be in perplexity.
LuNDUNGA, KU (-lundunjile), to draw one's self
together.
LuNDUSYA, KU, to treat shamefully (another).
Lundukwa, ku, passive.
LuNGA, KU, to roll up in a ball ; to smooth a plate by
rubbing it with a stone ; to tie firmly.
Lunjika, ku^ to be well finished.
Litala lyakulunjika^ a straight road.
Lungama^ ku, to go in a straight line.
Lungamika, ku^ to go in a straight line.
LuNGANGAMA, the red oxide of iron.
LuNGULA, KU (-lungwile), to pass through.
Lungusya, ku, to deliver a verbal message as it was
told.
LuNGUMBisi, indistinctness of vision.
-LUNGWANA, good. CMndu chilungwanay a good thing.
Mundu mlungwanci, a good man.
Lung'wanu, miserly pleasure in one's possessions.
Lungwe, a species of swallow.
LuNJESA, the young foliage on the forest trees ;
springtide.
LuNJisYA, KU, to finish off nicely.
LuNYAWANYA, a dctour made by a party sent out
from the main body ; a part stretching out from
the main body of an army.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 211
LuNYANYU, a species of caterpillar causing intense
itching.
LuNYAMBATi, a kind of creeping plant.
LuNYBLENYBLB, a wet place.
LuNYiLiLi, small grains of any substance, such as
sand or gunpowder.
LuNYWANYWA, a Strip of hoed ground.
LuPAJiLiPB, the first thing in the morning.
LuPALAKASULA, KU, to run away at full speed.
LupALALA, baldness (of shaving).
LtJPALASA, KU, to run away at full speed.
LuPAMBA (pi. mbamba), a small ant.
LupAMBATi, Jua lupambati, a slender man.
LuPANDB (pi. malupande), a yard of cloth, measured
from the tip of the fingers to the breast-bone ; a
split calabash used in drinking beer. ^
LuPANGA, a large knife ; a sword ; a shuttle.
LuPASO, a gong.
LuPATA, KU, to follow Up a trail.
LuPATULA, KU, to rim away at full speed.
LuPECHB, a grain of corn ; a single bead.
LuPECHESO, a fire-stick, used in getting a light.
LuPELELE, the lip-ring.
LuPENOo, small iron spoon, used in cleaning the
nostrils or in scraping perspiration off the body.
LuPETA, a shallow sifting basket.
LuPiNDA, a bag of salt.
LupiNGA, a long handle fixed into a cup, used for
drawing water from high banks or where the
river is infested by crocodiles.
LuPiYA, a red fez.
LuPLANO, a snuff-box.
LuPOPOLA, KU, to run away at full speed.
LuPOTA, the threads of cloth.
LuPULA, the nose.
Mbula, the nostrils.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
212 YAO-ENQLISH VOCABULAEY
LuPUNDO, a belt of twine by which the loin-cloth is
suspended.
LupuNGULO, an iron used for unfastening the screws
of a gun ; a screw-driver. It is carried slung to
the waist-belt.
Lupuso, ill-will, envy, malice, spite.
LuPWALA, the scrotum.
. LuPWAPWA, flat sides.
LuPWAWALB, anything with flat surfaces.
LuPTA, the bush where the grass has been burnt down.
LuPYO, a kidney.
LusA, KU, to be fierce and ill-natured ; to prowl about
the villages seeking for prey.
LusAMBA, green-coloured.
LusANJE, rattles held in the hand while dancing.
Lus4SA, a partition wall in a house.
LusASU (pi. SASu), a small piece of firewood.
LusAUSYO, punishment ; misery.
LusELE, of small size. Ndemho sya luaeU^ small
elephants.
LusBMBA, a thief who has medicine to keep people
from seeing what he is doing.
LusBNGA, dregs.
LusBNYBNDA, KU, to run away at full speed.
LusESE, dwarfishness.
LusEso (the point of a bamboo), a thicket.
LusiCHi, the poles in the walls of a house.
LusiMBi, the long feathers of a cock.
LusoMO, the pain inflicted by a thorn.
LusoMO, a night attack on a village.
LusoNGO, a point ; a pointed stick.
LusoNGOLA, the kernel ; a grain.
LusoNJO, the shin.
LusoNYONDA, KU, to run swiftly.
Lusoso, the narrow end of any pointed thing ; the
first blade that appears above ground.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLTSH VOCABULARY 213
LusuGULi, the small piece of wood into which the
arrow-head is fixed before inserting it into the
reed.
LusuLA, KU (-luswile), to boil the flour on the first
day of beer-making.
LusuLO, a stream.
LiUTA, spittle.
IjUTama, covetousness ; lust.
LuTAMBWiCHi, a brass chain of small-sized links.
LiUTANDO, a watershed.
LuTATAWANO, Contradicting one another in a case at
law.
LiUTAU, the saliva that trickles from the edges of the
mouth during sleep.
Lute, a conical-shaped trap for field-rats plaited of
strips of sorghum stalk.
LuTENJE, a fence, especially a grass fence.
LuTEPA, a fishing-rod.
LuTiNDiGA, walking on one's knees.
LuTiNDi, being difficult to please. Werewo aJcwete
hitindi, ambi tindende uli? That man refuses
everything I have offered, what am I to do ?
LuTOGOLO, damp.
LuTONYO, a toothpick.
LuTYOKOLA, a walking-stick.
Luu, a wild dog.
LuuLO, a large pot for carrying \^ter.
LuuMBO (pi. umbo), a hair.
LuuNDE, cloudiness.
LuuNDU, dust.
LuuNO, a newly-built village.
LuwAGALA, a stockade ; a strong fence.
LuwALA, an open space.
LuwALATi (pi. mbalati), a rib.
LuwALAWANDULA, KU, to run off at a great rate.
LuwALE (pi. mbale), a slice of pumpkin.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
214 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
LuwANDANGULA, KU, to run at great speed.
LuwANDALi, expressive of fulness. Agumhde luwan-
dali, He has filled it perfectly full.
LuwANDO, a garden.
LuwANDO, the primary council held regarding the
cause of death.
LuwANGU, the short piece of dry wood in which the
fire-stick is twirled.
LuwANi, a space between two things.
LuwANi, a verandah room of a house.
LuwAso, accuracy in shooting ; frequent abortion.
LuwEJEWEJE, a steep precipice, or very deep hole.
LuwEMBE, a razor ; the sight on a gun.
LuwiLA, the second time of hoeing.
LuwiLA, KU (-luwile), to fasten the bamboo rim of a
basket.
LuwiLA, an old disused path.
LuwiLANGO, encouragement.
LuwiLO, a race.
LuwiMULA, KU, to run away at full speed.
LuwiNiNGA (pi. mbininga), a short stick used to throw
at anything.
LuwoLAWOLA, the sting of a bee.
LwALA (pi. malwala), a rock; the pan of a flint-
lock.
LwALA, KU (-lwasile), to be ill.
Lwaaya, Jcu, to nurse.
LwANYA, KU (-lwanyile), to be boisterous and
talkative.
LwASi, the blood of a murdered man, which is sup-
posed to blind the eyes of the murderer.
LwENDO LWENDo PB, Jua Iwendo Iwendo pe, one who is
always wandering about.
LwESA, KU, to curse.
LwESB, cock's comb.
LwESi, moonlight.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAOENGLISH VOCABULARY 215
LwiSYA, Ku (-lwisisye), to find great difficulty in
accomplishing anything.
Lya, ku (-ule), to eat.
Ltsisya, ku, to over-eat.
lAsya^ ku {-lisisye), to feed.
Lyalyay ha, to be greedy.
Ligwa, ku, to be edible.
Lyalyasya, ku (-LYALYASI8YE), to be double-faced ;
to be smooth-tongued ; to be deceitful.
Lyolyolyo..., expressive of sweetness. Naqxisisye
ucM nekwpikcma ly6ly6lyo..,,il tasted the honey
and felt it to be sweet.
Lyolyopbla, ku, to taste sweet.
M.
M is pronounced as in English. M before h gener-
ally represents w. Mh may stand for rH), np,
nw,
M-, MU-, or MW, the class prefix of the singular of
nouns of the first and second classes.
M' for rmjb ; in, at.
Ma-, the class prefix of the plural of nouns belonging
to the fifth class. The singular prefix is Li,
Many nouns of foreign origin form their plural
in ma, as mdboyo, boys ; mahokoai, boxes.
Mabulu, clods.
Mabwala, nonsense.
Mabwimbwi, bubbles rising off water.
Machaka, a slug of iron ore ; refuse.
Machakala, a large shell used in making swakala,
Machakapitu, a species of blackbird.
Machakapitu, Ahnjele rnxtcJuUcOfpitu, He stayed many
years.
Machawi, haste ; diligence ; quickness of speech.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
216 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Macheka, bracelets made of the skin of an elephant's
foot.
Machela, a net fixed in the water by means of
stakes; pointed bamboos put round the garden
as a fence for pigs.
Machbpebe, the skin of a stout person hanging in
folds on his sides.
Maohila, the price of redemption ; a palanquin.
Maohili, strength.
Machisu, jealousy ; envy.
Madandausi, grumbling.
Made, the squares made in weaving basket-work ; the
crossing of the threads in weaving.
Maele, expression of astonishment.
Mapumbula, a witch detective {Chinyasa),
Magadi, salt made from banana leaves.
Magajawisa, old clothes.
Maganigani, eggs.
Maganyiganyi, thoughts.
Magawagawa, a rodent ulcer.
Magawa, Jcu tenda magawa, to hem in.
Maguo, clegs that infest the marshes in the rainy
season about the month of January.
Magwandulule, tribal marks passing from the fore-
head in front of the ears and down over the
shotdders.
Magwengwe, periodic madness.
Maindo, a species of field-rat.
Mainoino, secretly. Kumkunula fnundu mainomo,
to kill a man in such a way that the murder will
not be foundjout.
Majanga, the young men who go out to war.
Majbbijebi, a small light red bead.
Majemba, a fashion of head-dress in which patches of
hair are shaved off.
Majemba, lines or stripes in cloth.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULABY 217
Majina, kutaga majina^ hutenda majina, to respect ; to
reverence ; to honour.
Majinia, lice eggs.
Majita, irrigated ground. Ima/nga ya majita, maize
com grown on irrigated ground.
M AJUGUJA, long white beads.
Makala, charcoal used in forging and smelting.
MakaTiALILO, the long wing feathers of a fowl.
Makalamuko, cleverness.
Makalanje, a large dark red bead.
Makalangulo, the sides of the throat.
Makambilo, the chewed bits of sugar-cane.
Makani, a dispute ; a disagreement.
Maeasa, a species of pumpkin.
, Makasi, scissors.
Makata, old worn-out bark cloth.
Makokoohesi, the rubbish that gathers on the side of
a stream washed up by the water.
Makokoto, the scrapings of a pot.
Ma£0L0WBLE, a sprout of ma^pemba which shoots up
after the stalk has been cut down.
Makombe, a species of spurious india-rubber.
Maeombo, scrapings.
Makuku, hu, gona malcuku, to lie on the belly.
Makunami, lyuwa Vya makuncum% the second day of
finishing up the women's wnyo/go,
Makupbte, a bundle of bamboos suspended in the
garden by a thread. On the thread being broken
by pigs or other animals prowling about, the
bamboos fall with a crash, thus scaring the
thieves away.
Maeuti, gun-wads.
Makutu, the vagiiia.
Makwati, the leaves of maize, or sorghum, or banana.
Maewelblo, a ladder.
Maewemba, the leaves of maize, or sorghum, or banana.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
218 YA0-ENGLI8H VOCABULARY
Makwinyato, wrinkles.
Mala, ku (-masilb), to finish. AchimasUe chi Yao, He
can speak Yao fluently.
Malaka, tattoo marks on the body.
Malangano, an agreement.
Kvleka mcdangano, to break an agreement.
Kvlcmga makmgcmoy to make an agreement.
Malango, understanding; cleverness.
Kumpanga malango, to make an agreement with
any person.
Malawi, to-morrow. Mwesi wa malavdy next
month.
Malekano, a meeting-place of two roads.
Malengolengo, a species of quince.
Malile, a boundary.
Malilima, sound of rushing water or of the wind.
Malilo, a motmiing. Kumcmgwetu kwoma mcdilo,
There is a mourning at our home. Malilo gagwUe
pa mtisi, A death occurred at the village.
Malilolilo, gum oozing from trees ; watering of the
eyes.
Malilwe, the completion.
Malimba, a calico; a small piece of c^co passing
between the legs and fastened by a narrow
waist-belt.
Malindi, treachery ; plots.
Malinga, like ; according to.
MaUnga ni, like to.
Malic, eatables.
Malipo, Malipilo, pay.
Mabisao, small shot.
Malo, a place ; room. Kwangali malo akuno, There
is no room here.
Malombo, tails of calico hanging down ; the comers
of a piece of cloth; strings of beads hanging
down from the head.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLI8H VOOABUIiARY 219
Malonda, things for sale. Mkwete Tnalonda chi ?
What have you got for salel
Malopa, the first pieqe tasted of an animal newly .
kiUed.
Malosa, giving information of a death to the chief
of the country, the message usually heing
accompanied by the present of a fowl; bad
news.
Malota, a long shirt reaching to the ankles.
Malukwi, a large kind of beads.
Maluli, accuracy of sight. TutesUe mwa malvliy We
have found it just as it was reported.
Maluma, a joint or splice.
Malumbo, kwmtenda mcdwmbo, to praise a man by
mentioning his name in a song.
Malundblundb, more than one seed in the husk, as
ground nuts.
Malundunguli, intestinal pains.
Malungo, knees.
Malungwi, heaps of anything.
Mamasa, large boils ; spotted leprosy.
Mamatila, ku, to stick to.
Mamboko, watering of the eyes ; matter oozing from
the eyes.
Mambula, beans boiled whole.
Mambwimbwi, bubbles on the surface of water.
Mamila, mucus in the nose.
Mandisa, taste; neatness.
Kutaga mandisa, to finish tastefully.
Mandindili, cramp ; " pins and needles.'' Yala yam>gu
kund&nda mandindUi, My fingers are cramped.
Mandunji, kuavmana rrvandimji, to meet face to face.
Manbmba, the spirits of the dead.
Mang'ana, so and so. Mam/g'amxib gala aga, There's so
and so coming.
Manganingani, considering ; doubting.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
220 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Mangawa, a debt, something lent to another.
Mang'omba, the short feathers of a fowl ; the hair of
animals.
Manguku, lying on one's belly.
Mangungu, husked maize boiled and eaten.
Mang'unung'unu, a heedless person.
Mangwbngwe, periodic madness.
Manulilo, prominent bones in the body.
Manumbinumbi, prominent bones in the body.
Manunu, madness; idiocy.
Manya, ku (-mantile), to know ; to recognize.
Manyilila, ku (^mcmyiUle), to know ; to understand.
Manyika, huy to be understood. \
Manyiaya^ huj to make to understaud.
Manyasi, grass.
Manyeeanyera, sparks that fly from the anvil;
cinders; slag.
Manyi, excrement.
Manyongolosi, round intestinal worms.
Manyunya, feathers of a fowl.
Manyunyuwa, sitting on/one's heels.
Mapalamba, tribal marks on the temples.
Mapalapatwa, scrapings of wood.
Mapalasi, stones in the bed of a stream.
Map ALE, fragments of a broken pot.
Mapali, a ladder. ■
Mapalilo, scrapings.
Mapapiko, Mapapilo, the wings of a fowl.
Mapebemapebe, hjoenda maperemapere, to pass right
through without stopping.
Mapemba, sorghum.
Mapepulilo, the chaff of sorghum.
Mapeto, a secret magambo,
Mapepetelo, the husks of grain.
Mapbtwa, bird traps.
Mapipi, a species of black ant.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 221
Mapipi, a small black bead.
Mapogolo, the meshes of a net.
Mapomboti, unripeness.
Mapotemapote, unevenness ; roughness.
Mapundi, a quarrelsome disposition.
Mapupu, lungs.
Mapusi, the chafE of sorghum.
Mapwblblo, perplexing troubles.
Mapweni, apite m/mapweni, he went past the side ; he
went out of the path.
Mapwetbohelo, tomatoes.
Masachilo, the feathers on the head of an arrow.
Masalb, a quivering or throbbing spot on the body ;
the pulse.
Masame, a deserted village.
Masangalanda, rejoicing ; joy.
Masanje, a game played by children, in which they
build mimic houses and act as grown-up people.
Ma SANG, a man's principal wives.
Masapi, coarse bran ; maize husks.
Masauu, an agreement.
Kutawa mascmU, to make an agreement.
Ku UtoAJoiUla TnasauUy to make up one's mind to a
certain course of action.
Masausyo, troubles; punishment.
Masawasa, the croton plant.
Masema, madness.
Masese, skipping, half walking half running.
Masbte, maize husks.
3IASEWE, rattles worn on the ankles in dancing.
Masije, the houses of a dead man. Jua masije, a
widow.
Masika, the end of the rainy season, when food is
plentiful; the harvest season.
Chaka cha masika^ a year of plenty.
Masikwbkwe, a thief finally caught.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
222 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Masilisili, stains.
Masimanichisyo, a meeting-place.
Masimanilo, a joint ; a splice ; a meeting-place.
Masimano, a joint ; a splice ; a meeting-place.
Masindamilo, meaning, explanation, completing any-
thing to one's satisfaction.
Masinilo, a meeting-place.
Masiyuohilb, eruptions.
Masoea, wa rnaaoka, mad people; akwete maaoka, he
is mad, he is ^'ofE his head.''
Masokolikoeo, the ohafE of rice.
Masongolomembb, the front teeth.
Masosoghe, the young men who go out to war.
Masulila, a chief's inferior wives.
Masungu, like; likeness.
Masuso, obstinacy; stubbornness.
Masutetute, mischievousness.
Maswaswa, mucus in the nostrils.
Masyonga, peristaltic motions in the bowels.
Mata, spittle.
Kuauna mata, to spit.
Mata, eu, to smear; to put on the first coating of
mud on the walls of a house.
Matika, hi, passive.
Mataeo, the buttocks.
Mataeope, nakedness. Jua matakotako pe, a naked
person.
Matambaliohilo, ku matambalichUo, the direction in
which the feet are turned in sleeping.
Matambwa, skins worn round the waist in dancing.
Matamilo, a suitable place to stay in. Nginingola
mataffnUo, This is no place to stay in.
Matana, leprosy.
Matapwata, rags ; worn-out calico.
Matapwata, patches hoed at intervals in the bush.
Mate, sense; wits.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 223
Matemba, a species of small fish.
Matemanya, long beads red or white.
Matbpa, small lumps of pig iron. ,
Matbte, native cloth woven in fine threads.
Matichita, secrets. /
Matimba, newly-pounded husks.
Matindili, a soft mash of pounded green maize.
Matolilo, unripe njamia beans.
Matomematome, stains.
Matope, mud; clay.
Matula, ku (-matwile), to peel off, as skin ofE a
blister, or plaster off a wall.
Matuka^ ku, to be peeled off.
Mauja, a return journey. TuPurrdoh m^mauja, We
shall see you on our return.
Maundi, an wnyago dance, in which the girls wear
head-dresses of plaited maize stalks.
Maundulb, grass trampled down, as where an animal
has lain.
Maungo, envy ; jealousy ; evil-speaking.
Maupaupapb, leanness.
Mauteutb, a marked spot, as where a fight has taken
place.
Mawagala, calico worn over the shoulders.
Maw ALA, spots.
Nguoja mawala mawcbla, spotted cloth.
Mawamba, scales of fish or sei'pents.
Mawambangoma, the diaphragm.
Mawawa, bitter weeds ; a drizzle of rain.
Mawengu, the facial expression which a child takes
on when beginning to cry.
Mawilo, taking one's revenge on a guiltless person.
Kv/mwilUila Tnundu mavnlo, to put out one's
spite on a third party who has done you no
wrong.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
224 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Mawingu, watery fluid vomited by a person who has
drunk the poisoned ordeal, the poison still being
retained on the stomachw
Mawuwuto, treading down corn or grass as cattle do.
Mbagwilo, traits of character, natural habits.
Mbakamieo, a narrow opening between two objects.
Mbakanyiko. See Mbakamiko.
Mbako. See above.
Mbalalb, a man who has not passed through the
unyago ceremony; a place where no people
dwell.
Mbalambala, a fowl which has laid eggs.
Mbalambanda, kuchde rnMLambbanda^ it h%s dawned
brightly.
Mbalapi, the sal)le antelope {Hippotragua Niger),
Mbalasi, kumtendela rn/wndu mhalasi, to do an injury
to an innocent person.
Mbalasilo, walking on one's toes.
Mbalati. See Luwalati. Mu mbalati, in the side.
Mbalaungo, a caterpillar.
Mbale, a plate.
Mbali, the side. Fa^mbcUi pa moto, near the fire.
Mbamba, small black ants.
Mbambu, in addition to. Mscmo mbambu siioili,
seven.
Mbamu, a small lump of ^l>g<di rolled between the
fingers ready for putting into the mouth.
Mbanaiiga, between the thighs.
Mbande, a large round white shell worn on the arm
as an ornament.
Mbando, a bit of anything broken ofE.
Mbanga, a space between two largo rocks; a cave.
Mbango, a wart hog.
Mbangwe, an old antelope bull.
Mbanje, a new garden.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAOBNGLISH VOCABULARY 226
Mbapani, dog ticks.
Mbapata, refusing to give a person his own ; covet-
ousness.
Mbasa, scales ; scurf ; dandrufE.
Mbatata, sweet potatoes.
Mbawala, the bushbuck (TragetapJma aylvaticus).
Mbawe, a manis.
Mbe, expressive of whiteness.
Nguojati mbe, white calico.
Mbeju, a seed ; a seedling.
Mbbko, a fire-stick (the one twirled by the hands).
Mbeba, a rhinoceros.
Mbebe, the seeds in the heart of a fruit.
Mbelb mjaewe. See Myele.
Mbblemba, a ohiselo basket with a finely finished rim.
Mbelemende, a species of bean.
Mbeletb, shining through.
Mbbndu, a polecat.
Mbenjb, a joker.
Mbbnya, the space left after a tooth has come out.
nMbepesi, ofEerings made to the spirits of the departed.
Mbepo, cold; wind.
Mbepulo, the chaff of sorghum.
Mbesi, the end. Fambesi, at the end. ^do mbesi,
That is all. j^do rrCmbesi mwahwey That's the
end of it.
Mbeto, heaps of cut millet.
Mbeu, a cockroach.
Mbiko, food laid aside after being cooked.
Mbilisi, indistinctness.
Mbilisi, fame.
Mbirichira, the turmeric plant.
Mbilo, the friend who performs the biu'ial rites.
Mbirimo, haste; diligence; obstinacy in following
.one's own will.
Mbibiwiri, a large drum.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
226 YAO-ENQLISH VOCABULARY
Mbimbinyongo, roughness, unevenness.
Mbindi, a joint.
Mbindingu, double-facedness ; backbiting.
Mbindombindo, windings.
Mbingu, the omens taken before a journey is com-
menced.
Mbinjika, kugona rnhinjika, to sleep with the feet to
the fire.
Mbio, pi. of Lupio.
Mbisi, a wooden plate.
Mbisu, maggots.
Mbisyambisya, one after the other.
Mbito, the new moon during the days on which she
is not visible.
Mbitu, small dark blue beads. ^
Mbitu, a snake with head at both ends.
Mbobo, a species of snake.
Mboea, a marsh grass whose root is dug up and used
as a scent.
Mboka, pride.
Mbolb, addled eggs.
Mbolelo, dark blue beads.
Mbolbmbole, gently ; steadily.
Mbomondo, a stick.
Mbonda, a calabash ; a round ball of tobacco.
-mbonb, good. MwridAijuamhonet a good man. ChmdM
chamhone, a good thing. Maiowe gaTnbone, good
words, i.e. true words as opposed to m^owe
gamancwniy lying words.
Mboneko, mhoTieko rmjoa rmvesi, the new moon.
Mboni, witness; testimony. Mboni aiioili, two
witnesses.
MbONJI, pi. of LUPONJI.
Mbonji, torn end of a piece of calico.
Mbonongwa, pounded cassava leaves eaten as^a relish.
Mbopo, a large knife used as a bill-hook.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
i
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 227
Mbota, threads.
Mbote, hire ; wages ; pay.
Mbotole, bee-br€«^.
Mbu, expressive of whiteness, or brightness, or pro-
minence. Nywmba ^syo angati sikuwoneka mhu ?
Are not those houses very plain ?
Mbu, freckles.
MBuaALiLO, the cross-bar that fastens the door in the
inside.
Mbugu, a hole in a tree ; the eye of a needle.
Mbuje (pi. AMBUJE, achambuje), master; grand-
father; grandmother.
Mbujo, the front.
Pa mbujOf in front.
Mbujuju, boiled maize.
Mbula, the nostrils.
Mbulb, a bead waistband.
Mbulili, shade.
Mbulilo, kwwika mhvUlo^ to give notice or warning.
Kumtagila mbulilo, to give him previous warning.
Mbulu, intestinal dropsy.
Mbulukwanda, a large species of lizard.
Mbulula, unstrung beads.
Mbululu, the cries of women expressive of joy.
Mbululu, a tadpole.
Mbulundwa, a lizard.
Mbulusi, a European.
Mbulutu, a species of red ant.
Mbulutu, the dawn of early morning. Kulmikucha
mhviutu^ it is beginning to dawn.
Mbumba (pi. achambumba), a woman.
Mbumu, breathing; gasping; asthma. Maaku ugvr
mhele mbumu, The sack is full of air.
Mbuna, a game pit.
Mbunda, a zebra.
Mbungo, the wind.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
228 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABY
Mbungulo, a key (Chinyasa, Fungvlo),
Mbunju, an eland.
Mbunumbu, a tuskless elephant.
Mbusa, pa mbvsa, a spare one. Wa pa mhuaa wawiUy
two spare ones.
Mbusi, a goat.
Mbuta, a small fish found in Shirwa.
Mbuto, a quarrelsome, ill-tempered person ; a meddle-
some person.
Mbutu, small bundles of grass which form the lower
row of a grass roof; the bundles of grass tied
to the lintels of a door.
Mbwa, a dog.
Mbwaju, Mbwaji, carelessness.
Kuimha mhvKiju, to put down carelessly.
Mbwani, the coast near Kilwa.
Mbwe ! scattered about.
Mbwela, plants grown of their own accord without
being planted.
Mbwepwa, an abortive fruit.
Mbwesb, unstrung beads.
Mbwi, expressive of jumping.
Mbwinya, sulkiness.
Mbyo (pi. of LUPYo), the kidneys.
Mbyu ! thin above and thick below.
Mbyu, a swelling-up of the stomach.
Mghagala, the stem of the cassava plant.
Mohanda, a youth.
McHANJO, a mound of earth or grass; a spur of
a hill running out from the 'main body of the
hill.
McHECHB, four.
Kacheche, four times.
MoHBNJE, a quiver made out of a calabash.
McHESB, an eunuch.
McHESBLA, disgrace ; shame.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABY 229
KuUtesya mchesela, to disgrace one's self. Ku-
mtendela mchesela^ to put another to shame.
McHiOA, a root.
McHiJi, the left. Kupopotola kwmchiji, to twist to
the left. Kvmchiji, to the left. Kuponecheaya
kumohiji, to throw with the left hand. Mkono
wa mchiji, the left hand.
McHiLA, the tail of an animal.
JtM michUa^ the head instructor of the boys*
unyago,
McHiNGA, a shepherd.
McHiLBU, lengthwise. Ku wika mchileu, Ku vdka
chamchilm, to lay lengthwise.
McHiRiNoo, a prosperous person.
McHiMBA, excrement.
Mghimbo, an old baboon.
McHiSBQAMBALi, kuwika mchiaegambaU^ to place on
the edge ; kulola mchisegamhaliy to look sideways.
McHisBNQWB, sideways.
MoHiUNO, the waist.
McHOCHOLBLO, a garden hoed in bits here and there.
MoHOKOTA, Ukonde h/a mchokwe, hoeing the first time.
MoHOKOTO, a bamboo used for digging in the ground.
McHOKWE, maize ready prepared for pounding.
McHOMA, a barrel of gunpowder ; a small drum
beaten while holding it against the breast.
McHULUSi, one who does a thing much or often.
Mdala, a gun-cover made of a skin.
Mdalanga, a kind of dance not in fashion now.
Mdangwe, the top and bottom cords of a net.
Mdbndenga, aioete mdendenga^ he is scantily clad.
Mdulanyanja, a wind which blows across a lake or
river.
Mdumba, a round-pointed arrow.
Mdumu, a china cup.
Mdusundusu, imanga ya mdusundusu^ unripe maize.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
230 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Mela, ku (-mesile), to grow (of plants).
Mela, a young sprout.
Mble, Melepe, on purpose. WaukasUe mgao mekpey
He broke the cup intentionally.
Melembnda, ku, to fall steadily (of rain) ; to glitter.
Membe, a house-fly.
Membna, ku, to gnaw.
Membsa, ku (-memesilb), to nibble.
Membsya, ku (-memesisye), to cry after the other sex.
MbNO, pi. of LINO.
Menya, ku (-mbnyilb), to beat.
Menycmay ku, to fight.
Menye, a cry used in setting dogs on game.
Menyeka, ku, to be stout of heart ; to follow up a
scent well (of a dog).
Menyula, ku (-menywile), to nibble.
Mesa, fragments left after a meal.
Mesa, ku (-mesile), to pluck (a fowl).
Mesi, water.
Meso, see Liso.
Pa meso, before.
M'meso kukla, openly ; before all people.
Mbsya, ku (-mbsisye), to brighten up after rain ; to
flash.
Meta, ku (-metile), to shave.
Metelela, ku, to shave round the edge of the hair.
Mbtbka, ku, to throw mud on anything.
Mgao, a cup.
Mgogoso, a lean person.
Mgoji (pi. MiGOJi), the fibre-bast of the bark of certain
trees used as rope, or twisted into twine. The
trees that furnish the best mgoji are Mjomho and
Chisumhuti,
Mgomba, a crossbeam.
Mgonblo, the evening meal.
Mqongo, the back ; the backbone.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YA0-BNGLI8H VOCABULABY
^231
Mgongondo, the sound of beating bark cloth.
Mguju, the sound of walking. »
Mgulugulu, near ; close to.
MgulAigulu moto, near the fire.
Mgukigukb lusuloy near the stream.
Mgwanda, calico worn reaching only to the knees.
Mi-, class prefix of substantives belonging to the
plural of the second class.
MiiNJOLi, a constant dripping rain.
MiKANGANiLA, EU, to gather in great numbers.
MiKULi. See Mkuu.
MiEUMBU, beans cooked and afterwards husked.
MiLA, KU (-misilb), to swallow.
Mikoa, ku, to be choked ; to drown.
MiRALA, beer that has' stood over-night.
MiLANYE, a species of banana.
MiLicmxA, KU (-milichitile), to hum.
MiLiMisiKA, KU (-milimisiohe), to bend the waist on
dancing.
MiLO, MiLU, expressive of disappearing under-water,
or of drowning.
MiMiNA, KU (-miminilb), to pour out into another
vessel.
MiNALA, KU (-minelb), to be satisfied (used in a derisive
meaning like our own " stuffed '*).
MiNANGUKA, KA, to over-eat one's self.
MiNANGULA, KU (-minangwile), to bend and break
across.
MiNiGASYA, KU (-minigbsye), to bring a matter to a
head; to finish a magambo by refusing to put it
off any longer.
MiNiKA, KU (-miniche), to hem.
Minichika, ku, passive.
MiNiNGA, KU (mininjilb), to beat a small driun at a
dance by holding it against the breast and beat-
ing it with both hands.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
252 ' YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABY
MiNiNGULA, KU, to Snap across.
Minmguha^ ku, to be snapped across.
MiNJOLi, tufts of hair here and there on the head.
MiNYA, KU, to squeeze ; to wring.
Ku minya ma/u?ele, to milk.
Minyika ku, passive.
Minyikomya ku, to check ; to overpower.
MisA, KU (-misile), to scatter.
Miscmga ku, to spend.
MiSAGO, ku misago, the direction in which the head is
turned in sleeping.
MiSANGA, dry sandy soil.
MiTALA, polygamy. Jtui mitcUa, one with more than
a single wife. Akcma mitcUa, he refuses to
marry more than one wife. See Mtala.
MiULB (pi. of mbulb), a waistband.
Mjalajala, a man who moves about from place to
place.
Mjalo, the web of thread in weaving.
Mjangu, my friend ; my companion.
Mjenu, your friend.
Mjahwe, his friend.
Mjetu, our friend.
Mjembele, a woman who has borne children.
Mjembo, an axe for hollowing out a drum of mortar.
Mjengwe, m^mj&ngwe on the bank ; on the shore.
Mjenjemeso, ku tola mjenjemeso, to look steadily.
Mjina, short hairs.
Mjina, a fresh growth of hair.
Mjinga, one who cannot express his ideas on any
matter; a stupid person.
Mjinga, rain at a distance.
Mjiri, nature; likeness.
Mjitila, irrigation.
Mkaju, the cashew-nut tree.
Mkakatuku, something hard and stiff.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULAEY 233
M'kali'mo, aweleckete m'kali'mo, to speak away from
the point ; to give a different version of a story.
Mkalo, a knife.
Meambako, a male.
Mhusija mkcvmhakoy a male goat.
Mkamwini, a man who comes with proposals of
marriage.
Mkano'anda, cutting all round the edge of the hair.
Mkang'wa, jua tnUccmg^wa^ a talkative person.
Mkapa, maize half grown.
Mkapwb, a small hrick-coloured bead.
Meati, inside. Wmkati mwakw^y in the inside of
it.
Mkoba, a bag woven of palm-leaf fibre.
Mkoka, game dragged through the bush leaving a
track.
Meoeaeoeape, leanness.
Mkoeomoeo, a greedy man.
Meolo, a female. Mbvsija rnkolo, a female goat.
Meolombisu, a stick used in carrying a load over the
shoulder.
Meolwa, an old female.
Meoma, the first green blade that appears above
ground.
Meombelo, the bamboo rim of a chiselo basket.
Meohelo, a mallet for hammering bark cloth.
Meondo, green maize.
Meonga, a bunch of bananas ; a corner of one's loin-
cloth hanging down.
Meongo, the lump made in tying one's calico round
one's waist.
Meong'ondo, slander.
Meono, the arm ; a cubit measured from the elbow-
joint to the tip of the middle finger.
Meopoea, pa mkopoka, the spot where the corpse is
laid down on the road to the grave.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
234 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Meoso, the stick used in pressing threads together in
weaving.
Meota, the sweet stalk of millet.
Meota, a grass shed.
Mkucha, two days after to-morrow.
Meuli, the high ground.
Ku mkvZiy up the stream ; on the high ground.
MikvM, the hunting ground. Ajile rn!mikv2i ja
ndembo, He has gone to hunt elephants.
Meuli, the distance between one place and another.
Meulugo, elder brother. MkbUugwcmgu, my elder
brother; akulizwenUf mkalugwerm, youi* elder
brother.
Meumba, a well-trodden path.
Meungulu, a disease of the eyes in which the eye-
lashes drop out.
Meunqusa, a species of cedar.
Meuni, a stink ; the scent of animals.
Meuo, rust. Uti jikamwUwe mkuo, The gun has
rusted.
Meupulilo, a switch for beating off the dew ; a fan
used in fanning the body.
Meuse, eu uja, to recover one's courage and return
to attack one's pursuers.
Meute, ugali that has lain over-night.
Meuti, when; as; for; concerning. Mkuti waiche
hvb vmisi, When he came to the village. Mkuti
a/vooAJoa ngengwamianya, As for these I do not
know them.
Meutu, a piece of calico about 64 yards in length.
Meuwa, copper.
Meuwi, an old person ; an old animal.'
Mewala, blunt-pointed wooden arrows used for
shooting birds; a beaten path made by game.
Mewalula, going on ahead. Ku weUch&ta mkwaltUa,
to go on speaking.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 236
Mkwandala, a leather belt worn round the waist to
which pouches for powder, bullets, etc., are
attached.
Mkweche, an old animal.
Mkwesa, the rim of grass or bamboo round the
bottom of an ngokwe store.
Mkwesu, the tamarind tree.
Mkwinyimbi, an old bull or leader of a herd ; a stout
old man.
Mkwita, an iron anklet.
Mkwiya, semsem.
Mlaka, a piece of india-rubber put on the skin of a
drum to make it sound.
Mlala, second day's beer.
Mlamba, a by-path.
MlambE; the baobab tree.
Mlamq, a brother-in-law.
Mlangali, red calico.
Mlanguka, a small light -blue, half - transparent
bead.
Mlapika, a wonderful thing ; chindu cha mlapika.
Mlasi, a bamboo.
Mlekano, white unbleached calico.
Mlela, a nurse.
Mlelembe, Fa mlelembe, the sky, the firmament.
Mlbndebe, oratory ; an orator.
Mliea, a watershed.
Mlili, small-pox.
Mlimba, a strip of calico worn by a child.
Mlimbo, a stick for shutting the door.
Mlingo, a measure.
Mliwi, a deep place in a stream or pool.
Mlonda, a watchman.
Mlongo, a relation ; a member of the same lukosyo
or tribal family.
Mlongola, a guide.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
236 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULA.RY
Mlooka, a bridegroom who takes the woman to his
home.
Mlowe, maize steeped for pounding.
Mluchu, a truss of calico.
M*LUGK)MB0, the edge or boundary.
Mlukosyo, a freeman.
Mlumika, a cupping apparatus.
Mlusu, beer after the first day's brewing.
M'malo, Ngondo jomuisile wandu m^malo^ The war
destroyed all the people completely.
M'malo, a small drum.
M'mbwela, great hunger.
M'misibi, a craftsman.
Mnaka, the crushed castor-oil seed with which they
smear the inside surface of the drum skin.
Mnanqu, an ornamental cup much prized by the
Machinga chiefs.
Mnasi, an acquaintance ; a neighbour.
M'ng'andu, the morning star.
Mngogo, a log of wood.
Mnqoli, a cocoa-nut tree.
Mnong*o, a nice taste.
Mnou, flesh.
Mnunji, a kind of Kaffir corn.
Mnyalo, shamefacedness.
Mnyanga, a tu^k.
Mnyanto, a slope ; an ascent.
'mo, for oTTio, in there.
MoGA, KU (-mobile), to shave.
Ku moga hipala, to shave the head bald.
MoMBA (pi. miyomba), a fish spear ; a long pole used
for frightening the fish into the nets.
MoMOLA, KU, to pluck out the hair.
Momokaj ku, to fall out (of the hair).
Mong'onyobla., ku, to be chipped.
MoNi, the common salutation in British Central Africa.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 237
It is derived from the EngKsh " good morning,"
and is manifestly the native attempt to reproduce
the sound of these two words.
MoNJE, a new pot.
MoNTOKA, Ku (monywbchb), to be chipped.
Monyola^ ku^ to chip.
Mopo, green fresh grass.
MosE, MOSBPB, everywhere.
Mose mkajende, although you may go.
MoTO, fire.
MoTOKA, KU, to be peeled off.
Motola, hi, to peel off.
Mpachempache, putting the blame on another.
Mpaqo, nature. Mpago wmo, all of one kind.
Mpaka, a long bundle of fish.
Mpaea, as far as; until. Mjendeje arn/vmomuno
mpaka ku musi, Go in this path as far as the
village. Watemi apalapala mpaka kuwwa Tnchi-
mwene, Watemi apalapala mpaka po wavnle
mchimwene, He stayed ii^ that place until the
chief died.
Mpaeanisi, the leg of game given to the man who
finds an animal caught in a trap, or the man
who fires the second shot at an animal in a
hunt. The dead game belongs by right to the
man who fires the shot which first wounds the
animal.
Mpalapala, what comes frequently.
Mpalapala, the roan antelope {Hippotragua leur
cophcBus).
Mpalb, ku uja, to recover one's courage and come
back on one's pursuers.
Mpalu, a hunter.
Mpama, a kind of creeper, with a root like a yam.
Mpamba wa meno, a barbed arrow.
Mpango, a belt of cloth.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
238 YA0-ENGLI8H VOCABULARY
Mpapa, a species of field-rat.
Mpata, a pass ; a road between two hills.
Mpatila, a small skin bag fastened round the waist.
Mpela, Mpelboa, like ; as ; as if.
Mpelo, a blunt-pointed wooden arrow for shooting
birds.
Mpendeka, shaving one side of the head.
Mpepe, a breeze.
Mpepela, a driving rain.
Mperewere, fourth day after to-morrow.
Mperebe, the float on a fishing-line.
Mpesi, maize stalks.
Mpichi, a cane.
Mpika, a pot.
Mpika, a border ; a boundary.
Mpiko, a pole used by two persons carrying a heavy
load.
Mpindo, a cloth worn between the legs and fastened
by a string tied round the waist.
Mpingo, the ebony tr/ee.
Mpingo, a party on a journey, going in a line.
Mpingu, an evil omen.
Mpingusi, an evil omen.
Mpini, the handle of a hoe or an axe.
Mpita, a track.
Mpolo, a foetus bom at an abortion.
Mpololo, tattoo marks on the forehead.
Mpomolo, maize newly husked.
Mponjblo, the yucca tree.
Mpoto, the north wind.
Ku mpoto, the north.
Mpukuso, a rod for stirring beans twirled in the
hands.
Mpuli, a castrated man or animal ; an eunuch.
Mpumbulu, a loin-cloth tied round the waist.
Mpunga, rice.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABY 239
Mpupulusi, famine.
Mputi, a counsellor at a magcvmho,
Mputo, anything used to beat with.
Mpwanga, my younger brother in the tribal family.
Mpwenu, your younger brother.
Mpwakwei his younger brother.
Mpwao, their younger brother.
MsAGALA, a branch torn off.
MsAEASA, the grass roof of a house.
MsAEULA, a hunter who hunts with dogs.
MsAEULO, firing many guns at one time.
MsAMiLO, a pillow.
MsANOA, a bundle of grain tied up in grass.
MsANGA, sand.
MsANGA, a long drum beaten at both ends.
MsANGU, desire ; lust ; a habit, or characteristic.
MsANO (pi. WAASANo), a head wife.
MsANO, five. Jtm macmo, the fifth. Makumi msa/no,
fifty.
MsAPALA, whiskers.
MsAPULO, a stem of maize or sorghum used in stirring
beer.
MsAsiMANGA, the croton oil plant.
MsATi, the central pole supporting the roof of a
house; the pole or frame-work on which the
calico is tied at the grave ; a flagstaff ; the mast
of a ship.
MsAUSYA, an annoying person.
MsBCHE, a grass basket ; a kind of dance.
MsECHE, speaking of a person in his absence.
MsEELA, the grass edging of a roof.
MsEBA, a line.
MsELB, boiled rice.
MsEMO, price of malonda ; a habit.
MsENGA, a pink-coloured bead.
MsBNGO, a horn. The charms used by the waaawi
Digitized by VjOOQIC
240 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
are said to be put into horns, hence the word
misengo is often used in the sense of witchcraft.
Msec, a broad hoed path.
MsESB, fornication.
MsESB, strips of meat cut up.
MsESELA, the slimy track left by a snake ; the track
of game dragged through the bush.
MsESO, a clump of trees, a forest.
MsEULA, a kind of bean.
MsBWA, a foolish person.
MsiCHiRi, the stump of a hoe.
MsiKA, a place where a crowd is accustomed to gather.
MsiKU, scrapings of bamboo.
MsiLiLA, covetousness.
MsiLO, black loamy soil.
MsiLiT, an object that causes fear, or disgust, or
nausea.
MsiMA, nynmba msima, a round house.
MsiMBi, the long feathers of the wing of a bird.
MsiNDO, the sound of heavy footsteps, or of women
pounding.
Ulaja msmdo, heavy rain.
MsiNDO, a large charge of gunpowder.
MsiNGA, a bark stripped off a tree and used as a
fowl-house or pigeon-house; a cannon.
MsiNGU, height ; size.
MsiNJiLi, a grudge against any one ; " the pet.*'
MsiPU, a fish-trap of bamboo basket-work with a
narrow mouth; mouth caHed ^shisera.
Msisi, the raised threshold of a door.
MsiWANi, cousin by the mother's side.
MsiYA, a stupid person. ^
MsoKOLO, husked grain prepared for steeping.
MsoKOTO, a stick used in digging holes.
MsoLOLA, a bottle weir.
Mbololo, a long hoed piece in a garden.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YA0-ENGLI8H VOCABULABY 241
MsoMAU, a nail ; a wooden pin.
MsoMBi, the Uttle strip of unhoed ground left between
two gardens; the spur of a hill; a back reach
of water in a stream; a deep gulf in a lake
shore; the angle at the meeting of two roads
or two streams.
MsoMELO, a ladle.
MsoMOKA, KU KOPOKA MSOMOKA, to come to the front
in anything.
MsoNDB, a species of grass.
MsoNOA, an arrow without barbs.
MsoNGOLO, a boy.
MsoNOGO, husbaiid, or wife. Msovhogwcmgu^ my hus-
band, or wife.
MsoNOGWB MWBSi, the evening star.
MsoNTO, smacking the lips in scorn.
MsoPELA, a ramrod.
MsoPBLO, the piece of cloth produced first in com-
mencing to purchase, and laid apart while the
bargaining is going on ; it is added to the price
paid when the bargain has been concluded.
MsoTi, a young fowl.
MsuKUNYA, a weasel.
MsuEWA, the part of a hoe that fits into the handle.
MsuLi, a red fez.
MsuLU, a ferret.
MsuLUSO, asking for more.
MsuNJE, flour mixed with water used as a drink or
poured out as an offering.
MsusA, kutama msuaa, to sit on one's heels.
Msusi, gravy.
MswAOHi, a tree whose very fibrous wood is used by
the natives to make a kind of tooth-brush.
MswAGA, maize stalks.
MswENBNE, perseverance ; persistence in anything.
MswESWE, cotton down prepared for spinning.
B
Digitized by VjOOQIC
242 YA0-ENGLI8H VOCABULARY
MSTENE (pi. AOHASYBNE, ASYBNE, ACHIMSYENe), the
owner. Msyene musi, the head of the village.
Msy&JM (Mmnhoy the chief of the countty.
MsYENE, himself ; he himself.
Mtajili, a rich man.
Mtala, a pot for carrying the water used to wash
the hands. Women are sometimes spoken of as
wa mitcUa, i.e. those who carry the washing-
pots.
Mtala WANDA, the tree frbm which hows are made.
Mtalya, a small hahoon which acts as guide.
Mtambo, a battle-field.
Mtambulo, remaining still in one place. Nginingola
mtambvlo, I have not far to go.
Mtanda, a basketful of ugalL
Mtanda, a hut in the bush where people accused of
witchcraft are kept in custody.
Mtanda, humtomila mtcmda, to come persistently
demanding payment due to one.
Mtandasya, a cassava flour ; glueyness.
Mtanga, a hobgoblin.
Mtang'anda, a long distance away. Ku BUmtyre
kwana mtang^anda^ It's a long way to Blantyre.
Mtapasya, leaves boiled and pounded.
Mtapo, a hank of thread.
Mtapo, iron ore.
Mtasi, nerves j blood-vessels ; tendons.
Mtau, persistence ; perseverance ; frequent recur-
rence.
Mtawanga, a mischievous person ; a person of evil
disposition.
Mtechetu, brittleness; friableness.
Mtboa, wrong ; useless. Mpamba upite pa mtega, The
arrow went wide of the mark.
Fa mtega, uselessly ; aimlessly.
Fa mtegatega pe, quite uselessly.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOOABULABY 243
Jua mtega — MbUaaUe jua mtega, You have called
the wrong person.
Mtbla, a tree ; medicine.
Mtela wakutema, healing medicine.
Mtelesi, chief instructress at the women's unyctgo.
Mtembe, a wooden image.
Mtembelo, a crate for carrying fowls. It is carried
by two people slung on a pole.
Mtbmbo, a corpse.
Mtemela, a previous arrangement which must first
be completed before anything else can be done.
Mtemela tukaiche ku Blantyre^ soni tukapelenganye"'
pakuja kwa KvutuThga^ Let us first go to Blantyre, .
and then pass on to Katunga's.
Mtendere, peace ; quiet.
Mtengo, price ; payment.
Mtengo, a custom ; a habit.
Mtepa, the end. Pamtepa, at the end.
Mtbpesi, a gathering at a funeral.
Mtesa, ground-nuts.
Mtetb, a large village.
Mtetb, a small bamboo box for carrying snufE or
powder.
Mtiko, a rod used in stirring ugaM,
Mtima, the heart. Mtima idi mJirhyasi^ The heart is
at rest. Mtima vli pasi, The heart is comforted.
Mtimatusya, gently.
Mtimbulilo, a drum-stick.
Mtina, a blunt-pointed arrow, used in shooting birds.
Mtindiso, a staff.
Mtindo, change.
Mtinga, kukola mtmga, to be with child.
Mtisa, a large black bead.
Mtiti, a shoot.
Mtojimanga, a kind of cotton shrub.
Mtojinyano, rivalry.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
244 YAO-BNGiiiSH VOCABUtiABY
Mtolanjb, a bamboo with a large-sized bore.
Utija mtolanje, a long-barrelled gun.
Mtolilo, the leaves of the potato plant.
Mtolo, a bundle of bamboos, sugar-cane, etc.
Mtomoni, the white sap of a tree.
Mtonga, an eunuch.
Mtoo, a species of wild plum.
Mtoto mtoto, often.
Mtula pa, resting-place where the body is put down
on the road to the grave.
Mtulo, a present brought by some one.
Mtuluko, the commencement of the rainy season.
Mtumba, a truss of calico.
Mtumba, a gourd cup without a handle.
Mtumbo, a close-fitting necklace.
Mtumwa, a servant ; a messenger.
Mtundajililo, a walking-stick ; a crutch.
Mtundula, a load of meat.
Mtundusi, a creeper.
Mtungwi, a covered basket.
Mtunjerbrb, a peaceful disposition.
Mtutu, a species of legumen whose pods are used as
a fish-poison.
Mtutu, a gun-barrel.
Mtuwa, a young bamboo.
Mtwe (pi. mitwe), the head.
Mtwbtwetwbpe, empty-handed.
Mu, in.
Mu'kweti, in the thick bush.
'mula, for amula, in there (of a remote distance).
MuLi MULi, shining.
MuLiKA, KU (-muliche), to lighten.
Ku mulika m'nyumba, to light up the house.
Ku mvliGhila mwitaUif to light up the path.
MuLUMUNYA KU (-mulumunyile), to suck with the
mouth things that cannot be chewed.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAOENQLTSH VOCABULARY 245
MuMUNYA KU (-mumunyilb), to twist the mouth from
side to side.
M'uMBo, the west wind, because it comes from Umbo,
the country of the Ambo,
MuNDU (pi. WANDu), a porson. Wandu, people.
Wcmdu wa/mhele, somebody gave it me.
Mdng'unya, ku (-mung'winye), to twist the mouth, as
one does in sucking anything, or in rinsing it
out. To twist the mouth at a person is con-
sidered an insult.
'muno, for a/muno^ in here.
MuNYU, mica.
Musi (pi. misi), a village. Msyene musi, the head-man
of the village.
Musi, the day-time ; noon. Tmimsimane musi ^unOy I
shall meet you to-day at midday. Ngutupaika
muai nambo chilo, We cannot reach by daylight,
but at night.
MusuNDi, a small grain, like semsem.
MuuNGU (pi. MiUNGu), a load.
Muwanji, a wealthy person.
MuYANYO, an ascent in a path.
MvuLE, a girdle of beads.
MvuNDB, old beer.
MwA, coming up suddenly into the open.
MwA KU (-mwilb), to whifE or puff.
MwA KU (-mwble), to drink, to be drunk. Amweh leloj
He is drunk to-day. Kumwa na/wo, to drink with
a person.
MwACHESO, last year.
Mwaohejusiy two years ago.
MwAFULi, an umbrella (Swahili).
MwALi (pi. WALi, ACHiWALi), a girl who has been at
the unyagOy but who has not born children ; a
girl who is attending the unyago,
MwAMJiNji, much ; often.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
246 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULABY
MwANAMBiLiJA, the clay bowl of a pipe.
MwANASi (pi. ANASi, ACHANASi), a neighbour.
MwANDA, a great number, too large to be counted. .
MwANJA, going away. Samhcmo mwcmja. Now I ajn
going away. Atenda mwanjay He is going off.
Mwanja'mwe, you there. Mwanja!wOy he there.
Miyanja!jUa^ they there.
MwAPULO, the fore limb of an animal.
MwASYA, KU (-mwasisye), to Scatter about.
Mwasika, ku, passive.
MwAYi, the poison ordeal.
'mwe, for v/mwe^ you. 'Mwemwe, you yourself.
MwELA, the south wind.
Xiomwela, the south.
MwELA, KU (-mwesile), to splash water.
MwELESYA KU, to be very drunk.
MwEMULA, in there (of a remote distance).
MwEMUNO, in there (of a near distance).
MwBNYA, master, lord, owner.
MwENYE, a Banian trader.
MwEREMO, in there (of middle distance).
MwESi, the moon.
Mwesi wa kcmganjengcmjepe, the new moon.
Mwesi wa malawiy next month.
Mwesi wa syeto, the month after next.
Mwesi u tmuwoneche, next month.
Mwesi wana woneha, next month.
MwESYA, KU, to make to drink. Ku mwesya mutxdu
mwai, to give a man the poisoned ordeal to drink.
MwETULiLA, KU (-mwbtulile), to smilo.
MwiLiLT, in the shade.
MwiMO, standing.
MwiNA, a pitfall.
Nyv/mhaja mwrna, a square house.
MwiNJiLO, a long white shirt (Swahili, kcm^,
MwiNo, a friend. Mwino jakwe, his friend.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TAO-ENGLIBH VOCABULARY 247
MwiPWA, a nephew — a aister's son.
MwipwenUy your nephew.
Mwisi, the pestle.
Mwisiy the other side. ,
MwisiCHANA, a girl who has not been to the unyago,
MwisTA, a hole made by a burrowing animal.
MwiWA (pi. miwa), a thorn.
Mta, expressive of quietness and stillness.
Myalala, ku (-myalblb), to be quiet.
Mydlaaya, ha, {-^mycUcmaye), to soothe.
Myasi, blood.
Mtvma tUi m^myaai, the heart is at peace.
Myata, eu (-myatilb), to be smooth-tongued; to
smooth down an angry man; to smooth the
surface of anything, as l^e porridge in the dish.
Myatika, ku (-myatiohe), to be soft ; to go gently
and softly so as to come on one unawares.
Mysle, MYELE-iiJAKWE, ono's f oUow ; generally
applied to the other wives of a husband. The
plural is aioela ajanioo,
Myo ! diving.
Myo ! MYO ! sucking.
Myu, expressive of completion. Irrumga imaaUe myu,
The maize is completely finished. The meaning
is still farther intensified by drawing the hand
over the lips.
Myuka, ku (-myuchile), to feel anxiety.
N.
N is pronounced .as in English. The changes pro-
duced by the combination of n with . other
consonants are fully explained in Part I.
Na, and its varieties of form Nb, Ni, No, Nu, and ;
with. As a conjunction it is employed to join
nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and demonstra-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
248 TAO-BNOLISH VOOABULABT
tives. Nipo is generally used to connect the
various parts of the verh. Contracted forms of
the personal and demonstrative pronouns are
, employed in comhination with the conjunction ;
as none for na une; nomwe for na wmwe; vMsyo
for na asyo ; nago for na ago.
As a preposition it has the sense of with, Wamao-
mile ni Tnkalo^ He stabbed him with a knife.
Sometimes the preposition is omitted ; as, AmJcur
mde moto, Burn him with fire.
Na, Naga, Nawa, Nawaga, if.
Na kwiha ngondo, Nawaga tijiiche ngondo, Naga
tijiiche ngondo^ Na tijiiche ngondo, U war come.
Naohambo, clay for maldng pots, or the clay pipe
used in the forge, white clay.
Nachiwamuno, Namuno, Natimuno, although ; even ;
either; or, not even. Ngonguaaka, ngwamnba^
nachiwamiuno Tnchimwene tinimka/nUe, I don't
want it ; no, I will refuse even the chief.
Nakagongolo, a species of mushroom.
Nakana, ku (-nakbnb), to be fat.
Nalcam.ya, hu^ to besmear with fat.
Nakasou, a species of mushroom.
Naeatalaea, red seed beads.
Kakoma, a small basket with a broad bamboo rim.
Nakunbnybna, a large caterpillar ; the queen of the
white ants.
Nakwb, Namkwe, Nimkwe, Numkwe, let me see it ;
give it me ; let me speak ; give me a chance.
Naligwandi, a very lean person.
Nalugumbo, a species of hornet.
Nalukata, a poorly-clad person.
Naluku^uti, a species of snake.
Nalukukuti, a small snake.
Nalumbapala, a nightjar.
Nalupisu, a large house-fly like a blue-bottle.
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YAO-ENGLIBH VOCABULARY 249
Nalwii, a chameleon.
Nalyelte, the small ant-eater.
Namandelengwa, a long-legged person.
Namanila, ku, to spread false reports.
Lvncmumila, hu, to tell lies about one's self.
Namasamba, a green-coloured snake.
Namasani, fasting (Swahili, Rambathomi),
Mweai wa Namaaani, the Ramadan month.
Nmrvaaani^ ku tmoa, to keep the Ramadan.
Nambalala, vxigonile nambakda, they slept each by
himself.
Nambamba, a species of blackbird.
Nambo, but. The word is used also to denote
preference or excellence. Ghs Mcmyenje akwete
uti jambone nambo ja Mtembwe, Manyenje has
got a good gun, but that of Mtembwe is far
better. The word in every instance expresses
great contrast.
Nambuliuli, a senseless person.
Nambuta, a short-legged fowl.
Nambwimbwi, the duodenum.
Namiyaka, this year.
Nwraiyakaljh Namiyaka! jmo^ this very year.
Namkopoka (pi. achinamkopoka), a boy who has just
passed through the unyago ceremony.
Namlembwe, a bullet of a conical form.
Namlukuwewe, a mysterious object, answering to oar
spectre, goblin, etc.
Namose, even although, perhaps.
Nampakunga, an overseer ; a manager ; a governor.
Nampapwala (pi. achinampapwala), a pouch for
holding ammunition.
Nampompo, a lizard.
Namsongolb, a kind of bearded grass like wild wheat.
Namsonjo, a long-legged person.
Namtindi, many ; much.
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250 YA0-BN6LI8H VOCABULAEY ^
Namtowb, a swallow.
Namtundila, a large species of cricket.
Namuno. See Naohiwamuno.
Nanambuka ku (-nanambwiche), to be sticky ; to be
elastic.
Nanda, ku, to be sticky.
-NANDi, small; few.
-nandmcmdi pe, only a very little.
Nandoli, a species of grasshopper.
Nandumbo, a man with a large stomach.
Nandupa, ku (-nandwipb), to be small ; to be few.
Chitimandupile, We have little of it.
N^anduya, ku {-^namdwiye), to make few ; to make
too few ; to give too few.
Nanoa, expression sometimes used in receiving any-
thing. Thanks is indicated by receiving the
article in both hands, at the same time saying
Ea ! rarely Ea I nanga I
Nang'amula, ku (-nang'amwilb), to laugh.
Nang'amula, ku, to joke.
Nangilomwinyo, a small species of sparrow.
Nangula, an anchor.
Nanguli, a whipping-top.
Nangulo, Nangulomuno, either ; or, although ;
even ; not even.
Nangumi, Namungumi, a large fish, the pcture of
which is drawn on the ground by the head
instructor of the unyago on the day of sending
the boys back to their homes.
Nangwindi, bark cloth that refuses to be stretched
after being beaten.
Nantamba, a panic.
Nanu, pa nanuy at dawn.
Nasika, ku (-nasighb), to show fierceness as a wild
beast does when disturbed while eating its prey.
Natama, a steadfast person.
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TAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 251
Natimuno. See Nachiwamuno.
Nawa, ku (-nawilb), to wash the hands.
Navnka^ Tm^ to have the hands washed.
Nawaga, if.
Nawanga, a man who files teeth.
NcHiLiLO, an iron used for boring holes on wood by
heating.
Ndaea, a swelling of the body and limbs that takes
place unless the widow bathe and wash herself
with a certain medicine after her husband's
death; dropsy.
Ndakanyo, tracks.
Ndakatulo, joking ; jeering.
Ndalama, money.
Ncdama ayasiswela^ silver.
Ndcdamxh aycbsickeju, gold.
Ndale, iron ore.
Ndambuka, ku, to run down, as plaster or whitewash,
off a wall.
Ndamo, nature, disposition; habit; custom. Jua
ndamo, a person who continues for a long time
in one place or in one habit or occupation.
Ndamuka, ku (-ndambwiohe), to be elastic and rebound
as a ball.
Ndamundamu, the back of a hill.
Ndandagasi, bad eyesight.
Ndandala, a koodoo (Strepsiceros kudu), Ku gona
ndandcda, to sleep in the open air, two and two,
with a fire burning between each pair.
Ndandanda..., in line. Wcmdu ajimi ndcmdanda,..,
The people stood in a line.
Ndanga, a mat woven of strips of wild date-palm
leaf.
Ndangula, a joker.
Ndangulu, high jumping.
Ndao, a house where a man accused of witchcraft
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262 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
is kept prisoner until the poisoned ordeal is
administered.
Ndataa, stillness of a bird flying as when seen from
a distance.
Ndawalawa, a ladder.
Ndawi, jbhe distance between two places.
Ndawi, a conundrum.
Ndb, expressive of fulness, or firmness. Ajigale lukor
Icda nde, Bring a basket quite full. Atavnle mgoji
nde, He tied the cord firmly.
Ndegolbgo, running a risk. Kusitcmda ndegolego,
to tempt Providence.
Ndela, the notch of the arrow,
Ndble, the green fungus that grows on the bank of
a stream just above the water-line.
Ndema, Ndema sya ndasi, the times of long ago.
Ndembe, a young cock.
Ndembo, an elephant ; a tusk of ivory.
Ndendela, whirling round and round.
KvJtemda ndendda, to whirl round and round.
Ndendelbje, all round. Wcendu watemi ndendeleje,
The people sat all round about.
Ndenga, the long feathers of a fowl.
Ndenguma, ku (-ndengwime), to be tossed about ; to
quiver ; to sway from side to side.
Ndenya, slight spoiling of anything, as if one takes
a chip out of a cup or a glass.
Ndenya, a flaw in iron.
Ndeo, a quarrel.
Ndepa, the stakes that keep a net in position.
Ndepete, wetness. UgcUi wa ndepete, wet ugalL
Matope aga gatesile ndepete, This clay is too wet.
Ndesi, a tumour.
Ndete, sparks.
Ndete, two bamboos used in carrying a load tied
firmly between them.
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YAO-BNGtiSri tOdAAULAAt 263
Ndetbmo, an alarm.
Ndbu, a beard. J^^deu ja imcmga, the male flower of
the maize plant.
Ndikatiea, crumbs falling on the ground.
Ndikwi, small drums beaten while holding them
against the breast.
Ndime, a hoed piece of ground.
Ndindindi, full to the brim.
Ndinu, a porcupine.
Ndiopb, indeed ! dear me !
Ndogolo, a water buck (Gobus ellipdprymimM),
Ndokonybla, a place difficult to reach.
Nbolola, a hole for an ear-ring.
Ndombchela, shooting game at a close distance.
Kdonde, a grasping, ambitious disposition.
Ndondo, sound of falling rain.
Ndongo, the testicles.
Ndonya, a lip of land as where two rivers meet.
Ndopb, a reed buck (Cermoapra a/rvmdinouiea),
Ndoto, a species of nut.
Ndotosi, fowl dung.
Kdu, expressive of absence, invisibility or quietness.
Wandu apite, nduf The people went away, and
we have not seen them again.
Ndukutila, ku seka nckiMuUa, to smile ; to laugh in
one's sleeve.
Nduli, a large piece of flesh cut out in a lump.
Ndulo, belching.
Ndqlu, the purr of a cat or the growl of a lion.
Ndulu, the gall bladder.
Nduluko, the source of a stream.
Ndumba, the corner of a house; the gourd containing
the articles of divination used in the chiscmgo,
Ndumba, a barbless arrow.
Ndumbuchila, a flood completely filling the banks of
the stream.
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254 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Ndumbuchisya, the flour that is added to the beer in
brewing.
Ndumbulisi, a flood in the river.
Ndumbwi, a fish-trap placed openly in a pool without
building a dam.
Ndumetume, a servant or attendant ; a messenger ; a
herald.
Nduna, Nduka, Ndwinya, ku mwUa ndunaj to take
revenge on an innocent person.
Ndunda, hisimana ndunda, to meet face to face.
Ndundi, the cicatrix left after a bum.
Ndundu, a bamboo pipe used in smoking bhang.
Ndundu, pi. of Katundu.
Ndunduli, expressive of piling articles one above
the other, or of standing still. Waiche ni ngcdaia
ndvmdyZiy He came with the baskets piled one
above the other. TtoagambUe kuti ndtmdtdi.
We simply stood still.
Ndundulika, ku (-nduitduliche), to be brought to
a standstill; to be at a loss what to do; to
reach one's farthest.
Ndundumala, ku, aside ; apart.
Ndungatunga, the flower of banana.
Ndungo, bamboo rafters of a house.
Kdungu, kundungu, the occiput.
Ndunji, litala lya ndunji, a road coming straight on
a thing. Mwa ndimji, accidentally.
Ndunji ni ku Zomha, close past Zomhe^ in the
neighbourhood of Zomba.
Ndunjika, young plants.
Nduta, a bank of sand or a platform of earth.
Ndutu, maize roasted so that the grain all bursts.
Ndutumba, the gizzard of a bird or fowl.
Nduu, expressive of height and prominence.
Litvmbi lycmatipe nckm, a lofty hill.
Ndwa ! face to face.
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YAO-BNQLtSH VOOABtJLABY 255
Ndwelo, pumpkin seed.
Ndwinya. See Nduna.
Ndta, expressive of neatness.
Ndtochelo, reason for setting off.
Nembo (pi. of LuLEMBo), the tribal marks.
Nemeka, ku, to make a show in false promises.
Nemela, ku (-nemelele), to look to some one to
take one's part.
Nenbchbya, ku, to balance.
Nenecheka, kuy to be balanced; to hold on by a
shred.
Nenemba, ku (-nenembilb), to balance anything.
Nenembela, ku, to be almost broken off.
Nbng'a, pa, in a prominent place.
Nenganenga, anything very constricted in the middle,
as a hornet, a very small needle.
Nbng'bna, ku, Nenyena, ku, to cut off the heads of
millet in reaping.
Nenyenula, ku, to tie a cloth tightly round the waist
in dancing ; to break across.
-NGA, the negative syllable in the Yao verb.
Nga, expressive of breaking.
Ngaanga, calico worn with one end tucked up so as to
give ease in walking.
Ngaohi, a species of euphorbia tree.
Ngala, a fresh-water crab.
Ngalanganduka (-ngalamgandwiche), to be startled
and set off quickly.
Ngalawango, a ferret.
Ngalawesa, finger-naila
Ngalekale, a bivalve mollusc found in fresh water,
whose shells are used as spoons.
Ngalilo, the notch of an arrow.
Ngalio % It is not he ?
Ngalu, a species of stork ; the crested crane.
Ngalwe, ill-nature ; bad temper.
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256 TAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Ngama, oxide of iron used a4S a dye.
Ngamba, cooked rice.
Ngamba, flour mixed with water and eaten raw.
Ngamo, a large-bladed spear.
Ng'amwita ku (-ng'amwitile), to be quarrelsome.
Ng'anamula ku (-ng'anamwile), to speak to a person aa
as to cause strife ; to be double-tongued.
Ng'anang'ana, unsteady of eyesight.
Nganga, beer after the first steeping.
Nganga, a guinea-fowl.
Ngangala, ripe bamboos.
Ngani, a saying ; a remark.
Ng' ANYANG' ANYA KU (-NG'aNYANG^ANYILB), tO look
round and round about one as a thief does when
about to steal.
^GASi, the upper millstone.
S^GATi. See Angati,
Ngavi, a paddle.
Ngo, expressive of being gathered together into a heap.
Indu Hi ngo, The things are in a heap.
Ngochesi, eddying of water in a stream.
Ngokwe, a grain storehouse, made of bamboo basket-
work and roofed with grass.
Ngolengolb, friendship, ** chumminess."
Ngolokolo, stone in the bladder.
Ngolokombo, a pole used to take down anything
from a height.
Ngolokombwa, small-sized maize ; maize gleanings.
Ngololo, hollow quills.
Ngolombb, two sticks beat together while the poisoned
ordeal is administered to a fowl or dog.
Ngolombwe, a male gemsbok.
Ngolongondi, kvlola ngolongondi, to look on the
ground.
Ngolopingo, a yoke for carrying a load over the
shoulder.
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TAO-ENGLISH VOOABULABT 257
NooMA, a drum.
Ngomaulo, food eaten while at work or on a journey.
Nqondi, looking down.
Ngondo, war. Ngondo jcUanjUe pa nrnsi, The village
was attacked. Ngondo! is a frequent exclama-
tion of wonder or surprise.
NooNGO, a staff ; a stick.
Ngonqole, anything hired from another person.
NooNGONDO, ku tola ngongondo, to look steadily.
Ngongongo, constantly talking.
Ngong'o, a tortoise.
Ngongwa, a white stone.
Ngonokono, a snail.
Ngosb, a hartebeest {Alcelaphua caama),
Nqotamilo, a lintel of a door ; stooping down.
Ngowo. See Nduna.
Ngueu, a fowl. Ngtiku ja mkolo, a hen ; tcmibalay a
cock.
Ngulembe, a gad-fly.
Ngulbngule, expressive of shaking or shivering.
Ngxjlo, ku ngiUOf the throat.
Ngulukutu, a mischievous person.
Ngulungo, a polishing stone used in smoothing
plates ; a pebble.
Ngumbwa, a mollusc found in the Lujenda lakes,
whose shell is burnt to make the lime chewed
with tobacco.
Nguna, ku (-ngwine), to stoop in passing under
anything.
Ngunyok^ ku, to cause to stoop.
Ngunda, a pigeon.
Nqunga, an eel.
NouNGA, deceit; fraud.
Nqunga, a plant whose root is used in smearing
baskets, so as to render them water-tight.
Ngungulukuku, mould.
9
L Digitized by Google
258 YAO-ENGLISH YOOABULABY
Ngungulupya, the ashes of burnt grass left on the
plain.
Ngungumila, ku, to shiver ; to be small of stature.
Ngungungu, littleness of stature.
Ngunguni, a bug.
Ngungusi, a species of marsh pig.
Ngung'usta, what remains over from one meal un-
cooked and is eaten at the next.
Ngungwa (pi. of Likungwa), the bark of a tree
stripped off entire and used in making canoes,
fowl pens, troughs, etc.
Nguo, calico ; cloth.
Ngupu, a track of a person or animal recognized by
the grass bein!g bent in one direction.
Nguta, a tendon.
Ngwala, a long feather stuck in the hair.
Ngwala, expressive of sitting in a prominent position.
Kajuni katemi ngwakby A bird sat where it was
ea^y seen.
Ngwalangwa, the Borassus palm.
Ngwalb, a species of bird resembling a partridge.
Ngwambala, plaited cord made of palm leaf.
Ngwambo, a small flat spoon for cleaning off perspira-
tion; a bent knife used for hollowing out a drum.
It has usually two handles, one at each end.
Ngwanda, hi sivncma ngwcmda^ to meet face to
face.
Ngwapa, the armpit.
Ngwasi, the fish eagle.
Ngwasuka, ku (-ngwaswichb), to have a piece torn out
of or off.
Ngwb, a kind of green parrot.
Ngwelete, clear through ; right through.
Ngwembule, a large hoe.
Ngwena, a crocodile.
Ngwenembb, cotton thread.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH V00A3ULABT 259
Ngwenembo, a large hoe or axe, or tool of any kind.
Ngwenya, ku (-ngwbnyile), to show the teeth.
Ngwesa, a species of cactus tree.
Ngwikwi, hiccough.
Ngwimbi, eyelashes.
Ngwinyata, wrinkles,
Ngwiya, ku (-ngwiye), to wash out the mouth with
water.
Ng' has the sound of rig in longing, singing. It is
written ng^ to distinguish it from the common
sound of ng, when the g passes on to the follow-
ing vowel as in 72^ of longer.
Ng'akala, ku, to he fierce and cruel.
Ng'ala, ulceration of the cornea.
Ng'ambila, ku, to swim.
Ng'ambula, ku, to parry.
Nq'anang'ana, ku; to look at (Chi Nyaaa),
Ng'anapuka, ku, to be startled.
Ng'anda, ku (-ng*andile), to play.
Ng'ando, play.
Ng'anima, ku, to flash.
Ng'aso, a furnace for smelting iron.
Ng'olong*ondokola, ku, to pick off the hardened sur-
face of anything, as the scurf of a healed wound.
Ng'ombe, cattle.
Ng'ombeja mkolo, a cow.
Ng^omheja mkambako, a bull.
Ng'ong'ondala, ku, to shrivel up ; to contract.
Ng'ulung'unda, ku, to scrape off what sticks to the
side of a pot or other vessel which has contained
food.
Ng'ung'una, ku (-ng'ung'wine), to clean out.
Ng'unq'usya, ku, to talk to one's self.
Ng'unula, ku (ng'unwile), to nibble off the end of
anything so as to leave a stump.
Ng'unulila, ku, to look from side to side.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
260 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Ng'wa, ku (-ng'wblb), to drink. Ang^ioele klo, He is
drunk to-day.
Ng^wecheaya, ku, to give to drink. See MwA, KU.
Ng'waga, ku (ng'wajile), to scratch.
Ng'wang'wasya, ku, to be quarrelsome ; to be ill-
tempered. ,
Ng'wbla, ku (-ng'wele), to splash water ; to be mis-
chievous and quarrelsome.
Ng'wbndambula, ku, to draw along the ground.
Ng'weng'wb, two cross branches* that make a screech-
ing sound by rubbing against each other.
Ng'weng'wesya, ku, to give a screeching sound, as
two cross branches ; to pull along the ground.
NgVenya, ku, to eat green maize, tearing it off the
cob with the teeth.
Ng'wesula, ku, to abrase the skin.
NgVinambuka, ku (-ngVinambwichb), to show fierce-
ness ; to come forward with a rush as when an
animal is disturbed while eating its prey.
Ning'a, ku, to be almost cut through.
Ning'ana, ku, to be almost cut through.
Ning'winichisya, ku, to stir round the grain in the
mortar with the pestle while pounding it ; to
relate plainly ; to cut off short without leaving.
Njalale, war and plunder.
Njalanjala, constantly moving about ; vagabondage.
Njama, a species of ground bean ; an iron bullet of a
rounded form.
Njanda, little children.
Njanjandala, ku, to be tough.
Njasi, lightning.
Njati, a buffalo.
Njawachawa, a kind of water-fowl.
Njawi, a bag of plaited palm leaf with a cover.
Njechere, a coney.
Njelelo, a bent chisel, used for hollowing out the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 261
inside of wooden articles ; an iron for stripping
green maize off the cob.
Njelengo, a joking talkative, person.
Njblbngo, insight or keenness ojF vision ; good under-
standing.
Njembele, a married woman who has borne children.
Njbmbo, a water-bucket.
Njbnjelbka, atesUe njenjeleka^ he has chosen the
worst one (out of many things offered to him).
Njbnjbnjbngwb, hugona njenjenjengwe^ to sleep bailly.
Njerbsa, kaolin.
Njbtb, salt.
Njbto, an arrow-head with two barbs; holding or
gripping fast. ^
Nji, expressive of silence.
Njijo, ku wika njijo, to forbid ; to put a prohibition
on anything.
Njilisi, a charm worn round the neck.
Njilu, mischievousness ; ill-will.
Njinga, the small reels used as distaffs. The word
is applied to a wheel from the analogy of its
rotatory motion.
Njinji, a ball of tobacco.
Njinjirichisya, ku (-njinjirichisyb), to meet a person
accidentally ; to " come across any one " ; to
strike a path in passing through the forest or
bush.
Njipi, lice ; sing. Lujipi.
Njo, expressive of prominence, erectness.
Litumbi lyati njo, a conspicuous hill.
Njojo, a distant hum of a crowd of people ; the rattle
of drums at a distance; the distant sound of
dancing.
Njombi, hair tied in long tufts as the Angoni do
theirs.
Njombwa, a kind of draughts.
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262 "YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Njominjo, kwenda njominjo, to hop on one foot.
Njonjola, ku (-njonjwele), to run (of birds).
Njota, thirst. Njota jingwete^ Njota jingamioUe, I am
thirsty.
Njunjunduka, ku, to stumble and hurt one's self
without abrading the skin; to be in a bod
humour.
Njusi, a serval.
Njuwa, a dove.
Nokola, ku (-nokwele), to knock off the head of
anything.
Nokosoka, ku (-nokoswechb), to snap across ; to fall
in torrents (of rain).
N^okosola, ku, to break across.
NoLA, KU (-nolele), to sharpen.
NoMBO, the fibres of bark cloth.
NoNANONA, expressive of climbing.
NoNBLA, KU (-nonele), to climb ; to talk at great
length.
NoNOCHEiTA, KU, to speak in loud tones ; to do any-
thing in a pronounced manner.
-NONONO, hard ; difficult. Masengo gamanoncmo, hard
work.
NoNOPA, KU (-nonwepe), to be hard ; to be tiifficult.
NoNOYA, KU (-nonwbye), to harden.
NoNYELA, KU (-nonyele), to like ; to love.
Nonyelana, ku, to love each other.
Ku nonyelobna ni mjetu, to love our friend.
NosYA, KU (-nosisye), to take heed.
NowA, a poor crop that is last reaped.
Nsisi, the raised threshold of the door.
Ntalya, a large sentinel baboon.
Ntapo, iron ore.
Ntolilo, the leaves of sweet potatoes.
Nu, expressive of silence. Wandu ali nu, The people
are silent.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TAO-BNQUSH VOOABULABT 263
NuKU I breaking across.
NuKULA, KU (-ndkwile), to break across.
NtjMKWE, Let me see it.
NuNA, KU (-nunilb), to cut a little of anything that
is too long.
NuNALA, KU, to protrude.
NuNDO, a strand of a rope.
NuNGA, KU (-nunjilb), to smell badly.
NuNGUNUNGU, a very hot time of the hot season.
NuNJiLA, KU, to smell sweetly.
NuNUKA, KU, to be very clever ; to be over-boiled ; to
be tasteless.
NuPUKA, KU (-nupwichb), to be old and easily broken ;
to be frail ; to break off in pieces.
NuPULA„ KU, to break or tear any old rotten sub-
stance; to pluck out the long feathers of a
fowl.
Nusu, a piece of calico less than the cubit.
Ny has a sound compounded of n and i, in which,
however, neither of the sounds can be separated.
It is represented by the Spanish ^, as in the
word compam,ion.'
Nya, KU (-nyblb), to fall (of rain). Tijinye lelo. There
will be rain to-day.
Nyakala, KU (-nyakele), to be bad (in the sense that
one does not like it).
Nyakanyaka, small rain falling.
Nyakapala, KU (-nyakapblb), to be wet (of the
ground).
Nyakula, KU (-nyakwilb), to raise.
Nyahukay ku^ to be raised.
Nyala, KU (-nyasilb), to wither.
Nyala, KU, to cut the leaves of wild date palm into
thin strips for weaving mats.
Nyalangunduka, KU (-nyalanqundwiche), to open;
to split open.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
264 TAO-ENGLISH VOCABUI^ABY
Nyalapa, ku (-nyalapilb), to be squeamish at any-
thing J to be dainty ; to feel disgust.
Nyalaya, ku (-nyaleye), to disgust.
Nyaluka, ku, to spring to one^s feet.
Nyalula, ku, to stir up one's anger.
NyahiJca, hi, to become angry.
Nyalula, ku, to tease cotton down.
Nyama, flesh ; animals used as food.
Nyamanguka, ku, to jump up.
Nyamba, ku, to be sticky.
Nyamhatila, hu^ to stick to.
NycmibatiUma, ku, to stick together.
Nyamula, ku, to raise.
Nycmiuka, ku, to be raised up.
Nyanduka, ku (-nyandwichb), to be startled ; to feel
sore at heart over anything ; to be ** pricked at
heart."
Nyang'anyika, ku (-nyang'anyiche), to be discon-
tented with one's place in the village and to fail
to find another. .
Nyanga, a vulture.
Nyangala, a wooden arrow.
Nyang'anya, ku, to be bitter.
Nyangata, a spider.
Nyango, roots and nmners of creeping plants.
Nyanya, ku, to be itching.
Nyanyama, ku, to project ; to be elevated ; to be sour
(of beer). Perepo panyanyeme, There is an
elevation there.
Nyanyamilila, ku, to reach up to something on a
height.
Nyanyata, ku (-nyanyatilb), to be indifferent to any-
thing ; to be careless.
Nyanyi, walking slowly.
Nyanyika, ku, to raise the voice j to place anything
on a high place.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 265
Nyanyula, ku, to stir up one's aoger.
Nyanyukay hniy to become angry.
Nyasa, a large river; a lake. The Shire is called
Nycbsaja mpomgo, the Belt river.
Nyata, ku (-nybtb), to be sticky.
Nyela, ku (-nyelb), to eat to excess.
Nyblenyenduka mtima, ku, to be sore at heart.
Nyelenybndula, ku, to melt.
Nyelenyendvjsya, hiy to melt.
Nyelbnyesya, ku (-nyelbnybsisyb), to tickle.
Nyelwa, ku (-nyelwilb), to be soft and wet with
heavy rain.
Nyema, ku (-nybmilb), to cut or pick off a little bit
of anything, as a piece of bread or a lump of
porridge.
Nyemba, a trap formed of a falling log of wood in
which a pointed weapon is fixed.
Nybmya, ku (-nybmisyb), to bring a person into a good
mood.
Nyenga, ku (nybnjilb), to cheat.
Nybnjbebra, ku, to be too clever for one.
Nybnya, ku, to pare and then cut into small pieces ;
to tear up into shreds.
Nybnybka, ku, to be smashed up as the fruit at the
bottom of a basket ; to melt.
Nyenybla, ku (nybnyelb), to run away (of a slave
from his master).
Nyenyblela, the fringe on birds' necks ; tufts of hair
on a goat's neck.
Nyenyesya, a centipede.
Nyepetala, ku (-nybpbtbla), to be soft.
Nybsa, ku, to split up ; to tear into strips.
Nyesya^ Aw, to beat. A woman says, kunyesya ; a
man says, hukunvla,
Nybsima, ku (-nybsimb), to glitter.
Nybsinybsi ..., expressive of glittering.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
266 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Nyetula, ku (nybtwilb), to twinkle ; to flash about
as the fireflies do } to vibrate, as objects seem to
do when the air becomes very much heated.
Nyichisya, ku (-nyichisyb), to lay anything upon
the top of another.
Nyiea ! pressing on.
Nyikanyika, ku (-nyikanyichb), to shake about.
Nyikata, ku (-nyikete), to compress ; to crush down.
Nyikula, ku (nyikwilb), to lift up ; to raise up one
side.
Nyihukaj kuy passive.
Nyililika, ku (-nyililiche), to be arranged in rows.
Nyinamilo, the lintel of a door.
Nyinda, ku, to reprove.
Nying'ulila, ku, to nod the head in assent.
Nyinya, ku (-nyinyilb), to deny ; to forbid.
Nyinyilika, ku, to grumble; to be displeased, to
take offence at anything.
Nyinyisika, ku (-nyinyisiche), to hum a song or
tune.
Nyinyita, ku, to talk to one's self ; to mutter.
Nyinyitika, ku, to speak indistinctly, as people at
some distance.
Nyisya, ku, to try the weight of a load.
Nyochola, ku, to pluck up.
Nyodogola, ku (-nyodogwrle), to be conceited and
despise others.
Nyodola, ku (-nyodwelb), to despise; to express
disgust.
Nyokotola, ku (-nyokotwelb), to snatch away one
thing out of a large number; to dig a small
hole in the ground.
Nyolenyole, gently.
Nyolola, ku (-nyolwele), to be stunted; to be
choked with weeds.
Nyoloaya, hi, to choke.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAOBNGLISH VOCABULARY 267
Nyolola, ku, to be sticky ; to be elastic ; to be
adhesive.
Nyonga, ku (-nyonjile), to gnaw of hungw ; to twist
or be twisted ; to wring out.
Nyongo, gall ; a very bitter kind of salt.
Nyongolela, ku, to mix up the grain in the mortar,
that it may all get pounded; to clean one*s
mouth with one's tongue.
Nyongohchesya^ ku, to tie one's calico firmly, passing
it between the legs.
Nyongonyeka, ku (-nyongonyechb), to be utterly
tired out.
Nyonjenyonjb, the gnawing of hunger.
Nyonyola, ku (-nyonywelb), to pluck out (as hair or
feathers).
Nyonyoha, hu, passive.
Nyonyoloka, ku (-nyonyolokwbchb), to break into
pieces; to come to bits.
Nyonyomala, ku (-nyonyomelb), to bend down by
bending the knees and sitting on the heels.
Nyonyomwa, ku (-nyonywemwb), to get startled and
run away, as on hearing of danger.
Nyonyondala, ku (nyonyondble), to shrink.
Nyopola, ku, to break easily. .
Nyopoka, ku, to be easily broken because not strong.
Nyosola, ku (-nyoswble), to treat with contempt.
Nyosomala, ku (-nyosomele), to stoop down by bend-
ing the knees and sitting on the heels.
Nyosya, ku (-nyosisyb), to be disobedient and refuse
to listen.
Nyoto, expressive of cloudiness ; dimness ; mistiness.
Kwiunde lelo nyoto. The sky is overcast to-day.
Nyowa, ku (-nyowewb), to be wet.
Nyoweaya^ ku, to wet.
Nyoya, ku {-nyoyiye), to make wet. •
Nyoweka, ku (-nyowbche), to bend to one side.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
268 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Nyoya, ku (-nyoyiye), to bend down the branches of
a tree. See Nyowa, ku.
Nyuchi, bees.
Nyukula, ku, to raise the eyebrows ; to vomit ; to
retch.
Nyulunyunda, ku, to fall in a light shower (of
rain).
Nyulunyusya, ku (-nyulunysisye), to sprinkle.
Nyumba, a house.
Nywmha msima, a round house.
Nyumbu, a fibrous root with the taste and flavour of
potatoes.
Nyundo, a hammer.
Nyundu, a hump on the back of an animal.
Nyung'unta, ku (-nyung'winye), to be sour.
Nyungwa, an elephant without tusks.
Nyunya, ku, to sprinkle a little flour on the surface
of water or in the pot that it may boil all the
more speedily.
Nyutuka, ku, to jerk.
P has the sound of the English p. It never has an
aspirated or explosive sound such as it frequently
has in Swahili, Makuwa, and Mang'anja.
After n, p always becomes b. P in Yao is made to
represent an / in a foreign language.
Pa, at.
'pa for apa, there (of near distance).
Pa prefixed to the infinitive forms the participial
tense.
Pa, and its varieties of form, Pe, Pij Fo, P% when.
-PA-, prefixed to the stem of the verb to denote ability
or possibility. Ngengupaichila, I am not able to
reach up to. NgupaMmay I can hoe. Tiipako-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 269
mhoUche, It is possible. Ng&ipdkomboleka, It is
not possible.
Pa ohaka, next year.
Pa chanya, on the top ; the summit.
Pachanya pa, above ; on the top of.
Pa CHiiLU, on the body. Ali pa chiilu, S
child.
Pa ohilieati, in the middle.
Pa chisyepela, apart ; aside.
Pa ,^ika, alone. Sometimes contracted into
Pa mbali, at the side ; near.
Pa mbesi, at the end.
Pa mtima, the chest ; the cardiac region.
Pa nganya, the village meeting-place, nsi
the chief's hut, or under a tree in the
a village.
Pa, ku (-pble), to give to. Amhele nrikcdo
me a knife. Mkasipe whusi chvracmga
goats maize. The objective form of th
pronoun is always prefixed to the verb
Pacha, ku (-pachile), to refer a matter tc
to put the responsibility on another.
Pachika, ku (-pachichb), to put on a h
hang up.
Pachila, ku, to fasten a door on the inside
a gun ; to plaster or smear with.
Pachisya, ku, to place alternately.
Pachisya, ku, to allow one to taste. See I
Pachuka, ku (-pachwichb), to break off f
companions.
Pachula, ku, to pull apart ; to split up.
Pachula, ku (-pachwilb), to separate t^
fighting.
Pag ALA, KU (-pagele), to tie bamboos on tl
walls of a house preparatory to ths
filling in the walls with grass.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
270 TAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Pagwa, ku (-pagwile), to be bom; to be present.
Nganfiapagwaf He is not here. Pcmgapagwa petala
perepOy There is no path there.
Paka, ku (-paohilb), to smear ; to paint.
PaJcala, ku, to smear one's self with oil.
Fakasya, ku, to smear another with oil.
Paeama, ku (-paeeme), to be stuck fast, as in the
branches of a tree; to be confined to one spot,
as from ill health. Ana vli mkivisa akunokrmo
hauovri kouwiri kuhnjuga, ana nde kupakama ?
How is it that you come here so often to beg %
am I stuck up here [merely to be begged from] 1
Paeamika, eu, to put aside on a raised place; to
set apart a woman whom one will afterwards
marry.
Paeamula, eu, to fall down from a height.
Fakammkfula, ku, to take down from a height.
Paeamwa, the mouth.
Paeana, eu, to threaten.
Paeanila, eu (-paeanile), to find the game in a trap,
or to fire the second shot at an animal and wound
it the second time. Such an one gets a limb of
the dead animal as his perquisite.
Paeasa, eu (-paeasile), to plait ; to plait the strips
of date-palm leaf used in making mats.
Paeata, eu (-paeete), to carry a child in the arms.
Paeati, in the middle ; in the centre.
Pakati chilo, midnight.
Pakatiea, ku, to shed leaves, to trickle down ; to
fall down one by one.
Paeombola, eu, to be able; to be able for. See
KoMBOLA, KU. Ahupakombola chiNgeresi aambanoy
He can speak English now.
Paeueawa mnope, long afterwards.
Paeula, eu, to take the cooked ugali out of the pot
and place it in the baskets or plates — this is
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 271
done with the chikoi (ladle); to pick out and
set aside a person out of a number.
Pakuti, PakutI *po, since ; because ; seeing that.
Pakuwa, becausa Pahuwa mchimwene ngahdima.
Being a chief, he does not hoe.
lAgongo pahMjoa, because ; on account of being.
Pakwe pakwe, in different places.
Pala, ku (-pasilb), to scrape ; to take fire from the
hearth; to follow the female sex; to go to
converse.
Palagula, ku, to carry off anything without the
owner's leave.
Palakula, ku (-palakwile), to take off a patch of
wood; to remove a piece of the bark of a
tree.
Palalila, ku, to harrow ; to roughen the surface of
grinding stones by grinding sand with them ;
to give warning.
Palamandukula, ku, to cut a chip out of a tree ; to
cut in two places and remove the part between.
Palamula, ku (-palamwile), to give rise to a ma-
gambo ; to give offence.
Palanda ! with eyes wide open.
Palangwisa, ku (-palangwisile), to scrape, as a fowl
does.
Palapata, ku, to scrape off the surface.
PdlapcU/ula, hi, to scrape.
Palasa, ku (-palasilb), to paddle a canoe ; to beckon
with the hand ; to scrape the ground with the
feet in expressing thanks, as the Chikunda
tribes do.
Palasila, 35 lbs. weight (Swahili,/ro«iZ^).
Palasya, ku (-palesye), to shell peas or beans.
Palatula, ku, to slash a string or cord.
Falutukat ku, passive.
Palawandula, ku, to take a chip out of a tree.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
272 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Palila, ku, to plant before the rainfalls ; to hoe the
weeds in the garden.
Palula, ku (palwile), to split up.
PcdvJca, huy passive.
Palula-mbso, eu, to look fiercely at a person.
Palusya, ku, to deflect the course of a stream or alter
the line of a road. ^
Pamakda; ku, to tie grass on the walls of a house.
Pamanyiohb, openly ; plainly.
Pamba, ku, to dip the handful {mhcmm) of ugcdi in
the sauce or relish (mboga) ; to light a lamp or
torch.
Pambai 1 walking unsteadily as a child does.
Pambalila, ku (-pambalilb), to get accustomed to do
anything.
Pambanula, ku, to enlarge an opening by stretching
or otherwise.
Pambcmibkula, ku, to enlarge an opening.
Pambighila, ku, to add to the price. Mtwpcmbichile
pancmdi, Give us a little more. Ambambichile
hcbguOf cttati, Give me in addition a little cloth,
father.
Pambukula, ku, to remove a part from the top.
Pambula, ku, to be in addition to (used in numera-
tion). Macmo hupamhida chimo, six.
Pambwawale, flat-sidedness.
Pamo, Pampepe, together in one place ; all at once.
Pamtulo, the place where the corpse is put down on
the way to the grave.
Pamula, ku, Pamulila, ku, to throw a lump of clay
or any other moist substance on the ground.
PA^fDA, KU, to plant.
Fcmdichila, ku, to transplant.
Pa/ndika, A^, to be planted.
Pandamula, ku (-pandamwilb), to slap with the hand.
Pandu, a place (Steere) ?
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY ' 273
Pandula, ku (-pandwilb), to take a chip out of any-
thing.
Pane, sometime^ ; at some place.
Pane ni pane, here and there.
Panga, ku (-panjilb), to fix: a day.
Ku panjUa lyuwa^ to fix the day.
Famjila, ku, to extract the india-rubber; to remove
a little of the bark of a tree to see if the bark is
good.
Pangakawa mnopb, soon afterwards.
Pangali, there's none, he's not there.
Panganya, ku, to make.
Panga/nyika, ku, to be made.
Pcmgam^chiaya, ku, to prepare to make for ; to make
ready for.
Pangula, ku, to cut out a doorway in the wall of a
house; to enlarge the mouth of a calabash; to
add more water in brewing ; to open up a road ;
to gut game.
Panjipa, perhaps.
Panulila, ku, to hoe away the grass on the side of a
path ; to give a false account of anything. •
Panya, ku, to notch.
Panyuma, behind ; afterwards. Panyvmia penu*pala^
After you went away.
Papajila, trying to do a thing.
Papalala, ku (-papalblb), to flutter wings as a bird
does.
Papaluka, ku (-papalwiche), to be ill-conditioned, to
be lean.
Papamba, ku, to be excited and in a hurry.
Papasya, ku (-papasisyb), to grope in the dark ; to
feel all over.
Papila, ku (-papilb), to drink ofE the whole of what
is in a vessel.
Papula, ku, to tear ; to burst.
T
Digitized by VjOOQIC
274 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Papuka, huj to be torn ; to burst.
Pasa, eu, to clean the grass used in thatching.
Pasa, outside.
Paaa pa, outside of. Ali pasa pa nyumba, He is
outside the house.
Pasi, on the ground ; down.
Fasi pa, beneath. Pasi petumbi, at the foot of the
hiU.
Pasya, ku (-pasisye), to taste.
Pachiaya, ku, to give another to taste.
Pasyunguliche, difficult ; puzzling. Perepo paayvr
ngidiche, That is a difficult matter.
Pata, ku, to insult one's elders; to rub down; to
pick up something so as not to return empty-
handed.
Pati 'ii, in this way.
Pati sai, in this way, in that way.
Pati 'yoyo, in that way.
Patika, ku (-patiohe), to come upon a path ; to get
rubbed off ; to mend a rent by a patch.
Patikana, ku, to meet together (as two people on
the same road, or two roads that run into one).
Lipatika, ku, to join one's self to a company.
Patipo, since; because.
Patukula, ku, to cut in two places and remove the
pieces between ; to take off a patch that has been
put on.
Patula, ku (-patwile), to knock down from a height ;
to chip off.
Patuka, ku, to tumble down from a height ; to be
chipped off.
Patulapatula, ku, to chip off in different places ; to
remove patches of hair.
Paujo, in front ; before.
Paujopa pcbkwe, before him.
Pcmjo ^po, in front there.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YA0-ENGLI8H VOCABULARY 275
Pausyo, the forehead.
Pe, when.
Pb, expressive of completion. Nguo jimasUe pe, The
calico is quite finished.
Pb, only. Twakungulukaga pe, We were only con-
versing. Najigeh mongu pe, I have brought only
pumpkins.
Pechbsya, ku (-pechesye), to accompany.
Pee, still ; silently. Atemipee, He sat still.
Pbka, ku (-pechile), to drill or bore, as they do in
getting fire native fashion by twirling one stick
on another with a boring motion.
Pbla, ku (-pesilb), to suppose ; to be like ; to be
tired.
Peleganya, ku, to distribute; to send messages all
round.
Pebegula, ku (peregwile), to bore the upper lip and
stretch it for the reception of the lip-ring; to
enlarge the mouth of a cup.
Pelela, ku (pelele), to refuse to return what has
been given to one; to come to a stop. McUile
gahupelela amo. The boundary stops here.
Pblembela, ku (-pelembele), to be insufficient; to
fall short (of one of two things brought into
comparison).
Pelenganya, ku (-pelengenye), to pass on ; to pass
right through.
Pblenyendula, ku (-pelenyendwile), to bore through.
Pelepeta, ku, to be too large, as a ring or string of
beads meant to fit closely ; to be faint-hearted ;
to be irresolute.
Pbrepo, there (of near or middle relations).
Peleta, ku (-pelete), to pass through ; to penetrate.
Pembeka, ku, to soothe ; to appease.
Pemheaya, ku, to soothe ; to appease.
Pembendu, scantily clad.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
276 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Pbmbeneka, ku, to open up slightly.
Pbmbenula, ku (-pembenwile), to open up a little way.
Pemhenukulay ku, to open up a little way.
Pemhewakukaf ku, to be opened up a little way (as
buds at commencement of opening, or as eyes of
an animal when they first begin to see).
Pemelela (-peme'lelb), to sniff, to snort.
Pemendela, ku (-pemendele), ku pemendela mtela, to
apply medicine to a part of the body by chewing
it and sprinkling it over the part.
Penani, on the top. Penani petunM, the summit of
the hilL
Penda, ku, to try the omens before starting on a
journey.
Ku penda umi, to escape from danger.
Pendama, ku, to slant to one side.
Lyuwa lipevdeme, ttoende, kusioele sambano, The sun
has slanted considerably, come, it will be dark
presently.
Pbndbka, ku, to turn over to one side.
Pendechela, ku, to turn the ear to one so as to hear.
Penupenupb, alone by yourself.
Penyula, ku (-penywile), to open up the eyes as one
does who is trying to keep awake.
Pepa, ku, to sink towards setting (of the, sun).
Pbpala, there ; in that place.
Pepano, here ; in this place.
Pepasigelb. See Kukusigblb.
Pbpela, ku, to blow with the mouth.
Ku pepela moto, to blow the fire.
Pbpelbla, ku (rPEPELELE), to burn a hole in wood with
a hot iron.
Pepbluka, ku, to stumble from side to side, as a
drunken man does.
Pbpbte, nibbling.
Pbpula, ku (-pbpwile), to winnow in the basket.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 277
Pesa, ku (pesil?), to make a gap.
Pese ! sound of falling splash into the water.
Pesigwa, ku (-pesigwile), to be perplexed.
Pesya, ku, to follow up to the end. Tupesisye pahn-
lima, kwe tvleche, We have reached the limit of
our hoeing, let us stop.
Pesya, ku (-pesisye), to offer sacrifice.
Peta, expressive of a breeze blowing, or a puff of
wind.
Peta, ku, to sift the grain from the husk ; to mark
figures with flour on the bark cloth of the
unyago; to weave patterns on a mat of date-
palm leaf.
Petapeta ! waving in the air.
Pete, expressive of completion.
Petele, Wandu ali 'pomgomya petele, A crowd of
people have come to the ngcmya,
Pbtenga, ku, to look all over. Awcda aJcupoka lelo,
ahdipetengapetengaj He is proud to-day ; he goes
on looking at himself all over.
Petula, ku (-petwile), to bend with the wind, to cut
a way through the bush.
-PI, which? what] Mundu juapi. Which mani
Nywmhajapi? Which house?
Pi, black.
Pichikulana, ku (-pichikulene), to wrestle with one ;
to argue.
PiCHiRA, KU, to twine beads round the cord to form
a necklace; to pass one's cloth between one's
legs in wearing.
PiOHiRA KANUNDU, KU, to roll a cigarette.
PiCHiLiKA, KU (pichilichb), to interlace; to intertwine,
as weaving or plaiting strips of bamboo.
PiCHiRiRA, KU, to tie the head of the arrow to prevent
it from splitting.
PiCHisiKA, KU, to move from place to place.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
278 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
PiGANYA, KU, to be industrious ; to do work well.
PiKA, KU, to twist a thread of beads round a cord so
as to form a necklace. See Pichira., jku.
PiKA, KU (-pichile), to Carry a load slung on a pole
between two persons.
PiKiNiCHiSYA, KU, to push through.
Lipichdnichisya, ku, to force one's way through.
PiKU ! falling over, overturning.
PiKULA, KU (-pikwile), to ovortum.
Pikuka, ku, passive.
Fihisya, ku, to turn upside down.
PiLA, KU (pilile), to wink.
PiLA, KU (-pilile), to desiro strongly.
. PiLiKANA, KU, PiKANA, KU (pilikene), to hear ; to
feel ; to understand. Ana mkupilikcma, Do you
hear? Ana mkumMkana, Do you hear mel
Napikeae chiilu, I felt my body, i. e. I felt pains
all over my body. Napa^sye mikali napikene
kulyolyopela, I tasted the sugar and found it
was sweet.
PUikcmUa, ku, to listen to.
PUikanichisya, k/a, to hear well ; to give good heed
to ; to obey ; to believe.
PiLiLA, ku, to be black.
PilUisya, ku, to blacken.
PiLiMA, KU (pilimile), to go right off; to go far away.
PiLiMiNDA, KU, to roll about ; to wriggle about.
PiLiPiTA, KU, to wriggle about.
KupUipita mtima, to be at variance with.
-PiLiYU, dark-coloured ; black ; blue.
PiLUKA, KU, to lurch to one side, as a pot on the fine.
Pima,' ku, to measure ; to be uncooked.
PiMBiTALA, KU, to be bent ; to be crooked.
PiMiCHisYA, KU (-pimichisye), to remind one on whom
some misfortune has fallen that it was foretold
and forewarned.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
TAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 279
PiMiLiLA, KU (-pimililb), to endore ; to be long-
suffering; to stick to a thing stubbornly.
PiMiNDiKA, KU (-pimindiohe), to interfere in an en-
gagement between a man and a woman ; to entice
a wom^n away from her husband; to bind to
secrecy.
PiMiSYA, KU, PiMYA, KU, to entice away a woman'
from her husband ; to put a big price on articles
for sale so as to get them one's self.
PiNDA, KU, to bind ; to fold.
Ku pinda malanda, to trade ; to gain ; to profit by
anything.
Ku pmda wanduy to deal in slaves.
PinduUi, ku, to bend round.
Findtika, ku, to he bent round.
Kupinduka mtma, to change the mind.
Lipindvia, ku, to change one's clothes.
PiNDiNGULA, KU, to twist another's words.
PiNDUOHiLA, KU, to change one's attitude towards
one.
PiNGULANYA, KU (-pinqulbnye), to lay crosswise.
PinguUma, ku, to lie crosswise.
PiNJiKA, KU (-pinjiche), to go round the side of
anything.
PiNJiKANYA, KU, to lay crosswise.
Finjikcma, ku, to cross each other.
PiNJiRi piNJiRi, in disorder.
PiNYASiKA, KU (-pinyasiche), to get short.
PiPiLiSYA, KU, to give a hint, as by speaking to one
what is meant for another to hear ; to talk in a
mysterious way so that others present may not
understand what is being talked of.
PiPiPi, expressive of wrapping up anything or cover-
ing it up.
Pisa, ku, to blunt.
Fisika, ku, to he blunted.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
280 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
PisuKA, KU (-piswiohb), to lurch to one side so as to
spill the contents, as a pot does when it falls on
the fire.
PisuKA, KU (-piswichb), to rufl9e up.
PiSYA, KU (-pisisyb), to allow to pass; to hand on.
AmbUye, Let me go past.
Pisycmgaruiy ku, to pass each other, as of a number
of people in a dance.
Pita, ku (-pitb), to go on ; to pass by ; to go away.
Sigalagcmi, scmbcmo rnbite, Good-bye, I am going
away now.
Pitikula, ku, to turn over ; to turn round.
Pitikuhiy ku, to turn round.
Pitikuayay ku^ to turn over ; to turn round.
FitiktUila, kuy to turn down the upper edge of one's
loin-cloth; to gather the soil round the stems
of maize.
PiTiPiTi, running away.
PiTULA, ku, to place on the shoulder ; to twist the
mouth from side to side ; to roll the eyes.
Po, when, where.
PocHELA, KU (-pochelb), to receive ; to relieve another
at work ; to reply to another in singing;
Pochdeka^ hi^ passive.
PojOLA, KU (-pojwble), to make one's way through
the bush.
PoKA, KU (-P0CHILE), to be proud.
PoKASYA, KU (pokasisye), to remove anything from
the grasp of another; to interfere and put a
stop to a quarrel.
PoKOLA, KU (-pokwble), to come to one's assistance.
Pokolo/nyay hu,^ to interfere, and put a stop to a
quarrel between two parties.
PoKOSA, KU (pokwesb), to make a noise in conversation.
Pokosola, ku (-pokoswble), to break off a little bit.
PoLA, KU (-powblb), to pierco ; to bore.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOOABULABY 281
Fohoay ku, to be pierced.
PoLA, KU (-posile), to be healed; to become cold.
Med gaposUe, The water has become cold.
Posya^ ktv {jpoaiaye)^ to heal ; to cool.
PoLOLA, KU (polwele), to abort.
POLOMOKA, KU (-POLOMWECHB), to slip off.
PoLOMONDO, a kind of lizard.
PoLONGANYA, KU, to interlock ; to interweave ; to put
side by side.
Polongcma, ku, to go together ; to follow each other
(of a line of people).
PoLOPOTEKA, KU (-polopoteche), to be unfit for any-
thing (of a man) ; to fail to grow (of seeds) ; to
be useless.
PoLOSYA, KU (-polwesye), to bring forth a dead off-
spring; to abort.
PoLOTA, KU (-polwetb), to be pulpy (as over-ripe
fruit).
PoMBONGANYA, KU (-pombonqenye), to be baulked in
doing a thing.
PoiiBOTOLA, KU (-pombotele), to get bent.
PoMOLA, KU, to husk maize; to abrase the skin.
Fomoka^ ku, to be abrased.
PoMONDA, KU (-pomondile), to strike with the fist.
PoNDA, KU, to pound any soft substance.
PoNDOGOLA, KU (-pondogwelb), to trample all over.
PoNGOLWA, KU, to be drenched; to be full of hard
uncooked lumps of flour (of porridge).
PoNGWB PONGWE PE, niggardliness.
PoNYA, KU (ponisye), to throw ; to throw at; to
throw to.
Pimisya^ ku, Ponecheaya, ku, to throw at ; to
throw to.
PoNYOKA, KU (-ponyweche), to break off ; to chip, off
Pool A, ku (-powele), to bore.
Pooka, ku, to be pierced ; to have a hole in it.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
282 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
PoPELA, KU (-popesilb), to pray ; to pray to.
Fopelesi/a, ku^ PopeMa, ku, to pray to ; to pray for ;
to pray with.
PoPOLA, KU (-popwelb), to knock down anything from
a height; to slash down the long grass in the
' hush with a hig knife; to beat the grass in
hunting.
Fopoleka^ ku, passive.
Fopoka, ku, passive.
PoposYA, KU (-poposisye), to clap both hands together
or to clap one hand on the thigh, as in seeking
admittance or in approaching a chief.
PoPOTOKA, KU, to change one's destination; to be
bent.
PoPOTOLA, KU, to twist. Ku popotoh, nguku^ to wring
the neck of a fowl.
Pose, Posbpb, everywhere.
PoTA, KU (-potilb), to Spin thread ; to twist by rub-
bing along the thigh ; to commence to bud (of
sorghum and maize) ; to twist round.
PoTBKA, KU (-poIpeche), to be pained ; to pain. Chcb-
hlchi cidkumboteka, This finger pains me.
PoTOLA, KU, to pound green peas so as to remove the
husk ; to twist round, as in tearing leaves or
, pieces of paper.
Fotoka, ku, passive.
PowA, -a powor, soft and pulpy.
PowA, soft, juicy.
PowANA, KU (-powbne), to be soft and smooth ; to be
pulpy.
Poya, ku (-poiyb), to pound malt ; to be peevish and
difficult to please.
PucHiLA, KU, to injure another without a cause.
PuGA, KU (-pujile), to blow (of the wind) ; to sift
any two substances in a basket, such as chaff
and grain, so as to separate one from the other.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-KNGLISH VOCABULABY 283
PuJiKA, KU (-pujichb), to shuffle along.
PuKUNYA, KU (-pukwinye), to shake the hea^ ; to
wag.
PuKUSA, KU (-pukusilb), to mash beans by twirling
the stirring rod between the hands.
PuKUSWA, KU (-pukuswile), to be bored by insects, as
most kinds of woods are liable to.
PuKUTA, KU (-pukwite), to wipe ; to shed leaves.
Pukutika, ku, to be wiped ; to be bare of leaves.
PuKUTULA, KU, to strip the grains off the maize
cob.
Fukutuka, kuy passive.
PuKWA, KU (-pukwile), to hasten.
PuKWiLA, KU (-pukwile), to hasten; to get ready
quickly.
PuLANA, KU, to close up (as a box or umbrella).
PuLiCHiLA, KU, to be stupid.
PuLiKA, KU, to be stupid.
PuLULA, KU (-pulwile), to strip off (as leaves off a
tree, or bead6 off a string).
Putvlvkaf ku, passive.
PuLUNDWA, a kind of lizard.
PuLUPUTA, KU, to wriggle about.
Pulupusya, kfu^ intensitive and causative.
PuLUWA, KU (-pulwiwe), to be foolish.
Puma, ku (-pumilb), to roar ; to shout.
PuMASiKA, KU (-pumasiche), to breathe heavily.
Pumula, ku (-pumwile), to breathe ; to rest.
Pumvlisyay ku, to rest well.
PwmulUay hu, to rest one's self at ; to cease to
pain.
PuMUNDA, KU (-pumundile), to knock off the plaster
off the wall.
PuNDA, KU (-pundile), to surpass ; to go beyond \ to
excel. Lelo apundUe, He has done specially
well to-day. Apvmdih na ^chimjao, He excelled
Digitized by VjOOQIC
284 YAOENGLISH VOCABULARY
his companions. Apundile pa muai^ He went
'beyond the village.
Pv/ndcma niy hu^ to surpass.
Pundanganya, hu^ to overdo.
PuNDULA, KU (-pundwile), to maim.
PundvJca^ ku, to be maimed or deformed.
PuNGULA, KU (-PUNGWn^), to pour out of one vessel
into another.
PuNGWA, KU, to fail to reach maturity.
PuNiLA, KU (-punile), to come together (of a man
and woman in the dance).
PuNJA, KU, to use filthy language to.
PuNYO, putting things into one's mouth.
Pupa, ku, to wriggle about in the throes of death.
PupuJiLA, KU, to flutter the wings.
PupuLi-PUPULi, blindly ; foolishly.
PupuLiKA, KU (-pupuliche), to Walk as a blind man,
not knowing how to find one*s way.
PuPULU, expressive of completion. Masengo gati
pupiilu, The work is finished. Wcmdu vxmuisile
pupvlu, The people were all destroyed.
PupuLUSYA, KU, to sct fire to green grass so that it
does not burn properly ; to roast green maize.
PusYA, KU (-pusisye), to ovorhoar anything that is
being said.
PuTA, KU, to strike ; to beat. UlajaputUe pa nytmiba,
The rain dashed against the house.
PuTUKULA, KU, to strip off the grains of a maize cob.
Putukitka, kuj passive.
PuTULA, KU (-putwile), to dance about, as a wounded
animal does, or a man in a great rage.
PuTULA, KU, to hoe deeply, as in preparing ground
for beans.
Putuka, kuy passive.
PuwA, KU, to wither and become distorted.
PvAJDcma^ hu, to wither and dry up.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAP-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 285
PwA, KU (-pwele), to sink down, as water in a pool
draining into the soil, or the loose earth in a
hole.
Pwela, kUf to dry up (of tears on the cheek).
FwAGUKA, KU, to be decimated with war.
PWAGULA, KU, to husk rico or sorghum; to rupture
the hymen at the unyago.
PwALAPWATASYA, KU (-pwalapwatesya), to fail to finish
a magambo properly.
Pwamila, KU, to ease one's self.
Pwamula, KU -(pwamwile), to beat ; to strike.
Pwanya, KU (-pwanyilb), to be disobedient.
PwAPWATA^ KU (-pwapwete), to hammer out iron so as
to render it flat.
Pwata, expressive of flatness.
PwATATA, KU (-pwatatile), to be flat down ; to lie flat
down.
PwATATALA, KU, to be low and flat (of a hill).
PwBLELA, KU, to be frightened ; to be anxious ; to be
distressed about anything.
Fwelesya, ku, to frighten.
PwELEMBWESUKA, KU, to be feeble ; to slip ojff the spit
(of fish spitted before the fire to dry) ; to be
placid.
PwEMWE ! protruding (as a bowel at a wound).
PwEMWE, chaff and husk of beans.
PwETECHBLA, KU, to be stuck fast in the mud ; to fall
down between the stones that support it (of a
pot on the fire).
PwETEKA, KU (-pwbteche), to be pained; to pain.
Nd&nda humhweteha lelo pa chiUu apa, I am pained
to-day in my body here.
PwBTULiLA, KU (-pwbtulile), to make much out of
little.
PwiLiNGANA, KU (-pwilingenb), to disperse ; to separate
(as a crowd).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
286 TAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Ftoilingcmya, ku, to scatter ; to disperse.
PwiNYA, KU (-pwinyile), to go ofE alone by one's self ;
to take the "huff" and leave; to be in the
" sulks."
PwiNYA, KU (-PW1NYILB), to blunt ; to turn the edge
of a cutting instrument.
PwiPWiGANYA, KU, to startle game so as to drive
them away.
PwisA, KU, to pass wind from the bowels.
PyA, ku (pile), to be burned ; to be cooked.
Ulendo upUe, The caravan is ready to start.
Pyachisya, ku (-pyachisyb), to talk at a person in-
directly; to turn the eyes to the side so as to
avoid seeing any one.
Pyajila, ku (-pyajilb), to sweep.
Pyalu, expressive of being tri{j>ed up.
Pyalula, ku, to point one end ; to pull out the foot
so as to make anything fall ; to trip up.
Pyaluka^ ku, to have one end carried away with the
stream ; to be tripped up.
Pyambani>ula, ku (-pyambyandwile), to trip up ; to
knock the feet from under one.
Pyapyaluka, ku, to run qmckly from place to place ;
to flit about.
Pyatangula, ku, to trip up.
Pyatanguhay ku, passive.
Pyatata, falling down flat on the ground.
Pyatilila, ku (-pyatilile), to have suspicion.
Pyb ! splashing in water.
Pyee ! pressing a hot iron into wood.
Pyetechesya, ku, to push down.
Pyokonyola, ku (-pyokonywele), to sprain or twist.
Pyombyo, a hollow reed.
Pyonyola, ku, to sharpen.
Pyonyoka ku, passive.
Pyopyokola, ku (-pyopyokwele), to twist off.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 287
Pyopyolosya, ku (-pyopyolwesye), to make light of ;
to scorn.
PyuuI red.
R.
The letter R is rarely heard in Yao, almost always it
is softened into the liquid L. Not unfrequently,
however, after the vowel i the sound of I
approaches that of r. Thus for any words
which may seem to have their stem commencing
in r, look under L
S.
S has two sounds in Yao — that of s in sea and of s in
rise — but the distinction between these sounds is
not a fixed one. In many cases either may be
employed. When s stands at the beginning of a
word it has always the firmer sound of the s in
sea,
S in Yao represents an sh or a th, or an h in
any foreign language.
Sabalisya, ku, to destroy ; to disarrange ; to threaten ;
to use bad language.
Sabola, red pepper. *
Sabuni, soap.
Sachila, ku (-sachilile), to put the feather into the
arrow.
ScLchisya, ku^ to put into another person's care.
Saoama, ku (-saqeme), to be stuck fast on a height ;
to be stranded on a sandbank in a river.
/SagamUa, ku^ to dream.
Saoamisi, dreaming.
Sagamula, ku (-segamwile), to take down from a
height.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
288 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Saga/mvJca, hi, to tumble down from a height.
Sagamuhulay ku, to take down from a height ; to
tell one*s dream ; to interpret a dream.
Sagula, ku (-sagwilb), to choose out.
Sagukay hi, to be chosen.
Sai, thus ; in this way ; in these circumstances.
Saiapi, how? in what circumstances?
JSai inomOf at this time ; about this time ; in these
circumstances.
Sai UaUay at that time ; in these circumstances.
Sajika, ku (-sajiche), to place on the top.
Sajikcmya, kuy to place on the top of the other.
Sajika/na, ku, to lie one above the other.
Sajvkula, hu^ to remove one off the top of the
other.
Saka, an open shed or roof without walls, used for
cooking in.
Saka, ku (-sachile), to wish ; to wish for ; to want.
Sakala, ku (-sakele), to be bad.
Sakasya, ku {sakesye)^ to make bad ; to defile.
Sakalawb, stone ground; especially ground covered
with small sharp stones.
Sakalika, ku (-sakaliche), to be tired; to be
troubled.
Sakcdiaya^ ku (sakalisi/e), to weary ; to trouble.
Sakama, ku (-SAKEBfE), to shinc ; to loop up ; to hang
up or carry by a hookl
Sakamula, ku, to take down from a height.
Sakmmikay ku, to fall down from a height.
Sakamwa, ku (-sakamwile), to be choked.
Sakata, a reptile of the iguana type.
Sakatilwa, ku (-sakatilwe), to come to the end of
one's resources; to faU completely; to be non-
Sakatula, ku (-sakatwile), to make a pretence of
seizing anything.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 289
Sakula, ku, to beat the bush so as to frighten the
game into the net.
Sala, ku (-sasile), to say ; to proclaim ; to relate.
Scdila, h^, to tell.
SIla, hunger. Jingwete sala, I am hungry.
Salalilo, a little of anything offered as payment of
the whole.
Salamanda, ku (-salamandile), to be firm and tough.
Salamanda, ku, to wriggle about on' the ground.
Salanga, a fowl with feathers all awry.
Salasya, ku (-salasisye), to lay aside ; to store up.
Salachikay huy to be laid aside.
Salau, red ants.
Salima, ku (-salimile), to be strong and fierce.
Sama, ku, to change one's abode.
Samnya, ku, to remove one to another abode.
Samala, ku, to take care of ; to pay respect to,
Samani, strong drill-cloth.
Samba, ku, to expel wind from the bowels.
Sambano, now.
Sambano *ji, just now.
Sambano pano, just now.
-a sambano, new. Utija samibano, a new gun.
Sambo, small brass wire.
Samila, ku, to ram a gun.
Samisya, ku (-samisye), to overheat iron in the fire.
Samula, ku, to comb.
Sand a, ku (-sandile), to struggle in the death agony.
Sandamula, ku, to tease; to commence a quarrel
without cause.
Sandamuha, hu, passive.
Sandula, ku, to cut off the branches of a tree or the
limbs of an animal.
Sanga, ku, to leap from tree to tree, as a monkey
does.
Sangambe, maliciousness.
u
Digitized by VjOOQIC
290 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Sango, a kind of snake.
Sangula, ku, to finish up the unyago.
Sangusana, ku, to rail at another.
Sanja, a scaffold or hut raised above the ground for
watching the gardens and paring the birds
away.
Saijja, ku, to sharpen a blunted hoe by jiamipering ;
to lay trees or branches side by side, as in
making a bed or a tressel bridge.
Sanjila, ku, to cut close to the roots and lay in heaps
on the ground, as in reaping sorgbup.
Sanjo, a kind of tailor-bird.
Sani, a plate of delft ware.
Sang, the head wife.
Sanyanda, ku, to lop off the branches of a tree.
Sapa, ku, to tease the cotton down.
Sapangana, ku, to be disordered-
Sapanganya, ku, to disarrange.
Sapangula, ku, to unfold.
Sapanguha, hiy passive.
Sapi, sound of water rushing.
Sapula, ku, to take a part of anything.
Sapuicma, ku, to divide out among each other.
Sapuli, brass.
Sasajika, ku (-sasajiche), to test a thing ; to try.
Sasawanya, ku, to spUt up any game or ^sh along the
backbone and open it out for drying.
Sasawila, ku (-sasawile), to swell up ; to expand ; ifO
rise (of a stream).
Sasika, ku, to behave in a boisterous way.
Sasula, ku, to finish up a dance or magc^bo; to
remove the material of an old house.
Sdsuka, ku, passive.
Sato, a python.
Sauka, ku (-sawichb), to suffer ; to be miserable.
Sauaya, hi, to punish ; to trouble ; to ^^ar^ss.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 29 X
Saula, ku (-qawilb), to wash (cloth).
Saulika, hu, passive.
Sawa, ku (-sawile), to be wet and tasteless (of po-
tatoes or cassava); to send out many branches
or runners (of plants in good soil).
Sawa, indifference, carelessness. Akamvjile sawa, He
took hold of it carelessly.
Sawaji, swelling up.
Sawalika, ku (-sawaliohe), to do anything badly.
Sawe, children's arrows made of grass.
Sejela, ku (-sejblble), to move to a side. Asejele^amo,
ngatame, Move to the si^e, let me sit down.
Sejesya, ku, to move to one side.
Sejelesejele, going to the side to make way for any-
thing.
Seka, ku, to laugh ; to laugh at.
Sechdelay ha, to rejoice; rejoice over; to welcome
gladly.
Sera, a large flat white bead ; wax.
Selenje (pi. achaselenje), a small keg of powder.
Sebebeka, ku (-serereche), to slip down; to slide
down.
Selewenda, ku (-selewendile), to fit loosely, as a nail
in its hole.
Seluka, ku (-sblwiche), to be in large quantity or in
great numbers. Wamdu wa masengo waselwiche^
ku Mlunguzi, There was a great number of
workpeople at Mlunguzi to-day.
Seluka, ku, to come of one's own accord without
being called for.
Selula, ku, to vomit.
Sema, ku (-semile), to adze.
Sembana, ku, to miss each other.
Sembendula, ku, to glance oS (as an arrow off the
object fired at).
Sembula, ku, to peel or scrape off the surface (as the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
292 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
bark of a tree). Mpamba vsembwile, The arrow
just grazed the skin.
Semuchila (semuchile), to boil over ; to froth over ;
to cover over as a cloud does.
Semula, ku, to gather the soil into heaps for plant-
ing ; to begin to boil ; to ferment.
Senda, ku, to peel off the outer rind ; to remove the
sheath of the maize cob.
Sendekula, ku, to put upright a thing which has
been tumbling over.
Sendekuka, ku, passive.
Senga, coarse grains of flour ; the dregs in a cup ; the
strainings of beer.
Sengula, ku, to cut close to the roots.
Senguka, ku, passive.
Senyenda, ku (-senyendile), to sift the coarse grains
of flour from the fine.
Sepa, ku (-sepile), to chip the bark off a tree.
Sepuka, ku, to turn aside ; to avoid.
St'puBya, ku, to deflect.
Septichila, ku, to avoid.
Sepula, ku (-sepwile), to break open ; to break
through.
Seb-, see Sel-.
Sesa, ku, to scrape off.
Sesewala, ku (-sesewele), to be of worthless character.
Seta (pi. achaseta), a tin plate.
Seuka, ku, to overflow.
Seusya, ku, to fill too full.
Si-, class characteristic of the plural of substantives
belonging to the third and sixth classes.
SiA-, see Sya-.
SiCHiLA, KU, to be rich and prosperous.
SiCHiNA, KU (-sichinile), to hum.
SiCHITA, KU (-SICHITE), tO CUt.
Sichitika, ku, to be cut.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 293
iSichituka, ku, to be cut or broken into two.
Sichitila, ku, to make a short cut to meet a person.
SiGA, Ku (-sijile), to cut carefuUy ; to trim the face
of a cut.
Sijilika, ku, to shave round the edge of the hair.
Sii, emptiness, silence.
SiKA, KU (-sichile), to place a log of wood between one
and the fire, that one may not be burned.
SiLA, KU (-silile), to grumble and ask for more.
SILA1.A, KU (silele), to die away and go out (of the
fire).
SUasya, ku, to scatter the embers.
Sile, ashes of a certain tree used as medicine.
SiLiA, strong sheetiDg-cloth.
SiLiKA, KU (-siliche), to destroy the medicine after
recovering health.
SiLiKATi, the middle. Fa silikatijakwe, at the middle
of it.
SiLiLA, KU (-silile), to cover up ; to give grudgingly ;
to covet.
SiLiLi, apite aUUiy He went away and has not been
seen again.
SiLiwiNDi, a species of heron or stork.
SiLUKA, KU, to be foolish.
SiMA, KU, to put out ; to go out (of a fire or light).
Simasya, ku (simasisye), to obliterate; to rub out.
SiMAMBALA, KU, to over-eat one's self.
SiMANA, KU (-simene), to meet ; to find.
Simanya, ku, to cause to meet.
SiMBO, a staff or cane.
SiMBULA, KU, to cut grass and trees close to the roots;
to know a person well.
SiMBWA, KU (simbwile), to bohave in a boisterous way.
SiMBWisYA, KU (-simbwisyb), to be indifferent to
danger ; to be regardless of consequences.
SiMiKA, KU, to fix upright in the ground.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
294 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Simichtka, ku, passive.
SiMiLiLA, KU (-similile), to disap|)ear ; to go out of
sight ; to die.
SimUiaya^ ku, to bury.
SiJdONGA, KU (-simonjilb), to be puzzled by. N^gengu-
chimanyilUa cherecho, nguchiaimonga, I don't
understand that, I am puzzled by it.
Simongway ku, to be puzzled.
Simosya, ku, to puzzle.
Simonjeka, ku, to be puzzled.
Simula, ku (-simwile), to try a new pot for the first
time by boiling something in it.
SiNDA, KU (-sindile), to eat a great deal of anything ;
to pare the nails; to stick fast on a sand-bank —
of a canoe.
SiNDAMiLA, KU (-sindamile), to " soo through" the
meaning of a thing.
SiNDi, ku tama smdi, to sit silent and sad ; staying in
the house a long time ; lying spread out as corn
in a field.
SlNDicHiSYA, KU, to accompany a stranger out of the
village on his way.^
SiNDiKULA, KU, to cut a tree by the roots ; to take the
whole, or large part of anything to one's self
without dividing it amongst others.
Sindimuhula, ku, to uproot ; to dig deeply.
SiNDUKA, KU (-sindwiche), to go down-stream.
SiNDULA, KU (-sindulilb), to pouud the last part of
the grain that remains in the bottom of the
mortar.
SiNGA, KU (-sinjile), to twist thread; to cut the
throat.
SiNGALiLWA, KU (-singalilwe), to be auxious and
troubled ; to be at a loss what to do.
SiNGANGA, KU (-singanjilb), to make a noise or dis-
turbance.
/
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 295
SiNGANA, KU, to meet ; to find.
SiTigcmila, hu, to meet with.
SiNGANO (pL AOHASiNGANo), a needle.
SiNGWA, a grass ring used as a pad for the head when
carrying a load.
SiNiYA, wrinkles.
SiNJi, small iron wire.
SiNJiLA, KU, to splice.
SiNJiLiLA, KU (-sinjilile), to give a false feport of
what a person has said ; to slander or exaggerate.
SiNJiNiKA, KU (-sinjiniche), to be determined on doing
a thing.
SiNJiNo, the elbow.
SiNKA, KU (-sinchile), to be ill with worms in the
intestines.
SiNYA, disgust.
SiPUKA, KU, to sprout ; to put forth leaves.
SiPUKWA, KU (-sipukwile), to Spring into one's mind.
SiSA, KU, to hide.
Sisika, ku, to be hid.
Lisisa, ku, to hide one's self.
Si, expressive of cold.
-sisisi, cold. Mesi gamasisisi, cold water.
SisiMA, KU (-sisime), to be cold ; to have a fresh taste,
as certain kinds of cassava root.
SisiMUKA, KU, to be startled ; to revive after fainting ;
to become a convert to Mahommedanism.
Sisimusya, ku^ to startle.
SisiMYA, KU, to quench one's thirst.
SisiNA, KU (-sisine), to closo the eyes.
Sisinukibka, ku, to open the eyes.
SiSYA, KU (-sisisye), to begin to hoe a new garden ; to
contradict.
SiTA, KU, to smooth down cloth as one does in ironing.
SiTiSYA, KU, to place a log of wood between one and
the fire.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
296 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Site, smoothly.
-8IT0, heavy.
SiTOPA, KU, to be heavy.
Sitopelioa, ku, (-sitopelwe), to be heavily burdened.
SiULA, KU, to hollow out ; to remove the intestines
without cutting up.
SiWA, KU (-siwile), to close up ; to dam ; to shut up.
Xu siwa pa meso, to cover the eyes.
Sivnka, ku, passive.
Siwikcmya, ku, to hem in.
SiwiLWA, KU (-siwilwile), to be deaf.
SiYA, a steinbuck (JVanotragus tragvlvfs),
SiYASiYA, swaying from side to side as a man does
when carrying a heavy load.
So, Soto, no.
SocHELA, the sap of a certain tree which, on entering
the eye, causes blindness.
SocHELA, KU, SocHELELA, KU, to Wander ; to go astray.
SocHEYA, KU (-socheyb), to be disrespectful ; to speak
rudely to or about a person ; to blaspheme.
SoGODA, KU (-soqwede), to speak of one in his absence.
Sogodeka, ku, passive.
SoGOLA, KU (-sogwele), to bear fruit.
Sogosya, hi, to grow (of the planter).
SojiGA, KU (-sojijile), to carve or scoop out with an
iron chisel.
SoKA, KU (-aochilb), to pile up a load ; to fill up to the
top.
SoKOKA, KU (-sokweche), to go deep ; to be deep ; to
be famous ; to excel.
SoKONi, far away. Pa Zomha no pa sokoni, Zomba is
far away.
SoKONYOLA, KU, to dig out with a pointed stick ; to
clean the teeth.
SoKOSO, a noise.
SoKOTA, KU, to carve.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAOENGLISH VOCABULARY 297
\
SoKOTiMA, a projection of tho navel.
SoKOTOLA^ KU (sokotwele), to hoe badly or carelessly.
Sola, ku (-sosile), to dig.
Solesya, hu^ to dig deep.
SoLOKOTA, KU, to entice a man away from his home.
SoLOLA, KU, to pull out (as out of a tied bundle) ; to
hoe in a long strip.
SoLOLOKA, KU, to fall out ; to become thin and long
(as of one's fingers in disease). Luhwi lusolo-
Iweche m^chitenje mwenu 'mo, A lump of firewood
has slipped out of your load.
SoLOSOLO, one by one, in a line.
SoLOTA, KU, to go on before one's fellows.
Soma, ku (-somile), to pierce; to stab; to strike with
a missile.
Someka, ku, passive.
SoMBE, locusts.
SoMBOLA, KU, to snatch away ; to rob.
Somholeka, ku, passive.
SoMECHESYA, KU (-somechesyb), to sot dogs on game.
SoMELpLA, KU (somelele), to come to one's assistance
in speaking, and put the matter in a better
form.
Somola, ku (-somwelb), to extract a thorn ; to start a
song ; to take a first taste of.
Somongoka, ku (-somongweche), to be well dried and
ready for thrashing (of reaped sorghum).
Somongoka, ku (somongweche), to rush forward.
SoMYA, KU (somiyb), to articulate badly.
SoNA, tobacco ; snuff.
Kulya 8ona, to smoke.
Kunusga sona, to take snuff.
SoNA, KU (-sonile), to sound.
SoNDOKOKA, KU, to fall to ouo side.
Sonelela, KU (-sonelele), to patch.
SoNGANA, KU, to come together (of people).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
298 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Songcmya^ kuy to gather (people) together.
Songangana, hw, to come together (of a great number
of people).
SoNGANDEO (pi. ACHASONGANDEo), a trigger of a
gun.
SoNGOLA, KU (-songwele), to point. '
Songokay ku, to be pointed.
SoNGOLO, a male slave, a boy.
SoNGOMALA, KU (-songomele), to be tall.
SoNi, again; then. Mtendeisoni, Do it again. Wa~
kungvZwiche pcmandi, soni nipo wajinjile TmUnyu-
mba, They talked a little, and then went into
the house.
SoNi, shame. Jikundenda soni, I am ashamed.
SoNJO, a war drum ; the calves of the leg.
SoNYA, KU (-sonyile), to smack the lips in angei* or
scorn.
SoNYONDOKOLA, KU, to pick the teeth.
SoPA, KU, to peck.
SoPELA, KU, to ram a gun.
SopoLA, KU (-sopwele), to hollow out.
SoPOLOLA, KU, to pull out to its f uUost extent what
has been contracted or wrinkled.
SosA, KU, to search for; to want. Ngortgusosa, I
don't want to; I don't want it. Chichi mkur
808a f What do you want % Ngechipali chi ngu-
808a, I don't want anything.
SosoLA, KU (-S0S0SILB -soswble), to hatch.
SosoLiMA, KU (sosolime), to riso up quickly and riish
towards a thing.
SoTOLA, KU (sotwele), to pierce through.
SoWA, KU, to be without. Chituaowile churna. We
are without beads. Ngwa/mha, kusowa chuTnay
atatiy No, I have no beads, father.
Sowela, KU, to be liberal-hearted.
Sowosowo, the moon two days befote new moon.
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YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULAKY 299
Soya, ku (soyiyb). to do wrong, to make a mistake.
SucHi, a species or bearded grass.
SuGA, KU, to snort.
SuGU, a species of earth bean ; the secret parts.
SuJiLA, KU (-sujisile), to swim.
SuKA, KU (-suchile), to wash.
SuKA, KU, to be niggardly.
SuKUNYA, KU, to loosen anything firm so as to remove
it; to frighten another by threats or evil
xreports.
Sukuna^ ku, to be frightened.
SuKUSA, KU, to be addled.
SuKUSULA, KU, to wash the face.
SuLUCHisYA, KU (-suluohisyE), to Sprinkle.
SuLUKA, KU, to fade; to change colour, as print cloth
on being washed ; to be strained (of salt brine) ;
to be tasteless ; to be insipid.
SuLukLy kuy to trickle down ; to leak.
Svlusya^ ku, to strain; to boil and wasb several
times so as to remove all bitterness of taste.
SuLUMUNDA, KU, to be sifted ; to trickle through (as
flour through the meshes of a basket) ; to be
faint-hearted.
SuMANGA, KU, to eat ugaliy without relish.
SuMBA, KU, to leap.
SumhUay to leap over.
SuMUCHiLA, KU, to sink almost wholly out of sight,
as the sun in setting, or as a man falling into
a deep hole; to change to new moon (of the
moon).
SUNA, KU, to sj)it out.
Ku suna matay to spit.
SuNGULA, KU, to strain beer.
SuNGULUMUKA, KU, to regain one s senses, as after a
drunken fit or fainting.
SuNGULUMUSYA, KU, to Touse to one*s senses.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
300 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
SuNGUNUKUKA, KU, to ferment (of beer); to be
melted ; to be all extracted (of oil from seeds).
Sungunuta^ ku, to melt.
SuNJiLA, KU (-SUNJILE), to beg, to sit in hope of
getting something.
Supu, expressive of being startled.
Mtima wangu watite supu, My heart beat fast.
SupULA, KU, to get one's calico web; to abraze the
skin.
Supukaj ku, to be startled; to have one's skin
abrazed.
SusA, KU, to prove another in the wrong, as in a
magambo ; to go on in advance; to lift up a
child carried on the back.
Susila, ku, to go farther on ; to increase the length
of calico measured off.
Suaanya, ku, to heap up firewood on the fire.
SusuKWA, KU (-susukwile), to be greedy.
SusuLA, KU (-susulwile), to eat early in the morning.
SusuLicHisYA, KU, to give fuller details of what
another has spoken.
SusuLiLA, KU, to be greater than another ; to make a
long march ; to rest on the march without taking
food. Mundu aju asusulUe, This man is taller
(than another). Ulendo wa liso wasusutile, The
caravan of yesterday went on without taking
food.
SusuwA, a wart.
SuwA, the fist.
Ku twanga suwa, to strike with the fist.
SuwA, KU (-suwile), to have thin hollow cheeks.
SuYA, KU (-suyiye), to overlook ; to pass over; to
give no heed to.
SwA, KU, to set (of the sun). Samhcmo kuawele, It is
getting dark now.
Fekwaswele lyuwa, at sunset. Sa/nibcmo kwende
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 301
kuttoswela, Come on at once, darkness will over-
take us.
SwAJi, the male flower of maize corn.
SwAKALA, shell lime eaten with tobacco.
SwAKANYA, KU, to make a crashing noise in the long
grass or brushwood of the bush.
SwALA, the Roy Buck (Aepyceros melamjms).
SwAMBA, KU, to steal people. See Fwamba, ku.
Sw AND ALT, expressive of filling quite full. Agumba-
syeje swandcdif Fill it up quite full.
SwANYA, KU, to smash ; to crush in pieces.
SwANYANDA, KU (-swanyandile), to smash anything
up completely.
SwAswAGULA, KU, to tell the whole story.
S WAS w ATA, KU (-swaswatilb), to treat softly.
SwEJELA, KU (-swejele), to be whit^.
Swewsya, ku, to whiten.
Swejeka, ku, to be made white.
Swekula, KU (-swekwile), to pull out (as a knife out
of its sheath).
Swekukay ku, passive.
-swela, white. N'guo jajiswela, white calico.
SwELA, KU (-swelele), to be white.
SwBNGA, KU, to give out sap as green firewood
does.
SwiNYALA, KU (-swinyele), to shrivel up as withered
leaves do.
SwiPULA, KU (-swipwile), to pull out of one's grasp ;
to pull out of a tied-up bundle.
Sya, of, the preposition corresponding to the plural
of the third and sixth classes.
Sya, about. Mwapilikene sya che Nyono ? Did you
hear about so-and-so ?
Syalisya, ku (-syalisye), to confirm a testimony ; to
clench an argument.
Syana, ku (-syanile), to hammer.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
302 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Syangandala, ku, to live happily.
Syasya, ku (-syasyaga), to imitate ; to repeat words
after another.
Syasyajila, ku, to plaster with sand, as in giving
the final coat to the plastering of a wall.
Syenga, ku, to coil round and round.
Syenjehay hu, to be coi}e4 up.
Syenjehda, ku, to uncoil.
Syenjehuha, hi, to be uncoiled.
Syengo, an armlet or anklet of many coils.
Syereuka, ku (-syerbwicqe), to cause another to
delay.
Syetela, ku, to go to the other side.
Mkasyetde nyumha, Go to the other side of the
house.
Syeto, the side.
Syeto ajUa, that other side.
Syeto ajino, this side.
Fa syeto petumbiy on the other side of the hill.
Syilila, ku (syilile), to have the hair shaved round
the edges.
Syo ! turning back,
Syoka, a blow with the closed fist.
Syoka, ku (-syochile), to turn round.
Syombotasya, ku (-syombotesye), to twist a thing in
speaking ; to bend anything.
Sygsya, ku (-syosisye), to change a load fropi one
shoulder to the other; to hitch up a load on
one's shoulder.
Syosyotana, ku (-syosyotenb), to hurt one another in
a fight.
Syowekana, ku (-syowekbne), to be on terms of
friendship with another.
Syowereba, ku, to be accustomed to.
Syowola, ku (-syowele), to dry up.
Syowoka, hu, to be dried up.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 303
Syudula, ku (-syudwile), to turn one's face away
from another in disgust or derision.
Syuka, ku (-syuchile), to be changed ; to be trans-
formed ; to revive after being unconscious.
KuayyJca lisimba, Kusyuka nekv/u;a lisimhay to be
transformed into a lion.
Syusya^ ha, to change.
Syula, ku, to wipe up ; to dry up.
Syidika^ ku^ passive.
Syulula, ku, to show disgust with a person.
Syungula, ku, to go round about.
Syungusya^ ku^ to put round.
Nyumba jakusyungusya^ a round bouse.
SyUngulika, ku, to cause astonishment by doing what
not many are able to do.
T is pronounced as in English.
Ta, ku (-tele), to name. Tinwite mwanangu Utui lya
Msungu, I will give my son the European's
name.
Telwa, kuj to be named.
Tachila, ku, Tachilwa, ku, to be sick of some
dangerous disease.
Taga, ku (-tasile), to place.
Ku taga mhepesi, to place an offering to the spirits
of the dead.
Tajila, ku^ to lay (eggs).
Tagala, ku, Litagalay ku, to spread out one's legs,
as in warming one's self by the fire; to lean
against.
Tagaluka, ku, to step over ; to spring over.
Tajula, ku (-tajwile), to kick out one's feet.
Takanya, ku, to spread (of an ulcer).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
304 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Takataka, ku (-takatechb), to be restless ; to move
about.
Talala, ku, to become hard and firm, as meat after
boiling or maize after roasting. Chilamho achi
chitalele, Trade is difficult in this country.
T ALAS A, KU (-talese), to put threads along the ends
of cloth so as to strengthen it.
Talawana, ku (-talawene), to contradict one another.
Talika, ku (-talichb), to be distant.
Chilamho cha kwaktUalika, a distant country. Kvr
mangwenu kutcUiche, Your home is far away.
Talikanganay ku, to be far away from each other.
Talikanganyay ha, to place at a distance from each
other.
Talichisya, ku, to put very far away.
Tama, ku (-temi), to sit ; to stay.
Tcumika, ku (-tamiche), to set down. Kutcumika
mtima pasi, to console.
Tamilisya, ku (-tamUisye), to stay a long time in
one place.
Ta/milichika ku, to sit on the buttocks (not on the
heels) ; to stay a long time in one place.
Tamukula, ku, to remove from its place.
Tamba, ku, to send out runnel's on shoots.
Tambcda, ku, to send out runners or shoots.
Tambalika, ku, to stretch out, as the arm or
leg.
Tcmihalukula, ku, to lay at length on the ground.
Tamhalalok, ku, to roam about.
Tambala (pi. Achatambala), a cock.
Tambala, ku. See Tamba, ku.
Tambasukula, ku. See TamhalukuLa, hi,
Tambula, ku, to go a long distance.
Tambwale, a fickle, unstable man.
Tanda, ku (-tandite), to begin ; to tease ; to com-
mence a quarrel.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULA|ty §fi5
TandUilay hu, to repeat. Kv/mhanga atekwaUmdi-'
lila soni, Kumbanga is sick again.
Tandajila, ku (-tandajile), to leap from branch to
branch.
Tandalika, ku, to lay down straight.
Tandalichika, ku, passive.
Tandika, ku, to spread out.
Tandukula, ku, to fold up what has been spread
out.
Tanga, ku, to speak of many things.
TanjUa, ku, Kutanjila itagu, to speak in parables.
Tangawala, ku (-ta]^gawble), to speak at g?:*eat
length.
Tanjila, KU (-tanjile), to be caught; to ]3e waged
(of war). Ngondo jitavjile pa musi, War was
made on the village.
Tanjisya {-tanjisye), to catch.
Tanjika, ku, to be attacked. Pa musi ^po pata-
njiche ni ngondo, That village was attacked.
Tanuka, ku (-tanwiche), to give way.
Tanyula^ ku, to kick out the feet.
Tapa lunda, ku (-tapilb), to look well ^t anything,
so that one may be able to iiipitate it.
Tap ana, ku, to become infectied wit)h a disease.
Tapasya, ku (-tapbayb), to break down ; to crufla|)le
down.
Tapika, ku (-TAPiqHB), to vomit.
Tapisya, ky,, to give an emetic.
Tapu, expressive of stickiness.
Tapuka, ku, to sink in the mud.
Tapula, ku, to be smeared ^ith filth ; to bje ipfected
with a disease.
Tapula, ku (-tapwile), to scrape the surface in
hoeing.
Tasya, ku (-tasisye), to refvise to iqprease the pyjcp pf
malonda.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
306 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Tatamala, ku, to be rich.
Tatanukula, ku, to open the eyes; to split open
anything.
Tatasika, ku (-tatasiche), to throw out sparks.
Tatawana, ku, to dispute.
Tauohisya, ku, to repeat again and again ; to force ;
persuade.
Tauna, ku (-tawine), to chew.
Taunika, ku, to be chewable.
Tauwa, ku (-tawilwe), to wish for something tasty
to eat.
Tawa, ku, to tie ; to build ; to bind.
Ku tawa lukumhi, to hold a council ; to engage in
conversation (of a number of people).
TatvUisya, ku, to stay long in a place.
LUaurUila, ku, to commit suicide; to fasten one's
self to anything.
Tawikanya, ku, to tie together.
TawUila, ku, to fasten to.
Tawana, ku, to bind hand and foot.
Tawandawana, ku, to be interlaced (of the branches
of a tree).
Tawanya, ku, to ill-treat without any reason. ^
Tawikanya, ku. See Tawa, ku.
Tbbwb, peace.
Techbtula, ku, to snap across.
Techetuka, ku, to be friable ; to be brittle.
Tega, ku (-tesile), to set a trap ; to put a gun on
fuU-cock; to cast a net.
Tegula, ku, to take a pot off the fire ; to take the
pounded grain out of the mortar.
Tbjbka, ku (-tejechilb), to fold up what has been
spread out, as an umbrella.
Teka, ku (-techile), to draw water.
Tekuteku, by little and little.
Teleka, ku (-teleohb), to cook ; to brew (beer).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 307
Telekdka, ku, to begin to enlarge again (of a healing
wound).
Telekwa, ku, to be unable to walk.
Telesya, ku, to be slippery.
Tema, ku, to cut.
Temeha, ku^ to be cut ; to be broken (of wood).
Temanya^ ku^ to break.
Temangvla, ku, to break across.
Temandemanya, ku, to pass through the bush for a
distance ; to interfere.
Tembeta, ku (-tembete), to carry a load two and
two.
Temheteka, ku, to be carried, or carriable, two and
two.
Tembwela, ku (-tembwelb), to take a walk for
pleasure.
Temela, ku, to place a green branch on game which
one has killed, as a sign of ownership.
Temela, ku, ku temela mcUonda, to price an article of
trade.
Temula, ku, to do anything very early in the morning ;
to take off the top surface.
Temulila, ku, to make a short cut to meet a person ;
to run to meet.
Tenandenya, ku, to sway from side to side ; to toss
about.
Tenandena, ku, to be tossed about.
Tbnda, ku (-tesilb), to do.
Ku tenda kapolo, to make (him) a slave.
Ku tenda soni, to be ashamed.
Xu tenda chanasa, to have pity.
Ku tendela, to do (anything) to (another).
Tendegula, ku, to cut out an opening in commencing
to scoop out a cup.
Tenega, shortness of calico.
Tbnga, ku, to put up a load of firewood ; to flourish :
Digitized by VjOOQIC
308 TAO-BJNGLI^H VOCABULABV
to tie the first ban^bops qn a l^ouse whicji keep
the rafters in their place. f
Tenganya, ku (-tengenyb), to shake.
Temganyiha^ huy to be shake^.
Tbngula, ku, to pull herbs for relish; ^o sing the
short stanzas at the end of a song.
Tenguka Tcu^ to be powerless; ; to be Jielpless ; to be
languid.
TENpJLA, KU, to flqiwish ; to be prosperous \ to shoot
out leaves in great abundance.
Tbnjebbmula, ku, to level down whaji has been
heaped up.
Tepana, ku, to be slender and easily bent.
Tepana, ku, to sway from side to side ; to be frail ;
to be weak ; to be slender and easily bent.
Tepanya, ku^ causative.
Tepela, ku (-tepele), to become faint-hearted very
quickly.
Tependala, ku (-tependble), to be sqf t and flabby ; to
hang loosely together ; to be gentle.
Tepeta, ku, to be wet.
Tepetesya, ku, to be too vf&t.
Teremuka, ku, to abprt ; to slip.
Teremusya, ku, to cause abortion.
Teta, ?:u, to give warning.
l^etela, ku, to give warning ; to cackle.
Tbteka, ku, to boil and wash so as to i:emoye all
unpleasant taste.
Tetehda, ku, to take off what lies on the top ; to
pour water off anything in a pot.
Tetemela, ku, to shiver ; to tremble.
Tetbmta, ku (-tetbmyb), to work tjie y^l^ple day \ to
be much startled.
Tetesya, ku, to speak slowly ; to hixc^^ opqn (of ripe
fruit) ; to quiver in the breeze ; to bob up and
down (of a float on a fishing line).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Tetechesya, ku, to speak slowly.
Teteseka, ku, to burst open (of ripe fr
Tetetete, lyuwa tetetete, all day long.
Tetewala, ku, to be soft and pliable;
and mild in temper.
Teteya, ku, to appease ; to soften a ski:
Teuchila, ku, to be late in starting.
Tewa, Ku, to stoop down.
Teya, ku (-teye), to go to one side so i
missile.
TicHiTA, Ku (-TtcttitE), to rub.
Tichitisya, ku, to rnb heavily ; to ticl
Tichitika, ku, to be rubbed ; to be tic
TiKA, KU, to teinpt ; to make an apps
anything and then draw back.
TiKAMA, KU, to be unfilled.
Tikamisya, ku, to leave unfilled.
TiKULA, KU, to expose the body in danci
TlKusiLA, KU (-tikusile), to be hard oi
and soft underneath.
TiLA, KU (-tisile), to run away;
Kutila ku musi, to run away from th<
Ku tilUa hi musi, to run to the villa^
Tisya, ku (tisisye), to drive away.
Tiletile, spreading all over the surface
as the water of a stream in a flood
TiLiLiLi ! smoothly.
TiLiwiTiLiwi, walkiiig in soft mud.
TiMALiKA, KU. Litimalika, ku, to refrai
TtMBA, KU, to strike with the open banc
TiMBANYA, KU (-timbenye), to mix two th
TiMBiLiSYA, KU, to splice rope ; to plu
into the water.
Timhitila, ku, to splice i-ope.
TiMBULA, KU (-timbwilb), to pound the s
Timhuka, ku, to run away ; to be poii
Digitized by VjOOQIC
310 YAO-ENGLTSH VOCABULARY
TiMBWiNYA, KU (-timbwinyilb), to poke a person in the
side so as to cause him to laugh.
TiMBYAJILA, KU (-TIMBYAJILe), tO limp.
Tina, ku (-tinile), to tie tightly.
TiNDANA, KU (-tindene), to miss one another ; to be
different from ; to be at variance with.
, Tindanya, ku, to interchange.
TiNDiGALA, KU (-tindigele), to Walk concoitedly and
proudly. ,
TiNDisYA, KU (-tindisye), to do a thing repeatedly ;
to make trial of a thing several times before
purchasing.
TiNDiWALA, KU, to kneel.
TiNDiwiKA, KU, to dip a cup into the water.
TiNiKA, KU, to be scorched.
Tinisya, ku, to scorch.
TiNiNGULA, KU, to break right across.
Tininguka, ku, passive.
TiNJiNYA, KU (-tinjinye), to make a rustling noise in
the grass.
TiPASYA, KU (-tipesye), to rub over ; to stroke.
TipiLA, KU (-tipile), to be clean and smooth as a
man's skin when washed and well oiled.
TiPiTi, soft ; smooth.
TiPiTiLA, KU, to be rubbed with oil.
Tipitika, ku, to be free from dust or dirt.
TiPiTiNA, KU (-tipitinile), to be soft and smooth as a
man's skin when washed and well rubbed with
oil.
TiPiTisYA, KU (-tipitisye), to do one a friendly action
so as to get something from him.
TiPULA, KU, to hoe deeply and break up the ground,
preparatory to planting ground-nuts.
TiTiLA, KU (-titile), to tum ; to swing round and
round.
TiTiLiKA, KU, to push anything into the ground.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 311
TiTiMA, KU (-titimile), to give a rumbling sound, as
water falling over rocks.
TiTiMiKA, KU, to push anything into T
of sight.
TiTiMUKA, KU, to rise up into view.
TiTiTi, sound of cutting.
TiRiRiRi, expressive of smoothness an(
TiWA, KU, to plait.
TiwALiKA, KU (-tiwaliche), to Hve
circumstances.
TiwiLA, KU, to drive ; to sink ; to b
water.
TiwisYA, KU (-tiwisisye), to immerse.
TocHiMASYA, KU (-tochimaste), to weai
so that it has the appearance of ]
TocHOMALA, KU, to be weak and feeble
ToGANDOGA, KU, to flit from place to p
ToGOLALA, KU (togolele), to Spread
centre.
TOGOLELA, KU (-TOGOLELE), to givo OXpi
joy.
TojiMA, KU (-tojime), to be startled ; t
Tqjimya, ku {-tojimye), to startle ; t*
To JO ! expressive of being startled.
ToKONYA, KU, to entice a person away
to tease.
ToKOSA, KU, to entice away ; to poke.
Tokosyaf ku, to entice away.
ToKOTA, KU (-tokwete), to be boiling
kote, boiling water.
ToKOTOKO, sound of boiling water.
Tola, ku (-tosile), to bring ; to fete
imitate the customs of anpther pi
Tohlay kuj to fetch for.
ToLO ! in a heap.
Tolola, ku, to wear an ear-ring.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
312 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
ToMA, KU (-tomile), to make choice of beforehand ; to
lend out an animal, as for Breeding purposes.
ToMASYA, KU (-tomesYe), to palpate ; to try a thing if
it is hard by feeling it all over with the fingers.
ToMBA, KU, to have intiercourse (used ohly or 'the
male).
ToMBOLESYA, KU, to run out of a spur of a hill or a
deep bay stretching far inland ; to hang down,
of a corner of one*s calico.
ToMBOSiYA, a stupid person ; a kind of bead.
ToMELA, KU, to make choice of ; to betroth.
Tomesya, ku {-tomesisye), to betroth to another.
Tomelwa, hu {-tomelwe), to be betrothed.'
ToMOKOLA, KU, to taks a piece Out of anything ; to eat
away, as an ulcer does.
Tomokoka, ku, to peel off ; to fall to pieces (as old
rotten calico) ; to jump right over.
ToNA, KU, to pinch ; to scratch.
ToNDE, a male goat.
ToNDESYA, KU, to be of a grasping, ambitious disposi-
tion.
ToNDOWA, KU, to be slackened ; to lull (of the wirid).
Ku tondowa mtima, to be easy-tempered.
Tondoya, ku, to slacken.
Tondowela, hi, to forgive.
ToNGOLA, KU, to give voice; to shout; td t-oar ; to
bellow.
Tonya, ku, to poke.
ToNYu ! expressive of pokihg into ^ hole.
ToPA, KU, to be wearied out.
TOPOLA, KU, to drive away ; t6 wear one*s loin-cloth
reachihg down to the feet. «
ToPOTOPO, abundance.
Via ja topotopo, heavy rain.
TopWANA, KU, to be feeble ; to be weak.
TOTA, KU (-TOTILE), to sfe^.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 313
Kutola chi^cmha, to sew on a patch.
Ku tola lijela, to rivet a piece on to a hoe.
Totokola, huy to unpick sewing ; td tear asunder.
ToTEKA, KU (-TOTECHe), to SOW in unhoed ground.
ToTiLO, kwavla totUo, to go on without resting.
ToTOCHBLA, KU (-totochele), to be poor.
Totochelway hu, to be choked ; to be at a loss what
to do; to be unable to take action in any
matter.
ToTOGANVA, KU (-totogenye), to repeat again and
again.
ToTOKWA, KU (-totokwile), to be in nervous haste
to eat.
ToTOLA, KU (-TOTwisLB), to puU oiit in patches,
i^otoha, hfUy t6 come out in patches (of hair, by
reason of disease of the scalp).
Totosya, ku, to knock ; to click with the tbfague.
ToTOLi, expressive of being firmly fixed together.
ToTOLO, CHiPi TOTOLO, thick darkness.
Totomeka, ku (-totomeche), to transfix.
TotoTTiecheka, ku, passive.
TowA, (-A towA), soft and pulpy.
TowANYA, KU (-TO wen ye), to feel all over with Ihe
fingers.
TowASYA, KU (-towasisye), to fihd out SL ^ierson's
disposition ; to feel all over.
TowajUa, ku, to feel all over.
TowELELA, KU, to be firmly rooted in ground.
Tu, class characteristic of the plurdl numbet of sub-
stantives belonging to the seventh or diminutive
class.
Tu TU TU, expressive of going in a line one after the
other.
Tu, intensitive participle, used after nouns and verbs.
JElo, ngonguwelecheta gamomami, ^masHe tu, Yes,
I don't speak lying wotds: I have finished it.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
314 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
TucHi, expressive of giving out volumes of smoke, as
a fire of damp firewood does.
TuGALA, KU, to walk quickly.
TuKA, KU (-tuchile), to rise up in a cloud (of smoke).
TuKANA, KU, to use filthy language to.
TuKUKA, KU, to get out of the way.
Tukusya^ hi, to remove out of the way.
TuKUNYA, KU (-tukwinye), to pulsate ; to be heaved
up, as the surface soil when a mole is burrowing
underneath.
TuKUTA, KU (-tukwite), to bubble up in boiling ; to
become rotten.
TuKUTiLA, KU, to cover up a pot on the fire, or any-
thing roasting in the ashes ; to burro w^ into the
flesh (of an abscess or ulcer) ; to laugh "in one's
sleeve. "^
Tula, ku (-tusile), to put down a load ; to alight (of
a bird).
Tasya, ku, to cause to put down. Kutusya mtima,
to comfort.
Tula ndulo, ku, to belch wind from the stomach.
Tulala, ku, to be meek and mild tempered.
Tuli, tuli, tuli, expressive of calmness.
Tuluka, ku (-tulwiche), to descend. Ula jitulKnche
liso, Rain fell yesterday.
Tuluaya, ku, to take down.
TuLUMA, KU, to growl (in a low tone) ; to purr of a
cat.
TuLUMBALA, KU, to be swollen up and inflated, as a
bladder or a bag filled to the mouth.
Tuiumhasya, ku, to inflate ; to fill a sack quite full.
TuMA, KU, to send.
Tumika, ku, to serve ; to act as servant.
Tumwa, ku, to be sent.
Tumichisya, ku, to send or cause to send (intensive).
Tumisya, ku, to send ; to send for.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 315
TwmichUa, hu^ to serve.
TuMBiLA, KU (-tumbilb), to be angry.
TumbUila, ku, to fee angry with.
TtjMBUCHiLA, KU (-tumbuchile), to flood ; to fill up
completely.
Tumbicchisyay ku, to put into water; to put the
fermented beer into the thin gruel in the last
stage of brewing; to place one thing within
another, as a small pot within a large one.
TuMBUCHiLWA, KU, to sink ; to have used up all one's
goods ; to have nothing more that one can do.
TuMBULA, KU, to gut ; to Open an abscess.
Tumhuka, hi, to be burst open ; to be gutted ; to
be cut open.
TuMBULUKANYA, KU, to cross right over a hill ; to pass
right through a village. /
TuMULA, KU, to make a noise in the water when
bathing.
TuNDA, KU, to urinate.
Ku tunda makweso, to pass bloody urine.
TuNDAJiLA, KU, to limp.
TuNDUKA, KU, to behave maliciously.
Tundusya, hu, to treat maliciously.
TuNDUMALiLA, KU, to be placed behind, or at one's
back.
TuNDUMUKULA, KU, to Open up ; to lift anything so
that it may be in line with something else.
Litwndumuhda, ku, to behave without self-respect ;
to act contrary to one's own interest.
TuNDUMUSYA, KU, to show one end of anything, such
as of an object sticking out of the water.
TuNDUNUKA, KU, to project. Perepo patundunwiche,
There is an ascent there.
TuNDUNYA, KU (-tundunisye), Litundunya, ku, to re-
move to a worse place than one was in before.
TuNGA, KU, to string beads.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
316 yAi>ENGLISH vbCABULAEY
TuNGALA, KU, to be deformed by leprosy.
TuNGATA, KU, to be of mild tempet* .
TuNGULULB (pi. achatungulule), a long mat woven
6i reeds.
TuNGULUMULA, KU, to roll down ; to caiise Abortion ;
to snort.
Tungnlumuka, ku^ to abort.
TuNGULUWANYA, KU, to drive away all the people from
a village; to divide tip anything ainon^ many
differeht pei^sons.
IMungvluwanya, hi, to givfe away largely in
presents.
TuNGUNYA, KU (-tuNGUNisYE), to drite aWay a b^i-son
to another country; to pass the first thread
through the reeds in sewing a inat.
TuPA, KU, to swell up ; to be many. Wdngasaka ma-
lond'a, lelo gatupilsj (We) don*t want any incdofidd
to-day, we have got a great deal. GMtumbo cha-
kwe chitupUe ndaka, Her belly has swelled up
with the ndaka disease.
TupuLA, KU, to pull up by the roots.
Tujpuka, ku, passive.
Tusu, expressive of Smashing up.
TuSULA, KU, to smash up.
Tusuka, ku, to be smashed up; to have the eye
injured so that the vitreous humout Escapes.
TuTA, KU (-tutile), to push away ; to biiri'O'VV' linder
the ground, and throw up the earth in a heap, as
a mole does.
Ku tuiUa m^nyasa, to launch a boat.
TuTUGANA, KU, to scatter in different directiohs.
TuTULiKA, KU (-tutuliche), to leap up as i-oaisted
maize grains in a pan.
TUTULUSYA, ktj, to drag along the ground ; to make
stiff ahd hard so as to be hard to ch6w ; to burst
(of maize roasted in a potsherd).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-EJ^GLISH VOCABULARY 317
TuTUMA, KU (-tutwime), to bubble up as boiling
water ; to give out volumes of smoke.
Tutumya, ku (-tutwimye), to send out volumes of
smoke.
TuTUMBA, KU (-tutumbile), to puU up by the root?.
TuTUMBU, expressive of pulling or taking out of the
ground.
TuTUMBUKA, KU (-tutumbwiche), to Overturn.
TuTUMBULA, KU, (-tutumbwile), to pull up by the
roots.
Tutumbwa, ku (-tutumbwile), to split or crack.
TuTUSYA, KU (-tutwIsye), to sprout.
TuTUTA, KU, to card cotton down ; to hoe the burnt
bush.
TuTUTU, a crowd moving in a line.
TuuNGULA, KU, to expand ; to inflate.
Tuv/nguka, ku, passive.
TuYANA, KU, to engage in rivalry, or in striving for
the mastery. CJie Malemya akutuyarm lelo ; wa-
gomhile uti likumi ni msano, che Kawinga namho
wapikaniche likumi pe. Malemya tries to be the
big man to-day ; he fired fifteen guns while |Ca-
winga was heard to fire only ten.
TwA, KU (-twble), to pound in a mortar.
Tweka, ku ; Tweleka, kuy to be pounded.
TWAMULA, KU, to bcUoW.
TwANGA, KU, to beat with the fist ; to be talkative.
Litwanjila, ha, to talk a great deal about one's
self. •
TWANGULA, KU, to SUOrt.
TwATWAJiLA, KU, to have much to say.
Litynnya, ku, to fall and bruise one's nose.
TwE ! scattering.
TWE9EL4, KU, to make false statements.
Tvf 1 1 piercing ; pricking.
TWICHILA, KU. 0<pe TWIKA, KU.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
318 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
TwiKA, Ku, to put a load on the head. Andvnchile,
Put the load on my head.
TwiNYA, KU, to wear away, as the end of a staff ; to
meet with a repulse.
TwiTU ! coming into view.
Tya ! expressive of flatness.
Tyaka, ku, to light the grass in several places.
Tyakalasya, ku (-tyakalesye), to put a thing down
carelessly.
Tyakula, ku (-tyakwile), to stir round first to one
side and then to the other, &s. one does in cooking
porridge in native fashion.
Tyala, ku (-tyasile), to skip about; to "duck,"
as in avoiding a missile; to shrink from a
Tnagamho.
Tyalambuka, ku, to slip.
Tyalamhusya, ku, causative.
Tyangatyanga, ku, to flit about from place to place ;
to make false promises.
Tyatya..., expressive of marking.
Tyatya, expressive of flatness.
Msakasa wa/natipe tyatya, a flat roof.
Tyatyaganya, ku (-Tyatyagenye), to keep the bigger
share of anything for one's self.
Tyoka, ku (-tyosile), to start ; to go away. Atyosile
hindawi. He started in the morning. Atyosile pa
rrmsi, He has gone away from the village.
Tyosya, ku (-tyosiaye), to remove.
Tyochesya, ku (-tyochesye), to .take away from ; to
start away from.
U.
U is pronounced as oo in " fool.*' Before a vowel u
has a consonantal sound, and may be written w.
Before o or u the w is sometimes dropped.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 319
U-, the class characteristic of the singular number of
substantives belonging to the second or m (in-
animate) class.
XJ-, the class prefix of certain nouns belonging to the
second class which have no plural, or form their
plural by means of the plural prefixes of other
classes.
XJbelubelu, staggering about from side to side ; loaf-
ing about and living ofE other people by begging.
XJbwinya, pus.
TJcHANDA, youth ; boyhood.
UcHECHE, the white ant. Jua uchecJie^ a niggardly
person.
TJcHEMA, palm wine.
UcHENENE, nicely; well.
UcHETE, the cutting edge of a knife.
XJcHi, honey.
XJcHiLiLA, KU (-uchilile), to be smoked.
XJcHiLi, strength.
TJcHiMWA, ill-nature ; ill-temper.
XJcHiMWENE, chieftainship ; the state and habits of a
chief ; the chief dom.
XJcHisu, the ambition or rivalry that leads one to get
rid of one's fellows.
UcHULUSi, abundance.
XJdandausi, grumbling; discontent.
XJdiesi, greediness.
Ugaga, niggardliness which makes one give away
things in small quantities.
Ugagala, handlessness.
Ugala, ku (-ugele), to shut. See Ugula.
UgalUa, ku, to shut out ; to shut in.
Ugali, porridge made of flour stirred (wuga) into a
thick paste, and eaten with some kind of meat
or relish (mhoga),
Uganja, friendship.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
I
320 YAOEN6LISH VOCA^ULiy|tT
Ku 8y(ywehana uganjay to live on terms of friend-
ship.
Ugogodi, making false charges about others ; turning
" king's evidence."
Ugoma, conviction in a Tvmgamho,
XJgono (pi. MAGONo), a sleeping-mat made qf split-
reeds sewn together.
Avyih ugono^ He died a natural death.
XJgula, Ky (-UGwiiiE), to open.
Ku ugida pa rrdango, to open the door. The Yao
idiom has " To open or shut at " (ku, pa, v^u^,
Ugvlila, ku, to let out ; to let in.
XJgulilo, the posts at side of door by which the door
is kept fastened on the inside.
Ugwalata, the stocks, generally a ho}e in a vejrapdah
post through which a limb of the culprit is
passed and fastened.
Ugwembwele, unfitness for work, as fron^ sickness or
laziniBss.
XJjA, KU (usile), to return.
Ujila, hu, to turn back on the way. Wai0iLe pa
Mhmguzi, He turned back e^t the ]\Ilungv^zi.
Usya, ku, to restore ; to put back ; to leave a 4por
half ajar.
Uchiaya, ku, to restore; to pu^) b^ck; tq leave a
door half ajar.
XJjA MPALE, KU, to recover courage and come b«^^ on
one's pursuers.
XJjANGANYA, KU, to go to a place an4 return the same
day.
Uje, the sharp edge of a cutting instrument.
Ujila, payment made for any work done; payment
made to the head of the caravan for permission
to accompany it ; interest paid on a loan.
ITjila, ku (-ujile), to throw dry food in one's n^outh.
IJjusi, begging persistently.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 321
Uk:a, ku (-uchile), to have one's skin covered with'
dirt.
Ukadili, making false reports about others ; turning
" king's evidence."
Ukaka, niggardliness ; toughness ; firmness.
Ukali, fierceness ; sternness ; bravery.
Ku gorriba ukcdi, to be fierce.
Ukama, a kind of honey.
XJkambingu, backbiting; doublefacedness.
Ukambitiku, back-biting.
TJkana, beer. (Swahili pombe,)
Ukanduluma, self-reliance; self-conceit.
CTkanga, long hairs on the tails of animals.
Ukanganjili, miserliness.
Ukani, disobedience ; obstinacy.
Ukapa, stoutness.
XJkapangapanga, advice.
XTkapglo, slavery.
Ukaserengo, slander.
Ukau, an astringent taste in the mouth after eating
unripe fruit.
Ukawamba, a ground of strife ; a cause of a magambo.
XJkolechb, giving offence to another so as to com-
mence a quarrel. 4
Ukomu, teasing.
Ukongwe, womanhood.
Ukopi, enticing a peison away from any place, or
from any work or bargain on which he may be
intent.
Ukoti, green maize or sorghum, ground on the stones
and cooked by being tied up in leaves and boiled.
XJkoto, beauty.
Ukujukuju, looking suspiciously from side to side, as
a thief does.
XJkula, KIJ, to re-dig ; to rake up a quarrel of long
ago; to uncover what has been buried.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
322 YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Ukulu, greatness ; size. Mtela am ukulu^ This tree
is too big. UTcuLu wakwe wati vli? How big
is it?
tTKUNGWi, skill ; taste.
Ukunje (pi. makunje), a bow.
Ukusikusi, cunning ; deceit.
Ukuta, ku, to blow the bellows at the forge or
furnace.
Ukwesu, the tamarind tree.
Ukweti, a dense bush or forest.
XJkwi, kugwa ukwi, to fall at random.
Ukwibi, niggardliness.
Ukwibi, bark-cloth that won't stretch.
XJla, rain. Ula tiji/nye lelo, It will rain to-day.
Ulaga, ku (-ulbje), to kill.
lUajUwa, ku, to be killed.
XJlala, ku (-ulble), to be hurt.
Ulasyay ku, to hurt.
Ulala, sharpness; cleverness.
Ulalo, a flat form or bridge made by laying cross
trees on two long sleepers; a shelf for drying
meat.
Ulamba, deceit.
Ulanda, poverty; misery.
Ulasi, a species of mushroom.
Ulasi, killing.
Ulawili, a flea.
XJlembe, arrow poison.
XJlendo, a journey ; a caravan. Ulendo wopile, The
caravan is ready to start. Ali mu Hendo, He is
on a journey.
Ulbsi, laziness.
Uli? How?
Ana mkuti uti ? What are you saying 1
Apite uli ! Where did he go to ?
WoAJbkaaUe uli mgao'o ? How did he break that cup %
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 323
Uliesi, covetousness ; greed.
Ulika, ku, to come above-ground; to ooze through
the eoil.
Ulika, ku, to burst (of maize roasted in a potsherd).
TJlikwi, a species of flying white ant.
XJlili, a sleeping-mat made of split reeds sewn
together ; a shade.
Avnle ulUi, He died a natural death.
XJlinda, watching. AU mu tUinda, He is in the
watch-house (at the garden).
Ulinje, so-and-so. Ulinje 'aula ao.^ There's so-and-so
coming.
Ulisi, much crying. ^
TJlitemanye, conceit ; pride.
Uliwa, water oozing out of the ground.
Ulombela, marriage.
Ulonda, watching.
Ulu, haze from grass fires in the dry season.
Ulukusa, faecal matter in the intestines of animals ;
dung.
XJlukuta, ku, to move restlessly.
Ulula, ku, to glean what has been left in the
gardens.
Ululu, poison.
Ululu, teeth " standing on edge " ; itching.
Ululuka, ku, to be blown away with the wind.
UlvZusya, ha, to pour grain from a height that the
dust and chaff may fly away ; to winnow.
Ululuta, ku, to shout, as women do in token of
rejoicing.
Ulume, manhood.
Ulumula, ku, to remove a number of things from
one place to another one by one; to pull or
scrape a number of things towards one.
Ulunga, ku, to make into a round mass.
Ulvmjikay ha, passive.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
324 \ YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY
Ulusi, thread.
TJlutula, ku, to stab m the abdomen ; to remove a
number of articles one by one ; to repeat one'$
words of long ago.
Ulutuka ku, to be stabbed ; to burst open (of the
abdomen of a dead animal).
Uluulu, roundness.
Uluumba, eu, to roll about on the ground.
Ulutisya, ku, to lay anything in the dust.
Uluuta, ku, to be uprooted or trampled down (as of
the grass where an animal has lain); to speak
indistinctly.
Uluwa (pi. maluwa), a jflower.
XJlwblb, sickifbss ; disease.
XJlyalya, deceit; putting off ; procrastination ; delay-
ing with intent to cheat.
XJmani, quarrelsomeness.
Umanyilisi, understanding ; wisdom.
Umba, medicine placed at garden for increasing the
supply of food.
Umbala, secrecy ; thievishness.
XJmbala, ku, to pass through the wnyago or ceremony
of initiation.
TJmbata, ku (-umbete), to close the fist ; to close the
fingers tightly over anything.
Umbusya, ku, to follow up the trail of ga,me.
XJmi, health ; life.
Kuinkoaya wmi, to heal.
Kukola v/m% to be well.
Umika, ku (-umiche), to place firewood on the fire.
Umwe, TJmweju, you.
Umwemwe, you yourself.
Umwe pe 'mwe, you alone.
XJmya, ku, to remove.
Una, ku, to reap, by cutting off the ears of the grain,
as they do in reaping rice.
Digitized by CjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLTSH TOCABULAftY 325
Unandi, littleness. Mtela an unandi, This tree is too
little.
Undanda, cheating one out of one's property by false
promises or by keeping out of the owner's way.
Undika, ku, to ripen artificially by covering in a pot
or by hanging up in the verandah.
Undukida, hi, to remove what has been thus
ripened.
Undukuka, ku, passive.
Unduka, Ka, to run away temporarily as a protest
against some wrong received.
Undula, jku, to hoe on a large scale ; to pound bran.
Undulila, ku (-undulile), to splash about water so
as to mix anything in it such as fish poison.
Une, Uneji, I ; me.
Unene, I myself.
UnepenSy I alone.
Unga, ku, to gather earth into a heap in hoeing.
Unganya, ku, to gather many things together.
Ungcmaj ku, to be gathered together.
Ungolengole, a cause of trouble.
XJngoswb, the intermediate party or parties in a
bargain or marriage.
Ungulumya, ku (-ungulwimyb), to go about seeking
for anything.
TJngwe, very old age.
Ung'asi, a dance. The various kinds of dances are —
Mhangvla, Chikwe, Chiput% Misiyu, MsecTie,
Chipinde, Mlawcmda, Likwata, Mdalxmga, Mha-
8via, Mascmihala, Ulombef Chindimba, Mangaka,
Mckama, Liyaya.
Unikanya, ku (-unikenye), to shut two things to-
gether, as the two halves of a pumpkin.
XJnjika, ku, to gather together into a heap.
Unjikana, ku, to gather many things together into
a heap.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
326 YAO-^GLISH VOCABULARY
Uhjikana, ku, passive.
Unonono, hardness.
Unuku, expressive of opening.
Unya, a kind of gruel uncooked.
Unya, ku, to stir together, as flour and water.
"C[nyago, the ceremony of initiation which all Yao
boys and girls undergo.
Unyago wa ndagala, boy^s ceremony.
Unyago wa chiputu, girl's ceremony.
Unyago wa chimha/ndi, Unyago wetiwo {wa litiwo),
the ceremony passed through by a woman on
being pregnant with her first child.
XJnyolo (pi. NYOLo), a chain.
Unyunyu, whiteness; cleanliness.
Upa, ku, to give something to the performers at a
dance; to pay the friend who attends the
children at the unyago; to reward.
Upagwe, nature.
Upagwe unWf all of one piece ; all of one kind.
Up ALA, sound of rushing water.
XJpALU, skill in hunting.
Upandb, cow itch. I
XJpANDU, a dangerous occurrence.
-na upandu, dangerous.
IJpANGANYE, method of doing a thing.
IJPAPA, niggardliness.
IJpASANi, trade.
TJpATE, a kind of gong.
Upele, the itch.
TJpiLE, good luck.
TJpiLiLiYU, foolhardiness ; heedlessness of consequence.
TJpo, a collection made at a dance.
Upupa, itch.
XJpupi, advice especially an a magamba,
Upwawale, anything with flat surfaces or flat sides
on it.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULAB'
Upya, the bush where the grass has b
IJpYATA, great cleverness which enabl
one^s fellows.
TJsAKALiYU, fatigue.
UsAKWA, filth ; dirt ; defilement.
TJsALALBNE, backbiting.
UsALiLi, a kind of red cloth.
Us AM A, kugona uscmia, to sleep badly.
XJsANGWALi, a bedstead or platforn
forked sticks driven into the gi
poles laid from the one to the o
a number of thin rods or bambo<
crosswise.
UsAU, a shelf where meat or fish are
underneath.
UsAu, likeness; appearance.
UsAUCHi, raggedness ; poverty in drej
UsAWi, witchcraft.
UsEPA, a cloth to carry a child.
UsESE, ku gona usese^ to sleep lying oi
UsEWA, foolishness.
UsiGALA, staying alone.
XJsiLE, covetousness.
TJsiLU, stupidity.
UsiMBWA, small-sized beads.
UsiNDO, the sound of walking.
XJsiNiNi, the gums.
XJsiYA, stupidity.
UsoMBA, ku gona usoniba, to sleep on
UsoNGOLO, youth.
UsoNGOsoNGO, Collecting one by one.
UsuLi, the flower of pumpkin.
XJsuMA, Ugcdi wosuma {-wa usuma)
relish.
UsuNGO, the semen.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
328 YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
UsuNGULA, hu gona usunguUiy to sleep with one eye
open.
XJsYA, KU (-usisye), to ask.
Uchisya, hu, to plead.
UsYA, KU, to tie the mouth of a bag.
Usyika, ku, passive.
UsYA, KU. See XJja, ku.
UsYANUKULA, KU, to go to a place and return the
same day.
Uta, KU (-utile), to pull.
Utika, kuy to be stretched.
Utala, ku (-utele), to be overgrown with grass.
TJtale, iron ore.
XJtama, ku, to stoop down.
XJtama, ku (-uteme), to crouch down.
Utamila, kuy to sit upon eggs.
Utamilichika, kuy passive.
Utambwi, the webfoot of a duck.
Utandi, flour.
TJtapa, using fair words.
XJtasya, demanding a higher price for mahndck.
Utawb, plan of building.
XJtbnde, way ; manner ; circumstances.
Au utende 'u, in this way.
Auno utende ^uno, in this way ; by this time ; in
these circumstances.
XJtetb, calico carried thrown over the shoulder.
Uti, a gun. Kugomha uti, to fire a gun ; ku sopela
utif to ram a gun ; kutega uti, to cock a gun ;
kukwata uti, to present a gun.
XJtila, flight.
Utilili, gog sticks.
Utolilo, making fun of anything.
XJtombo, coitus.
XJtomoni, to ooze out (of the sap of a tree).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABtJLARY 329
XJtope, mud ; clap.
XJtdchi, scrapings of wood.
Utuka, ku (-utwiche), to run.
Ku utuka lu'wilo, to run a race.
Utuchisya ku, to run fast.
UtuckUa ku, to run to ; to run for.
XJtukutu, maize roasted and pounded.
Utula, ku, to cut close to the roots ; to cut the hair.
XJtuli, a white lip-ring.
XJtulwa, a sweet kind of beer.
Utumwa, service.
Ututu, the brain.
UtyaTyatya, flatness.
XJuLA, KU (-uusile), to groan ; to moan.
UuLi, white hair.
XJuTA, KU (-uutile), to rub and soften a skin. *
Uutika, ku, passive.
UwA, KU (-wile), to die ; to become cold, as a pot on
the fire.
JJwila, ku, to die for ; to tie lightly at first, intend-
ing to tie firmly afterwards.
UwASi, a mushroom.
UwB, UwEJi, we ; us.
Uwewe, we ourselves.
Uwe pe *we,\we ourselves.
TJwELESi, child-bearing.
Jua uwelesi, one who has borne children.
UwBNDE, blood for boiling.
UwiGO, a fence made of trees and branches, made to
stop the flight of game and drive them in one
direction.
XJwiLA, KU (-uwile), to tie lightly, to fasten loosely in
the first instance and afterwards to tie firmly.
UwiLisi, prosperous condition ; fame.
XJwiLO, a burial.
UwiLO, joking.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
330 YAOENGLISH VOCABULAKY
Kumtenda uvnlo, to make jokes at another.
UwiMi, niggardliness.
TJwoNASi, waste ; destruction.
UwuLU, haze.
UwuNGA, the warp.
Uya, ku (-wiye), to half-cook any article, that it may
be laid aside.
Uyika, ku, passive.
W.
Wa, ku, to be ; to become. See Grammar.
Wa, ku (-WILILE), to hem.
Wachi ? what ? what for 1
Wagula, ku, to be ominous of evil.
Wagtdilwa, ku, to meet an evil omen.
Wajila, ku, to be fitting; to be suitable for; to
become.
WajUwa, ku, to be worthy of ; to be fit for.
Wajisya, ku (-wajisye), to make a thing to fit.
Waka ! falling off.
Waka, a scent of game.
Wakanya, ku, to make a rustling noise amongst the
grass.
Wala, ku (-wasile), to shine.
Wala, ku (-wete), to put on clothes ; to wear.
Wecka ku {-weMche), to clothe.
Walagana, ku, to be placed at intervals.
Walaganya, hi, to place at intervals.
Walama, ku, to be scarce; to cease to be seen so
frequently as before.
Walanga, ku (-walasile), to count ; to read.
Liwalanga, ku, to speak for one's self; to plead
one's cause ; to justify one's self.
Wcdcmjika, ku, to be able to be counted ; to be few
in numbers.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YA0-ENGLI8H VOCABULARY 331
Walawalila, ku, to tie bamboos on a house ; to be
sparse.
Walawandula, ku, to go out of a straight line, as in
hoeing.
Walawanduka, hi^ to appear ; to be visible.
Walawasya, ku, to put a small quantity of grass
on the roof of a house; to beat a drum
heavily.
Wali, boys and girls who are at the unyago ceremony ;
girls who have been through the unyago cere-
mony.
Walika, ku, to throw out sparks of firewood; to
split up (of ripe fruit) ; to pierce right through.
Walula, ku, to split up.
Walukay ku, passive.
Wamba, Kwenda warribapey to go aimlessly ; to go
through bad places.
Kwapa wandu wamba, to give away to people
promiscuously.
Ku mmga wamba, to taste badly.
Wamba, ku, to roast one side of a maize cob ; to
stretch out ; to extend.
KuwambUila ngom^, to stretch the skin over the
mouth of a drum.
Wambukvla, ha, to remove what has been stretched
out.
Wambala, ku (-wambele), to take something from the
edge of a number or heap.
Wambalala, ku (-wambalele), to go round about a
thing; to stroll round and round.
Wana, ku, to squeeze between two pieces of wood, or
bind between two pieces of wood.
Wam>ika, ku, passive.
Wanaka jumo, of one family.
Wanda, ku, to clear a path by beating down the
grass on either side ; to be common or general.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
332 YAO-EKGLISH VOCABULAKY
Wandika, ku, to be near.
Wandichila, hvb, to be near to.
Wcmdikanaj ku, to be near each other.
Wandikanya, ku, to bring near each other.
Wandu (pi. of MUNDu), people. Wandu amhele achiy
Somebody gave me this.
Wandula, ku, to hammer an edge on any instru-
ment.
Wanga, ku, to file a notch in the teeth ; to chip the
edge of a gnn-flint, so as to sharpen it; to
commence to hoe a new garden; to trade.
lAwanga, ku, to join one's self to a crowd.
Wanganya, ku, to mix.
Wanganichisya, ku, to be in doubts about.
Wangawanga, a miscellaneous collection of things.
Wangula, ku, to split open ; to open out a path.
WaNI (pi. of NDUNi), Who?
Lina lyenu wani ? What is your name ?
Wanichisya, ku, to be in doubts about.
Wanukula, ku, to lower ; to bring to the ground ;
to open up what has been squeezed together.
Kujiwarmhda uti, to lower a gun after presenting.
Wanula, ku, to make a circuit ; to let anything fall
out of the hand from a height.
Wanuka, ku, to fall down.
Wanwa, ku (-wan wile), to be stuck fast between two
sticks.
Wasa ! water spouting up from below.
Wasa, ku, to take out from a store.
Wasika, ku, passive.
Wasasi, waste.
Wasya, ku (-wasisye), to think over ; to fall slightly
(of rain).
Watama, ku (-wateme), to be level and flat.
Watcmiichisya, ku, to lie down flat on the ground.
Watika, ku (-watiohe), to sharpen by rubbing.^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-BNGLISH VOCABULARY 333
WATiLAt KU (-watile), to scrape the threads on the
loom with a blunt-pointed piece of bamboo.
Wato (pi. MAWATo), a canoe.
Waula, ku (-wawile), to burn the bush so as to be
able to hoe it; to singe.
Wawa, ku, to be bitter; to be acid; to be strong
(of beer) ; to pain (of a wound).
Wawanya, ku, to steal openly.
Wawata, ku, to be improperly ripened.
Wecha, ku (-wechiche), to clothe. See Wala ku.
. Wecheka, ku, to be clothed.
Wejeka, ku (-wbjechb), to lean against.
Welecheta, ku, Wecheta, ku (-wblechete), to
Welechetela, ku, to speak for; to bring an accusation
against.
Weleka, ku (-weleche), to carry ; to bear children.
Welechela, ku, to bear children to.
Welekula, ku, to come to maturity (of maize).
Welekulanya, ku, to divide an animal into two ; to
put a matter right between two parties.
Welbnjesya, ku, to postpone.
Welenjeka, ku, to be postponed.
Weluka, ku, to finish work.
Welusya, ku, to set free from work.
Weluwelu, expressive of softness.
Wenda, ku, to stalk (game) ; to go about searching
for beer.
Wenga, ku, to produce an eruption of eczema on the
skin, as certain kinds of flesh are said to do.
Wengwa, ku, to be covered with eczema.
Wengana, ku, to be at variance with one another.
Wenjewenjb, the mane of a lion.
Wbsani, a measure.
Wesk, father. Wese wangu, my father. , Wesegwe, his
father. PI. AcMweae,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
334 YAOENGLI8H VOCABULARY
Weseka, ku, to change one's intention, so as not to do
what one resolved on.
Wbsi, the other side of the fire from the raised
sleeping place.
Wed wohdungwa, the side where the sleeping-mat
lies.
Wesi wonandi, the opposite side from the sleeping
side.
WETEKupTA, KU, to make "faces at a person in
anger.
Wewa, ku (-weWile), to be still and quiet. Ldo
kuwewUe, It is a quiet day to-day. Mundu
juahawewa mtima, a quiet man.'
Wbwela, ku, to be very thin ; to be soft.
Wewbta, ku, to rave, as a dreamer does in making
the revelations.
Wewewe ! soft. Nguo jili wewewe. The calico is
soft.
WiCHiLA, ku (-wichile), to hide a portion of one's
food in one's hand.
WiGA, niggardliness.
WiGA, KU (-wisile), to tie an uwigo fence ; to rain at
a distance.
WiGULA, KU (-wigwile), to Start (of a caravan).
WiiNA, an orphan.
WiJiKA, ku (-wijiohe), to draw off one's at;tention.
WiJiKANYA, KU, to be interlaced ; to be crowded ; to
crowd round.
WiJiKU, a fat man's manner of walking.
WiKA, KU (-wisile), to put ; to place.
Wichikay ha, to be placed.
WichUa, ku, to place for (another).
WiKA, KU (-wichile), ku wika ma/garribo, to fix on a
place where a mo/gamho is to be spoken.
Wila, ku (-wilile), to take revenge on a third party
who is not the offender. KurmoUUa mundM
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAOENGLISH VOCABULARY 335
maunlOf to put out one's spite on a third party.
The noun is mawilo,
WiLANGA, KU (-WILASILE), to Call.
Wilanjika, ku {-wilanjiche), to be called.
WiLicHiLA, KU, to surpass.
WiRiGA, KU (-wirije), to wrap up.
WUijilUa, kuy to wrap up in.
Wirigcma, ku^ to come together, of a crowd ; to be
all gathered up into a ball.
LiwUijUilay kuy to enshroud one's self in.
WiRiGANA, KU, to roll up into a ball.
WiUKU, stooping down.
WiLiKULA, KU, to boil up, as water at the foot of a
waterfall ; to roll up in masses (of clouds) ; to
come in volumes.
WiLiNGA, KU, to make into a ball.
WiLiSYA, KU (-wilisye), to repeat.
Wilichikay ku, to be repeated.
Wilingala, hi, to repeat in close succession.
WiLiwiLT, black ; blue.
WiLiwiTALA, KU (-wiliwitele), to be black or blue.
WiLiwiTULA, KU (-wiliwitwile), to ruu away fast.
WiLULA, KU (-wilwile), to vomit up food.
WiLUSYA, KU (-wilwisye), to bolch up wind from the
stomach, as from a feeling of nausea. The
Angoni do this intentionally as a polite indication
of having been satisfied.
WiMBA, KU, to thatch.
WiMULA, KU, to unthatch.
Wind A, ku, to defend a garden by means of medicine;
to make a place which one has chosen for one's
garden ; to bum the bush so as to drive the
game in a certain direction ; to follow up the
trail of an animal and then surround the place
where it lies with a net ; to cease shaving (as a
Digitized by VjOOQIC
336 YAOBNGLISH VOCABULA.BY
woman does when her husband is on a journey) ;
to chew a large mouthful at a time.
WiNDiKA, KU, to fix upon One for one's wife ; to refrain
from shaving, or putting oil on one's self, while
one's husband is on a journey.
Windikida, ku, to return to the wife whom one has
left.
WiNGA, KU (-winjile), to drive away; to chase and
catch a fowl.
Winjika, ku, to be driven away.
WiNGAMU, expressive of rolling over.
WiNUKA, KU, to go over the top.
Winmycbt ku, to put over the top.
WiBiMA, KU, to flow fast (of water); to be bitter; to
give a loud report (of a gun).
WiRiMALA, KU, to be of rounded form.
WiSALA, KU (-wisele), to be old and worn out,
-wisi, fresh ; green ; new. Nguo jajiwisi, new cloth.
Manyom gamawiai, green grass. leogosi yevnsi,
unripe fruit.
WisiKALA, KU (-wisikele), to be green and fresh ; to
be new ; to be damp.
WisiKASYA, KU (-wisikesye), to screw the face as a
child does in beginning to cry ; to show signs
of rain ; to assume a friendly attitude towards
one.
WisuBLi, KU (-wisuchile), to be highly fevered.
WiSYA, KU (-wisisyb), to half cook anything and lay it ,
aside.
WisYAWlSYA, KU, to screw the face (as a child does in
beginning to cry) ; to show signs of rain.
WiTA, KU, to throb.
WiTUKO, expressive of falling into a trap.
Wiu, jealousy; more especially jealousy between
women.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAO-ENGLISH VOCABULARY 337
WiwiLA, Ku, to blow with the mouth.
Wiwiwi I throbbing.
WoGA, fear.
WoJOLA, KU, to force one's way through the tangled
bush.
WoMOLA, KU (-womwele), to take a piece out of any-
thing.
WONA, KU (-WENi), to SOO.
WoTveka, hu,iohQ seen ; to appear.
Wonechelay ku, to be visible. lAtvmfihi samhano liwo-
nechele, The hill now is visible.
Wonegana, ku, to be on good terms with one
another.
WoNDOKOSO, stupidity, such as is produced by bhang
smoking.
WoNGA, gunpowder.
WoNJBLA, KU, to tie firmly what has become loosened ;
to be mild and placid in temper ; to tarry a long
time in a place.
WoTOKA, KU, to continue using strong language.
WowocHELA, KU, to slip down ; to sink down.
Wowowo, sound of a great many people talking or
chattering.
WuGA, KU (-wujile), to cook ugali. The word has
reference to the method of stirring the thick
porridge paste, which is done by drawing the
stirring-rod towards one, not stirring it round
and round {Kologanya).
WuKUTA, KU (-wukutile), to blow the bellows.
WuLuwusYA, KU (-wuluwisye), to smother with
dust.
WuMUKA, KU (-wumwiche), to be rotten and smell
badly.
WuNDA, KU, to begin to rot ; to teach the customs of
the people ; to be thrown into the water by the
overturning of a canoe.
z
Digitized by VjOOQIC
338 YAQ-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Wundisya, ku, to overturn aii4 spill (of a capoe) >
to leave to rot ; to teach.
WuNDiKA, KU (-wundiche), to ripen artificially.
WuNDiKA, \v (-wundiche), to fill tl^e mouth with
water ; to hold anything such as stones in the
mouth.
WuNDUKULA, KU (-wundukwile), to uncover.
WuwuLi, dulness of senses.
WuwuTA, KU (-wuwutile), to tread dowi^ grass.
Y.
Y, is pronounced as the y in " yet." It is a conso-
nantal i.
Ya, of, the preposition belonging to the plural of
substantives belonging to the fourth class.
Ya kanganika, strongly.
Yakulya, food.
Yalo, the private parts of man or woman.
Yalumo. iSee Chalumo.
Ya meso, the truth.
Yamula, going on ahead.
Ya ngonera, anything old.
Ya soni, shamefully.
Yatangula, ku, to collapse ; to loosen the spring of
a trap that it may not assume a bent form and
BO become useless.
Ye-, for ya i^.
Yeybka, ku, to bind loosely.
YoNDA, ku, to suck with the lips ; to be very lean.
Yui^iLisi, lying in wait for. I^ale manyasi wande-
womde, yuwilisi perepct/. Look at the grass all
trodden down, people were lying in wait there.
YuYA, KU (-yuyiye), to swing the skipping-rope ]|:*oi:^id
and round one's head.
by Google
PART III
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Digitized by VjOOQIC
This vocabulary is not meant in any way to give an exhaust-
ive list of English words rendered into Yao, but only those in
common use, to facilitate the acquirement of the language. It
should be used, therefore, only in connection with the Yao-
English vocabulary in Part II.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH- YAO VOCA
Abandon, leka.
Abdomen, chitumbo ; (above the navel
Abide, tania sigcda.
Able, pa komhola ; ability, lunduf uki
Abode, kumangwao ; to change, sama
Abound, chuluka, tupa ; full of, gwmhi
About, ya, sya.
Above, kwinani, j^enani, pachanya.
Abbase, koola {-kowele).
Abscess, chUonda ; lipute ; finger, chitt
Absence, sowa.
Abundance, vnnji, uchvlusi, topotopo.
Abuse, tunduka.
Acclimatised, syowerera m^chilambo.
Accompaniment of song, chilanga.
Accompany, pechesya^ longana nao, sin
Accomplish, mcUisya.
According to, malinga ni, mpdagay c)
Account, to give false, namanilaf /
Recount, kwangali kandu, ya 7nteg
Accuracy, sight, maltUi ; shooting, lu
Accusation, mawdechetelo.
341
Digitized by VjOOQIC
342 ENGLISH- YAO VOCABULABY
Accuse, welechetda ; falsely, gogodochela.
Accustomed, syowerera.
Ache, poteka.
Acid, jujuluka ; wawa (bitter).
Acquaintance, mnasi (pi. cmcLsi).
Across, to lie, pingvlana, pinjikaria (of two things
crossing each other) ; to lay, pinjikanyay pingu-
lanya \ to go, jomhoka (river).
Action, chitendo (pi. matendo).
Add, pcmibichila, jonjechesya ; lunda (length) ; wala-
nga (number).
Adder, lipiri.
Addition, in, mhcmihu, pambida, kwisa.
Addled, sukusa.
Adhesive, nyamhatUa,
Admiration, chilapo.
Adult, juamJcule.
Adultery, chisembweh, chihdutu, diitote.
Advance, go in, longolela, svsila.
Advice, malowe gakwelusya, lipungu.
Advise, jelusya, peleJca lipungu.
Adze, sema (-seinile) ; an, chipininjila.
Afar, kwanaula.
Affair at Law, mctgambo.
Affection, chinonyelano, chinonyelo.
Affinity, ulongo (relationship).
Afflict, chima, saiosya.
Afraid, jogopa {-jogwepe) ; make, jogoya.
After, munyv/ma, pcmyuma ; one after another, juine
nijuine (persons).
Afternoon, ligvlo.
Afterwards, panyuma ; soon, pangakawa mnope.
AOAiN, saai.
Age, old, ungwe, ucJiekidu ; aged, -ckekulUy -a kcUa ;
ages, ndala.
Ago, long, hcda ; a little, katasi.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
ENGLlSti-YAO VOCABULARY 343
AoBBE (on friendly terms), jUana, jinikana; (consetit),
kunda.
Agreement, chilango, lilangrzno, masauli ; to make,
langana malangano, hatawd mdsauti; to break,
hvlekd malangano,
AtM at, intention, hlela ; ti^ith gun, jandikd.
Aimlessly, to go, kwenda wamhape,
Aik, mhepo (cold).
Ajar, pemb&neka, kwangauchisya.
Alarmed lest some sin be foilnd out, litetemuka.
Alive, -jumi (with prefix).
Alike, yalumope.
All, -086 (with class prefix).
Allow, kunda, leka, (-lesile), kundisya.
Alter, tivdanya, lekanya, pinduckila.
Alternately, to place, pachisya.
Although, TuichiwamunOy nctngulo, natimuno.
Ambition, uchisu, ndonde.
Ambitious, to be, tondesya.
Amiss, to do, ckotochera, socJiehla.
Amongst, pa^hiliJcati.
Amulet, njilisi (cloth-bag with medicine); ckipala
(horn with medicine).
Amuse, sechelesya, sdngaidsyd.
Amusement, ung'ando.
Ancestors, achatati.
Anchor, kochesya.
Ancient, -a kola (with class prefix).
And, na, ni, nipo.
Anger, lutumbUo ; stir up, nyanyula.
Angry, tumbila, nyanyuka, nyaluka, chachamhuka ;
angry with, tumhilila, nyinda; makie angry,
nyanytda.
Animal, nyama (for food) ; wild, chikoko.
AifkLte, chisukusuku.
Anklet, mkwita (iron); likangald (brass).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
344 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Anneal iron, jitula.
Anoint, pahay pahasya.
Another, juine (person).
Answer, jitika, janga ; to one's name, jitichisya.
Ant, white, ucheche ; red, salau ; brown, mbamba ;
black, mapipi ; nfftimbi (in flying stage) ; queen,
nakunenyena,
Antelope, sable, mbcUapi; gemsbok, ngolomhwe; eland,
mbunju; hartebeest, ngose; koodoo, ndandcUa;
bushbuck, mbawala ; reedbuck, ndope ; roybuck,
swakt.
Ant-hill, lisugvluy chikula (small) ; tunnels, ma-
somwa.
Anus, luhundu.
Anxious, singalUway pwelda.
Anything, chaigala, chindu, chirigaTia,
Apart, pachisyepela, kundundvmala, pambcUi,
Ape, lijanL
Apex of roof, chituLo,
Apostle, jv/mdiumetv/me.
Appear, woneka^ kopocheki.
Appearance, uloUy chisau^ uivoTiecIie,
Appease, ieteya, pembesya, ivlasya.
Appetite for meat, lukowo; for something dainty,
tauwa.
Appoint, kolanga ; a day, panga.
Apprehend, komirday manyilila, jogppa.
Approach, wandichUa.
Arab, Mnasala.
Argue, kutenda makani,
Arise, jimuka.
Arm, mkono.
Armpit, ngwapa.
Army, to gather, lalika.
Arrange, Jcolosya (tidy) ; jala (dispose) ; liiiganyay
longosola (in order).
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH- YAO VOCABULARY
Abrive, iha ; at, ichila.
Arrow, mpamha (iron) ; mkioala (wooden)
chiscmiba.
Artery, mtctsi.
Articulate badly, somya (somiye).
As, as far as, mpaka ; as if, 7npela.
Ascend, kwela.
Ascent, cMtundulima (in path) ; chikwesya, m
Ashamed, tenda soni, kola soni.
Ashes, liu.
Ashpit, cJiitutu.
Aside, ku nduvdumcda, pa chisyepela, pa mhal
aside, aepuka ; lay, salasya.
Ask, uaya (-usisye); ask ior^juga.
Asleep, gona m'lugono, hiwa w/lvgono.
Ass, bulu.
Assemble, ikangana, ungana, songana.
Assembly, lukumbi,
AasBNT, jitichisija, kunda, chichichisya.
Assist, kamusya.
Assistance, to render, pokold.
Associate, syowekaiia.
Assuage, pwa (river).
Asthma, mhumu.
Astonished, to be, simongma, nyonyomioa ',
simosya.
Astonishment, chigaga, chisimongo.
At, mu, pa, ku.
Atone, pemhecJvesya.
Attack, tanjUa (war) ; ulasya (person).
Attain, ika.
Attempt, linga.
Attend, pikana.
Augment, chuLvya^jonjeckesya, pamhichila.
Aunt, amao wa/naTidi, akwelume.
Authority, ulamusi.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
346 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULAKT
Autumn. See Season.
Avarice, udiesi.
Avoid, chiliuka, aepuchila, ligosa.
Await, lindUila,
Awake, kuwa metope ; all night, civesya.
Away, to go, tyoka ; fair away, kwcmavla, kutalika.
Axe, chipininjila, liwago,
B.
Babe, likandi, kanache.
Baboon, lijdni ; old, Tftdhimbo ; youtig, mtcdyai
Bachelor, jueuU,
Back, mgongo; at one's, munyuma] to lie oti, gona
higaii ; tuirn oiie's back on, tuTidumddila ; walk
backwards, kvjenda chitukululu.
Backbiting, mbindingu, ukamhindingu, uscMene; to
backbite, sogoda.
Bad, be, sakah, ; kwdngalumhana, nyahald ; to make^
sakasya.
Baffled, goma (-gomile); dingdlilwa, lundumbilwa.
Bag, msaku ; for food, chisapo ; of salt, lupinda ; for
powder, msopelo ; plaited, ligaja.
Baggage, ndundu,
BAit, nyambo.
Bake, pwngcmya mkato.
Balance, wesani (scales); On the heM, mrvecheyay
dendechera, hleclieya.
Baldness, of old age, lidaai ; of shAving, lupala.
Bale, kopa, teka.
Ball, mpira ; make into, kamata ; of string, cMpilwa.
Bamboo, mlasi ; young, mtuwa ; large solid, ngangcUa;
large hollow, chiulawe.
Banana, ligombo; butich, mkongai a sirigle clusterj
chisctgwa; leaf, likwati; flower, chitungaturhgd.
Banish, winga, topola.
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ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 347
Bank of river, njengwe ; sand, chilili ; opposite bank,
list line.
Baobab, mlambe.
Baptize, taga mesi, bdtisa.
Bar of door, mbugcdUo,
Barb of arrow, lino.
Bare of \Q2i.vQ% pukutika; bare body, joa chiluchilupe.
Bark of tree, likowa, lihungwa ; bark cloth, liworido,
likata (old) ; bark rope, mgoji ; bundle of bark
rope, chikata; to bark (of dog), guma; to strip
bark from tree, gwagvla.
Barrel of gun, mtutu ; of powder, lipipa, selenje.
Barter to, suma ; to go in search oi, jesya ; to give
out goods for, lajiaya.
Base of hill, kwichela, kwiwaiida ; of tree, likola,
lipata ; person, juakusakala mtima.
Bashful, lotomala.
Basin, mbaU.
Bask, in sun, jota pa lyuwa.
Basket, small, chitundu, c/melo; large, lukalala,
chitunga ; with lid, intungwi ; fish-trap, msipu ;
sifting, lupeta; long-shaped, mtambala ; for
carrying fowls, chiteletele.
Bat, lichinji; small kind, chijmtiputi.
Bathe, ^'o^a; (trans. )yo«ya, kidumula.
Battlefield, pa mtambo.
Bawl, gurmla.
Be, wa.
Bead, general name, cliwrrm\ string of, lipisya', small
bunch, msweta; large bunch, chitalakdsi ; neck-
lace, chinganga; head-dresS of beads like wig,
chikwawo ; beads tied on to the hair, chitunga ;
worn round waist by women, miule, mitumbo;
bracelet, ipiliga.
Beak, ngoma.
Beam, ingoinba.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
348 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Bean, more common varieties, njama, nguTtde, mtesa,
mbelemendef ngwingvnau, mbtoanda.
Bear, children, weleha ; fruit, aogola ; pain, pimilila ;
one who can't bear pain, jtm lutotou; carry,
jigcUa.
Beard, 'ndeu, mtisa ; long, msalapa.
Beast, cliikoko^ chichene.
Beat, with fist, puta, hunuLa^ kortia, kuwita ; on head
with knuckles, twanga ; the floor, guguda, beat
out iron, nyuLvla, syana ; a drum, gomba ; beat
the bush, aahda ; of heart, pumiaaika ; of pulse,
wita.
Beating, liwangula.
Beautiful, -koto, kusalala; beauty, ukoto; beauti-
fully, chikotope.
Because, patipo, pakuwa, ligongo.
Beckon, kodola, pdUisa.
Become, wa ; change into, syuka, gcUauka,
Becoming, to be, wajila.
Bedstead, movable, chindanda; fixed, uaangwcdi;
mat, ivgono, lichika ; raised platform for sleeping
on, chilili.
Bee, 7iyuch% lenyeny&u ; bee-bread, mhotola ; beeswax,
lipiUa.
Beep, nyama, mnou.
Beer, ukana ; sweet, msunje ; spoiled, ipa ; old,
chifunde; beer feast, as pay of work, chijao.
Beetle, water, chinjeranjera.
Before, paujo, pa rneso ; beforehand, chile.
Befriend, sungana.
Beg, juga, chondelela.
Beget, weleka.
Begging, ujusi.
Begin, tanda; beginning, tidando, chitando.
Beguile, nyenga, kalmrbuchUa.
Behalf of, in, ligongo lya.
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ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 349
Behave, ligosa, lijesya ; behaviour, tijende, utame,
wende.
Behead, singa.
Behind, panywma, munyv/ma.
Behold, lola.
Belch, geya {-geyiye).
Believe, pikanichisya ; in, kulupilila.
Bell, lilomfihcdomha, chikengele.
Bellows, misaku, chiprxla; to blow, uJcuta ; to bellow,
twamida, hangula, tongola, koloma.
Belly, matumbo, chitvmbo.
Below, past', here below, pasipano.
Belt, leather, chihowe, mkwandala; cloth, mpango.
Bend, pinda ; down, jinama ; round, pirula ; a bend,
mbindo.
Beneath, past.
Benediction, chijinicliilo.
Benefit, chxtkukomiusya.
Bent, pitidika, pimhitala ; easily bent, ku tepana.
Benumbed, be, tenda mandindili, jumulay chwe.
Beseech, chonddda.
Beside, jm mhcdi.
Besmear, pakcda; with fat, Tiakanya; besmeared
with, pachila.
Betray, pereka ni moMndi, lanjila.
Betroth, tcmiela; betroth another, tomesya; be
betrothed, windika; a betrothed, asono.
Between, pacMUkati, jKikati,
Beware, lolechesya.
Bewilder, simosya ; be bewildered, siniongwa.
Bewitch, log a (-losile).
Beyond, kupunda.
Bhang, chamha.
Biceps, lipuku.
Bid, farewell, langa ; tell, hdila.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
350 ENGLISH-TAO VOCABULARY
Big, -hdungwa ; be, kiUa {-ktusile) ; great, korrumgcda.
Bile, nyongo.
Bill, of bird, ngomo ; paper, kalata.
Billow, litumhela.
Bind, tawa ; loosely, yeyeka ; to secrecy, jnmindika.
Bird, chijuni; bird-lime, tUimboUmho ; bird-trap,
lipetwa, liltwa ; bird-cage, chitundu.
Birth, hwpagwa.
Bit, chipiaya ; a bit added to payment, rmsu.
Bite, Ivma ; bite off, ng'wenya, katida ; of leeches,
suThdidUa.
Bitter, wwwa, nycmg'anya^ wirima ; sourness, kanda.
Black, -piliyu, pilila ; make, pilisya ; blackness, hi ;
to dye, jina.
Blacksmith, jtca chipala, juakiisyaiia.
Blade, of knife, chisamba ; grass, soso.
Blame, ukawamba ; to blame, weclietela.
Blanket, ligondolo (coloured) ; likapa (red).
Blaspheme, soc/ieya, lalata.
Blaze, kolela ; a flame, lilamba.
Bleed, sulula ; by cupping, lumika.
Blend, wanganya.
Bliss, cause to prosper, jhiichila.
Blind, tatala; blind man, juakutatala.
Blindly, pupidipupvM,
Blister, juguwala ; a blister, litusa., Utuhti.
Blood, ir^yasi.
Blood-vessel, msindo, mtc^i.
Bloom, sipuka.
Blot, sakasya ; blot out, simasya.
Blow, of wind, puga-y with mouth, pepela, vdwUa;
the fire, pepela moto ; the bellows, ukuta misaku ;
the nose, penga ; be blown away by wind, lukbka ;
with fist, puta.
Blue-stone, mlututu.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC .
BNGLISH-YAQ VOqABULARY 351
Blunder, lemwa.
Blunt, to, jnsa'y to ]3e, -ngatemay chunja', turn t;he
edge, hunyvla.
BoA^iD, litahwa.
Boast, Ukwesya mtima, tenda matapa, tenda lila/ma.
Boat, wato.
Bobbin, rijinga.
Body, chilu.
Bog, lukcmgangama.
BoHj, chisy/agupute ; group of boils, mmyuchila \ to
boil water, teh^a ; to be boiling, tokQta^ tutimdla^
chachmnhuka ; begin to boil, semula.
Boisterous, Iwanya {-Iwcmyile),
Bold, juakutirnha mtima, juangajogopa.
Bondage, ukapolo.
Bone, liupa, liwalcmgwangwa.
Book, kalata, chikalata.
Boots, ikwakwata.
Border of country, mpika ; cloth, mkago, mhali.
Bore, poola (powele) ; of insects, pukuswof.
Born, pagwa.
Borrow, jasima ; goods for barter, kongola.
Bosom, pa mtima.
Both, wana wawili.
Bother, sakcdisya^ tanda.
Bottle, lisolosolo ; basket-work, chisisUi.
Bottom, pasi pakwe.
Bough, Ittambi.
Boulder, Iwala, litunguwe.
Bounce, rebound, cliam^a. See Boast.
Bound, sumha ; of ball, chanja.
Boundary, m^lile, mpika.
Bow, ukunje (pi. mxikunje) ; rainbow, ukunje ; string
a bow, hung a j bowstring, lusinga.
Bowel, matumho.
Bowl, mhale.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
352 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Box, libweta, haaa.
Boy, maongolOf mclianda ; boyhood, uchanda.
Bracelet, iron, likwtnjUi ; plaited grass, ckigombe ;
ivory, liJcosa ; elephant hair, lusinga ; flat, lipa-
pati.
Brain, tUiUu,
Bran, masete, niatimba ; coarse, inasapi.
Branch, hiamhi (pi. nyamhi\
Brass, chikungu.
Brave, limba mtima ; ukcUi ; bravery, chilttmelume.
Bread, mkato.
Breadth, chitipa ; of cloth, chitando.
Break, temeka ; to pieces, haaa ; across, temangida^
noko8ola ; string, kutula ; break through, sotola ;
break off, pemUa, nujnda ; break easily, nyopo-
la ; break down a wall, gumula ; break an agree-
ment, hka.
Breakfast, yahilya ya kundawiy susula.
Breast, liwele ; of animals, chidali.
Breath, lipase.
Breathe, pumula; heavily, pumasika^ breathing,
mhtmiu.
Breed, to, p<yngola.
Breeze, mpepela, mhungo.
Brew, kolojda.
Brick, njerwa.
Bride, rrdooka.
Bridegroom, mlomhela.
Bridge, built, ulalo (pi. malalo); a single tree,
ugogo.
Bright, mbe ; after rain, mesya {-mesisye),
Bright's disease, chinyda.
Brim, lukomo.
Bring, tola (-tosile), ika ni — , jigala ; bring back,
v^hisya.
Brink of river, njengwe.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH -YAO VOCABULARY 353
Brittle, techetuka, pokosoka ; brittleness, mtechetu.
Broad, chana chitipa.
Broken, of the voice, wecheta mcdendere.
Bronchitis, liuiidika.
Brook, kasulo.
Brother, his, akvZu ; her, mlumhu ; his younger
mpwao ; brother-in-law, alamu ; kinsman, mlongo.
Brow, pausyo.
Bruise, chunyunday kanyata.
Brush, pukuta ; a brush, lisache.
BtBBLE up, tutuma, tokota ; bubbles, mambwimbtfn.
Buck. See Antelope.
Bud, chitumba.
Buffalo, njati.
Bug, 'iigunguni.
Bugle, lipenga.
Build, ta/wa ; a large house, livla.
BuLB^ chitupa.
Bulge, nvmiba.
Bull, ng^ombe ja mkambako.
Bullet, chipolopolo, conical, Ttamlembwe -, spherical,
njamia.
Bunch, grass for thatch, mbutu ; of maize, likoleko ;
of beads, maweta ; of bananas, mkonga.
Bundle, chitutiUe, lipukusiy msigo ; grass, litita ;
sticks, chitenje ; bark -rope, chikata.
Burden, ndundu ; to be burdened, sitopelwa.
Burial, uwUo,
Burn, joch ; to burn, kolela ; be burned, pya {-pile) ;
burned out (of a fire), silalay lita; smell of,
chiwaunle.
Burrow, sola paai ; close to surface, jeluka ; a burrow,
mwisyo, uUmga,
Burst, of a gun, kwetemula ; of seam, totokuka ; of
cloth, papuka ; of buds, clia, gopola, aipuka ; of
abscess, tuinbuka ; of bubbles, pwa.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
354 ENGLISH-TAO VOCABULARY
Bury, jasa, similisya.
BuRYiNG-GROUND, malemhe,
Bdsh, likoTide ; a plant, liukuUt ; dense, ukweti.
Business, masengo.
But, namhoy akawe.
Butt, of spear, chisopi.
Butterfly, chiptdi^ptUwa.
Buttocks, matako.
Button, libutao.
Buy, aumuy sumana ni.
Bypath, mlamba.
Byre, lichinga.
C.
Cackle, kongondeka, tetda, kukujila.
Cage (coop), chUundu ; for carrying fowls, ahUeletele,
Calabash, chitumha, mhonde.
Calf, mwcma che jica ng^omhe ; of leg, Ivsonjo,
Calico, Tiguo ; white, mlskano ; red, rrUangali ; blue,
chinyong* onyo.
Call, wilanga {-wUasile) ; give name to, ta (-tele) ;
call upon (invoke), kolanga ; summons (workers),
lalika.
Calm, ha/ta ; of heart, tula paei.
Calumny, mseche.
Camel, ngamila.
Camp, on journey, chigono.
Canal, hikoloma.
Candle, nyali.
Cane, mpicJii, aimbo ; sugar, mlungu ; bamboo,
mlasi.
Cannon, msinga.
Canoe, ingcdaway wato (pi. mawato)^ likurvgwa ; bottiom,
lUvwa ; large, likalfiwa.
Canvas, likamiambo ; chiguduli.
Digitized by GoOglf'
ElNGlilSH-YAO VOCABULARY S56
Cap, cloth, chisoti ; beads, chikwao ; fez, msidi ; large,
chisindi ; white cotton, chiJcopiya.
Gaptiye, jiM m^miJcole.
Caravan, wa vnHuteiido.
Cabe, heed, lolechesya ; take care of, sa,mcdila ; put
into another's care, sachisya ; carelessness,
mbwaju; sawa.
Carry, jigala ; in the axma, jangata ; carry on the
back, weleka munyuTna', under the arm, kwa-
pata ; two together, jigasyana ; carry a load on
a pole, kunga.
Cart, gareta.
Carve, lernba, sokota ; on stick, siga ; hollow out with
chisel, cherega, sojiga {-sojijile).
Cassava, chinangwa ; cassava flour, mtaThdasya.
Case of, in, mtemela.
Cask, of powder, lipipa ; small, serenji.
Cast, ponya ; a net, tega.
Castor-oil, mhcdika ; crushed^ mnaka.
Castrate, chela.
Cat, black, ckome ; grey, chiulm.
Catarrh, loaoso.
Catch, a ball, janga ; fish, tanjiaya, loposya ; what is
falling, chinjika ; sight of, kvlola pisya ; up in
speech, pyatangula.
Caterpillar, liuTigu,
Cattle, ng^ombe.
Cattle-shed, lichinga.
Cause, for acting, ligongo ; of quaa^rel, lika/wamba ;
to cause to do, tesya.
Cave, mhanga.
Cease to do, leka ; cease work, welvJca ; come to end,
mala.
Centiped, njelenyenye, lijongolo.
Centre, chUikati,
Certainly, eti tu.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
356 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Chaff, niatimha \ maize, masapi ; mapemba, mapusi ;
rice, masokolikoko.
Chain, unyolo (pi. nyolo), lutambiche.
Chair, chitengu^ kandea.
Chamber, chikolosa.
Chameleon, ncdwii.
Change, thidanya ; transform, syuka ; one's mind,
pitikvJcay weseka, pinduka mtima ; one's abode,
sama ; one's clothes, lipindvXa.
Chant, chiranga.
Character, nature, upagwe, mhagwilo ; fame, lu-
mbili.
Charcoal, inakala.
Charge, of powder, msindo ; take charge of, lindilila,
samalUa.
Charm, chilagu, njUisi,
Chase away, vnnga, topola.
Chat, kungvluka.
Chatterbox, chigwagwa.
Chattering, of teeth, chinganga.
Cheap, changali mteivgo, changanonopa.
Cheat, ny&nga^ Uiwhusya ; a cheat, jua vlamha,
Cheatery, chingengo, vlamha.
Check, of finger, likanyata.
Cheek, pa chijeje.
Cherish, nonyela, sakichisya.
Chest, pa mtinia.
Chew, tauna (-taunne) ; chewed sugar-cane, mswaga ;
chew tobacco, lya chikambi.
Chicken, liwiwi, kakuku.
Chide, kalipa, jamiuka.
Chief, mchimweiie^ amwenye, msyene; chieftainship,
icehi7nwe7ie.
Child, mwanache, mwana ; newly-born, likandi ; child-
bearing, uwelesi.
Chill, chisisila.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 357
Chin, chipunde.
Chink, chipowo, lipesa.
Chip, lipato, chipalamandu ; to chip, moni/olcf^, penyula
{'penyuwile) ; chip off, pattda.
Chisel, njelelo.
Choke, of weeds, nyolosya.
Choose, sagtUa ; a wife, torna ; a site, lagulila.
Chronic, of disease, pimilUa.
Chyle and fseces in intestine, tduhusa.
Cicatrix from burn, ndundi.
Circuit, to make a, wanula.
Circumcise, umhcda, sichita.
Circumstances, in these, w;e utende ^wo; sai ino ino ;
in what circumstances 1 saiapi ?
City, miosis msinda.
Clap the hand, gomha w!yala> ; hwata (-Jcwatile) ; in
token of agreement, gomha clianja ; cl^^ping the
hands, lukoi.
Class, kind, lukosyo.
Claw, lukose (pi. ngose) ; of crab, ligongwa.
Clay, utope ; black, msilo ; red, katondo ; to tramp
clay, ponda.
Clean, awejeaya^ pukuta ; teeth, sokonyola ; grass,
pasa ; cotton, chela ; a gun, kvAila ; cleanliness,
uswejelo ; whiteness, unyunyu.
Clear, mbe, languka ; water, lenjda ; clear up, cha ;
the path, petula, wanda ; the ground, chochola ;
one's throat, chirimula.
Cleave, walida, sala; cleave to, nyamhatila.
Cleg, liguwo.
Clench the fist, umbata.
Clever, kalamuka, punda ; cleverness, vlala^ makala-
muko.
Cliff, lichenje.
Climb, kwela (-kwesUe) ; nonela (-anonele) ; climbing,
nona.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
358 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Clod, litupi.
Close, shut, ugala ; fist, umbata ; eyes, sisina ; close
up (box), pidana ; stop up, siioa ; close to, mgu-
lugulu.
Closet, chikolosa.
Cloth, nguo, likamamho ; bark, liuoondo ; blue, chi-
nyoTig'onyo ; red, mlangali ; old bark-cloth, lika-
ta ; old calico, masanjcUa ; Arab cloth, chirewcmi.
Clothe, wecha {-weckiche) ; put on clothes, v^cda
(-wete) ; take off, ula {-usUe) ; clothes, ycCkuwcdUa ;
change clothes, lipinduia ; old clothes, matapvxUay
mdsanjala, wiadla^ rrniga^'wisa.
Cloud, liundc; cloudiness, nyoto, luunde.
Club, chimhonga.
Cluck, with tongue, kodola.
Clump of trees, mseso.
Coal, majpala.
Coast, the, kumanga, mpika.
Coat, malaja, mcdota ; waistcoat, chisubao.
Cob, chisonde.
Cobweb, lundcmdcmihuli.
Cock, tamhala ; young, ndembe ; cock a gun, tega ;
cock's comb, lichocholoh, chingongongoli ; spur,
chingalimba ; crow of, kongondeka, tangola.
Cockroach, mbeu,
Cocoanut, Ungole,
Cocoon, chikalakala.
Cohere, nyamhatila.
Coil round, sye^nga, wiriga.
Cold, mbepo, chisisira, sisima ; intense, chikwenya ;
cold place, chisisimhepo ; a cold, liundika ; become
cold, pola ; coldness, si ! usisimu.
Collapse, yatangula.
Collect, unganya, ikaiiganya, songanya ; into a heap,
kola ; of persons, songana.
Collide, gomhana.
Digitized by VjOOQIC - .
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULAEY 359
Coma, komoka,
Ck)MB, lisamulo.
Combat, menyatia, umana.
Combustion, pya, upyo.
Come, ika, jisa, jenda) from, uma', out of, hopoka;
near, wandichila ; together, songarm^ sonffcmgcma,
kulikana ; to one's assistance, pokola.
Comely, kuscdala.
Comfort, tv-sya mtima, tttlcLsya,
Comfortable, duliisi ; live comfortably, tama dultisi.
Command, lamvlila, Itdila; commandment, lilamtdo,
lUa/musi.
Commence, tcmda ; commencement, chitcmdo.
Commerce, mcUonda,
Commiserate, tendela chcmasa.
Common, wcmiha, wanda.
Common-sense, mate.
Communion, chisymjoe.
Compact, lilangano.
Companion, mj — (with person, suffix).
Company, liunjUi, mpingo, likiiga.
Compassion, chanasa.
Compel, kanichisya^ kcmgcmichisya.
Complain, dandaula.
Complete, malisya; completely, myu, pe, puptdu,
chimiogo.
Comprehend, mcmyilila.
Compress, nyikata, kmiyata, chinyindila.
Conceal, sisa-, one's self, Usi8a,juwa.
Conceited, 2^oka, likwesya.
Concerning, mkut% ya, kwamhaga.
Conciliate, citengulanya.
Conclude, mala.
Condemn, gomeka.
Condition, utame, upagwe.
Conduct, to, longolela ; behaviour, utam$.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
360 ENGLISH- YAO VOCABULARY
Coney, njechere.
Conference, luhwmhi, magamho*
Confess, lijitichisya.
Confide in, kulupilUa ; confidence, vXiitMo, uLivibe.
Confirm, limhika.
Conflict, wengana.
Confluence, hijondo.
Confound, susa, simonjesya.
Confuse, hcdalisya, aanihcvrvganya ; in confusion, haXon
lor-haMa, ku ; speak confusedly, cliolowcma.
Congeal, kwewana.
Conscience, mtima, vmfianyUis^l,
Consent, jitichisya, kunda.
Consider, ganisya.
Console, tamika, tusya mtima.
Conspicuous, njo.
Conspiracy, malindi.
Constantly, jpangcdekakka.
Constrain, kanichisya.
Consult the oracle, londola.
Consume, ^:w/a.
Contemn, to, nyosya.
Contend, teyida makcmi, menyana.
Content, jikuta, lisinga.
Contentious, jua masuso, juagvlvgiisya.
Continue, pe, wirisya ; continually, jpangaleka.
Contort the mouth, mung'unya.
Contract, ng^orig^onddla^ iiandvpa, awinycda ; contract
speech, wecheta chidtde.
Contradict, sisya, susa.
Contrite, ligamha.
Conundrum, ndawi.
Converse, kungvXuka.
Convert, galausya.
Convey, jigala, jesya.
Convict, m<igamho, gomeka, susa ; conviction, ugoma.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 361
Cook, teleka ; porridge, wuga {-vmsile) ; cooked ready,
pya ; cook out oil, jenga ; half cook, uya.
Cool, to be, sisima ; to cool, pola.
Coop, hen, chitundu.
Copper, chikungUf mhuwa.
Copse, maeso.
Copy, syasya, lolela.
Cord, lukoiije.
Cork, (stopper), chisiwilo.
Corn, wheat, trigu ; Indian, chinianga ; Kaffir, rtia]^-
mba ; semsem, mkwiya.
Corner, ndumha, mtepa.
Corpse, mtembo,
CoRKECT, jongolela, goloaya.
Corrode, ligwa mkuo.
Corrupt, wola, sakaaya.
Cost, mtengo ; costlj, kula mtev^o.
Cotton, lut07ije ; prepared for spinning, msweswe.
Cough, kosomola ; coughing, koso koao.
Council, lukumhi, magambo ; councillor, mpungu,
mputi.
Counsel, liputigu ; to counsel, jon^olela.
Count, walanga {-walasile).
Countenance, ngopCy pa vieao.
Country, chilambo ; outside of village, mlaga.
Courage, chiaongolo, mtima wakulimba.
Course, e. g. of bricks, lujili, pi. nyili.
Court, of village, panganya ; of a house, kuayeto.
Cousin, maiwani (pi. aaiwam) ; -ship, chiaiwajii.
Covenant, mcUangano.
Cover, unichUa ; up, as with earth, ailila ; cover the
eyes, aiwa ; gun-cover, mdala.
Covet, piloby ailila ; covetousness, mailili, ulieai.
Cow, Tig^ombeja mkolo.
Cowardice, woga, uailu.
Crab, nyala ; hole of a crab, chikopela.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
362 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Oraok, ekechenukuka, ycmgoBika, gaia, galuka ; a ciaek,
Ittga ; crack in bottle, lugcmga ; sole of foot,
lisilu ; crack, of falling tree, lumba.
Crackle, tatasika.
Craft, skill, ukungwi, umisiri ; deceit^ tdamha.
Cramp, mandindili.
Crane, chumha.
Cranium, chikalakasa.
Crate for fowls, chitdetele.
Crawl, kwctwa.
Creature, creeping, chikoko cha kwawchkwauoa ; flying,
cha gvluka-gulvka.
Credential, chvmam.yilUo,
Creep, kvoawa ; of plant, tambala ; a creeper, nUv^
ndusi.
Crest of fowl, chingongongoli, chinyuau.
Cricket, chijosolo.
Crime, vl&mwa.
Crisp, of hair, wewa.
Crocodile, ngioena.
Crooked, gongomalaf pimbitala, jnndika.
Cross, a river, jomboka; a road, tctgcUttkanya ; each
other, of sticks, pinjikana, pingtdcma ; crosswise,
m*chitipa mwakwe, chamchitipa ; cross-road, mor
lekano ; crossr-beam, mgomba ; to be cross, kaUpila,
gomba ukali,
Croton-oil plant, msismicmga.
Crouch down, utama, lasima.
Crow, likunguiu.
Crowd, liunjUi, likuga ; crowd round, wijikanycL, so-
ngangana.
Crown, head-cloth, lisanda, nduwUa ; of head, peuwo.
Crucify, pctchika pa Tngomba, wamba pa mgomba.
Cruel, to be, kalalisya^ rvg'akala ; yaa wanga.
Crumble down, gv/muka ; as inside of dry potato,
lagala.
Digitized by GoOglp
BNGLI&H-YAO VOCABULARY 363
Crumbs, ndikatika.
Crumple, as of cloth, hwemfibekanya.
Crunch, ng^ung^una.
Crush, hanyata ; in pieces, swcmya ; down, nyikata^
pyetechesya, chinyindila.
Crusty, to be, cJialamcmdald.
Cry, lUa, gumila, guta ; out for, laluka, lakalaka ; of
beast or bird, tongola ; mourning, mcdilo \ joy,
luluta ; war-cry, chikuwo.
Cubit, mkono.
Cucumber, liaakaka, lingaka.
Cud, yakvlya ya kvhikvZa,
Cunning (skill), ukungvyi ; be cunning, kalamtcka.
Cup, mg<w ; china, mdAJumu ; cupping-horn, cJmioi ; at
end of stick, luwiriga.
Curdle, chesuka, vmnda, kwewa, kwewcma.
Cube, poUiy poaya.
Curiosity, chakvlapisya.
Curl, of a leaf, swinyaZa ; of hair, wirigcma.
Current, vyirima.
Curse, Iwesa ; curses, maliveso.
Curve, jnnda.
Custard apple, Uposa.
Custom, mtengo, mayungu ; according to custom, mpela
kusyowerera.
Cut, sichita, tema, kcUa ; divide, gawanya ; carefully,
siga ; close to roots, sengula, siniMa, utula, chu-
wa ; fell, kanga, kang'anda ; branches of tree,
sandula ; of shades of setting sun on tree, kapUa ;
a slice, chechvla ; into strips, hnga ; into pieces,
katanyakatcmya ', almost through, ning^ana'y
crosswise, kan^gamda ; open, turnhda ; patterns
on head, sijilUa chUeTnba; the hair, nyonyola',
the throat, ainga ; a cutting, mheju.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
364 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
D.
Dab, tomeka.
Dagger, mkcdo, chipvZa^ chimaje.
Dale, litiwi, chiwata.
Dam, aiwa.
Damp, chisisira, chinyesi.
Dance, ina {-inile) ; about, jangcda ; a dance, ung^asi,
chindimba.
Danger, upandu ; dangerous, -na upandu ; be danger-
ous, jogoya.
Dangle, Uleya,
Dark-colourbd, -pUiyu ; darkness,* chipi ; thick dark-
ness, chipi totolo ; to become dark, kuswa.
Darn, iota chigajigaji.
Date, time, lyuwa, katema ; tree, kanjesa
Daughter, mwanache juamkongwe ; daughter-in-law,
akwego.
Dawn, to, cha (-chele).
Day, lyuwa ; daybreak, kucha ; daytime, mitsi ; all
day long, lyuwa tetetete ; daily, mowa gosepe ;
after to-morrow, mtondo; two days after to-
morrow, mkucha ; three days after to-morrow,
msinga.
Dazzle, nyesima, chenga.
Deaf, -ngapika/na ; deafness, chiuli.
Dear, price, -na, mtengo ', dear me ! ndiyojpe.
Death, chiwa, kuuwa.
Debt, mangawa, magongo, ngongole.
Decay, wola {wosUe).
Deceit, vlamha, ngunga, chinyengo, vlyalya.
Deceive, lambuaya, tenda ulamha, kwaga {-kwajile).
Decide, a magambo, lamula magamho.
Decompose, wola.
Deep, kwendesya, sokoka (sokweclie) ; deep water,
mlivn.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH- YAO VOCABULARY 365
Deer, ndandala.
Defeat, topola, witiga.
Depend, liwinjila.
Defile, aakaaya ; defilement, usahwa.
Deflect, sepuka.
Deformed, lemala, punduka ; by leprosy, tungcda.
Delay, kawa, kokowa ; cause to delay, kawisya^ che-
resya, cJiec1ielu8y§L, syereusya.
Den, rr^anga.
Dense, overgrown, utala.
Deny, kana, jima.
Depart, tyoka.
Depth, kwendesya.
Derision, cliaiiache, chiwilo, chipongwe; to deride,
lalatUa.
Descend, tuluka ; steep descent, lichenje.
Desert, lipululu ; deserted village, masame.
Desire, sosa, saka^ pUa ; a desire, rmangu, lukowo.
Desolate, to be, -jika.
Despise, nyosya, nycdapa.
Destroy, jonomga (-jonasile), paaula, sahalisi/a; de-
struction by war, cMpasupasu.
Detain, sigasya, kawasya.
Devastate, pasuh, ; devastation, cMpasupasu,
Dew, Tnangamie; dewlap, chilewalewa; beat off dew,
kupida.
Dexterity, in shooting, luwaso.
Dhow, chombo.
Diaphragm, mawamba-ngoma,
Diarrhcea, chisiula, chiuhida.
Die, uwa {-wile), similila ; die out of fire, ailala ; die
suddenly, uwa chikomo.
Differ from, lekana, tindana; make difference
between, tindanya ni- ; in different places, pakwe
pakwe ; for there is no difference, pakuti pangale-
kana.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
356 ENOLI8H-1PAO VOCABULARY
Difficult, nonopa (-nonwepe), -nonono ; too difficulty
lem<i ; to please, tindisya.
Dig, sola (sosile) ; dig deep, solesya, kapula, sindimu-
kuLa ; dig out, chaJcapula ; unoover, ukiUa ; dig a
hole with stick, chokopola.
Diminish, nanduya, pungiUa.
Dimness, nyoto ; of sight, ngungUy ndandagasi.
Dip, pamba ; in water, chuwika, chuya.
Dirt, usakwa ; to dirty, pilisyay sakasya ; be dirty,
likwanjila.
Disagreement, makani.
Disappear, gwoda {-gwasile), similila ; b^iind some-
thing, winuka ; sudden disappearance, gweregvyere,
ndu.
Disarrange, aahalisya, sapanganya.
Discontent, udandausi.
Discover, to, simcmay sirbgcma.
Discuss, tatawcma, wecheta.
Discussion, Tnagambo.
Disease, chilwde.
Disgrace, mchesela ; disgrace one's self, liienda mcke-
Disgust, chinyalakato.
Dish, mbcUe.
Dishonour, jaluaya.
Dislocate, kulunyvkiika.
Disobey, kana ; be disobedient, pwanya ; disobedience^
ukani.
Disorder, in, ku, pinjiripinjiri ; to be disordered,
sapangana.
Disperse, purilingana, pwilinganya.
Displeased, nyilUika.
Disposition, upagwe.
Dispute, makani ; to dispute, tenda makani.
Disrespectful, to be, chembtUzcsya, jakisya ; towards
neighbours, chvmbonaTW,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
EN<SLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 367
Distant, talika ; from each other, tcdikanyana.
Distinctly, wecheta ichenerve^ speak.
Distress, hvlaga ; be distressed, aakalika.
Distribute^ peleganya, sapulanya.
Disturbance, make, lakanya.
Ditch, lukoloma.
Dive, tiwila, kapila.
Divide, goAjoanya ; a fowl, hachulanya ; divide out,
sapulanya.
Divine, londola chisango, wewetu.
Divining instrument, chisango.
Dizzy, tenda luTngumbisi, chisyungusyungu.
Do, teTida {-tesih) ; do work, panganya masengo.
Dog, mbwa; wild, lisogo.
Dominion, uchirmjoene.
Donkey, irulu.
Door, litanga ; doorway, pa mla/ngo ; small back door,
chitupa ; door fastener, mbv^^Uo.
Double-faobdness, mbindingu.
Doubt, be in, wanickisya, kangachiya ; doubting, ma-
gamigam,^ liwamhoa/ni.
Dove, njuwa,
Down, pasi ; down-hill, kwiwanda^ kwichda ; of bird ,
cheuje.
Dragon-fly, atomholomho.
Draw, uta ; water, teka ; write, lemba ; along the
ground, kwekweremya ; one's knife, swekula ;
teeth, umya^ twpula.
Dream, lisaga/mih ; to dream, sa^amila ; interpret a
dream, saga/mukula.
Dregs, senga.
Drenched, be, nyowa ; of animal, pongolwa ; drench-
ing, chululu.
Dress, cliakuwalila.
Drink, ng^wa, mwa ; give to drink, mhchesya.
Drive away, tiaya, wi/nga, topola.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
368 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Drizzle, melemenda, ula jati wawawawa, jati inerime-
rimeri.
Drop, lindondo ; to drop, of water, kusidula ; let fall,
kylu2m8ya.
Droppings (dung), mchimba.
Dropsy, Tidaka; intestinal, mhulu, jimhan/gana.
Drought, chircda.
Drown, to, twinichisya ; to be drowned, mUwa.
Drum, ngoTna ; large, lilomhe, likunda ; small, njoma,
chinganga ; war drum, sonjo ; stand for drum,
chisukasuka ; to drum, gomha ngoma.
Drune, koMwa ; disorderly, leaa ; drunkard, mlevi ;
drunkenness, ulevi.
Dry, -jumu ; jumula, lagala (-lagele) ; dry up, of dew,
pukuta ; to dry in the ^wa^janika ; dry at fire,
jatusya ; dry land, kumkuli ; of tears, pwela ; dry
season, chau.
Duck, libata, liwata,
Dulness of senses, wuumli.
Dumb, juangapawecJieta.
Dung, utogole, vlukuaa ; of birds, chitotosi ; dunghill,
chitutu.
Duodenum, chiulawinji.
Dusk, to be, swa, kuswele.
Dust, luundu ; shake . out dust, kung'unda ; to dust,
pukuta ; lay in the dust, vluusya.
Duty, niasengo, chakwmbajUa mundu.
Dye, to, chesida, jina.
Dysentery, chiukiUci, chisiula.
E.
Each of them, wosepe juirie juine.
Eagle, the fish-, ngwasi ; large hawk, nyanga.
Ear, lipUikanUo, liioiwi ; of corn, liscbche.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENOLISri-TAO tOCABULiHY 369
Earring, brass, chituwa, ndolo ; to piercei the ear,
tolola,
EartS, litaha.
Earthquake, chilurvgu.
East, ku likukopoka lyuwa, hu likuUma li/uwa.
Easy, -nganonopa.
Eat, lya (-lile) ; eat to excess, susukwa^ nyela, sinda,
simambala.
Ebony tree, mpingo.
Echo, ncmialowe.
Edge, of knife, uuji ; cloth, mJcago ; t6 placet on edge,
vnka mchisegambali.
Edible, ligwa.
Eel, ngunga.
Egg, lindanda, litaji, lilcong' onda, Ujele, liwumhi ; egg-
shel>, liJcasi, likohwa ; addled egg, lisisi/a.
Either, na/muno, nachiwamuno, kcmga.
Eland, mhunju ; large, licheko.
Elastic, namhuka, nyohmhoka.
Elbow, chisinjino.
Eldest of family, juamtasi.
Elephant, ndembo.
Elevated, to be, nyanyama.
Elsewhere, kwine.
Embank, lUonga.
Empty, to, kusvla ; empty-handed, lidele, yalape,
mtwetwetwepe.
Enclosure for women's "huts, kusyeto, kuchimbundi.
Encourage, chisya.
End, mtepa ; at the, pambesi ; pioint, lusonga ; end of
a house, Tidumba jc^inandi.
Endure, last, twmilisgay pimilila.
^HEM.Y, jiuimagongo.
Enjoin, lidila, salUa,
Enough, jenela ; not enough, penembela.
Entangled, to be, kolekaTia.
b b
Digitized by VjOOQIC
370 ENGLISH- YAO VOCABULARY
Enter, jinjila.
Entertain, aamaliiay aechelela.
Entice, nyenga, Jcopa ; entice from his home, Jcomya,
tokosa, nyenyeaya.
Entrance, gateway, chipata ; to village, chikomo.
Entwine, syenga.
Envy, maungo, uohiau.
Epidemic, chitopa.
Epilepsy, mjilinjUi,
Err, lemway Uwa, soya.
Escape, kvlupuka.
Especially, munomwiio.
Espoused, tomdwa.
Euphorbia, ngv^esa.
Even, nanguloy nachiwamuno ; even although, namose.
Evening, ligvlo.
Everywhere, posepe, mosepe.
Ewer, luulo.
Exalt, kwesya.
Examine, linga, lolechesya.
Example, chisyasyo.
Exceed, litowa, pundanganya.
ExCELL, sokoka, punda.
Except, akawe.
Exchange, tindanya, stumarui ; slaves, womholesyana.
Excited, papamba. .
Excrembmt, inanyiy medimbi.
Excuse one's self, liscUa ; an excuse, pakuLiscda,
Exhort, chisya.
Exile, an, jiumibinjiche, jucmitopolwe.
Expand, tuungvla, sasawHa, chachambuka.
Expect, lolela.
Expel, winga, topola.
Experience, mate.
Explain, gopolela, gopolanya] explanation, chigopo-
lelo.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 371
Extend (stretch), wamba, leuya.
Extinguish, aima.
Extract a thorn, somola ; indiar-rubber, pcmyila.
Eye, liso, pi. meso; of needle, mhugu] eye disease,
ng^ala] without eyelashes, chesekay eyebrows,
nguwiJeuwi ; eyelash, lukioimbi; eyelid, chikohwa ;
to close eyes, sisina; open, siaifiukuka ; poor
eyesight, vdandagaai,
F.
Face, ngope, pa meso ; face to face, ngwcmda.
Fade, of cloth, svluka ; of flowers, nyala.
Fail, hpela.
Faint, komoka ; be faint, lelemuka.
Faint-hearted, lepetala.
Faith, chikulupi.
Fall, gwa ; cause to, gwisya ; down, of wall, gwmuka ;
in pieces, kwetemula; from height, pakamuka,
aakamuka; one by one, pakatika; fall out, of
hair, momoka ; to one side, sondokoka.
Fame, lunibili, uvnlisi.
Family, lukosyo ; of one family, wanakajumo.
Famine, mpupvlvsiy chipiri.
Famous, to be, sokoka.
Fan, kupula.
Fancy, lingalira.
Far as, as, mpaka.
Far away, kwcmatda^ kutcdika ; to go, cholima ; to be
far from, talikangana ', put far away, talichisya.
Farewell, bid, langa.
Farther, to go on, susila.
Fast, to, tawa namasani ; make fast, Ivmhika.
Fasten, to, tawa^ lumhikanya ; door, pachila pamlar
ngo.
Fat, kapa, nakana, jimhala -, oil, mauta.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
372 bnglish-Vao Vocabulary
Father, atatiy toese; his wesegwe; father-in-law,
akwego.
Fault, to find, jamuka ; faults, yaktieoya, mdgongo ;
faultless, wangasoya.
Fear, woga ; to iesir,jogopa.
Feast, dancing, mangaka, chindimba; matriage, chi-
kidundine; after work, chijao.
Feather, long, ndenga ; short, mang^omba ; of wing,
msimbi, linyunya.
Feeble, to be, topwana, lep&tcUa, hpotoka, tochomdla.
Feed, lisya.
Feel, pilikana ; all over, papasya^ tomasyai powaayd.
Fell, kariga, tema, tuktdd.
Fellowship, chisyowe.
Female, -kongwe.
Fence, lutenje ; strong, luwagala ; of grass, chiinhuiidi.
Ferment, lula, chesuka, semula ; beer, stmgunukukai
Ferret, ngodawango.
Ferry over, jomhosya.
Fertile ground, chajUa.
Fetch, tola (-tosile).
Fever, chiimsuku ; to have fever, Ikmkat
Few, -nono, -nandi; to be, rujmdupd; to make, na-
'fiduya,
Fez, msidi,
Fickleness, chipindwpindu.
Fierce, jogoya, luaa, chinama, gomba ukali ', fierce-
ness, chisongolo, ukali.
Fig, Ivkuju ; fig-tree, mkvju.
FiQtct, menyana^ wmourm.
File, twpa ; to file, kuta ; fill in, sUikl).
Fill, gumbasya, tulwmbasya ; be full, gurribala.
Filter salt, chilika.
Filth, usakwa.
Fin of fish, chUimba.
Finally, pa mbeai.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BNGfilSH-YAO VOCABUI.ARY 373
Find, shigana, sigcma^ jigana, stTnuna.
Finger, cluda ; first, cka rrdcmjUo ; second and third,
cka pahati ; little, chc[> nyonje.
Finish, mala; finish work, toelvJca; well, cJierereka,
koliga; quickly, hvhmiichika ; a ceremony, sa-
i nguia.
Fire, rrioto ; kindle, kolesya ; fire a gun, gomha, itvia.
Firebrand, Ivmuli,
Firefly, chmyetanyeta.
Fireplace, ohisisa.
Firewood, piece, IvJcwi, luaasu ; bundle, chitenje.
Firm, %a, liTnha, kmndimala; in one^s opinion,
chinjirima.
First, jv>akutcmda.
Fish, somha ; fishhook, chisopo.
Fist, suwa ; to strike with, twanga.
Fit, loosely, jyelepeta; tightly, kcmgcmika; fitting,
kuwajila.
Fix, {e.g. with pin) totomeka; upright in ground,
simika; fix a day, panga.
Flame, lilamha.
Flash, mesya, ng^cmvma^ l^pu, koKihi ; of gun, kana.
Flat, to be, watcmia ; of ground, pachiwata.
Flatter, kwaga.
Flea, utitUi, idavnlL
Flee, tUa ; flight, utila.
Fleet, to be, chachuka.
Flesh, mnou ; game, nyama.
Flit, somia ; from place to place, tyangatycmga, toga-
ndoga, pya/pyaluka ; flit things, sa/mya.
Float, jajawala, jelajda ; a float, kamMlombilo,
Flood, chikumba, liwamhwe ; on river, ndumhulisi.
Flour, utandi ; of casava, mtandaaya.
Flourish, tenga tenjela ; put forth leaves, vmihukuttda,
Flow, jirkna.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
374 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Flower, ulua (pi. malua).
Flute, chitolUo.
Flutter of wings, pupujUa,
Fly, to, gvXuka ; housefly, menibe ; hippo, liguo.
Foetus, lUusa.
Fold, galambiUa ; fold up, pinda, tandukvla.
Follow, kagula, kuya, londa.
Food, chakidya ; for journey, iv^a.
Foolish, pugwa, sUuka, pvluwaf lowela ; foolish
person, rmewa ; foolishness, tLsewe, chisilu ; fool-
ishly, wamhape, pupvli, mwdkulowela.
Foot, lusajo, lukongolo; foot-mark, likau; of tree,
pekola ; of hill, kwichela.
Forbid, lekaaya^ sisya, ka/nisya.
Force, to, kanichisya.
Ford, pachiko.
Forehead, pcmsyo.
Forest, mseso ; dense, ukweti.
Forge, chipala, chiukuta,
Forget, liwalila ; forgetf ulness, chUiwaliwa.
Forgive, tondowela.
Forked stick, lipanda.
Fornication, chilyelye.
Forsake, Uka.
Fortunate, Unjela ; good fortune, upile ; bad fortune,
likimgu.
Four, mcheche.
Fowl, nguku ; trussed, chikwcUe.
Fox, likule.
Fragments, after meal, makombo, mesa; of wood,
chipisya.
Frail, nupuka, tepana.
Fraud, ulyalyay uUrniba^ ngunga^ chinyengo.
Free, to, gopola ; a bird, gtUusya ; from work, wdvr
sya ; freedom, vlukosyo \ gratuitously, lulele.
Freeman, miukosyo.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABUL/
Fresh, -wiai ; of grass, wisikcda.
Friable^ techetuka.
Friend, ambosa/ngaf mjangu.
Friendship, be in, syowekaiui ; chisy
FBiQB.TEN,jogoya ; get a fright, supu>
Frog, chiula, naUonda,
Front, pa mhujo, paujOf pa msso ; g(
longohla.
Frost, chiaanL
Froth, chiulo.
Frown, tenda sinya, ayuhda.
Fruit, chisogosi; bear fruit, sog
sogoaya.
Fry, kalanga ; frying-tin, lujonjo, lu
Full, to be, gumbcda.
Fun of, make, tenda chipongwe.
Furnace for iron, ng'aso^ chiukuta.
Furrow in ground, kolola ; in wood,
G.
Gall, nyongo.
Gall-bladder, Tidtdu,
Game, ngamia ; play, kung*anda.
Gap, lipesa, mlmgu.
Gape, jasanuiy chechenukuka.
Garden, mgunda, chiwando; addi
mbanje.
Gate, chikomo, chipata.
Gather together, of men, aongana^;
unganya, lokptela, kongolekanya
kawa, konyola,
Gemsbuck, male, ngolombwe.
Generous, to be, sowela.
Gentle, tvlcda; gently, mtimatv^sya,
Get, tolay kola ; get out of way, tuki
Digitized by VjOOQIC
376 BNGL?SP-YA0 YpOABULABY
Giant, mtanga.
Giddiness, lusyungusyungu.
Gift, rrvtuka, mttdo.
Ginger, chikasu.
Gird one's self, kwinda.
Girl, mwali.
Give, pa^ pdeka ; a present, lagtichisi/a ; a thing ^o be
vended, lajiaya, •
Gizzard, Tidutumha.
Glad, to be, kondwa, sechdela.
Glance off, to sembenduka ; glance ^t^, lolc^ chikaT^L
Glean, ulvia.
Glimpse, to catch a, kulola kwanatipe pisya.
Glitter, nyesima; glittering, nyeainy^i.
Glue. See Gum.
Gnash the teeth, lUuma^r^anya.
Gnat, small, chiavg'^gu.
Gnaw, to, memena.
Go, jenda, javXa, ja ; away, mwanjay tyoka ; round
about, syungida; out, kopoka; over the top,
winuka'y to the other side, syetela; beyond,
punda; past, pita; fast, chelenga; together,
longana; in front, lotigolek^, ausUa.
Goat, rnhusi ; male, tcmde.
Goblin, ncmdukuwewe.
Gold, ndalama^ syasichejeu.
Gong, lupaso.
Gonorrhoea, chindoko.
Good, -mhone, lumbaria,
GooD-BYE, to person going away, ajende; to person
remaining, a$igale; to ta^e leave, langa.
Goods, chipanje,
Grace, chisowelo.
Grain, hisongolo; steeped for pounding, m$ohoio
W/chokwe.
Grand-child, chimkuLu ; -father or -mother, vnhuje.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BNGLISH-YAO VOO^BULABY 377
QliASP, kamitla ; grasping dispositioi^, suka.
G^ASS, mq^nyasi] marsh, ligugu; fresh green, mopo;
strong, chisugumbe ; long, liputi ; last year's,
chilakii over-grown with, utala; unburnt, ma-
mbala.
Grasshopper, chitete.
Gratuitously, liUele.
Grave, lilemhe ; mound, litvmiha ; house, chirisi.
Gravy, msuai.
Greatness, ukvXu,
Greediness, udiesi] greedy, dodoloka, sv>sv>kwa, liU-
sya.
Green, -wUi ; of grass, wisikcdq^.
Greet, to, komasya.
Grieve, lila rrCmtima, dandaida.
Grime on pot, lichUe,
Grin, chechena ; of skeleton, cltecJienala.
Grind flour, siaga ; knife, kwangwasya, watika.
Grindstone, linolo.
Groan, uvlay chimasika.
Grope, 'po/poLsya,
Ground, the, jniBi ; fertile, chajila ; stony, sakaiawe ;
of quarrel, liwamha^ likawaMxi.
Group, standing, liunijUi; moving, likuga.
Grow, kvla ; of plants, mela ; of planter, aogoayqk.
Growl, tuluma.
Grumble, dandaiUa, delela^ nyinyilika.
Guard one's person, e. g, with shield, lichinjUickiaya.
Guess, a, ndam.
Guide, longolela ; a guide, ndongola.
Guiltless, juangali ulemwa ; to be found guilty, go-
meka ; to prove guilty, gomela.
Guinea-fowl, Tiganga.
Gullet, likolongo.
Gum, malilolUo ; gums, usinini.
Gumboil, lipute.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
378 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Gun, tUi; gunbarrel, mtiUu; hammer, chikongoh\
stock, lipoiido ; touch-hole, chole, pamhcde ; -cover,
mdala; flint, liganga.
Gunpowder, wonga; a charge, msindo ; barrel, li-
pipa.
Gut, to, tumhula ; fish, ganga.
Gutter, lokoloma,
H.
Habit, mtengo, msyungu.
Hail, mataMa.
"QjiiSL^luurnho (pi. umbo) ; on chest, changcdcmia, che-
mbembe; hair on body, cheuje; short hairs,
njina; white hair, uiUi; plaited hair, chiwisa;
of animals, man^gomba.
Half, litika.
Halter, litondolo.
Hammer, komda, kong^onda, syana; a hammer, nyu-
ndo.
Hand, palm of, ligasa ; left handedness, chijcuni.
Handkbrchibfing, rrdeso ; one piece, litako.
Handle, of knife, chikumbu; of hoe or axe, mjyini;
of cup, hikonga ; handless, ngagala.
Hang up, koUka, pachika.
Happen, to, woneka ; happen to, wonechela,
Happy, be, kondwa, sechelela, sangalalay togolela.
Harass, saiisya, sakalisya, chima.
Hard, -nonono ; to be hard, nonopa (-nonwepe\ lifnba,
kwindimala; of skin, chalamandala ; hardness,
^monono.
Harden, nonoya ; harden the heart, limbika.
Harshness, uchimwa,
Hartebeest, ngose.
Harvest season, masika.
Haste, to make, janguya {-jcmgwiye), hulumichika,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 379
chachuka, kangamiala; to cause to make haste,
kuhimisya, cheresya.
Hat, of stiuW, chipewa ; of cloth, chiaoti ; cap, chisi-
ndi.
Hatch, 808ola(-808wele),
Hate, chima, tindana ni.
Haunch, chiiga.
Have, kola (-kwete).
Hawk, chimhanga ; small, chitotola.
Haze, in wet season, lipundugvhi ; in dry season,
uuhi.
He, this man, jualahwe.
Head, mtwe ; of spear, chisamfiba ; back of, kundungu ;
top, peuwo.
Headman, aayene mirn.
Heal, posya, ko8ya umi ; (in trans.), pola.
Health, umi; be healthy, kola umi.
Heap, ckikwekwe^ liswngu, liluwili; to heap, unjika,
hwmhiUla ; of stones, longa.
Hear, pilikana.
Heat, chitukuta ; of fire, lipuju/ngu.
Heavy, -8ito ; be heavy, sitopa {-8itwepe).
Heed to, piUkana ; give no heed to, suya.
Heel, chindende.
Height, of person, msingu ; of things, uleu.
Help, kmausya ; to be helpless, tenguka.
Helter-skelter, halala halala.
Hem, to, uwa (-uurile), minika ; hem in, kumika.
Hemp, Indian, chamha.
Hen, nguku.
Henhouse, chitundu.
Herbage, ma/ukutu.
Herd, to, chinga, langa ; a herd, likuga.
Here, akuno, apa ; here and there, pane ni pane.
Hesitate, dodrnna {-dodweme).
Hiccough, ngwikwi.
Digitized by VjOOQI(^
380 BNGLISH-YAO VOOABUJJLRY
Hide, sisc^; one's self, lisisa^juwa.
Hill, liiumhi.
Hint, to give, pipiltsya ; with eyes, kupila.
Hippopotamus, ndomondo.
Hire, mbote ; to hire, kongola ; hire out, kongosya.
Hit with stick, puta, kumma; with stone or gun,
soTna.
Hob, lijela ; large, ngwemhule, chileka ; to hoe, livyn ;
hoe for, limya ; in dry season, chochola ; deeply,
papula, cholima.
Hog, mbango.
Hold of, to take, kamvla ; firmly, chinjirirfui.
Hole, in cloth, chipowo ; in ground, lisimbo ; in tree,
mhugu ; in rock, mbanga.
Hollow of plate, msimbo ; to hollow out, cJierpga,
Home, kumangwao.
Honey, ^«cA^ ; honeycomb, lisega.
HoNOUp, to, chimbichisya ; luchimbichiya.
Hoof, chikotwa.
Hook (fish), chisopo.
Hop, jenda njolinjo,
Hope, lolela.
Horn, msengo; bugle, lipenga; po\7derhor^, Hwe-
ngwa.
Hornet, litendeu.
Horse, kavalo (Portuguese).
Horse-leech, lisundo.
Hot, tukuta, kola mtukuta.
House, nyumba; round, nyumba msirtia; sq^^are,
likome; with gables, libanda.
Hover, syunga.
How? tdi, saiapi.
Huff at, to take, tenda mairyilL
Humble, litimalika.
Humour, be in bad, nyunyunduka.
Hump on cattle, chwmhi.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC ,
EKGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 381
Hundred, makumi likumi, mwanda (Ht. a gteat
number).
Hunger, sola.
Hunt, to, ulaga nyama ; with dogs, syutusya ; hunt-
ing-ground, m,^man% mikidi; hunter, mhipa,
mpahi.
Hurry, cherenga, janguya, kangamala.
Hurt one's self, ulala ; another, ulasya.
Husband, asono, cmyumha ; of two wives, jiui mitala.
Husk maize, to, pomola ; rice, pwagukt ; ground-nut,
wcmgula ; sorgham, wita ; beans, kosola ; husks,
makowa ; of maiz^, mctsete ; hiisky voice, lilowe
lyelale.
Hut, nyumba ; watchman's, chilindo.
Hy^na, litunu.
Hypocrisy, chinyengo.
I, une.
Idiocy, Tnanunu.
If, na, naga, nawa, mtemela.
Ill, Iwala {-Iwasile) ; illness, chilwele.
Ill-luck, likwagu.
Ill-nature, ngalwe, uchimwa ; ill-Will, lupuso ; to
have, lusa, tunduka.
Ill-treat, tawanya, kalaUsya, tundusya, chima,
' Imitate, landa^ syasya.
Impudence, chipongwe, chahu, chanache.
In, mu.
Increase {tra.ns.), chiduyajjonjechesya; (intrans.), c?bU'
hika.
Indeed, ndiope.
Indistinctness, mbilisi.
Industrious, kachUila, j^^'^yct-
Infect, ja/mhuchUa ; be infected, tapula.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
382 ^ ENGLISH-YAO VpCABULAEY
Inflate, tuunguka ; be inflated, tuhjumhala, '
Inherit, Jiryt^ majumba.
Injure, lculuchi8ya,puchila ; one* s self, Ivmenyeaya, ulala. •
Insect, chikoko.
Inside, mkati.
Instantly, chitema, \
Instinct, Iwnda Vwa chikoko.
Instructions, to give, lajisya.
Insufficient, penembela.
Insult, tukcma^ puvja.
Intentionally, rmUpe.
Interchange, tindcmya ; places, pisyorngmia.
Interfere in quarrel, pokasya, chengulanya.
Interlaced, kolombikcma ; of branches, tawandawana.
Interlock, pohnganya.
Interpret a dream, sagamukula.
Interrupt, in speaking, temandemanya ; in magambo,
chisonde.
Intervals, place at, walaganya.
Interweave, pichirika.
Intestines, matumho. ^
Invoke, hmibila, kolanga.
Iron, chisiano ; ore, utcde, mtapo ; iron oxide, ngaina.
Irreverence, chalusi.
Island, chirumha', floating, chipiri.
Isolate, tukusya.
Itch, upere ; to itch, nyanya.
J.
Jackal, likvh.
Jacket, malota.
Jamb, to, linyikata.
Jaw, chipundi.
Jealousy, wiuy machisu, maungo.
Jeer, kUatila,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 383
Jerk, nyupuka.
Join a company, lipatika ; together, himbikanya.
Joint, lupind% makmia ; ankle or wrist, chisukusuku.
Joke, kwelegula, nang*mnula ] joking, chanachei rribe-
nje, chipongwe ; joking person, njelengo.
Journey, tdendo (pi. mcdendo).
Joy, lukondwa, s
Judge, to, larmda ; a judge, mputL
Jump, sumba; jump up, nyamanguka; jumping,
mbwL
Jungle, likonde, kvntinjL
Just now, samfihano, aambano^pano.
Justify one's self, liwaUmjUa, lisala.
K.
Kaolin, njereaa.
Keep (animals), langa; a custom, kwrnhuchUa rmyu-
ngu.
Kbq of powder, lipipa, selenje.
Kernel, hisongolo.
Key, liugulilo.
Kick, a, hicheso ; to kick, chisida.
Kidnap, chiswamba.
Kidney, lupio (pi. mbio).
Kill, ulaga ; a wounded animal, komanga.
Kind (sort), hikosyo, upagwe; to be kind, tenda
chanasa.
King, mchimwene.
Kingdom, uchimwene.
Knee, lilungo.
Kneel, tindiwala.
Knife, mkalo; single edge, chipula; double edge,
chirrtaje, mkalo wakutema ku/wiU; handle, chi-
kumbu.
Knock, totosya; at door, guguaya) ^oYfn^ patvla.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
384 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Knot, chilumho, chiundo ; running, chipuluhtchisya ;
reef, chilumelume; granny, chikongioe; in tree,
chisupundu.
Know, manya, manyilUa,
Kraal (animal), lichinga.
Laddbk, mdhvoehlo.
Laden, to be, sitopehoa.
Ladle, wooden, chikoi ; ladle out, pakula, teka.
Lair, liuto.
Lake, nyasa.
Lame, pundukay lemala ; temporarily, ulala.
Land, chUambo; dry land, kumkuli; landing-piace,
pachiko.
Language, chiwecketo; use bad langiia,ge, sahalisya,
tukana.
Languid, tenguka, sakalika.
Large, -kulungwa ; make, kttsya.
Larynx, likolongo, Utolomiko.
Last, to be, Trudichisya ; of duration, gona.
Late, koAva, ko kowa.
Laughter, chiseko ; chimwemtoe ; to laligh, seka.
Lave out, e. g, sand, kopa.
Lay against, e. g. a wall, jejeka, jegamika ; down, htkty
goneka ; at length on ground, tamhaluhda ;
crosswise, pinjikcmya ; lay aside, scUasya, kusya ;
lay in dust, uLuusya ; a layer, lujUi ; lay eggs,
tajUa ; lay the grass, wewa, wanda.
Laziness, vlesL
Lead, liwela, chumhu.
Lead, to, longolda ; to lead to (of path), chinga.
Leap, lisamha ; withered leaves, iswani.
Leak, sulula.
Lean, to be, ganda ; over, jinamfiila ; agaiiist, jegctrria.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
lyi
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 385
Leap, smnha ; of fish, hwasya ; from tree to tree,
sangasanga.
Learn, lijigcmya.
Leave, leka ; leave off, weluka ; take, langa, leave of,
work, Icmga,
Left hand, mkono wa mchiji ; to the left, ha mkono
wa mchiji.
Leg, lukongolo ; hind-leg, chiiga ; hind-legs, mako-
Tigolo gakwiiga.
Leisure, lipesa.
Lemon, lindimu.
Lend, jasvma, kongola.
Length, uleuy length vdse, rrHchUeUf to lengthen,
leuya; at length, pa mbesi.
Leopard, chisui,
Leper, jua matana ; deformed by leprosy, tungala.
Less, to be, nandupa; to lessen, nanduya, josoche-
sya.
Let alone, leka ; let out for hire, kongosya.
Letter, kalata, bedtia.
Level ground, to, mwasya, jasasya ; to be level, vm-
ta>ma, jeluka ; level gun, jandika.
Lever up, ch/mjamula, nyakula.
Liberal hearted, to be, sowela.
Lick, lapita, lamba.
Lid, chiunichilo.
Lie down, gona; crosswise, pingidana; in wait,
jmoilUa.
Lies, to tell, lamhusya, tenda u/nami.
Life, umi.
Lift, nyakvla, nyamula, kwesya ; lift load to head,
twichila ; lift pot from fire, tegula.
Light, lilanguka; to light a fire, kolesya; a lamp,
pamba; make light of, jalusya] to be light,
jaluka; lighten, mvlika.
Lightning, njasi,
c c
Digitized by VjOOQIC
386 ENGLISH- YAO VOCABULARY
Like, mpela, chisau ; likely, mpela *ila ; ta like, 710-
nyela ; to be like, landana, pela ; likeness, cMwi-
lUiy chisau.
Limp, tundajUa, timbajila.
Line, msela, lujUi ; in line, ndandanda.
Linger, kokowa, kawa.
Lintel, mapali.
Lion, lisvrnba.
Lip, lugomOf lujemo ; lip-ring, Iwpelde,
Listen, pilikanila.
Litter, litagandaga*
Little by little, panandi, panandi; littleness, utiot
ndi.
Live, kola umi ; happily, tamfia didusi ; living, -jumi.
Liver, litoga.
Lizard, pulundwa, nampopo.
Load, ndwndu, msigo ; place on head, tmchUa ; load
gun, sopela.
Locust, sombe.
IjOIN, m!chiwfio ; loin-cloth, Mtonga.
Loiter, kokowa, kawa.
Long, -Uu ; to be, hupa ; to make, leusya ; long for,
pUay lakalaka; long ago, kaZakaZa; long after,
pakvJcawa mnope; long-su&ering, pimUUa ; long-
legged person, jiia sonjo.
Look, lola ; for, lolela ; well at, lolechesya:
Loop, liugu.
Loose, to be, ywedela, pelepeta, swekena.
Lose, jasa ; one's way, aokonechela.
Loss, to be at a, singalilioa, totochelwa, hindumbilwa.
Louse, I/ujipi (pi. njipi).
Love, nonyela ; each other, nonyelana.
Low, of hill, pwatatala.
Lower, to, tulusya.
Luck, good, upile ; bad, likungu.
Lull, tondowa.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
J
BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 387
Lump, of sugar, lipongoloniwa ; of ngali, mtanda,
mhamu ; in flour, chipongolomwa ; of clay, litupa.
Lungs, mapupu,
M.
Mad, to be, kola lisoka ; kola manunu.
Maggot, mhisu.
Maize, chimanga ; core, chisonde ; leaves, makwati ;
stalk, mpesi, mswaga ; unripe, litimbay litindUi.
Make, pangam,ya ; ready, panganichisya.
Male, -lu7ne ; (animal), mkamhako.
Malice, wanga ; treat with, tundusya.
Malt, chUungo,
Man, mundu^ juamlume ', manhood, vlume ; manliness,
chUumelume,
Mane, Iwese,
Manner, utende ; in this manner, we utende'wo,
Man-stealing, chiswamha.
Mantis, lisokasoka, ngaka.
Many, -jinji; be, chtduka, tupa.
Mark, lemba ; site of a house, lemhelela.
Marrow, chititi, chitimatima.
Marry, lomhela (intrans.), hmba (trans.) ; of a woman,
lilombesya; marry a woman into one's village,
lowosya ; arrange a marriage, lomhekanya ; mar
riage, ulombela.
Marsh, chisipo, chitapwila,
Marshgrass, ligugu.
Mast, msati.
Master, amhuje.
Mat, mkeka, ugonOy ndanga, lichika,'
Materials for building, chilingo.
Matter (pus), uwou.
Me, une.
Meaning (sense), mate, chigopolelo, mahimho.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
38^ ftlJOLISH-YAO VOCABULARV
Measles, chikuku, lilvmuka.
Measure (length), mlingo ; (quantity), chipimo ; scales,
wesani ; to measure, linga, pima.
Meat, nyarrui ; craving for, lukowo.
Meddle with, ng*andila.
Medicine, mtelaf chUagu ; thieving, chitaka.
Meek, tvlala.
Meet, singana, simana; on the path, dfdngamtla,
chingangana ', face to face, simana mandunji;
meeting-place, 7nasvmanUo.
Melt, nyenyeka, nyelenyenduka, 8tmgumda»
Memory, lukumbukumbu.
Mercy, chcmasa.
Meshes of net, mapogolo.
Messenger, mtenga^ mtv/mwa.
Metal, mtapo.
Micturate, tunda.
Middle, pachilikati, mkati.
Midnight, pakati chUo.
Mild in temper, tetewcUa, tiUala.
Milk, mkaka ; to milk, minya.
Millet, usanje.
Millstone, under, lisyago ; upper, ngcm.
Mimic, syasya.
Mind, mtima.
Mirror, kaUlole.
Mirth, chimioemwey chiseko.
Mischief, wanga, chanaclve.
Miserable, laga {-lasile), sauka ; misery, nlanda.
Misfortune, likungu.
Miss, to, kulvsya ; one another, kidtmibcma, Undana,
Mist, lipunduguhi, ndcmdagasi.
Mistake, to make a, kuTtgachisya, kulusya, soya,
lemwa.
Mitigate, tondowd.
Digitized by VjOOQIC Mi
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 389
Mix, wanganya^ timhanya ; mixed, of words, or seeds,
wmigawanga,
MoAK, uula {-VMsile).
Mock, aocheya, UdatUa,
Mole, uko.
Mollusc shell, Ukomhwa.
Money, ndalaTna,
Monkey, chitumhiU,
Month, mwesi; this month, mwesi uwonecke; next
month, mwesi wa malam, mwesi wine.
Moon, mwesi ; full moon, Utumha, moonlight, Iwesi.
Morning, Jmndawi ; very early, kum^sikusiku ; next
morning, kundanjoi kwakwe.
Mortar, lituU,
Mosquito, njenjema, ususu.
Moth, liptckoputwa.
Mother, amaoy achikulugwe, kusyeto ; mother-in-law,
akwego.
Mould, fungus, ngunguhokuku ; to mould, gumba;
a mould, chikombole.
Mound, chitundulimay chikwesya; at grave, Utunda;
for potatoes, Ututu, •
Mountain, litwmhi.
Mourn, lila (-lisHe) ; mourner, ^t^ m'malilo ; a mourn-
ing, waMlo.
Mouse, tolo (pi. achitoh) ; field-mouse, lipuku, liindo.
Mouth, pa komiwa ; of river, pandago.
Move, a thing, tenganya ; move one's self, tenganyika ;
about, takataka ; restlessly, uhikuta ; from place
to place, lawalawa, pichisika ; to one side, sejela.
Mow, sengvla.
Much, -jinji, mwcmjinji ; to be, chuluka ; make much,
chuluya.
Mud, utop^ ; sink in mud, tapuka ; cover one's self with
mud, likowerera.
Multitude, Uunjili.
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390 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
MuRDBtt, ulasi.
MuRMURj grumble, dandavla^ nyinyisika.
Mussel, ngale%
Mysterious thing, chilengwalengwa, chimamOj chaku-
lapisya.
N.
Nail, msoniali ; of finger, chikalawesa ; to pare, sinda,
lengtda.
Naked, makonope, matakope.
Name, Una (pi. meria) ; to name, ta, jya Una ; adopt
name, Uia Una,
Narrow, -a chitipa.
Native, -a ndamo.
Nature, mhagwUo, upagwe.
Navel, chiaou.
Near, mgvZugulu, pa mhali ; be near to, wamUkana ;
come near to, wandichila ; bring near to, wandi-
kanya.
Neatly, cha mandisa.
Neck, lukosi.
Necklace, of beads, chinganga.
Need of , to be in, aowa, lajila.
Needle, singano ; of bamboo, chilowa \ for magono,
kasinje.
Neighbour, mnasi (pi. achanasi).
Nephew (sister's son), rmoipwagwa^.
Nerve, mtasi, msindo.
Nest, chisusi.
Net, luau (pi. nyau) ; to east, tega ; to drag, kwetamiula.
Neuralgia, chilumi.
New, -a sanibano, -wiai ; to be, wisikala.
Next week, mlungu wine.
Nice, to be, lumhana, salala ; nicely, ichervene.
Niggardliness, mpongioepongwe pe, ukaka, upapa ; be
niggardly, ^uka.
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ENGLI8H-YA0 VOCABULARY 391
Night, chUo ; dead of night, chilo mnope, pakati chilo.
No, ngwamba, so.
Nod, in sleep, gwesela ; beckon, kodola.
Nonplussed, lundumbilwa, singcUilwa,
Nonsense, ya mtega.
Noon, mitsi.
Noose, lipogolo.
North, kunipoto.
Nose, lupula -, nose-pin, chipini.
Nostril, lupula (pi. mhula).
Notch, panya^ patvla.
Now, samfihano.
Number, winji wao.
Nurse, to, Ula, sunga.
O.
Oath, lilumbilo, liwale.
Obey, pilikana.
Object, kcma.
Obliterate, simasyff,.
Obstinacy, ukani^ masuso ; be obstinate, liya, chalor
mandala.
Occiput, kundungu.
Odour, pleasant, mnunjilo.
Offend, palamvla.
Offer sacrifice, taga mbepesi, pesya.
Often, kavoUi kawUi, mtoto mtoto ; how often 1 kali-
ngwa ?
Old, -a kola kola ; -chekulupe ; to be old, chekulupa ;
worn out, wisala.
Omen, an evil, mpingu ; to see an omen, wagulilwa.
Omit, hka, liwalila.
Once, karno.
Onions, itunguwi.
Only, pe ; he only did, agamhih ku tenda.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
^.
392 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Ooze through soil, ^Uika,
Open, ttgula ; an abscess, tvmhula ; a book, sapangvla ;
the eyes, sisinihika ; a door slightly, pemheneka ]
an opening, lipesa ; openly, ffCmeso kulola.
Opportunity, lipesa.
Oracle, chisango.
Orange, mlalcmje.
Orator, rrdendele.
Order, lamula, sola ; put in order, linganya^ kolosya.
Orphan, Jua wiifia.
Otter, kausi.
Ought, wajilwa.
Outside, pasa, kusa.
Overdo, pundanganyay chola^ litowa.
Overeat, liUsya,
Overflow, gumhalila.
Overgrown with grass, utaki.
Overlap, pwndmiganya.
Overlook (omit), kupisya, knluchisya.
Overthrow, pasula.
Overturn, of canoe, windisya ; a bpttle, j^dkula, lihda,
gcdausya.
Owl, liundi.
Owner, msyene,
P.
Pack, longa ; tightly, chinyindila.
Paddle, ngavi ; to paddle, poddsa.
Pained, to be, poteka, pweteka ; a pain in side, chi-
soma.
Paint, utoto ; to paint, paka.
Palm (borassus), mgwalangwa ; (date), kanjesa^ uchi-
ndu ; raphia, miwale ; palm of hand, ligasa.
Palpitate, gugvsya, wita.
Paper, kalata, chipeperu.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULAI
Pardon, tondowela, lechela.
Pare off, leriga ; the nails, sinda.
Parent, mnangolo (pi. wanangolo).
Part, to take away, sapula.
Partition-wall, lusasa.
Partly — partly, jjane — pane.
Pass, a, mpata ; to pass, pita ; h
through a village, pelenganya, j
pass through unyago, umbala.
Paste on, mamatika.
Pasture, pa IvlUa,
Patch, chigamba ; to patch, tota chigc
Path, litala, likondo ; crossing of tw<
no ; bye-path, mUmiba ; strike a ]
sya.
Patient, to be, jemhecheya.
Paw, chikarribato.
Pay, TnalipUo, mhote ; to pay, lipUa.
Peace, mtendere ; make peace, chengiU
able, litimalika.
Pearl-shell, ngcdekale.
Peas, sawawa.
Pebbles, ngvlungo.
Peck, to, aopa.
Peel off, of skin, tomokoka, gwaguka }
tvJcuka,
Peer at, lirtgula.
Peg on wall, chipanda^ chikomboli.
Penis, liwolo.
Penitent, ligosa, ligamba.
People, wandu.
Pepper, red, sabola.
Perch, tula.
Perfect, to, mxdisya.
Perhaps, kanga, ankawa.
Permission, to give, kundisya.
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394 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Perplexed, to be, lundumhUwa.
Persecute, sakalisya, sausya ; persecution, Ivsausyo.
Persevere, pimilila ; perseverance, mtau.
Perspiration, chitukuta.
Persuade, kanichisya, chisya.
Pestilence, chipindupiiidu, mpupvXusi, chitopa
Pestle, mwisi.
Piece, chipisya ; piece by piece, chechecheche.
Pierce, soma ; a tin, poola.
Pick-axe, rigwang'wa.
Pick up, lokota.
Picture, chiwUili.
Pig, ligvluwe ; pig-iron, chikukvlu.
Pigeon, ngu7ida.
Piled up, ndundidi.
Pillow, msamUo.
Pimple, chilonda ; from insect bite, lipvlumwa.
Pin, of slave-stick, mchililo,
Pincer of crab, ligongwa.
Pinch, to, tona.
Pineapple, Tianasi.
Pipe (tobacco), kaliwo, chikololo, chilongo.
Pit, lisimho ; pit-fall, mwina.
Pith of tree, chititi.
Pity, chanasa ; to pity, tenda chatvasa.
Place, malo, liuto ; to place, vnkoi, ; in different places,
pakwe pakwe ; to place alternately, pachisya ; in
order, jala ; on top, aajika.
Placid, tetewcUa,
Plague, chipindupindu, chitopa.
Plain, lUamho.
Plait, a, litiwa ; to plait, tiwa, pakasa.
Plant, panda; transplant, pandichila; a plant, liii-
kutu, mbeju.
Plaster, to, paka ; the first coating, inata ; the second .
coating, syasyajUa.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLI8H-YAO VOCABULARY 395
Plate, mbale.
Play, to, Tig'a/nda ; an instrument, gomha.
Plead for one's self, liwalanga, lisala.
Please, to, sechelesya ; be pleased, sechdela.
Pleura, lipawa.
Pliable, to be, tepana, tetewala.
Plight, to be in a, laga.
Plot, malindi.
Pluck up, tupula ; a fowl, mesri ; fruit, kawa ; out
hair, nyonyola.
Pod, likowa.
Point, lusonga ; to point at, lanjila ] sharpen a point,
songola.
Poison, chaola, ulembe; ordeal, mwayi,
Pole of hut, central, rnsati,
Pole-cat, mhendu,
Polish, to, kuta.
Polite, to be, chimbichisya.
Polygamy, kulombela mitala.
Pool, litanda.
Poor, lagay totochelwa ; poverty, ulanda.
Porch, lipenu.
Porcupine, ndinu ; bristles, mipamha.
Porridge, ugalif likoko, lumbapa.
Possess, kola.
Possible, komholeka.
Post of wall of house, lusichi (pi. sichi); of verandah,
luchanamUa (pi. nja/namilii) ; central post, msati ;
door posts, ugvlilo ; forked post, lipa/nda.
Postpone, wehnjesya, jembechesya.
Pot, mpika, chivnga ; for ugali, chiulugo ; narrow-
mouthed, chijun^u'y potsherd, lujonio) potter,
mgumbi.
Potato, mbatata ; leaves, mtolilo ; to pare, senda,
tnenya.
Pouch, for bullets, nampapwcdaj chibeti.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
396 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Pound, to, dry mapemba, twa (-twele), dry imanga, po-
mola ; steeped imanga, timhvla ; bran, undula ;
earth, guguda ; fresh leaves, panda.
Pour out, jita, pu/ngulUa,
Poverty in dress, usauchi, zdanda.
Powder, wonga; a small charge, liipato', large charge,
msmdo.
Power, machUi ; be powerless, tenguka.
Praise, chUapo ; to praise, lapa ; in song, lumha.
Pray, popela.
Precious, -wa mtengo.
Precipice, liohenje ; be precipitous, lemala.
Prepare, panganichiaya.
Pretty, salala^ lumha/na.
Prevent, lekasya.
Prey, to seek, Ivsa,
Price, mtengo.
Press down, twinichisya, chinyindila.
Present, mtulo, mtuka ; to, laguchisya.
Pride, lilama.
Priming of gun, vxmga wa pa chikomhe.
Prisoner, juaantoAJoe,
Probably, mpela ila.
Probe, with stick, tonya.
Proclaim, lulila, aala, lungusya.
Project, to, nycmywma^ tundumukay nwmha.
Prominent, njo.
Promise, langana ; break promise, leka lila/fi^ano.
Prop up, chingay chinjirichiayaf chinjika.
Propitiation, chipeinbesyo.
Proprietor, asyene.
Prosper, jinichilwa, sichUa, tenjela ; prosperity, uwi-
Usi.
Prqtuberance, chindundumtdi.
Proud, to be, poka, likweaya.
Provoke, tcmdila.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
El!^GLIStt-VAO VOCABULARV -^^7
Prow, of boat, likuho.
Prune, to, tungulu.
PuGMiLL, mortar, lituli.
Pull, uta ; apart, pachula ; out, si
solola ; along ground, dudulusyc
chula, kunjukula, kwetemula ; a
up, tupula.
Pulpy, soft, -a povm, Iowa.
Pulsate, tukunya, vnta.
Pulse, kuwita myasi.
Pumpkin, liungu (pi. monyu) ; flower
leaves, ndwelo.
Punish, aausya (savnsye) ; punishme
Pure, lenjela ; purify, lenjesya.
Purpose, change of, chitetemha ; on p
Purr, tuluma.
Pursue, kuya (-knyiye), kagula.
Push, ^^*^a ; down j2^y^tecliesy a; thror
Put, mka {-wisile) ; back, uchisyc
longa ; down a load, tula ; thro
2yisya ; outside, koposya ; out a
the top, winusya ; round, 8yung\
Puzzle, simosya ; be puzzled, simong
Python, sato,
Q.
Quantity, to be in large, chuluka^ sei
Quarrel, to, kcmgana, jumana; to <
nda, songa, clutkapula', cause c
quarrel, ndeo ; quarrelsomeness
to be quarrelsome, ng^wcmg^waay
pcmya^ cJienama.
Quartzstonb, white, ngonjiwa.
Question, chiusyo.
Quick, chitema ; to quicken, cherenga
quickly, kangamcda.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
}
398 ENGLI8H-YAO VOCABULARY
Quid of tobacco, chUcamhi.
Quiet, ^e, my a] to be, myalala; quieten, to, niyala-
sya.
Quiver, jirijitika,
R.
Rabies, ching^ang^a.
Race, hiwilo ; people, lukosyo.
Rafters, bamboo, ndumgo ; wooden, sopo.
Rage, to, tumbUa,
Raggednbss, usavjchi, mattqywata, iwisci.
Rain, ul-a ; steady, miumbi ; driving, nipepela ; to
rain, nya; rain lightly, nyulunymida, melenie-
nda ; rain heavily, nokosoka ; rainy season, chu-
ku y first rains, ckisimopya ; beginning of rains,
mtuluko ; after harvest, ngumhcduwala ; sound
of rain, chikokomo.
Raise, jimusya^ kwesya, nyamula, nyakula ; raise one
side, nyikula ; be raised up, nyanyama.
Rake together, kumha.
Ram a gun, samila^ sopela ; ramrod, lujanga.
Ransom, a, chiwomholo.
Rash, litendya ; rashness, changu.
Rat, of house, likoswe ; of field, lipuku.
Ratfle, a, chikengele.
Ravage, to, pasula, kasa.
Ravel, to, vnriga.
Raven, likungulu.
Razor, luwembe^ lukwangido^ lumeta ; small, chisondo.
Reach, ika, ickUa,
Read, walanga {-walasih).
Readiness, in, chile.
Ready, of food, pya (-pile) ; make ready for, panga-
nichisya.
Really, kajekaje, chisimu*cho.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 399
Reap, gungukt ; maize, goola ; millet, sanjila, nenyena \
rice, una.
Reason, ligongo, ngwesa ; the reason of it, ligongo
lyakwe, I have two reasons, ngwete ngwesa
pawili.
Rebel, panduka ; against, panduchila.
Rebound, to, chanja.
Rebuke, to, jamuka.
Receive, to, pockela.
Recognise, to, manyilila.
Reconcile, chen/gulanya, jilanya, konganya, jinikanya.
Recover health, laTna.
Red, -chejeu, pyu ] to be red, chejda ; deep red, dieje-
lesya.
Redeem, wombola ; redemption money, chiwombolo.
Re-dig, ukula.
Reduce, nanduya.
Reed, litete ; reed of grass, masale.
Reel, of head, tenda lusyungusyun^u.
Refrain, ligosa ; refrain from doing, ligosa kutenda.
Refresh, lamya, sisimusya.
Refuse, kana; a person, ^ima.
Regret, ligamba.
Reheat, kosya.
Rejoice, seclielela, sangalaki, togoUla.
Relate, sola, lun^uaya.
Relation, mlongo (pi. achodongo).
Remember, kumhuchUa.
Remind, kmnbusya, kuwbuchisya.
Remove, umya, tyosya-, flit, sama] o^
tukusya.
Renown, lumhUi,
Rent, a, chipowo.
Repeat, wirisya, tandila, tauchila; o\
words, after one, ayaaya-y in cl
wilinganya.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
400 RNGLI8H-YAO VOCABULARY
Repent, galaukay ligamiba, pitikuka.
Reply, ja7vgat jitika.
Report, sola ; spread report, jenesya.
Resemblance, chisau, lukomday chUasya.
Resemble, landana \ one's parents, laaya.
Resolve, to, wcUiji (with future of verb).
Respect, chimbichisya, samala, tenda inajina ;
Rest, to, pumida.
Restless disposition, chijewajewa; be restless, takct-
taka, ulukuta.
Restore, vsya, uchisya ; to health, lamya.
Resume, tandUa.
Retch, nyikula»
Return journey, a, mauja.
Return, uja {-tmle).
Reveal, juula (-juwile).
Revenge, liuchisyo.
Reverence, to, chimbichisya^ tenda majina.
Revile, socJieyay lakctila.
Revive, lama, jimuchUa ; after faint, jimuka, aisimu-
ka, syuka.
Reward, to, upila.
Rheumatism, chilumi.
Rhinoceros, mbera, chipemhere.
Rib, luwalati (pi. mbalati).
Rice, mpunga ; boiled, msele ; pounded, ngamba.
Rich man, mtajili; to be rich, sichUa, tatamala;
riches, chipanje.
Ridge, of roof, namfiungumi.
Right, what is, cliagoloka ; fitting, vsajUa \ put right,
lingan^a ; to the right, kwmlyo.
Ring for finger, chinawila (pi. inaioila) ; brass for
ankle, likangala ; for lip, chingwengwe, lupekU ;
to ring a bell, gomba.
Rinse, saula.
Riotous, gulugusya.
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ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULiiRY 401
Ripe, of boil or fruit, jiida ; of maize, komala ; of
sorghum, cha.
E.ISE, jimuka ; of sun, kopoka ; of stream, sasawUa.
River, nyasa, himlo.
Road, mseo.
Roam about, tambalala.
Roar, of man, twarnivla^ gwmila ; of animal, tongola ;
of lion, koloma ; of fire, kuma.
Roast, jocJui^ kalanga ; of fowl, wanika.
Rob, sonibola, kwahula ; a robber, jua chikwaku.
Rock, Iwala^ litunguwe.
Roll away, ingalamida^ gudumulay tungulumula ;
roll about on ground, vluwmha^ pilvmhida ; a
roll of tobacco, etc., chisingwa.
Roop, grass, lisakasa ; rafters, chipdgala.
Room, nyumba ; space, liutOy malo, lipesa.
Root, mchiga ; stump, chisicki ; root up, tupvla, noko-
. sola; rooted firmly, towehla.
Rope, lukonji (pi. ngonji) ; of palm leaves, lukwa-
mhcda.
Rot, to, wwrula, wola.
Rough, Unuda ; of sui*face, kola makakasiamhe.
Round about, nd&ndeleje ; go round, syungtda ; turn
round, syungusya.
Rouse to one's senses, sungvlumusya.
Row, to lay in a, jala ; in a row, ndandanda.
Rub with hand, tikita ; down, pata ; out, siimusya.
Rubbish, iawani, ikoko.
Rude, to be, chembtdtisya.
Rug, coloured, ligondolo ; red, likapa.
Ruins, masame.
Run, utuka ; away, tUa (-tisUe), nyenyela, timhuka ;
fast, tyatyatika, luimmiUa; from place to place,
pyapyaluka ;
Rush about, gungvlumya ; of wind, kuma ; down-hill,
chitima.
D D
Digitized by VjOOQIC
1
-402 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULA»Y
Rust, mkuo ; to rust, ka/mula mkuo.
Rustle (amongst grass), tcakanya ; oi ants, chedisrMi,
S.
Sack-cloth, chvjudvlif likamaruho.
Sacbifice, Ttibepesi ; to offer, ta>Q(i mhepesi.
Sacrum, livli.
Safe, to be, sunjika.
Sale, things*for, mcdonda.
Saliva, mata.
Salt, njete ; bad, tiisonibi \ £^ bag of, lupinda ; to
strain, chilika.
Salute, komasya.
Same, chcdvmo \ same man, Jt^Jojo ; the same as before,
chiwela.
Sand, msanga.
Sandal, chikwakwata.
Sap, mesi.
Satisfy, jeneaya, jikutisya ; be satisfied, jikuta,
Saturday, lyuwa lya malenga, lyuwa lyakumalisya
masengo.
Save, kvZupusya ; saviour, mkulupusyQ.
Saw, cheka, wcdvla.
Sawdust, utuchi.
Say, jUa, sola ; a saying, ngani.
Scaffold, to build a, aanja.
Scales, weighing, wesani ; of fish, 'rmw(^^o, ; sgifff
of human skin, mhasa.
Scar, liwasi.
Scarce, to be, wcdarrui,
Scatteji, misa ; of people, balalisya, pwilinganya,
tyokangana-, of thipgs, mwasya^ samhai^anya]
in confusion, hi!
Scent, odour, mnu^tji ; of anipaals, liungo, mkuni ', to
scent, jarnhvlilay tola waka.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULABY 403
Scissors, makasi (swahili).
ScoiSD, jcmiuka, kalipila.
Scoop, sokola, kolowolc^
Scorch, tinika, tinisya.
Scorpion, likololo, Ukalamhwe,
Scramble, of many fighting, mpimbUima,,
Scrape, paJa {-pasile), palapaia, hdcuta, koJcota^', of
tree, aesa ; scrapings of foo(i, mdkomho.
Scratch, mwaga, tona ; deeply, ng^wasula.
Scream, jamilaf gwmila,
ScRBW-DRiVBR, Vupungvlo,
Screw-nail, msomcUi wa m^singa.
Scum, chivlo.
Seam, lutoto.
Search, sosa, lolechea^fa.
Sea-shore, ku njengwe.
Season, katemaf ndawi ; harvest, masika ; dry, chau ;
rainy, chuku ; spring, lunjeaa ; begiiining, of
rains, mttUuko ; first rains, chisimaupyQ,.
Second, kawilL
Secrecy, matichita ; secretly, ya matichita ; to bind
to, pimindika.
See, loia, wona ; seeing that, pakuti.
Seed, mheju ; in fruit, mbere.
Seem, woneka.
Seize, kamula.
Seldom, kamo kamo.
Sell, siima ; to give a man goods to sell, lajisya.
Send, tuma ; away, jausya.
Sense, Tnate, lunda.
Separate, lekanya.
Serval, njvsi.
Servant, mtmnika.
Serve, tumika ; service, lUvmwa,
Set down, toika, tiUa, tamika; of sun, jiriQila, pepa,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
404 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
kapila ; a trap, tega, wigana ; set ofE, tyoka ; set
ofE an ulendo, vngtda.
Sevbn, mscmo ni iwili.
Sew, tota.
Shade, in the, mwUiU ; a shadow, chiwUUi,
Shake, jejema, tetemeta, tenganya ; out dast, kwng^u-
nda ; the head, pukunya.
Shallow, to be, jelvica.
Shame, smii, mchesela ; treat with, lundtisya. '
Share food with, gawana ni.
Sharp, -hutema ; to be, latvla ; sharpen, nola (-Twaile)^
kwangwasya ; to point, aongola.
Shave, moga ; make bald, moga lupcUa,
Sheaf, litita.
Sheath of knife, ligonelo; to sheathe, sweka.
Shed, grass, lisakasa ; shed leaves, pukuta.
Shelf (for drying fish), luaau ; for food, lisajUi ; in
house, ligvlu.
Shell, chikombwa ; to shell peas, aenda.
Shield, chikopa.
Shin, luaovjo.
Shine, wala (-wcmle), languka.
Shiver, tetemela ; with cold, ndundumUa ; shivering,
chiwamha, chikfwenya, ngvlengvle.
Shoot a gun, gomba ; game, gombela.
Shore, njengwe ; to reach, kocheaya.
Short, -jipi ; to be, jipipa, jilUa ; come short of, peTie-
mbela; shorten, jipipisya.
Shot, small, malisawe.
Shoulder, likoyo ; look over, chevlUa.
Shout, gumila, twamula ; to weep, guta ; shout with
joy, hihbta (-hUutile), shouting, chibdu, chikuwo.
Show, losya.
Shrivel up, svnnyala, ng^ong^ondala.
Shrub, liukutu.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
1
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 405
Shrug shoulders, kotoka.
Shut, ugala ; shut up, siwa.
Sickness, chilwele.
Side of hill, on this, ayeto ajino ; on other side, syeto
ajila ; of river, lisi alino ; at other side, lisi
cUila ; to go to other side of, syetela ; the side,
pamhali ; in the side of person, mu mbalati ; on
one side, kwmpepe ; on both sides, kuwUi ; side of
house, ndumba jajihidungwa ; fall to one side,
sondokoka ; put side by side, jalanya.
Sift corn, peta.
Sigh, isya {-isisya).
Sight, to be in, woneka, kopoclida ; go out of sight,
8imilila.
Sign, by travellers on road, chipanjiso.
Silence, chete, pee,ji, ndu ; to be silent, myalala.
Silver, ndalama syasiswela.
Simpleton, juangali mate.
Sin, to, lemwa, lewa, soya.
Since, patipo, pakuti.
Sing, jirnha ; loudly, nyanyika.
Singe, waula {-^awile).
Sink, tivnlay titimila, kapila ; down, wowocliela ; of
water, pwa ; of sun, pepa.
Sister, rrdumbu ; sister-in-law, alamu
Sit, Ucma (-temi) ; on eggs, utamila.
Six, msano ni chimo.
Size, msingu, ukulu.
Skewer, liwani.
Skill, ukungwi.
Skin, lipende, likunami ; dry hard, chi
Skip about in dance, tyala ; skipping-i
Skull, chikalakaaa.
Sky, kwiunde, kwinami.
Slacken, tondowa.
Slander, to, ainjilila^ naminila ; sland
Digitized by VjOOQIC
1
i
406 - ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Slant, 'perndamm.
Slap, to, timha lutemha.
Slash, kapa, gwayula.
Slave, mkapolo ; slavery, ukapolo ; slave stick, liko-
ngwa.
Sleep, to, goim mHugono', first slieep, lugono Iwa
chiwasa ; badly, gona usama.
Slender, tepana ; person, jufi chilenje.
Slide down, serereka, seretna.
Slip down, serereka, tyolamhuka ; slip off, polomoka.
Slippery, to be, teUaya.
Slope, galika ; a slope, rrmyanyo.
Slow, to be, kawa, kokowa.
Small, -nandi ; to be small, naiidupa ; make small,
ncmduya.
Smallpox, mlil% nduwi.
Smart, to be, kalamuka.
Smash, kasa, swanya, tusula, chanyanda, kanyata.
Smear, paka.
Smell sweetly, to, nunjila; badly, nunga; a smell,
liungo.
Smile, mwetulila, seka.
Smite, kunula.
Smoke, Uosi ; to smoke, kwemha, lya sona.
Smooth, to be, tiririka, tiririri, tyatyatyatya ', mya-
tika; make, tiririsya.
Snail, ngonokono.
Snake, lijoka.
Snap, of rope, kutula; snap across, nokosoka, mini-
Tiguka.
Snatch away, sumula, kwakula, kolopola, somhola.
Sneeze, jesemula.
Snore, komela {-koniesile).
Snort, suga.
Snuff, to, nusya ; snuff, sona ; take a pinch, chapa ;
snuff-box, luplano, mtete.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 407
So, iyoyOf sai.
Sob, hwikwitika.
Soft, tiri/rika, jolowa (-jolwewe), tiririri; soft with
moisture, nyepetala ; and dry, lepetala ; and
pulpy, -a powa, -a towa ; and pliable, tetewala ; "
to soften, johya {-jolweye).
Soil, good, chajila.
Soldier, jua namatangay jiLa majanga, asihali.
Sole of foot, hisajo (pi. masajo).
Somebody, Tnundu.
SoMETHii^G, chinduj c/iaigala.
Sometimes, pane.
Son-in-law, akwego.
Song, nyimboy chilanga.
Soon afterwards, pangakawa mnope; as soon as,
pati.
SooT, ckenjerere.
Soothe, myalasya, pembesya, tondosya.
Sore, liwanga.
Sorghum, mapemba.
Sorry, kola clutnasa, ligamba.
Sort, lukosyo ; of every, ngosyongoayo,
Sound, lilowe ; to sound, sona.
Sour, nyimg^unya {-nyung^winye)^ kaula ; of beer, ipa ;
sour tempered, chachambuka.
Source of stream, panduhjbko.
South, ku mwela.
Space, lipesa ; open, htwala.
Spare, leka.
Sparks, manyelanyela, ndete ; throw out, tatasika.
Sparse, to be, walawalawala.
Speak, wecketa ; strongly, gombelesya, limbila ; slowly,
tusya', indistinctly, nyinyitika; in low tones,
nong'ona ; with hesitation, wecheta chimene ;
back, pindtda ; for one's self, liwalanga, lisala ;
speak of, gamba.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
408 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Spbab, lipa/iiga ; fish, Tnoinha (pL myomha) ; hippo,
chikolongo,
Spegtbe, namlukuwewe.
Spices, yahumunjUa,
' Spider, nyangata ; web, lundandanibtUi,
Spill water, jita ; solids, jasa.
Spin thread, pota ; bobbin, njinga.
Spinster, jueuli.
Spirits of dead, misimu, manunu.
Spit, suna mata ; spittle, niata.
Splash! chwml
Spleen, liwandama.
Splice wood, syenjelela ; of thread, timbilila ; a splice,
Tnalwrribo.
Splinter, of stone, chipongolomwa ; of wood, chipalor-
mandu ; of grass, chikasi.
Split up, wahda, wangvla, palula.
Spoil, jonanga, aakasya.
Spoon, chikoi.
Spoor, likumbo, liwande.
Spots, mawala.
Sprain, tininguka.
Spread out, tandika ; in sun, janika ; false reports,
naminila ; of ulcer, tokanya.
Spring, sumba ; over, tagahika ; water, uliwa.
Sprinkle, konga, misa ; with water, toga.
Sprout, mela, sepuka.
Spur of hill, hikongolo ; fowl, chiTigalimba,
Spy out, lagulUa.
Squeeze, minya ; between two sticks, wana.
Stab, soma, kosa.
Staff, aimbo, ngongo, chimbonga ; long, mtindiso.
Staggering gait, ubelubelu.
Stains, matomematome, masilisili.
Stalk (game), wenda, gwawilila.
Stammer, wecheta chimeme.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY 409
Stand, jima ; upright, chirika.
Star, ndondwa;^ morning star, mng^andu; evening
star, msonogwe mwesi.
Start, tyoka ; early, lawa ; get a start, supuka, tojiina.
Startle, tojimya, sisimusya; be startled, sisimuka,
supuka, tojima.
State, condition, utwme.
Stay, tama, lanjela ; a long time, tamilisya.
Steadily, look steadily, hla ngongondo.
Steal, jiwa ; openly, wawcmga ; people, swamba.
Steam, lipuje.
Steep, to be, lemala ; steep in water, joloweka.
Steer, jongolela.
Steinbuck, siya.
Step upon, Uwata ; over, tagcduka.
Sterility, chisungula.
Sternness, ukcUi,
Sternum, chisanga.
Stick, chimbonga, ngongo, stirring, mtiko ; to stick,
nyambatUay kcmilila ; in the ground, simika ; in
throat, pakama ; to be sticky, nyolola, nyata,
tapuka, nyamha.
Stiff, limba ; of skin, kwindimala ; with cold, ju-
TYiula,
Still, quiet, pee, mya^ chete ; to be still, mycdala.
Sting to, ln/ma ; a sting, luwolawela.
Stink, mkuni.
Stir, to, kologanya^ kupa ; together, imya, wanganya.
Stockade, luwagcda, linga.
Stocks, ugwalata.
Stomach, chiukala.
Stone, ligcmga ; large, litunguwe.
Stool, chitengu.
^Toov, jhvama J kungv/iia, tewa.
Stop, to end, pehla.
Stopper, chisiivilo.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
410 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Store up, salcisya, kusya, •
Stork, chumha.
Storm, rnbuTigo, mpepela.
Stout, kapa^ jimhaUiy gangcdama.
Straight, to be, jongoka, goloka; stand straight,
jima chiri ; straighten, joTigosya, golosya.
Strain beer, sungula ; salt, chirika.
Strands of rope, chijndi.
Stranger, mlendo ; strange news, iTidu ya chUertdo,
Stray, sokonechda, aockelela.
Stream, Ivsvlo,
Strength, machili.
Stretch, e, g. skin, wamba ; one's self, lijongola^ limi-
nyula, litinvla ; one's arms, tambcdukida.
Strife, umani.
Strike, puta ; with hand, timba ; with fist, twanga
suwa ; with knife, kosa ; with spear, soma.
String, hokonji; to string beads, tunga; a bow,
kunga.
Strip, to, wangida ; strip ofE bark, gwugvZa ; leaves,
pulida ; cut into strips, lenga ; strips, malenga.
Strong, to he,limbika; of heart, pimililaf kangala]
of beer, wawa.
Struggle with, kamulana.
Stubble, chisindi.
Stubborn, to be, chalamandala ; stubbornness, TiiasiMO,
Stumble, kuwala.
Stump, chisichi.
Stunted, nyolola:
Stupid, to be, lowela^ pttgwa, pvZika, lotomala ; person,
msiya, mjinga; stupidity, usUu, usiya.
Sturdy, gangalama.
Stutter, dodoma.
Subjects, achiwwna^ cdamibi.
Subside of water, pwa ; of earth, ivowocliela.
Succeed, punda, pakombola.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ENGLISH- YAO VOCABULARY 411
Such and such, ckatichati.
Suck, yowiay joiiga ; draw a pipe, kwemha.
Suffer, sauka {-sawiche), taga (-tasile).
Suffice, jenesya ; be sufficient, jenela, jeiianila.
Suitable for, wajila.
SuLKiNEss, mhwhiya.
Summit, pa chanya, penani.
Summons, e. g, workers, laliJca.
Sun, lyuwa ; sunrise, pakucha ; at suaset, pakicswa ;
sunshine, lulanga.
Sundry, ngosyongosyo.
Supplicate, chondeUla.
Support, chinga^ chinjika, chinjirichisya.
Suppose, pela ; he supposed, vmtiji.
Surety (in marriage), imgoswe; intermediary, ungoswe.
Surly, to be, chachambuka.
Surname, Una lya kupambichila.
Surpass, punda^ wilichila.
Surprise, chilapo ; be surprised, simongwa^ jengwa.
Suspend, koleka, leleclieya.
Swallow, mila (-misile) ; bird, chiwalei
Sway, to, tepana, tenandenya.
Swear, by, himbila.
Sweep, pyajila.
Sweet, lyolyopela, nong^a.
Swell, imha, tupa, sasawila.
Swift, chachatika, tyatyatika.
Swim, ng*amila, sujila.
Swing, a, katmigwe ; to swing, liunga ;
to and fro, tenganyika.
Switch, 7npichi.
Sword, hipanga.
Syphilis, chindoko.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
412 BNGLTSH-YAO VOCABULARY
T.
Tail of bird, chikuni) of animal, mchUa; of fish,
chipyepye ; of elephant, ukcmga.
Take, tola (-tosUe); away, tyosya, umya; down, tvlu-
ay a, kolokola ; off clothes, tda (-usUe) ; out of
water, chutUa ; out of basket, juula ; a part of,
sapula ; take in from sun, kimgula, janukula.
Talk, wecheta ; to one's self, nyvnyisika ; be talkative,
twanga, hjoanya, hJcatvia ; humorously, kwere-
gtUa ; a talkative person, njelengo.
Tamarind tree, mkwesu.
Tan, uuta.
Tap, kong^onda; at door, gugusya.
Tarry, hnjela, kawa.
Taste, to, paaya^ laptUa ; badly, nunga ; well, nong'a ;
bitter, wawa ; tasteless, lukuka.
Tatoo, to, chokola ; tatoo marks, nembo.
Tax, maongo ; for ferry, chilongwe.
Teach, jiganya, wundiaya.
Tear, papula^ totokola ; into strips, nyesa ; into two,
kahda ; a tear, maoai.
Tease, tatida, sandamula ; cotton, aapay nyalula ; rope,
potokola.
Tell, aala, hila ; a story, jimha ndano.
Temper, bad, wanga^ ngalwe.
Tempt, linga, tikci.
Ten, likumL
Tendon, nguta^ mtaai.
Terrible, jogoya.
Terror-stricken, hindumhilwa.
Thank, lapila.
Thatch, wimba ; unthatch, immula.
There, ako, kwereko.
Thick, to be, kandapala (of cloth).
Tni^F^juawii', thievishness, uwii.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BNGLI8H-YA0 VOCABULARY 413
Thigh, chiiga,
Thin, wewepala ; make thin, wewepasya.
Thing, chindu.
Think, ganisya ; think over, wasya ; thoughts, ngani-
ayo.
Thirst, njota] intense, likalangtdo ; be thirsty, kola
^ njota.
Thorn, mwiwa (pi. mitoa) ; to extract, somola.
Thread, litonji, uvsi, mbota; twist, singa; thread
string, pisya, peresya.
Threaten, pakana.
Thresh corn, kuwita.
Threshold, pa msisi.
Throat, pa ngtdo.
Throb, wita.
TuKOWyponya; Aw&jy jam, jita.
Thumb, chala elm chikongo.
Thunder, chUindimo ; to thunder, lindima.
Thus, iyoyo^ sai.
Tickle, tikinya, nyelenyesya.
Tidy, kolosya, linganya.
Tib, tawa; tightly, kuta; loosely, kjela; together,
tawikanya ; a knot, lumhikcmya.
Tighten, limhika.
Tilt up one end, chanjamula.
Time, space, ndawi ; occasion, katema ', leisure, lipesa ;
at this time, sai inoino.
Tip, mtepa, lusonga.
Tip-toe, to stand on, nyanyamilila.
Tired, sakalika, pela.
To, ku.
Toad, Ugvmii, litesi.
Tobacco, sona ; a quid, chikambi ; roll, chisingwa.
To-day, lelo.
Toe, great, chala cha chikongo ; little, chala ch/i nyo-
nje; toes, yala ya kusajo.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
414 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Together, pampepe.
To-morrow, makiwi.
Tongue, lulimi (pi. ndimi).
Tooth, /iVm) (pi. vneno)', ca.nme, lisongolamembe', molar,
lijego ; of arrow-head, chingalimba.
Tooth-pick, lukoselo, lutonyo.
Top, a, njengo ; summit, pencmi, pachanya ; go over
the top, winuka ; place on top, sajika ; lf%j one
on top of other, nyichisya.
Torch, lumvZi (pi. sirmdi).
Tortoise, ngo7ig^o ; shell, chikolwa.
Toss ABOUT, ponyaponya.
Touch, kwaya (-kwaiye).
Tough, to be, nja/njandala, cltalamandala.
Track of animal, likumhoy liwcmdcj mpito^ ; to track,
wendawenda, gwalila, lapata.
Trade, to, pinda mcdonda, wcmga ; trade, upasq^m.
Train up, leUiy chinga.
Trample, liwata ; tramp clay, 2)onda.
Transfix, totomeka.
Transform, syuka.
Trap, flat stone, liliwa ; snare, lukonji, lukoka ; fish-
trap, msipu, msolda ; rat-trap, lUesa ; or field
rats, chipoto ; for game, mapetwa.
Traveller, mlendo.
Treachery, malindi,
Treadj liwata.
Treat badly, chima.
Tree, mtela.
Tremble, tetemela ; a tremor of skin, masale.
Trench, lukolomu.
Tribe, lukosyo.
Tributary to, to be, laniba ; tribute, tdambi.
Tricb^, to play a, tenda c/ujmache.
Trickle of water, svlvia.
Trigger, chisongamdeo ; trigger-guard, ling*andu.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULABY 415
Tbim beard or eaves of house, chisa.
Tbip, to, pyalulcc, fyatangvla,
Tbouble, sakalisya ; be troubled in mind, singalilwa.
Tbunk of elephant, chaso ; of tree, lipataf chipicJiiti.
Truss of calico, wluchu^ mtumha.
Trust in, ktUupUUa.
Truth, umbane.
Try, linga.
Tumble, gwa, limhukuka ; about, galagaiika ; from
height, patuka ; of wall, gumuka.
Tumour, ndesi.
TuBN, to, pitikuka, galauka ; aside from, sepuchilaj
chiliuka ; over to one side, pendeka ; round, syo-
sya ; one's back upon, tundimiala; in turns,
pachisyay tindcmya.
Turtle, ngasi.
Tusk, mnyanga ; of ivory, ndemho.
Twenty, makumi gawili.
Twine, to, syenga.
Twinkle, nyetula.
Twist, string, syenga ; neck of fowl, popotola, nyonga,
U.
Ulcer, liwanga ; rodent, chimatule.
Uncle, father's brother, atati ; mother's, akwelu7ne.
Unclean, -a usakwa,
Uncoil, syenjekvla.
Uncooked, to be, lopa.
Underneath, pasi pakwe.
Understand, manyUila, kochehcheaya^ pilikana ; un-
derstanding, umanyilisi.
Undo, kachulanya.
Undone, to be, pela.
Undress, to, ula.
Unfasten, gopola^ lumbukula.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
416 BNGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Unfilled, to be, tikama ; unfilled, -a litika.
Unfold, sapanguUiy pindikvla.
Unpick sewing, totokola,
Unpliable, changalama.
Unripe, -wisi.
Unsteady, heluhelu.
Unthatch, vnmula.
Untie, gopola, lumhukula.
Until, mpaka.
Untwist, syenjekula.
Unwearied, kangala.
Up-hill, kumkvli.
Upright, to stand, chirika.
Uproar, ungido.
Upside down, turn, pikusya.
Urge to work, chisya.
Urine, makweag.
Use of a thing, masengo gakwe ; useless, -mtega ; n^e-
lessly, pamtega, wambape ; to be useless, polopo-
teka ; useful, jtoana samani, juana masengo,
V.
Vain, in, pa mtega.
Valley, litiwi.
Value, mtengo ; to value, temela.
Vapour, lipuje.
Variance with, wengana^ tindana ; make at, komya.
Variegated, kolomhana.
Vegetables, liponda.
Vein, m,ta8i msindo ; varicose, kasipa.
Vengeance, mauchisyo.
Verandah, mwipenu ; post, luchanamUa (pi. tijana-
mila) ; room, lukole.
Verily, chisimu'cho.
Vessel, for oil, chisasi ; ugali, chiulugo.
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EN6LISH-YA0 VOCABULARY 417
Vexbd, to be, laga.
Vibrate, guiigwmila.
Village, musi (pi. misi) ; large, mainda, mtete ; out-
lying, mlaga ; meeting-place, pa7ig(mya.
Violin, ching^wenyetig^wenye.
Viper, lipiH.
Visible, wonechda, walawanduka.
Voice, lUowe\ broken, lUowe lya nicdenderef weclieta
rncdemha malemba ; loud, Uloioe lyekuVaiigwa,
Vomit, tapika, sehda, nyukula.
Vows, mcdcmgaTw,
Vulture, nyatigaj litvmbuai.
W.
Wad of gun, lihicsa, lilmti.
Wag of hesid, pukunya.
Wage war, tanjila ivgondo ; wages, inhotey malipilo.
Waist, m*chiuno.
Waistcoat, chisubao.
Wait, liiida,jembecheya ; lie in wait for, juwiUli, cliere-
reka ; place for lying in wait, chiuwUisi,
Waken a person, jimuaya.
Walk, jenda; slowly, jenda chikongwe; quickly, tvr
gala ; backwards, jenda chitukvlulu ; carefully,
lita/ndaaya ; unable to, telekwa.
Walking-stick, cfiimh(ynga.
Wall, Upupa,
Wander, sokonecltela ; wanderer, juakoendolwetido ;
wandering disposition, chijewajewa.
Want, soaa, saka, pila ; be in want of, sowa*
War, ngondoy chipiri, njakde.
Warm one's self at fire, jota ; in sun, lijotela.
Warn, tetela.
Warp, the, unga.
Wart, ausuwa,
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418 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULABT
Wash, mha-, clothes, chapa\ the face, aukumlAA',
hands, nawa ; body, jonga \ feet, chesa.
Wasp, lUendeu.
Watch, UndiMla ; house for, vMnda.
Watbr, mesi; salt, chidulo ; bucket tor, njembo;
waterfall, matiti ; sound of waterfall, chikokomo ;
water-pot, hiulo ; watershed, mliUy lu^ndo.
Wave, litvmhda ; to wave in wind, tengana.
Way, litala ; in this way, we tUende 'wo ; get out of,
tukuka.
Weak, kpetala, topvoana, tochomah; weakness, chi-
givembde.
Wealth, vsichirisif ipanje.
Wear, wala {-wete) ; loin-cloth, takula ; wear away,
kUa,
Wearied, sakalika.
Weave, basket, luka ; cloth, gomba.
Web, spider's, hindandambuli.
Web of foot of duck, utamhwe.
Weed, to, tv/pula ; a weed, chikoko.
Weep, lUa ; weeping, chililo (pi. moMlo).
Welcome, komasya.
Well, icheneiie, chikotope ; a well, chisima.
West, ku likwinjila 1/yuwa.
Wet, ngowd, tepeta; of ground, nyakapala] damp
ground, chinyesi ; wetness, iidepete,
WhatI chichi?
When 1 chaka chi ? ndawi chi ?
Where 1 kwapi ?
Whether, — or, kanga, — kav^a,
Whjctstone, Unolo.
Whip of rhinoceros hide, chigoti.
Whirling round, ndendela.
Whirlpool, chititUa ; whirlwind, chimbunga.
Whiskers, msalapa.
Whisper, songona.
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Whistle, to, gomba hdusi ; a whistle, chikwehiy chi-
pydele.
White, mhu, -swela ; to whiten, stvejesya ; by rubbing
chesa ; whiteness, unyunyu.
Who 1 nduni ? rvani ?
Whose] -cheni?
Why ] ligo7igo chidii ?
"WiDoyfijua ma'»ije.
Width, chitipa ; of cloth, chitando.
Wife, msonogo.
Wilful, to be, sengwa.
Wind, mhungOy mbepo ; south, mwela ; west, m'umbo ;
north, mpoto ; sound in trees, changula ; a whirl-
wind, chimbwnga ; windings, mhindo mhindo.
Wing, lipapiko.
Wink, to, kupila.
Winnow, ululn^/a.
Wipe, puhuta.
Wisdom, lunda.
Wise,, to be, kah/muha, kola kinda.
Wish, aosa, saka^ pila (-pilile).
Witchceaft, tbsawi; witch, msawi, lisawi.
With, ni.
Wither, nyala {^lyasile)^ jtmiula; and crumple, j?o-
wana.
Without, to be, sowa
Witness, mboni.
Wits, mate.
Woman, juamkongwe ; women, <
woman, mkolwa (pi. mikolwa).
Wonder, chilapo ; to wonder at, la^
Wood, mteh, ; forest, mseao ; a piec
Word, lihwe.
Work, to, panganya masengo; hard
piganya; steadily, chinjirima ;
leave off work, weliika.
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420 ENGLISH-YAO VOCABULARY
Worm, Unymigolosi,
Worn out and old, wiscda.
Worship, lomba, tindiwalila. ♦
Worthy, to be, wajUwa,
Wound, liwanga ; to wound, tdala^ gawa.
Wraith, chilengwa.
Wrap up in, wilijilila^ wiriga.
Wriggle about, puhiputa, ^n7i)n7a, salamanda.
Wring out, nyonga^ minya ; wring neck of fowl,
popotolay pota.
Wrinkles, ainya^ makwinyata.
Wrist-bone, chisukusuku.
Writhe, pilinyinda.
Wrong, -a mtega ; do wrong, lemwa, soya ; prove in
wrong, Busa ; wrongly, pamtega, wamhape,
Y.
Yard, Ivpande,
Yawn, tenda mwaju.
Year, chaka ; this year, c?iaka *chi7io, namiyaka ; next
year, c?iaka chine ; last year, mwacheso ; year
before last, mwachejusi ; year by year, cliaka
chaka.
Yeast, chilimgo.
Yes, elo.
Yesterday, liso ; day before, lijttsi.
Yield, kunda.
Yoke, lujinga, iigolopingo^ likongwa.
Yolk of eggy chitimatima, chititi, -i
Youngest of family, juamnung^una. *
Youth, a, msongolo, mchaiida ] youth, uchatida, uso- *
ngolo,
Z.
Zebra, mhmda.
Richard Clay <V *'o««, Limited^ London 4- Bungay,
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