Ce dictionary - David Rowbory IT Solutions

The Ce [Rukuba] language
of
Central Nigeria and its affinities
DRAFT CIRCULATED FOR COMMENT]
Roger Blench
Kay Williamson Educational Foundation
8, Guest Road
Cambridge CB1 2AL
United Kingdom
Voice/ Ans 0044-(0)1223-560687
Mobile worldwide (00-44)-(0)7967-696804
E-mail [email protected]
http://www.rogerblench.info/RBOP.htm
Ruth Adiwu
PO Box 1030
Jos
Plateau State
This printout: October 19, 2011
Gideon Asukutu
Bassa Local Government
Jos
Plateau State
R.M. Blench Ce Wordlist Circulated for comment
TaBLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Location, history and sociolinguistic situation ......................................................................................... 1
2.1 Nomenclature .......................................................................................................................................... 1
2.2 Location and settlements......................................................................................................................... 1
2.3 Language status....................................................................................................................................... 1
2.4 Ce culture and history ............................................................................................................................. 2
2.5 Existing language materials .................................................................................................................... 4
2.6 The classification of Ce........................................................................................................................... 4
3. Phonology..................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Vowels..................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Consonants .............................................................................................................................................. 6
3.3 Tones ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
4. Morphology.................................................................................................................................................. 7
4.1 Nouns ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.3 Pronouns................................................................................................................................................ 12
6. Ce wordlist ................................................................................................................................................. 13
References ...................................................................................................................................................... 50
TABLES
Table 1. Ce vowels............................................................................................................................................ 5
Table 2. Ce orthographic conventions for vowels............................................................................................. 5
Table 3. Ce phonemic inventory ....................................................................................................................... 6
The following conventions are used in transcription;
dZ
tʃ
ɲ
ʃ
Z
j
c
ny
sh
zh
I
U
i,I
u,U
i
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
1. Introduction
This is a preliminary draft of a dictionary of the Ce language, spoken in Plateau State, Nigeria.
2. Location, history and sociolinguistic situation
2.1 Nomenclature
The common name for the Ce language is Rukuba, a Hausa term said to mean ‘people of the rocks’ Temple
(1922: ). In more recent times it has become known as Che, based on the people’s own name. The terms in
Ce itself are given below;
People
One person
Language
Territory
baCE@
uCE@
kuCE@
kiCE@
The ‘ch’ orthography is here omitted as unnecessary and based on an inappropriate English spelling
convention.
2.2 Location and settlements
The Ce live in seventeen villages in Bassa LGA, Plateau State, northwest of Jos, in Central Nigeria. The
villages are;
KakE@k (Zagun), Kisayhip, Kisaloi, Igbak, Kakek Unit, Imbop (Binchi), Kishika (Kikala), Kisanchi, Kishi,
Uyo, Inchaz, Upara, Ibandi, Kata Kayinye, Ingo, Ubomo, Asak, Kihang
names in brackets are alternative administrative names.
The Ce area is about 4-500 km² and the river Rukuba runs across it diagonally from NW to SE. The main
peoples neighbouring on the Ce are the Piti (W), Cara (N), Izere & Berom (E) and the Irigwe (S).
2.3 Language status
Ce is still spoken generally with Hausa as a common second language. The population is harder to estimate;
Meek (1925, II:191) gives 12,619, Ames 1934 [1972:347] 10,967 and Gunn (1953:37) quotes a figure of
15,660 from Counsell’s unpublished 1936 ‘Report of the Rukuba tribe’. Hoffmann (1976) reviews the
various estimates made up to the date of his paper, and derives a figure of 24,350 from the 1963 census
figures. If so, the figure in Crozier & Blench (1992) of 50,000 speakers is probably about correct for about
1990.
1
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
2.4 Ce culture and history
In contrast to most Plateau peoples, the Ce have been extensively investigated in terms of their ethnography,
principally by one anthropologist, Jean-Claude Muller1. Early summaries of ethnography are in Temple
(1922), Ames (1934), Gunn (1953). Muller (1976, 1980, 1982, 1989, 1994) has described many aspects of
Ce society based on fieldwork between 1964 and 1967 and 1971-2. Unfortunately, most of these
publications are in French, which has effectively meant they have hardly circulated in Nigeria and cannot be
read by Ce people. They are, nonetheless, rich and comprehensive, and in particular describe many rituals
that have either disappeared or exist in a much-altered form. A recent summary of Ce society with an
emphasis on religion is in CAPRO (in press).
History
The Ce claim to have come from Ogba, a place in Buji territory where they stayed together with the Amo
and Buji. The Zagun and Igwarra fought wars with Buji and Miango. The Anaguta also claim to have fought
wars with the Ce tribe. Although not defeated by the Fulani jihad, they have Hausa/Fulani settlers among
them. This is because at one time a chief of Zagun became a Muslim and went on pilgrimage to Mecca,
encouraging more Muslims to settle in his chiefdom.
Culture
Birth:
There is no ceremony in naming a child. The diviner is however consulted if the parents notice the child is
losing weight. The diviner claims the boy's spirit has been taken so he comes with a broom which he hits on
the ground. He then takes oil with beniseed and rubs it on the child's head.
A woman who gave birth to twins was washed thoroughly with medicine. The first baby was saved and the
second was killed immediately. They believed the second one was a witch, and was strangled by the
midwives. The dead baby was buried in a pot covered with grass. This was stopped several years ago when
some of the early Christian converts reported the situation to the British District Officer. He called the Ce
chiefs and prohibited the killing of twins.
Circumcision and Initiation:
Boys are circumcised in the second month. The wound is covered with woven raffia till it heals. At the age
of 18 boys are initiated but before then their manhood is tried. Each boy is made to sleep with a pregnant
woman. If he is able to perform, he is considered mature and can be initiated. A ceremony takes place for the
boys before they are taken to the forest. Goats are killed for them. The boys are shown the secrets of the cult
in the forest. Each boy is asked to remove the testes of a cock without killing the cock. Any boy whose cock
dies is said to be dead also. The boys are usually naked in the forest. The day they come out they are given
leather aprons to wear. Each boy goes to his maternal uncle's house where goats are again killed for them.
Marriage:
A boy is free to have girlfriends before he marries. These relationships do not normally end in marriage.
Usually he builds a hut, farka, in the girl's father's house where he comes to sleep with her. She is only
expected to have one boyfriend at a time. If she got pregnant she was taken to the native doctor who helped
to abort the pregnancy. These days the girls give birth to the babies and take care of them.
When a boy (who is not her boyfriend) and a girl desire to marry each other, the boy goes to the girl's
parents to inform them. If the parents agree then her boyfriend has to pay the would-be husband some hoes.
The fiancé brings his friends to farm for the girl's parents from time to time. He gives two or three goats and
1
Many thanks to Jean-Claude Muller, who sent me a complete set of his many offprints.
2
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
four hoes as bride price. Even after marriage a boy is expected to farm for his parents in-law three times: to
weed an acha field twice and to work in a millet field.
After the bride price is paid, a big marriage ceremony takes place at the bride's father's house. Then she is
taken to her mother-in-law's house for one month. It is after this she is taken to her husband's house. Since
premarital relations are common, no virtue is attached to virginity before marriage. The day the girl is going
to her husband's house, she is first taken to her previous boyfriend's house. The groom and the girl's father
also meet there. The father then asks the boyfriend to give the girl to her husband. The groom is expected to
give the boyfriend some gifts and from that time on they become friends. In years past divorce was not
common. A woman was free to leave her husband's house if she had problems with him. She was also free to
return when she pleased. These days however, divorce certificates are given. Wife stealing was said to be
common in former days. The husband was not paid any compensation provided the woman had already
spent one year in his house.
Burial:
The corpse of an old man is covered from head to chest with goat skin to prevent people from seeing his
spoilt face. He was buried in the traditional grave which is round. An old man was buried in a foetal
position. These days the corpse is laid prostrate. A chief is buried the day after he dies and seven goats are
killed and their skins are sewn around the corpse. He is buried a day after because certain rituals must be
done before his burial. A blacksmith is buried like a chief. A widow is allowed to remarry a month after her
husband's death. Goat skin is also used in burying a child.
Religion:
Kurun is the name of the Almighty God. Bawai is the ancestral cult. Ce believe a dead man's spirit lives in a
tree for seven years before being re-incarnated in a child. Sometimes some men imitate the voice of a dead
man so that the women will believe it is the dead man that has returned.
Ici is the ceremony for the circumcised boys. The festival, which is called Aso, takes place March 30th or
31st and lasts for two days. The chief priest gives the date and the announcement is made public by the
chief. Many goats are slaughtered and the livers and a leg from each animal are kept in calabashes for
sacrifice. Another leg of each goat is given to the chief. One goat's head and leg are for the chief priest. The
rest is given to the fathers of the boys. Women are not allowed to eat out of it. Till today the traditionalists
still take their boys for this initiation. The shrine is on the mountain at their former settlement. Some people
are also attracted to the festival because of the meat and alcohol that is made available to the participants.
Modern Religion
Christianity came to the Ce people in 1915 through an SIM missionaries, Mr. Hammel. Today ECWA has
three Local Church Councils among them encompassing about 28 churches. Jebu Bassa, which is the Local
Government Headquarters of Bassa LGA and adjacent to the barracks of the 3rd Armoured Division of
Nigerian Army in Jos, has several non-indigenous churches. These include: NKST (Tiv church), CAC, The
Apostolic church, Assemblies of God, Deeper Life, Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, Christ
Salvation Church, King of Glory Mission and the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star. Perhaps 30% of the Ce
practise traditional religion, some 10-15% are Muslims and the remainder profess Christianity.
Due to their early contact with missionaries who opened a primary school in the area, many Ce people are
well educated and highly placed especially in the state government. Today, they have several primary
schools, a Junior Secondary School in Binchi, a Senior Secondary in Zagun and a post-secondary school in
Jebu Bassa.
3
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
2.5 Existing language materials
Ce has suffered from the problem of unpublished research. The first partial record of Ce appears in
Bouquiaux (1967), an analysis of the noun-class system given a very scathing review by Hoffmann (1976).
Hoffmann (1976) is a near-surreal document, a seminar paper presented as a mimeo to Faculty of Arts
Seminar in December 1976 at Ibadan. Although it has 49 pages, the whole central section is missing,
apparently never written, but planned in such minute detail that the pages are numbered throughout the
existing document. It is accompanied by some extracts from student essays setting out examples of nominal
classes. During the 1990s, Janet Wilson while working with the Assemblies of God, Jos, collected a
considerable amount of data on tape which was used as the basis for her Masters’ thesis (Wilson 1996). At
the same time, she asked her assistants to fill in wordlists based on those supplied by the present author and
these were entered into the computer. These include lexical items not quoted in the Appendix to the Masters’
thesis. Finally, the anthropologist, J-C Muller includes a great deal of lexical material in his ethnographic
descriptions, especially in the text on material culture, and this has also been of value despite the
foreshortened transcriptions.
In the light of this mass of material, almost entirely in extremely limited circulation, in seemed worthwhile
to compile, in preparation for checking in the field, with a view to producing something more
comprehensive on Ce. The reader is warned, however, that since the various authors mentioned all transcribe
Ce in slightly differing fashion, there are inconsistencies in the data (see §3.) that cannot yet be eliminated.
Data sources used;
Hoffmann (1976)
Anon. (1976)
Muller (1976, 1980, 1982, 1989, 1994)
Wilson (ined., 1996)
Incomplete seminar paper
Extracts from student essays?
Ethnographic monographs
Masters’ thesis
2.6 The classification of Ce
Ce has been noted as having similarities to Ninzo [Ninzam] since Gunn (1953:15). The only attempt to
analyse the position of Ce is Gerhardt (1972, 1974) which placed it in Plateau 4, on the basis of the material
of Bouquiaux. The affinities of Ce to Ninzo and Mada have been generally recognised, although the
boundaries of ‘Plateau 4’ are perhaps less clear than they were once though to be.
4
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
3. Phonology
3.1 Vowels
The phonology of Ce is treated at some length in Wilson (1996) who claims that there are only eight vowels
and Hoffmann (1976) records nine, although he does note that the status of schwa is ‘uncertain’. Ce is an
example of a 5+5 ATR system such has been reported from various branches of Benue-Congo (e.g. Igede
19xx; Gade 19xx; Abua xx). This is quite surprising in this region, where 7- or 5-vowel systems are more
common, but the extensive vowel harmony in Ce seems again to point in this direction. Ce has ten phonemic
vowels (Table 1);
Table 1. Ce vowels
Front
Central
Back
i
Close
u
ι
υ
e
Close-Mid
Open-mid
o
ə
(ε)
a
Open
These can be arranged as follows;
+ATR
-ATR
u
υ
i
ι
o
e
E
a
ə
Minimal pairs can be provided to show the distinctions for nine, but no pair seems to exist showing that e ≠
ε. Nonetheless, /ε/ is required by the harmony system and is therefore marked. Ce is a pervasive harmony
system, in other words, all vowels in single words are from the same harmony set. Ce has regressive
harmony, in other words, the vowel quality of the stem changes the vowel quality of the prefix. However,
the present system marks the +ATR (i.e. ‘normal’) vowels with an underline, contrary to many languages.
Thus;
Table 2. Ce orthographic conventions for vowels
IPA
Orthography
Gloss IPA
Orthography
thief ʊ-ɥιp u-yhip
u-ɥíp
u-yhíp
ulít
ulít
neck ʊ-nɪ́t
u-nít
Gloss
gruel
person
Minimal pairs can be provided to show the distinctions for nine, but no pair seems to exist showing that e ≠
ε. Nonetheless, /ε/ is required by the harmony system and is therefore marked. Minimal pairs showing a ≠ ə
are relatively easy to find. For example;
Evidence for vowel distinctions;
u≠ʊ
kú
tú
to die
to pound
kʊ́
tʊ́
5
to fall (rain)
to send
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
i≠ι
bàshìp
u-ɥíp
ulít
darkness
thief
neck
bàshɪp
̀
υ-ɥιp
υ-nɪ́t
planting season
gruel
person
A practical orthography for Ce would have to analyse this phenomenon in more detail to determine how
pervasive the harmony is; perhaps marking the first vowel in a word would suffice to indicate its harmony
set. Noun-prefixes appear to derive their vowel-quality from the stem-vowel. Given this is a linguistic paper
I have eschewed the Nigerian convention of subdots (i., u. etc.) in favour of IPA symbols, but these would be
unfamiliar in Nigeria and hence not be used in a practical orthography.
It is unlikely that there are true long/short distinctions in the vowels. However, there are sequences of two
similar vowels, often reflecting a change in tone-height. Sequences of two dissimilar vowels are quite
common, probably reflecting a deletion of C2 in the CVCV stem. CVN syllables are common and these
sometimes appear on the surface as nasalisation, but no clear contrasts (CṼ/CVN) have been advanced to
argue for phonemic status.
3.2 Consonants
Table 3 shows the consonants of Ce;
Table 3. Ce phonemic inventory
Bilabial Labiodental
Plosive
p b
Nasal
m
Trill
Fricative
f v
Flap
bv
Approximant
Palatal
Lateral Approximant
Alveolar
t d
n
s
Alveop
alatal
Palatal
ʧ
ɲ
z
ʤ
Velar
k g
ŋ ɱ
Labial
-velar
kp gb
ŋm
[ʃ]
Glottal
hn
h
r
y
ɥ
w [ʍ]
l
The phoneme /r/ is a flap word-internally and a trill in word-final position. /z/ and /dZ/ are not clearly
contrastive and are allophones in some situations. However, /ʃ/ may contrast with /s/, but it seems that [ʃ]
occurs before front vowels and [s] before back vowels. Thus;
ʃí ‘wake up’ but so ‘drink’
Wilson (1996:127) argues that /ɥ/ and /„/ are positional allophones, with /ɥ/ occurring before front vowels.
This would resemble the situation in Mada. The present orthographic solution is to write ‘yh’, which
unusual, but functional.
There are no true nasalised vowels. Phonetic nasalisation is heard following and preceding the consonant
‘nh’ but this can be treated as conditioned and no extra marking is required.
Gloss
end of rainy season
testicle
Phonetic
ũhõ
ι hι
Orthographic
unhu
inhi
Underlying
unho
ιnhι
/M/ is heard before the labio-dentals /f/ and /v/ in the middle of words. It is probably conditioned and need
not be set up as a separate phoneme.
6
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
3.3 Tones
Ce has three tones, although a minimal triplet is yet to be presented. However, the common process of
raising noun plurals, widespread in Plateau, demonstrates the tones clearly.
Gloss
Seed/stone/pip
s.
pl.
ìbi
ibi@
Mid-tone is unmarked. Rising and falling tones seem to arise from sequences of two similar vowels.
4. Morphology
4.1 Nouns
The nominal morphology and associated concord system of Ce has been a major focus of the work of
Gerhardt (1983:202), Hoffmann (1976: unnumbered) and Wilson (1996:21 ff.). As Wilson had the most data
I am following her presentation. However, given the problems with her account of the phonology of Ce,
such a table must be regarded as strictly provisional. I have not numbered the classes at present, awaiting a
more complete account of the system.
Noun
prefix
Subject
Concord
Object
Concord
u-/à-/o
ba
a
ba
u
ba
Near
Demons
trative
àwai
babaì
Ø
ban
a
ba
ba
babaì
u
u
uwai
u-
Far
Distant
Relative
Interr
demonst Demons Pronoun
ogativ
rative
trative
e
aniŋi ayhuŋo
ayi
aʃe
baniŋi bayhuŋ
bayi baʃe
o
ayhuŋo
ayi
aʃe
baniŋi bayhuŋ
bayi baʃe
o
uniŋi
uʃe
Independe
nt
Pronoun
wui
bai
wui
bai
wui
The presentation below shows examples of the pairings of noun-prefixes in Ce. The following convention is
used;
CH’s prefix list
àabàbáìiìkakiìkuuu-
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
Class
Noun
prefix
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
àabàbaìikùkakiìkuuu-
Subject
Concord
Object
Concord
a
á
ba
bá
ι
ι
kú
ká
kí
ι
kú
υ
υ
Indepen Near
Far
Distant
dent
Demons demonst Demons
Pronoun trative
rative
trative
waì
àwaì
ǎnὶŋι
wáì
áwaì
ánὶŋι
baì
bàwaì
bǎnὶŋι
báì
báwaì
bánὶŋι
ǐnὶŋι
ínὶŋι
kuì
kùkuì
kǔnὶŋι
káì
káwaì
kánὶŋι
kι ὶ
kíkιὶ
kínὶŋι
waì
ǐnὶŋι
waì
kúkuì
kúkuì
kúnὶŋι
úwuì
únὶŋι
wúì
àwaì
ǎnὶŋι
wúì
Expanded and non-expanded forms in prefixes are provisionally treated as allomorphs.
1/2 pairing
sg.
àjìje$k
à-hàmà
àshén
àbùrò
a$nkpók
Gloss
Swamp wetland
Axe
Song
Lie
Vagina
pl.
ajìje$k
a-hàmà
ashén
abùrò
aŋkpók
Mass noun, Class 2 only
antι+
Saliva
Class 1/10 a-/I-
sg.
Gloss
Market
Elephant
àkàso
pl.
ìnkàso
à-tìnkii i-tìnkii
Class 3
Mass nouns with no plural
Oil
Fat/grease
Boiled sorghum
Potash
Sorghum-beer
Milk
Sweat
8
bà-nyì
bà-nhyù
bàkù
bàtòk
bà-hi
bànsa
bacilí
Relative
Pronoun
Interr
ogativ
e
àʃε
aʃε
bàʃε
baʃε
ìʃε
iʃε
kùʃε
kaʃε
kiʃε
ìʃε
kuʃε
uʃε
àʃε
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
Hoffmann (n.d.) cites ìmà ‘water’ as an example of an irregular mass noun. In fact, there are a number of
mass nouns with an ì- prefix. These are tabulated under Class 5.
Class 4.
báonly occurs as a plural paired with Class 13
Class 5/6
Death ì-ku
a-ku+
Ì-/Ísg.
ìkun
ìtitò
ì-wu
ì-yhàt
ì-kut
ìkpì
Gloss
Tree (generic)
Thorn
Dog
Buffalo
Nile crocodile
Thing
pl.
i@kun
i@titò
í-wu
i-yhát
ikút
í-kpì
Class 7 ì- (plurals only)
Class 8 ka8/3 ka-/bàGloss
Night
Place
Back
sg.
pl.
ka-túk bà-tuk
ka-cu ba-ncu
ka-ma+ bà-ma
8/7 ka-/ìGloss
Dry Season
Bush I
Farm
Fonio storage pot
Needle
sg.
ka-bá
ka-bo^
ka-yúk
ka-ngon
ka-gup
pl.
ì-(m)bá
i-(m)bo^
ì-yúk
i-ngon
i-(n)gup
Class 9 kiMass nouns with no plural 9/-
Meat
Greed
Suffering I
Crowd of people
Bush II kí-ɲík
9
kí-ná
ki-bàŋ
ki-jàsí
ki-ngbìs
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
Cleared field
ki-nji@k a-nji@k
9/2 kI-/aGloss
Charcoal
Rainy Season
Earth
Corpse
Snare
sg.
kí-ŋkála
ki-kus
ki-yhé
ki-kúm
ki-ntín
Class 9/10 ki-/iGloss
Face
Reproduction, birth
Weird
pl.
a-ŋkála
a-kus
a-yhé
a-kúm
a-ntín
sg.
kití
ki-lí
pl.
intí
ìli
Shade ki-sásù ba$sù
Class 10 ì- (plural)
See class 12
Class 11 kukU-/Youth
Gum/glue
Gap between teeth
Pus
Honey
ku-shi@k
kuntà
ku-nsù
ku-nhún
ku-ntúŋ
kU-/aGloss
Leaf
Grass
Bark, cover
Cloud
Nest
sg.
ku-vu+
ku-gá
ku-nkù
ku-kpá
ku-lúk
Class 12 uClass 12/-
10
pl.
a-vu+
a-gá
a-nkù
a-kpá
a-lúk
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
Hair
Cassava*
Faeces II
Dirt
Farm boundary
cf. Hoffmann
Moon/month
ì-hél
u-tu^tù
u-rógo
u-ntún
u-shit+
u-líá
i-hél
Class 12/2 u-/aRope (sisal)
Hole in ground
u-nsát
u-du+
a-nsát
a-du+
Class 12/7
Gloss
Broom
Bow
Arrow
Car
Gun
sg.
u-ŋgis
u-ndàr
u-ŋgyi@
u-mátu
ù-bindigà
Class 12/10
sg.
pl.
u-kot+
ulít
u-wù
u-mvi@
u-wa+
u-ndú
u-yhíp
ι-(ŋ)kot
ìlít
ì-nwu
ì-mvi@
i@-mba
ì-ndú
ìn-yhíp
Gloss
Throat/voice
Neck I
Fire
Day/sun
Woman, wife
Tail
Porridge
pl.
ku-ŋgis
kù-ndàr
kù-ŋgyi@
kù-mátu
kù-bindigà
Class 13/4 u-/baGloss
Man
Friend
Brother
Thief
Ce person
sg.
u-ni@t
u-zí
u-zùt
u-yhι p
u-Cé
Single cases:
Gloss
Calabash spoon
Arm
sg.
kelede
kòòk
11
pl.
ba-ni@t
ba-zí
ba-zùt
ba-yhi@p
ba-Cé
pl.
alede
a-wúk
Roger Blench: Ce Dictionary
Gloss
Father
Mother
Male II
Child
God
Large River
Witch
ì-náù
u-vin+
kurù
o-wok+
uwa-uwu
sg.
átí
iyhe
nái
i@-ŋmi@n
a-kurù
ìŋ-wok
uni-uwu
In summary, Ce noun-class pairings are as follows;
4.3 Pronouns
I
You
He/she/it
We
You
They
Possessive
Mine
Your
His, hers its
Our
Your
Their
ŋu
wú
tút
yhenyi+
ì-min
ì-mot
bamin
12
pl.
bánátí
baniyhe
Ce dictionary
6. Ce wordlist
No.
1.
Gloss
Tree (generic)
Singular
ì-kùn
Plural
i-kún
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Shrub
Crown of tree
Leaf
Green leaf
Root I
Root II
Branch
Bark, cover
Thorn
??
ι-nvέlεk
ku-vu+
ì-nsàp
ι -nyhày
ki-ngbàsà
kυ-gə̀
kυ-nkυ
ι -tι t
ikún icàcàp
??
a-vu+
??
ι-nyhày
a-ngbàsà
ə-gə̀
ə-nkυ
i-títò
11.
12.
13.
Flower
Stalk
Grass
??
ku-nsa+
ku-gà
angáy
ansa+
a-gà
14.
15.
16.
Vine (generic)
Mushroom, fungus
Seed/stone/pip
ulìyə $
ì-nzo
ìbí
ilìyə $
i-nzó
ibí
17.
Charcoal
ki-ŋkála
a-ŋkála
18.
19.
Dust I
Dust II
ìkit
ìhut
20.
Ashes
ìntoŋ
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
Ash from burnt grass
Rubbish-heap
Mud
Clay
Ochre
Paint
Dew
u-hárù
28.
Stone
ki-tái
a-tái
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
Large stone
Flat rock
Iron
Fine sand
Gravel?
Red hot iron ore
ka-ntu+
ku-bán
ì-ntóŋ
ku-mún
a-mfìp
ì-brà
i-ntóŋ
—
Commentary
cf. Sur kon, Yangkam koon, Tarok akún
‘firewood’. This root is widespread in
Niger-Congo, often meaning ‘firewood’.
i.e. ‘small tree’
cf. Bu vuvu
cf. Alumu, Toro ùkùkù
cf. Ningye ntu, Alumu tòtò, Hasha ityok,
Singular means ‘blade of grass’. Cf. cf.
Ninzo agígá, Ningye g´ga, Bu giga,
cf. Ningye be, Toro biro, Alumu biro+,
Shall biri, Bu ibi
The singular means a lump of charcoal.
cf. Ninzo ikláru, Bu ik´@la, but a NigerSaharan root.
cf. Ninzo ìhúr, Bu iwuru, Hasha iwur,
Toro huru,
cf. Nindem itoŋ reflecting widespread
and ancient Niger-Congo root #ntoN
ku-tèrè
ku-nte$
ì-kuk
u-ntup+
bà-me$
cf. Ningye nkyem, Bu nteme,
13
cf. Ninzo àmé, Ningye mmeŋ, Hasha
eme, Rukul mmaŋ, Tarok ìmìmyàŋ,
Yaŋkam myaŋ going back to a NigerCongo root #meki- + #ta an ancient Niger-Congo root.
However, note Toro tari, suggesting a C2
in this region, deleted in Ce.
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
35.
Smoke
36.
Fire
37.
Water
Singular
ìnci
u-wù
ì-mà
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
Steam
Foam
Rain
Cloud
Lightning
Rainbow
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
Planting Season
Dry Season
Rainy Season
End of rainy Season
Harmattan
Time of first hoeing
Principal hoeing
Main hoeing period
Year
u-ho+
àfŭfùk
àwùrù
ku-kpá
a$nko àwùrù
à-nàndat
àwùrù
bàshι p
ka-bá
ki-kus+
u-nhù
a$nko akala
babo
babo utoro
ba-horo
ki-kus+
53.
54.
55.
Today
Yesterday
Tomorrow
kaŋkai
kalék
kambàlà
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
Morning
Evening I
Passing the evening
Dawn
Day
Night
kambàlà
kàalú
ì-viri
kayabitì
u-mvi@
ka-túk
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
Time
Light
Darkness
Moonless night
Moon/month
u-mbà
àcát
baship+
ì-bul
ì-hél
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
Sun
Sunshine
Star(s)
Wind
Whirlwind
God
u-mvi@
bà-nzà
ì-ntet
ànkò
ì-ncì
kurù
Plural
ì-nwu
Commentary
cf. Ningye nteŋ, Bu ente,
cf. Cara wu, Ninzo ùrú, Bu wuru
cf. Ninzo masiri, Bu mma, Cara mal,
Horom bamal, also Ura mò and Bokyi
o-mo. Also in Chadic: Tala maal, Buli
màl. Words for ‘water’ with ma- are
Africa-wide and may derive from the old
ma- class-prefix for liquids.
cf. Toro awi, Alumu a-wè,
a-kpá
a$nko àwùrù
ìm-bá
a-kus+
See ‘year’ (52.). cf. Ningye koos,
‘white wind’
a-kus+
See ‘rainy season’ (47.). cf. Hasha ikusan, T´su huʃi,
Also: Good morning! cf. Bu mbre,
Ningye mbwer, T´su merebi,
imbàlà
ilú
ì-mvi@
bà-tuk
See ‘sun’ (67.).
cf. Berom túrūk, but also tūk ‘day of 24
hours’. Also Izere kâ-túk, Sur gutuk, cf.
widespread #tuk- forms See BCCW
also aship (archaic)
i-hél
ì-ntét
cf. Rukul u-fye, Fyem fyél, Bo fye, but
an old Niger-Congo root. Also Ron, Sha,
Kulere #fen though probably a loan into
Chadic.
See ‘day’ (72.).
rays of the sun
cf. Bu enze, Toro a-ta,
a-kurù
cf. Cara kure,
ì-mvi@
14
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
73.
Sky, heaven
74.
World
75.
Earth dug from a
hole by an animal
76.
Dirty water in stream
77.
Dirt
78.
Large River
79.
Lake
80.
Pond
81.
Forest
82.
Cave
83.
Mountain
84.
Hill
85.
Termite mound
86.
Bush
87.
Fallow farmland
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
Singular
katakurù
ki-yhé
u-bo+
u-mbù
u-shit+
o-wok+
ì-yòn
ku-túk
ku-ták
ì-gbùl
ki-gbât
ki-rà
ka-bo^
ki-nji@k
Plural
—
a-yhé
Commentary
ìŋ-wok
cf. words for ‘water’
a-túk
i-gbùl
a-gbat+
i-mbo^
a-nji@k
Farm
Farm boundary
Field of a woman
Village square
Fenced gardens by
house
Swampy land
Ridge tie
Ridge I
Ridge II
Mound for tubers
Furrow
Ridge splitting
Market*
Household
Compound
Wall
ka-yú(k)
u-lya
ogun
kahíŋ
ku-be^
House, hut
Room
Wall (house)
Partition
Courtyard
Wooden frame of
roof
Back of house
Threshing floor
Floor
Kitchen
Bedroom
Toilet
Cubbyhole in wall
for storage over bed
ki-bùt
ku-tarà
a-bùt
a-tarà
à-di^ndi
ì-las
à-gìp
ì-las
ajijek
izaga
u-nsàl
àdàl
ki-mpuk
ki-ɥel+
bàbu
à-kàsó
u-ngat
ki-kò
ku-cà
ì-yú(k)
cf. Bu ŋbulu, Ningye nkugbu,
cf. ‘farm’ in Tesu ayi, Tarok anyín,
Irigwe kèyí, cf. words for ‘bush’ Ninzo
i-jíjí, Bu iji,
possessed
‘playground’
à-be$
fadama
a-mpúk
ì-nkàso
a-kò
a-cà
ka-màha
ku-ngbi@s
à-mpás
ka-bya
ka-yik
anyha
kadés
15
done after cultivating a ridge one year
cf. Hausa kaasuwaa,
cf. Ninzo, Bu iko, Ningye kop,
joins one room to another Interior of
compound
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
117. Compartment in
granary for storing
different grains
118. Any wall
119. Compartment in
granary for storing
different grains
120. Drying rack
121. Roofing
122. Thatch roof II
123. Eaves
124. Mud dome of roof
125. Point of roof
126. Step up to a house
127. Section of large
compound for family
subunit
128. Beam
129. Brick I
130. Brick II
131. Field
132. Thatch roof
133. Well*
134. Road
135. Path
Singular
a-gata(k)
Plural
Commentary
to store things
ku-nce
a-mpo
ku-ngbàn
sút
ishen
u-kpándi
anduu
ki-sóró ishen
kunkò
ù-bak
a-ngbàn
cf. Cara ʃot, Berom sóró
ì-go
ki-nko
u-vórì
bìnci
ìshén
kudu ìmà
ishén
adu ìmà
ku-ci@li@
a-nci@li@
agbát
a-ci@p
a-ko
amakaranta
136.
137.
138.
139.
140.
141.
142.
143.
144.
145.
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
151.
Village
City?
Group of houses
School
Hospital I
Hospital II
Hospital III
River-bank
Swamp wetland
Place I
Place II
Place III
Life
World I
World II
Person/people
kigbát
ku-ci@p
ki-ko
àmakaranta
kácú íkál
asìbitì
ahóspitòl
kutìnlice$
àjìje$k
ka-cu+
ku-ŋmìm
u-kàvù
ì-nyás
kiyhá
152.
153.
154.
155.
Man
Woman, wife
Favourite wife
Child
u-ni@t
u-wa+
â-kó
u-vin+
u-ni@t
a-nko
‘hole of water’
cf. Alumu ´ki, Rukul i-t´l, Kadara
utera, Tarok as´$l, Eggon oʃen,
cf. Bu egbu,
cf. Ningye cip,
<Hausa
atìntise$
ajìje$k
ban-cu
ayhá
ayá
ba-ni@t
ba-ni@t
i@-mba
i@-ŋmi@n
16
cf. Nindem nesit, Pe u-nsit, Yaŋkam
nyit, Yeskwa unet, Gana net. Roots for
‘person’ with initial n- can be
reconstructed to PMC
see ‘person’ (151.)
cf. Bu uwa pl. imba
cf. Ninzo uvúvur pl. àmúmàr, Ningye
ven pl. mumwen, Hasha a-mweŋ, Tikar
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
Singular
Plural
156.
157.
158.
159.
160.
u-náú
ì-náù
uwa/ì-wa
àtiyàan
u-doro+
ba-na@ù
nái
imba/imba
banatiyàan
161.
162.
163.
164.
165.
166.
167.
Male I
Male II
Female
Husband
Go-between in
courtship
Householder
Young man
Young girl
Old person
Old age
Father
Mother
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
174.
175.
176.
177.
178.
179.
180.
Friend I
Friend II
Stranger
Relations I
Relations II
Relative
Father-in-law
Grandparents
Grandchild
Sister
Brother
Barren woman
Chief/ruler
u-zí
à-zò
à-cádùn
ì-bí
ku-márá
u-nkol+
ukúsú
ati agò
u-ula
u-vándut
u-zùt
u-kúk
u-tù
181.
182.
183.
184.
185.
186.
187.
188.
189.
190.
ki-be$
u-ni ùyhíp
u-yhι p
u-yhén
àlihità
àdoktò
uwa-uwu
ku-w4u+
191.
Kingdom
Hunter
Thief
Doctor (trad.)
Doctor II
Doctor III
Witch
Witchcraft
Wizard
Sustainer in spiritual
world
Corpse
ki-kúm
a-kúm
192.
193.
Slave
Blacksmith
u-yhi@li@
u-láŋ
ba-yhi@li@
ba-láŋ
194.
Woodworking
ku-ship+
atinikiko
ì-shík
ki-tú(ŋ)
ukup/àkuŋgù
bàce$ke
ati+
iyhe
Commentary
mwãẽ, Jaku mÆ@n, Bapi mwén, Vute
mon,
see ‘woman’ (153.)
‘father of the house’
i-shík
a-tú(ŋ)
bakup/akuŋgu
bán-átí
ban-iyhe
cf. Ningye uwa, Ake iwa ‘woman. ?
source of Hausa uwa ‘mother’
ba-zí
ibí
i-márá
also a personal name
cf. Cara ∫e,
ba-kúsú
ba-nati agò
ba-vándut
ba-zùt
ba-kúk
ba-tù
cf. Bu icu, Ninzo ùcù, Nupe etsu+, ? cf.
Tarok –cumcum ‘important’
ba-ni ùyhíp
ba-yhi@p
ba-yhén
<Hausa
<English
uni-uwu
baw4u
u-nukot+
17
An East Benue-Congo derivation from
widespread ‘death’ root. cf. Hasha ikum, Eggon okomo, Kulu ukum,
Mambila kómón, Izere kukóm. Also in
Chadic: Goemai ˚um, Ngas kuum.
ku-láŋ ‘blacksmithing’. cf. Ninzo nìlà,
Bu ela, Ningye nerak
the –ship element is from a widespread
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
195.
196.
197.
198.
199.
200.
201.
202.
203.
204.
205.
206.
207.
Fool
Ritual official
Ce language
Ce person
European language
Fulfulde
Ful∫e person
Hausa language
Hausa person
Irigwe
Berom
Amo
Christian I
208.
209.
210.
211.
212.
213.
214.
215.
216.
217.
218.
219.
220.
221.
222.
223.
224.
225.
226.
227.
228.
229.
230.
231.
232.
233.
234.
235.
236.
237.
238.
239.
240.
241.
242.
Christian II
Muslim
Hero
Expert
Foreigner
Leader
Election
Orphan
Big man
Barren woman
Blind person
Elderly person
Lazy person
Single man
Stubborn person
Sweaty person
Younger person
Old
Anger
Beauty (female)
Boast
Bravery/courage
Busyness
Caution
Cleverness
Contempt
Cunning
Deceit
Emotional distance
Familiarity
Fear
Foolishness
Generosity
Greed
Happiness
Singular
u-mà
u-vo+
ku-Cé
u-Cé
ku-Nàsárá
ku-Zàŋkán
a-Zaŋkán
ku-Kpìse$k
i-Kpìse$k
bakun
balai
banika
banita ibá
kùrù
bàkristà
bani iyí usála
ì-shigo
à-kpâsù
Plural
Commentary
verb root meaning ‘to carve’ (1021.)
—
ba-Cé
—
—
ba-Zaŋkán
—
ba-Kpìse$k
bayò
à-taàtí
ì-she$m
u-kúruk
u-gó
u-kúk
u-ho+
u-kup+
u-ke$re$
u-kpák
u-ger+
i-fufutuk
u-tàn
ì-kup
ku-lui
ku-tú
u-bóŋ
ì-sun
ì-papat
à-haha
adúrú
bàshit
aŋgùrù
a-gírà
ku-gbáŋ
u-mele$
ì-nsùsù
ku-má
ku-yám
ki-bàŋ
i-ndema
—
or ì-kúrùk
—
that brings bad luck
—
ì-yám
18
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
243. Hatred
244. Honesty
245. Joy
246. Laughter
247. Laziness
248. Love
249. Peace
250. Rascallyness
251. Regret
252. Repentance
253. Reproduction, birth
254. Sarcasm
255. Secrecy
256. Sex
257. Shame
258. Temptation
259. Truth
260. Vengeance
261. Wisdom
262. Worry
263. Youth
264. Curse
265. Reciprocity
266. Uncleanness
267. Poverty
268. Death
269. Spirit, soul
270. Evil spirit I
271. Evil spirit II
272. Charm
273. Dream
274. Rest
275. Search
276. Earnest search
277. Main one
278. Gloomy look
279. Command, rule
280. Seniority
281. Competition I
282. Competition II
283. Play, sport
284. Good health
285. Maturity
286. Judgement
287. Census
288. Damage
289. Lower part
290. Crack
291. Sign
292. Yawn
Singular
bàshén
ku-pít
ku-me$sé
ì-ŋmalá
ki-ke$re$
bàkò
ì-mìs
ì-pàpàt
àntìyha
à-bòk
ki-lí
ku-ne$p
u-let+
Plural
—
Commentary
—
—
—
—
—
ìli
i-cít
ì-nsa
bàntè
ì-bìbà
i-hàŋ
ì-yhi ibá
ì-sàp
ku-shi@k
ì-lasá
ì-le
ku-bùŋ
ku-yhó
ì-ku
i-ŋio
ki-gòrò
ku-ya+
ì-hol
ka-bùk
u-kep+
u-tiàŋ
kòtòk
ì-kpá
ku-kup+
bàgbà
bàtinzìk
ku-sàn
ku-ci@t
agbúrú
amok+
u-bai+
bà-lăŋ
u-càrà
u-yáŋ
ku-yàp
ka-wù
—
a-ku+
—
barò
bawú
A death ì-kusu.
made of animal skin
aya
+
i-yáŋ
ayàp
19
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
293. Sleep
294. Sleepiness
295. Beating
296. Breathing
297. Coming out
298. Counting, reading
299. Doing
300. Entangling
301. Frightening
302. Gambling
303. Greeting
304. Hoeing
305. Leaning
306. Meeting
307. Nagging
308. Picking
309. Pounding
310. Rejoicing
311. Removing s.t.
312. Running
313. Scrambling
314. Sewing
315. Sitting
316. Sobbing
317. Stealing, theft
318. Stubbornness
319. Stumbling
320. Suffering I
321. Suffering II
322. Taking bath
323. Teaching
324. Waking
325. Walking
326. Weeding
327. Under-rating
328. Visit
329. Queue
330. Increase
331. Crowd of people
332. Multitude I
333. Multitude II
334. Remembrance
335. Fall
336. Dowry
Singular
ìkunu
ìnáŋ
ka-tasàk
ì-ve$le$
ì-yu
ì-bai
ì-ti
ì-zai
ka-zisà
i-yók
ì-bín
ka-bíná
ì-turu
ì-mòsò
ki-ntéŋ
ì-tam
ì-titú
ki-só
ì-tul
ì-kyen
ka-gúu
ì-wan
ki-sòŋ
ì-sun
ka-yhíp
ku-ger+
ì-tara
ki-jàsí
bà-zis
ì-su
ka-disi@
ì-shi
ki-zi@
u-hárí
ka-gbeŋ
bàdùn
ayòŋ
ì-sul
ki-ngbìs
ì-ndi
ì-hwí
ì-sùmù
ì-kusú
kagbìse$
Plural
337.
338.
339.
340.
341.
ki-sak+
ki-gun+
à-shén
ki-shén
ì-bá
a-sak+
a-gun+
a-shén
a-shén
i-bá
Name
Grave, cemetery
Song
Proverb
Story, saying
Commentary
bunch, cluster
ìnbìse$
20
The underlying meaning is ‘basket’
(798.).
cf. Alumu u-sá,
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
342. Word
343. Lie
344. News
345. Gossip
346. Disregard
347. Instigation
348. Investigation
349. Blessing
350. Faith
351. Gratitude
352. Good luck
353. Bad luck
354. Luck
355. Friendship
356. Help
357. Persuasion
358. Excuses
359. Speech
360. Prayer
361. Pleasant talk
362. Decision
363. Argument
364. Meaning, reason
365. Haste
366. Imitation
367. Growth
368. Increase
369. Shout
370. Cry
371. Other
372. Collective work
373. Collective work
374. Collective work
375. Collective work
376. Omen
377. Ceremony I
378. Masquerade I
379. Age-group
380. Hunger
Singular
ki-mfá
à-bùrò
ibá ihás
bàtite$t
u-bìn
bàlù
u-shín
ì-gòn
ì-sasuna
à-shiki@n
u-kalà
u-mi@
ki-shén
ki-zànà
i-ndol
káyá
a-nde+
Plural
a-mfá
a-bùrò
Commentary
ayíŋí
à-do
i-dáú
ka-wù
bàntă
a-gézé
kàŋkà
u-masà
u-gbùtàk
u-sák
ì-ru
ì-kún
< Hausa aduwaa?
argument or discussion
i-rú
banú
àgà
ì-di
ì-di agangak
ì-di xx
ba-zùt
agba
ì-gùŋgù
ì-ge$ze$
ì-yhò
—
cf. Ningye joŋ, Fyem yóŋ, Tarok ayáŋ,
Sur yyoŋ, . Ultimately Hausa yunwa.
cf. Bu ence, Tarok acì, Nupe eZi, Pe ti-ci
pl. a-ci, Yaŋkam gyo Common in
Plateau in this form, but reflects a NigerCongo root with g- initial (W. 214)
Also an instrument of divination and a
name for mud wall-hooks. Cf. Bu enju,
Hasha i-jum, Alumu ì-jimù,
Open to all
accompanied by drumming
restricted list of invitees
The first marriage of a woman
381.
382.
383.
Hunger (desire)
Starvation
Egg
u-máŋ
ì-yhógo
ki@-nci@
a-nci@
384.
Horn
ki-njù
a-njù
385.
386.
Hoof
Tail
ì-ra
u-ndú
ì-ndú
21
cf. Ningye ndum, Fyem dum, Rukul
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
Singular
Plural
Wing (of bird)
Nest
Feather
Gum/glue
Ant-hill
Lump I
Lump II
Heap
Heap, pile, city
Foundation
Hole in ground
Deep hole
Opening
Gap I
Gap II
Remnant (of food)
Decayed leftovers of
meat
Crumb
Grinding
Stick
Mark
Entanglement
Mixture
Smell
Poison
Frond
Cross
Firewood
Log I
Log II
Yam-heap
Alarm
Disturbance I
Disturbance II
Quarrel
Fight
War
ku-ŋmgbà
ku-lúk
ku-ŋgwì
kuntà
ki-ndá
a-nmgbà
a-lúk
a-ŋgwì
424.
425.
426.
427.
428.
Gift
Farming
Work
Medicine, poison
Divining instruments
I
kabàrà
ì-lala
i-tóo(ŋ)
i-kál
ka-ce kayiyiŋne
429.
Divining instruments
kinjù
387.
388.
389.
390.
391.
392.
393.
394.
395.
396.
397.
398.
399.
400.
401.
402.
403.
404.
405.
406.
407.
408.
409.
410.
411.
412.
413.
414.
415.
416.
417.
418.
419.
420.
421.
422.
423.
a-ndá
aŋgbù
Commentary
itum,
cf. Ningye mbaŋ, Bu ŋba,
unless this is the gum in the mouth?
cf. Ningye todan,
ki-ntám
ku-cip
ì-ci@s
u-du+
u-hòn
à-hau
à-lòtòk
u-ra+
ì-bìt
u-mból
abúŋ
a-cip
a-du+
cf. Bu jyujyu, Ningye dudu,
Narrow gap between two stones
Narrow gap between two stones
i-mbus
ì-kòk
u-kún
uzai+
ì-dùp
ìnuŋ
bàdók
àmba
àgàgàk
ikún uwúŋ
i-ncúp
amba
atukun
ki-gbi@t
unsàl amfe$n
ì-bù
ì-kpesére
u-sul+
ì-du
a-góro
ìŋku
cf. Ake ruko, Nupe ekũ, Ningye kum,
Bu eku,
a-njù
22
#tom- is a Niger-Congo root.
cf. Ningye k´ka,
‘squealing calabash’ A spherical
calabash with a hole in one side covered
by monitor-lizard skin. A small hole in
the skin makes a squeaking sound when
the calabash is placed against the
stomach of the diviner.
The horn of a reedbuck used for
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
II
Singular
430.
Divining instruments
III
à-gimbya
431.
432.
433.
434.
435.
436.
437.
438.
439.
440.
441.
442.
443.
444.
445.
446.
447.
448.
449.
450.
451.
452.
453.
454.
455.
456.
457.
458.
459.
460.
461.
462.
463.
464.
465.
466.
467.
468.
469.
470.
Charm I
Healing
Ritual, ceremony
Money
Pound (£)
Wage
Tax
Debt
Profit
Mistake
Shadow
Shade
Side
End
Centre, middle
Behind
Front
Thing
Large thing
Strength I
Strength I
Length, height
Bigness
Thickness
Track
Land/country
Foreign land
Epidemic
Disease I
Disease II
Smallpox
Cough
Goitre
Cold
Rash I
Rash II
Boil
Sore/wound
Hernia
Swelling
a-gúrú
kí-yhén
ì-ci
ì-ŋkarahi
ki-pá
u-dúk
u-gi@ndú
ku-héŋ
ù-tusu
i-gasà
ì-yhìnyho
ki-sásù
ì-ti
ì-tuŋ
kacusùk
ka-táma
ka-tati
ìkpì
ì-gò
ku-gbàràdà
kuŋkù
kuyen
ku-góŋ
ku-fut+
u-nhya+
ìmíl
ki-yó
ì-ja
ukangà
ì-yo
bàdà
ì-kok
ki@-cìp
u-hurò
kishik+
kunut+
ki-nku+
ì-húl
Plural
Commentary
divination. The horn is filled with
medicine and then a cord is strung
through the point. The cord is stretched
taut by the diviner and the movement of
the horn along the cord allows responses
to questions.
< Hausa gimbia. A diviner’s tool made
from a reedbuck horn and two metal
prongs, that spins round to answer
questions.
—
—
cf. Ningye nkwor, Bu enk´re,
<Hausa
a-héŋ
ba$sù
í-kpì
ankù
imíl
also a personal name
iyó
a@-cìp
ì-kol
ì-ŋkpashi
ashik+
anut+
23
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
471. Head
Singular
ki-tú
Plural
a-tú
472.
473.
474.
475.
Back of head
Crown of head
Forehead
Eye
ki-kpát
àbimbe
àgitak
ki-mshi
abimbe
agitak
a-mshi+
476.
477.
478.
479.
480.
481.
482.
Face
Skull
Cheek
Nose
Ear
Mouth
Tooth
kiti@
kùhàp ìtù
ìmpùt
ì-nvuŋ
ku-ntu+
ka-nu+
ki-nyí
483.
484.
485.
486.
487.
488.
489.
490.
491.
492.
493.
494.
495.
496.
Gap between teeth
Lip
Lip turned inside out
Tongue
Throat/voice
Neck I
Neck II
Glottis
Jaw
Chin
Shoulder
Armpit
Fist
Arm, hand
ku-nsù
ku-kpánu
u-nve$p
ki-yén
u-kot+
ulít
ki-to+
àmfe$mù
497.
498.
499.
500.
501.
502.
503.
504.
Finger
Leg, foot
Knee
Shin
Ankle
Female breast
Stomach
Belly
ì-vìvì
ku-zá
ku-yuk+
ku-kpe$re$
ki-ró
ki-msà
ku-gbik
ki-ne$
505.
506.
507.
508.
509.
510.
511.
512.
Gut
Navel
Chest
Thigh
Hip
Back
Waist
Buttocks
i-dáu
kiŋkú
à-ndì
ki-nte$n
i-gak+
kuŋkól
kiŋgùŋ
kòòk
kì-dáŋgu
ka-ma+
ki-tíŋ
ku-kpákutuk
Commentary
cf. Ningye tu but probably a vowelchange from the more common #ti- roots
cf. Jijili usi, Ninzo iʃíʃi, but an extremely
widespread root
intí
ahàp ìtù
impùt
a-ntu+
bà-nu
a-nyí
cf. Bu enyiri, Tarok ìnyin. A NigerCongo root
a-kpánu
a-yén
iŋkot
ìlít
ato+
a-nte$n
ankól
angùŋ
a-wók
for singular cf. Kwanka kwuk, . Plural is
a widespread weakening of the more
common #bok- form. cf. Tarok awó,
Hasha wok, Aten wò
a-zá
a-yuk+
a-ro^
a-msa
à-gbik
a-ne$
áŋkú
bà-ma
a-kpákutuk
24
cf. Mada i-kpiki, Eggon akpigi,
cf. Ninzo i-ne, but perhaps just a local
form of widespread #la-, #na- forms for
‘intestines’, ‘belly’
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
513. Foreskin
514. Penis
515. Vagina
516. Testicle
517. Groin
518. Nail
519. Skin
520. Bone
521. Rib
522. Member of body
523. Vein
524. Blood
525. Breath
526. Tear
527. Sweat
528. Urine
529. Faeces I
530. Faeces II
531. Vomit
532. Pus
533. Eye discharge
534. Phlegm
535. Saliva
536. Hair
537. Tuft of hair
538. Beard
539. Brain
540. Intestines
541. Roll of fat
542. Liver
543. Heart
544. Lymph node
545. Flesh
546. Body (trunk)
547. Headless trunk
548. Meat
549. Animal
550.
551.
552.
553.
554.
555.
556.
557.
558.
559.
560.
561.
Animal (Bush)
Fattened animal
Cow
Goat
He-goat
Castrated goat
Borno goat
Goat droppings
Sheep
Dog
Cat
*Pig
Singular
u-njúlùk
ìnjerek
a$nkpók
ì-nhìn
u-bú
kuŋkòvì
ku-kpá
kuŋkυ
kúsana
u-gap
icií
bà-yhì
ivile
bàanshi
bacilí
ba$nyiŋ
àká
u-ntún
ì-kós
ku-nhún
ì-Mva
i-Mfò
antι+
u-tu^tù
ki-njúk
bà-nte$n
badankó
kulé
ìsun
ì-sùn
ì-càn
ki-nsú
ki-ncì
ki-mpak+
kí-ná
ì-na
ìnáan kàba
àmu
àràndóŋ
ì-wúl
ì-hìt
i-buzuru
u-teki
ì-tak
ì-wu
ìnket
àladè
Plural
Commentary
i-njerek
aŋkpók
aŋkòvì
a-kpá
ankυ
ásana
ícií
—
a-njúk
alé
i-ŋkpyek
—
—
a-ncì
à-mpak
—
Presumably shortened from widespread
#-nam forms in Plateau
ináan kàba
i-wúl
<Hausa
i-ták
í-wu
iŋket
aladè
25
< English ‘cat’
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
562. Horse-Stallion
563. Mare
564. *Donkey
565. *Rabbit
566. Elephant
567. Buffalo
568.
569.
570.
571.
572.
573.
574.
575.
576.
577.
578.
579.
580.
581.
582.
583.
584.
585.
586.
587.
588.
589.
590.
591.
592.
593.
594.
595.
596.
597.
598.
599.
600.
601.
602.
603.
604.
605.
606.
607.
608.
609.
610.
Lion
Leopard I
Leopard II
Hippo
Hyena
Wart-hog
Bush-pig?
Reedbuck
Antelope I
Antelope II
Duiker
Monkey (generic)
Baboon
Patas monkey
Squirrel I
Squirrel II
Bush-cat I
Bush-cat II
Porcupine
Rat (generic)
Wild Rat I
Wild Rat II
Wild Rat III
Cane Rat
Giant rat
Hedgehog
Hare
Hare in folktales
House-bat
Fruit-bat
Animal sp. I
Animal sp. II
Animal sp. III
Nile crocodile
Chameleon
Agama lizard
Lizard sp. I
Lizard sp. II
Lizard sp. III
Skink
Nile monitor
Bosc’s monitor
Gecko
Singular
ì-dor
à-ndor
ì-jàaki@
ì-yhòm
à-tìnkii
ì-yhàt
Plural
i@-dor
a-ndor
ijàaki@
ì-yhóm
i-tìnkii
i-yhát
ì-záki
ìciŋ
ì-tùl
izáki
iciŋ
Commentary
<Hausa
A BC root #-yat-, e.g. Mada ya, Fyem
yàt, and PB #-ɲáti.
Wilson error
ìmàru
àanda
ì-mbuk
aculuma
ì-zi@p
gadaha
ì-tap
ìncìm
ìkóoŋ
asán
ì-tòk
ìnyhìp ikó
anet
ì-sóŋ
a$nkpùsòk
à-mpak
à-mpip
àŋgàu
ìkpuru
àcàrìcàk
ì-yhòm
ù-yhò
à-nàyhit
ì-tùs
ì-vu
u-títír
ì-kut
ìnte$su
ì-hya$n
à-ndam
àŋkpúk
ì-kùl
imàru
aánda
i-zíp
< Hausa?
i-tap
inci@m
ikóoŋ
also ì-ka.
ásán
i-sóŋ
ankpùsòk
ikpuru
acàrìcàk
a-nàyhit
ikút
intesú
i-hyan
i-yok
? atandeŋ
ì-hyàn
26
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
611. Male gecko
612. Toad
613. River frog
614. Tortoise
615. Snake (Generic)
616. Snake Type I
617. Snake Type II
618. Snake Type III
619. Spitting cobra
620. Puff adder
621. River turtle
622. River crab
623. River molluscs
624. Fish (generic)
625. Tilapia (spp.)
626. Puffer fish
627. Catfish (spp.)
628. Elephant-snout fish
629. Nile Perch
630. Electric fish
631. Bird (generic)
632. Chicken
633. Chick
634. *Duck
635. Pigeon
636. Guinea-fowl
637. Guinea-fowl II
638. Black kite
639. Grey Parrot
640. Crowned crane
641. Stork ?
642. Bushfowl
643. Bird sp. I
644. Bird sp. II
645. Bird sp. III
646. Bird sp. IV
647. Bird sp. V
648.
649. Bedbug
650. Mosquito
651. Cockroach
652. Scorpion
653. Large scorpion
654. Worm
655. Tick
656. Spider
657. Spider-web
658. Locust
659. Locust larva
660. Termite I
Singular
à-mbe$
à-kpînkín
àŋkpósók
àkùŋkúk
ì-wá
ì-wòk
ì-bìn
u-hé
ì-yhe$ne$ne$
ì-bàk
Plural
Commentary
aŋkpósók
àkùŋkúk
i-wá
ì-nyok
u-nkpak+
ì-kó
ìcù
ìnkol
à-ŋkì
àkukuturu
ìnsò
ànàrat
ì-ŋkol
àbibìyú
àbibìyú
à-nàndut
à-ŋâŋak
à-ŋkpà
i@-kó
i-mpút
ícù
ŋkol
a-ŋkì
insò
anàrat
ì-yhili@
ì-wu
ì-takpìre
ì-lak
àgbótìgbòk
àzìzì
àŋgàù
à-tântàn
à-lulu
ì-zì
à-gbatak
à-dùŋkpet
Pandanus imperator
27
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
661. Termite II
662. Grasshopper I
663. Grasshopper II
664. Cricket
665. Housefly
666. Ant I
667. Ant II
668. Weevil
669. Sand-fly
670. Insect sp. I
671. Insect sp. II
672. Insect sp. III
673. Insect sp. IV
674. Bee
675. Snail
676. Soap (Traditional)
677. Oil
678. Fat/grease
679. Salt
680. Potash
681. Soup/stew
682. Broth
683. Flour
684. Boiled sorghum
685. Boiled grains
686. Porridge, gruel
687. Sorghum porridge
688. Millet porridge
Singular
ì-yás
àbobot
ì-ncusùk
ì-nte$s
à-băncì
ìjiìnjì
àkpùrukutù
ì-yúk
amamá
ìshishí
àŋgài
ì-mbà
ì-hùs
ì-soŋ
ikodi
batok
bà-nyì
bà-nhyù
ìmaŋ
bàtòk
ìniŋi
u-nsá
àbùk
bàkù
ku-ze+
u-yhip+
i-kpúl
àbùk
689.
690.
691.
692.
693.
694.
Food type I
Food type II
Burnt food
Cookery
Supper
Bread
àkàti
ka-títu
unkán
ì-liluŋ
i-ya
ki-dek+
695.
Sorghum-beer I
bà-hi
696.
Sorghum-beer II
udenzi
697.
Sorghum-beer III
àdànzè
698.
Sorghum-beer IV
ì-dàt
—
699.
700.
701.
Honey
Milk
Lump of butter
ku-ntúng
bànsa
ki-ngbúŋ
—
Plural
i-yás
Commentary
i-ncusúk
ijiìnjì
akpùrukutù
i-yúk
ámamá
ishishí
i-sóŋ
W. gives ibùtùrù
also a top made from the shell
eaten with sauce
ìn- yhip+
Late millet coarsely crushed and
moistened, eaten in the fields in the first
part of the rainy season.
originally aplied to a dish made from
boiled millet that broke in the same way
as bread. Now applied to commerical
wheat-bread.
general term for cereal beers and
generalised to any alcohol in recent times
Beer recently borrowed from the
Anaguta people. It is thick and white and
resembles àdànzè.
A thick, white beer made from guineacorn or millet.
A watery beer with pepper or ginger
added corresponding to Hausa pito.
a-ngbúng
28
fig. ‘crowd of people’
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
702. Dried meat
703. Sheaf I
704. Sheaf II
705. Sheaf III
706. Sheaf IV
707. Sheaf VI
708. Clean seed
709. Harvest I
710. Harvest II
711. Harvest
712. Outer skin of grain
713. Leaves used to drag
dirt
714. Peelings
715. Something to drink
716. Clippings
717. Torch
718. Funnel
719. Beer-filter
Singular
ι-sàndυ
à-wùsàk
ì-cìtèk
ì-nkùn
kι-tυ sύ
ka-dása
ι -ngbέ
imoso iyi
kabá
ku-mún
afalakpá
Plural
—
a-wùsàk
i-cìtèk
i-nkùn
a-tυ sύ
ι -ndása
ι-ngbέ
of sorghum and millet
a-gbùk
kuŋkù
ì-sisó
ki-mpés
bututu
ì-she$n
ankù
a-kpìkpye$t
a-mpés
i-shen
Rag
Floor-beater
Handle of axe
723.
724.
725.
726.
727.
728.
729.
730.
731.
Handle of hoe
Sickle
Cutlass
Sharpener
Axe
Axe-blade
Adze
Hoe
Large hoe
ì-kòrò
kujìk
ki-lò
à-hàmà
ì-mbein
igra
ì-sìsòk
ku-zùp
i-sìsòk
a-zùp
732.
Hoe with imported
blade
Hoe support
Hoe-blade
Hoe-ring
à-kapaya
a-kapaya
u-hik+
à-gumo
ì-màk
i-mak
a-gbógbók
á-gbógbók
738.
Blacksmith’s
hammer
Blacksmith’s
bellows
Awl
739.
740.
741.
736.
737.
Sheaf of millet that has dried in the farm
Small sheaf of freshly cut cereals
Sheaf of acca or grass collected for goats
Large sheaf composed of three
Sheaf of guinea-corn of any size
‘assembling grains’
720.
721.
722.
733.
734.
735.
Commentary
u-hup
of grass
<Hausa
Made from raphia or wild sugar-cane
fibre
cf. Nupe efú, Izere kufóp, Eggon ofuvu,
Mambila fù
i-koro
ajìk
a-hàmà
i-mbein
The Plateau hoe, with a large blade and a
long spike projecting upwards through
the handle
Finger-ring of iron used to clean clods of
earth off the hoe-blade
A heavy metal blade with a wooden
handle.
à-hurup
‘thing to pierce the handle of a hoe’
Hooked scraper
ikpi ihere
ikoro
u-kokoro
i-kokoro
Tongs
Blacksmith’s chisel
i-nka kula
ì-dài
i-dài
29
Tool with a wooden handle and curved
blade used for clearing vegetation
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
742. Woodworker’s
chisel
743. Spatula
744. Vertical flattening
tool
745. Horizontal flattening
tool
746. Knife I
747. Knife II
Singular
i-ibizi
Plural
ikpi co owu
u-ntu utitelek
u-ntu u-lilat
for poking the fire
for hammering out hot metal
for hammering out hot metal
a$nkoòŋ
ka-kpìre$
ankoòŋ
i-kpìre$
a-gisa
748.
749.
Dagger
Hunter’s dagger
ki-gisa
a-kaŋga
750.
751.
752.
753.
754.
755.
756.
757.
758.
759.
760.
761.
762.
763.
764.
765.
File
Comb
Broom I
Broom II
Sack
Guard for fire-fan
Fireplace
Fireplace stone
Shoe
Cloth
Shirt
Sheet
Pocket
Loincloth
Hat I
Hat II
ì-kàzì
766.
767.
768.
769.
770.
771.
772.
773.
774.
775.
776.
777.
778.
Girdle I
Girdle II
Anklet
Headband
Penis sheath
Upper grindstone
Lower grindstone
Mortar
Pestle
Pot (generic)
Clay water-pot
Small pot
Fonio storage pot
à-bàdài
ki-mkpà
i-ŋkas
ku-hal a kitu
ki-nkék
ivín kitá akok
kitá ákok
ku-njí
u-nkútúk
ì-ye$n
ku-nte$
ka-pantò
ka-ngon
779.
780.
Metal pot
Pot for carrying
water
Pot for cooking-meat
Pot for mouth
washing
Water pot
iyen intóŋ
iyen udu
íyénudu
iyen ici
iyen iwasa
kanu
iyibidu
iyibidu
781.
782.
783.
u-ŋgis
àcàcàì
kusíri
ì-mpyàk
ácée
ki-hik+
àkpàtàk
àmfùn
ì-gbi@t
ku-péŋ
u-káú
ì-ntà
ki-mbòk
à-zanziya
Commentary
with wooden handle
made entirely of iron and used to harvest
sorghum heads
An iron dagger with a loop handle to
dispatch game promptly
ku-ŋgis
Made from raphia palm fibre
for sweeping rough ground
asíri
—
—
akpàtàk
amfùn
í-gbi@t
a-mbòk
a-zanziya
atá ákok
a-njí
í-nkútúk
i-yén
a-nte$
i-ngon
30
Woven from wild date-palm fibres, iník.
also ajanjiya
also kunzi
Large globular pot with wide mouth
Large globular pot with wide mouth and
loop handle
Globular pot with wide mouth and paired
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
Singular
784.
785.
786.
787.
Washing pot
Oil jar
Food storage pot
Beer pot
i-ncal isu
akpa anie
ivinihan
ampalu
788.
Beer brewing pot
u-hulo
789.
Porridge pot I
uhulo kikan
790.
791.
ki-hán
a-wanka
792.
793.
794.
795.
796.
797.
Porridge pot II
Cord loop for
suspending pots
Head-pad, quoin
Headboard
Raincoat I
Raincoat II
Basket (generic)
Basket (smaller)
798.
Basket I
ki-kárà
a-bimbe
ka-ben
ka-pánto
àbìŋge$
àbìŋgè
amemala
kagbìse$
799.
800.
801.
802.
803.
804.
Basket II
Basket III
Basket IV
Skin (not tanned)
Skin (tanned)
Skin for initiation
àsa$nkwí
à-gàrà
à-tende
kupa
inta
kupa ici
805.
806.
Skin for initiation
Dance-skin
inta ici
inta ibuzuru
807.
808.
Bag
Shoulder-bag
u-káú
à-sànkólo
809.
810.
811.
812.
Game bag
Circumcision bag
Grain bag
Fonio bag
813.
Initiation bag
igbit uyhip
igbit izaru
ku-shiri
ku-shiri
ankusuk
akao ici
814.
Hunting, war bag
ki-kuru
815.
816.
Sieve
Winnowing tray
ku-mù
ku-mbe$
Plural
i-hulo
i-wanka
Commentary
loop handles
Globular pot with wide mouth
Globular pot with wide mouth and loop
handle
Globular pot with narrow mouth and
loop handle
Globular pot with globular mouth and
loop handle imitating a gourd in shape.
Used to transport porridge
Made from batoso fibre.
a-kárà
imben
Woven from raphia palm fibre
abìŋge$
abìŋgè kumemala
ìnbìse$
Grain basket
Small round basket
asa$nkwí
a-gàrà
Basket made of a vine, ibankuk, used to
transport seeds to the fields. Also
figuratively ‘dowry’ (336.).
Tightly woven, medium-sized basket
Large basket
Worn on the last stage of the aso
initiation
Worn by initiated boys
‘skin of Borno ram’ prepared with
cowries and ornaments and worn by
young men for the intup and andu
dances
ìŋ-káú
a- sànkólo
Bag used by men woven from raphia
palm fibre
Woven from fibre
Woven from izaru fibre
Woven from isisi fibre
Woven from fonio straw
Made from skin, it carries the chicken
slaughtered that substitutes for the
initiate
Skin bag, decorated with bronze plaques
and rubbed with ochre, ikuk.
a-mù
31
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
817. Mat (generic)
818. Flintstone
819. Spear
820. Point of barbed
spear
821. Sword
822. Bow
823. Arrow
824. Barbed arrow I
825. Barbed arrow II
826. Quiver
827. Hunters’ water-pot
828. Needle
829. Arrow for sewing
830. Whip
831. Hook for fishing
832. Wooden spoon
833. Calabash spoon
834. Potsherd I
835. Potsherd II
836. Mancala
837. Marriage-stick
838.
839.
840.
Singular
ku-hú
kita owu
kiŋkpán
à-ŋar
à-saŋkàli
u-ndàr
u-ŋgi@
à-cince
à-mpas
u-bori
ka-mpòtòk
ka-gup
ì-nyi@p
u-yhere+
aririyé
ku-ncak+
kelede
kuncusùk
u-ntùsùk
i-yok
a-mbo
Plural
a-hú
Commentary
Made from the fibres of ku-hal
‘stone of fire’
ankpán
kù-ndàr
kù-ŋgi@
ìm-bori
i-ŋup
áririyé
a-ncak+
alede
ancusùk
for carrying burning coals
the board game
A stick with a curved end rather like a
hockey-stick, carried by the suitor and
his best man when they go to a
compound to make bridewealth
payments. The stick indicates they are
not thieves.
ànyàŋkú
à-cara
à-diga
841.
842.
Bead
Stirrup
Leg-band with
projecting spur
Horseman’s leggings
Bracelet
843.
844.
845.
Chain
Horse bit
Ingot of iron
ì-nya
igna idor
atutuŋ
i-nyá
846.
847.
848.
849.
850.
851.
852.
853.
u-nsát
u-yík
u-yhá
u-ngyan
ìkpìsò
ki-nkù
àgindú
à-gumu
a-nsát
i-yík
854.
Rope (sisal)
Rope (grass)
Leather string
String of bow
Stool
Bench
Bed of mud
Bed of wooden
board
Food-store
855.
Granary (outside)
ìlai@
a-cara
a-huruk
i-nkas
i-ngyan
íkpiso
Bracelets of brass or iron are carried by
boys during the aso initiation
ceremonies.
M transcribes igna
‘chain of horse’
Symbols used to mark a girl for a
‘preferred’ marriage
‘thing for sitting’
agindú
a-gumu
à-gip
Food-storage shelf below the dome of
the roof
32
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
856. Granary internal
857. Granary pile
858. Wooden door
859. Back door
860. Doorway
861. Euphorbia fence
862. Ladder
863. Canoe
864. Paddle
865. Bee-hive
866. Fish-net
867.
868.
869.
870.
871.
872.
873.
874.
875.
876.
877.
878.
879.
880.
881.
882.
883.
884.
885.
886.
887.
888.
889.
890.
891.
892.
893.
894.
895.
896.
897.
898.
899.
900.
901.
902.
903.
Fish-trap
Sling
Trap
Snare
Hook
Scissors
Tin I
Tin II
Plate
Enamel basin
Basin
Bottle I
Bottle II
Radio
Telephone
Gun I
Gun II
Photograph I
Photograph II
Car
Bicycle
Book
Clock, watch
Paper
Train
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven I
Eleven II
Singular
ki-me$ne$
aza ilay
ku-nden+
u-ve$le$
kanintek
inyaa$n
ì-kàà
ki-besó
a-kara
à-mbà
ki-nti@n
ki-ntín
àràryă
a-ratak+
à-báták
ì-kùsù
ì-ncál
ì-ncal ìsó
kades
à-mpet
i-kuluba
ì-rediyò
ì-telefón
ù-bindigà
u-rá
ì-yhiìn-yho
ì-fotó
u-mátu
à-kiké
a-tákadá
àgogok
atákadá
u-gírgí kye$l
-yhi@n
hàk
tát
nàs
túuŋ
tài
tangbák
tarat+
taras+
wú
uhuk+
wùruk nìyhin
Plural
Commentary
a-nden
i-kàà
a-besó
a-kara
A circular net with a wooden frame made
from isisi fibre.
Made from isisi fibre.
a-nti@n
a-ntín
i-ncál
< Hausa
irediyò
itelefón
kù-bindigà
< Hausa
= ‘shadow’
kumátu
ákiké
—
—
—
kù-gírgí kye$l
<Hausa ‘canoe’
Twice kahak.
Four times kanas.
Six times katai.
Also the name of AIDS.
33
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
904. Twelve I
905. Twelve II
906. Twenty
907. Forty
908. Ninety
Unique, alone
909. All
910. Ash colour
911. Bald
912. Bitter
913. Black
914. Cold (n.)
915. Deep
916. Dented
917. Dry
918. Far
919. Good
920. Green/blue
921. Half I
922. Half II
923. Heat (n.)
924. Large
925. Many I
926. Many II
927. New
928. Old
929. Pure
930. Red
931. Reddish-brown
932. Rowdy
933. Small
934. Smooth
935. Sour
936. Sweet
937. Tall
938. Wet
939. White
940. Who?
941. How?
942. That
943. This
944. his/hers/its
verbs
945. Abuse
946. Add to
947. Agree
948. Ambush
949. Answer (question) I
950. Answer (question) II
951. Appear
Singular
u-sók
wùruk nì hak
ìso ìhak
ìso ì nas
ìso ì taras
ka-dàgbà
vat
-poŋ
babve
-yisik
-shit
ù-Mvúlú
-cuncu
bot
ìkorok
bagba
gágái
-su
kuŋása
kì-bi@t
ìhul
-go
bagó
-càn
-hás
-ceké
-cas
-shén
-jai
bòtòk
cap
-tuntulut
gbaya
-mesé
-yiyen
-su
-kalà
u-tá
yá
-wai
-niŋi
-ma
Plural
Commentary
a-dàgbà
applied to garden eggs, children
or u-hoì.
See tables of class exponents
See tables of class exponents
lasá
súul
tà
sùsù
diri
mi@
heŋ
34
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
952. Ask a question
953. Ask/beg for
something
954. Avenge
955. Awaken (s.o.) I
956. Awaken (s.o.) II
957. Awaken (s.o.) III
958. Bark (dog)
959. Bathe
960. Be a busybody
961. Be annoyed
962. Be bad
963. Be beautiful
964. Be bent
965. Be black
966. Be burnt
967. Be dark
968. Be different
969. Be direct
970. Be distant
971. Be early
972. Be familiar with
973. Be full
974. Be hard to melt
975. Be heavy
976. Be ignorant of
977. Be in pain
978. Be on (s.t.)
979. Be open
980. Be red
981. Be rotten
982. Be satisfied
983. Be short
984. Be soft
985. Be sweet
986. Be tearful
987. Be thick
988. Be unkind
989. Be weary
990. Beat I
991. Beat II
992. Beat III
993. Beautify
994. Become cold
995. Become dry
996. Become tired
997. Beg
998. Begin
999. Belch
1000. Believe
Singular
yi@si
kút
Plural
haŋ
shí(ú)
zàr
zìr
tú
su+
papat+
lui+
shiloŋ
ci
mún
shi@tik
hun
ship+
tatu
tàr
kát
zá
mele$
sùŋ
bàyàu
yúsók
hók
sàì
ŋá
serek
bóol
siri
ugbít
dan
máŋ
Commentary
wax, butter etc.
me$se
yup
nyàs
sàp
tasàk
cik
beat several times, severely
pùk
kutún
shìshì
kuruk
dik
kút
wui
kap
tà
35
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
1001. Bend down I
1002. Bend down II
1003. Bend down a bit
1004. Bend over
1005. Bite
Singular
dol
kùl
kàr
dok
nyúmú@
1006.
1007.
1008.
1009.
1010.
1011.
1012.
1013.
1014.
1015.
Bless
Blow (flute)
Boil
Bounce off (arrow)
Break I
Break II
Break (stick)
Break ridge
Bud
Build (house)
gon
vulù
sòt
baŋka
ŋat
pos+
mún
puk
túp
meŋ+
1016.
1017.
1018.
1019.
1020.
1021.
Burn (fire burns)
Bury
Buy
Call (to s.o.)
Carry baby on back
Carve (wood)
dúk
kùsùk
ja+
-wulò
sól
shi@p
1022.
1023.
1024.
1025.
1026.
1027.
1028.
1029.
1030.
1031.
1032.
1033.
1034.
1035.
1036.
1037.
1038.
1039.
1040.
1041.
1042.
1043.
1044.
1045.
Catch I
Catch II
Cease
Change
Chew
Chew II
Choose
Choose before others
Chop off
Climb
Climb down
Close
Collect
Come
Come out
Come out (of room)
Compress
Constrict
Continue (to do s.t.)
Cough do a cough
Cook
Count
Cross over
Cry out to scare
kpá
vu
túŋ
zi+
-táŋá
cokanu
sem
kal
fak
-hún
zi@ri@
hám
ví
-nye
he
-yu
kpáŋ
hara
ci kàtaàti
tí ukpáí
lúŋ
bai
lúlú
cu
Plural
Commentary
nyú
pl. bite repeatedly. A Niger-Congo root
appearing as PB –dúm- and widely in
BC as #lum etc.
musùk
pl. means ‘break in many places’
A Niger-Congo root, also meaning
‘mould pot’ and ‘sew’. cf. Tarok me+,
Mada me,
dusu
Widespread in Plateau, e.g. Kulu,
Nindem, Kwanka sep and Jju ʃab, Cara
ʃipal, Bu ʃe, Pe ʃap
vusu
sere
36
select, sort, sift
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
birds
1046. Curse
1047. Cut down (tree) I
1048. Cut down (tree) II
1049. Cut in pieces
1050. Cut open
1051. Cut in two
1052. Cut with knife
1053. Cut off (head etc)
1054. Dance (do dance)
1055. Decay
1056. Deceive
1057. Delay
1058. Demolish
1059. Deny
1060. Derail mentally
1061. Destroy
1062. Die
1063. Dig (earth)
1064. Dip into
1065. Dig our carefully
1066. Disturb I
1067. Disturb II
1068. Do/make
1069. Drag, pull, haul I
1070. Drag, pull, haul II
1071. Drink
1072. Drive
1073. Drive away
1074. Drop down
1075. Eat
1076. Embrace
1077. Entangle
1078. Enter
1079. Escape
1080. Escort
1081. Fall (rain)
1082. Fall over
1083. Fall on knees
1084. Feed
1085. Feel (cold) or hear
1086. Fetch
1087. Fight (in war)
1088. Fight
1089. find
1090. Finish (a task)
1091. Fit in
1092. Fix to a handle
1093. Flog
1094. Flow (water) I
1095. Flow (water) II
Singular
nák
bà
tén
cíp
bú
bà kàhak
hàk
bà
tí a-yhòk
bol
gira
dara
kuk
tún
ser
dorok
kú
-shi@n
gbàŋ
kep
Plural
Commentary
rúrúk
pl. ‘completely destroy’
kpésére
sàl
tí
gburú
tù
-so
zuk
buru
-yi
mòì
zai+
líli
horo
zik+
kυ
tisi
gbuk
yáyi
also ‘grip’ (1116.)
kusú
rùk
he$k
wo
fara
dú
goro
-hik
-tés
maka+
túp
télék
tasàk
ziri
ken
37
pl. means to finish s.t. nearly finished
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
1096. Fly (birds)
1097. Fly II
1098. Fold (cloth)
1099. Follow
1100. Forget
1101. Frighten
1102. Fry (in oil)
1103. Gather/collect
1104. Get up I
1105. Get up II
1106. Get married
1107. Give
1108. Give birth
1109. Give way
1110. Go
1111. Go!
1112. Go back
1113. Go out/exit
1114. Go round
1115. Grind
1116. Grip
1117. Grow (plants)
1118. Gulp
1119. Hang I
1120. Hang II
1121. Hang on
1122. Hatch (egg)
1123. Hate
1124. Haul
1125. Heal
1126. Hear
1127. Heat
1128. Help
1129. Hem
1130. Hide tr.
1131. Hide intr.
1132. Hit/strike (drum)
1133. Hit w. blunt object
1134. Hoe
1135. Hold I
1136. Hold II
1137. Ignore s.o. else’s
wrongdoing
1138. Increase
1139. Insist/be stubborn
1140. Inspect
1141. Instigate
1142. Join I
1143. Join II
1144. Jump over
1145. Keep down
Singular
gan
par+
gun
zusú
súsu
zàsà
kalù
Plural
Commentary
-mòsò
hal
li@k
yú
-nik
líí
gaŋ
-belo
cé
hele$
-yú
ka
kòk
mòì
-gbùt
hùrù
gan
kot
kuro
-humo
shén
suluk
yhén
-wú
húl
dol
tús
-let+
do
-wút
kumù
yen+
yhírí
vù
kadá
cenyi
also ‘embrace’ (1076.)
to keep from falling
súl
ger
tús
lù
-ràs
-dos
-gas
tìk
38
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
1146. Kill
1147. Kneel
1148. Knock down
1149. Know
1150. Lack
1151. Laugh
1152. Lean
1153. Learn
1154. Leave
1155. Leave off doing s.t.
1156. Lick I
1157. Lick II
1158. Lie down I
1159. Lie down II
1160. Lift s.t.
1161. Listen
1162. Look for
1163. Lose
1164. Love
1165. Make
1166. Make mistake
1167. Make wet
1168. Marry
1169. Match (trample?)
1170. Measure
1171. Mention
1172. Mess up
1173. Mingle
1174. Mix I
1175. Mix II
1176. Mix III
1177. Mix IV
1178. Move again
1179. Move slightly
1180. Mould (pot)
1181. Open
1182. Overturn
1183. Paint
1184. Pass
1185. Paste
1186. Paste on
1187. Peel I
1188. Peel II
1189. Peck
1190. Pick I
1191. Pick II
1192. Pierce
1193. Plant
1194. Plant (seeds)
1195. Play
1196. Pluck I
Singular
-wul
kúl
goro
-yhi
kan
-ŋmala
túru
masà
yaŋ
cin
+
yin
-lat
-loso
shik
shít ántú
mólók
yhe$yhe$k
kò
cok
gasa
shàm
tí ayí
shek
mak+
tùmù
gb´s
lùp
bùn
dùp
pàtàk
sám
zice+
soro
me
bul
zín
gùrù
gara
va
vama
ful
kúró
kpél
sok
tàm
túrú
lá
túp
tísí kusàn
tús
Plural
Commentary
yásá
(‘hold onto your ears’)
vasa
pl. paste on several pieces
kpéré
‘do play’
39
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
1197. Pluck II
1198. Postpone/prevent
1199. Postpone II
1200. Pound
1201. Pound (in mortar)
1202. Pound to remove
chaff
1203. Pour (liquid) I
1204. Pour (liquid) II
1205. Praise
1206. Press I
1207. Press II
1208. Probe surreptitiously
1209. Produce fruit
1210. Puff in anger
1211. Pull I
1212. Pull II
1213. Push
1214. Pull up weeds
1215. Put in
1216. Put on fire I
1217. Put on fire II
1218. Put s.o. on ground
1219. Put together I
1220. Put together II
1221. Raise
1222. Reach
1223. Rearrange
1224. Receive, take
1225. Refuse
1226. Refuse to give
1227. Relapse
1228. Remember
1229. Remove I
1230. Remove II
1231. Remove III
1232. Remove from water
1233. Reply
1234. Repound
1235. Resemble
1236. Return
1237. Revive
1238. Ride (horse)
1239. Roast on coals
1240. Rob bees
1241. Rub
1242. Run
1243. Say/speak
1244. Scatter
1245. Scoop
Singular
Plural
rusòk
Commentary
pluck many at once
hi@sék
kùì
hòrò
tú
suròk
sak+
deŋ
va
mùyù
sún
gbui
gburu
dùp
tusù
yón
shéŋ
mòk
sàk
kok
hat
páták
húsuŋ
yhi@k
shi@p
ta
kàk
yhama+
mòrù
sùmù
tùl
shik+
vít
kpái@
zín
yhap
ti@si@
ŋye
shá
kó
wusù
táp
nùk
-ken
-tet
shek+
fara
tóso
lìsi
dese
also ‘breed’
gbokoko
cf. Cara gai, Berom kye, Shall gyak,
also ‘lift’
with a slotted spoon (to drain it)
fak
40
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
1246. Scramble
1247. Scratch I
1248. Scratch II
1249. Scrape bone
1250. Seal
1251. Search
1252. See
1253. Seek
1254. Sell
1255. Send
1256. Separate
1257. Sew
1258. Shake (or move)
1259. Share
1260. Shave
1261. Sharpen
1262. Shift I
1263. Shift II
1264. Shoot (arrow gun)
1265. Show up
1266. Sift
1267. Sing
1268. Sink into (mud etc.)
1269. Sit
1270. Slaughter (animal)
1271. Sleep
1272. Snap
1273. Snap in two
1274. Sob
1275. Sow seed I
1276. Sow seed II
1277. Spend a year
1278. Spit
1279. Spread
1280. Spread out to dry
1281. Stammer
1282. Stand
1283. Start
1284. Steal
1285. Stir (soup)
1286. Stir
1287. Straighten
1288. Stretch out
1289. Stumble
1290. Suck (breast)
1291. Suffer I
1292. Suffer II
1293. Support in soil
1294. Surpass
1295. Swallow
Singular
guu
kól
kpyél
hém
las+
buk
-tò
wai
yip+
tú
kák
wán
cu
gap
kun
-lòŋ
suro+
zishik+
tárá
heŋ
ze$
tí ashén
hòlòk
sòŋ
hak
konno^
bà
mún kahák
sún
he$
tup+
kus
túl anti
lap+
térék
hàhàp
te$le$k
wùì
yhíp
bùn
cu
doro
nàp
tárà
ma
wasai
zi@s
re+
gát
-ŋmek
Plural
Commentary
yése
(‘do singing’)
b´$sà
bring out saliva
also ‘put forth’
as a plant
41
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
1296. Swear
1297. Sweat I
1298. Sweat II
1299. Sweep
1300. Take I
1301. Take II
1302. Take, carry II
1303. Take by surprise
1304. Talk
1305. Tap
1306. Tear (cloth)
1307. Tear (cloth) II
1308. Teach
1309. Tell
1310. Thatch
1311. Throng
1312. Throw I
1313. Throw II
1314. Throw away
1315. Touch
1316. Transplant
1317. Trip
1318. Try I
1319. Try II
1320. Try III
1321. Turn
1322. Turn over
1323. Twist (rope)
1324. Under-rate
1325. Untie, loosen
1326. Uproot (tuber)
1327. Visit
1328. Vomit
1329. Wait for
1330. Wake
1331. Walk
1332. Walk unsteadily
1333. Warm, heat up
1334. Want/need
1335. Wash
1336. Watch over
1337. Wear I
1338. Wear II
1339. Weave, knit
1340. Weave II
1341. Weed
1342. Weep
1343. Widen
1344. Win argument
1345. Wither
Singular
sí
cili
dan
wuròk
fara
tà
sok+
fu
yi@ŋi@
táp
ŋát
ŋárá
Plural
Commentary
dust, clean
fu
ŋárása
disi
di
sút
gbir
-tárá
mak+
yhok+
tàrà
shi@p
zéi@
gbaŋ
hulà
she$she$
dírí
kap
kép
gbe
zisi@
dup
dun
kós
ŋa
shi@
-cí
-dar
dat
-wo
-wàsà
sùŋ
tí
lùk
lok+
tak+
hari
kún
nai+
gup
yòs
42
Ce dictionary
No.
Gloss
1346. Work
1347. Wrest from
1348. Wrestle to ground
1349. Church
1350. Mosque
1351. Authority
1352. Tax
1353. Office
Exclamations
1354. Cry to scare birds
1355. Satisfaction
1356. Really
1357. OK, yes
1358. No
1359. Expresses surprise
1360. Yes
1361. Expresses surprise
1362. Pity or anger
1363. Concern
1364. Disgust
1365. Praise for a good
dancer
1366. Well done!
1367. Thanks
1368. Thank (you)
1369. Expresses anger
1370. Expresses surprise
1371. Yes
1372.
1373.
1374.
1375.
1376.
1377.
1378.
1379.
1380.
1381.
1382.
1383.
1384.
1385.
1386.
1387.
1388.
1389.
1390.
Adverbs
?
again
All
All at once
Alone, only
always
Amazed
Angry actions
Ash-coloured
At the same time
Backward posture
Bird taking flight
blandly
Blindly
Blindly
Breakable
bright
Brisk (walk)
Briskly
Singular
tí
hùrò
Plural
Commentary
kúso
kutarà kùrù
kutarà iyí
usála
angà
ùgindu
kácú itóo
atarà kùrù
acúu
bagó
cìk
e
hai
i@shá
oi+
kákámá
kát
kát
ki@sh
kùnkuk
in response to call (by a woman)
sambraka
shiki@n
shikin
vàù
yho
yoi+
in response to call (by a man)
jimpit+
bák
vát
fut
tetek
kínkí
mònjò
fòncòi
pòŋ
rép
kai
fur
tántám
kam
kàm
papàsàk
cai
shàshàk
fàfàt
43
Ce dictionary
1391. Bulging eyes
1392. Bundled up
1393. Casually & offensively
1394. Causing sneezing
1395. Cautiously
1396. Clean
1397. close, fast, tight
1398. Coloured
1399. Completely
1400. Completely (dead)
1401. Completely finished
1402. Confused mess
1403. Correct
1404. Crooked
1405. Daily
1406. Dangling
1407. dark
1408. Darkness?
1409. Dense (forest)
1410. Describes flat buttocks
1411. describes grabbing
1412. Disturbedly
1413. Dribblingly
1414. Drowsy
1415. Easily cut
1416. Easily pierced
1417. emotionally distant
1418. En masse
1419. Encompassed
1420. Falling sound
1421. Fast
1422. Faster
1423. Fat
1424. Fine, beautiful
1425. Firm/deep/fast
1426. Firm/stingy
1427. Flashy and small
1428. Flexible
1429. Flexible
1430. Foolishly
1431. Forever
1432. Freely
1433. Frightening
1434. From initial stages
1435. Full
1436. Greedily
1437. Half-asleep
1438. Hastily
1439. Hazy; unclear (face)
1440. High up
1441. Higher up
dudut
pùsgìk
pál
sàyà
she$ù
jajar
fàtàk
yhùŋ
kpékpét
pés
kpetéres
gbìsh
derer
gùtìgùk
bàtatùk
gbitek
shìp
bàshìp
kùrgbìk
tende
fau
sàl
ka-musùk
tàm
kpe$te$s
pót
gbaŋ
huk
gbigbik
pùk
kaka
kinki+
mámpúk
zàyà
dindi
girere
pàù
ba$na$na$
bebe$te$k
màràrù
kàbya
fir
zìsà
lép
gbek
màmàk
làù
kakap
hus
zàl
bàzàl
44
s+ g ?
Ce dictionary
1442. Hollow
1443. Hollow
1444. Hollow, empty
1445. hot
1446. Hot
1447. How s.o. takes off instantly
1448. How s.t. enters
1449. Huge (man)
1450. Hysterical
1451. Inattentive
1452. Inconsiderate
1453. Inconvenient
1454. Innermost
1455. Innermost
1456. Irresponsibly
1457. Large (seeds)
1458. Lightly
1459. Lightly covered
1460. Lightweight
1461. Lightweight
1462. Limpingly
1463. lip-smacking while chewing
1464. long
1465. Long
1466. Long ago
1467. long and thin
1468. Long and thin
1469. Loose (ground)
1470. Loud motor noise
1471. Lower
1472. Manner of falling
1473. Many
1474. Many birds flying up
1475. Many birds flying up II
1476. Many, plenty
1477. Mature
1478. Narrow
1479. Nicely trimmed
1480. Noise of blowing
hòròrò
pau+
hau
didik
fárárá
put+
pét
dusuru
àbàzàzà
pàl
kakatak
gàkàt
kyék
kyék
salala
kpasara+
saŋkra
paú
fòkòkò
pàŋkà
sèt
cakcak
dololo
jùjùl
gbángbá
cakat
wàwàlàk
pùtìkì
kùr
kye$r
rìdìdì
pràs
hur
pùr
tùr
gbúrú
vít
pír
kpar
1481.
1482.
1483.
1484.
1485.
1486.
1487.
1488.
1489.
1490.
1491.
hau
namai+
dadat
nyàm
kàtàt
zòŋ
yhàkàmutuk
fau
gbende
jàjàs
pùtùgì
Not completely dry
Now
Obese
On the edge of doing harm
On top
Overlapping
Oversized (clothes)
Peace of mind
Physically fit
Plenty
Plenty of
45
p+r?
also
outspoken
inappropriately
Ce dictionary
1492. Plump
1493. Plump, large
1494. Poor and miserable
1495. Quickly
1496. Quietly
1497. Quietly
1498. Rashly
1499. Raspy breathing
1500. Reluctantly
1501. Restlessly
1502. Retreat fast
1503. Right
1504. ringing sound
1505. Roughly
1506. Round
1507. Rowdy
1508. Senseless
1509. Shadowing
1510. Shallow
1511. Sharp and tall
1512. Short
1513. short
1514. slapping
1515. Slippery
1516. sluggishly
1517. Small drop
1518. Small movement
1519. Smart reaction
1520. Smart/clear
1521. Snoring
1522. Soft
1523. Soft
1524. Soft (ground)
1525. Soft through overcooking
1526. soft, thin (cloth)
1527. Sound of a boiling pot
1528. Sound of a crack
1529. Sound of dragging
1530. Sound of s.t. falling
1531. Sound of s.t. going quickly through the
air
1532. Sound of s.t. small falling
1533. Sound of tearing
1534. Sparkling white
1535. Sparkling white
1536. Spread in great quantity
1537. Steadily
1538. steadily balanced
1539. stiff in speaking
1540. straight
1541. Strong
pòtòk
hùntù
pámpíták
wàwàr
ŋmaŋmat+
rútútú
gàu
horhor
dekeyek
pàpàt
fifit
pít
bveŋ
kpìtìs
gìrìrìk
hòbòt
yáyà
yhù
keŋge
zumpe$$t
gbit
káf
bvaŋ
she$m
bàŋ
két
kpùkpur
par+
jenje+
fur
múmúnú
te$ŋ
pupukù
kpìte$te$
fuMfunu
kpùkpùk
tás
kpòr
pwok+
pyàù
pik+
tàr
pámpá
yéyék
hùt
serere
derere
cai
cacak
gbàràdà
46
applied abusively to persons
Ce dictionary
1542. Stubbornly
1543. Stubbornly
1544. Sturdy
1545. Surprising (of an action)
1546. Surreptitious
1547. Sweaty-looking
1548. Sweet, nice
1549. Sweet, tasty
1550. Swollen
1551. Swollen-faced
1552. Tall and empty
1553. Tall and thin
1554. Tall, straight
1555. Tattered
1556. Tending to fall
1557. Texture of mud or pounded yam
1558. thick (paste)
1559. Thick (person)
1560. Thin & flat
1561. Thin and sharp
1562. Thud
1563. Tightly covered
1564. Too deep
1565. Too wide
1566. tremblingly
1567. Truly
1568. Turning away angrily
1569. Unimportant
1570. Unsound mind
1571. Unsteady walk
1572. Very
1573. Very cold
1574. Very dry
1575. Very sharp
1576. very short
1577. Very tight
1578. Very white
1579. Water falling
1580. water squirting
1581. weak-minded
1582. Whispered
1583. White
1584. Whole
1585. Wholly
1586. With bared teeth
1587. Withered (person)
1588. Withered (person)
1589. Withered, withdrawn
1590. Worn out
1591. Yet to
Particles etc.
ger
uger+
gbìrìdì
pár
kùkùl
fufutuk
jùkumpat
mìse
hoi
gbishi
potok+
seŋke
jòŋgì
yháyháp
le$ù
fàkàt
fùt
uyup+
fáMfálá
zòkòkò
kpik
gbàgbàk
fet
gàgàk
bar
gbangba
vàr
lúlú
se$r
dar
lák
kyeket+
kpakpàsàk
pi@pi@ti@k
káfít
vaMva+
páí
je$r
cai
be$lélé
yhe$yhe$l
babal+
gbuk
sas+
nyimi+
yàù
yòs
koi
pupuku+
lulú
47
Ce dictionary
1592. not
1593. or
1594. perhaps
1595. that, so
1596. then, so
1597. then, so
1598. too
1599. too
1600. with
1601. with, and
Mystery words from Wilson
1602. ?
1603. ?
1604. ?
1605. ?
1606. ?
1607. ?
1608. ?
1609. ?
1610. ?
1611. ?
1612. abode reclaimed
1613. an epithet
1614. both sides
1615. do it for me
1616. grits
1617. keep going
1618. like this
1619. pack many
1620. they are many
1621. this way
1622. three others
1623. we just met
1624. You know what?
sà
ha
mala+
nù
uwa
wù
toi@
be+
ma+
ba+
ìken
hàzís/kìjàsí
ikila
kidiro
koi
pòt
tirà
u-bori
u-nsa+
u-ntúŋ
kitis
ŋaf
asàŋà
timì
anza
caci
nai
ŋai
bashihúr
aba+
batát
kuras
ŋaà
1625. Drum I
àga$ngàk
aga$ngàk
1626. Drum II
àga$ngak
kitu iyin
ki-bere
ki-bere ini
aga$ngak
kitu iyin
a-bere
àgunke^t
agunke^t
1627. Drum III
1628. Friction
drum
1629. Flute
1630. Ocarina
ku-ndù
Cylindrical two-headed barrel drum played to accompany
all major ceremonies. Every clan head will have one. ?<
Hausa gangaa
Drum made by children from the broken-off head of a
pot.
Tall, single-headed drum used for prominent rituals.
Notch-flute with two fingerholes about 30 cm. long.
Made and played by children around harvest-time Its use
is forbidden every seven years when the i-Ntup dances
are being performed
Ocarina with two fingerholes made from the dried fruit of
either the a-ndu or a-parekpak trees (see above). Some
examples have a mirliton made from a spider-web on the
base. Played for the a-Ndu dances every seven years. Can
48
Ce dictionary
1631. Transverse
clarinet
1632. Zither
arumpak
ìntìi kuga
intíí aga
1633. Lute
ìntìi
kuhàp
intíí aháp
1634.
1635.
1636.
1637.
1638.
1639.
1640.
à-duvut
ogomayo
ki-mbóŋ
ìnsirek
ì-nserek
a-mpet+
ì-yak
a-duvut
Jews’ harp
Musical pot
Horn
Horn
Whistle
Flute?
Horse-bell
a-mbóŋ
i-nserek
i-yak
1641. Gourdrattle
kikan
izaru
1642. Ankle
rattles
ku-janja
a-jànjà
1643. Dance staff
u-ngip
andu
àturugyetu
aturugyetu
1644. Initiation
horn
1645.
1646.
1647.
1648.
1649.
1650.
1651.
1652.
1653.
1654.
1655.
1656.
1657.
Ceremonies
a-Ndù
i-Ntup
i-Zaru
a-So
a-Sobado
iwasa awuk
iwasa kiko
iZaru
kashìp
kugó
agba
ku-yhere
ka-zú
be played by young men for amusement around harvest
time, but only every seventh year when a-Ndu is being
performed.
Transverse clarinet played by children around harvesttime
Raft-zither with eleven strings, made from elephant-grass.
Commonly bought from the Berom. Played solo or in
duets for amusement, to accompany satirical songs.
Two-stringed piriform lute with a table made from the
skin of the monitor lizard. Apparently regarded as more
‘traditional’ than the raft-zither (1632.) and using in
curing ceremonies for wounded people or dogs that have
been frightened by leopards.
Made by young boys from millet-stalks, after the harvest
blown to install chief
made from a duiker horn
Cylindrical iron clapper-bell worn by horses during the
harvest period. Otherwise it must not be heard and my be
stuffed with straw at other times of year.
Rattles made from a bottle-gourd allowed to dry naturally,
or filled with bean seeds. These were traditionally played
by women during the i-Zaru circumcision ceremony, but
as this has dropped out of use, so have the rattles.
Iron ankle-rattles used tied to a cord or piece of sack and
worn by young men during the a-So initiation ceremonies
or for other ceremonial dances.
Decorated bamboo staffs used for the andu ceremony
Antelope horn carried by initiated boys, blown by the
returning boy to communicate with his maternal uncle.
circumcision ceremony
Initiation cycle for young men
Visit marking the end of the circumcision ceremonies
‘wash the hands’ – a ceremony marking the completion of a house.
‘wash the house’ – a ceremony marking the completion of a house.
second stage of the initiation cycle
Dance celebrating victory over an enemy or killing a large animal
Preliminary phase of the initiation cycle
marriage feast
ì-yhiri ritual site
feast given by great-grandchildren on the death of a grandparent
Personal Names
1658. abui
1659. àcágà
1660. àja
49
Ce dictionary
1661. àjàl
1662. àjândì
1663. àjaŋkó
1664. akífet
1665. ànyàkú
1666. ànyebàdùn
1667. ànyéndi
1668. ànyòk
1669. àshén
1670. àwàsak
1671. àwùlù
1672. àwusù
1673. àyaŋ
1674. ayâŋ
1675. àyikí
1676. àyiku
1677. àyhok
1678. ojàŋkò
1679. otúyhi@li@
1680. oyhâlâ
1681. oja+
1682. ojaŋkò
1683. otú
1684. oyíku
1685. ujàkà
Villages
1686. arande$n
1687. àtâshe$n
1688. ìnjàs
1689. kakék
1690. kasákùk
1691. kisàncí
1692. kishi@
1693. kuri+
1694. u-hùk
1695. u-jà
1696. u-rò
Woman’s name
Man’s name
‘he came to work’
female
male
female
female
female
female
female
female ‘one who dies’
female
Jos
‘we hold’
‘a rocky place’
References
Abraham, R.C. 1962. Dictionary of the Hausa language. London: University of London Press.
Bendor-Samuel, J. ed. 1989. The Niger-Congo languages. Lanham: University Press of America.
CAPRO ined. An ethnic survey of Plateau State. Jos: CAPRO Research Office.
Crozier, D. and Blench, R.M. 1992. Index of Nigerian Languages (edition 2). SIL, Dallas.
De Wolf, P. 1971. The noun class system of Proto-Benue-Congo. The Hague: Mouton.
Gerhardt, L. 1983. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Sprachen des Nigerianischen Plateaus. Glückstadt: Verlag J.J.
Augustin.
Guthrie, M. 1967-73. Comparative Bantu. 4 vols. Gregg International Publishers.
Jungraithmayr, H. and Dymitr Ibriszimow 1995. Chadic lexical roots. [2 vols.] Berlin: Reimer.
Mukarovsky, H. 1976-1977. A study of Western Nigritic. 2 vols. Wien: Institut für Ägyptologie und
Afrikanistik, Universität Wien.
50
Ce dictionary
Muller, Jean-Claude 1980. Le roi bouc émissaire: pouvoir et ritual chez les Rukuba du Nigéria Central.
Quebec: Serge Fleury.
Muller, Jean-Claude 1982. Du bon usage, du sexe et du mariage. Structures matrimoniales du haut plateau
nigérien. Paris: Harmattan/Quebec: Serge Fleury.
Muller, Jean-Claude 1989. La calebasse sacrée: initiations Rukuba. Montreal: Presses Universitaires de
Montréal.
Muller, Jean-Claude 1994. Le quotidien des Rukuba. Neuchâtel: Musée d’ethnographie.
Newman, R.M. 1997. An English-Hausa dictionary. Lagos: Longman.
Shimizu, K. 1975. A lexicostatistical study of Plateau languages and Jukun. Anthropological Linguistics,
17:413-418.
Temple, Olive 1922. Notes on the Tribes, Provinces, Emirates and States of the Northern Provinces of
Nigeria. Argus Printing and Publishing Co. Capetown.
Westermann, D. 1927. Die Westlichen Sudansprachen und ihre Beziehungen zum Bantu. Berlin: de Gruyter.
Williamson, Kay 1971. The Benue-Congo languages & I.jo.. In Current trends in Linguistics 7 (ed.) T.
Sebeok 245-306. The Hague: Mouton.
Williamson, Kay 1973. Benue-Congo comparative wordlist: Vol.2. Ibadan: West African Linguistic Society.
Williamson, K., and K. Shimizu. 1968. Benue-Congo comparative wordlist, Vol. 1. Ibadan: West African
Linguistic Society.
51