Speaking Masai language (Maa) continued

I have introduced to you the very basics of Maa or the language of the Masai now nearly a year ago. Where does time fly?!?

Capturing beautiful moments with dancing Masai 

So I would like to continue this post and give you even more of an insight into this beautiful nilotic language.
Nilotic literally means 'coming from the Nile' and refers to the fact that this kind of language was first spoken in the Nile area, coming from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and moving into Kenya and Tanzania.

I have written a similar post for Africa Geographic's blog and someone commented saying how unnecessary it was to know Maa or even Swahili (the National language of both Kenya and Tanzania) stating that it was sufficient to know English, French or Arabic. Well this person might think that it is OK to speak the language of the colonialists but I like to disagree.

Practising to dance like a Masai woman.

The language of a people is the gate to their hearts. It shows them that you make an effort to understand them and communicate with them. It makes it easier for them to trust you and to welcome you into their homes. For me, travel is meeting new people and getting to know different cultures and you can only really fully get to know a culture when you speak at least a few words of the native language.

So here are a few simple expressions and phrases that might come in handy when you are in Tanzania or Kenya on Safari or on Zanzibar encountering Masai and Samburu people.

Masai warrior jumping during a dance.

Kai ta?                                An informal greeting, loosely translated meaning 'what's up?'
Kiti                                      Answer to 'Kai ta?'

Keiya toi?                          Same as 'Kai ta'
Sidai                                   Answer to 'Keiya toi'; also means 'good', 'nice', 'beautiful'

Kai iji enkarrn inno?      What is your name?

Aji......                                  My name is......

Ai?                                        Where?

Anu?                                    When?

Kanyoo?                              Why?


Kai eti....?                             Where is.....?

Choo                                     Toilet (Swahili as there is no word for toilet in Maa)

Kai iloito?                            Where are you going?

Aloito.....                               I am going.....

Kanyoo iyesita?                  What are you doing?

Kai emanya?                       Where do you live?

Kai ingwaa?                         Where do you come from?

Aata esumaji                       I am hungry

Aiyo....                                   I want.....

Maiyo.....                               I don't want. ....

Aata......                                 I have......

Maata.                                   I don't have.

Anyorr                                  I like

Manyorr                               I don't like

Arra                                       I am

Marra                                   I am not

Enchake                               I would like/Please give me

Enkarre                                Water

Food                                      Endaa

Ugali                                     Emutu (staple diet in most sub-saharan african countries,                                                                   made of dried maize)

Meat                                      Ngiri



Personal pronouns

Nanu                                     I

Iye                                         You

Elle/enna                              He/She (there is no 'it' in Maa)

Iyook                                     We

Ndai                                       You

Kullo/Kunna                         They (Male/Female)

Awe-inspiring human beauty: the Masai.

Sooooo I will leave it at these for now as I think these phrases will occupy your brains quite a lot! 😊

Please let me know, if there is anything specific you would like to know.

Wishing you a great rest of the week, until my next post!









             

Jumping tribe

You might be surprised to hear, that it is not only the warriors who do the dancing at festivities, but also the women.

However, married women never dance with warriors but separately, in an all women circle.
The warriors dance with uncircumcised girls in the centre of the cattle enclosure.

Masai women form a circle and sing and dance at the same time. In turns, one or two of them enter the circle to jump up and down

Warriors and girls enter the cow enclosure in single file, then each form a semi circle and start singing simultaneously. While the warriors jump, the girls mainly use their upper body, wiggling their shoulders to display their neck jewellery.

Old men never participate in the dancing but rather watch from afar.