The Igbo Language
Igbo is one of the five major languages in modern Nigeria, with the others being Hausa, Yoruba, Fula and English Creole. The national language of Nigeria is technically English even though Hausa is the most widely spoken language. Igbo is mainly spoken in southeastern Nigeria by some 20 million people. Many different dialects exist within the Igbo language and even though the first evidence of an advanced Igbo language dates back to the 9th century, the language was not standardized until the 20th century. Within this language, many words are formed by smaller words and the tone of which identically written words are spoken can change their meaning entirely.
Igbo Vocabulary in Purple Hibiscus
Phrases
Abumonye n'uwa, onyekambu n'uwa: “Am I who in the world, who am I in this life?”
Amam: "I know"
Amarom: "I don't know"
Anam asi: "Am saying"
Biko: “Please”
Bunie ya enu…: "Lift him/her high up"---referring to Jesus Christ
Chelu nu: Hold your horses (idiom)
Chelukwa!: Hold on a moment
Ekwuzina: "Stop saying that!"
Ezi okwu: “Is that true?” “Honestly?” “It is true!”
Gini mezia: "What happened then?"
Ifukwa: "you see!" "Do you see?"
Ke kwanu?: “How do you do?”
Kedu: How are you? (singular)
Kedu nu?: How are you all? (plural)
Kpa: “Like this?"
Mba: “No.”
Nne, ngwa: “Come on, dear.”
Nno nu: “Welcome” (plural)
O di egwu: “Yeah! It is scary!”
O gini?: “What is it?”
O maka: “It is so beautiful.”
Terms
Agbogho: short for Agboghobia; young lady, maiden
Agwonatumbe: "The snake that strikes the tortoise" (i.e. despite the shell/shield)--the name of a masquerade at Aro festival
Aja: sand or the ritual of appeasing an oracle
Aku: winged termites, common during the rainy season; also means wealth.
Akwam ozu: Funeral/ grief ritual or send-off ceremonies for the dead
Aro: Spear referring to Aro-Igbo people, short for Arochukwu
Aro festival: The main cultural festival of Aro people known for its fierce masquerades
Asusu anya: Eye language
Atilogu: A form of Igbo acrobatic dance performance
Atulu: Sheep/lamb--insinuating stupidity, dumb, a fool
Azu: Fish
Big man, Big Oga or Big people: Powerful, wealthy, influential, high status in the community, large (ex. Head of state)
Chukwu: God
Dim: my husband
Kwa: also
Kobo: Nigerian Currency, cents
Harmattan: dry, dusty West African trade wind, blows south from Sahara into Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March (winter)
Mmuo: spirits, separated between good and bad
NEPA: Nigerian Electric Power Company
Naira: Nigerian Currency, dollar
Nwunye m: My wife
O bugodi: dispel
Ogbunambala: one who kills in public with courage
Okada: motorcycle taxi
Omelora: one who does for the community
Unu: you (plural)
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| Akara |
Cultural Food
Akamu: Pap made from corn; like English custard made from corn starch; a common and standard accompaniment to Nigerian breakfasts
Akara: Bean cake/Pea fritters made from fried ground black-eyed pea paste. A staple Nigerian veggie burger
Anara: Garden egg (Eggplant)
Anara leaf: Garden egg leaf---a slightly bitter green leafy vegetable
Bournvita: A popular chocolate beverage food-drink manufactured by Cadbury that became the breakfast symbol of the affluent in Nigeria
Egusi Soup: Ground Melon seed is used as thickened for this popular Nigerian soup
Eju: snail, escargot
Fufu: go in hot water and either cassava or plantain flour, usually served with soup, common in the West and Central Africa, thick paste or porridge usually made by boiling starchy root vegetables in water and pounding with a large stick and bowl until the desired consistency is reached, made from cassava, yam, and sometimes combined with cocoyam, plantains, or maize
Garri: dried cassava flour Garri (aka tapioca) made from cassava tubers
Jellof Rice: Paella-like dish of rice made with tomatoes, peppers, spices and meats
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| Moi-moi |
Maggi Cubes: Maggi brand bouillon cubes
Moi-moi: A Nigerian steamed bean pudding made from black-eyed beans, onions, and black pepper
Okporoko: Imported dried Norwegian stock fish
Onugbu soup: favorite Igbo soup made with Onugbu, a bitter green leaf vegetable
Palm oil: Red oil expressed from Palm fruit, used in cooking and frying
Palm wine: alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm trees.
Names & Meanings
Ade Coker: Ade, Yoruba male name meaning "crown" or "royal one." Lagosians are known to adopt foreign names (i.e. Coker)
Amadi: “Free man”
Amaka: Short form of female name Chiamaka meaning "God is beautiful"
Chima: “God Knows” or “Only God Knows Best”
Chinwe: Chinwe = “God’s own/ God owns”; Jideze = “hold onto Royalty”
Chukwuka (Jaja): "God is the greatest" or "God is paramount"
Ifeoma: "Good thing" or "That which is good and beautiful"
Kambili: “Let me live”
Papa-Nnukwu: Grandpa, Grandfather. Nnukwu means "large, grand"
Obiora: "Heart of the people or community"
Important Cities/Towns
Abuja: Capital of Nigeria
Abba: Where Papa and Aunty Ifeoma were raised. Kambili’s family visits here once a year for Christmas.
Aokpe: A tiny village in Benue. In Purple Hibiscus it was said that the Blessed Virgin appeared here.
Awka Town: Ancient Igbo town known for its contribution to pan Igbo civilization via Awka traveling blacksmiths
Enugu: “Hilltop Town” An Igbo cosmopolitan city; Former capital of the Eastern Region. This is where Kambili’s family lives throughout the year.
Nsukka: Where Aunty Ifeoma and her children live. Kambili and Jaja visit here multiple times and see it as a safe haven.
Sources Used
By Rachel, Jess M, and Maija
Thank you very much for this glossary! It was really helpful! =) I was wondering if you could translate Chimamanda's dedicatory, when she says: "my parents, my heroes, NDI O GA-ADILI MMA."
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for this.
ReplyDeleteVery helpful, thank you
ReplyDeleteth\y
ReplyDeleteThank you for this!
ReplyDeleteI really love the language
ReplyDelete