Bemba language
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article refers to the Bemba language. For other uses, see Bemba (disambiguation).
The Bemba language, Chibemba, also known as Cibemba, Ichibemba, and Chiwemba, is a Bantu language that is spoken primarily in Zambia by the Bemba people and about 18 related ethnic groups. The prefix 'chi-' means 'language of' and the prefix 'ba-' means 'people of', so 'BaBemba' also means the Bemba people.
Chibemba and its dialects are spoken and understood by a sizable percentage of the population of Zambia. Over three million people are estimated to be native Chibemba speakers in Zambia alone,[citation needed] with others using Chibemba as a second language. Chibemba is used as a lingua franca in Zambian cities and, according to Ethnologue, it "has higher social status than other languages except English" within Zambia, but Ethnologue has been criticised for these kinds of statements and this is disputed by some.
Chibemba is also spoken, to a lesser extent, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Botswana.
It is an SVO language, and is also a tonal language.
The Chibemba word kubuntu, meaning "kindness towards humanity", has been adopted as the name of the main KDE-based Ubuntu Linux derivative.
[edit] Chibemba sayings
1. Uwa kwensha ubushiku ba mutasha nga bwacha
Meaning: "You can only thank the person who helped you walk in the night once it is dawn." This saying implies that most beneficial things are difficult to implement, but once implemented everyone can see the benefits and are grateful.
2. Umwana ashenda atashishe nina uku naya.
Meaning: "The child that has never travelled thinks its mother is the best cook there is." This saying implies that until you are exposed to other places by travelling, your notion will always be that what you see around your country is the best. Yet there can be, and there are, cultures more advanced than yours in their own ways. In a more general sense it means that all your preferences in life may only stem from ignorance of the possible alternative.
3. Uko ushili taikata
Meaning: "In your absence he will be no catch." This saying comes from the practice of hunting. If your dog catches some game, you can see it for yourself if you are present. If you are absent, you will be told that your dog didn't catch any. There is a lot of dishonesty in many practices, and the best way to avoid it is to be present in the dealings.
4. Umu kashana wa mabele ta langwa nshila
Meaning: "You can not easily offer directions or guide a grown young maiden (with breasts)." This saying implies that however good the advice is that you would try to give a young lady, it will be scoffed at by her. Her perception is that you have a vested interest in her and thus anything you might say will only serve your own goal of sexual relations with her.
5. Imiti iikula empanga
Meaning: "The young trees are the forest". This saying applies to children who are the future of tomorrow.
6. Chimbwi afwile intangalila The meaning is in this context: Chimbwi is a Chibemba word for Hyena. The saying generally means that the Hyena died due to its greediness, given two choices, the hyena wants to take both in a situation where only one choice is allowed. The end is that the hyena had nothing.
