IV.1. WORDS IN THEIR CONTEXT (PART 1/7): Colors, Family, Spirituality and Politics.
Note: The “/” sign in the word definition separates two definitions of the same word depending on how it is pronounced.
- COLOURS (zintinta, zitona).
– benga : yellow
– bule : blue
– duluza : violet
– koloha : colour
– kulele : colour
– lanza : orange
– mayeya : red
– mbuaki : red
– mbudi : blue
– mbungu : yellow / red
– mpembe : white
– mpinia : white
– ndombe : black
– ngizu : green
– ngubudi : indigo
– nsakambisu : green
– ntinta : colour
– pilu : purple, violet
– tona : colour
– tundu : yellow
- IN FAMILY : (mu kati dia kibuta/ fuamili)
– bakala / yakala : husband, spouse
– bawunda : the elders of the family, the parents
– Bikoyi : name given to the last born of the second pair of twins from the same mother
– buko / uko / diko (mako) : father-in-law, mother-in-law / son-in-law, daughter-in-law
– (di)kanda : clan
– (di)ko (mako) : mother-in-law, aunt-in-law
– dipasa (mapasa) : twin(s)
– disa/dise/disia (masa/mase/masia) : father (ancestors, parents)
– (di)se (mase) : father, paternal uncle
– (di)se dia nsakila : paternal uncle
– fuamili : family
– kakata (makakata) : elder, senior
– kanda (makanda) : clan, kinship, family, tribe
– kibusi : sister
– kibuta : family, family unit
– kibuti / kibutu : parent, family member
– kikama : the most beloved woman
– kikanda : kinship, who is related to family
– kise : paternity, paternal lineage, rights and customs relating to the father
– kivumu : nuclear family
– kiwunda : elder, big brother, big sister
– kota : elder, big brother, big sister
– Lukombo : name given to the second child born after the twins
– luvila (mvila) : matrilineal lineage among the Bakongo (from the same womb or mother)
– ma ngudi : mother of twins
– makangu : concubine, lover, mistress
– mama : mother, mom, madam
– mama mapasa : mother of twins
– mama nkulutu : maternal aunt (older than mom)
– mama nleke : maternal aunt (younger than mom)
– mbakani : parent, member of the clan, member of the tribe
– mbanda : other wife of my husband, husband of my sister-in-law, wife of my brother-in-law
– mbunzi : younger brother (sister), child of the paternal aunt younger than oneself
– mbuta : big brother, elder, man older than yourself
– mfuamba : widower, widow
– mfumu’a kanda : clan chief
– mfumu’eto : name of the elder, name of the first-born of a sibling
– mfumu-kanda : member of the clan
– mpangi : sibling, brother or sister, cousin
– mpangi’a mbakala : brother, cousin
– mpangi’a nkento : sister, cousin
– mpumpa : unmarried person, single
– muana (bana/bala) : child, son
– muana’a nkazi : nephew or niece vis-à-vis maternal uncle
– muana bakala/yakala : boy
– muana mbuta : person whose father is a living or dead member of our clan
– muana nkento : girl
– muana nsakila : nephew or niece vis-à-vis maternal aunt
– muana nsuka : benjamin, last born of the siblings
– muana ntete : elder, first-born child of the siblings
– muisi-kanda (bisi-kanda) : member of the same clan as me, clan brother/sister
– mukulu (bakulu) : ancestor
– mulumi / nlumi : wife
– Munkala : name given to the first born of the second pair of twins from the same mother
– munzita : woman, wife
– ndaya : concubine / darling
– ndezi / ndesi : nurse, nanny, child-minder, big sister
– ndukudila : great-grandchildren
– nganda : wife of a polygamist, woman from outside, mistress
– ngudi : mother, maternal aunt
– ngudi’a nkazi : brother of one’s mother, maternal uncle
– ngwankazi : maternal uncle
– nkaka : grandfather, grandmother, great-uncle, great-aunt, nephew or niece of my father
– nkaka’a bakala : grandfather
– nkaka’a nkento : grandmother
– nkama / mukama : first-class or high society wife / queen, honorary title
– nkazi / mukazi : husband
– nkemba : concubine, mistress
– nkento : woman, wife
– nkuezi : brother-in-law, sister-in-law, husband of my cousin, wife of my cousin
– nkuezi ya mbakala : brother of my husband (wife)
– nkuezi ya nkento : sister of my husband (wife)
– nkuidi : widower, widow
– nkulutu : elder, old, elderly
– nkumbi : brother-in-law
– Nlandu : name given to the first child born after the twins
– nleke : little brother, little sister, younger brother, younger sister
– nleke’a mbakala : little brother
– nleke’a nkento : little sister
– nnenga : offspring, posterity, descendants
– nsakila : siblings, father and mother, father-in-law and mother-in-law / cadet, junior, youngest
– nsanga : brother for the sister, sister for the brother
– Nsimba : name given to the last-born of the twins
– nsisila : father-in-law
– nsisulu : adoptive parents, parents-in-law, in-laws
– Nsita / Nzuzi : first-born of twins
– Nsunda : name given to a child born prematurely
– ntekolo : grandson, granddaughter
– ntekololo / ntekudila : great-grandchild, descendant
– ntekuzula : great grandson, great granddaughter
– nzadi : brother-in-law, sister-in-law
– nzitu : son-in-law, daughter-in-law, husband of my niece, wife of my nephew
– nzitu : child of my husband’s sister, child of my husband’s maternal cousin
– nzitu : father-in-law, mother-in-law, wife of my maternal uncle
– Nzuzi : name given to the firstborn of the twins
– papa : dad, father
– papa nkulutu : paternal uncle (older than dad)
– papa nleke : paternal uncle (younger than dad)
– sawu / se (masawu / mase) : father
– tata : father, dad, aunt
– tata mbuta : paternal uncle (older than dad)
– tata nkento : paternal aunt
– tata nkulutu : paternal uncle (older than dad)
– tata nleke : paternal uncle (younger than dad)
– tayi (batayi) : father
– vunda / wunda (bavunda / bawunda) : elders of the family, dean of the family
– yaya : big brother, big sister (same with “ya” followed by the name)
– yutu (mayutu / biyutu / bayutu) : parent, relative, of the kinship
- THE SPIRITUALITY, RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS.
– Akongo : Supreme Being
– anzelu : angel
– Banionzi : constellation of Pisces, the zodiacal sign of Pisces
– Bansimba : constellation of Gemini, the zodiacal sign of Gemini
– batisimu : baptism
– bayongo (yongo) : the dead
– bilungi : hell
– bubote : happiness, goodness, kindness
– Bukongo : set of rules and duties of a Mukongo towards his God and his neighbour
– bukristu : christianity
– dalaka : biblical dragon
– Dezo : God the Son
– diabulu : devil
– (di)bundu : church, religious community, community of the faithful
– digasi (magasi) : archange
– dikeluba (makeluba) : cherub
– disumu (masumu) : sin
– eklezia : church
– elawu : blessing
– elima : angel, genius of nature, spirit of nature
– episikopo : bishop
– galasia : grace
– Kabezia Mpungu : Eagle of God
– katekisimu : catechism
– katolike : catholic
– Kayengele : spirit world, paradise
– kiba : spirit of a good dead man
– kibungu : place of abode of the dead
– kidundu : his invisible double, astral body
– kikodi : karma
– kilabi : Rabbi, biblical master
– kimangu : miracle
– kimbanda : diviner, soothsayer
– kiminu : faith
– kimpasi : initiation school to the Kongo mystique
– kimpeve : spirituality
– kimukristu : Christianity, Christian practice
– kinabi : mystique
– Kinati-maza : constellation of Aquarius, the zodiacal sign of Aquarius
– kindoki : witchcraft
– (ki)nyumba : spirit of a dead person, spirit of a deceased person in general
– kiniumba (biniumba) : wandering spirit, spirit of a dead man, ghost
– kinkimba : initiating school to the Kongo mystique
– kinlongo : temple, place of religious instruction / holiness
– kinzambi : religion, religious practice, divinity
– kinzambi-nzambi : sect, for-profit church
– (ki)simbi (bisimbi) : protective genie, protective spirit, protective angel
– Kitianga : constellation of Scorpio, the zodiacal sign of Scorpio
– Kodi dia moyo : sacred law of Bukongo
– Kongo dia Mbumba : Universe
– kuluzu : cross
– kundu : possession, bewitching, evil spell
– kusua : the anointed one, the chosen one
– lemba : initiation school to the Kongo mystique
– Lesa : God
– Lowa : Sun God
– lukutakani : gathering of faithful, church service
– lumbu : mystical man
– lusakumunu : blessing
– lusambu / lusambulu : prayer
– Madionga : constellation of Sagittarius, the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius
– mahaba : great beings of space
– mahasi / mahasimbi : archangel
– mahungu / mawungu : perfect being half-man half-woman
– makaba : contents of the sacred book of Bukongo
– makandala : politico-religious leader
– makongo : Kongo spirituality teachings
– malongi : catechism, religious teaching
– mamiwata : siren, mermaid
– mandona : seer
– Masa : place of deliberations of deified Great Spirits
– masele : nun
– Masiya : Messiah
– Mayinda : world of the spirits of the dead
– mazulu : heaven
– Mbangu : Holy Spirit
– mbasi : angel, sent from heaven
– mbemba-zulu : sky eagle
– mbenza : great judge of the dead in the world of the Hereafter
– mbi : evil / inner fire, inner strength
– mbikudi : seer, clairvoyant, medium, soothsayer
– mbikulu’a ngonda : new moon
– mbuta : name of a male person in relation to the age of the spirit that inhabits him
– mbuta : title that precedes the name of a male person in relation to his spiritual age
– mihimpi : invisible dimension, the astral
– misa : mass
– misioni : relating to Protestantism, of Protestant faith
– mizilima : muslim
– monimambu : voyant
– moseniele : monsignor, bishop
– mpelo : priest, parish priest
– Mpemba Kalunga : world of deified spirits, paradise
– Mpev’a nlongo : Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost
– mpeve : spirit
– Mpungu : Mystical eagle
– muana Ne Kongo : child of Lord Akongo, child of God
– Muanda Akongo : Supreme Spirit
– muanda velela : holy spirit, immaculate spirit
– muanza / muenze : angel
– muela : soul
– Muela Kongo : Mystical conclave Kongo, Supreme Instance of Kongo Spirituality
– Muenze : constellation of the Virgin, the zodiacal sign of the Virgin
– mukristu : christian
– mukuikisi / munkuikizi : believer
– mukuyu / nkuyu : ghost, wandering evil spirit
– (mu)nkita : genie
– munzita / muzita : mystical woman, femininity
– mutumbawu : male energy in Kongo spirituality
– mupaganu : pagan, unbeliever
– musantu (basantu): saint, holy
– mveledi (baveledi) : saint
– mvidi : holy
– Mvidi Mukulu : holy ancestor
– mvuela : cassock, soutane
– mvuluzi : messiah, saviour
– mvungi : pastor, parish priest, priest
– Nabi : priest of the Kongo mystique
– Nantaba : constellation of Capricorn, the zodiacal sign of Capricorn
– ndembo : initiating school to the Kongo mystique
– ndoki : evil sorcerer
– ndona : holy, saint
– Ne : honorary title that we precede the name of a Mukongo of high spiritual level
– Ne Kongo Kalunga : God as Love, spirit of God expressing his Love
– Ne Kongo Kalunga : Spirit of God’s Love present in every creature and every element
– Ne Mbumba : God as God’s Creative Genius, Spirit of God’s Creative Genius
– Ne Mbumba Lowa : Spirit of God Creator into the Sun
– Ne Mpungu : God as Power, Spirit of God expressing his power
– Ne Mpungu : Genie of the Secret
– nganga : marabout, clairvoyant
– nganga-Nzambi : priest, abbot, monk, friar, servant of God
– ngantemo : being of light
– ngasimbi : specialist in Genies
– ngemba : peace
– Ngoko : constellation of Taurus, the zodiacal sign of Taurus
– Ngumbu’a Kinlongo : the Holy of Holies
– ngunza : animist priest
– niama Ngwaku : the Devil’s beast, Satan
– Nihimbi : nocturnal universe, the Hereafter
– Nkadi’a mpemba : Spirit that opposes good, Spirit of evil, Satan
– Nkadi’a mpemba : Satan, Devil
– Nkala : constellation of Cancer, the zodiacal sign of Cancer
– Nkamvu : constellation of Aries, the zodiacal sign of Aries
– nkeluba (bakeluba) : cherub
– nkembo : glory
– nkimba / kimba : secret society of the Kongo mystique / person initiated into this mystique
– nkisi : fetish
– Nkosi : constellation of Lion, the zodiacal sign of Lion
– Nkua Tulendo : Powerful being endowed with multiple powers
– nkuka : redemption
– Nkutu : constellation of Libra, the zodiacal sign of Libra
– nkuyu : ghost, wandering evil spirit
– nlunga ngonda : full moon
– Nowele : Christmas
– nsaba ya nsayi : garden of Eden
– nsambu / nsambudulu : prayer
– nsambu : blessing, luck
– nsibu : incantatory formula
– nsingulu : curse, malediction
– nsinu / nsinuku : amulet, talisman, tutelary god
– nsumuki : sinner
– ntumua : messenger of God, representative of God
– Nzambi : Spirit of God who is present everywhere (omnipresent)
– Nzambi’a Mpungu : Almighty God
– Nzila Zombo : Milky Way, the uncle’s way
– nzo-nzambi : church, temple, religious building
– Paki / Pasika : Easter
– paladizo : paradise, heaven
– papa : pope
– pasitele : pastor
– paye : pagan, unbeliever
– pendele : training centre for the ngunza
– penzolo : purgatory
– pisikopo : bishop, monsignor
– Satana : Satan
– selembawu : feminine energy in Kongo spirituality
– Simu Kongo : the Hereafter, the Next world, the world of the dead Kongo
– tebo : evil
– temo / tembo : wandering spirit of a villain
– tempelo : temple
– Walesa : Man God, Half God, person who has reached the ultimate level of spirituality
– Yawe : Yavhe the God of Israël
– yaya : name of a female person in relation to the age of the spirit that inhabits her
– yaya : title that precedes the name of a female person in relation to her spiritual age
– Yezu Masiya / Yisu Masiya : Jesus the Messiah
– Yezu Kristu / Yisu Kristu : Jesus Christ
– zikua : parish, church cell, place of prayer
– zimbabue / zimba : circular stone temple
– Zita dia Nza : centre of the Milky Way occupied by the Sun Sirius
– zulu : heaven, sky
- POLITICS, ADMINISTRATION AND GEOGRAPHY.
– kabu dia mayala : political party
– Kadialo : West
– Kalunga : ocean, Atlantic Ocean
– Kama : America
– Kamalu : South
– kamina : the constitution
– Kamu : Asia
– kibundesua : confederation
– kilansi : autonomous state
– kimazala : theocracy
– kimbongo : bank
– kintinu : kingdom
– Kuazulu : territory of the Zulu
– luyalu : the State, government, political executive
– mayala : governance, politics, politician
– musuebidi : secretary general
– musueke : secretary
– ngabuki : specialist in medicine
– ngakisina : capitalist
– ngamavia : specialist in agriculture
– ngambona : commander of a military base
– nsoko : division, department
– Ntotela : the Supreme Head of a federal or confederal country, emperor
– ntuazi : leader, guide, president, manager, director
