Kikamba Manual

Kikamba Self-Instruction Manual
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LESSON TITLE PAGE

1. Ngethi Greetings ………………………………… 1
2. Kwĩmanyĩthya Introduction 1 ……………………………. 4
3. Kwĩmanyĩthya Introduction 2 ……………………………. 8
4. Wikaa Ata? What Do you Do? ……………………………….. 11
5. Wendete Kũya Kyaũ What Do You Like to Eat? ……………………… 15
6. Syĩndu Syiana? How Many are they? ……………………………. 20
7. Andũ Ma Mũsyi Wakwa My Family ………………………………………. 24
8. Kwĩtya Liu Ordering Food …………………………………… 28
9. Mbesa na Thooa Money and Prices ……………………………….. 32
10. Ni Mbesa Syiana How Much is it? ………………………………… 36
11. Yu nĩ Saa Syiana? What Time is it Now? …………………… 40
12. Ũmũnthĩ Ni Mũthenya Wikũ? What Day is it? ………………………….. 45
13. Wina Myaka Iana? How Old are You? ………………………. 50
14. Wikaa Ata? What Do You Do? ………………………. 52
15. Yiiva? Where Is It? ……………………………… 57
16. Kukulya Nzĩa Asking for Directions …………………… 60
17. Kuthooa Tikiti Buying a Ticket …………………………. 64
18. Nzeve Iiyi Ata? How is the Weather? ……………………. 67
19. Ngũa na Langi Clothes and Colours …………………….. 71
20. Mamutha Ma Mwii Parts of the Body ………………………… 75
21. Mũndũ Mũwau A Sick Person …………………………… 78
22. Ikoni In the Kitchen …………………………… 84
23. Kũkomboa Nyumba Booking a Room ………………………… 86
24. Wendete Ata What Do You Like to Do? ………………. 88

LESON ONE
TOPIC;NGETHI-GREETINGS
COMPETENCY;KUKETHANIA KWA WO:EXCHANGE GREETINGS

APPRORIATLY:
NGEWA – NDŨNGE NA MUTUNGA – DIALOGUE A:
Mũtũnga: Oti.
Ndũnge: Lika.
Mũtũnga: Uvoo waku mwiitu.
Ndũnge: Ni museo mwanake. Nata?
Mũtũnga: Ni nesa muno
Ndunge: Thumua.
Mutunga: Ĩĩ ni muvea
Ndũnge: Waamuka ata?
Mũtũnga: Naamuka nesa.
NGEWA – DIALOGUE B:
Mũtua: Mwĩ aseo?
Mũtinda/Ndinda: Ĩĩ twi aseo.
Mũtua: Uvoo wenyu?
Mũtinda/Ndinda: Nĩ mũseo.
Mũtua: Mwaamuka ata?
Mũtinda: Twaamũka nesa.
Mũtua: Uvoo wa kwakya?
Mũtinda/Ndinda: Ni mũseo mũno.
PARENTS GREETS THEIR CHILDREN DEFFERENTLY/ELDER BROTHERS

AND SISTERS.
Mwaitu:wakya mwiitu?
Ndinda:Aaa,mwaitu.
Mwaitu:watinda ata?
Ndinda:natinda nesa .
Mwaitu:AAya,enda nesa mwiitu wakwa.
Ndinda;Ni muvea mwaitu.
Mwendwa:Wakya mwiitu?
Mwiitu: Aaa.
Mwendwa:Wakya ingi?
Mwiitu:Aaa.

Uvoo waku
mutia? Ni museo
muno na
waku?
Ni museo muno
mutumia.

NGEWA – DIALOGUE C:
MŨLI NA MULWA:
Mũli: Nata Muli?
Mũlwa: Ni nesa/ni kuseo?
Mũli: Ũvoo wa wia.
Mũlwa: Ti muthuku.
Mũli: Syana no nzeo.
Mũlwa: Ĩĩ no nzeo.
Mũli: Watinda ata?
Mũlwa: Natinda nesa
SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE:

Wĩ museo: Ĩĩ nĩ mũseo.
Uvoo waku. Nĩ kũseo.
Watinda ata? Natinda nesa.
Nata yu? Nĩ nesa/ni kũseo
Uvoo wa Kwakya? Nĩ mũseo.
Uvoo wa muthenya? Nĩ mũseo
Uvoo wa musyi? Nĩ mũseo.
Uvoo wa wĩa? Nĩ mũseo.
VOCABULARIES:
Kwakya Morning
Kũamũka To wake up
Ũvoo News
Mũthenya Day
Nzeo Fine/good.
Nesa Well nice,good.
Mwĩĩtu Young lady (unmarried)
Mwanake Young man (unmarried)
Syana Children
Thũmua Rest
Nĩ mũvea Thank you
-thũku Bad
Ũvoo wa kwakya News of the morning?
Ni mũseo It is fine
Ũvoo waku How are you (sing.)
Ũvoo wenyu How are you (pl.)
GRAMMAR: EXPLANATIONS:
The grammar used in this lesson is verb to be (Nĩ) in present tense.

For Example – Nĩ museo and wĩ mũseo. It is equivalent to English
I am, you are he/she is, and it is fine.
Examples:
Wĩ mũseo? Are you fine?

Ĩĩ nĩ mũseo Yes, I am well
Ũvoo wa wĩa How is work (news of the work)
Ti mũthũku No bad.
Some possessive pronouns have also been used: -

Example – aku (your) enu (you all) like in ũvoo waku and ũvoo wenyu. This means
how are you (singular) and how are you (pl.)
The interrogative “ata”? has been used to mean “How,” for example:
Waamuka ata? - How have you woken up?
Watinda ata? - How has your day been?
EXERCISE ONE – WRITE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

Oti ________________________________.
Wĩ mũseo _____________________________________________________.
Mwi aseo ______________________________________________________.
Waamũka ata? ___________________________________________________.
Ũvoo waku? _____________________________________________________.
Ũvoo wa kwakya _________________________________________________.
Watinda ata? _____________________________________________________.
EXERCISE TWO: - WRITE THE PLURALS OF THE FOLLOWING

PHRASES.
(a) Waamũka ata?
(b) Watĩnda ata?
(c) Wĩ mũseo
(d) Ũvoo waku?
(e) Nĩ mũseo
(f) Naamũka nesa
(g) Natinda nesa
EXERCISE THREE: - TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES:

(i) How are you? ___________________________________.
(ii) How have you woken up? ___________________________________.
(iii)How is work? ______________________________________________.
(iv) Good morning? _____________________________________________.
(v) Are your fine? ______________________________________________.
(vi) How are the children? _________________________________________.
They are fine ________________________________________________.
We are fine __________________________________________________.
Thank you. ___________________________________________________.
ŨELESYO WA KĨTHĨO KYA AKAMBA – CULTURAL NOTE:

In the Kamba culture greetings is an important part of their tradition. It involves
shaking of hands and enquries on children, work, farm and even the weather. It is
always considered respectful for the young to wait until they are greeted by the

elderly. A person who doesn‟t have time for greetings is considered anti-social and
disrespectful in the Kamba culture.

ISOMO LA KELI – LESSON TWO
TOPIC – KWIMANYITHIA – INTRODUCITON

Uvoo wenyu?Nyie nitawa
Mesgg na numite nthi ya
Amerika kKisio kya ka
livonia Musyi .
Uvoo waku?nyie nitawaOle
Naitewu na numite
Compency: musyi wa
Kwĩmanyĩthanĩa na angĩ.
Loitktok.
Nitawa
mutiso na Witawa ata?
Numite
nthi ya
Kenya
kisio kya
Voi musyi
wa
mwambas
aa.
NGEWA – DIALOGUE :
Mũtũa: - Wi mũseo.
Kamene: - Ĩĩ ni mũseo. Uvoo waku
Mutua: - Ni, mũseo mũno.
Kamene - Witawa ata?
Mutua: - Nitawa Mũtũa; naku witawa ata?
Kamene - Nitawa Kamene.
Mũtũa: - Ni mũvea nũndũ wa kũkũmanya.
Kamene: - Ũvoo wa wia?
Mũtũa: - Ni mũseo mũno.
Kamene: - Ni mũvea, enda na ũseo.
Mũtũa: - Naku tiwa na ũseo.

NGEWA – DIALOGUE TWO:
Wambua: - Wĩ mũseo.
Mũsyoki: - Ĩĩ nĩ mũseo.
Wambua: - Waamũka ata?
Mũsyoki: - Naamũka nesa.
Wambua: - Ĩsyĩtwa yaku nũũ?
Mũsyoki: - Ĩsyĩtwa yakwa nĩ Gichoro. Naku wĩtawa ata?
Wambua: - Ĩsyĩtwa yakwa nĩ Wambua.
Mũsyoki: - Wambua, umĩte ku?
Wambua: - Numĩte Masaku. Nakũ umĩte kũ?
Mũsyoki: - NumĩteMusyi wa Kitui
Wambua: - Nĩ mũvea nũndũ wa kũkũmanya.
Mũsyoki: - O naku, nĩmuvea nũndũ wa kũkũmanya.
Wambua: - Tiwa nesa.
Mũsyoki: - Naku enda nesa.
NGEWA – DIALOGUE THREE:
Makaũ: - Mwĩ aseo?

Mũtuku: - Ĩĩ twĩ aseo. Ũvoo waku?
Makaũ: - Ni museo. Wĩtawa ata?
Mũtuku: - Nĩtawa Mũtuku na mũnyanyawa etawa Musembi. Naku
witawa ata?
Makaũ: - Nyie nitawa Makaũ;na inywi mumite kũ? / va?
Musembi: - Numĩte nthĩ ya Amelika na munyanyawa aumĩte nthĩ ya Kenya.
Makaũ: - Nĩ mũvea nũndũ wa kumumanya.
Mũtuku: - Aya nĩ asanda / nĩ muvea muno
SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE:
Wĩ museo: - Ĩĩ nĩ museo.
Mwĩ aseo: - Ĩĩ twĩ aseo.
Isyĩtwa yaku nũũ - Ĩsyĩtwa yake nĩ Ndinda.
Isyĩtwa yaku nũũ - Ĩsyĩtwa yake nĩ Margaret.
Wĩtawa ata? - Nĩtawa Kioko.
Etawa ata? - Etawa Kanini.
Umĩite kũ: - Numĩte Ilovi (Nairobi).
Aumĩte Masaku: - Aumĩte Amelika.
Aumĩte Ulaya? - Aiee ndaumĩte Masakũ aumĩte Kitui.
Aumĩte Kenya? - Aiee ndaumĩte Ulaya, aumĩte Kisumo(Kisumu)
Maumĩte Japan: - Ĩĩ tumĩte Kenya
Enda na ũseo
Enda na mũuo

Tiwa na ũseo
Tiwa na mũuo
VOCABULARIES: NDETO NZAU:
Ĩsyĩtwa Name Masyitwa

Nĩ museo I am fine -
Mũnyanyawa My frined -
Kũthi To go -
Thini na ũseo Go well -
Kwitwa To be called -
Tiwa na useo Remain well / peacefully -
Onaku And you -
Kuma To come from -
Numĩte I come from -
Umĩte You come from -
Aumĩte He/she come from -
Tumĩte We come from -
Mumĩte You(pl) come from -
Maumĩte They come from -
Kwĩtwa To be called -
Nĩtawa I‟m called -
Wĩtawa You‟re called -
Etawa He/she is called -
Nthĩ Country -
Mũsyĩ City, Town -
GRAMMAR:
Subject prefixes, possessives of MŨ/A Class, interrogatives and some simple

imperatives. The subject prefixes in the Kamba language is:
N TŨ
Ũ M
A MA
In the lesson they are used with the verb kwitwa (to be) called as follow:
Nĩtawa ) Twĩtawa )
Wĩtawa ) Singulars Mwĩtawa ) Plurals
ETawa ) Metawa )
Note:
There are some vowel assimilation which will be detailed at a later stage.
Some possessives used in this lessons are: -

Yakwa - Ĩsyĩtwa yakwa - My name
Yaku - Ĩsyĩtwa yaku - Your name
Yake - Ĩsyĩtwa yake - His/her name

A few interrogatives have also been used.
Example:
“Nuu” Meaning “who”? e.g. Ĩsyĩtwa yaku nũũ?
(What is your name)

„ATA‟ Meaning “How” e.g. Wĩtawa ata?
(How are you called/what is your name?
“KŨ”? meaning “where”? umĩte kũ?
“VA”? where – umĩte va?
EXERCISE ONE:
SŨNGIA MAKULYO AA: - ANSWER THIS QUESTIONS
(a) Ũvoo waku? ___________________________________________.

(b) Wĩ museo? _____________________________________________.
(c) Isiytwa yaku nũũ? ________________________________________.
(d) Wĩtawa ata? _____________________________________________.
(e) Umĩte kũ? ______________________________________________.
(f) Mũnyanyau etawa ata? _____________________________________.
(g) Aumĩte kũ? ______________________________________________.
EXERCISE TWO:
CHANGE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES INTO NEGATIVES:
(a) Isiytwa yakwa ni Mwende ____________________________________.

(b) Nitawa Kĩoko _____________________________________________.
(c) Numĩte Japan. _____________________________________________.
(d) Umĩte Ungelesa. ___________________________________________.
(e) Aumĩte Amelika ___________________________________________.
(f) Tumĩte Tanzania. ___________________________________________.
(g) Mumĩte Kenya. _____________________________________________.
(h) Maumĩte Ukamba. ___________________________________________.
CULTURAL NOTE:
According to the Kamba tradition, naming of children is done according to things like
seasons, (e.g. rainy season) time, (e.g. at night), place of birth e.g. on the road, during
a journey, etc. The Kambasa also name children after their grandparents. If the
grandparents are still living, the child will be given a different name which he will be
called until the grandparent dies. The child is given a different name since it is felt
that it‟s a breach of respect to mention the name in the presence of the elderly person.
DIALOGUE A:
Mũasya : Wĩ museo Kĩoko?
Kĩoko : Ĩĩ nĩ nesa. Watinda ata?
Mũasya : Natinda nesa; Umĩte ku Kĩoko
Kĩoko : Numĩte nthĩ ya Ungelesa, musyĩ was Oxford.
Mũasya : Onakwa numĩte nthĩ ya Ungelesa. Vaa Naivasha.
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Wikalaa va?
Kĩoko : Nĩkalaa Kinungi; Naku wikalaa va?
Mũasya : Nĩkalaa Mĩrera
Kĩoko : Nĩ mũvea nundu wa kũmanyana
Mũasya : Enda nes/thi nesa
DIALOGUE B:
Wambua : Ũvoo waku Mũtindi?

Mũtindi : Nĩ mũseo. Uyũ nĩ mũnyanyawa. Etawa Mueni.
Wambua : Wĩ mũseo Mũeni?
Mũeni : Ĩĩ nĩ nesa.
Mũtindi : Mũeni aumĩte mũsyi wa Masakũ, Indĩ ekalaa Kihoto kwa
Nahashon Mwangi.
Wambua : Na kĩla kwakya Mũeni aendaa sukulu ata?
Mũtindi : Kĩla kwakya alĩsaa ngalĩ.
Wambua : Na Mũeni, ũsyokaa mũsyi ata?
Mũeni : Nĩsyokaa mũsyĩ ona ngalĩ.
Wambua : Nĩ ũseo Mũtindi na Mũeni
Mũeni : Aya. Enda nesa/thi nesa
READ ALOUD:
Umĩte kũ?
Aumĩte kũ??
Numĩte Ulaya.
Numĩte Ilovi.
Aumĩte Masakũ?
Aiee, ndaumĩte Masakũ.
Wĩkalaa va? Nĩkalaa Kitui.
Ekalaa va? Ekala Amelika.
Twĩkalaa Kenya.
Mwĩkalaa Tanzania.
Mekallaa Ungelesa.
Wĩkalaa Naivasha? – Aiee nikalaa Mombasa
Ndyĩkalaa Ilovi.
Ndwĩkalaa Ulaya.
Ndekalaa Thika.
Ekalaa kwa Wambua, ndekalaa kwa Mutukũ
VOCABULARY ------NDETO NZAU

Nthĩ - Country
Mũsyĩ - Town
Kwĩkala - To stay
Nũndũ - Because
Kũmanyana - To know each other
Mũnyanyawa - My friend
Ĩndĩ - But
11

Kũlisa - To climb
Kũsyoka - To return
Ngalĩ - A vehicle
Sukulu - School - Masukulu
Mbasi - Bus
Kĩsululu - Bicycle - Isuululu
Kũũ - Feet / legs - Maau
Kũka - To come
Kwaũ? - At whose (have)
GRAMMAR EXPLANATIONS:
In this lesson, the grammar used is the habitual tense i.e. what usually happenes. It is
regularly formed by inserting an “A” before the final vowel.
Example:
Kwĩkala - To stay
Kũenda / kuthi - To go
Kwona - To see
Kũnenga - To give
Nĩkalaa - I usually stay.
Nĩendaa - I always see.
Nĩnengaa - I always give.
Note:
For monosyllabic verb stem ending in “W” change the W to U, then add “SA” before
the final A. e.g.
Nywa – drink changes to nyusaa – always drinks.
More examples on the usage of this tense will be given at a later lesson.
ALYULA - TRANSLATE
(a) I stay in Loitoktok
(b) Where do you stay?
(c) How do you come to class?
(d) How do thye return home?
(e) Robert stays in Kisumu
(f) My mother goes to the market by bicycle.
EXERCISE TWO:
ALYULA/TURN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES INTO NEGATIVES:
Joseph ekalaa Ulaya.
Nĩkalaa Mombasa.
Wĩkalaa Kenya.
Nĩsyokaa Sukuluu na Maaũ.
Ũlĩsaa ngali.
Twĩnukaa na mbasi.
Mwĩinukaa na matatũ.
EXERCISE THREE:
12

SUNGIUA MAKULYO AYA: - ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
1. Kũũ Loitoktok wikalaa va?

2. Winũkaa mũsyi ata?
3. Mũnyanyau ekalaa va?
4. Mũnyanyau enukaa na maaũ?
5. Wikalaa kwa ũũ? / Kwau?
6. Winũkaa ata?
EXERCISE FOUR
Andũ aa maendaa wĩanĩ ata?
How do these people go to work?
13

14

LESSON THREE
NGEWA YA MBEE-DIALOGE ONE
Kamene:uvoo waku Mutiso?

Mutiso:ni museo,na waku?
Kamene;ti muthuku,watinda ata?
Mutiso:natind nesa,indi waaie ku?
Kamene;nyie nikalaa matuu,naku wikalaa va?
Mutiso;nakwa nikalaa Masaku kwa andu ma musyi witu,
Kamene;we wkalaa nau?
Mutiso:Nyie nikalaa na kiveti kyakwa na syana syakwa.
Kamene:nuseo ngauka Masaku kumukethya.
Mutiso;Aaaya ni kalivu muno,niwathokwa ivinda yonthe.
Kamene;Ni muvea.
Mutinda;umite ku? Where do you come from

Nthenya:numite nthi ya Kenya musyi wa masaku .
Ryian:numite Amelika Musyi wa New york.indi
mwaitu aumite nthi ya Kenya rom NEW YORK.
Mutinda:Inya waku aumite Kenya va? Your mother comes from
where/
Ryian:mwaitu aumite Masaku vandu vetawa Iveti. She comes from
Machakos
Mutinda:oo ninisi iveti,na ekalaa va?ekalaa Amelika. Ok.i know Machakos.
SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE---READ ALOUD

Nikalaa ilovi I styay in Nairobi
15

Nikalaa Mwambasa I stay in mombasa
Wikalaa va? Where do you stay

Nikalaa Masaku . I stay in machakos
Kveti kyaku kikalla va?
Where does your wife stay

Syana syaku syikalaa va?
Kalivu
Niwathokwa you are welcome
Ninathokwa I am welcomed
Ivinda yonthe all the time
Mavinda on the all the times
NDETO NZAU---------NEW WORDS
Mbasi bus
Motokaa car
Ngali vehicle
Musomethwa student
Mwalimu teacher
Muimi farmer
Muukamba a kamba
Muumasai a maasai
Mwikuyu a gikuyu
Muuamelika an American
Uwau wa muthelo HIV/AIDS
Uima wa mwii health
*********to be cont.
16

LESSON FOUR
TOPIC: WIKAA ATA? – WHAT DO YOU DO?
COMPETENCY: Tell, their nationality and what they and their friends do.
Mimi ni
Nyie ni fundi wa
muusik Nyie
ni magari
ali
vundi
Mimi ni
Dereva
Nyie ni
Nyie ni muuii
mpishi
mwalimuu
muuguzi
Ntie ni ndakitali.
Nyie ni muimi wa
ngombe wa ngo’mbe
wa maziwa
kitheka :Umĩte va?

john: Numĩte Amelika.
kitheka : Wĩkaa ata vaa Kenya?
john : Nyie nĩ mwalimu. Nĩsomethasya Kĩsũngũ.
kitheka :Usomethasya vaa Ilovi?
john : Aiee. Nisomethasya Loitoktok
kitheka :Na kũũ Ilovi wĩkaa ata?
17

john : Nĩmanyĩasya Kiswahili. Naku wĩkaa ata?
kitheka : Nyie nĩkalaa o kuu nĩkũnaa viasala na nindumaa ngua ni vundi
john : Uthoovasya kyaũ?
kitheka : Nĩthoovasya ngua/mitumba
SOMA KWA WASYA:
We wĩ mũmwaũ?
Nyie nĩ Mũsũngũ.
We wĩ Mũvalanza.
We nĩ Mũmelika.
Nyie nĩ Mũindi.
We wĩ mbai yĩva?
Nyie nĩ Mũkamba.
Nyie ni Mwĩkũyũ.
We wĩ Mũtaita.
We ni Mũtiikũ.
Inywĩ mwĩ Amwaũ?

Ithyĩ twĩ Asũngũ.
Inywĩ mwĩ Anzelumani:
Mo nĩ Aindi.
We ti Mũkenya – We nĩ Mũalavu.
We ti Mũmelika, we ni Mungelesa.
John ni Mũindi? Aiee, we ti Mũindi we nĩ mũndũ Mwiũ.
Akinyi ti Mwĩkuyu, Nĩ Mumela.
Ũyũ nũũ? Ũyũ nĩ Kyalo.

Ũyũ nĩ Mutheu.
Mũndũ ũyũ nĩ Mũmelika?
Aiee tĩ Mũmelika, nĩ Mũvalanza.
Aiee ti Mũsũngu, nĩ mundu Mwiu.
PERSONAL PRONOUNNS
Nyie - Ithyĩ
We - Inywĩ
We - Mo
Ũyũ - Aa
Ũsu - Asu
Ũya - Aya
Nyie nĩ ndakĩtalĩ.
We wĩ muĩmi.
We nĩ kalanĩ
Wĩĩka ata?
18

Nĩsomethya Kiswahili.
Nĩthooasya ngua.
Nĩandĩka valua.
VOCABULARIES: NDETO NZAU
Kwĩka - To do
Mwalimũ - Teacher
Mũĩmi - Farmer
Ndakitalĩ - Doctor
Mwĩkũyũ - A Kikuyu person
Mũmela/Mũnzaluo - A Luo person
Mũvalanza - A French person
Mũalavu - Arab
Mũindi - An Indian
Kũsomethya - To teach
Kũandĩka - To write
Kalanĩ - A clerk
Kwĩmanyisya - To study/learn
Kũthoosya - To sell
Vĩasala - Business
Mũsũngũ - A European
Wĩkaa ata? - What do you do?
We wĩ mũmwaũ? - What naitonlatiy are you?
GRAMMER EXPLANATION
We nĩ mbaĩ yiva? - What tribe are you?
Nyie - Me
We - You
We - He/she
Ithyĩ - We
Inywĩ - You (Pl.)
Mo - They
The grammar used in this lesson is:

(a) Personal Pronouns.
(b) Demonstratives.
The personal pronoun in the Kamba language is:
Nyie - Me
We - You
We - He/she – the third person
Singular Personal Pronoun is distinguished from the second one by the tone.
The plurals are:

Ithyĩ - We ) e.g.
19

Inywĩ - You ) Ithyĩ twi Asungu
Mo - they ) We are Euorpeans.
Some demonstratives of the MU/A class have been used e.g.
Ũyũ - This (Proximal) i.e. near the speaker.

Ũsu - That (Referential) i.e. near the listener.
Ũya - That over there (distal) far from speaker/listener.
Examples:
Uyũ nĩ Mũnyanyawa John

(This is my friend John).
Mwalimu ũya etawa Mũema.
(That teacher is called Mũ./ema)
The plurals are:

Aya - These
Asu - Those
Aaya - Those over there
Examples:
Aya nĩ Asungu - These are Europeans
Asu nĩ Aamelika - Those are Amelikans
Aaya nĩ anyanyawa - Those over there are my friends.
To negate the above sentences you need to replace „ni‟ with “Ti” i.e.
Ũyũ nĩ John - This is John.
Ũyũ tĩ John - This is not John.
Aya nĩ Anyanyawa - These are my friends
Aya tĩ Anyanyawa - These are not my friends
EXERCISE ONE:
Put the correct person pronouns in the following sentences:
Exmaple - Ngelekanio
Nĩtawa Musangi
Nyie nĩtawa Musangi
1. Etawa Jimmy
2. Wĩtawa Kĩĩo
3. Nĩsomethasya Kiswahili
4. Makũnaa vĩasala.
5. Mwĩnũkaa na mbasi.
6. Twĩkalaa Ilovi (Nairobi)
7. Aumĩte nthĩ, ya Amelika.
8. Nĩkala Loitoktok
9. Athoasya ngũa/mĩtumba
20

EXERCISE TWO:
Andika kwa wingi
WRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE INTO PLURALS:
1. Ũyũ nĩ Mwaitũ - Aya nĩ aa mwaitu.

2. Ũyũ nĩ mwalimũ -
3. Ũsu ni mwana wakwa ______________________________________.
4. Ũyu ni Mũmelika _________________________________________.
5. Ũsu ni Mũsũngũ __________________________________________.
6. Ũya ni Mũtumĩa. __________________________________________.
EXERCISE THREE ALYULA – CHANGE THESE SENTENCES INTO

NEGATIVES:
1. Ũyũ nĩ Musungu.
2. Aya nĩ alimu na Kisungu.
3. Nyie nĩ mwalimu wa Kiswahili.
4. Aya nĩ Anyanyawa.
5. Asu nĩ atumĩa.
6. Aya nĩ andũ aseo .
7. Uuya nĩ Peter.
Note: Demonstrative Pronouns of other classes will be dealt with at a later lesson
21

LESSON 4
TOPIC: WHAT YOU DO:
COMPETENCY: TELL THEIR NATIIONALITY AND WHAT THEY AND
THEIR FRIENDS DO.
22

LESSON FIVE
TOPIC: MALIU
COMPETENCY: WENDETE KŨYA KYAŨ - WENDETE KUYA KYAU -
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO EAT?
ANDIKA MASYIWA MA MALIU AA – WRITE THE NAMES OF THESE

FOODS.
DIALOGUE ONE
Mwongela : Wĩ mũseo Mwongeli.

Mwongeli : ĩĩ nĩ kũseo Mwongela.
Mwongela : Ĩyoo kwakya Ũnaĩe kyaũ?
Mwongeli : Ĩyoo kwya ninnaiye mukate na siaki, matumbĩ na sosengi.
Mwongela : Na ũnanywie kyaũ?
Mwongeli : Ninanywi ũsũũ. Naku unanywie kyau?
Mwongela : Nyie, ĩyoo ndineenywa usuu. Ninanywie kyai.
Mwongeli : Nyie ndinyusaa kyai kwakya.
23

Mwongela : Nĩwendete kĩwũ kya masungwa?
Mwongeli : ĩĩ nĩnendete mũno
Mwongeli : Aaya kwata.
Mwongela : Ni mũvea mũno.
DIALOGUE TWO:
Syombua: Ũvoo waku?

Lilian: Nĩ mũseo Syombua, kũilyi ata?
Syombua: Nĩ kũseo. Ũmũthĩ ũuĩte kyau?
Lilian: Ũmũnthi nĩuĩte ngima na makuyu, musle na nguku na matunda
Syombua: Matunda meku?
Lilian: Matunda ta mavavaĩ, masungwa, maiũ, mananasi na makundi.
Syombua: Asu ni matunda maseo, muno.
Lilian: Aya, tũthi mũsyi.
Syombua: Ĩĩĩ tũthi.
SOMA KWA WASYA – READ ALOUD:
Nĩnaĩye - Ndineeya.
Ũnaĩye - Ndũneeya.
Anaaye - Ndaneeya.
Nĩnaĩye Mukate - Ndineeya Mũsele.
Ũnaĩye ngima - Ndũneeya Maluu.
Anaĩye nyama - Ndaneeya ikũyũ.
Tunaĩye matunda - Tũinaaya lĩu.
Munaĩye isyo - Mũinaaya mboka.
Manaiye nyama sya nguku - Maineeya maiu.
Nĩnanywie - Ndineenywa.
Ũnanywie - Ndũneenywa.
Ananywie - Ndaneenywa.
Tunanywie - Tuineenywa.
Munanywie - Mũineenywa.
Mananyie - Maineenywa.
Nendete kuya isyo - Ndyendete Kũya mũsele.
Wendete kunywa kyai - Ndwendete kũnywa ũkĩ.
Endete kuya nyama - Ndendete kũya makũyũ.
Nĩenda kunywa kyai - Ndienda kũnywa kaawa.
Wĩenda kunywa yĩia - Nduenda kũnywa ũsũũ.
Eenda kunywa soda - Ndeenda kũnywa mbinyu.
VOCABULARIES:
Kikamba English Plurals

Kũya To eat -
Kũnywa To drink -
Ĩyoo Yesterday -
24

Kwakya Morning -
Nĩnaĩye I ate -
Kyai Tea Kyai
Kaawa Coffee Kaawa
Ĩia Milk IIia
Kĩwũ Water Kiwu
Ũkĩ Beer Uki
Mbinyu Wine Mbinyu
Sota Soda Sota
Ngima Ugali Ngima
Isyo Corn and beans Isyo
Mũsele Rice Misele
Ĩkũyũ Fish Makuyu
Nyama ya ng‟ombe Beef Nyama sya ngombe
Nyama ya mbũi Goat Nyama sya mbui
Nyama ya ĩlondu Mutton Nyama sya ilondu
Nyama ya ngũlũwe Pork Nyama sya nguluwe
Nyama ya ngũkũ Chicken Nyama sya nguku
Siaki Butter Siaki
Sũkali Sugar Munyu
Mũnyũ Salt Matunda
Ĩtunda Fruit Matunda
Ĩsungwa Orange Masungwa
Ĩnanansi Pawpaw Mavavai
Ĩembe Mango Maembe
Ĩvela Guava Mavela
Ĩiu Banana Maiu
The grammar used in this lesson is the past tense. There are two forms of past tenses
in Kikamba. These are the yesterday‟s past tense and indefinite past tense. At this
stage we will only learn about the yesterdya‟s past tense. the tense sign is “Na” and it
is mutable with “i.e.” suffix
Example: Affirmatives: Negatives

Kũya – To eat - Ninaie - I ate - Ndinaaya
Unaie - You ate - Ndũnaaya
Anaie - He/she ate - Ndanaaya
Tũnaie - We ate - Tũinaaya
Mũnaie - You ate - Mũinaaya
Manaie - They ate - Mainaaya
Kunywa - To drink
Ninanywie - Ndinaanywa
Ũnanywie - Ndunaanywa
Anaywie - Ndanaanywa
25

Explanaiton on the indefinite past tense will be done at a later stage.
EXERCISE ONE:
Construct meaningful sentences using the words in the brackets.
Example:
Ĩyoo (kũsoma) valua.
Answer
Iyoo ninasomie valua.
Yesterday I read a letter.
1. Ĩyoo (kũandika) valũa.

2. Mwitũ (kũsoma) Kĩswahili.
3. John (kũya) liu wa kwakya.
4. Iyoo (kũnywa) ũki mwingi.
5. We (kuĩma) mũũndanĩ.
6. Ithyĩ (kũthũmũa) kwakya.
EXERCISE TWO;
CHANGE THIS SENTENCE INTO PLURALS;
(a) Ĩyoo nĩnaandĩkĩe valua musyi.

(b) Ninasomie ĩvuku ya kĩkaamba.
(c) Anaie Iĩu na ĩtumbĩ
(d) Unanywie uki wa atumĩa.
(e) Nĩnaĩmie muunda munene.
(f) Unauie nguo nzeo.
(g) Anathumuie vamwe na mwaitu.
EXERCISE THREE:
Fill in the blank using a positive verb in the first gap and a negative verb in the 2nd.
EXAMPLE:
1. (Nyie) Nĩnanywie kaawa ndinaanywa kyai
(a) (We) ____________________ kiwu ___________________ soda.

(b) (We (3rd person) ____________ sota ___________________ ũkĩ.
(c) (Ithyĩ) ______________________ Iĩa ___________________ kaawa.
(d) (Inywĩ) ______________________usũũ __________________ Ĩia.
(e) (Mo) ________________________Kyai __________________ Ĩia.
Andũ aa meya kyaũ na menywa kyaũ? – What foods and drinks are this people
taking?
26

CULTURAL NOTE:
The Kamba community is a generous one. You will always be offered something to
eat and it is considered rude to turn down a food offer. It is therefore advisable to just
taste the food if you don‟t feel like eating.
27

LESSON 6
TOPIC: KUTALA – COUNTING
ISOMO YA THANTATU – LESSONS SIX.
SYINDU SYIANA – HOW MANY ARE THEY?
Ĩmwi kwongela Ĩmwe nĩ ilĩ.

Itano kwongela itatũ nĩ nyanya.
Muonza kwongela ilĩ nĩ keenda.
Itatu kwongela itatũ nĩ thanthatũ.
Ikumi kumya itano nĩ itano.
Ilĩ kumya ĩmwe nĩ ilĩ.
Thathatu kumya itatũ ni itatũ.
Ilĩ kũndũ kũtatũ nĩ thanthatu.
Itatũ kũndũ kũtatũ nĩ keenda.
Ikumi kũndũ kũtatũ nĩ mĩongo itatũ.
Itano kũndũ kũtano nĩ mĩongo ilĩ na ĩtano.
Muonza kũndũ ĩkũmi nĩ mĩongo mũonza.
Itano kumya mĩongo ilĩ nĩ yĩana.
Aya nĩ aũme meana?

Aya nĩ andu ikũmi
Ũyũ nĩ mwalimu umwe.
Mũsũngu umwe.
Asũngũ elĩ.
Aaya nĩ atumia atano.
Aya nĩ Akamba mũonza.
Ithi nĩ ikombe syĩana?

Kĩĩ nĩ kikombe kimwe.
Ithi nĩ ikombe ilĩ.
iatu itatũ.
Isu nĩ isiko mũonza.
Ĩĩya nĩ itungũũ thanthatũ.
Wĩenda ikombe syĩana?
Nĩenda ngili mũonza.
Ĩya nĩ mbaka syĩana?
Ĩsu nĩ mbaka inya.
Ena ngũa nyingĩ.
Ino nĩ ngiti ngũũ.
Ena ngovia nzeo.
Nendete kũnywa sũva inya sya ũkĩ.
28

VOCABULARIES:NDETO NZAU
Vocabulary English Plural

Kũtala To count -
Nĩngũtala I‟m counting -
Ĩmwe One -
Ĩlĩ Two -
Itatũ Three -
Inya Four -
Itano Five -
Thanthatũ Six -
Mũonza Seven -
Nyanya Eight -
Keenda Nine -
Ĩkũmi Ten -
Ĩkũmi na ĩmwe Eleven -
Ĩkũmi na ilĩ Twelve -
Ĩkũmi na ĩtatũ Thirteen -
Ĩkũmi na inya Fourteen -
Miongo ĩlĩ Twenty -
Miongo ĩtatũ Thirty -
Miongo ina Forty -
Miongo ĩtano Fifty -
Miongo thanthatũ Sixty -
Miongo mũonza Seventy -
Miongo nyanya Eighty -
Miongo keenda Ninety -
Ĩana (I/MA) A Hundred Maana
Ĩana yĩmwe One Hundred -
Maana eli Two hundred -
Ngili (N) A thousand Ngili
Ngili ĩmwe One thousand -
Ngili ĩkũmi Ten thousand -
Milioni (N) A million -
Kwongela (verb) To add -
Kumya (verb) To substract -
Kũndũ To multiply -
Mũtũmĩa (Mu/A) An old woman Atumia
Kĩkombe (Kili) Cup Ikombe
Kivila (Kili) Chair Ivila
Kisiko (Kili) Spoon Isiko
Kĩtũngũũ (Kili) Onion Itunguu
Kĩatũ (Kili) Shoe Iatu
Mbaka (N) Cut Mbaka
Ngovia (N) Hat Ngovia
Ngũũ (Adj.) Old -
Nzeo (Adj.) Good, nice, pretty -
Mwalimũ (M /A) Teacher Alimu
29

GRAMMAR EXPLANATION:
Numbers are quantitative adjectives. Numbers one to five when used as adjectives,
take the prefix which agrees with the noun modified.
Examples:
Mũndũ ũmwe - One person
Andũ elĩ - Two people
Andũ atatũ - Three people.
- Ili (two) is a mutable stem.

- Na when preceded by I prefix becomes nya (hence inya).
- The numbers six to ten are never inflected. When talking about things, nouns
always come before adjectives. The noun prefix has to agree with the noun it
modifies.
Example:
Andũ aseo - Good people.
Kivĩla kiseo - A good chair.
Nyũmba nzeo - Good houses.
The adjectival prefixes for N class are abit different from those of the other classes.
This prefixes are: -

N, nd, ng before immutables e.g.
Ngũa ngũũ - An old clothe
Ngitĩ ndaasa - A tall dog.
Mbaka ndwau - A sick cat.
The prefixes before mutables are: -

Mb, ny, nz examples:
Ng‟ombe nzeo - A good cow.
Nthĩ nyũmũ - A dry land.
Nyama mbĩthĩ - Raw meat
Note: Certain consonants change when preceded by N. Loot at the table below.
N before K becomes NG.

N before M becomes M.
N before N becomes N
N before S becomes NZ.
N before T becomes ND.
N before V becomes Mb.
N before W becomes NGW.
This explanation will be detailed at a later stage.
EXERCISE ONE:
SAY IN WORDS:
1, 2, 11, 4, 12, 3, 6, 20, 18, 22, 35, 48, 67, 52, 74, 99, 1000.
30

EXERCISE TWO:
ALYULA – TRANSLATE THESE SENTENCES: -
1. Three cups.
2. Two people.
3. One person.
4. Eight rings.
5. Five good chairs.
6. Three big houses.
7. Four sick cats.
8. Three big cows.
9. They bought three good dogs.
10. My cat is sick.
31

LESSON SEVEN
TOPIC: ŨSYAO
COMPETENCY: ANDŨ MA MŨSYĩ WAKWA – MY FAMILY
DIALOUGE:
Mũtĩsya : Wĩ mũseo mwĩĩtu?

Mwende : Ĩĩ nĩmũseo.
Mũtisya : Wĩtawa ata?
Mwende : Nĩtawa Mwende.
Mũtisya : Ĩthe wakue etawa ata?
Mwende : Ithe wakwa etawa Makaũ.
Mũtisya : Inyia waku etawa ata.
Mwende : Mwaitu etawa syokaũ.
Mũtisya : Kwenyu kwĩ syana inti?
Mwende : Ĩĩ kwi ivĩsĩ ilĩ na mwĩĩtu ũmwe.
Mũtisya : Ũla mũkũũ etawa ata?
Mwende : Ũla mũkũũ etawa Mũtũa, ũngi etawa Mũli na ũngi
etawa Wanza. Kwoou kwitũ ninyie mũnini.
Mũtisya : Nĩ mũvea nũndũ wa kũkũmanya.
Mwende : Ĩĩ n‟ũseo.
32

SOMA KWA WASYA READ ALOUD
Nau wakwa etawa Mutia My father is called Mutia
Uua etawe Ndunge ----------my grandmother is called Ndunge.
Ithe waku etawa ata----------what is you father called/
Mwaitu etawa Mutheu---------My mother us called Mutheu
Maama etawa Kiema--------my uncle is called Kiema.
Mwiitu-a-ia etawa Mukonyo----my sister is called mukonyo
Umau wakwa etawa Maithya----my grandfather is called Maithya
33

SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE – READ ALOUD:
Ĩthe wakwa Mwaitũ ekalaa mũsyĩ.
Ĩthe waku Nau athũkũma Ilovi
Ĩthe wake Au ekalaa va?
Inyia wakwa Mũkũũa etawa Mũli.
Inyia waku Mũinawa etawa Mũtiso.
Inyia wake Mwana wa ĩtina etawa Joel.
Ũyũ nĩ mwaitu Mwana wa kakithathi ni Mũeni.
Ũyũ nĩ Nau Kwitu nĩ Masakũ.
Ũũya nĩ Mwenyu Kwenyu ni Kisumo (Kisumu) kwoo ni Ulaya.
VOCABULARIES:
Vocabularies English Plural:

Nau My / our father -
Au Your father -
Ĩthe His/her/its father -
Mwaitu/inyia My / our mother -
Mwenyu Your mother -
Mũkũũa My elder brother/sister -
Muinawa My younger brother/sister Akũũa
ũmaa My younger brother/sister Ainawa
Ũmau My grandfather
Ũmae His/her grand father
Ũsua / susu My grandmother
Ũsuu Your grandmother
Ũsue His/her grandmother
Mama My uncle on mother‟s side
Mwana mũkũũ First born Ana akũũ
Ĩlumaita Last born Malumaita
Mwendwa-asa My uncle/aunt (on the father‟s side)
Mwendya Aunt (on the mother‟s side).
Mwĩsukũũa My grandchild
Esũkũũa My grandchildren
Mwĩsũkũũu Your grand child
Esukũũu Your grand children
Iatũ sya mũkalya Tyre shoes
GRAMMAR EXPLANATION
The grammar in this lesson is the Possessive Pronouns. This pronoun is formed by an
invariable particle for each person, singular/plural. To this particle a prefix is added
according to the noun standing for the thing possessed. These particles are mutable.
The Invariable Particles are:
Singular Plurals:
- Akwa – mine or my - Aitũ / itũ - Our/ours
- Aku – Yours or your - Enyu - You/yours
- Ake – His or hers - Oo - Their/theirs
34

Below are examples of Possessive Pronouns with some Noun Classes:
MU/A CLASS:
Singular:
Mwalimũ wakwa - My teacher.
Mwalimũ waku - Your teacher.
Mwalimũ wake - His/her teacher.
Alimũ makwa - My teachers.
Alimũ maku - Your teacher
Alimũ maku - His / her teachers.
Plurals:
Mwalimũ witũ - Our teacher.
Mwlaimũ wenyu - Your teacher.
Mwalimũ woo - Their teacher
Alimũ maitũ - Our teachers
Alimũ menyu - Your teachers.
Alimũ moo - Their teachers
MU/MI CLASS:
Singular:
Mũtĩ wakwa - My trees. Miti yakwa - My trees.
Mũtĩ waku - Your tree. Miti yaku - Your trees.
Mũtĩ waku - His/her tree. Miti yake - His/her tree
Mũtĩ witu - Our tree Miti yitu - Our trees
Mũtĩ wenyu - Your tree Miti yenyu - Your tree
Mũtĩ woo - Their tree Miti yoo - Their tree
VA/KU CLASS:
Singular: (Indefinite) Plurals
Kwakwa - My place (home) Kwitu - Our place
Kwaku - Your place Kwenyu - Your place
Kwake - His/her place Kwoo - Their place
(Definite)
Vakwa - My place (home) Vaitu - Our place
Vaku - Your place Venyu - Your place
Vake - His/her place Voo - Their place
EXERCISE ONE – COMPREHENSION:
ANDU MA MUSYI WA MUTISYA:

Nyie nĩtawa Mutisya. Nĩkalaa Masaku na Asyai makwa. Ithe wakwa etawa Mutuku
na mwaitũ etawa Kamene. Nĩna akũũa atano na mũinawa umwe. Mũkũũa ũmwe wa
mwĩĩtu nĩwatwaiwe. Ũmau nake etawa Kithekal. We nĩ mũkũũ mũno; na ena myaka
mĩongo nyanya. Ũsũũ nĩwakwie. Ũmau nĩwũkaa kutukethya mavinda maingĩ. We
ekalaa mũsyĩ wa Kitui. Nau nake athũkũmaa Ilovi. Atesaa aitũ sya mĩkalya. Mwaitũ
35

ndathũkamaa. Ekala na Esũkũũe vaa mũsyĩ. Mũkũũa ũmwee athũkũmaa Thika. We
nĩ mwalimũ na etawa Kitheka ta umau. Nyie ndithũkũmaa ĩndĩ nĩnzomaa.
MAKŨLYO – QUESTONS:
1. Nyie nĩtawa ata?
2. Asyali makwa mekalaa va?
3. Asyai makwa metawa ata?
4. Kwitũ twi andu meana?
5. Umau ena mayka yĩana?
6. Umau ekalaa va?
7. Nau athũkumaa wĩa mwaũ?
8. Raphel athũkũmaa va?
9. Nyie nithũkũmaa wĩa mwaũ?
A) Andika ngewa iulu wa andu ma musyi waku.

B) Wendete mũsyĩ wina andũ aingĩ kana andũ aninin? Elesya.
EXERCISE TWO – SŨNGŨA MAKŨLYO AA – ANSWER THESE

QUESTIONS:
(a) Ĩthe waku etawa ata?
(b) Inyia waku etawa ata?
(c) Ũma etawa ata?
(d) Ũsũũ etawa ata?
(e) Kwenyu mwĩ andũ meana?
(f) Au athukumaa va?
(g) Mũkũu etawa ata?
(h) Mũinau etawa ata?
(i) Mũndũ ũla mũkũũ kwenyu etawa ata?
(j) Ikumaita kwenyu yĩtawa ata?
EXERCISE THREE – ALYŨLA – TRANSLATE

(1) I have a big family.
(2) My father is a teacher.
(3) My grandmother is dead.
(4) I‟m a student.
(5) My two sisters are married.
(6) Their parents are farmers.
(7) My elder brother lives in Nairobi.
(8) Her grand children are very good.
Write sentences using . verbs given on the picture to describe the role of an Africa
woman the community
36

Kuvua ngua
Kuvua ngua kusuvia mutumia
Kuuta kiwu
Kutetheesya syana kusoma
Kuthi
soko/ndunyu
Kukima mbemba
Kuthukuma uvisi
Kukua mwana
Kuthia mbemba
Kuna ngu
kuima
kuthambya
kuima
CULTURAL NOTE:
In the Kamba tradition the family inlcues all relatives. As the children grow up, they
are expected to meet and know all their existing relatives. Very often people will use
the noun musee (old man) when referring to their father as a third person. This is
viewed as a sign of respect.
37

LESSON EIGHT isomo ya ikumi na
nyaanya.
TOPIC: MŨKAAWANI/ŨTELINI
COMPETENCY: KWITYA LIU – ORDERING FOOD:
DIALOGUE ONE:
Kitili :
Ũvoo waku?
Weita : Nĩ mũseo. Wĩenda kũya kyaũ?

Kitili : Kwĩna lĩu mwaũ?
Weita : Kwina ngima, nyama mũsele makũyũ na isyo.
Kitili : Ndetee ngima na nyama.
Weita : Na wĩenda kũnywa kyaũ?
Kitili : Wĩna sota mũthithu.
Weita : Ĩi.
Kitili : Aaya. Ndetee sota wa fanta mũthithu.
Weita : Osa sota indi eteela lĩu vanini.
Kitili : Nĩ mũvea.
DIALOGUE B:
Kilonzo : Kũilyi ata mwanake?

Weita : Ni kũseo. Niweetya Iiu?
Kilonzo : Aiee ndinetya.
Weita : Wĩya kĩ?
Kilonzo : Ndetee maluu na nyama ya mbui.
38

Weita : Na wĩnywa kyau?
Kilonzo : Wĩna ukĩ muthithu?
Weita : Ĩĩ wĩnywa wĩku?
Kilonzo : Ndetee tusker nthithu; na gilasi.
Waita : Osa.
Dick : Weita, ndetee mũnyũ.
Kilonzo : Ĩĩ kwata.
Wĩenda lĩu mwaũ?

Wĩenda matumbĩ.
Wĩenda kyavati.
Eenda ngũkũ.
Nĩenda kyai.
Eenda sota mũthithu.
Nĩweetya Iĩu?
Ĩĩ nĩeneetya.
Nĩweetya.
Ndetee kyai.
Muetee ũsũũ.
Nenga ĩia.
Maetee Iiu.
Tũetee uki mũvyũ.
Nienda ĩia ithithu.
Ethĩwa nĩ vatonyeka ndetee kĩwu kya kũnywa.
Nenge kyai na mũkate.
Nwenge mũnyũ na kavyũ.
Ndetee ĩsyo ĩsaani yĩmwe.
Mũetee Iĩu mĩtũkĩ. Eiwa nzaa mũno.
Nĩĩwa nzaa.
Wĩĩwa nzaa
Eĩwa nzaa.
Nĩnyaya Iĩu.
Nĩnamina kũya.
Syana nĩsyavũna.
Vocabularies English Plurals:

Kwĩtya To order -
Kũvũna To be full/satisfied -
Kũya To eat -
Kũnywa To drink -
Kavyũ Knife Tuvyu
Ĩsaani Plate Masaani.
Kũmina To finish -
Mũkaawa Restaurant Mikaawa
Mĩtũkĩ Fast/quickly -
-Vyũ Hot -
-Thithu Cold -
Kwĩwa To hear/to feel -
39

Nĩĩwa nzaa I‟m hungry (feel hungry) -
Ndetee Bring me Tuetee
Muetee Bring him/her Maetee
Nenge Give me Tunenge
Kwĩna There is
Tũnga Return (something)
Osa Take
Kwata Hold it, have it.
Nĩnavũna I‟m full, satisfied
The grammar in this lesson is the immediate past tense. It refers to an action which
has just taken place. Some tiems it is used to express something as “complete in
thought but not in action.” The tense particle is „a‟ and it is mutable.
Examples:
Nĩnaya - I have just eaten.
Ndinaya - I haven‟t just eaten.
Nĩnasomaa - I have just read.
Ndinasoma - I haven‟t just read.
Nĩnavuma - I have just full/satisfied.
Ndinavuna - I‟m not full/satisified
Nĩnathi - I‟ve gone/I‟m gone.
Sometiems we say this yet still standing thus expressing a verb
complete in thought but not in action.
EXERCISE ONE:
TURN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES INTO NEGATIVE:
1. Nĩnanya Iĩu mwingĩ.
2. Nĩneetya Iĩu.
3. Nĩtwaya.
4. Nĩmasoma mavuku maseo.
5. Nĩenda kuya ĩkuyu na maluu.
6. Aamelika maya Iĩu na moko.
7. Nĩenda kuya ngima na yĩia.
8. Monicah eetya ĩsaani yĩmwe ya muthokoi.
9. Nĩnathi Ilovi.
10. Nĩnamina kuya Iĩu wakwa.
EXERCISE TWO – TRANSLATE – ALYŨLA

(a) I have finished eating.
(b) we have played football.
(c) David and Kim are satisfied (with food).
(d) They have ordered cold milk and bread.
(e) We have rested after working.
(f) We have woken up well.
EXERCISE THREE:
40

FINISH UP THESE DIALOGUES;
Weita : Wĩ museo customa.
Customa : Ĩĩ nĩ museo.
Weita : Wĩenda kuya kyaũ?
Customa : Ndetee
Ninakubali.
Weita : ______________________ Pia mimi
Customa : ______________________ ninaipenda.
Weita : ______________________
Katika hoteli hii
kuna kahawa
nzuri sana.
Ungependa
kula nini
Niletee ugalileo?
na sukuma
wiki tafadhali.
CULTURAL NOTE:
In some local hotels there is no water to wash your hands unless you ask for it.ni other
hotels menus are written on the walls.dont be surprised when you order for food from
the menu and you are told it is not available.
41

LESSON NINE
ĨSOMO YA KEENDA
TOPIC: MBESA NA THOOA – MONEY AND PRICES:
SOMA KWA WASYA MŨNENE – READ ALOUD
II nĩ mbesa syiana?
Isu nĩ silingi ngili ĩmwe.
Isu nĩ silingi itano.
Isu nĩ silingi ĩkumi.
John ena mbesa syiana?

Ena silingi maana elĩ.
Ena ndola ĩana imwe.
Ena mbesa mbingĩ.
Kuu America waĩna mbesa syiana?

Naĩ na ndola milioni ĩmwe.
Naĩ na ndola ngili ĩmwe.
Ndyaĩ na mbesa.
Ndola ĩmwe yĩna silingi syiana?

Yĩna silingi miongo thanthatũ.
Yĩna silingi mĩongo nyaanya.
Yĩna silingi mĩongo ĩtano na sumunĩ.
42

Mwalimũ ena mbesa syiana?
Ena mbesa nini?
Ndena mbesa.
Ena mangotole elĩ na ndululu.
Wina mbesa syiana?

Nĩna silingi itano.
Nĩna mangotole thanthatũ.
Nĩna silingi mũonza.
Muasya ena mbesa syiana?
Ena noti ya silingi ĩana.
Ena noti ya silingi miongo ĩlĩ.
Ena oti ya silingi mĩongo itano.
Iyoo unaĩ na mbesa syiana?

Ninaĩ na silingi ĩana.
Nĩnai na ndola milioni ĩmwe.
Nĩnaĩ na mbesa nyingĩ.
Ũni ũkeethiwa na mbesa syiana?

Ngeethĩwa na mbesa nini.
Ngeethĩwa na ngili itano.
Ndikethĩwa na mbesa
Waĩ na kyaũ Amerika?

Naĩ na ngali nzeo.
Naĩ na muunda munene.
Naĩ na syana ilĩ.
VOCABULARIES:
Singular Plural English

Mbesa Mbesa Money
Noti Noti Note
Silingi Silingi Shilling
Sumuni Sumuni Fifty cent coin
Ing‟otole Mang‟otole A ten cent coin
Ndululu Ndululu Afive cent coin
Nĩna - I have
Wĩna - You have
Ena - He/she has
Ndola Ndola Dollar
Nĩnaĩ na - I had (yesterday)
Nai na - I had (long ago)
Ngeethĩwa na - I will have
GRAMMAR EXDPLANATION:
43

Possessive Suffix “NA”
The Suffix – „NA‟ when put together with subject prefixes in a particular noun class,
in Kikamba denotes possession. It is equivalwent to the verb “have/has” in English.
Literally it means “to be with.” It also expresses a state of a person or a thing.
Examples:
Nĩna mbesa. - I have money
Wĩna syana. - You have children.
Ena saa. - He/she has a watch.
Ndina ivuku. - I don‟t have a book.
Ndwina ngalĩ. - You don‟t have a vehicle.
Ndena kalamu. - He/she doesn‟t have a pen
Nĩna nzaa. - I am hungry.
Ena utanu - He‟s happy.
In past and future tenses to have is expressed as follows:
Ninaĩ na - (Yesterday) I have

Ngeethĩwa na - I‟ll have
Examples:
Iyoo nĩnaĩ na mbesa - Yesterday I had money.
Unĩ ngeethiwa na mbesa - Tommorrow I‟ll have money.
Iyoo nĩnaĩ na nzaa - Yesterday I was hungry.
Unĩ ngeethĩwa na nyumba - Tommorrow I‟ll have a house.
Kĩkombe kĩna kĩwu. - The cup has water)

Ikombe syĩna kĩwu. - Cups have water ) kii class
Itunda yĩna muyo. - The fruit (has) is sweet)

Matunda mena muyo. - The fruits are sweet ) I/Ma Class
EXERCISE ONE
SŨNGĨA MAKŨLYO NA – ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
1. Umuthĩ wĩna wĩa mwingĩ? Ĩĩ _______________________________.

2. Moses ena mbesa umunthĩ Aiee _______________________________.
3. Wĩna nzaa? Ĩĩ _______________________________.
4. Mwana uya ena kalamu? Aiee _______________________________.
5. Syana syĩna Iĩu? Ĩĩ _______________________________.
6. Kĩkombe kĩna kĩwũ? Aiee _______________________________.
7. Nyũmba yĩna mũango? Ĩĩ _______________________________.
8. Mwalimu ena wauni? Aiee _______________________________.
9. Umũnthĩ wina ndawa? Aiee_______________________________.
10. Kiio ena nduka? Ĩĩ _______________________________.
EXERCISE TWO:
44

Use the possessive suffix Na in present, past and future (both positive and negative) to
fill in the gaps.
Examples:
Ĩyoo ndinaaya nũndũ _____________________________________ Iiu.

Ĩyoo ndinaaya nundu na Iiu.
1. Iyoo ndineeuka nundu ______________________ wia mwingi.

2. Ndyĩsĩ nĩ saa syiana __________________________ saa.
3. Ndanaua nyama nundu ____________________________ mbesa.
4. Mwana uyu ______________________________ nzaa. Enenda Iiu.
5. Uni ____________________________ mbesa mbingi. Ngathi Ilovi.
EXERCISE THREE:
Change these sentences into negatives:

Examples:
1. Nĩna wĩa mwingĩ – Ndina wia mwingi.

(a) Mwaitũ ena syana nyingi.
(b) Nĩna saa nzeo.
(c) Wĩna mwalimũ mũseo.
(d) Uni kũkeethĩwa na mbua.
(e) Mwana ũyũ nĩ mũwau. Ena ndetema.
(f) Umunthĩ kwĩna mbua.
(g) Ithyĩ twĩna mbesa mbingĩ.
(h) Ũmũnthĩ nĩngunywa kyai nũndũ nĩna sukali.
EXERCISE FOUR:
Ena kyau? – What does he/she have?
45

46

ISOMO YA IKUMI – LESSON TEN:
TOPIC:KUTHOOA/SHOPPING/NĨ MBESA SYĨANA? – HOW MUCH IS

IT?
COMPETENCY:PURCHASING ITEMS;
DIALOGUE A:
Mutinda : Mwaitũ wi mũseo?
Mũthoosya : Iĩ nĩkũseo. Wĩenda kũthooa kyaũ?
Mutinda : Nĩenda kũthooa sati. Nĩ mbesa syiana?
Mũthoosya : Sati nĩ silingi maana elĩ na mĩongo ĩtano.
Mutinda : Ũsu nĩ thooa mũnene mũno. Nthooesya sati nesa.
Mũthoosya : Usu nĩ thooa munini. Wienda kuiva mbesa syiana?
Mutinda : Nyie nĩna silingi iana yĩmwe. Ndina mesa ingĩ.
Mũthoosya : Ongela silingi miongo itano. Ino ni sati nzaũ.
Mutida : Aaya. Kwata.
Mũthoosya : Nĩ mũvea.
DIALOGUE B:
Kilonzo : Ũvoo waku mwanake.
Mũthoosya : Nĩ mũseo wĩenda kũũa kyaũ?
Kilonzo : Nĩenda mũsele. Wĩta ata?
Mũthoosya : Kilo kĩmwe nĩ silingi miongo ilĩ.
Kilonzo : Wĩta vinya ũu nĩki?
Mũthoosya : Usu ti thooa mũthũku. Wĩenda kũthooa kwa mbesa syiana?
Kilonzo : Nina silingi ĩkumi na itano.
47

Mũthoosya : Aiee. Nĩngũkwata ngalama.
Kilonzo : Eka ngũnenge silingi ĩkũmi na thanthatũ kwa kilo
kĩmwe.
Mũthoosya : Aiee. Ongela silingi ĩmwe.
Kilonzo : Kwata.
Mũthoosya : Nũu. enda nesa.
Kilonzo: : Tiwa nesa.
READ ALOUD:
Wĩta ata mũsele?

Wĩta ata mboso?
Wĩta ata mbemba?
Wĩthoosya kyaũ?
Nĩthoosya mboka.
Nĩthoosya matunda.
Nĩthoosya ngũa.
Musele kilo kĩmwe nĩ mbesa syiana?

Nĩ silingi mĩongo ĩlĩ.
Nĩ silingi mĩongo itatũ.
Nĩ silingi mĩongo ĩtano.
Wĩta ata maluuu?

Nĩthoosya silingi ĩana kwa ĩleve.
Nĩthoosya silingi mĩongo keenda kwa ĩleve.
Nĩthoosya silingi ĩkumi kwa kilio.
Wĩthoosya ata ĩsungwa?

Nĩ silingi ĩana.
Nĩ silingi ĩkumi.
Usu nĩ thooa mũnene.

Usu nĩ thooa mũnini.
Usu nĩ thooa mũseo.
Nĩta ngũa laisi mũno.

Wĩta ngũa vĩnya muno.
Eta ngũa nesa.
Thooa wa Iĩu nũvandie.

Thooa wa matunda nũvalukile.
Ethiwa nũtonya, theesya thooa vanini.
theesya silingi ilĩ.
theesya silingi itano.
ola silingi ũmwe.
ongela silingi ũmwe.
48

Vocabularies English Plural
Kũthooa To buy -
Mũthooi Buyer Athooi
Mũthoosya Seller Athoosya
Mbesa syiana? How much money? -
Thooa Buy -
Kũta To sell -
Wĩta ata? How much are you selling? -
Wĩthoosya ata? How much are you selling? -
Ongela Add -
Theesya thooa/vungusya thooa Reduce -
Ĩleve A debe -
Kilo A kilogram -
Kũthima To weigh -
Vinya Expensive -
Laisi Cheap -
Kwoou Therefore -
Asala Loss -
Mũsele Rice Mĩsele
Sati Shirt Sati
Mboso Beans Mboso
Nguũa Clothes Ngũa
itunda Fruits Matunda
Liu Food Malĩu
Ethĩwa If -
Ethĩwa nũtonya If you can -
Kũtonya To be able -
Mboka Vegetables Mboka
Mũingo Abroad -
Note:
The possible grammar in this lesson is the present tense. it has been covered in a
previous lesson.
EXERCISE ONE
(a) Ũvoo waku?
(b) Nĩ museo. Wenda kũthooa kyaũ?
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) Nĩ silingi maaana nyaanya na mĩongo ĩtano.
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) Ũsu ti thooa mũthũku. Wĩenda kũĩva mbesa syiana?
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) Nditonya kwosa maana atano. Saa ĩno nĩ nzaũ kuma mũingo.
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) Aiee. Ongela mĩongo ĩtano kwa maana thanthantũ
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) Nĩ mũvea. enda nesa.
(a) Naku tiwa nesa.
49

EXERCISE TWO – FILL IN THE GAPS.
SOMA NGEWA INO – READ THIS STORY
Ithe wa Mwĩkali nĩ mũndu wa viasala. atesaa syĩndũ ta ngũa, matunda, na Iĩu.
Auaa/thooa ngũa syake Ndukani kwa muindi. Atesaa ngũa syake vinya nundu syĩ
vinya koneka. Mita ĩmwe ya nuga ni silingi iana imwe.
Ithe wa Mwĩkali atesaa matunda na Iĩu kwa thooa mũseo. Mboso kilo kĩmwe ni
silingi miongo itaano. Ethiwa mũthooi nĩwalea, Ithe was Mwĩkali nũtonya kũtheesya
thooa nginya silingi miongo ina. Ota ũu, ĩthe wa Mwĩkali nutesaa mbemba ikunia
yimwe kwa silingi ngili imwe. Uu ni thooa wa kwambiia, indi mũthooi alea nũtonya
kũtheesya thooa nginya silingi keenda . Ũũ nĩ thooa wa mwiso.
Sungia Makulyo aa – Answer these questions: -
1. Ithe was Mwĩkali athũkũmaa wĩa mwaũ?

2. Atesaa syĩndu myaũ?
3. Nĩkĩ ĩthe wa Mwĩkali utesaa ngũa vinya?
4. Mita itatu sya kĩtambaa nĩ mbesa syiana?
5. Kwa thooa mũseo mboso kilo kimwe ni mbesa syĩana?
6. Mbemba ĩkunia yĩmwe ni mbesa syĩana.
7. Memba ĩkunia yĩmwe kwa thooa wa mwĩso nĩ mbesa syiana?
8. We nĩ wendete wĩa wa viasala? Nĩkĩ?
CULTURAL NOTE:
Like in other African communities bargaining in the Kamba culture is part of
business. It is therefore considered important for any learner to be familiar with this
vocabuilaries for better survival and functioning. Generally, the buyer‟s idea is to buy
cheaply while the seller intends to get omse profit.; so welcome to the land of
bargaining and do it wit hus. Good luck.
50

- LESSON ELEVEN----ISOMO YA IKUMI NA
IMWE.
-
TOPIC;-YŨ NĨ SAA SYIANA? – WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
COMPETENCY:TALK ABOUT DAILY ACTIVITIES

;TELL TIME APPROPRIATLY.
DIALOGUE: NGEWA YA MBEE;

Frank : Nayu Mũsyoka?
Mũsyoka : Nĩ kũseo. Ũvoo waku?
Frank : Nĩ nesa. Ũmũnthĩ ũamũkie saa syiana?
Mũsyoka : Umũnthĩ nyie nĩamũkie saa ĩkumi na ilĩ.
Frank : Wamima kũamuka wikei ata?
Mũsyoka : Kĩla mũthenya naamũka, nĩnĩthambaa mwĩĩ, nĩnĩsanuaa nzwĩĩ
na ĩndĩ nĩnĩkĩaaa ngũa sya sukulu.
Frank : We nũnyusaa kyai kĩla kwakya?
Mũsyoka : Aiee, ndinyusaa kyai kwkya indi nĩnĩsyokaa mũsyi saa inya
kũnywa
Frank : Nyie ndinyusaa kyai kwakya nũndũ ndyendete kũselewa
ni sukulu. Yu nĩ saa syiana?
Mũsyoka : Saa ii nĩ saa ũmwe na nyusu.
Frank : Tũsembe ĩndĩ tũikaselewe.
Mũsyoka : Ĩĩ tũsembe.
SYOMA KWA WASYA MŨNENE – READ ALOUD:
Yu nĩ saa syiana?
Yu nĩ saa ũmwe.
Yu nĩ saa ilĩ.
Yu nĩ saa itatũ na nyusu sya kwakya.
Saa itano itielye ndatĩka mĩongo ĩlĩ.
We ũnednaa wĩanĩ saa syiana?

Nyie nĩendaa wĩani saa ilĩ na ndatĩka ĩkũmi.
we nũendaa wĩanĩ saa ilĩ na nusu.
Mo manendaa wĩanĩ saa ũmwe ki.
Inywĩ mũamũkaa saa syiana?

Nyie nĩamukaa saa kũmi na ũmwe na ndatĩka ikũmi na itano.
Nyie nĩamũkaa saa kũmi na ilĩ na ndatika miongo ĩlĩ.
Nyie nĩamũkaa saa ũmwe na ndatĩka ikũmi na ilĩ.
Ithyĩ tũamũkaa saa ilĩ itieleye kwota.
Namina kũamũka, nĩnĩkĩaa ngũa.

Namina kũamũka nĩnĩsanũaa nzwĩĩ.
51

Nĩnĩswakaa maeo.
Nĩnĩĩsaa Iĩu wa kwakya.
Nĩnĩthambaa mwĩĩ.
We ũvikaa mũsyĩ saa syiana?

Nyie nĩvikaa mũsyĩ saa ilĩ sya wĩoo.
Nĩvikaa mũsyĩ saa keenda.
Nivikaa mũsyĩ katambanga.
Nivikaa mũsyĩ ngũkũ syasya.
Nivikaa mũsyĩ utuku katĩ.
Nyie nĩvikaa mũsyi kwatuka.
Mwambĩĩaa masomo saa syiana?

Twambĩĩaa masomo saa ũmwe.
Twambĩĩaa masomo saa itano.
We unyusaa kyai kya kwakya saa syiana?

Nĩnyusaa kyai saa umwe na nyusu.
Nĩnyusaa kyai saa ilĩ itielye kwota.
Nĩnyusaa kyai saa itatũ.
Mo mathũmũaa saa syiana?

Mathũmũaa saa kũmi sya mawĩoo.
Mathũmũaa kwatuka.
Mathumuaa ũtukũ katĩ.
Vocabularies English Plural

Saa Time Saa
Saa ũmwe Seven O‟clock -
Saa ilĩ Eight Oclock -
Saa itatũ Nine O‟clock -
Saa inya Ten O‟clock -
Saa itano Eleven O‟clock -
Saa sita Twelve O‟clock -
Saa mũonza One O‟clock -
saa nyaanya Two O‟clock -
saa keenda Three O‟clock -
saa ĩkũmi Four O‟clock -
saa ikũmi na ũmwe Five O‟clock -
Saa ikũmi na ilĩ Six O‟clock -
Ndakĩka Minutes Ndatika
Nusu Half past -
Kwota Quarter past -
Itielye Less -
Kwakya Morning -
Saa umwe wa kwakya Seven O‟clock in the morning
Mũthenya Day -
Ũtukũ Night -
52

Mawĩoo Evenings -
Katambanga, syua yĩkĩũngama Noon (when the sun stands up)
Syua yathũa About six (sun down)
Syua yikĩthũa About five thirty (sun going down)
Ngũkũ syasya Cockcrow
Kwatuka After dark
Ũtukũ katĩ Midnight

Ngũkũ syasya About four O‟clock (when cock crow)
Syua yauma About six O‟clock (sun up)
Kwakya Morning
Yu Now
Nayu? How are you now (greetings for agemates)
1. Time in Kikamba is based on twelve hours of daylioght and tweleve hours of

darkness. 7.00am is usually the first hour of the day. Minutes past the hour are
oftenly counted up to thirty.
For example:
7.10 - Saa ũmwe na ndatĩka ĩkũmi.
7.20 - Saa ũmwe na ndatika miongo ilĩ.
7.15 - Saa ũmwe na kwota.
From thirty one minutes onwards, minutes to the following hour are given with
the word – “itielye” – meaning less.
For example:
8.40 - Saa itatũ itielye ndatika mĩongo ilĩ.
8.55 - Saa itatũ itielye ndatika ĩtano.
2. We have also used the habiutal tense in this lesson. It denotes something done or
repeated habitually over a period of time. Sometiems it may signify intension,
though the action was not carried out. The tense sign is „a‟ and it usually precedes
the final vowel or verbn ending.
Examples:
Enda - Go - Endaa (habitual) - always goes
Ona - See - Onaa (habitual) - always sees
Manya - Understand Manyaa (habitual) - always understands
Nenga - Give - Nengaa (habitual) - always gives
3. For monosyllabic verbstems ending in w, change the „w‟ to u and then add „sa‟
before the final „a‟.
Nywa - Drink - Nyusaa
Kwa - Die - Kusaa (die in general)
53

4. Monosyllabic verb stems ending in y, change y to I and add „sa‟ before the final
„A‟.
Ya - Eat - Ĩsaa
Vya - Be cooked - Vĩsaa
EXERCISE ONE:
Asya kwa Kikamba – Say in Kikamba
Kwa Ngelekanyo – For example:
8.30 a.m. - Saa ilĩ na nusu sya kwakya.
(a) 10.10 a.m.

(b) 12.00 noon
(c) 6.30 p.m.
(d) 12.30 p.m.
(e) 5.00 a.m.
(f) 11.30 a.m.
(g) 9.45 a.m.
(h) 1.00 p.m.
(i) 2.25 p.m.
(j) 6.25 a.m.
EXERCISE TWO:
Sũngia makũlyo aa – Answer this questions:
(1) We ũvikaa sukulu saa syiana?

(2) Wambiiaa kũsoma saa syiana?
(3) Ũamukaa saa syiana?
(4) Ũamukaa kũsoma saa syiana?
(5) Ũvikaa mũsyĩ saa syiana?
(6) Ũthumuaa vandu va ndatika syiana?
COMPREHENSION:
Kavĩsĩ kaa ketawa Kĩoko. Kĩoko nĩ kavisi kaseo. Kĩla kwakya Kĩoko aamũkaa saa
kũmi na ilĩ. Ĩtina wa kũamũka Kioko nũthambaa mwii. Amina kũthamba Kĩoko
nũsanũaa nzwĩĩ saa kũmi na ilĩ na nyusu na nĩwĩkĩaa ngũa sya sukulu.
Kĩoko amina maũndũ asu nĩ ũendaa ĩikonĩ kũnywa kyai. Nyiny‟a wa Kĩoko nĩ kĩveti
kĩseo na nĩ kĩsĩ kũua muno. Kĩoko nũnyusaa kyai na nĩ uĩsaa ĩtumbĩ yĩmwe.
Mĩthenya ĩngĩ Kĩoko nĩ ũnyusaa ũsũũ na matunda ta maiũ kana masungwa
54

Amina kũya Kioko nũswakaa maeo na ĩndĩ nĩwosaa mavuku make na kũthi sukulu.
Kila mũthenya Kĩoko ndaseleawa. We avikaa sukulu saa ilĩ itielye ndatĩka ĩkũmi na
itano. Mwalimũ ambĩĩaa masomo saa ilĩ ki.
EXERCISE THREE:
YU NĨ SAA SYIANA? – WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
K Ĩ OKO E Ĩ KA ATA? - WHAT IS KOKO DOING?
MAKULYO – QUESTIONS:
(1) Kĩoko aamũkaa saa syiana?

(2) Asanuaa nzwĩĩ saa syiana?
(3) Amina kwĩkĩa ngua Kĩoko ekaa ata?
(4) Kĩla kwakya Kĩoko anyusaa ũsũũ?
(5) Kĩoko aisaa matunda meku?
(6) Avikaa sukulu saa syiana?
(7) masomo mambĩĩaa saa syiana?
55

CULTURAL NOTE;
Before the coming of Europeans the Akamba reckoned time by the sun or by events in
their lives. Even today the elderly men judy look at the sun and tell the time which in
most cases is a few mintues past or less. That‟s why we have phrases like:
Ngũkũ syasya (when cocks crow) for four o‟clock..
Syua yauma (sun up) for six o‟clock.
56

Makwakya (when the morning clears) aobut nine o‟clock.
Syua yikiungama (when the sun stands up) noon.
Syua yathũa (when the sun goes down) about six p.a.
Kwatuka (after dark).
Mawĩoo (evenings) as from three o‟clock.
Therefore when you have meetings with women groups, at the field you need
to be flexible since to us any time between seven o‟clock and theve is still
morning.
57

LESSON TWELVE
ISOMO YA IKUMI NA ILI

ŨMŨNTHI NI MŨTHENYA WĨKŨ? – WHAT DAY IS IT?
Mwalimũ : Syana mwĩ aseo?

John/Mary : Ii twĩ aseo mwalimũ.
Mwalimũ : Umunthĩ nĩtuuvunga sukulu. Ivinda ya kũthũmũa mũkeeka
ata?
John : Wathanthatũ tũkathũmũa mũsyĩ – ĩndĩ wa kwambĩlĩĩlya
tũkatetheesya nau kũĩma mũũndanĩ.
Mary : Wakelĩ mwalimũ nyie ngavũa ngũa nake John akakũna vasi.
Wakatatũ John we ũkeeka ata?
John : Ivinda ya kũthũmũa kĩla wakatatũ nyie nĩnendete kũthi kũtea
Makũyũ vamwe na anyanyawa.
Mwalimũ : Naku Mary wikaa ata kila wakatatũ?
Mary : Mũthenya wa wakatatũ ni sua wa ndũnyũ. Kwoou nyie
niniendaa sokoni vamwe na mwaitũ.
John : Wakana ithyi nitũendaa kũthaũka mũvila vamwe na anyanyae
maitũ. Mary athaũkaa mũvila wa moko nakwa nĩthaũkaa
muvila wa maũũ
Mwalimũ : Wakatano mwikaa ata?
Mary : Kila wakatano tuendaa kwa sũsũ kũmũkethya. Twikalaa kwa
sũsũ nginya masaa ma wioo na indi tũisyoka mũsyĩ.
Mwalimũ : Wakyumwa nimũendaa kyuma?
John : Iĩ kĩla wakyumwa nitũendaa ĩkanisanĩ vamwe na mwaitũ na
nau.
Mwalimũ : Aaya. Nĩneewa mwĩ syana nzeo. Muikolwe nĩ kũsoma
mavuku menyu kĩla mũthenya.
John/Mary : Aya nĩ asande mwalimũ?
SOMA KWA WASYA MŨNENE – READ ALOUD:

Ũmũnthi ni mũthenya wikũ?
Ũmunthi nĩ wa keli.
Ũmunthi nĩ wakyumwa.
Ũmũnthi nĩ wakatano.
Iyoo kũnaĩ wa keana?

Iyoo kũnaĩ wa kelĩ.
Iyoo kũnaĩ wa katatũ.
Ũni kũkeethĩwa mũthenya wa keana?

Ũnĩ kũkeethĩwa wa kelĩ.
Ũnĩ kũkeethĩwa wa katatũ.
Iso kwaĩ wa keana?

Iso kwaĩ wathanthatũ.
Iso kwaĩ wakyumwa.
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Uni kukeethĩwa wa kwambĩlĩĩlya?
Aiee kuikethĩwa wa kwambĩlĩĩlya.
Kũikethĩwa wakana.
Kũkethiwa wakelĩ.
Ũũ ni mwei wakeana?
Ũũ nĩ mwei wa mbee.
Ũũ nĩ mwei wa keli.
Ũũ nĩ mwei wa sikũkũ.
Wakatatu mwĩkaa ata?

Wakatatu tuendaa ndũnyũ.
Wakatatu tuendaa wĩanĩ.
Wakatatu tuendaa sukulu.
Wakyumwa mwĩkaa ata?

wakyumwa tũendaa ikanisanĩ
Wakyumwa nĩtũvũaa ngũa.
Mwai was nyaanya nĩtũvungaa sukulu.

Mwai wa sikũkũ nĩtũthũmũaa mũsyĩ.
VOCABULARIES ENGLISH PLURAL

Wakwambĩlĩĩlya Monday -
Wakelĩ Tuesday -
Wakatatũ Wednesday -
Wakana Thursday -
Wakatano Friday -
Wathanthatũ Saturday -
Ikanisa Church Makanisa
Mwai wa mbee January -
Mwai wa kelĩ February -
Mwai wa katatũ March -
Mwai wa kana April -
Mwai wa katano May -
Mwai wa thanthatũ June -
Mwai wa mũonza July -
Mwai wa nyaanya August -
Mwai wa keenda September -
Mwai wa ĩkũmi October -
Mwai wa ĩkũmi na ũmwe November -
Mwai wa ikũmi na ilĩ December -
Sukulu School -
Kũvũa ngũa To wash clothes -
Kũkũna vasi To iron -
Ndũnyũ Market -
Kyumwa Week Syuma
Ũmũnthĩ Today -
59

Ũnĩ Tomorrow -
Aũke The day after tomorrow -
Iyoo Yesterday -
Iso Day before yesterday -
Mwai wa sikũkũ Month of Christmas -
Kĩla mũthenya Everyday -
Kũkethwa Will be -
Kwaĩ It was / there was -
Mũthenya wĩva? Which day? -
Indĩĩ when -
Wa keana? What day? -
Wĩa Work -
Kuthũmũa To rest -
Kwĩthwa / kwĩthwa To be -
Wĩa wa viasala Business -
Wĩa wa nyũmba House work -
Kũĩma Cultivate -
Kũtetheesya To assist/help -
Kũnyithya To water/irrigate -
Kũtũa To pluck off/harvest -
Atusaa, manyaanya Usually harvests tomatoes -
kwĩyumbania To prepare one self -
Ikovisi Cabbage Makovisi
Kũvanda To plant -
GRAMMAR:
A possible grammar in this lesson is the verb to be. The present form of this verb in
(MU/A) Class has already been dealt with. Here we are going to talk aobut the Va/Ku
Class and a few examples of other noun classes. In Va/Ku class present form we say:
Ũmũnthĩ nĩ wakelĩ – Today is Tuesday.
the future of the verb to be is eformed by the subject prefix + the future tense marker
+ the stem (ithiwa) which means to be. nce:
Subject prefix + future tense marker + stem (ĩthĩwa)

Kũ + K (a + I) ĩthĩwa.
Kũkeethĩwa Example:
Ũni kukeethĩwa wakeana?

Tommorrow will be what day?
Aũke kũkeethĩwa mũthenya wĩva?
The day after tomorrow will be which day?
Note: The above two examples are the immediate future tense.
The verb to be in the past tense (Va/Kũ) is: -
Yesterday past tense; It is formed by the subject prefix + tesne marker “na2
preceeding, e.g.
60

Iyoo kũnaĩ wakyumwa – Yesterday was Sunday.
Iyoo kũnaĩ wathanthatu – Yesterday was Saturday.
With the indefinite past tenses the verb to be is formed by subject prefix + tense
marker „a‟ preceedung „i e.g.
Iso kwaĩ wakelĩ – The day before yesterday was Tuesday. With other noun classes
the following are some examples with the verb to be.
MU/A Class: Mwalimu uyu anaĩ muwau (yesterday past).

This teacher was sick.
Alimu aya mania awau.
These teachers were sick.
Uni mwana uyu akeethĩwa sukulu.
Tommorrow this child will be in school.
I/Ma
Sing. Wakyumwa ĩembe yĩĩ yaĩ muundanĩ.
On Sunday this hoe was at the garden.
P1 Wakyuma maembe aa maĩ muundanĩ.
Immediate future: Wakyumwa ĩembe yĩĩ yĩkeethĩwa muundanĩ.

Next Sunday this hoe will be at the garden.
P1 Wakyuma maembe aa makeethiwa muundani.
(N) Sing. Iyoo ngalĩ ĩno ĩnaĩ Ilovi

Yesterday this vehicle was in Nairobi.
P1. Unĩ ngalĩ ĩno ĩkeethĩwa Mombasa.

Tommorrow this vehicle will be in Mombasa.
EXERCISE ONE: KUTATA KWA MBEE;
Sungia makulyo aa – Answer these questions:

1. We ũendaa wĩanĩ mũthenya wĩkũ?
2. Syana sya sukulu ithũmũaa mũthenya wĩkũ?
3. Sukulu sya Kenya ivungaa mwai wĩkũ?
4. Wavikei kũũ Kenya muthenya wĩkũ?
5. We wĩkaa ata mũthenya wa kyumwa.
6. Ũmunthĩ nĩ mũthenya wĩkũ?
7. Ũnĩ nĩ wa keana?
8. Iyoo kunai muthenya wĩkũ?
9. Iso kwaĩ mũthenya wĩkũ?
10. We ũvaa ngũa syaku mũthenya wĩkũ?
11. Ũũ nĩ mwei wĩkũ?
12. Ũũ nĩ mwaka wikũ?
61

EXERCISE TWO: KUTATA KWA KELI - SOMA NGEWA INO: - READ
THIS STORY:
MŨSYĨ WA KYALO:
Nyie nitawa Mũeni nake Nau etawa Kyalo, Nau athũkũmaa wĩa wa viasala. Atesaa
ngũa nake mwaitũ akũnaa wĩa wa nyumba.
Kila wakwambĩlĩĩlya Nyie nĩnĩamũkaa tene na nĩnĩyumbanasya kũthi sukulu. Nau

nake nĩ uendaa ndũnyũ ya masinga kũtooa ng‟ombe. Mwaitũ nake aamũkaa tene vyũ,
akaua kyai na kũthambya mwana. Itina wa maũndũ asu mwaitũ aendaa mũũndanĩ
kũĩma.
Wakeli Nau aendaa mũũndanĩ kutetheesya mwaitũ kũĩma. Wakatatũ mwaitũ na Nau
nĩmaendaa ndũnyũ. Nau aendaa kuthoosya ng‟ombe nake mwaitũ aenda kũthoosya
mboka. Wakana wavika Nau nĩ ũendaa kũtetheesya Kavisi Kĩoko kũĩthya ng‟ombe.
Mwaitũ nake nĩ ũendaa kũkethya sũsũ na kũmũtwaia ĩia.
Wathanthatũ wavika ithyonthe nĩtũendaa mũũndanĩ kũnyithya mboka. Nau avandaa

makovisi, Kioko atusaa manyaanya ma kũtwaa ndũnyũ nake mwaitũ ethĩawa
akĩyumbania kũthi ndũnyũ. Wakyuma ithyĩ tũiendaa mũũndanĩ. Ũũ nĩ mũthenya wa
kũthũmũa. Ithyonthe nitũendaaa ĩkanisanĩ kũvoya Ngai.
MAKULYO – QUESTIONS: -
a) Nau etawa ata?

b) Wakwambĩlĩĩlya Nau aendaa va?
c) Nake Nau athũkũmaa wĩa mwaũ?
d) Mĩthenya ya ndunyu ni mithenya yikũ?
e) Nĩkĩ mwaitũ na Nau maendaa ndũnyũ mũthenya wa katatũ?
f) Andũ ma mũsyĩ wa Kyalo mathũmũaa muthenya wĩkũ?
CULTURAL NOTE:
In the Kamba ethnic group the first day of the week is wakwambĩlĩĩlya (Monday)
meaning the day of starting. The last day is wakyumwa (Sunday). Sunday is entirely
considered as a day of warship since only a minority of Kambas are Muslims.
Sometimes you might hear this statement. Tũthi kyumwa – lets go to church. When
writing date, we start with the date, then the month and finally the year, as opposed to
the American style of starting with the month, then the date and the year.
62

LESSON THIRTEEN-ISOMO YA IKUMI NA ITATU
TOPIC-MWIKALILE WAKWA-MY LIFE
COMPETENCY;NARATE LIFE HISTORY.
WINA MYAKA IANA? HOW OLD ARE YOU?
NGEWA – (DIALOGUE A)
Mũtũa : We wĩna myaka yĩana?

Mutheu : Nyie nĩna myaka mĩongo itatũ na imwe.
Mũtũa : Wina ũkũũ mwaũ?
Mutheu : Nyie nina ũkũũ wa myaka mĩongo ĩtatũ na imwe.
Mũtũa : Nau waku ena myaka yĩana?
Mutheu : Nau wakwa ena myaka mĩongo mũonza na ĩtano.
Mũtũa : Nake nau wakwa ena myaka mĩongo mũonza ki.
NGEWA DIALOGUE B:
Mwikali : Wasyaiwe mwaka wĩva?

Mũli : Nasyaiwe makwa wa ngili ĩmwe maana kenda mĩongo
thanthatũ na ili.
Mwikali : Wasyaiwe mwei wĩva na matukũ meana?
Mũli : Nasyaiwe mwei wa kena matukũ mĩongo ĩlĩ na atano.
Mwikali : Inya waku asyaiwe ĩndĩĩ?
Mũli : Inya wakwa asyaiwe mwaka wa ngili imwe maana kenda
mĩongo ĩlĩ na kenda.
Mwikali : Nake mũinau asyaiwe matukũ meana ?
Mũli : Mũinawa asyaiwe matukũ ĩkumi na elĩ mwei wa thantatũ
mwaka wa ngili ĩmwe maana kenda mĩongo ĩtano na mũonza.
Mwikali : Mwana waku asyaiwe mwei wĩva?
Mũli : Asyaiwe mwei wa mbee
Mwikali : Nĩ mũvea mũno kwoondu wa kũnzũngĩa makũlyo na enda na
ũvoo.
Soma kwa waysa munene – Read Aloud;

Nasyaiwe mwei wa nzanuali.
Nau wakwa asyaiwe mwaka wĩva?
Nau wakwa asyaiwe mwei wa mbee.
Inya waku asyaiwe makwa wĩva?
Nzaomo Kenyatta awkwie ĩndĩĩ.
Nĩ mũvea muno.
Tiwa na ũvoo.
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Syuo Nzau (Vocabulary)
Kamba English
Mwaka (Mũ-mĩ) - Year
Mwaka wũkĩte - Next year
Mwei (Mũ-Mĩ) - Month
Kũsyawa - To be born
Ũkũũ (N) - Age
Ituku (MA) - Date
Mũtumĩa (MŨ-A) - Old person
Mũthenya wa kũsyawa - Birthday
Indĩĩ - When
Mũinau - Your young brother or sister
Nau - Father
Inya - Mother
Asyai (MŨ-A) - Parents
Kũkwa - To die
Akwie - He/she died
Grammar Explanaitons:
Sũngia Makũlyo:
Wĩna ũkũũ mwaũ? Nina ũkũũ wa ________________________________
Nau waku ena myaka yiana/iana _______________________________
Wasyaiwe matuku meana? _____________________________________
Mwaka usu ũngĩ ũkethiwa na myaka ĩana? _______________________
Asyai maku masyaiwe va? ______________________________________
Muthenya waku wa kũsyawa nĩ wĩva? ________________________________
J.F. Kennedy akwie mwaka wĩva? ________________________________
Nzomo Kenyatta akwie mwaka wĩva? _____________________________
Possessive suffix NA
Nina I have
Wina you have
Ena he/she has
Twina we have
Mwina you(pl)have
Mena they have
Ndyina I don‟t have
Ndwina you don‟t have
Ndena he/she doesn‟t have
Past tense
Naina I had
Waina you had
Aina he
Cultural Note:
In the Kamba community it‟s not sensitive to enquire about one‟s age. Like other
ethinic groups,extended family is stll valued
64

***********to be cont.
65

LESSON FOURTEEN
ISOMO YA IKUMI NA INYA –
TOPIC;WĨKAA ATA? – WHAT DO YOU DO?
ANDŨ AA MATHŨKŨMAA WIA MWAŨ? WHAT JOBS DO THIS PEOPLE

DO?
NGEWA: DIALOGUE 1
David : Wĩ mũseo kĩveti?
Mwende : Iĩ nĩ nesa
David : Ũvoo wa wĩa?
Mwende : Ti mũthũku?
David : Wĩtawa ata?
Mwende : Nĩtawa Mwende. Naku wĩtawa ata?
David : Nyie nĩtawa David.
Ukũnaa wia Mwaũ kũũ?
Mwende : Nĩthoosya syindu ndukani.
David : Ũthoosya syindu myaũ?
Mwende : Nithoosya malĩũ kivathũkanyo. Naku wĩkaa ata kũũ?
David : Wia wakwa nĩ kũvũndĩsya andũ ma viasala nini taku.
Mwende : Nĩngwenda kũmanyiwa ĩulu wa viasala nini.
David : ĩĩ tukoonana ũni.
Mwende : Enda na ũseo.
NGEWA: DIALOGUE B:
Kilian : Nata?
Serena : Nĩkũseo, ũvoo waku?
Serena : Nĩ nesa wĩenda ata?
Kilian : Nienda kwona ndakitali.
Serena : Wĩtawa ata?
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Kilian : Nĩtawa Kilian.
Serena : Na ũthũkũmaa va?
Kilian : Nyie nĩthũkũmanaa na Peace Corps ngaliko sya Mombasa
Serena : Ũthũkũmaa wĩa mwaũ?
Kilian : Nyie nĩ vũndi wa kĩwũ. Nivundiasya andu kwaka matangi ma
kĩwũ.
Serena : Ndakitali nde vo saa ii, mweteele vanini.
Kilian : Aaya nĩ mũvea.
Serena : Ii
Soma kwa wasya munene:

Nĩnthũkũmaa - Ndithukumaa
Nuthũkũmaa - Ndutukumaa
Nũthukũmaa - Ndathukumaa
Wĩkaa ata vaa?
Nyie nĩ mũmanyiwa
Nyie nĩ mwalimu. Nivundiasya sukulu.
We wĩ ndakĩtali nuitaa awau.
Nikunaa viasala. Nĩthooasya ngua
Nyie nĩ mũimĩ. Nĩvandaa mbemba na mboso.
Mwĩĩka ata?
Twĩsoma Kiswahili.
Twĩvanda mbemba.
Ndakitali ni mũndũ ula ũitaa awau.
Mũimi nĩ mũndũ ũla ũimaa.
Alimũ nĩ andũ ala masomethasya.
Mũndu ũla ũsomaa.
Andũ ala masomaa.
Mũndũ ũla utwaa ngalĩ etawa ndeleva.
Andũ ala mauaa metawa avisi.
Nyie nĩendaa sukulu.
Nyie nĩnĩendaa wĩanĩ
Ithyĩ nĩtũsomaa.
Nyie nĩ vundi.
Nakaa matangi ma kĩwũ
Nakaa nymba.
Vocabularies:
Singular English Plural
Ndakiatlĩ Doctor Matakitalĩ
Mwalimũ Teacher Alimũ
Ndeleva Driver Mateleva
Kalanĩ Secretary Makalanĩ
Mũsomethya Educator Asomethya
Itangi Tank Matangi
Itangi ya kĩwũ Water tank Matangi ma kĩwũ
Vundi Technician Mavundi
67

Sivitali Hospital Masivitalĩ
Ũwau Sickness Mowau
Wĩa Work/job Mawĩa
Sukulu School Masukulu
Kũiita To treat (cure) -
Kũsomethya To teach -
Kũũa To cook -
Mũũi A cook -
Grammar Explanation:
Relative Pronoun:
In Kikamba a relative pronoun is used according to the noun class. It means who and
which respectively. The stem is – La and is prefixed by the appropriate subject
prefix. For example M/A Class.
Sing : Mũndũ ũla mũwau nĩ mũnyanyawa. (The person who is my friend)

Plural : Andũ, ala awau nĩ anyanywa. (The people who are sick are my
friends).
KI/I Class:
Sing : Kĩandiki kĩla kĩnaaie nĩ kyakwa
The pen that got lost is mine.
Plural : Iandĩki ila inaaie nĩ syakwa.

The pens which got lost are mine.
N Class:
Nyũmba ila tũnaakie nĩ nene mũno.
The house which we build is very big.
Nyũmba ila tũnakie nĩ nene mũno.
The houses which we build are very big.
Soma Ngewa Ino:

Mũsee ũyũ etawa Mbondo. Kĩtheka kyake nĩ eka ikũmi na itano. Athooie kĩtheka kĩĩ
yĩla wathũkũmaa wĩa wa walimu. Mbee wa kũtwika mwalimũ athũkũmaa wĩa wa
ũĩmi.
Mbondo ena kĩveti na syana itano. Mwana wake ũla mũkũũ etawa Mũtũa. Mũtũa nĩ
ndakitali sivitali ya Kinyaata. Mũinae wa Mũtũa etawa Angeline. Angeline nĩ Kalanĩ
kwa kambũni ya iatũ. Mwana na katatũ Joe nĩ vundi. Akaa nyũmba nzeo mũno.
Mwana wake wa kana etawa Mũtiso. Mũtiso ndathũkũmaa, indi asomaa sukulu ya
Ilovi. Ilumaita yĩtawa Mũeni. Mũeni asomaa sukuluu ĩla yĩ vau vakuvi na mũsyi.
Mũsee Mbondo yu ndathukumaa. Niwaumie wĩanĩ. Matuku aya athooasya ngũa
ndũnyũ matuu.
Sũngia Makũlyo Aa:

1. Kĩtheka kya Mbondo nĩ eka syiana?
68

2. Athooie kĩtheka kĩĩ ĩndĩĩ?
3. Mũtumia ũyũ ena syana syiana?
4. Mwana wa mbee wa Mbondo athũkũmaa wia mwaũ?
5. Angeline athũkamaa wĩa mwaũ?
6. Mwana wa katatũ wa mbondo etawa ata na athũkũmaa va?
7. Mwana wa ĩtina etawa ata, na athũkũmaa va?
Exercise II
Usũsya Myaya Ino – Fill in the gaps:
1. Mũndũ ũla ũiitaa awau etawa __________________________.
2. Mũndũ ũla ũuaa etawa ________________________________.
3. Andũ ala masomethasdya metawa _______________________.
4. Aimĩ nĩ andũ ala ____________________________________.
5. Mũndũ ũla ũtwaa ngali etawa __________________________.
6. Vundi nĩ mũndũ ula __________________________________.
7. Kalani nĩ mũndũ ula _________________________________.
8. Mũndũ ũla ũkwataa ing‟ei etawa __________________________.
9. Mũkũni wa viasa nĩ mũndũ ula ________________________.
Exercise III
Fill in the Relative Pronoun in the following sentences:
Example:
Mwana …………….. Ũkomete nĩ mũwau.
The child who is sleeping is sick.
Mwana ũla ũkomete nĩ mũwau
The child who is sleeping is sick.
a) Mũndũ _______________ ũnaendie ũlaya etawa mũsili.
b) Andũ _______________ makomete nĩ awau.
c) Kĩkavũ _____________ ninatumie nĩ kĩnene.
d) Iatũ ______________ nĩnaũie nĩ nini.
e) Isandũkũ _______________ ngũkua nĩ ya Mũsyoka.
f) Maiũ ____________________ ngũya nĩ ma Mwangangi.
g) Katena _____________ kawau nĩ ka mbũi ya Mũtukũ.
h) Tũsaũ ______________ tũnakwie nĩ twakwa.
i) Valũa ______________ watũmie nĩyavikie.
j) Masũngwa ____________ nĩnaũie ndũnyũ manĩa mathũku.
69

Exercise Four – Ususya myanya ino:
Fill in this gaps:
Mũimi Vundi wa iatũ Mwenzi

Ndeleva Mwalimũ Mũsukani
Vundi wa mbwaũ Vundi wa ngũa Muthoosya wa nyama
70

71

LESSON FIFTEEN
ISOMO YA IKUMI NA ITANO
TOPIC;YII VA? --LOCATIONS

COMPETENCY:ASK,GIVE AND FOLLOW DIRECTOINS.
NGEWA DIALOGUE A
Mũeni : Nata mwanake ũyũ?

muasya : Nĩ nesa.
Mũeni : Nũtonya kũndethya
Muasya : II wĩenda ata?
Mũeni : Lelu wa kũthi sivitali nĩwo wĩva?
Muassya : Atiia nzĩa ĩno ĩmwe kwemwe nũona vandũ ve nduaka,
vau kũna
kona kwoko kwa aka na ũthi vanini nũona nzĩa ĩngĩ kwoko kwa
aũme atĩĩa ĩsu na nũũvika.
Mũeni : Nĩndaĩa mũno. Wĩĩsilya ve ũasa mwaũ kũvika vau?
Muasya : Aiee ti vaasa no vakuvĩ.
Mũeni : Nĩmũvea muno tiwa no seo.
NGEWA – DIALOGUE B
Tom : Wĩ mũseo kĩveti.
Mary : Nĩmũseo kwewa ata?
Tom : Eka kũina ũthũkũ nutonya kũmbonia lelu wa kũthi sukulu?
Mary : Wĩenda kuthi sukulu yĩva?
Tom : Nienda kuthi ila yĩtawa vyũlya masii.
Mary : Oo ona sukulu ĩsu yĩ vaasanga kwoou enda na lelu ũyũ
mũvaka wone vandũ ve kĩtĩ kĩasa kwoko kwa aũme ĩtina wa
kwona kĩtĩ kĩu enda vanini na nũona lelũ wa mũthanga vau
kũna kona kwoko kwa aka na ũendee na mbee, nũona kivwaũ
kya sukuku ĩsu kwoko kwa aũme.
Tom : Nũseo mũno kiveti.
Mary : Thi na ũseo.
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Soma kwa wasya munene – Read Aloud
Mũ – a
Nyie nĩ mũkaawanĩ
Wee wĩ kilasini
We e ovisinĩ
Ithyĩ twĩ kĩlasinĩ.

Inywĩ mwĩ vakuvĩ na volisi.
Mo me sukulu.
Mwalimũ e kilasini.
Nau e va? Nau e wianĩ.
Mwĩĩtu e ikonĩ.
KI – I
Kĩkombe kĩ yĩulu wa mesa.
Ikombe syĩ ungu wa mesa.
N
Saa yĩ mesanĩ.
Saa syĩ isandũkũnĩ.
Ngombe yĩ kyengonĩ.
Ngombe syĩ mũũndanĩ.
Saa yakwa yĩ nyũmba.
MŨ – NI
Mũkate wi vaya.
Mĩkate yi isaanini.
Ĩ – MA
Iko yĩ ikonĩ.
Maiko me nza.
KA – TŨ
Kameme ke yĩũlũ wa kavati.
Tumeme twĩ yĩũlũ wa mesa.
Ivuku yaku yĩĩva? Yi vakuvi na muomethya.
Iyoo ũtukũ ũnaiya? Iyoo nĩnaĩ vaa.
Syuo nzaũ – Vocabulary:

Kikamba English
Kilasi - Class
Kilasini - in the classroom
Itina wa - behind
Yĩũlũ wa - on top of
Ungu wa - under / underneath / below
Nthĩnĩ wa - inside of / in
73

Nza wa - outside of
Vakuvĩ - near the
Simũ - telephone
Mũũnda - farm/shamba
Kavati - Cupboard
Itina - after
Compass
Yĩulu (North)
Ũthũĩlonĩ wa sua Ũmĩlonĩ wa sua (East)

(West)
Iteho (South)
Yĩũlũ - North
Itheo - South
Ũmĩlonĩ wa sua East
Ũthũĩlonĩ wa sua West
Nĩ - Twĩ
Wĩ - Mwĩ
E - Me
Yĩ - Me
Ke - Twĩ
Kĩ - Syĩ
Yĩ - Syĩ
Wĩ - Yĩ
Exercise:
Osa nzĩa ĩya ĩmwe kwe ĩmwe.
Nĩathĩĩa nzĩa ĩno mũvaka va?
Nĩatĩĩa nzĩa ĩno nĩvike va?
Wĩatĩĩa nzĩa ĩno ũvike sivitalĩ.
Wĩatĩĩa nzĩa ĩno ũvike vosita.
Mwĩatĩĩa nzĩa ino mũvike kwa kivu.
Wĩatĩĩa nzĩa ino muvike sukulu.
Nene ya eĩtu.
Mwaatĩĩa nzĩa ĩno mwĩvika ĩkanisanĩ.
Mwaatĩĩa nzĩa ĩno nimuona soko.
Itine wa kwona nduka niikata?
Woona nduka vinduka kwoko kwa aume.
Woona nduka sisya kwoko kwa aka.
Na nuona vengi.
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Cultural Note:
The Akamba people are used to walking very long distances and so in reality is not
possible to know the actual distance in kilometres or even in minutes. They will tell
you that it is about 5 kilometres yet they mean 25 kms or more. They will tell you
that it is not far just here and you end up walking for an hour or more so so not be
offended when you get to find oput that just here “ovaa”means thirty or more minutes
walk.
75

LESSON SIXTEEN:
TOPIC:DIRECTIONS
COMPETENCY -ASKING FOR DIRECTION---KUKULYA NZIA
Measya at a? – What are they saying?
DIALOGUE A
kIILU : Ũvoo waku?
TIM : Nĩ nesa.
KIILU : Nũtonya kũndethya? Nyie nĩ Mũeni kũũ; na nĩmantha nzĩa ya kũthi
volisi.
TIM : Wiende kuthi volisi kĩ?
KIILU : Nĩnooyĩwa saa na mbesa.
Harry : Vole muno. Ethiwa wĩenda kũthi volisi atii nzĩa ĩno, ĩmwe, wavika
ofisi ya D.O., kũna kona vau, na ũiatĩĩa nzĩa ĩsu nginya wone volisi,
kwoko kwa aũme.
KIILU : Aaya, nĩ mũvea mũno.
TIM:
.
DIALOGUE B:
Robert : Wĩ mũseo kĩmwana kĩĩ?
Richard : ĩĩ nĩ nesa. Wĩenda ata?
Robert : Nĩenda kũthi sukulu ĩla ya Asungu. Yĩtawa Peace-Corps. Ĩndĩ
ndyĩsĩ nzĩa.
Richard : Sukulu isu yi vakuvi na sukulu ya Eitu ya Naivasha Girls.
Robert : Ona sukulu isu ndyĩsĩ vala yĩĩ.
Richard : Atĩĩa lelũ ũũ, nginya konanĩ, Multiline wavika vau, vĩndũka
kwoko kwa aka na ũiendeea nginya ũvike kwa matatũ. Wavika
vau, nũona makutano ma lelũ. Likila kwoko wa aka lelũni wa
Mama Ngina.
Robert : Atĩ lelũ wa Mama Ngina
Richard : Iĩ ũatiie nginya wone kivwaũ kya amanyiwa kya Peace Corps.
kwoko kwa aũme.
Robert : Nĩ mũvea mũno.
Richard : Aaya.
Soma na wasya mũnene

Enda na lelũ ũũ.
Vĩndũka kwoko kwa aũme.
Vindũka kwoko kwa aka.
Atĩĩa lelũ ũũ, ĩmwe kwa ĩmwe.
Vĩta vosta.
Wavika vengi, vĩndũka kwoko kwa aka.
Wavika sukulu, vĩndũka kwoko kwa aũme.
Wavĩtũka kiao, theenga vanini.
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Sukulu yĩ vakuvi na ikanisa.
Sivitalĩ yĩ vau kiimani.
Soko yi vau mbee wa kanisa.
Nũona sukulu ya aka.
Nũona ikanisa kwoko kwa aũme.
Wavika makutano ma lelũ, nũona soko.
Nuona sukulu ya alimũ.
Vocabularies:
Atĩĩa Follow
Vĩndũka Turn
Ngalĩko Side
Kwoko Hand
Kwoko kwa aũme Right
Imwe kwa imwe One by one
Theea Go down
Kũlya Ask
Theesya Help
Mbee Infront of
Vakuvĩ Near
Itina Behind
Kĩĩma Hill
Endeea Continue
Mbonya Show me
Ndavya Tell me.
Grammar Explanations:
The grammar used in this lesson is the simple imperatives. To form the imperatives
you only need to drop the infinitive –ku- in all the verbs.
Examples:
Kũatĩĩa Atĩĩa Follow
Kũenda Enda Go
Kũsoma Soma Read
Kũnywa Nywa Drink
Kũya Ya Eat
Note:The imperative in Kikamba could be commands or requests. This is normally

indicated by the tone.
To form a plural imperative, you need to add suffix I at the end of the imperative.
Examples:
Enda - Endai - You (plural) go.
Ũka - Ũkai - You (plural) come.
Andĩka - Andĩkai - You (plural) write
77

The negative of the imperative is formed by putting together the –ve subject prefix of
the 2nd person (Ndu) in sinagular and M in plural before the verb stem, then add an
element “KA” then change the final vowel A to E respectively.
i.e. Subject + KA + Verb + E
Prefix Stem
Examples:
Soma - Ndũkasome - Don‟t read
Andika - Ndũkaandĩke - Don‟t write
Atiia - Ndũkaatĩĩe - Do not follow!
Somai - Mũikasome - Do not read (plural)
Andikai - Mũikaandĩke - Do not write (plural)
Atiiai - Mũikaatĩĩe - Do not follow (plural)
Exercise I: write the following imperatives in plurals:

a) Neena
b) Ũka
c) Semba
d) Sisya
e) Nenga
f) Sũanĩa
g) Vĩndũka
h) Koma
i) Amũka
Exercise II
Change the following imperatives into negative:
a) Nywa
b) Kw‟a
c) Thi
d) Kũna
e) Ima
f) Tuma
g) Thĩnia
h) Ya
i) Tembua
j) Somethya
Exercise III:
Translate the following sentences:
1. Please show me the way ot the police station.
2. Show him the way to the Post Office.
3. The market is near the Bank.
4. That ship is beind the church.
5. Go stragith then turn left.
6. Folow this road and you will see the church.
7. Wehre uis that school in Nairobi?
8. Ask the way to Nairobi.
78

Change the following imperatives into negatives:
Cultural Note:
The Kamba people usually give directions using land marks. For example, a bridge, a
river, a big tree or a building. They never use names of streets, roads or number of
miles when giving directions.
79

LESSON 17
ISOMO YA IKUMI NA MUONZA
TOPIC --KŨTHOOWA TIKITI – BUYING A TICKET
NGEWA – DIALOGUE “A”

WANZA NA MUTISO
Wanza : Wĩ mũseo mũthoosya?

Mutiso : Iĩ nĩ mũseo wĩĩwa ata?
Wanza : Kutiĩ na ũthũku, nĩenda kũthi Mwambasa
Mutiso : Wĩenda kũthi ĩndĩĩ?
Wanza : Nĩenda kũthi ũmũnthĩ wĩoo. Mwĩna mbasi?
Mutiso : Ĩĩ twĩna mbasi ilĩ ũmũnthi wienda kũthi saa syiana?
Wanza : Nienda kuma vaa saa ilĩ na nusu sya wĩoo.
Mutiso : Mbasi ya wĩoo yĩuma vaa sa itatũ sya ũtuku, tũina mbasi ya saa
ilĩ.
Wanza : Vaina thĩna nĩngwosa ĩsu ya saa itatũ.
Mutiso : Aaya nũseo.
Wanza : Thloowa wa tikiti nĩ kyaũ?
Mutiso : Mũndũ mũima nĩ silingi ĩana yĩmwe na mĩongo ĩlĩ.
Wanza : Nĩenda tikiti ĩmwe mbesa nii.
Mutiso : Aaya osa tikiti waku nũũ. Wĩna mĩio?
Wanza : Iĩ nina miio minini no ĩĩ vaa.
Mutiso : Vika vaa mbee wa nusu saa mbasi itanavika saa sya kũthi.
Wanza : Iĩ nĩngũvika mbee wa saa isu nũseo mũno.
Soma kwa wasya – Read aloud:

Mbasi yĩondoka saa syiana?
Mbasi yĩondoka saa ili.
Mbasi ĩondokaa saa mũonza na nusu sya mũthenya.
Mbasi yĩiondoka saa itatũ sya wioo.
Mbasi ĩvikaa saa syĩana?

ĩvikaa saa ũmwe wa wioo.
ĩvikaa saa mũonza sya mũthenya.
ĩvikaa saa sita katambanga.
Mbasi ĩvĩtĩlaa va ĩithi Mwambasa?

ĩvĩtĩlaa Masakũ.
ĩvĩtĩlaa Kibwezi na Voi
ĩvĩtĩlaa kũndũ kwingĩ.
80

Mbasi itũmĩaa masaa meana savalini?
itũmĩiaa masaa ĩkũmi.
ĩkuaa masaa keenda.
Mbasi ĩtũmĩaa masaa mena savalĩnĩ?

ĩendaa kwa masaa nyanya.
Mbasi yĩũ;ngamaa Voi kwa masaa meana?
yĩungamaa kwa ndakika ikumi.
ĩthumuaa Voi kwa ndakika miongo ili.
ĩungamaa Voi kwa nusu saa.
Tikiti wa kuthi nĩ silingi siana?

Tikiti wauthi ni silingi miongo nyanya.
thoowa wa tikiti nĩ silingi miongo kenda.
thoowa wa tikiti wa kana ni mbesa siana?
nĩ silingi mĩongo ĩna na itano
tikiti nĩ silingi yiana yĩmwe.
Thoowa wa kuthi na kusyoka nĩ mbesa siana?

nĩ silingi yiana na miongo thanthatu.
Nĩndonya ukwata kĩvĩla kya ndilĩsyanĩ?

ĩĩ no utonye ukwata kĩvĩla kya ndiisyanĩ.
Wĩna mĩio yiana?

nĩna mĩio mingĩ
nĩna muio umwe
ndina mĩio.
Mwina mĩio yĩana?

twĩna mĩio mĩnini muno
twĩna mĩio mingĩ
twĩna muio umwe munene.
Soma na wasya munene:
VOCABULARY:
Mwĩna mbasi? - Do you have a bus.
No ũndũ ũmwe - It is all the same.
Nũtonya - Please / if you can
Kũvika - To arrive
Kũũngama - To stop.
Kũthi - To go.
Kũsyoka - To return.
Kũkwata - To get
Syiana - How many.
Mĩo - Load / luggage.
81

Tikiti - Ticket
GRAMMAR:
Syiana Ia
Sya Wa
Ata Kya
Indĩĩ
EXERCISE 1: - TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES
1. Mbasi nĩyusuĩte vayĩĩ mwana.

2. Ngalĩ ya mwaki ĩendaa saa umwe wa kwakya.
3. Andũ maendaa mũsyĩ ata?
4. Ndeke ikũa ĩvinda yiana ata kuma New York kũvika Ilovi?
5. Nĩnĩnoete mũno nũndũ wa kyalo kĩu.
6. Mwalimũ ũya nũthatite nũndũ nĩnaselewa.
7. Lĩu waku nĩ mũseo nĩnavũna mũno.
8. Syana nĩsyakoma nundu ninoete.
9. Amanyĩwa nĩmathatite nũndũ vaii mwalimũ / mũmanyisya.
10. Emanthaa nzĩa ĩndĩ ndanamyona.
11. Mũtumĩa ũya akwie nũndũ wa ũkuu.
12. Ethiwa niwamina mutiani thumaa vanini.
13. Nĩwĩmanyĩĩtye kĩthyomo kwa ĩvinda ĩasa.
CULTURAL NOTE:
A Matatu is never full. Even if it‟s full the Manambas (Touts) will always push
people to get in.
In Kenya people travel with their luggage in the same vehicles.
At times when you go to a bus stage the touts (Manambas) will run to you, grab your
luggage and take it to their respective vehicles expecting you to follow them. Watch
out.
You may find a Matatu which you think is almost fulkl and that will be the first to
leave. Don‟t be surprised when it turns out that most of the passengers were
Manambas trying to fool travellers. However, long distance matatus line up and leave
one after the other.
82

LESSON EIGHTEEN
TOPIC; WEATHER - NZEVE ?
COMPETENCY;NZEVE IILYE ATA UMUNTHI?
HOW IS IT TODAY
Wiona kyaũ matuni?

What chan you see in the sky?
Dialogue 1
Mũlinge : Ũvoo waku?
Mũoki : No mũseo.
Mũlinge : Ũvoo wa mũsyĩ?
Mũoki : Kũi kaũndũ, no sua yingĩ.
Mũlinge : Mbũa ndĩnamba kua?
Mũoki : aiee kũu nĩ kũmu vyũ.
Mũlinge : Kũũ kwitũ kwĩna ũnyenyeũ tũ na mbevo nĩ mbingĩ vyũ.
Mũoki : Kwĩna kĩseve?
Mũlinge : Iĩ kĩla mũthenya masaa ma wĩoo kwĩthĩawa na kĩseve kingĩ; na
kĩtoo.
Mũoki : Na ũtukũ nĩkwĩthĩawa na mbevo?
Mũlinge : Aiee, kwĩthĩawa na yuutia yingi mũno.
Mũoki : Asi, vole. Ũka twĩkalange kũũ kwitũ, kĩtoo kyambe kũthela.
Mũlinge : Iĩ. Nĩngwĩyũmbanya. Nĩĩsĩlya ngooka wathanthatu.
Mũoki : aaya, ngakweteela.
Soma kwa wasya munene: Read aloud

Ũmũnthĩ Nzeve ĩilyĩ ata?
Ũmũnthĩ kwĩna mbevo.
Ũmũnthĩ kwĩna yuutĩa.

Ũmũnthĩ kwĩna mbevo.
Ũmũnthĩ kwĩna ũnyenyeũ.
Iyoo kunaĩ na kĩseve mũno.
Kũnaĩ na sua.
Mbũa nĩkua, ĩyoo mbũa nĩ ĩnauie.
Iyoo mbua ndĩnaaua.
Unĩ mbua ikaaua.
Kwĩna kĩseve ũmũnthĩ.
Kwĩna kĩtoo kingĩ.
Kũina yuutĩa yingĩ.
Ũmũnthĩ nzeve ninthũku.
Nĩĩwa yuutĩa mũno.
Nĩĩwa mbevo mũno.
Ũvoo wa mũsyĩ?
Nĩ mũseo, ĩndĩ kwĩna yũa mũno.
Ivinda ya mbua.
Ivinda ya sua.
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ivinda ya mbevo.
Ivinda ya mbevo kwĩthĩawa na kyaũ?
Ivinda ya mbevo kwĩthĩawa na imwe masaa ma kwakya, na nundu.
Ivinda ya thano kwĩthĩawa kyaũ?
Thano, kwĩthĩawa na sua ĩvyu na ũvyũvũ mwingĩ.
Ivinda ya mbua kwĩthĩawa kyaũ?
Kiwthĩawa mbua nyingĩ na matu.
Vocabularies:
Ivinda ya thano Thano Hot season
Ivinda ya uũa Uũa Rainy season
Mbua Mbua Rain
Mbevo Mbevo Cold
Sua Sua Sun
Kua - To rain
Kĩseve Iseve Wind
Itu Matu Cloud
Yuutĩa Yuutĩa Sweat
Kĩtoo Kitoo Dust
Kwĩyumbania - Prepare (oneself)
Kweteela - To wait
Uvyũvu Ũvyũvu Hot and humid
Kũketha Kũketha To harvest
Yua Yua Draught
Nzeve Nzeve Air (weather)
Ngetha Ngetha Harvest
Unyenyeũ Ũnyenyeũ Drizzles
Imwe Mamwe Dew
Mũumbi Mũumbi Fog
Nundu Nundu Frost
Kwikala - To stay
Grammar Explanations:
In this lesson we have used adjectives like –ingi – Nini, uvyuvu, etc. In Kikamba, all
adjectives come after the nouns; the noun prefix depends on the noun class thus
making them all prefix depended.
Examples:
- nini - Small / a little
- ingi - A lot
- ithi - Raw, unripe
- vy‟u - Hot
- mosu - Weak, thin
- ndulu - Lazy
- ndasa - Tall, long
- ima - whole, complete
- thei - empty, bare, naked
84

- seo - good, nice, fine, pleasant, beautiful
- iana - how many / how much?
- nou - fat, healthy
- imwe - one
- ili - two
- ũmũ - hard, dry, tough, difficult
- eni - strange, foreign,
- tumanu - foolish, ignorant, stupid.
Exercise 1
complete the following exercise by inserting the correct noun prefixes:
Examples:
Matuuni nĩ mũsyi_______ (nene)
Matuu nĩ mũsyi mũnene.
1. Ilovi nĩ mũsyĩ _______ (nene)

2. Ngitĩ yakwa nĩ _______ (thũku)
3. Andu aya ni _____________ (ima) ti syana.
4. Mĩtĩ ya mĩnathi nĩ _______(asa) muno.
5. Iyoo kũnauie mbua ________ (ingĩ).
6. Ng‟ombe ĩno nĩ ______ (nou)
7. Mũthũkũmi wake nĩ ________ (kuvĩ) ti _____(asa)_
8. Lĩu ũũ nĩ _______(seo).
9. Nzau yake nĩ _____(tulu) mũno.
10. Kana kake nĩ _____ (mosu) vyũ.
11. Mwai wa keenda kwĩthĩawa kwĩ ____ (ũmũ) vyũ.

Exercise 2:
1. Many visitors are coming today.
2. My dog is stupid.
3. Your servant is very lazy
4. My housegirl is very tall.
5. These onions are very bigt and nice.
6. Can you bring another basket?
7. Their office has many books.
8. Yesterday he was naked.
Exercise 3
Soma Ngewa ĩno – Read this story:
Ngaliko sya ũkamba mbua yuaa keli kwa mwaka. Mwei wa katatũ niwo mbua ya
uũa yuaa. Mbua ino yaua, andũ mavandaa malĩu ta mbemba, mboso, nthooko, nzũũ
na mũvya. Mwei wa kana na wa katano andũ methiawa maiimia liu.
Mwei wa mũonza wavika nĩkwĩthĩawa na nundu. Nundu ino niyo ĩtumaa lĩu wiw‟a.
Ivinda ya nundu kwĩthĩawa na mbevo mbingi muno.
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Mwei wa nyanya niwo andũ makethaa lĩu. Thano nawo wambĩĩaa mwei wa keenda.
Ivinda yĩĩ kwĩthĩawa sua ĩvyũ muno na kĩseve kingĩ. Ndetua makonde ni mbua ila
yuaa mwei wa ĩkumi. Ino niyo mbua ya kelĩ ya mwaka. Mbua ĩno yĩtawa ndetũa
makonde nundu yaa ĩtina wa ngetha na kũkua makonde ma malĩu ta mboso na nzũũ.
Liu wa mbua ino ũkethawa mwei wa mbee na mwei wa kelĩ. Itina wa kũketha andu
nimaseuvasya mĩunda yoo vamwe na kwĩyumbanĩsya kũvanda ingĩ mwei wa katatu.
Makulyo – Questions:
1. Ũkamba nĩ ngalĩko yikũ?
2. Ũkambani mbua yuaa mala meana kwa mwaka?
3. Mbua ĩla yuaa mwei wa katatu yitawa ata?
4. Ivinda ya uũa andu mavandaa kyaũ?
5. Nundu yĩthĩawa indĩĩ?
6. We nĩwendete ĩvinda ya nundu? elesya.
7. Mwei wa keenda kĩwthĩawa na kyau? Ividna yĩĩ ya mwei wa keenda yĩtawa ata
Ukambani?
8. Mbua ya mwei wa ĩkũmi yitawa ndetua makonde nĩkĩ?
Exercise 4
What are the plurals of the following sentences?
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LESSON NINETEEN
ISOMO YA IKUMI NA KEENDA
NGŨA NA LANGI – CLOTHES AND COLOURS
Dialogue A:
Kaloki : Nata Moses?

Moses : Nĩ kũseo muno, ũvoo waku?
Kaloki : Ti mũthũku. Wĩkĩĩte ngũa nyingĩ ũu nĩkĩ?
Moses : Nũndũ nĩĩwa mbevo. Nikĩĩte mũvuuto, sati ya moko maasa,
sokisi, iatu, ngovia na mũsivi.
Kaloki : Nake Mũeni ekĩĩte kyaũ?
Moses : Mũeni ekĩĩte ĩlinda, kavuti na kĩtambaa kya mũtwe.
Kaloki : Nyie ivindi ya mbevo nendete kwikia ikoti na tai.
Moses : Ai, nyie ndyendete ĩkoti ĩndĩ ninendete kwĩkĩa vulana na tai.
Kaloki : Eka nĩĩthi mũsyi, ngose ikoti, niiwa mbevo mũno.
Dialogue B:
Veronica : Kũilyi ata George.

George : Nĩ kũseo.
Veronica : Wikĩĩte ngũa sya langi wĩkũ?
George : Nĩkĩĩte sati nziũ, mũvuto mweũ, na sokisi sya mbuluu. Iyoo
ndinaaĩkĩa iatũ nziũ, nineekĩĩte nzaũ. Naku wikiite ngũa
iilyata?
Veronica : Nĩkĩĩte ĩlinda yeu na vulana ya ĩumbĩ vamwe na iatũ sya
muthanga
Soma kwa wasya munene – Read aloud

Ũũ nĩ langi wikũ?
Ũũ nĩ langi mweũ.
Ũũ nĩ langi mwiũ.
Ũũ nĩ langi wa ngilini.
Ũũ nĩ langi wa mbuluu.
Ũũ nĩ langi wa iumbi.
Ũũ nĩ langi wa yelo.
Ekĩĩte ĩlinda ya langi wĩku?

Ekĩĩte ĩlinda ya vingi.
Ekĩĩte suluali wa kaki
Nĩkĩĩte tai nzaũ.
Ekĩĩte ĩlinda itune.
Ekĩĩte mbulausi ya nzĩlili.
Ekĩĩte sĩkati ya muthanga.
Ekĩĩte tai iilyĩ ata?
Ekĩĩte tai ndune.
Ekĩĩte tai ya yĩumbĩ.
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Ekĩĩte ilinda ĩtune.
Wĩkĩĩte mbulausi ĩilyi ata?
Nĩkĩĩte mbulausi nzaũ.
Nikiite kamisi katune.
Nikiite iatu sya yelo.
Nendete ngũa iilyi ata?
Nendete iatu nziũ.
Nendete sati nzaũ
Nendente ngũa syi ndonatono.
Nendete sikati syi ngululo.
Nĩina sati ilĩ nziu.
Nĩna mivũũto ilĩ myeu.
Nĩna sikati imwe ya nzĩĩlĩlĩ
Sukulu yoo yĩkĩaa sikati sya mũthanga.
Ithyĩ twĩkĩaa mbulausi sya matũ.
Vocabularies:
Langi Malangi Colour

- Tune - Red
- Eũ - White
- Iu - Black
Mbuluu - Blue
Ngilini waiyũ / matu - Green
Masungwa - Orange
Nzililili - Light blue
Mũthanga - Soil (brown)
Iumbĩ / Ngilee - Grey
Yelo - Yellow
Thaavu - Golden
Ikoti Makoti Coat
Vulana Vulana Sweater
Muvũũto Mivuuto Trousers
Moko maasa - Long sleeved
Moko makuvi - Short sleeved
Suluali wa nthini Suluali sya nthini Underwear
Mbulausi Mbulausi Blouse
Sindilia Sindilia Brasiers
Ngovia Ngovia Cap / hat
Tai Tai Tie
Mũsivi Misivi Belt
Kĩtambaa Itambaa Head scarf
Ilinda Malinda Dress
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Grammar Explanaitons:
More adjuectives have been used in this lesson. All colours are adjectives. Among
these colours, Red, Black and white are prefix dependend; meaning their noun
prefixes deepend on the noun class.
Examples:
In MŨ/A class we have:
Mũndũ mweũ - A white (brown) person
Mũndũ mwiũ - A black person.
Mũindi mũtune - A red Indian
Muindi mutune - Brown people
Andu eũ - Black people
Aindi atune - Red Indians
In other classes we have: -

Kiatũ kyeũ - A white shoe
Ivuku ĩtune - A red book
Ngombe nziũ - A black cow.
However, when other colours are used to modify nouns, a connector (of) is used to
which appropriate prefixes are attached e.g.
Mũvũũto wa nzĩĩlĩli - Alight blue trouser.
Kĩtambaa kya mbuluu - A blue head scarf
Sati ya iumbi - A grey shirt
Ngovia ya mũthanga - A brown hat
Grammar Exercises:
Exercise 1.
Alyula milaini ino.

1. Kioko ekĩĩte sati ya langi wĩkũ?

2. Muendo ekĩĩte muvuuto mũtune.
3. Mũtiso endete kwĩkĩa vulana ya ĩumbi.
4. Ũsũu ekĩĩte ilinda yiũ.
5. Sukulu yitu yĩkĩaa tai syĩ ngululo.
6. Iatũ sya kĩvĩsĩ kiya nĩ sya mũthanga.
7. Nendete kwĩkĩa sokisi sya matũ.
8. Kĩlonzo ndendete kwĩkĩa makoti.
9. Frank endete mĩvuto ya kaki.
10. Eĩtũ mendete kwĩyova mĩsivi.
Exercise II
Soma Ngewa ino – Read this story:
Mwanake ũyũ etawa Peter. Peter ekĩĩte mũvuuto, sati na ĩkoti. Ũmũnthi Peter
ndekiite vulana. Ekĩĩte ĩkoti yiũ na mũvuuto mwiũ. Sati yake yina ngululo nzaũ na
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ndune. Peter endete ngũa sya malangi maingi. Mwiitu uya etawa Mary. Peter endete
ngũa sya malangi maingi. Mwĩĩtu uya etawa Mary. Mary ekĩaa ngũa nesa muno.
ekiite sikati ya muthanga, mbulausi nzaũ na tai nziũ. Mwĩĩtu ũyũ ndendete ngũa sya
malangi maingĩ.
Questions:
1. Mwanake ũyũ etawa ata?
2. Peter ekĩĩte vulana ya langi wĩkũ?
3. Mũvuuto wa Peter nĩ wa langi wikũ?
4. Ikoti ya Peter nĩ itune?
5. Peter nĩwkĩĩte ngovia?
6. Sikati ya Mary iilyĩ ata?
7. Peter na Mary mendete kwĩkĩa langi wĩkũ?
Cultural Note:
Apart from the three dependant colours eu, iu, -une) all the other colours are
associated with natural things.
Examples:
Sati ya matũ - Shirt of leaves (green shirt)
Tai ya ĩumbĩ - Tie of fog – (a grey tie)
Sikati ya muthanga - A skirt of soil (a brown skirt)
Kitambaa kya nziilili - A light blue scarf.
Nziilili is a name of a bird that has some light blue feathers.
Ilinda ya mũukũ - A yellow dress.

Muuku is a certain tree which has yellow barks.
90

LESSON 20
ISOMO YA MIONGO ILI
MAMUTHA MA MWII – PARTS OF THE BODY
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Ũswĩĩ Nzwĩĩ Hair

Ĩitho Metho Eyes
Inyũũ Manyũũ Nose
Ieo Maeo Teeth
Kĩtuo Ituo Shoulder
Kĩngokoa Syĩngokoa Elbow
Kyaa Syaa Finger
Itako Matako Thighs
Kĩtiinyo Itiinyo Heels
Kyaa kya kũũ Syaa sya kũũ Toes
Iũ Mau Knees
Kĩthui Ithui Chests
Ngingo Ngingo Neck
Itau Matau Cheeks
Kũtũ Matũ Ears
Kwoko Moko Hands
Kũu Maaũ Legs
Soma kwa wasya munene:

Kyongo kyakwa nĩ kĩnene mũno.
Metho makwa nĩ matune.
Mũnuka waku
Ilomo syake nĩ nene
Maaũ maku ni matheke
Ena moko maasa mũno
Kana kake kena syaa thanthatũ.
Kũũ nĩ kũũ kwakwa – Aya nĩ maaũ makwa
Kĩĩ nĩ kyaa kyake – Ii ni syaa syake
Kuu nĩ kutu kwa mbaka – Aya ni matu ma mbaka.
Nzwii yake ni nziu muno.
Uthyu wake ni muthanthau.
Wina inyuu iasa muno.
Mwiitu wake ena nondo nene.
Exercise I:
Write in Plural:
a) Yĩĩ nĩ ĩitho yakwa.
b) Kĩlomo kyakwa nĩ kinene.
c) Mwan wake ena kyongo kĩnene.
d) Nĩna kyaa kĩnini.
e) Kĩĩ nĩ kĩthũi
f) Kũya nĩ kwoko.
g) Yĩĩ nĩ ĩnyũũ.
Exercise 2
Choose the correct word here and construct sentences:
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Example:
Yĩĩ
Aya nĩ litho - Yii ni iitho
Asu
1. Yĩĩa nĩ ĩnyũũ =
Aaya
ĩĩaya
2. Ũũ
Kũũ nĩ moko =
Aa
3. Aya
Kĩĩa nĩ matu =
Aaya
4. Kũũ
Kĩĩ nĩ kithũi =
Asu
5. Ii
Aaya ni syaa =
Kĩĩya
6. Iiya
Kĩĩya nĩ kĩlomo =
Aaya
Cultural Note:
There are some parts of the body that we don‟t mention in public. If you wish to
know which ones they are, please ask any person (Kenyan) you are free to. In
connection to this women are not supposed to expose their thighs. Please watch out
on your seating position.
93

LESSON TWENTY ONE
ISOMO YA MIONGO ILI NA IMWE
MŨNDŨ MŨWAU – A SICK PERSON
Ndakitali : Wĩ mũseo mwaitũ?

Nelly : Ii, nĩ nesa ndakitali.
Ndakitali : Wĩĩwa ata?
Nelly : Nĩ mwana mũwau.
Ndakitali : Awaĩte kyaũ?
Nelly : Eiwa nĩ ĩvu na kũtavika.
Ndakitali : Nĩ mũvyũ?
Nelly : Ĩĩ nĩ mũvyũ na nũkũthĩlia
Ndakitali : Anawaie ĩndĩĩ
Nelly : Awaie iso.
Ndakitali : Nũkwĩtuua?
Nelly : Iĩ nukwituua.
Ndakitali : Ena myaka yiana?
Nelly : Ena myaka itatũ na myei thanthatũ.
Ndakitali : Aaya, nĩngumutonya singano vamwe na ndawa sya kũnywa.
Ndawa ino umunenge kisiko kya sukali katatu kwa mũthenya,
na uimutunga itina wa kyumwa kĩmwe.
Nelly : Nĩ mbesa syiana?
Ndakitali : Nĩ silingi maana elĩ.
Nelly : Nĩ mũvea mũno.
Read Aloud:
Wĩĩwa ata?
Nĩĩwa nĩ mutwe.
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Nĩĩwa nĩ ivu.
Nĩalwa nĩ kĩthũi.
Nĩalwa nĩ muongo.
Nĩalwa nĩ maeo.
Nĩĩwa naĩ.
Mwana eiwa ata?

Ena ĩkua
Ena ndetema
Nũũtayvĩka?
Iĩ nĩgũtavika
Iĩ nĩngwĩtũũa.
Mwana nĩ mũvyũ?
Iĩ nĩ mũvyũ
Wina ĩkua – Aiee ndina ĩkua
Nina ndetema.
Mwana eĩwa ata?
Eĩwa naĩ muno.
Ena kava.
Mwana ndanavoa.
Vocabularies:
Ũwau - Sickness / Disease
Ikua - Cold
Ũvyuvu - Fever
Ndawa - Medicine
Singano - Injection
Kũiwa / kuumwa - To be hurt / be pained
Kũvoa - To recover
Kũkwata kava - To improve (from a sickness)
Kũtonya singano - To inject
Kwĩtũũa - To diarrhoe
Kũtavika - To vomit / puke
Kũmelya - To swallow
Kũwaa - To suffer (through sickness)
Kuthĩlĩa - To shiver
Kũkwatya - To infect
Kwĩwa - To feel
Vole - Sorry
Ndakitali - Doctor
Mbevo - Cold
Yuutĩa - Hot, sweat
Woo - Pains
Mũthelo - Aids
Kivinduvĩndu - Cholera
Mungethya - Rabbies
Ndetetema - Malaria
Kũlika - To enter
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Kũsũa - To spread
Waũni - Thirst
Kitau - Wound
Kĩko - Dirt
Ũng‟ũũ - Skin disease
Mangũ - Leprosy
Kũsiiia - To prevent
Kũmaa nthakama - Bilharzia
Mũtĩtĩno - Whooping cough
Nthyũũa - Dizziness
“Kũiwa” is a passive verb which leterally menas “to be pained or to be eaten by,” so
“Niiwa ni ĩvu” means “I am being pained by “stomach.” “Nĩĩwa nĩ mutwe” means I
am being pained by head or I have a headache, etc.
The active form of this verb “kuiwa” is kuya. For monosyllabic verbs endinging in
“wa” you change the “y” to “I” and insert w right before the final vowel. Thus kuya
becomes kuiwa. However, if a monosyllabic verb ends in “wa” then change the w to
u and insert it before the final „A‟ therefore “kunywa” becomes kunyuwa.
Active Passive Meaning

Kũya becomes Kũĩwa To be pained
Kũandika becomes Kũandikwa To be written
Kwĩta becomes Kwĩtwa To be named
Kwona becomes Kwonwa To be seen
Kũua becomes Kũuwa To be cooked
The other grammar used in this lesson is the object infix. The object infix is placed
immediately before the verb stem. The order in the verb fomr is subject prefix, tense
particle, object infix, verb stem derivative suffix and tense ending.
The following are some examples of object infixes in various classes.
M/A Class
Singular first person Plural first person
N, Mb, nd, ng tu
Examples: Examples
Nũnanguine - He it me - Nunatunengie
Nĩwandavisye - He told me - Niwatutavisye
Ndakambata - He won‟t refuse me - Ndakatuvata
Nũnanengie - he gave me - Nunatunengie
Singular 2nd person Ku Plural Mu

3rd person Mu Plural Ma (sometimes a)
Examples
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Singular
Nũnakukuhie He hit you Nũnamũkunie – He hit you (plural)
Nũnamukuhie He hit him Nũnamakũnie – He hit them
The Object Exampl Word with Eng. Word English

followin Infix e object infix Equival. W/Object equival.
g table Singular Infix (Plural) (Plural)
might
help you
to
understa
nd the
object
infixes in
other
noun
classes.
Noun
Class
M/MĨ U-MI Muango Ngauvingua I‟ll open Ngamivingua
I‟ll open
-Door it them.
KA/TŨ KA-TU Kalamu Ngakaua I‟ll buy it NgatuuaI‟ll buy
– pen them.
N MĨ – I, Ngombe Ngamiua I‟ll buy it Ngasiua I‟ll buy
SYS – Cow them
KI/I KĨ-SY, S Kiatu – Ngakiua I‟ll know Ngasiua I‟ll buy
Shoe it them.
I/MA YĨ-MA Iembe – Ngayiua I‟ll wash Ngamua I‟ll buy
Hoe itit them
Ũ/MA Ũ-MA Undu – Ngaumanya I‟ll wash Ngamamanya I‟ll wash
Issue it them.
Ũ/N WŨ, Ũ - Uthyu – Ngauthamba I‟ll wash Ngasithamba I‟ll wash
I, SY, S Face it them
KŨ/MA KŨ-MA Kutu – Ngakutila I‟ll cut it Ngamatila I‟ll cut
ear them.
VA/KŨ VA-KŨ Vandu – Ngavua I‟ll buy it Ngakuua I‟ll buy
Place them
Translate the following phrases and use proper passive forms of each of them.
a) My son has a headache.

b) The letter will be written by George.
c) The food will be cooked by mother
d) Her daughter will be married by Jacob.
e) Those students will be beaten by their teacher.
f) You will be seen by the doctor.
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Exercise 2
1. Can you help me?

2. You‟ll pay me after the child recovers
3. He gave me four hundred shillings.
4. I‟ll see you tomorrow morning.
5. I told him the whole story.
6. That cow is big, I‟ll buy it.
7. My hand is ahcing, I‟ll cut it.
Exercise 3:
Change the following sentences into Plural:
1. John nunangunie iyoo.
2. Paul nunamunengie valua iyoo.
3. Mwalimu nunambatie mwanya wa kuthi musyi.
4. Mwaitu nunanduiie iatu nzau.
5. Muthembi nunandavisye uvoo museo.
6. Ndakitali nunamutonyie singano
7. Mwana wake nunamwiie amelye ndawa.
8. Mwana wake nunanzomeie valua isu
9. Usuu akandukia kyondo kinene.
10. Muthukumi akanduia liu museo.
Exercise 4
Andika Milaini itano iulu wa pisa ino. – write five sentences about this pricture.
Cultural Note:
In Kenya some ethnic groups do not believe that one can be sick and die a natural
death. To them one is always bewitched. So they tend to go to see witchdoctors
instead of going to the hospital. It‟s just a culture.
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LESSON TWENTY TWO
ISOMO YA MIONGO ILI NA ILI
TOPIC;KUUA ---------COOKING ---------IN THE KITCHEN
COMPETENCY:PREPARE A LOCAL DISH
Pauline : Mwaitũ ũmũnthĩ nĩngũkũtetheesya kũua, nũndũ ndina wĩa

mwingĩ.
Mwaitũ : Tũthi ikonĩ
Pauline : Wĩenda kũua kyaũ ũmũnthĩ?
Mwaitũ : Ũmũnthĩ nĩenda kũũa ngima na sukuma.
Pauline : Nyie nĩnĩsĩ kuua ngima ĩndĩ ndyĩsĩ kuua sukuma.
Mwaitũ : Ningũkũvundĩsya. Ethiwa wĩenda kũua sukuma, mbee no
nginya wĩthĩwe na kĩtunguu, mauta, mũnyũ, manyaanya na indi
sukuma.
Pauline : Na ĩndĩ ũyĩka ata?
Mbee tilanga nyũnyi, na ũithambya, wmaina uu, tilanga
kitunguu na ũyĩkĩa isiliani vamwe na munyu na mauta.
Pauline : Wĩkĩaa kitunguu kiana ata?
Mwaitũ : Ethiwa nĩ mboka nyingĩ, wĩkĩaa itũngũũ ilĩ, kitũngũũ kyavya,
niwo wikiaa sukuma na uikunika.
Pauline : Ũkunĩkaa vate kĩwũ?
Mwaitũ : Iĩ ũkunikaa kwa ĩvinda ĩnini na indi ũyikia kawũ kanini niwo
mboka ndikaũngũe. Weekia kiwũ, etaela vandũ va ndakika
ikũmĩ na ĩndi ũyũmya.
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Pauline : Nĩ mũvea muno mwaitũ. Ũnĩ ninyie ngaua mboka.
Mwaitũ : Aaya
Read aloud:
Ũmũnthĩ nĩngũũa ngima.
Ũmũnthĩ ninguua isyo.
Ongela kĩwũ kĩkombe kĩmwe.
Ikĩa mauta na mũnyũ.
Tilanga mboka.
Tilanga kitũngũũ.
Tilanga maanyaanya.
Ikia kĩwũ.
Vocaburalires:
Kũua - To cook
Kũtetheesya - To help
Ikoni - Kitchen
Mauta - Oil
Kũtilanga - To cut
Isilia - Sauce pan
Kwĩvũa - To serve
Mbee - Before, first
Ethĩwa - If
In this lesson future tense has been used which has been explained in a previous
lesson.
Exercise 1:
Change the following sentences into negative.
1. Ũmũnthĩ nĩngũua ngima.

2. Nĩenda kũya isyo.
3. Ũmũnthĩ nĩenda kũua tene.
4. Nĩngũmũtentheesya mwaitũ kũua ngima.
5. Ndũnge akakaanga mboka ũnĩ.
Exercise 2:
1. Iveti ii syiua kyau?
2. Explain how to cook your favourite Kenya meal.
Culture Note:
In most cases men do not cook and they rarely to to the kitchen especially if there are
women around. Some me in cities do not mind going to the kitchen to help with the
cooking.
100

LESSON TWENTY THREE
ISOMO YA MIONGO ILI NA ITATU
TOPIC; KUKOMBOA NYUMBA – BOOKING A ROOM.
DIALOGUE 1
Josto : Nũtonya kũndetheesya?
Kalani : Ĩĩ uvoo waku.
Josto : Nĩ mũseo.
Kalani : Wĩna thĩna mwaũ?
Josto : Nĩenda nyumba ya kũkoma. Nivo yĩĩ?
Kalani : Ĩĩ yĩvo. Yina kyoo na mbavu. Wĩenda nyũmba kwa ivinda
yĩana ata?
Josto : Vandũ va utuku ũmwe. Ni mbesa syiana?
Kalani : Ni silingi maana eli.
Josto : Kwata mbesa nii sya ũtuku ũmwe.
Kalani : Nĩ asanda. Enda nyũmba namba itano.
Josto : Nĩ mũvea.
DIALOGUE 2
Kalani : Nata?
Sally : Nĩ kũseo nĩndonya kũkwata nyũmba vaa?
Kalani : Ĩĩ wĩende nyũmba ĩilyi ata?
Sally : Nĩenda nyumba ya andu eli, yina kyoo na mbavu. Ni mbesa
syiana?
Kalani : Ni siling ĩana na mĩongo itano kwa mũthenya ũmwe.
Sally : Kwata mbesa nii na ũienenga mbungũo.
Kalani : Enda nyumba namba ikumi.
Sally : Nũunenga lisiti?
Kalani : Ĩĩ yivo kwata.
Sally : Nĩ mũvea.
Soma na wasya munene – Read aloud:

Vaa ve nyumba?
Ĩĩ ve nyũmba.
Aiee vai nyumba syoonthe, syina andũ.
Nyumba syoonthe nĩ mbusũu.
Wĩenda nyumba ĩilyi ata?
Nĩenda nyumba ya mundu umwe.
Nĩenda nyumba ya andu eli.
Nĩenda nyumba yina kyoo na mbavu.
Nĩenda nyumba yina itanda ili.
Nĩenda nyumba yina kitanda kinene.
Nyumba yina kyoo ni mbesa syiana?
Nĩ silingi maana eli.
Nĩ silingi maana atatũ.
Wĩenda nyumba kwa ĩvinda yiana ata?
101

Vandũ va kyumwa kĩmwe.
Vandũ va symwa ilĩ
Vandũ va ũtukũ ũmwe.
Vandũ va mũthenya ũmwe.
Vocabularies:
Nyũmba - House / room
Kyoo - Toilet
Mbavu - Bathroom
Kĩtanda - Bed
Vingua - Close / lock
Lika - Enter
Mũeni - Visitor / guest
Ngengele - Bell
Lisiti - Receipt
Kũiva - To pay
Savalĩ - Trip / journey
Kalani - Clerk
The grammar used in this lesson is the possessive suffix „Na‟ “Yina” “it has” which
has been extensively covered in a previous lesson.
Exercise 4:
Answer the following questions:
a) Nyũmba sya kukomboa sya Kenya siilyi ta sya Amelika?

b) Wekalile nyũmba iilyi ata?
c) Waĩsaa liu mwau vau mũkaawani?
d) Wekalile kwa ivinda yiana ata?

a) I want a room with a bathroom and a toilet.
b) This room is cold.
c) I don‟t like a hot room
d) This food has a lot of salt.
e) That Buffalo has long horns.
102

LESSON TWENTY FOUR
ISOMO YA MIONGO ILI NA INYA.
TOPIC----MAWIA------PROFFESSIONS
COMPETENCY;STATE THEIR PROFFESSIONS AND OTHER PEOPLES;
DIALOGUE 1
Mbinda : Nata Kĩng‟oo
King‟oo : Nĩ kũseo muno mbinda. Ũvoo waku?
Mbinda : No museo. Nauma Kanisanĩ nayu nienda kũthi musyi na indĩ
ngĩthi ũsini kũthambia.
King‟oo : Nĩgwenda kũendanya naku ona kau ndyendete kuthambia.
Mbinda : Nĩwĩsi kũthambia?
King‟oo : Nĩnĩsi vaini, indĩ nĩngiia kũnywa.
Mbinda : Vaii vata wa kũkia. Ningũkũvundisya kũthambĩa.
King‟oo : Nyie nendete kũthaũka kalata mũno. Ningũkũvũndisya nzĩa
kĩvathukanyo sya kũthkanyo sya kũthaũka kalata.
Mbinda : Mbee tũthi tũkathambie na indi tũithauka kalata.
King‟oo : Aya tuthi.
Soma kwa wasya mũnene – Read Aloud:

Wendete kũsoma mavuku.
Nendete kũsoma mavuku.
Nendete kwina.
Nendete mathaũ.
Wauma wĩanĩ wendete kwika ata?

Nauma wĩanĩ nendete kũsoma ikanzeti.
Nendete kwĩthukĩĩsya wathi.
Nendete kuua
Nendete kũea ngewa sya uteti.
Twendete kũthaũka mũvila wa maau kĩla wĩoo.
Twendete kũthaũka mũvilla wa moko kĩla kwaykya.
Twendete kũthaũka mvuila wa kĩkavũ kĩla mũthenya.
Mathaukaa kalata ĩtina wa kũya.
Nendete kũthambia, kũkũna ngitaa na kũsũnga.
Nendete kũsemba.
Endete kũnywa ũkĩ.
Kĩla wathanthatũ wĩkaa ata?
Nyie nĩtenteheeasya mwaitũ kũua.
Nĩendaa ndũnyũ kũthooa Iĩu.
Nĩendaa mũũndanĩ kuima
Mwĩĩka ata?
Twĩsoma mavuku.
Twĩkũna ngitaa.
Mũli endete kũkoma muthenya amina kũya.
103

Umũnthĩ nditonya kũthaũka. Nina wia mwingĩ. Onayu nongũandĩka valua.
No ngũthooa iatũ.
No ngũneena na simũ.
No ngwĩloela sinema.
No ngũvoya.
Vocabularies:
Kũthambia - To swim
Ũsi - River - Mbũsĩ
Ũkanga - Ocean - Nganga
Kũendania - Accompany -
Kũkia - To fear - -
Kũnywa - To drink -
Vaiĩ vata - No need
Nzia - Way Nzĩa
Kĩvathũkanyo - Different
Kũthaũka kalata - To play cards
Mũvĩla wa moko - Netball (handball)
Mũvĩla wa maaũ - (Football) (legs-ball)
Mũvĩla wa kĩkavũ - Basketball
Kũsũnga - To dance
Kũĩma - To cultivate
Kũsemba - To run
Kwĩloela - To watch
Sinema - Cinema Cinema
Kũthi - To go
Kwina - To sing
Ikanzeti - Newspaper Makanzeti
Wathi - Song Mbathi
Kwithũkĩĩsya - To listen to
Ũki - Local brew Ũkĩ
Ndũnyũ - Market Ndũnyũ
Mũũndani - Garden Mĩũndanĩ
Kukoma - To sleep
Simũ - Phone Phone
Kũvoya - To pray
The grammar used in this lesson is the still tense. The syllable “no” followed by a
verb leaves an impression that a certain action that has been taking place is still going
on.
Examples:
No ngũandika valua - I‟m still writing a letter
No ngũsoma ivuku - I‟m still reading a book
No ngũsũnga - I‟m still dancing.
No ngũya - I‟m still eating.
104

A phrase – one yu – meaning even now – is added to emphasize the fact.
105

Example
Ona yu no ngũsoma – Up to now I‟m still reading.
Ona yu no ngomete – up to now I‟m still sleeping.
Exercise 1
1. Ona yu nongũsoma.
2. ona yu no meũthaũka.
3. Ona yu no tũkomete.
4. Ona yu no ngũandika valua.
5. Ona yu no mũkũũa?
6. One yu no ngũsemba.
7. Ona yu no ngũima.
8. Ona yu no ngũthoosya mboka.
9. Ona yu no ngũtuma nthũngi
10. Ona yu no ngwivundisya kikamba.
Exercise 2:
Re-write the following sentences using the Still Tense.
Example:
Q. Ningũsoma ivuku.
A Ona yu no ngusoma ivuku
1. Paul nukwivundisya kũthambia.

2. Inywi mwi alimũ ma kikamba.
3. Silikali nditetheeasya andũ.
4. Mbesa syakwa syi vengi.
5. Michael niwe mwalimũ woo.
6. Tom ainaa mbathi sya wana.
7. Rose endete nzuku mũno.
8. Nendete kwikala na mwana mũno.
9. Endete kũmanya maũndũ ma mũndũ mũno.
10. Nendete wia wa kũima.
Exercise 3:
Syana ii Syithauka mathaũ mekũ? What games are this kids playing?
List down five activities kid like doing each day after school.
1.
3.
3.
4.
5.
6.
106

Nyie ni
Nyie ni Nyie ni vundi
muusik mwalimu
ali
Mi sisita Ni muui
Ni ndakitali
Muimi wa
ngombe
107

Cultural Note:
Most people among the Kamba ethnic group have no hobbies. This is due to the fact
that we have no free time. Through out the day people are busy with their daily
chores and then at the end of the day women get to cooking and men sit and chat as
they wait for supper.
HIV/AIDS--------- MUTHELO-------
UKIMWI.
COMPETENCY:EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON DANGERS AND
PREVENTION,
MANYITHYA ANDU MA MBAI MAUTHUKU NA NZIA YA KWISIIA

MUTHELO.
PCV;Vetelo niwathokisye muovisa wa wailu wa mwii utuini wa kwa maji musyini

wa Loitoktok nikan aneene iulu wa muthelo,muovisa ni waeleisye undu mundu
utonya kukwatwa ni muthelona undu mundu utonya kwisiia kukwatwa ni uwau uu.
PCV-;Mwiaseo inywonthe?
ATUI;Ii twiaseo
PCV;Umunthi twina utanu kwithiwa na mueni na we ni ovisa wa uima wa
mwii.nukuneena naitu iulu wa muthelo,kalivu ovisa.
OVISA;Muthelo ni kyau?
ATUI;Muthelo ni kuowa kana kiumi.
OVISA;Muthelo ni uwau ula uetawe ni kwaa vinya wa mwii.
ATUI;Ata?
OVSA;Uetawe ni kwisila kwanana ki mwii na na mundu wina muthelo,kwikiwa kana
kukwata nthakame ila yina muthelo.kutumia syindu ta sindano,kawembe,vamwe na
mundu muwau.ona mwana no akwatwe ni muthelo ivinda ya kusyawani mundu muka
wina muthelo.
MUTUMIA;Mundu atonyaa kumanya ata kana ena muthelo?

OVISA;Ikulyo iseo muno nidi nundu tuina ivinda tukaneena muno kyumwa
kyukite.Tiwai na useo.
108

OVISA:Umunthi ni ngusungia makulyo ma kyumwa kithelu.mbee nineena iulu wa
ndalili sya muthelo.
Muthelo ni kwaiwa ni vinya wa mwii,muwau ambiliilya kuiwa ni mutwe,kwithua
kukooa kemwa ni liu kuthinwa ni mwii na kukosa kilo.
MWAITU;Kwina kivosya kya muthelo?
OVISA;Aiee,vai kivosya ona vamwe.
MUTUMIA;Ngai wakwa?nayu twiika ata ovisa
OVISA;Ikulyo iseo mutumia,ithiwa mwikiiku kwai mwendwa waku,ndukonane
kiimwii utena kondomu,ethiwa nomuvaka wonane kiimwii nuseo kutumia
kondomu.na omuno ndukatumie kindu ta kawembe,sindano ndumie ni andu angi
nuseo utheukye siindu isu vyu utanamba kwitumia.
MWENE KIVILA;Ni muvea ni tweemanyisya muno umunthi.
ADVERBS
Kimwii love
Ethiwa if
Muno very
Ivinda time/duration
Muikiio believe
Kukwatwa to be infected
Kumumunya to kiss
Kukooa to cough
Kumosa to slim
Kuiita to treat
Kutheukya to boil
Kwimanyisya to learn
NGEWA STORY
Muwau wa muthelo aile kwisuvia kwisila kuya nesa,ndakanywe sikala,kana kunywa

uki.Niwaile kutumia kondomu ivinda yontheukwonana kii mwii na mwendwa
wake;kuthumua na kwona ndakitaliyila uteiwa nesa na ingi aile kwithiwa e mutheu.
FACTS ABOUT HIV/-------UWO IULU WA MUTHELO

1.Muthelo ti uoi
2.Muthelo ndwi ndawa
3.Mundu ona wiva no akwatwe ni muthelo
4.Muthelo ni kikwu
5.Andu aingi makwatawa ni muthelo nikwonana kii mwii.
109

CULTURAL NOTE;In some countries people believe in witchcrafthence AIDS is
associated to witchcraft more over,othertribes believes in taboos and so believes
AIDS is a curse from god or ancestors.some Christians believes the earth is coming to
an end hence AIDS is a disease to punish people from their sinfulness.
NOTE-
When doing a presentation to a community you need to work with your countetrpart
on more culturally acceptable vocabulary like Ume-penis-instead of the direct word
and that doent agree with the common culturally appropriate terms.
GLOSSARY
Syiko - Verbs:
Kikamba English
Kũma To come from / out of
Kwĩtwa To be called
Kũmanya Know
Kwĩkala To stay
Kũthi To go
Kũka To come
Kũsyoka To return
Kũmanyisywa/kũsomethya To teach
Kũima To farm
Kũthoosya To sell
Kũiita To treat
Kũithya To raise / keep
Kũtala To count
Kũtheũkya To boil
Kũya To eat
Kũnywa To drink
Kũnenga To curve
Kũete To bring
Kwĩanĩwa To be satisfied
Kũvũma To be full
Kũtũnga To return
Kwĩtya To order
Kwongela To add
Kũiva To pay
110

Kũmya To remove / substract
Kwiwa To fell/ hear
Kũmina To finish
Kũthũmũa To rest
Kũsoma To read
Kũelewa To understand
Kũua/kũthooa To buy
Kũvita To pass
Kwona To see
Kũtheea To go down / descend
Kũtula To climb / go up
Kũkũlya To ask
Kũtetheesya To help
Kusinga To look
Kũũngama To stand / stop
Kũvika To arrive
Kũsua To be full
Kũendanga To move
Enda To leave
Kũkua To take / carry
Kikamba English
Kũkwata To get / acquire
Kũthi Kyalo To travel
Kũa To rain
Kũketha To harvest
Kũtana To be happy
Kwĩkĩa To put on / wear
Kwalw‟a/kũũmwa To be pained / bitten by
Kũvoa To recover
Kũvaka To apply / smear
Kũtonya To inject
Kwĩtũũa To diarrhoea
Kũtavĩka To vomit
Kũtũmĩa To use
Kũmelya To swallow
Kũwaa To suffer from
Kũthilia To shiver
Kũtwaya To infect
Kũnyaĩĩka To spread
Kũlika To enter
Kũsiĩĩa To prevent
Kũua To cook
Kwĩvua To serve
Kũamũka To wake up
Kũvingũa To open
Kũvinga To close
Kũlwa To forget
Kutiala To remain
111

Ũthambia To swim
Kũkia To fear
Kũendeea To continue
Kũthaũka To play
Kũĩmĩa To weed
Kũnyĩthya To water, irrigate
Kwendewa To be attracted to
Kũsemba To run
Kũsisya To look
Kũola To reduce
Kwenda To need
Kũvita To pass
Kũatĩĩa To follow
Kũkuna To hit / beat
Kũtonya To be able
Kũsyawa To be born
Kũsyaa To give birth
Kũthama To move / migrate
Kwambĩĩa To start / begin
Kũmantha To search
Kũandĩkwa To be employed
Kũandĩka To write / employ
Kwĩyĩkalya To depend on oneself
Kwonelelya To direct, guide
Kwangĩa To move towards
Kũĩnga To cross
kwonia To show
Kũvinduka To turn
Kũtavya To tell
Adjectives:
Kikamba English
Noti / nzilo Zero
Imwe One
Ilĩ Two
Itatũ Three
Inya Four
Itano Five
Thanthatũ Six
Muonza Seven
Nyaanya Eight
Keenda Nine
Ikumi Ten
Miongo ĩlĩ Twenty
Miongo itatũ Thirty
Miongo ĩna Forty
Miongo ĩtano Fifty
Miongo thanthatũ Sixty
112

Mionng mũonza Seventy
Miongo nyaanya Eighty
Miongo keenda Ninety
Iana Hundred
-ingi A lot / many
-nini Small / little
-vyũ Hot
-thithu Cold
Thooa Price
Vaita Profit
Kũvya Get a loss
Thooa mũseo Fair / good price
Thooa wa mbee First price
-eni Strange / foreign
-ingi Other
-iana? How many?
Langi Colour
Matũ Colour of leaves (green)
Nzĩĩlĩlĩ Light blue
Mbuluu Blue
Yelo Yellow
Vingi Pink
Ngilee Grey
Masungwa Orange colour
-iu Black
-eu White
-une Red
Kĩko Dirty
-seo Good
-thũku Bad
-ithĩ Unripe / raw
113

Maliu na Syaumywa - Food and Drinks:
Kikamba English
Mbemba Corn / maize

Mboso Beans
Kyai Tea
Mũnyũ Salt
Lĩu Food
Ikovisĩ Cabbage
Kaawa Coffee
Kalati Carrots
Maluu Potatoes
Iia Milk
Kiwũ Water
Mũsele Rice
Nyama Meat
Ũki Beer / alcohol
Sota Soda
Sukali Sugar
Usũũ Porridge
Mũkate Bread
Itumbĩ Egg
Isungwa Orange
Itunda Fruit
Inanasi Pineapple
Iĩu Banana
Inyaanya Tomato
Syindu Sya Musyi na Ngua - Domestic Items and Clothing::

Kikamba English
Ngũa Clothing
Isaani Plate
Kavyũ Knife
Uma Fork
Ngilasi Glass
Kĩkombe Cup
Kĩtambaa Cloth
Kĩvila Chair
Ndilisya Window
Sokisi Socks
Kĩtonyeo Dress
Sati Skirt
Suti Suit
Leso Kanga
Ngovia Hat
Sulualĩ Pants
Mauta Oil
114

Kikamba English
Isilia Cooking pan
Nyumba House
Mbavu Bathroom
Kitanda Bed
Ikoni Kitchen
Neti ya umuu Mosquito net
Ngolova Storey
Uito na kithimo Weights and Measures:

Kikamba English
Mita Metre
Kilo Kilogram
Nginya Up to / until
Nyusu Half
Kwota Quarter
Uasa Distance
Muio Luggage
Kuma Since
Kithimo Amount
Social Aspects, Nouns and Titles:

Kikamba English
Mundu muka Woman / Lady
Munduuume Man / gentleman
Uvoo News
Mwaitu Mother
Mutumia Old man
Mwana Child
Musyi Home
Ni muvea Thank you
Enda nesa Go well, goodbye
Isyitwa Name
Ni muvea Thank you
Enda nesa Go well, goodbye
Isyitwa Name
Munyanya Friend
Sukulu School
Mwalimu / mumanyisya Teacher
Mumanyiwa Student
Kisungu English
Isavu Mathematics
Viasala Business
Ndakitali Doctor
Mbai Tribe/ethnic group
Nau Father
Musyai Parent
Mwanaaia Brother
Mwiituaia Sister
115

Kikamba English
Ũma Grandfather
Ũsũu Grandmother
-ũme Male
-nga Female
Mwĩĩtu Girl
Kavisi Boy
Mũkaawa Restaurant
Mbesa Money
Silingi Shilling
Sumuni Fifty cent coin
Ing‟otole Ten cents coin
Ndululu Five cent coin
Ndola Dollar
Mũthoosya Seller
Mũthooi Buyer
Kanisa Church
Mũsikiti Mosque
Mwitikili Christian
Mũisilaamu Muslim
Sikũkũ Holiday
Thayu Life
Ukũũ Age
Kisomo Education
Mũsingi Foundation
Vundi Artisan / Technician
Mũvisi / Muui Cook
Mũimi Farmer
Mũtongoi Leader
Sivitali Hospital
Wĩa Job/work
Vengi Bank
Vosita Post office
Kyoo Toilet
Ovisi Office
Ndũnyũ Market
Ngali Vehicle
Tikiti Fare
Simũ Telephone
Kyalo Journey / Trip
Mwanya Chance, space
Mũthema Type
Ngetha Harvest, produce
Ndawa Medicine
Singano Injection
Mũndũ mũka mũito Pregnant woman
Mũeni Guest, visitor
Mũthui Rich person
116

Mũvila Ball
Mũvila wa moko Hand ball (Volley ball)
Mũvila wa maau Football
Ndanzi Dance
Mathaũ Games / Athletics
Kĩwanza Field court
Mawĩa Chores / Errands
117

Ualyuku wa Ivinda na Nzeve
Changes in Time and Weather:
Kikamba English
Kwaykya Morning
Mũthenya Day
Mawĩoo Evening
Ũtuku Night
Umũnthi Today
Mvevo Cold / Chilly
Ivinda Season
Masangya Dawan / early morning
Tene Early / long ago
Katambanga Noon / mid day
Wakwambiliilya Monday
Wakeli Tuesday
Wakatatũ Wednesday
Wakana Thursday
Wakatano Friday
Wathantatũ Saturday
Wakyuma Sunday
Nzanuali Jauary
Mwei wa Keli February
Mwei wa Katatũ March
Mwei wa Kana April
Mwei wa Katano May
Mwei wa Thanthatũ June
Mwei wa Mũonza July
Mwei wa Nyaanya August
Mwei wa Keenda September
Mwei wa Ikũmi October
Mwei wa Ikũmi na Umwe November
Mwei wa Ikũmi na Ili December
Mwei Month
Mwaka Year
Kyumwa Week
Iyoo Yesterday
Iso Day before yesterday
Unĩ Tommorrow
Auke Day after tomorrow
Matũkũ Date / Days
Indĩĩ When
Ivinda ya mbua Rainy season
Mbua Rain
Thano Dry season
Matũ Clouds
Kĩseve Wind
Sua Sun
Mwei Moon
118

Ndata Stars
Yua Draught
Yuutĩa Hot/Humid
Nzeve Air
119

Preposition:
Kikamba English
Iulu wa On top of, over above
Nthĩ wa/ungu wa Under / below, down
Mbee wa Infront of, ahead
Itina wa Behind
Nthini wa Inside, in
Kati wa Between, middle
Nza wa Outside, out
Vandũ va Instead of
Vakuvĩ na Near, close to
Vaasa na Far (from)
Vamwe na Together
Muingo Across
Itina wa After
Mbee wa Before
Transport:
Kikamba English
Ngalĩ Vehicle
Kisuululu Bicycle
Mbasi Bus
Ndeke Aeroplane
Mũtokaa Motor car
Ngali ya mwaki Train
Ikasya Cart
Adverbs:
Kikamba English
Indi But
Kana Or
Mĩtukĩ Quickly / fast
Ta Like
Mũno very
W‟o Really / true
Ni kana So that
Ũndũ How to
Vate Without
Ethĩwa If
Mamutha ma Mwii – Human Anatomy:

Kikamba English
Kũũ Leg / foot
Kwoko Hand / arm
Itho Eye
Kyongo / mũtwe Head
120

Kikamba English
Kyaa Fingure
Iu Knee
Kutu Ear
Nzwĩĩ Hair
Inyũũ Nose
Ivu Stomach
Mwaa Nails
Muongo Back
Mũkautĩ Belly / Button / Navel
Kĩtuo Shoulder
Matako Thigh
Kĩtĩinyo Heel
Kĩthũi Chest
Ngingo Neck
Ngolu Chin
Natural phenomena and land marks:

Kikamba English
Nthĩ Country
Muunda Farm / Garden
Mwaki Fire
Kĩao Bridge
Usĩ River
Kĩĩma Mountain
Ũkanga Ocean / Sea
Iia Lake
Makomano Junction
Nzĩa Path/way
Ngalĩko Side
Kw‟oko kwa aũme Right hand side
Kw‟oko kwa aka Left hand side
Ũwau Ailment / Disease
Ũvyũvu Fever
Ikua Cold
Too Sleep
Woo Pain
Mũthelo AIDS
Kivinduvindu Cholera
Mũnge‟thya Rabbies
Ndetema Malaria
Wauni Thirst
Nzaa Hunger
Kitau Wound
Ũng‟ũũ Scabies
Mutĩtĩno Whooping cough
Nhty‟ũũa Dizziness
121

Nyamu Sya Musyi na Sya Kithekani:
Animals (Domestic and Wild):
Kikamba English
Ngũkũ Chicken / Hen
Ng‟ombe Cow
Mbũi Goat
Ilondu Sheep
Ngũluwe Pig
Ikũyũ Fish
Munyambũ Lion
Mbusya Rhino
Nzou Elephant
Ngii Warthog
Kĩngaangi Crocodile
Nzoka Snake
Mbia Rat
Mbaka Cat
Ngĩtĩ Dog
Kikoyo Leopard
Ing‟oi Donkey
Mbalasi Horse
Mbũkũ Rabbit / Hare
Ngi Housefly
Umuu Mosquito
Ndaa Lice
Ngũngũni Bedbut
In‟gũli Cockroaches
Mboo Buffalo
Mbiti Hyena
Ndwia Girafe
Nzaĩ Zebra
Ndaatai Antelope
122

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Kikamba Self-Instruction Manual

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LESSON TITLE PAGE

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COMPETENCY;KUKETHANIA KWA WO:EXCHANGE GREETINGS

NGEWA – NDŨNGE NA MUTUNGA – DIALOGUE A:

PARENTS GREETS THEIR CHILDREN DEFFERENTLY/ELDER BROTHERS

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SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE:

The grammar used in this lesson is verb to be (Nĩ) in present tense.

Wĩ mũseo? Are you fine?

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Some possessive pronouns have also been used: -

EXERCISE ONE – WRITE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

EXERCISE TWO: - WRITE THE PLURALS OF THE FOLLOWING

EXERCISE THREE: - TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES:

ŨELESYO WA KĨTHĨO KYA AKAMBA – CULTURAL NOTE:

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TOPIC – KWIMANYITHIA – INTRODUCITON

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NGEWA – DIALOGUE THREE:

Makaũ: - Mwĩ aseo?

SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE:

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VOCABULARIES: NDETO NZAU:

Ĩsyĩtwa Name Masyitwa

Subject prefixes, possessives of MŨ/A Class, interrogatives and some simple

Some possessives used in this lessons are: -

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(What is your name)

(a) Ũvoo waku? ___________________________________________.

(a) Isiytwa yakwa ni Mwende ____________________________________.

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Wambua : Ũvoo waku Mũtindi?

VOCABULARY ------NDETO NZAU

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1. Kũũ Loitoktok wikalaa va?

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NGEWA YA MBEE-DIALOGE ONE

Kamene:uvoo waku Mutiso?

Mutinda;umite ku? Where do you come from

SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE---READ ALOUD

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Wikalaa va? Where do you stay

Where does your wife stay

NDETO NZAU---------NEW WORDS

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kitheka :Umĩte va?

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SOMA KWA WASYA:

Inywĩ mwĩ Amwaũ?

Ũyũ nũũ? Ũyũ nĩ Kyalo.

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VOCABULARIES: NDETO NZAU

The grammar used in this lesson is:

(a) (We) __ kiwu _ soda.