I don’t really want to be transformed into a four legged braying work animal but I have recently learned that there is Hausa phrase for foreigners who are fluent in Hausa; this being, “Ya iya Hausa kamar jakin Kano†which literatly translates to “he speaks Hausa like a Kano donkey.” Owing to the fact that ever since my arrival in Abuja I have on numerous occasions (at least six times in one day!) been addressed/spoken to in Hausa by many who have mistakenly identified me as a Hausa speaking Fulani woman I have decided to learn Hausa.
The security guard at work has kindly agreed to teach me a phrase a day. It is going well and I am further encouraged by two things. Firstly, there is no greater honour that can be extended to a visitor than treating him/her as if he/she was not a visitor. The least I can do to show my gratitude is to take steps to integrate with the people of my host nation and though there are over 200 hundred languages spoken in Nigeria I should not let this deter me from learning at least one before I leave. Secondly it has been brought to my attention that there are Hausa words that are similar to those that I am already familiar with as a result of my knowledge of (dare I say fluency in) Kiswahili. I feel like the battle is half won so why not go all the way?
So for anyone else who wants to join me in quest to become a Kano donkey; here is a list of English words with their Hausa and Kiswahili translations and who knows maybe there shall be an all Hausa blog soon.
- Twenty = Ashirin (Hausa); Ishirini (Kiswahili)
- Thirty = Talatin (Hausa); Thelathini (Kiswahili)
- Forty = Arbain (Hausa); Arbaini (Kiswahili)
- Fifty = Hamsin (Hausa); Hamsini (Kiswahili)
- Sixty= Sittin (Hausa); Sitini (Kiswahili)
- Thursday = Alhamis (Hausa); Alhamisi (Kiswahili)
*Learn to count and days of the week in Hausa.
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JKE says
Hehe….so now you know my passion for Kiuk!
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JKE says
kamar = kama?
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mshairi says
whoah, JKE, you are fast!
In a previous life, I was known as Gambiya Amina and then I would say to you:
Ina wuni?
Although I never did become a Kano donkey. Damn!
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Mich says
Good to see you blogging again babes. Keep the Naija updates coming….
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udi says
Mama J, Whats happening, whats happening. Question for you. Is the similarity in words due to the Arabic influence in both languages?
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Uwe says
Udi, you are right: The similarities are due to the Arabic influence. You will find this influence in many domains of the language, e.g. numbers, religion, politics, etc.
Sergio Baldi from Naples has written a book about this:
A First Ethnolinguistic Comparison of Arabic Loanwords Common to Hausa and Swahili
Best wishes,
Uwe
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Quintessential says
hey doll…you’re well on your way to donkeydom…after looking at the few words you’ve shared I might be compelled to join you…
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Wambui says
LOL! Brilliant. I actually want to come back as the braying beast that is exploited it seems in every country in the world except TZ! Here, they live on the sides of the road, eating and sleeping and doing WTF they like on any given day. They rule the roads too! Will not move unless you ask nicely and look at you as if to say “hit me – I dare you! And we shall see who suffers the most damage!”So yes, I am willing to bray any time – well in my next life anyway…
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Uaridi says
For some reason, I never thought Hausa had Arabic influence. It sounded so strange to me – “Sanu lafia” (However it is spelt) was just about what I could manage.
Have fun and come dazzle us with strange new words.
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Kamau Mutunga says
Hi Kui,
I am a writer with the Nation Media Group and we are doing a story on Kenyan blogs.
Kindly answer for me the following questions:
1. Why do people run blogs?
2. Why is the fad catching on in Kenya now?
3. What determines the topics you write sbout?
4. Kindly describe yourself
5. Anything else I have not asked you…