This list of Garifuna words was compiled in St. Vincent (Yurumein) in 1666. Over the past three hundred years many of these words have undergone major changes and modifications, but Garifuna speakers of today still use many of them. More than two dozens of them have remained unaltered. After repeating the sounds of the words several times, the Garifuna speaker will begin to recognize the word.
The existence of this list is indeed a very powerful testimony to the fact that our ancestors learnt, adapted and used the Garifuna language on the island of St. Vincent. This evidence validates and strengthens our claim to the history of the Garifuna in St. Vincent (Yurumein).
Here is in part an answer given in response by Nancy Gonzalez to the following questions: "What African language is Garifuna most similar to? Have any Garinagu gone to Africa and studied similarities and differences? Is there any documentation available?"
Dear friends:
The Garifuna language has been extensively studied by linguists, and is basically
of the South American Arawak family, with numerous words taken from the Carib
family, also from South America. It has also borrowed heavily from French, English,
and Spanish. No more than five possible loan words from African languages have
ever been found, and these are not confirmed…
My work, starting in 1955, has been oriented toward the ethnography and ethno-history of the Garifuna… The language, as well as most of the technology, much of the religious ritual, and the agricultural and fishing complex derive not from Africa, but from South America…Don’t let yourselves lose sight of this unique heritage. There is no other group in the world with your culture because it is a product of your unique history! It has changed through time as the people have faced new challenges, but its core, largely due to the language, has remained firmly in place. Best wishes for the holiday season and beyond.
Nancy Gonzalez
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WORDS USED IN YURUMEIN IN 1666 |
WORDS USED IN
DIASPORA IN 1999
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Nokobou |
The body |
Núgubu |
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Nora |
My skin |
Nura |
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Nabo |
My bones |
Nabu |
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Nillagra |
My veins |
Nílagüle |
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Lillagra |
His veins |
Lilegüle |
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Nitta |
My blood |
Nita |
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Nilibouri |
My hair |
Nídiburi |
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Nicheuke |
My head |
Nichügü |
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Nakou-ora |
My eye-lid |
Lidáü nagu |
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Nakou-iou |
The hair of the eyelid |
Liu nagu |
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Nérébe |
My forehead |
Nerebe |
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Nichibou |
My face |
Nigibu |
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Nichiri |
My nose |
Nígiri |
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Niouma |
My mouth |
Niuma |
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Nioumarou |
My lip |
Niumáru |
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Nari |
My tooth |
Nari |
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Narikae |
My ear |
Narigei |
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Nouboyoubou |
My temples |
Nubuyubu |
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Nitigne |
My cheeks |
Nidíen |
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Nouri |
My breast |
Nuri |
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Neche |
My shoulder |
Nege |
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Narreuna |
My arm |
Narüna |
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Neugueumeueuke |
My elbow |
Núgünügü |
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Noucabo |
My hand |
Núhabu |
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Noubara |
My nail |
Núbara |
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Nanichirokou |
My stomach |
Naniguogu* (gau) |
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Niouanni (f) |
My heart (Soul) |
Nuáni Nanichi(m) |
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Noubana |
My liver |
Nubána |
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Noulakae |
My belly (entrails) |
Nuragei* (ai) |
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Nauba |
My side |
Nauba |
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Nanagane |
My lower back |
Nanaganebu |
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Narioma |
My navel |
Nari |
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Nagagirik |
My knee |
Nagachürügü |
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Nichaoa-chaoua |
My ham |
Nichawachawa |
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Nourna |
My leg |
Núruna, Niáda |
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Nourna-aboulougou |
My shin |
Núruna |
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Namourgouti |
My ankle |
Namurugute |
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Nougouti |
My foot |
Nugudi |
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Nougouti-rokou |
Sole of my feet |
Nugudirugu |
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Baba |
Baba (Speaking to him) |
Baba |
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Noukouchili |
My father (Speaking of) |
Nuguchi |
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Yao |
My uncle |
Yau |
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Niraheu |
My son |
Niraü |
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Hibali |
My grandchild (one) |
Nibari |
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Nibagnem |
My grandchildren |
Nibañan |
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Niboukayem |
My elder brother |
Níbugañan Namouleem |
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Hibali moukou |
My son-in-law |
Nibarimu |
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Liani |
His wife |
Liani |
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Naguette |
My grandmother |
Nagütü |
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Niraheu |
My daughter |
Nirou |
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Nitou |
My sister |
Nitu |
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Tamoulelouan |
Her younger sister |
Tamulelua |
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Nibache |
My niece |
Nibase |
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Ouekelli |
Man |
Wügüri |
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Ouekeliem |
Men |
Wügüriñan |
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Eyeri |
Man |
Eyeri |
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Eyerium |
Men |
Eyeriñun |
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Inarou |
Woman |
Hiñanru |
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Innouyum |
Women |
Hiñanriñun |
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Ouelle |
Woman |
Würi |
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Ouekelli-raeu |
Little boy |
Wügüri irahü |
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Ouelle-raeu |
Little girl |
Würi irahü |
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Ouaiali |
An old man |
Wéyali* Waiali |
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Jacaba, Noubara |
Stay for me. |
Reideiba lidan nubara |
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Emenichiraba |
Hope in him. |
Hemenigiba luagu |
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Emenichira |
Hope |
Emenigi |
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Nemenichiraeu |
My hope |
Nemenigira |
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Lamanatina |
I am hungry. |
Lamadina |
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Nacrabatina |
I am thirsty. |
Mágürabutina |
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Natoni boman |
Give me some drink. |
Nata buma. |
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Baika. |
Eat. |
Baiga* Beiga |
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Aika |
To eat |
Aiga,* Eiga |
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Kouraba |
You drink. |
Guraba |
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Natiem |
I drink. |
Natuñan |
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Nacharouatina |
I have drunk. |
Bacharuadina |
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Hac-yete |
Come here. |
Áhü-ye |
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Ariangaba |
Speak. |
Ariengaba, ariñegaba |
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Maniba |
Hold your peace. |
Maniba |
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Niorouba |
Sit down. |
Ñunruba |
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Raoignaba |
Lie down on the ground. |
Rounba murougu |
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Raramaba |
Stand up. |
Raramaba |
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Arikaba |
Look. |
Arihaba |
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Akambabae |
Hear. |
Agambabai |
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Aochabae |
Taste it. |
Houchabai |
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Kouroubae |
Touch it. |
Gurubai |
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Bayoubaka |
Go |
Baibuga |
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Nayoubakayem |
I go |
Naibuga |
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Hehemba |
Run |
Henunba |
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Babenaka |
Dance |
Babinaha |
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Nabinakayem |
I dance |
Nabinahañan |
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Choubakouba |
Leap |
Chubaguaba |
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Choubakou naibou |
I am going to leap. |
Chubaguana |
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Béérraka |
Laugh |
Beheraha |
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Naouërekoyem |
I laugh |
Nouweguñan |
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Ayakouaka |
Weep |
Ayahuaha |
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Baronka |
Sleep |
Barumuga |
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Akakotouäba |
Awake |
Agaguduaba |
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Nemervoni |
Rest |
Nemeragua |
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Aouraba banichi |
Refresh thy heart |
Awaraguata banigi |
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Phoubaë |
Blow |
Fubai |
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Chouëba |
Spit |
Sueba |
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Hymba |
Cough |
Hinba |
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Homoura |
To ease oneself |
Ámura |
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Chibaba |
Wash thyself |
Chibaguaba |
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Akao bouka |
Go to wash thyself. |
Agawa bungua |
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Napouloukayem |
I swim |
Nabuluhañan |
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Niarakouäli |
He was choked. |
Ñanraguali |
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Talaba |
Open |
Daraba |
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Aloukaba |
Seek |
Alugaba |
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Hamamba |
Fly |
Hamaba |
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Batikeroyen |
You fall |
Bachugereguñan |
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Kebeciketabaë |
Sell it |
Gebegigüdabai |
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Akani |
An enemy |
Ágani |
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Oubao- bonon |
An islander |
Ubouhuna |
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Balanaglé |
A man who comes by sea |
Baranagüle |
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(Christians or Europeans) |
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Tamon |
A servant or absolute slave |
Idamuni |
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Inouti |
High |
Inñuti |
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Onabouti |
Low |
Ünabuti |
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Ouliliti |
Deep |
Huliliti |
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Taboubéreti |
Broad |
Dabubereti |
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Mouchinagouti |
Long |
Miginaguti |
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Chiririti |
Round |
Giririti |
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Nioulouti |
Soft |
Ñunluti |
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Téreti |
Hard |
Dereti |
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Kouchakouali |
Moist |
Gucharati |
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Alouti |
White |
Haruti |
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Ouliti |
Black |
Würiti |
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Ponati |
Red |
Funati |
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Youalouti |
Thief |
Hiweruti |
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Oulimateti |
An adulterer |
Ounliduati |
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Oulibati |
Evil |
Würibati |
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Nianouanti |
Evil |
Hañanwariti |
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Iroponti |
Good |
Irufuguti |
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Leuleuti ao |
A fool |
Lülütau |
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Talouali ao |
A fool (He who has no light) |
Daruguati lau |
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Imouemeti |
Sad |
Uwedemeti |
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Chouchouti |
Piquant or tart in taste |
Chou chou ti |
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Natiakayem |
I fish. |
Nadiahañan |
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Abourricaali |
He is coming into the port. |
Abürügaali |
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Naromankayem |
I sing a song. |
Narumanhañan |
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Ichoatoati tao |
He is in love with her. |
Ichuahati tuma |
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Chouba nioumolou- |
Kiss me. |
Chuba niuma |
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Kinchinti loné |
He loves him. |
Hisienti lun |
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Yerekati loné |
He hates him. |
Iyereguti lun |
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Liuetimali |
Drunkenness |
Luedifun |
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Baikoaba |
Strike, beat |
Baiguabai |
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Abaichaglé |
Whip or wand |
Abaichagülei |
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Apparabaë |
Beat him. |
Afarabai |
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Atouattienly |
He is well. |
Atuaditi |
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Naneteiti |
He is sick. |
Ganütariti |
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Hilaali |
He is dead. |
Hilaali |
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Bonambaë |
Bury him (it, plant) |
Bunabai |
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Toubana |
An ordinary house |
Tuban |
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Maina |
Garden |
Mainabu |
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Nichari |
My garden |
Nichari |
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Béna |
A door |
Béna |
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Amac, Nekera |
A bed |
Nügüra |
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Halaheu |
A seat |
Haláü |
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Takae |
A vessel |
Tagai |
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Tauba |
A half vessel made of gourd |
Tauba wira |
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Ritta |
A drinking cup |
Rida |
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Keoue |
A hook |
Güwein*, Güwi |
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Akoucha |
A needle |
Agusa |
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Alopholer |
A pin (Harpoon) |
Arufun |
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Catoli |
A basket |
Gadouri |
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Aribelet |
Roast meat |
Alibele |
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Eberitina |
Merchandise |
Ebegidinou |
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Couliala |
A small vessel |
Guriara |
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Ibitarrou |
A cord |
Ifitaru |
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Ankouroute |
An anchor |
Ounguru |
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Couchique |
A knife |
Gusiñu |
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Chirachi |
Scissors |
Isiresi |
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Anhan |
Yes |
An an |
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Oua |
Nay, No |
Uá |
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Alouka |
Tomorrow |
Haruga |
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Mabouë |
Good morning |
Mabuiga |
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Huican |
Farewell |
Awisaha |
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Narikaela |
Pendants for the ear |
Narigaila* Narigeila |
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Chibouchi |
A looking glass |
Isibusei |
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Echoubara |
A sword |
Isubara |
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Rakabouchou |
Musket |
Aragabusu |
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Kaloon |
Great guns |
Galún |
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Laboulougou |
The point of it |
Labulugu |
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Lirana |
The middle |
Liranagua |
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Tiona |
The end |
Tiuna |
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Chimala |
A bow |
Gimara+ |
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Ibitarrou |
The string of the bow |
Ifitaru |
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Narikaela |
Pendants for the ear |
Narigaila* Narigeila |
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Chibouchi |
A looking glass |
Isibusei |
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Echoubara |
A sword |
Isubara |
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Rakabouchou |
Musket |
Aragabusu |
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Kaloon |
Great guns |
Galún |
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Laboulougou |
The point of it |
Labulugu |
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Lirana |
The middle |
Liranagua |
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Tiona |
The end |
Tiuna |
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Chimala |
A bow |
Gimara+ |
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Ibitarrou |
The string of the bow |
Ifitaru |
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Anly |
A dog |
Aunli |
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Oulle anly |
A female dog |
Würi aunli |
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Bouirokou |
A swine |
Buiruhu |
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Alouata |
An ape or monkey |
Arawada |
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Ouayamaka |
The great lizard |
Wayamaga |
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Karattoni |
A mouse |
Garadún |
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Mechou |
A cat |
Mesu |
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Makeré |
The soldier, a kind of snail |
Magüre |
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Héhué |
A serpent |
Hewe |
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Akourou |
A scorpion |
Aguru |
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Hueré-hueré |
A fly |
Were-were |
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Cogouyou |
A glittering fly |
Uhuyu, Wadigidigi |
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Tonolou |
A bird |
Dunuru |
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Ouekelli-pikaka |
A turkey-cock |
Wügüri figaga |
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Kayou |
An ordinary hen |
Gayu |
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Kanarou |
A duck |
Ganaru |
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Koulehuee |
A parrot |
Gurewegi |
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Ouakoukoua |
A pigeon |
Wagugua |
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Toubanna |
A feather, a leaf |
Tubana |
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Tarreuna |
Wing or arm |
Tarüna |
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Tiouma |
A beak or mouth |
Tiuma |
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Tougouti |
A foot or claw |
Tugudi |
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Huehue |
Tree |
Wewe |
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Ninanteli |
A plant |
Ninadiri |
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Illehué |
A flower |
Ílewei |
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Toubanna |
A leaf |
Tubana |
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Arabou |
A forest |
Árabu |
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Youli |
Tobacco |
Iyúri |
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Battia |
Melon |
Badia |
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Maboulou |
A cane or reed |
Mabúru |
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Kaniche |
Sugar-cane |
Gániesi |
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Kanichira |
Juice of the cane |
Líra gániesi |
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Choure |
Sugar |
Sugara |
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Oualoukouma |
A star |
Waruguma |
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Huyeyou |
The Sun |
Weyu |
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Kati |
The moon |
Hati |
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Lalloukone |
Light |
Larungounga |
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Ariabou |
Night |
Áriebu |
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Bourreli |
Darkness |
Luburiga |
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Haloukaali |
It is day. |
Harugougali |
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Boureokaali |
It is night. |
Buruwougaali |
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Naouaragle |
Air |
Nawaragun |
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Bebeité |
The wind |
Bebeidi |
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Ouattou |
Fire |
Watu |
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Balliffi |
Ashes |
Baligi |
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Konobou |
Rain |
Gunubu |
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Liromouli |
Summer |
Irumurugu |
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Lamoyeli |
Cold |
Hamuyeli |
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Loubacha |
Heat |
Lubacha |
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Yehumeti |
It is foul weather |
Yegumeti dan |
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Oualou ouyoulou |
Thunder |
Wayuhuyuru |
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Ourogan |
A tempest |
Huragan |
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Alamoulou |
A rainbow |
Heremuru |
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Ouebo |
A mountain |
Wübü |
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Tona |
Water, River |
Duna |
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Chiekati |
A well |
Chigati |
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Balanna |
The sea |
Barana |
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Itika |
Excrement |
Idigaü |
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Saccao |
Sand |
Sagoun |
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Ema |
A way |
Üma |
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Tebou |
A stone |
Dübü |
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Oubao |
An island |
Ubouhu |
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Huehue |
Wood or tree |
We we |
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Crabou |
Iron |
Gürabu |
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