Buli Series 10: The Parts of the Body (Nyingka Kabtinga)

By -



Hello folks, I hope you have not given up trying to learn your beloved language Buli. It is one of those things that we cannot afford to turn our backs on and I encourage you all to keep trying. 

A couple of days ago, I got a call from a young man who had found this blog whilst searching for information on the Buli language online. He wanted the Buli equivalents of the names of the parts of the human body and a couple of other domestic articles and animals for educational purposes. It seems that teaching children to name the parts of the body is becoming a norm in early childhood education and that young man is only one of many others who have called me from the University of Education, Winneba at one time or the other to ask for the Buli Language equivalent of many everyday things: numbers, domestic and wild animals, agricultural activities, family relations and the like. I have often prepared such things for my callers privately but I have now realised that I could reach a larger audience by just leaving some of the information here. 

In the coming weeks therefore, I shall endeavour to put together common names and phatic expressions for our continuous learning. And as always all readers are encouraged to contribute through your comments, suggestions about names, spellings and such additions or subtractions that may serve to improve and encourage literacy in the Buli language. 

 

Head

Zuk

Hair

Zuik (pl. zuisa)

Forehead

Diri

Occiput

Kpai

Neck

Ngiri

Nose

Nyori

Mouth

Noai/noan-gbain

Lip

Noan-gbain viok

Eyes

Nina (sing. Num)

Ear

Turi

Cheek

Chikperi

Chin

Tiengkuruk

Teeth

Nyina (sing. Nyin)

Tongue

Gingelung

Throat  

Tutok

Chest

Sunum / kuusiri

Breast  

Biisiri

Heart  

Sukiri / sui

Rib

Nyipik kobi

Waist  

Chiak

Buttocks

Gbina

Thigh  

Kosuk

Hip

Yuok

Knee

Dunung (pl. duna)

Shin

Karik

Leg

Nang (pl. nansa)

Foot

Nantuok (pl. nantaa)

Toe

Nandub (pl. nandubsa)

Shoulder

Ngmankpaluk / kpinkpaluk

Hands  

Nisa /nisima

Elbow

Nikung

Fingers

Nandubsa

Thumb

Nandub-duok

Nail

Ni-nyieng

Palm

Nitari

Blood  

Ziim

scrotum

Koluk (pl. kola)

Testicle

Kolu-biri

Penis

Yoari

Vagina

Badiak (petuk for children and animals

Stomach

Poi / puuk / logi

Intestines

Nyueta (sing. Nyuok )

Liver

Pangi

Lungs

Zuzukta

Spleen  

Pimpelung

Gall

Yaam

Bladder

Sinsam-luiuk

Anus

Bitagfiik /bitagi

Eyebrow

Num-kungkok /nun-kungkok

ampit

buluk
























































































































Previous Buli lessons may be accessed through the links below:

Pillimka karungku(Introduction) abo dela 

Karung kui ale sai buye wa la (A-D) bo dela 

Kui ale sai buta wa la (E-H) bo dewa 

Kui ale sai bunaansi wa la (J-L) bo dela 

Kui me alaa sai bunu wa la (M - Ngm) bo dela 

Kui ale sai buyuebi wa la (Ny - P) bo dewa 

Kui me ale sai buyopoi wa la (Numerals) bo dela 

Kui ale sai naaning ka la (Buli Ligra/Money) abo dewa

Karung kui ale sai neok-ku la (S & T) boka dela 





Location: Sandema, Ghana

Comments

  1. Unknown4:22 am, February 12, 2021

    Well done village boy, is very impressive, iam confused with the spelling of the shoulder in buli. Is it mwakpaluk or ngmankpaluk? Anyway I stand for correction, I hope am not harsh on my question or contribution. Good morning

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Akanvariyuei Agandin8:08 am, February 13, 2021

      Your question and contribution is most welcome. If you look up the first lesson in the Buli Series on the alphabets, I have indicated that both 'mw' and 'ngm' are applicable but consistency is needed and I have decided to use 'ngm'. So your spelling is also correct and may be used.

      Delete
    2. John Akanvariyuei Agandin8:12 am, February 13, 2021

      The correct spelling using the 'MW' alphabet would be mwankpaluk.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Recent Posts

Give Your Sons Difficult Names

By -
“Give your daughters difficult names. Names that command the full use of the tongue. My name makes you want to tell me the truth. My name does not allow me to trust anyone who cannot pronounce it right.”       — Warsan Shire  —  When I was young, I heard names that made us stop and listen Akanlakum, Awadiirima Names that made us think and think Agyiabadek, Asuiyakomi Names that made us pause to reflect Akanvariwon, Akalaawomba Names that made us gasp in wonder Asuikanpuilikum, Akumbolisimi. But now my ears are burdened with unfamiliar words Monotonous droning that leaves the spirit dry Meaningless mutterings without thought or intent Without root, stem or crown Many invoke the Godhead in fashion, without true reverence; Awen-this, Awen-that, Everything-Awen Godly names without godly lessons, Like the fake imported dresses we wear, sparkling, but too short To cover our shame and too light to shield us from the cold I long for ...
Read more

Ash Wednesday

By -
Image
The day and the hour draws nigh  When all shall return to Him  Who did form them of word and clay  And did give to  all His own breath  And set them upon the earth to tend  And to possess it for a time.  Before him, all shall stand  Bare, silent, helpless.  Fear, you sons of men, tremble!  Fall prostrate before Him.  Shred the malice of  your heart  And drop that haughty look  For of all nails that did stab Him;  That vain look is most piercing.  For what are thou, son of man?  A puff of smoke, wisp of air, dust That lingers but for a moment  And vanishes without trace.  Why do you now risk His wrath?  And court His just fury?  Take this ash upon the brow  Bend your knee and look not up  But hasten to declare your fault  And wail in lamentation:  "Spare us, O master!  For our guilt is heavier  Than ever we ca...
Read more

Buli Series 1 - Introduction with Alphabets and Basic Sounds

By -
Image
Buli is the language of the Bulsa ethnic group in the Upper East and North East regions of Ghana. The name Bulsa is also spelt in official documents and elsewhere as Builsa but this author and many others believe that spelling to be quite incorrect.    With regards to this series, let me say from the outset that I am not a language expert. This series is not a study of the origin of the language or its syntax or any of all those things that help people to learn a language in detail. In effect, therefore, considering my lack of training in language or linguistics, this endeavour may be described as a headstrong attempt (in the Buli Language;  zupagruk tuima) .    My  zupagruk , however, comes from the motivation that it can be the force that would propel the more qualified ones to come out with the best material that can help us read and write Buli well. This is, therefore, more of a kindergarten introduction to the language.   If you ...
Read more