Kikamba Manual

Kikamba Self-Instruction Manual
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LESSON
TITLE
PAGE
1. Ngethi
Greetings 1
2. Kwmanythya
Introduction 1 . 4
3. Kwmanythya
Introduction 2 . 8
4. Wikaa Ata?
What Do you Do? ..
5. Wendete Kya Kya
What Do You Like to Eat?
6. Syndu Syiana?
How Many are they? .
7. And Ma Msyi Wakwa My Family .
8. Kwtya Liu
Ordering Food
Money and Prices ..
9. Mbesa na Thooa
10. Ni Mbesa Syiana
How Much is it?
11. Yu n Saa Syiana?
What Time is it Now?
12. mnth Ni Mthenya Wik? What Day is it? ..
13. Wina Myaka Iana?
How Old are You? .
14. Wikaa Ata?
What Do You Do? .
15. Yiiva?
Where Is It?
16. Kukulya Nza
Asking for Directions
17. Kuthooa Tikiti
Buying a Ticket .
18. Nzeve Iiyi Ata?
How is the Weather? .
19. Nga na Langi
Clothes and Colours ..
20. Mamutha Ma Mwii
Parts of the Body
21. Mnd Mwau
A Sick Person
22. Ikoni
In the Kitchen
23. Kkomboa Nyumba
Booking a Room
What Do You Like to Do? . 88
24.
Wendete Ata
11
15
20
24
28
32
36
40
45
50
52
57
60
64
67
71
75
78
84
86
1
LESON ONE
TOPIC;NGETHI-GREETINGS
COMPETENCY;KUKETHANIA
APPRORIATLY:
KWA
WO:EXCHANGE
GREETINGS
NGEWA NDNGE NA MUTUNGA DIALOGUE A:

Mtnga:
Ndnge:
Mtnga:
Ndnge:
Mtnga:
Ndunge:
Mutunga:
Ndnge:
Mtnga:
Oti.
Lika.
Uvoo waku mwiitu.
Ni museo mwanake. Nata?
Ni nesa muno
Thumua.
ni muvea
Waamuka ata?
Naamuka nesa.
NGEWA DIALOGUE B:
Mtua:
Mw aseo?
Mtinda/Ndinda:
twi aseo.
Mtua:
Uvoo wenyu?
Mtinda/Ndinda:
N mseo.
Mtua:
Mwaamuka ata?
Mtinda:
Twaamka nesa.
Mtua:
Uvoo wa kwakya?
Mtinda/Ndinda:
Ni mseo mno.
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.
2
Uvoo waku
mutia?
Ni museo
muno na
waku?
Ni museo muno
mutumia.
3
NGEWA DIALOGUE C:
MLI NA MULWA:
Mli:
Mlwa:
Mli:
Mlwa:
Mli:
Mlwa:
Mli:
Mlwa:
Nata Muli?
Ni nesa/ni kuseo?
voo wa wia.
Ti muthuku.
Syana no nzeo.
no nzeo.
Watinda ata?
Natinda nesa
SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE:

n mseo.
W museo:
Uvoo waku.
N kseo.
Watinda ata?
Natinda nesa.
Nata yu?
N nesa/ni kseo
Uvoo wa Kwakya?
N mseo.
Uvoo wa muthenya?
N mseo
Uvoo wa musyi?
N mseo.
Uvoo wa wa?
N mseo.
VOCABULARIES:
Kwakya
Kamka
voo
Mthenya
Nzeo
Nesa
Mwtu
Mwanake
Syana
Thmua
N mvea
-thku
voo wa kwakya
Ni mseo
voo waku
voo wenyu
Morning
To wake up
News
Day
Fine/good.
Well nice,good.
Young lady (unmarried)
Young man (unmarried)
Children
Rest
Thank you
Bad
News of the morning?
It is fine
How are you (sing.)
How are you (pl.)
GRAMMAR: EXPLANATIONS:
The grammar used in this lesson is verb to be (N) in present tense.
For Example N museo and w mseo. It is equivalent to English
I am, you are he/she is, and it is fine.
Examples:
W mseo?
Are you fine?
4
n mseo
voo wa wa
Ti mthku
Yes, I am well
How is work (news of the work)
No bad.
Some possessive pronouns have also been used: Example aku (your) enu (you all) like in voo waku and voo 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 ________________________________.
W mseo _____________________________________________________.
Mwi aseo ______________________________________________________.
Waamka ata? ___________________________________________________.
voo waku? _____________________________________________________.
voo wa kwakya _________________________________________________.
Watinda ata? _____________________________________________________.
EXERCISE TWO: - WRITE THE PLURALS OF THE FOLLOWING
PHRASES.
(a) Waamka ata?
(b) Watnda ata?
(c) W mseo
(d) voo waku?
(e) N mseo
(f) Naamka 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. ___________________________________________________.
ELESYO WA KTHO 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
5
elderly. A person who doesnt have time for greetings is considered anti-social and
disrespectful in the Kamba culture.
6
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
musyi wa
Compency:
Kwmanythana
Loitktok.
Nitawa
mutiso na
Numite
nthi ya
Kenya
kisio kya
Voi musyi
wa
mwambas
aa.
na
ang.
Witawa ata?
NGEWA DIALOGUE :
Mta:
Kamene:
Mutua:
Kamene
Mutua:
Kamene
Mta:
Kamene:
Mta:
Kamene:
Mta:
Wi mseo.
ni mseo. Uvoo waku
Ni, mseo mno.
Witawa ata?
Nitawa Mta; naku witawa ata?
Nitawa Kamene.
Ni mvea nnd wa kkmanya.
voo wa wia?
Ni mseo mno.
Ni mvea, enda na seo.
Naku tiwa na seo.
7
NGEWA DIALOGUE TWO:

Wambua:
Msyoki:
Wambua:
Msyoki:
Wambua:
Msyoki:
Wambua:
Msyoki:
Wambua:
Msyoki:
Wambua:
Msyoki:
Wambua:
Msyoki:
W mseo.
n mseo.
Waamka ata?
Naamka nesa.
sytwa yaku n?
sytwa yakwa n Gichoro. Naku wtawa ata?
sytwa yakwa n Wambua.
Wambua, umte ku?
Numte Masaku. Nak umte k?
NumteMusyi wa Kitui
N mvea nnd wa kkmanya.
O naku, nmuvea nnd wa kkmanya.
Tiwa nesa.
Naku enda nesa.
NGEWA DIALOGUE THREE:

Maka:
Mtuku:
Maka:
Mtuku:
Maka:
Musembi:
Maka:
Mtuku:
Mw aseo?
tw aseo. voo waku?
Ni museo. Wtawa ata?
Ntawa Mtuku na mnyanyawa etawa Musembi. Naku
witawa ata?
Nyie nitawa Maka;na inywi mumite k? / va?
Numte nth ya Amelika na munyanyawa aumte nth ya Kenya.
N mvea nnd wa kumumanya.
Aya n asanda / n muvea muno
SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE:

W museo:
Mw aseo:
Isytwa yaku n
Isytwa yaku n
Wtawa ata?
Etawa ata?
Umite k:
Aumte Masaku:
Aumte Ulaya?
Aumte Kenya?
Maumte Japan:
Enda na seo
Enda na muo
n museo.
tw aseo.
sytwa yake n Ndinda.
sytwa yake n Margaret.
Ntawa Kioko.
Etawa Kanini.
Numte Ilovi (Nairobi).
Aumte Amelika.
Aiee ndaumte Masak aumte Kitui.
Aiee ndaumte Ulaya, aumte Kisumo(Kisumu)
tumte Kenya
8
Tiwa na seo
Tiwa na muo
VOCABULARIES: NDETO NZAU:
sytwa
N museo
Mnyanyawa
Kthi
Thini na seo
Kwitwa
Tiwa na useo
Onaku
Kuma
Numte
Umte
Aumte
Tumte
Mumte
Maumte
Kwtwa
Ntawa
Wtawa
Etawa
Nth
Msy
Name
I am fine
My frined
To go
Go well
To be called
Remain well / peacefully
And you
To come from
I come from
You come from
He/she come from
We come from
You(pl) come from
They come from
To be called
Im called
Youre called
He/she is called
Country
City, Town
Masyitwa
-
GRAMMAR:
Subject prefixes, possessives of M/A Class, interrogatives and some simple
imperatives. The subject prefixes in the Kamba language is:
N
T
M
A
MA
In the lesson they are used with the verb kwitwa (to be) called as follow:
Ntawa
)
Twtawa
)
) Singulars
Mwtawa
) Plurals
Wtawa
ETawa
)
Metawa
)
Note:
There are some vowel assimilation which will be detailed at a later stage.
Some possessives used in this lessons are: Yakwa
sytwa yakwa
Yaku
sytwa yaku
Yake
sytwa yake
-
My name
Your name
His/her name
9
A few interrogatives have also been used.

Example:
Nuu Meaning who? e.g. sytwa yaku n?
(What is your name)
ATA Meaning How e.g. Wtawa ata?
(How are you called/what is your name?
K? meaning where? umte k?
VA? where umte va?
EXERCISE ONE:
SNGIA MAKULYO AA: - ANSWER THIS QUESTIONS
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
voo waku? ___________________________________________.

W museo? _____________________________________________.
Isiytwa yaku n? ________________________________________.
Wtawa ata? _____________________________________________.
Umte k? ______________________________________________.
Mnyanyau etawa ata? _____________________________________.
Aumte k? ______________________________________________.
EXERCISE TWO:
CHANGE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES INTO NEGATIVES:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
Isiytwa yakwa ni Mwende ____________________________________.

Nitawa Koko _____________________________________________.
Numte Japan. _____________________________________________.
Umte Ungelesa. ___________________________________________.
Aumte Amelika ___________________________________________.
Tumte Tanzania. ___________________________________________.
Mumte Kenya. _____________________________________________.
Maumte 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 its a breach of respect to mention the name in the presence of the elderly person.
DIALOGUE A:
Masya
:
Koko
:
Masya
:
Koko
:
Masya
:
W museo Koko?
n nesa. Watinda ata?
Natinda nesa; Umte ku Koko
Numte nth ya Ungelesa, musy was Oxford.
Onakwa numte nth ya Ungelesa. Vaa Naivasha.
10
Koko
Masya
Koko
Masya
:
:
:
:
Wikalaa va?
Nkalaa Kinungi; Naku wikalaa va?
Nkalaa Mrera
N mvea nundu wa kmanyana
Enda nes/thi nesa
DIALOGUE B:
Wambua
Mtindi
Wambua
Meni
Mtindi
:
:
:
:
:
Wambua
Mtindi
Wambua
Meni
Wambua
Meni
:
:
:
:
:
:
voo waku Mtindi?

N mseo. Uy n mnyanyawa. Etawa Mueni.
W mseo Meni?
nesa.
n
Meni aumte msyi wa Masak, Ind ekalaa Kihoto kwa
Nahashon Mwangi.
Na kla kwakya Meni aendaa sukulu ata?
Kla kwakya alsaa ngal.
Na Meni, syokaa msyi ata?
Nsyokaa msy ona ngal.
N seo Mtindi na Meni
Aya. Enda nesa/thi nesa
READ ALOUD:
Umte k?
Aumte k??
Numte Ulaya.
Numte Ilovi.
Aumte Masak?
Aiee, ndaumte Masak.
Wkalaa va? Nkalaa Kitui.
Ekalaa va? Ekala Amelika.
Twkalaa Kenya.
Mwkalaa Tanzania.
Mekallaa Ungelesa.
Wkalaa Naivasha? Aiee nikalaa Mombasa
Ndykalaa Ilovi.
Ndwkalaa Ulaya.
Ndekalaa Thika.
Ekalaa kwa Wambua, ndekalaa kwa Mutuk
VOCABULARY ------NDETO NZAU
Nth
Country
Town
Msy
Kwkala
To stay
Nnd
Because
Kmanyana To know each other
Mnyanyawa My friend
nd
But
11
Klisa
Ksyoka
Ngal
Sukulu
Mbasi
Ksululu
K
Kka
Kwa?
To climb
To return
A vehicle
School
Bus
Bicycle
Feet / legs
To come
At whose (have)
Masukulu
Isuululu
Maau
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:
Kwkala
To stay
Kenda / kuthi
To go
Kwona
To see
Knenga
To give
Nkalaa
I usually stay.
Nendaa
I always see.
Nnengaa
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.
Nkalaa Mombasa.
Wkalaa Kenya.
Nsyokaa Sukuluu na Maa.
lsaa ngali.
Twnukaa na mbasi.
Mwinukaa na matat.
EXERCISE THREE:
12
SUNGIUA MAKULYO AYA: - ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
K Loitoktok wikalaa va?

Winkaa msyi ata?
Mnyanyau ekalaa va?
Mnyanyau enukaa na maa?
Wikalaa kwa ? / Kwau?
Winkaa ata?
EXERCISE FOUR
And aa maendaa wan 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?
Nthenya:numite nthi ya Kenya musyi wa masaku
Ryian:numite Amelika Musyi wa
mwaitu aumite nthi ya Kenya rom NEW YORK.
Mutinda:Inya waku aumite Kenya va?
where/
Ryian:mwaitu aumite Masaku vandu vetawa Iveti.
Machakos
Mutinda:oo ninisi iveti,na ekalaa va?ekalaa Amelika.
Where do you come from

.
New
york.indi
Your mother comes from
She
comes
from
Ok.i know Machakos.
SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE---READ ALOUD

Nikalaa ilovi
I styay in Nairobi
15
Nikalaa Mwambasa
Wikalaa va?
Nikalaa Masaku .
Kveti kyaku kikalla va?
Where does your wife stay
Syana syaku syikalaa va?
Kalivu
Niwathokwa
Ninathokwa
Ivinda yonthe
Mavinda on the
I stay in mombasa
Where do you stay
I stay in machakos
you are welcome

I am welcomed
all the time
all the times
NDETO NZAU---------NEW WORDS

Mbasi
Motokaa
Ngali
Musomethwa
Mwalimu
Muimi
Muukamba
Muumasai
Mwikuyu
Muuamelika
Uwau wa muthelo
Uima wa mwii
bus
car
vehicle
student
teacher
farmer
a kamba
a maasai
a gikuyu
an American
HIV/AIDS
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.
Nyie ni
muusik
ali
Mimi ni
fundi wa
magari
Nyie
ni
vundi
Mimi ni
Dereva
Nyie ni
mwalimuu
muuguzi
Nyie ni
muuii
mpishi
Ntie ni ndakitali.
Nyie ni muimi wa
ngombe wa ngombe
wa maziwa
kitheka
:Umte va?
john: Numte Amelika.
kitheka :
Wkaa ata vaa Kenya?
john :
Nyie n mwalimu. Nsomethasya Ksng.
kitheka
:Usomethasya vaa Ilovi?
john :
Aiee. Nisomethasya Loitoktok
kitheka
:Na k Ilovi wkaa ata?
17
john :
kitheka :
john :
kitheka
Nmanyasya Kiswahili. Naku wkaa ata?

Nyie nkalaa o kuu nknaa viasala na nindumaa ngua ni vundi
Uthoovasya kya?
:
Nthoovasya ngua/mitumba
SOMA KWA WASYA:

We w mmwa?
Nyie n Msng.
We w Mvalanza.
We n Mmelika.
Nyie n Mindi.
We w mbai yva?
Nyie n Mkamba.
Nyie ni Mwky.
We w Mtaita.
We ni Mtiik.
Inyw mw Amwa?
Ithy tw Asng.
Inyw mw Anzelumani:
Mo n Aindi.
We ti Mkenya We n Malavu.
We ti Mmelika, we ni Mungelesa.
John ni Mindi? Aiee, we ti Mindi we n mnd Mwi.
Akinyi ti Mwkuyu, N Mumela.
y n? y n Kyalo.
y n Mutheu.
Mnd y n Mmelika?
Aiee t Mmelika, n Mvalanza.
Aiee ti Msngu, n mundu Mwiu.
PERSONAL PRONOUNNS
Nyie
We
We
y
su
ya
Ithy
Inyw
Mo
Aa
Asu
Aya
Nyie n ndaktal.
We w mumi.
We n kalan
Wka ata?
18
Nsomethya Kiswahili.
Nthooasya ngua.
Nandka valua.
VOCABULARIES: NDETO NZAU
Kwka
To do
Mwalim
Teacher
Mmi
Farmer
Ndakital
Doctor
Mwky
A Kikuyu person
A Luo person
Mmela/Mnzaluo Mvalanza
A French person
Malavu
Arab
Mindi
An Indian
Ksomethya
To teach
Kandka
To write
Kalan
A clerk
Kwmanyisya
To study/learn
Kthoosya
To sell
Vasala
Business
Msng
A European
Wkaa ata?
What do you do?
We w mmwa?
What naitonlatiy are you?
GRAMMER EXPLANATION
We n mba yiva?
What tribe are you?
Nyie
We
We
Ithy
Inyw
Mo
Me
You
He/she
We
You (Pl.)
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:
Ithy
-
We ) e.g.
19
Inyw
Mo
You ) Ithy twi Asungu

they ) We are Euorpeans.
Some demonstratives of the MU/A class have been used e.g.

y
su
ya
This (Proximal) i.e. near the speaker.

That (Referential) i.e. near the listener.
That over there (distal) far from speaker/listener.
Examples:
Uy n Mnyanyawa John
(This is my friend John).
Mwalimu ya etawa Mema.
(That teacher is called M./ema)
The plurals are:
Aya These
Asu Those
Aaya Those over there
Examples:
Aya n Asungu
Asu n Aamelika
Aaya n anyanyawa
These are Europeans

Those are Amelikans
Those over there are my friends.
To negate the above sentences you need to replace ni with Ti i.e.

y n John
This is John.
This is not John.
y t John
Aya n Anyanyawa These are my friends
Aya t Anyanyawa
These are not my friends
EXERCISE ONE:
Put the correct person pronouns in the following sentences:
Exmaple
- Ngelekanio
Ntawa Musangi
Nyie ntawa Musangi
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Etawa Jimmy
Wtawa Ko
Nsomethasya Kiswahili
Maknaa vasala.
Mwnkaa na mbasi.
Twkalaa Ilovi (Nairobi)
Aumte nth, ya Amelika.
Nkala Loitoktok
Athoasya nga/mtumba
20
EXERCISE TWO:
Andika kwa wingi
WRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE INTO PLURALS:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
y n Mwait Aya n aa mwaitu.

y n mwalim su ni mwana wakwa ______________________________________.
yu ni Mmelika _________________________________________.
su ni Msng __________________________________________.
ya ni Mtuma. __________________________________________.
EXERCISE THREE ALYULA CHANGE THESE SENTENCES INTO

NEGATIVES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
y n Musungu.
Aya n alimu na Kisungu.
Nyie n mwalimu wa Kiswahili.
Aya n Anyanyawa.
Asu n atuma.
Aya n and aseo .
Uuya n 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 KYA KYA - WENDETE KUYA KYAU WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO EAT?
ANDIKA MASYIWA MA MALIU AA WRITE THE NAMES OF THESE
FOODS.
DIALOGUE ONE
Mwongela
Mwongeli
Mwongela
Mwongeli
Mwongela
Mwongeli
Mwongela
Mwongeli
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
W mseo Mwongeli.
n kseo Mwongela.
yoo kwakya nae kya?
yoo kwya ninnaiye mukate na siaki, matumb na sosengi.
Na nanywie kya?
Ninanywi s. Naku unanywie kyau?
Nyie, yoo ndineenywa usuu. Ninanywie kyai.
Nyie ndinyusaa kyai kwakya.
23
Mwongela
Mwongeli
Mwongeli
Mwongela
:
:
:
:
Nwendete kw kya masungwa?

nnendete mno
Aaya kwata.
Ni mvea mno.
DIALOGUE TWO:
Syombua:
Lilian:
Syombua:
Lilian:
Syombua:
Lilian:
Syombua:
Lilian:
Syombua:
voo waku?
N mseo Syombua, kilyi ata?
N kseo. mth ute kyau?
mnthi nute ngima na makuyu, musle na nguku na matunda
Matunda meku?
Matunda ta mavava, masungwa, mai, mananasi na makundi.
Asu ni matunda maseo, muno.
Aya, tthi msyi.
tthi.
SOMA KWA WASYA READ ALOUD:

Nnaye
naye
Anaaye
Nnaye Mukate
naye ngima
Anaye nyama
Tunaye matunda
Munaye isyo
Manaiye nyama sya nguku
Nnanywie
nanywie
Ananywie
Tunanywie
Munanywie
Mananyie
Nendete kuya isyo
Wendete kunywa kyai
Endete kuya nyama
Nenda kunywa kyai
Wenda kunywa yia
Eenda kunywa soda
Ndineeya.
Ndneeya.
Ndaneeya.
Ndineeya Msele.
Ndneeya Maluu.
Ndaneeya iky.
Tinaaya lu.
Minaaya mboka.
Maineeya maiu.
Ndineenywa.
Ndneenywa.
Ndaneenywa.
Tuineenywa.
Mineenywa.
Maineenywa.
Ndyendete Kya msele.
Ndwendete knywa k.
Ndendete kya maky.
Ndienda knywa kaawa.
Nduenda knywa s.
Ndeenda knywa mbinyu.
VOCABULARIES:
Kikamba
Kya
Knywa
yoo
English
To eat
To drink
Yesterday
Plurals
-
24
Kwakya
Nnaye
Kyai
Kaawa
ia
Kw
k
Mbinyu
Sota
Ngima
Isyo
Msele
ky
Nyama ya ngombe
Nyama ya mbi
Nyama ya londu
Nyama ya nglwe
Nyama ya ngk
Siaki
Skali
Mny
tunda
sungwa
nanansi
embe
vela
iu
Morning
I ate
Tea
Coffee
Milk
Water
Beer
Wine
Soda
Ugali
Corn and beans
Rice
Fish
Beef
Goat
Mutton
Pork
Chicken
Butter
Sugar
Salt
Fruit
Orange
Pawpaw
Mango
Guava
Banana
Kyai
Kaawa
IIia
Kiwu
Uki
Mbinyu
Sota
Ngima
Isyo
Misele
Makuyu
Nyama sya ngombe
Nyama sya mbui
Nyama sya ilondu
Nyama sya nguluwe
Nyama sya nguku
Siaki
Munyu
Matunda
Matunda
Masungwa
Mavavai
Maembe
Mavela
Maiu
The grammar used in this lesson is the past tense. There are two forms of past tenses
in Kikamba. These are the yesterdays past tense and indefinite past tense. At this
stage we will only learn about the yesterdyas past tense. the tense sign is Na and it
is mutable with i.e. suffix
Example:
Kya To eat -
Affirmatives:
Ninaie
Unaie
Anaie
Tnaie
Mnaie
Manaie
-
I ate
You ate
He/she ate
We ate
You ate
They ate
Kunywa
To drink
Ninanywie
nanywie
Anaywie
Ndinaanywa
Ndunaanywa
Ndanaanywa
Negatives
Ndinaaya
Ndnaaya
Ndanaaya
Tinaaya
Minaaya
Mainaaya
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:
yoo (ksoma) valua.
Answer
Iyoo ninasomie valua.
Yesterday I read a letter.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
yoo (kandika) vala.

Mwit (ksoma) Kswahili.
John (kya) liu wa kwakya.
Iyoo (knywa) ki mwingi.
We (kuma) mndan.
Ithy (kthma) kwakya.
EXERCISE TWO;
CHANGE THIS SENTENCE INTO PLURALS;
(a) yoo nnaandke valua musyi.
(b) Ninasomie vuku ya kkaamba.
(c) Anaie Iu na tumb
(d) Unanywie uki wa atuma.
(e) Nnamie 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) Nnanywie kaawa ndinaanywa kyai
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(We) ____________________ kiwu ___________________ soda.

(We (3rd person) ____________ sota ___________________ k.
(Ithy) ______________________ Ia ___________________ kaawa.
(Inyw) ______________________us __________________ ia.
(Mo) ________________________Kyai __________________ ia.
And aa meya kya na menywa kya? 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 dont feel like eating.
27
LESSON 6
TOPIC: KUTALA COUNTING
ISOMO YA THANTATU LESSONS SIX.
SYINDU SYIANA HOW MANY ARE THEY?
mwi kwongela mwe n il.
Itano kwongela itat n nyanya.
Muonza kwongela il n keenda.
Itatu kwongela itat n thanthat.
Ikumi kumya itano n itano.
Il kumya mwe n il.
Thathatu kumya itat ni itat.
Il knd ktat n thanthatu.
Itat knd ktat n keenda.
Ikumi knd ktat n mongo itat.
Itano knd ktano n mongo il na tano.
Muonza knd kmi n mongo monza.
Itano kumya mongo il n yana.
Aya n ame meana?
Aya n andu ikmi
y n mwalimu umwe.
Msngu umwe.
Asng el.
Aaya n atumia atano.
Aya n Akamba monza.
Ithi n ikombe syana?
K n kikombe kimwe.
Ithi n ikombe il.
iatu itat.
Isu n isiko monza.
ya n itung thanthat.
Wenda ikombe syana?
Nenda ngili monza.
ya n mbaka syana?
su n mbaka inya.
Ena nga nying.
Ino n ngiti ng.
Ena ngovia nzeo.
Nendete knywa sva inya sya k.
28
VOCABULARIES:NDETO NZAU
Vocabulary
Ktala
Nngtala
mwe
l
Itat
Inya
Itano
Thanthat
Monza
Nyanya
Keenda
kmi
kmi na mwe
kmi na il
kmi na tat
kmi na inya
Miongo l
Miongo tat
Miongo ina
Miongo tano
Miongo thanthat
Miongo monza
Miongo nyanya
Miongo keenda
ana (I/MA)
ana ymwe
Maana eli
Ngili (N)
Ngili mwe
Ngili kmi
Milioni (N)
Kwongela (verb)
Kumya (verb)
Knd
Mtma (Mu/A)
Kkombe (Kili)
Kivila (Kili)
Kisiko (Kili)
Ktng (Kili)
Kat (Kili)
Mbaka (N)
Ngovia (N)
Ng (Adj.)
Nzeo (Adj.)
Mwalim (M /A)
English
To count
Im counting
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Twenty
Thirty
Forty
Fifty
Sixty
Seventy
Eighty
Ninety
A Hundred
One Hundred
Two hundred
A thousand
One thousand
Ten thousand
A million
To add
To substract
To multiply
An old woman
Cup
Chair
Spoon
Onion
Shoe
Cut
Hat
Old
Good, nice, pretty
Teacher
Plural
Maana
Ngili
Atumia
Ikombe
Ivila
Isiko
Itunguu
Iatu
Mbaka
Ngovia
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:
Mnd mwe
And el
And atat
-
One person
Two people
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:
And aseo
Kivla kiseo Nymba nzeo -
Good people.
A good chair.
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.
Nga ng
An old clothe
Ngit ndaasa A tall dog.
Mbaka ndwau A sick cat.
The prefixes before mutables are: Mb, ny, nz examples:
Ngombe nzeo
A good cow.
Nth nym
A dry land.
Nyama mbth
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Three cups.
Two people.
One person.
Eight rings.
Five good chairs.
Three big houses.
Four sick cats.
Three big cows.
They bought three good dogs.
My cat is sick.
31
LESSON SEVEN
TOPIC: SYAO
COMPETENCY: AND MA MSY WAKWA MY FAMILY
DIALOUGE:
Mtsya
Mwende
Mtisya
Mwende
Mtisya
Mwende
Mtisya
Mwende
Mtisya
Mwende
Mtisya
Mwende
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Mtisya
Mwende
:
:
W mseo mwtu?
nmseo.
Wtawa ata?
Ntawa Mwende.
the wakue etawa ata?
Ithe wakwa etawa Maka.
Inyia waku etawa ata.
Mwaitu etawa syoka.
Kwenyu kw syana inti?
kwi ivs il na mwtu mwe.
la mk etawa ata?
la mk etawa Mta, ngi etawa Mli na ngi
etawa Wanza. Kwoou kwit ninyie mnini.
N mvea nnd wa kkmanya.
nseo.
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:

the wakwa
Mwait ekalaa msy.
the waku
Nau athkma Ilovi
the wake
Au ekalaa va?
Inyia wakwa
Mka etawa Mli.
Inyia waku
Minawa etawa Mtiso.
Inyia wake
Mwana wa tina etawa Joel.
y n mwaitu
Mwana wa kakithathi ni Meni.
y n Nau
Kwitu n Masak.
ya n Mwenyu
Kwenyu ni Kisumo (Kisumu) kwoo ni Ulaya.
VOCABULARIES:
Vocabularies
Nau
Au
the
Mwaitu/inyia
Mwenyu
Mka
Muinawa
maa
mau
mae
sua / susu
suu
sue
Mama
Mwana mk
lumaita
Mwendwa-asa
Mwendya
Mwsuka
Eska
Mwsku
Esuku
Iat sya mkalya
English
My / our father
Your father
His/her/its father
My / our mother
Your mother
My elder brother/sister
My younger brother/sister
My younger brother/sister
My grandfather
His/her grand father
My grandmother
Your grandmother
His/her grandmother
My uncle on mothers side
First born
Last born
My uncle/aunt (on the fathers side)
Aunt (on the mothers side).
My grandchild
My grandchildren
Your grand child
Your grand children
Tyre shoes
Plural:
Aka
Ainawa
Ana ak
Malumaita
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
- Akwa mine or my
- Aku Yours or your
- Ake His or hers
Plurals:
- Ait / it
- Enyu
- Oo
Our/ours
You/yours
Their/theirs
34
Below are examples of Possessive Pronouns with some Noun Classes:

MU/A CLASS:
Singular:
Mwalim wakwa
Mwalim waku
Mwalim wake
Alim makwa
Alim maku
Alim maku
My teacher.
Your teacher.
His/her teacher.
My teachers.
Your teacher
His / her teachers.
Plurals:
Mwalim wit
Mwlaim wenyu
Mwalim woo
Alim mait
Alim menyu
Alim moo
Our teacher.
Your teacher.
Their teacher
Our teachers
Your teachers.
Their teachers
MU/MI CLASS:
Singular:
Mt wakwa
Mt waku
Mt waku
Mt witu
Mt wenyu
Mt woo
My trees.
Your trees.
His/her tree
Our trees
Your tree
Their tree
VA/KU CLASS:
Singular:
(Indefinite)
Kwakwa
My place (home)
Kwaku
Your place
Kwake
His/her place
Plurals
Kwitu
Kwenyu
Kwoo
-
Our place
Your place
Their place
(Definite)
Vakwa
Vaku
Vake
Vaitu
Venyu
Voo
Our place
Your place
Their place
My trees.
Your tree.
His/her tree.
Our tree
Your tree
Their tree
My place (home)
Your place
His/her place
Miti yakwa
Miti yaku
Miti yake
Miti yitu
Miti yenyu
Miti yoo
EXERCISE ONE COMPREHENSION:

ANDU MA MUSYI WA MUTISYA:
Nyie ntawa Mutisya. Nkalaa Masaku na Asyai makwa. Ithe wakwa etawa Mutuku
na mwait etawa Kamene. Nna aka atano na minawa umwe. Mka mwe wa
mwtu nwatwaiwe. mau nake etawa Kithekal. We n mk mno; na ena myaka
mongo nyanya. s nwakwie. mau nwkaa kutukethya mavinda maing. We
ekalaa msy wa Kitui. Nau nake athkmaa Ilovi. Atesaa ait sya mkalya. Mwait
35
ndathkamaa. Ekala na Eske vaa msy. Mka mwee athkmaa Thika. We

n mwalim na etawa Kitheka ta umau. Nyie ndithkmaa nd nnzomaa.
MAKLYO QUESTONS:
1. Nyie ntawa ata?
2. Asyali makwa mekalaa va?
3. Asyai makwa metawa ata?
4. Kwit twi andu meana?
5. Umau ena mayka yana?
6. Umau ekalaa va?
7. Nau athkumaa wa mwa?
8. Raphel athkmaa va?
9. Nyie nithkmaa wa mwa?
A) Andika ngewa iulu wa andu ma musyi waku.
B) Wendete msy wina and aing kana and aninin? Elesya.
EXERCISE TWO SNGA MAKLYO AA ANSWER THESE
QUESTIONS:
(a) the waku etawa ata?
(b) Inyia waku etawa ata?
(c) ma etawa ata?
(d) s etawa ata?
(e) Kwenyu mw and meana?
(f) Au athukumaa va?
(g) Mku etawa ata?
(h) Minau etawa ata?
(i) Mnd la mk kwenyu etawa ata?
(j) Ikumaita kwenyu ytawa ata?
EXERCISE THREE ALYLA TRANSLATE
(1) I have a big family.
(2) My father is a teacher.
(3) My grandmother is dead.
(4) Im 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
kusuvia mutumia
Kuvua ngua
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
nyaanya.
isomo ya ikumi na
TOPIC: MKAAWANI/TELINI
COMPETENCY: KWITYA LIU ORDERING FOOD:
DIALOGUE ONE:
Kitili :
voo waku?
Weita
Kitili
Weita
Kitili
Weita
Kitili
Weita
Kitili
Weita
Kitili
:
:
:
:
:
:
N mseo. Wenda kya kya?
Kwna lu mwa?
:
Kwina ngima, nyama msele maky na isyo.
Ndetee ngima na nyama.
:
Na wenda knywa kya?
Wna sota mthithu.
:
i.
Aaya. Ndetee sota wa fanta mthithu.
:
Osa sota indi eteela lu vanini.
N mvea.
DIALOGUE B:
Kilonzo
Weita
Kilonzo
Weita
Kilonzo
:
:
:
Kilyi ata mwanake?
Ni kseo. Niweetya Iiu?
:
Aiee ndinetya.
Wya k?
:
Ndetee maluu na nyama ya mbui.
38
Weita
Kilonzo
Weita
Kilonzo
Waita
Dick
Kilonzo
:
:
:
:
Na wnywa kyau?
:
Wna uk muthithu?
wnywa wku?
:
Ndetee tusker nthithu; na gilasi.
Osa.
Weita, ndetee mny.
:
kwata.
Wenda lu mwa?
Wenda matumb.
Wenda kyavati.
Eenda ngk.
Nenda kyai.
Eenda sota mthithu.
Nweetya Iu?
neneetya.
Nweetya.
Ndetee kyai.
Muetee s.
Nenga ia.
Maetee Iiu.
Tetee uki mvy.
Nienda ia ithithu.
Ethwa n vatonyeka ndetee kwu kya knywa.
Nenge kyai na mkate.
Nwenge mny na kavy.
Ndetee syo saani ymwe.
Metee Iu mtk. Eiwa nzaa mno.
Nwa nzaa.
Wwa nzaa
Ewa nzaa.
Nnyaya Iu.
Nnamina kya.
Syana nsyavna.
Vocabularies
Kwtya
Kvna
Kya
Knywa
Kavy
saani
Kmina
Mkaawa
Mtk
-Vy
-Thithu
Kwwa
English
To order
To be full/satisfied
To eat
To drink
Knife
Plate
To finish
Restaurant
Fast/quickly
Hot
Cold
To hear/to feel
Plurals:
Tuvyu
Masaani.
Mikaawa
-
39
Nwa nzaa
Im hungry (feel hungry)
Ndetee
Bring me
Tuetee
Muetee
Bring him/her
Maetee
Nenge
Give me
Tunenge
Kwna
There is
Tnga
Return (something)
Osa
Take
Kwata
Hold it, have it.
Nnavna
Im 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:
Nnaya
Ndinaya
Nnasomaa
Ndinasoma
Nnavuma
Ndinavuna
Nnathi
I have just eaten.

I havent just eaten.
I have just read.
I havent just read.
I have just full/satisfied.
Im not full/satisified
Ive gone/Im 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. Nnanya Iu mwing.
2. Nneetya Iu.
3. Ntwaya.
4. Nmasoma mavuku maseo.
5. Nenda kuya kuyu na maluu.
6. Aamelika maya Iu na moko.
7. Nenda kuya ngima na yia.
8. Monicah eetya saani ymwe ya muthokoi.
9. Nnathi Ilovi.
10. Nnamina kuya Iu wakwa.
EXERCISE TWO TRANSLATE ALYLA
(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
:
W museo customa.
Customa
:
n museo.
Weita
:
Wenda kuya kya?
Customa
:
Ndetee
Weita
:
______________________
Customa
:
______________________
Weita
:
______________________
Ninakubali.
Pia mimi
ninaipenda.
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
SOMO YA KEENDA
TOPIC: MBESA NA THOOA MONEY AND PRICES:
SOMA KWA WASYA MNENE READ ALOUD

II n mbesa syiana?
Isu n silingi ngili mwe.
Isu n silingi itano.
Isu n silingi kumi.
John ena mbesa syiana?
Ena silingi maana el.
Ena ndola ana imwe.
Ena mbesa mbing.
Kuu America wana mbesa syiana?
Na na ndola milioni mwe.
Na na ndola ngili mwe.
Ndya na mbesa.
Ndola mwe yna silingi syiana?
Yna silingi miongo thanthat.
Yna silingi mongo nyaanya.
Yna silingi mongo tano na sumun.
42
Mwalim ena mbesa syiana?

Ena mbesa nini?
Ndena mbesa.
Ena mangotole el na ndululu.
Wina mbesa syiana?
Nna silingi itano.
Nna mangotole thanthat.
Nna silingi monza.
Muasya ena mbesa syiana?
Ena noti ya silingi ana.
Ena noti ya silingi miongo l.
Ena oti ya silingi mongo itano.
Iyoo una na mbesa syiana?
Nina na silingi ana.
Nnai na ndola milioni mwe.
Nna na mbesa nying.
ni keethiwa na mbesa syiana?
Ngeethwa na mbesa nini.
Ngeethwa na ngili itano.
Ndikethwa na mbesa
Wa na kya Amerika?
Na na ngali nzeo.
Na na muunda munene.
Na na syana il.
VOCABULARIES:
Singular
Mbesa
Noti
Silingi
Sumuni
Ingotole
Ndululu
Nna
Wna
Ena
Ndola
Nna na
Nai na
Ngeethwa na
Plural
Mbesa
Noti
Silingi
Sumuni
Mangotole
Ndululu
Ndola
-
English
Money
Note
Shilling
Fifty cent coin
A ten cent coin
Afive cent coin
I have
You have
He/she has
Dollar
I had (yesterday)
I had (long ago)
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:
Nna mbesa.
Wna syana.
Ena saa.
Ndina ivuku.
Ndwina ngal.
Ndena kalamu.
Nna nzaa.
Ena utanu
I have money
You have children.
He/she has a watch.
I dont have a book.
You dont have a vehicle.
He/she doesnt have a pen
I am hungry.
Hes happy.
In past and future tenses to have is expressed as follows:

Nina na
Ngeethwa na
(Yesterday) I have
Ill have
Examples:
Iyoo nna na mbesa Un ngeethiwa na mbesa
Iyoo nna na nzaa
Un ngeethwa na nyumba
Yesterday I had money.

Tommorrow Ill have money.
Yesterday I was hungry.
Tommorrow Ill have a house.
Kkombe kna kwu.

Ikombe syna kwu.
The cup has water)

Cups have water ) kii class
Itunda yna muyo.

Matunda mena muyo.
The fruit (has) is sweet)

The fruits are sweet ) I/Ma Class
EXERCISE ONE
SNGA MAKLYO NA ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
1. Umuth wna wa mwing? _______________________________.
2. Moses ena mbesa umunth Aiee _______________________________.
3. Wna nzaa? _______________________________.
4. Mwana uya ena kalamu? Aiee _______________________________.
5. Syana syna Iu? _______________________________.
6. Kkombe kna kw? Aiee _______________________________.
7. Nymba yna mango? _______________________________.
8. Mwalimu ena wauni? Aiee _______________________________.
9. Umnth wina ndawa? Aiee_______________________________.
10. Kiio ena nduka? _______________________________.
EXERCISE TWO:
44
Use the possessive suffix Na in present, past and future (both positive and negative) to
fill in the gaps.
Examples:
yoo ndinaaya nnd _____________________________________ Iiu.
yoo ndinaaya nundu na Iiu.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Iyoo ndineeuka nundu ______________________ wia mwingi.

Ndys n saa syiana __________________________ saa.
Ndanaua nyama nundu ____________________________ mbesa.
Mwana uyu ______________________________ nzaa. Enenda Iiu.
Uni ____________________________ mbesa mbingi. Ngathi Ilovi.
EXERCISE THREE:
Change these sentences into negatives:
Examples:
1.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
Nna wa mwing Ndina wia mwingi.

Mwait ena syana nyingi.
Nna saa nzeo.
Wna mwalim mseo.
Uni kkeethwa na mbua.
Mwana y n mwau. Ena ndetema.
Umunth kwna mbua.
Ithy twna mbesa mbing.
mnth nngunywa kyai nnd nna sukali.
EXERCISE FOUR:
Ena kyau? What does he/she have?
45
46
ISOMO YA IKUMI LESSON TEN:
TOPIC:KUTHOOA/SHOPPING/N MBESA SYANA? HOW MUCH IS

IT?
COMPETENCY:PURCHASING ITEMS;
DIALOGUE A:
Mutinda
:
Mthoosya
:
Mutinda
Mthoosya
:
Mutinda
:
Mthoosya
:
Mutinda
Mthoosya
:
Mutida
:
Mthoosya
:
Mwait wi mseo?
I nkseo. Wenda kthooa kya?
:
Nenda kthooa sati. N mbesa syiana?
Sati n silingi maana el na mongo tano.
su n thooa mnene mno. Nthooesya sati nesa.
Usu n thooa munini. Wienda kuiva mbesa syiana?
:
Nyie nna silingi iana ymwe. Ndina mesa ing.
Ongela silingi miongo itano. Ino ni sati nza.
Aaya. Kwata.
N mvea.
DIALOGUE B:
Kilonzo
Mthoosya
:
Kilonzo
Mthoosya
:
Kilonzo
Mthoosya
:
Kilonzo
:
voo waku mwanake.
N mseo wenda ka kya?
:
Nenda msele. Wta ata?
Kilo kmwe n silingi miongo il.
:
Wta vinya u nki?
Usu ti thooa mthku. Wenda kthooa kwa mbesa syiana?
:
Nina silingi kumi na itano.
47
Mthoosya
:
Kilonzo
kmwe.
Mthoosya
:
Kilonzo
:
Mthoosya
:
Kilonzo:
READ ALOUD:
Aiee. Nngkwata ngalama.

:
Eka ngnenge silingi kmi na thanthat kwa kilo
Aiee. Ongela silingi mwe.
Kwata.
Nu. enda nesa.
:
Tiwa nesa.
Wta ata msele?

Wta ata mboso?
Wta ata mbemba?
Wthoosya kya?
Nthoosya mboka.
Nthoosya matunda.
Nthoosya nga.
Musele kilo kmwe n mbesa syiana?
N silingi mongo l.
N silingi mongo itat.
N silingi mongo tano.
Wta ata maluuu?
Nthoosya silingi ana kwa leve.
Nthoosya silingi mongo keenda kwa leve.
Nthoosya silingi kumi kwa kilio.
Wthoosya ata sungwa?
N silingi ana.
N silingi kumi.
Usu n thooa mnene.
Usu n thooa mnini.
Usu n thooa mseo.
Nta nga laisi mno.
Wta nga vnya muno.
Eta nga nesa.
Thooa wa Iu nvandie.
Thooa wa matunda nvalukile.
Ethiwa ntonya, theesya thooa vanini.
theesya silingi il.
theesya silingi itano.
ola silingi mwe.
ongela silingi mwe.
48
Vocabularies
Kthooa
Mthooi
Mthoosya
Mbesa syiana?
Thooa
Kta
Wta ata?
Wthoosya ata?
Ongela
Theesya thooa/vungusya thooa
leve
Kilo
Kthima
Vinya
Laisi
Kwoou
Asala
Msele
Sati
Mboso
Ngua
itunda
Liu
Ethwa
Ethwa ntonya
Ktonya
Mboka
Mingo
English
To buy
Buyer
Seller
How much money?
Buy
To sell
How much are you selling?
How much are you selling?
Add
Reduce
A debe
A kilogram
To weigh
Expensive
Cheap
Therefore
Loss
Rice
Shirt
Beans
Clothes
Fruits
Food
If
If you can
To be able
Vegetables
Abroad
Plural
Athooi
Athoosya
Msele
Sati
Mboso
Nga
Matunda
Malu
Mboka
-
Note:
The possible grammar in this lesson is the present tense. it has been covered in a
previous lesson.
EXERCISE ONE
(a) voo waku?
(b) N museo. Wenda kthooa kya?
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) N silingi maaana nyaanya na mongo tano.
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) su ti thooa mthku. Wenda kva mbesa syiana?
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) Nditonya kwosa maana atano. Saa no n nza kuma mingo.
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) Aiee. Ongela mongo tano kwa maana thanthant
(a) ___________________________________________.
(b) N mvea. enda nesa.
(a) Naku tiwa nesa.
49
EXERCISE TWO FILL IN THE GAPS.

SOMA NGEWA INO READ THIS STORY
Ithe wa Mwkali n mndu wa viasala. atesaa synd ta nga, matunda, na Iu.
Auaa/thooa nga syake Ndukani kwa muindi. Atesaa nga syake vinya nundu sy
vinya koneka. Mita mwe ya nuga ni silingi iana imwe.
Ithe wa Mwkali atesaa matunda na Iu kwa thooa mseo. Mboso kilo kmwe ni
silingi miongo itaano. Ethiwa mthooi nwalea, Ithe was Mwkali ntonya ktheesya
thooa nginya silingi miongo ina. Ota u, the wa Mwkali nutesaa mbemba ikunia
yimwe kwa silingi ngili imwe. Uu ni thooa wa kwambiia, indi mthooi alea ntonya
ktheesya thooa nginya silingi keenda . n thooa wa mwiso.
Sungia Makulyo aa Answer these questions: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Ithe was Mwkali athkmaa wa mwa?

Atesaa syndu mya?
Nk the wa Mwkali utesaa nga vinya?
Mita itatu sya ktambaa n mbesa syiana?
Kwa thooa mseo mboso kilo kimwe ni mbesa syana?
Mbemba kunia ymwe ni mbesa syana.
Memba kunia ymwe kwa thooa wa mwso n mbesa syiana?
We n wendete wa wa viasala? Nk?
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 buyers 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;-Y N SAA SYIANA? WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
COMPETENCY:TALK ABOUT DAILY ACTIVITIES

;TELL TIME APPROPRIATLY.
DIALOGUE: NGEWA YA MBEE;
Frank
:
Nayu Msyoka?
Msyoka
:
N kseo. voo waku?
Frank
:
N nesa. mnth amkie saa syiana?
Msyoka
:
Umnth nyie namkie saa kumi na il.
Frank
:
Wamima kamuka wikei ata?
Msyoka
:
Kla mthenya naamka, nnthambaa mw, nnsanuaa nzw
na nd nnkaaa nga sya sukulu.
Frank
:
We nnyusaa kyai kla kwakya?
:
Aiee, ndinyusaa kyai kwkya indi nnsyokaa msyi saa inya
Msyoka
knywa
Frank
:
Nyie ndinyusaa kyai kwakya nnd ndyendete kselewa
ni sukulu. Yu n saa syiana?
Msyoka
:
Saa ii n saa mwe na nyusu.
Frank
:
Tsembe nd tikaselewe.
Msyoka
:
tsembe.
SYOMA KWA WASYA MNENE READ ALOUD:
Yu n saa syiana?
Yu n saa mwe.
Yu n saa il.
Yu n saa itat na nyusu sya kwakya.
Saa itano itielye ndatka mongo l.
We nednaa wan saa syiana?
Nyie nendaa wani saa il na ndatka kmi.
we nendaa wan saa il na nusu.
Mo manendaa wan saa mwe ki.
Inyw mamkaa saa syiana?
Nyie namukaa saa kmi na mwe na ndatka ikmi na itano.
Nyie namkaa saa kmi na il na ndatika miongo l.
Nyie namkaa saa mwe na ndatka ikmi na il.
Ithy tamkaa saa il itieleye kwota.
Namina kamka, nnkaa nga.
Namina kamka nnsanaa nzw.
51
Nnswakaa maeo.
Nnsaa Iu wa kwakya.
Nnthambaa mw.
We vikaa msy saa syiana?
Nyie nvikaa msy saa il sya woo.
Nvikaa msy saa keenda.
Nivikaa msy katambanga.
Nivikaa msy ngk syasya.
Nivikaa msy utuku kat.
Nyie nvikaa msyi kwatuka.
Mwambaa masomo saa syiana?
Twambaa masomo saa mwe.
Twambaa masomo saa itano.
We unyusaa kyai kya kwakya saa syiana?
Nnyusaa kyai saa umwe na nyusu.
Nnyusaa kyai saa il itielye kwota.
Nnyusaa kyai saa itat.
Mo mathmaa saa syiana?
Mathmaa saa kmi sya mawoo.
Mathmaa kwatuka.
Mathumuaa tuk kat.
Vocabularies
Saa
Saa mwe
Saa il
Saa itat
Saa inya
Saa itano
Saa sita
Saa monza
saa nyaanya
saa keenda
saa kmi
saa ikmi na mwe
Saa ikmi na il
Ndakka
Nusu
Kwota
Itielye
Kwakya
Saa umwe wa kwakya
Mthenya
tuk
English
Plural
Time
Saa
Seven Oclock
Eight Oclock
Nine Oclock
Ten Oclock
Eleven Oclock
Twelve Oclock
One Oclock
Two Oclock
Three Oclock
Four Oclock
Five Oclock
Six Oclock
Minutes
Ndatika
Half past
Quarter past
Less
Morning
Seven Oclock in the morning
Day
Night
-
52
Mawoo
Katambanga, syua ykngama
Syua yatha
Syua yiktha
Ngk syasya
Kwatuka
Evenings
Noon (when the sun stands up)
About six (sun down)
About five thirty (sun going down)
Cockcrow
After dark
tuk kat
Ngk syasya
Syua yauma
Kwakya
Yu
Nayu?
Midnight
About four Oclock (when cock crow)
About six Oclock (sun up)
Morning
Now
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:
Saa mwe na ndatka kmi.
7.10
7.20
Saa mwe na ndatika miongo il.
7.15
Saa mwe na kwota.
From thirty one minutes onwards, minutes to the following hour are given with
the word itielye meaning less.
For example:
8.40
8.55
-
Saa itat itielye ndatika mongo il.

Saa itat itielye ndatika tano.
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
Ona
Manya
Nenga
-
Go
See
Understand
Give -
Endaa (habitual)
Onaa (habitual)
Manyaa (habitual) Nengaa (habitual)
always goes
always sees
always understands
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
saa
Vya
Be cooked
Vsaa
EXERCISE ONE:
Asya kwa Kikamba Say in Kikamba
Kwa Ngelekanyo For example:
8.30 a.m.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
Saa il na nusu sya kwakya.
10.10 a.m.
12.00 noon
6.30 p.m.
12.30 p.m.
5.00 a.m.
11.30 a.m.
9.45 a.m.
1.00 p.m.
2.25 p.m.
6.25 a.m.
EXERCISE TWO:
Sngia maklyo aa Answer this questions:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
We vikaa sukulu saa syiana?

Wambiiaa ksoma saa syiana?
amukaa saa syiana?
amukaa ksoma saa syiana?
vikaa msy saa syiana?
thumuaa vandu va ndatika syiana?
COMPREHENSION:
Kavs kaa ketawa Koko. Koko n kavisi kaseo. Kla kwakya Koko aamkaa saa
kmi na il. tina wa kamka Kioko nthambaa mwii. Amina kthamba Koko
nsanaa nzw saa kmi na il na nyusu na nwkaa nga sya sukulu.
Koko amina mand asu n endaa ikon knywa kyai. Nyinya wa Koko n kveti
kseo na n ks kua muno. Koko nnyusaa kyai na n usaa tumb ymwe.
Mthenya ng Koko n nyusaa s na matunda ta mai kana masungwa
54
Amina kya Kioko nswakaa maeo na nd nwosaa mavuku make na kthi sukulu.
Kila mthenya Koko ndaseleawa. We avikaa sukulu saa il itielye ndatka kmi na
itano. Mwalim ambaa masomo saa il ki.
EXERCISE THREE:
YU N SAA SYIANA? WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
K OKO E KA ATA? - WHAT IS KOKO DOING?
MAKULYO QUESTIONS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Koko aamkaa saa syiana?

Asanuaa nzw saa syiana?
Amina kwka ngua Koko ekaa ata?
Kla kwakya Koko anyusaa s?
Koko aisaa matunda meku?
Avikaa sukulu saa syiana?
masomo mambaa 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. Thats why we have phrases like:
Ngk syasya (when cocks crow) for four oclock..
Syua yauma (sun up) for six oclock.
56
Makwakya (when the morning clears) aobut nine oclock.

Syua yikiungama (when the sun stands up) noon.
Syua yatha (when the sun goes down) about six p.a.
Kwatuka (after dark).
Mawoo (evenings) as from three oclock.
Therefore when you have meetings with women groups, at the field you need
to be flexible since to us any time between seven oclock and theve is still
morning.
57
LESSON TWELVE
ISOMO YA IKUMI NA ILI
MNTHI NI MTHENYA WK? WHAT DAY IS IT?
Mwalim
John/Mary
Mwalim
:
:
:
John
Mary
John
Mwalim
Mary
:
:
John
Mwalim
Mary
:
:
Mwalim
John
:
:
Mwalim
John/Mary
Syana mw aseo?
Ii tw aseo mwalim.
Umunth ntuuvunga sukulu. Ivinda ya kthma mkeeka
ata?
Wathanthat tkathma msy nd wa kwambllya
tkatetheesya nau kma mndan.
Wakel mwalim nyie ngava nga nake John akakna vasi.
Wakatat John we keeka ata?
Ivinda ya kthma kla wakatat nyie nnendete kthi ktea
Maky vamwe na anyanyawa.
Naku Mary wikaa ata kila wakatat?
Mthenya wa wakatat ni sua wa ndny. Kwoou nyie
niniendaa sokoni vamwe na mwait.
Wakana ithyi nitendaa kthaka mvila vamwe na anyanyae
mait. Mary athakaa mvila wa moko nakwa nthakaa
muvila wa ma
Wakatano mwikaa ata?
Kila wakatano tuendaa kwa ss kmkethya. Twikalaa kwa
ss nginya masaa ma wioo na indi tisyoka msy.
Wakyumwa nimendaa kyuma?
I kla wakyumwa nitendaa kanisan vamwe na mwait na
nau.
Aaya. Nneewa mw syana nzeo. Muikolwe n ksoma
mavuku menyu kla mthenya.
Aya n asande mwalim?
SOMA KWA WASYA MNENE READ ALOUD:

mnthi ni mthenya wik?
munthi n wa keli.
munthi n wakyumwa.
mnthi n wakatano.
Iyoo kna wa keana?
Iyoo kna wa kel.
Iyoo kna wa katat.
ni kkeethwa mthenya wa keana?
n kkeethwa wa kel.
n kkeethwa wa katat.
Iso kwa wa keana?
Iso kwa wathanthat.
Iso kwa wakyumwa.
58
Uni kukeethwa wa kwambllya?

Aiee kuikethwa wa kwambllya.
Kikethwa wakana.
Kkethiwa wakel.
ni mwei wakeana?
n mwei wa mbee.
n mwei wa keli.
n mwei wa sikk.
Wakatatu mwkaa ata?
Wakatatu tuendaa ndny.
Wakatatu tuendaa wan.
Wakatatu tuendaa sukulu.
Wakyumwa mwkaa ata?
wakyumwa tendaa ikanisan
Wakyumwa ntvaa nga.
Mwai was nyaanya ntvungaa sukulu.
Mwai wa sikk ntthmaa msy.
VOCABULARIES
Wakwambllya
Wakel
Wakatat
Wakana
Wakatano
Wathanthat
Ikanisa
Mwai wa mbee
Mwai wa kel
Mwai wa katat
Mwai wa kana
Mwai wa katano
Mwai wa thanthat
Mwai wa monza
Mwai wa nyaanya
Mwai wa keenda
Mwai wa kmi
Mwai wa kmi na mwe
Mwai wa ikmi na il
Sukulu
Kva nga
Kkna vasi
Ndny
Kyumwa
mnth
ENGLISH
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Church
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
School
To wash clothes
To iron
Market
Week
Today
PLURAL
Makanisa
Syuma
-
59
n
Ake
Iyoo
Iso
Mwai wa sikk
Kla mthenya
Kkethwa
Kwa
Mthenya wva?
Ind
Wa keana?
Wa
Kuthma
Kwthwa / kwthwa
Wa wa viasala
Wa wa nymba
Kma
Ktetheesya
Knyithya
Kta
Atusaa, manyaanya
kwyumbania
Ikovisi
Kvanda
Tomorrow
The day after tomorrow
Yesterday
Day before yesterday
Month of Christmas
Everyday
Will be
It was / there was
Which day?
when
What day?
Work
To rest
To be
Business
House work
Cultivate
To assist/help
To water/irrigate
To pluck off/harvest
Usually harvests tomatoes
To prepare one self
Cabbage
To plant
Makovisi
-
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:
mnth n wakel 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 (thwa)
K
+ K (a + I) thwa.
Kkeethwa Example:
ni kukeethwa wakeana?
Tommorrow will be what day?
Ake kkeethwa mthenya wva?
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/K) is: Yesterday past tense; It is formed by the subject prefix + tesne marker na2
preceeding, e.g.
60
Iyoo kna wakyumwa Yesterday was Sunday.

Iyoo kna 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 kwa wakel 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 ana muwau (yesterday past).
This teacher was sick.
Alimu aya mania awau.
These teachers were sick.
Uni mwana uyu akeethwa sukulu.
Tommorrow this child will be in school.
I/Ma
Sing. Wakyumwa embe y ya muundan.
On Sunday this hoe was at the garden.
P1
Wakyuma maembe aa ma muundan.
Immediate future:
P1
Wakyumwa embe y ykeethwa muundan.

Next Sunday this hoe will be at the garden.
Wakyuma maembe aa makeethiwa muundani.
(N) Sing. Iyoo ngal no na Ilovi

Yesterday this vehicle was in Nairobi.
P1.
Un ngal no keethwa Mombasa.

Tommorrow this vehicle will be in Mombasa.
EXERCISE ONE: KUTATA KWA MBEE;

Sungia makulyo aa Answer these questions:
1. We endaa wan mthenya wk?
2. Syana sya sukulu ithmaa mthenya wk?
3. Sukulu sya Kenya ivungaa mwai wk?
4. Wavikei k Kenya muthenya wk?
5. We wkaa ata mthenya wa kyumwa.
6. munth n mthenya wk?
7. n n wa keana?
8. Iyoo kunai muthenya wk?
9. Iso kwa mthenya wk?
10. We vaa nga syaku mthenya wk?
11. n mwei wk?
12. n mwaka wik?
61
EXERCISE TWO: KUTATA KWA KELI - SOMA NGEWA INO: - READ

THIS STORY:
MSY WA KYALO:
Nyie nitawa Meni nake Nau etawa Kyalo, Nau athkmaa wa wa viasala. Atesaa
nga nake mwait aknaa wa wa nyumba.
Kila wakwambllya Nyie nnamkaa tene na nnyumbanasya kthi sukulu. Nau
nake n uendaa ndny ya masinga ktooa ngombe. Mwait nake aamkaa tene vy,
akaua kyai na kthambya mwana. Itina wa mand asu mwait aendaa mndan
kma.
Wakeli Nau aendaa mndan kutetheesya mwait kma. Wakatat mwait na Nau
nmaendaa ndny. Nau aendaa kuthoosya ngombe nake mwait aenda kthoosya
mboka. Wakana wavika Nau n endaa ktetheesya Kavisi Koko kthya ngombe.
Mwait nake n endaa kkethya ss na kmtwaia ia.
Wathanthat wavika ithyonthe ntendaa mndan knyithya mboka. Nau avandaa
makovisi, Kioko atusaa manyaanya ma ktwaa ndny nake mwait ethawa
akyumbania kthi ndny. Wakyuma ithy tiendaa mndan. n mthenya wa
kthma. Ithyonthe nitendaaa kanisan kvoya Ngai.
MAKULYO QUESTIONS: a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Nau etawa ata?

Wakwambllya Nau aendaa va?
Nake Nau athkmaa wa mwa?
Mthenya ya ndunyu ni mithenya yik?
Nk mwait na Nau maendaa ndny mthenya wa katat?
And ma msy wa Kyalo mathmaa muthenya wk?
CULTURAL NOTE:
In the Kamba ethnic group the first day of the week is wakwambllya (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. Tthi 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)
Mta
Mutheu
Mta
Mutheu
Mta
Mutheu
Mta
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
We wna myaka yana?

Nyie nna myaka mongo itat na imwe.
Wina k mwa?
Nyie nina k wa myaka mongo tat na imwe.
Nau waku ena myaka yana?
Nau wakwa ena myaka mongo monza na tano.
Nake nau wakwa ena myaka mongo monza ki.
NGEWA DIALOGUE B:
Mwikali
Mli
:
:
Mwikali
Mli
Mwikali
Mli
:
:
:
:
Mwikali
Mli
:
:
Mwikali
Mli
Mwikali
:
:
:
Wasyaiwe mwaka wva?

Nasyaiwe makwa wa ngili mwe maana kenda mongo
thanthat na ili.
Wasyaiwe mwei wva na matuk meana?
Nasyaiwe mwei wa kena matuk mongo l na atano.
Inya waku asyaiwe nd?
Inya wakwa asyaiwe mwaka wa ngili imwe maana kenda
mongo l na kenda.
Nake minau asyaiwe matuk meana ?
Minawa asyaiwe matuk kumi na el mwei wa thantat
mwaka wa ngili mwe maana kenda mongo tano na monza.
Mwana waku asyaiwe mwei wva?
Asyaiwe mwei wa mbee
N mvea mno kwoondu wa knznga maklyo na enda na
voo.
Soma kwa waysa munene Read Aloud;

Nasyaiwe mwei wa nzanuali.
Nau wakwa asyaiwe mwaka wva?
Nau wakwa asyaiwe mwei wa mbee.
Inya waku asyaiwe makwa wva?
Nzaomo Kenyatta awkwie nd.
N mvea muno.
Tiwa na voo.
63
Syuo Nzau (Vocabulary)

Kamba
Mwaka (M-m)
Mwaka wkte
Mwei (M-M)
Ksyawa
k (N)
Ituku (MA)
Mtuma (M-A)
Mthenya wa ksyawa
Ind
Minau
Nau
Inya
Asyai (M-A)
Kkwa
Akwie
English
Year
Next year
Month
To be born
Age
Date
Old person
Birthday
When
Your young brother or sister
Father
Mother
Parents
To die
He/she died
Grammar Explanaitons:
Sngia Maklyo:
Wna k mwa? Nina k wa ________________________________
Nau waku ena myaka yiana/iana _______________________________
Wasyaiwe matuku meana? _____________________________________
Mwaka usu ng kethiwa na myaka ana? _______________________
Asyai maku masyaiwe va? ______________________________________
Muthenya waku wa ksyawa n wva? ________________________________
J.F. Kennedy akwie mwaka wva? ________________________________
Nzomo Kenyatta akwie mwaka wva? _____________________________
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 dont have
Ndwina you dont have
Ndena he/she doesnt have
Past tense
Naina
I had
Waina you had
Aina
he
Cultural Note:
In the Kamba community its not sensitive to enquire about ones age. Like other
ethinic groups,extended family is stll valued
64
***********to be cont.
65
LESSON FOURTEEN
ISOMO YA IKUMI NA INYA
TOPIC;WKAA ATA? WHAT DO YOU DO?
AND AA MATHKMAA WIA MWA? WHAT JOBS DO THIS PEOPLE
DO?
NGEWA: DIALOGUE 1
David
:
W mseo kveti?
Mwende
:
I n nesa
David
:
voo wa wa?
Mwende
:
Ti mthku?
David
:
Wtawa ata?
Mwende
:
Ntawa Mwende. Naku wtawa ata?
David
:
Nyie ntawa David.
Uknaa wia Mwa k?
Mwende
:
Nthoosya syindu ndukani.
David
:
thoosya syindu mya?
Mwende
:
Nithoosya mal kivathkanyo. Naku wkaa ata k?
David
:
Wia wakwa n kvndsya and ma viasala nini taku.
Mwende
:
Nngwenda kmanyiwa ulu wa viasala nini.
David
:
tukoonana ni.
Mwende
:
Enda na seo.
NGEWA: DIALOGUE B:
Kilian
:
Nata?
Serena
:
Nkseo, voo waku?
Serena
:
N nesa wenda ata?
Kilian
:
Nienda kwona ndakitali.
Serena
:
Wtawa ata?
66
Kilian
Serena
Kilian
Serena
Kilian
:
:
:
:
:
Serena
Kilian
Serena
:
:
:
Ntawa Kilian.
Na thkmaa va?
Nyie nthkmanaa na Peace Corps ngaliko sya Mombasa
thkmaa wa mwa?
Nyie n vndi wa kw. Nivundiasya andu kwaka matangi ma
kw.
Ndakitali nde vo saa ii, mweteele vanini.
Aaya n mvea.
Ii
Soma kwa wasya munene:

Nnthkmaa
Ndithukumaa
Nuthkmaa
Ndutukumaa
Nthukmaa
Ndathukumaa
Wkaa ata vaa?
Nyie n mmanyiwa
Nyie n mwalimu. Nivundiasya sukulu.
We w ndaktali nuitaa awau.
Nikunaa viasala. Nthooasya ngua
Nyie n mim. Nvandaa mbemba na mboso.
Mwka ata?
Twsoma Kiswahili.
Twvanda mbemba.
Ndakitali ni mnd ula itaa awau.
Mimi n mnd la imaa.
Alim n and ala masomethasya.
Mndu la somaa.
And ala masomaa.
Mnd la utwaa ngal etawa ndeleva.
And ala mauaa metawa avisi.
Nyie nendaa sukulu.
Nyie nnendaa wan
Ithy ntsomaa.
Nyie n vundi.
Nakaa matangi ma kw
Nakaa nymba.
Vocabularies:
Singular
Ndakiatl
Mwalim
Ndeleva
Kalan
Msomethya
Itangi
Itangi ya kw
Vundi
English
Doctor
Teacher
Driver
Secretary
Educator
Tank
Water tank
Technician
Plural
Matakital
Alim
Mateleva
Makalan
Asomethya
Matangi
Matangi ma kw
Mavundi
67
Sivitali
wau
Wa
Sukulu
Kiita
Ksomethya
Ka
Mi
Hospital
Sickness
Work/job
School
To treat (cure)
To teach
To cook
A cook
Masivital
Mowau
Mawa
Masukulu
-
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 :
Plural :
KI/I Class:
Sing :
Plural :
Mnd la mwau n mnyanyawa. (The person who is my friend)

And, ala awau n anyanywa. (The people who are sick are my
friends).
Kandiki kla knaaie n kyakwa

The pen that got lost is mine.
Iandki ila inaaie n syakwa.
The pens which got lost are mine.
N Class:
Nymba ila tnaakie n nene mno.
The house which we build is very big.
Nymba ila tnakie n nene mno.
The houses which we build are very big.
Soma Ngewa Ino:
Msee y etawa Mbondo. Ktheka kyake n eka ikmi na itano. Athooie ktheka k
yla wathkmaa wa wa walimu. Mbee wa ktwika mwalim athkmaa wa wa
mi.
Mbondo ena kveti na syana itano. Mwana wake la mk etawa Mta. Mta n
ndakitali sivitali ya Kinyaata. Minae wa Mta etawa Angeline. Angeline n Kalan
kwa kambni ya iat. Mwana na katat Joe n vundi. Akaa nymba nzeo mno.
Mwana wake wa kana etawa Mtiso. Mtiso ndathkmaa, indi asomaa sukulu ya
Ilovi. Ilumaita ytawa Meni. Meni asomaa sukuluu la y vau vakuvi na msyi.
Msee Mbondo yu ndathukumaa. Niwaumie wan. Matuku aya athooasya nga
ndny matuu.
Sngia Maklyo Aa:
1. Ktheka kya Mbondo n eka syiana?
68
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Athooie ktheka k nd?

Mtumia y ena syana syiana?
Mwana wa mbee wa Mbondo athkmaa wia mwa?
Angeline athkamaa wa mwa?
Mwana wa katat wa mbondo etawa ata na athkmaa va?
Mwana wa tina etawa ata, na athkmaa va?
Exercise II
Ussya Myaya Ino Fill in the gaps:
1. Mnd la iitaa awau etawa __________________________.
2. Mnd la uaa etawa ________________________________.
3. And ala masomethasdya metawa _______________________.
4. Aim n and ala ____________________________________.
5. Mnd la twaa ngali etawa __________________________.
6. Vundi n mnd ula __________________________________.
7. Kalani n mnd ula _________________________________.
8. Mnd la kwataa ingei etawa __________________________.
9. Mkni wa viasa n mnd ula ________________________.
Exercise III
Fill in the Relative Pronoun in the following sentences:
Example:
Mwana .. komete n mwau.
The child who is sleeping is sick.
Mwana la komete n mwau
The child who is sleeping is sick.
a) Mnd _______________ naendie laya etawa msili.
b) And _______________ makomete n awau.
c) Kkav _____________ ninatumie n knene.
d) Iat ______________ nnaie n nini.
e) Isandk _______________ ngkua n ya Msyoka.
f) Mai ____________________ ngya n ma Mwangangi.
g) Katena _____________ kawau n ka mbi ya Mtuk.
h) Tsa ______________ tnakwie n twakwa.
i) Vala ______________ watmie nyavikie.
j) Masngwa ____________ nnaie ndny mana mathku.
69
Exercise Four Ususya myanya ino:

Fill in this gaps:
Mimi
Ndeleva
Vundi wa mbwa
Mwenzi
Msukani
Muthoosya wa nyama
Vundi wa iat
Mwalim
Vundi wa nga
70
71
LESSON FIFTEEN
ISOMO YA IKUMI NA ITANO
TOPIC;YII VA? --LOCATIONS
COMPETENCY:ASK,GIVE AND FOLLOW DIRECTOINS.
NGEWA DIALOGUE A
Meni
muasya
Meni
Muasya
Meni
Muassya
vau kna
Meni
Muasya
Meni
:
:
:
:
:
:
Nata mwanake y?
:
N nesa.
Ntonya kndethya
:
II wenda ata?
Lelu wa kthi sivitali nwo wva?
:
Atiia nza no mwe kwemwe nona vand ve nduaka,
kona kwoko kwa aka na thi vanini nona nza ng kwoko kwa
ame ata su na nvika.
Nndaa mno. Wsilya ve asa mwa kvika vau?
Aiee ti vaasa no vakuv.
Nmvea muno tiwa no seo.
NGEWA DIALOGUE B
Tom
:
W mseo kveti.
Mary
:
Nmseo kwewa ata?
Tom
:
Eka kina thk nutonya kmbonia lelu wa kthi sukulu?
Mary
:
Wenda kuthi sukulu yva?
Tom
:
Nienda kuthi ila ytawa vylya masii.
Mary
:
Oo ona sukulu su y vaasanga kwoou enda na lelu y
mvaka wone vand ve kt kasa kwoko kwa ame tina wa
kwona kt ku enda vanini na nona lel wa mthanga vau
kna kona kwoko kwa aka na endee na mbee, nona kivwa
kya sukuku su kwoko kwa ame.
Tom
:
Nseo mno kiveti.
Mary
:
Thi na seo.
72
Soma kwa wasya munene Read Aloud

M a
Nyie n mkaawan
Wee w kilasini
We e ovisin
Ithy tw klasin.
Inyw mw vakuv na volisi.
Mo me sukulu.
Mwalim e kilasini.
Nau e va? Nau e wian.
Mwtu e ikon.
KI I
Kkombe k yulu wa mesa.
Ikombe sy ungu wa mesa.
N
Saa y mesan.
Saa sy isandkn.
Ngombe y kyengon.
Ngombe sy mndan.
Saa yakwa y nymba.
M NI
Mkate wi vaya.
Mkate yi isaanini.
MA
Iko y ikon.
Maiko me nza.
KA T
Kameme ke yl wa kavati.
Tumeme tw yl wa mesa.
Ivuku yaku yva? Yi vakuvi na muomethya.
Iyoo tuk naiya? Iyoo nna vaa.
Syuo nza Vocabulary:
Kikamba
English
Kilasi
Class
Kilasini
in the classroom
Itina wa
behind
Yl wa
on top of
Ungu wa
under / underneath / below
inside of / in
Nthn wa
73
Nza wa
Vakuv
Sim
Mnda
Kavati
Itina
outside of
near the
telephone
farm/shamba
Cupboard
after
Compass
Yulu (North)
thlon wa sua
(West)
mlon wa sua (East)
Iteho (South)
Yl
Itheo
mlon wa sua
thlon wa sua
North
South
East
West
N
W
E
Y
Ke
K
Y
W
Tw
Mw
Me
Me
Tw
Sy
Sy
Y
Exercise:
Osa nza ya mwe kwe mwe.
Natha nza no mvaka va?
Nata nza no nvike va?
Wata nza no vike sivital.
Wata nza no vike vosita.
Mwata nza ino mvike kwa kivu.
Wata nza ino muvike sukulu.
Nene ya etu.
Mwaata nza no mwvika kanisan.
Mwaata nza no nimuona soko.
Itine wa kwona nduka niikata?
Woona nduka vinduka kwoko kwa aume.
Woona nduka sisya kwoko kwa aka.
Na nuona vengi.
74
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 ovaameans 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 :
voo waku?
TIM :
N nesa.
KIILU :
Ntonya kndethya? Nyie n Meni k; na nmantha nza ya kthi
volisi.
TIM :
Wiende kuthi volisi k?
KIILU :
Nnooywa saa na mbesa.
Harry :
Vole muno. Ethiwa wenda kthi volisi atii nza no, mwe, wavika
ofisi ya D.O., kna kona vau, na iata nza su nginya wone volisi,
kwoko kwa ame.
KIILU :
Aaya, n mvea mno.
TIM:
.
DIALOGUE B:
Robert
:
Richard
:
Robert
:
Richard
Robert
Richard
:
:
:
Robert
Richard
:
:
Robert
Richard
:
:
W mseo kmwana k?
n nesa. Wenda ata?
Nenda kthi sukulu la ya Asungu. Ytawa Peace-Corps. nd
ndys nza.
Sukulu isu yi vakuvi na sukulu ya Eitu ya Naivasha Girls.
Ona sukulu isu ndys vala y.
Ata lel , nginya konan, Multiline wavika vau, vndka
kwoko kwa aka na iendeea nginya vike kwa matat. Wavika
vau, nona makutano ma lel. Likila kwoko wa aka lelni wa
Mama Ngina.
At lel wa Mama Ngina
I atiie nginya wone kivwa kya amanyiwa kya Peace Corps.
kwoko kwa ame.
N mvea mno.
Aaya.
Soma na wasya mnene

Enda na lel .
Vndka kwoko kwa ame.
Vindka kwoko kwa aka.
Ata lel , mwe kwa mwe.
Vta vosta.
Wavika vengi, vndka kwoko kwa aka.
Wavika sukulu, vndka kwoko kwa ame.
Wavtka kiao, theenga vanini.
76
Sukulu y vakuvi na ikanisa.

Sivital y vau kiimani.
Soko yi vau mbee wa kanisa.
Nona sukulu ya aka.
Nona ikanisa kwoko kwa ame.
Wavika makutano ma lel, nona soko.
Nuona sukulu ya alim.
Vocabularies:
Ata
Vndka
Ngalko
Kwoko
Kwoko kwa ame
Imwe kwa imwe
Theea
Klya
Theesya
Mbee
Vakuv
Itina
Kma
Endeea
Mbonya
Ndavya
Follow
Turn
Side
Hand
Right
One by one
Go down
Ask
Help
Infront of
Near
Behind
Hill
Continue
Show me
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:
Kata
Kenda
Ksoma
Knywa
Kya
Ata
Enda
Soma
Nywa
Ya
Follow
Go
Read
Drink
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 ka Andka -
Endai
kai
Andkai
You (plural) go.

You (plural) come.
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
Ndkasome
Dont read
Andika
Ndkaandke
Dont write
Atiia
Ndkaate
Do not follow!
Somai
Mikasome
Do not read (plural)
Andikai
Mikaandke
Do not write (plural)
Atiiai
Mikaate
Do not follow (plural)
Exercise I: write the following imperatives in plurals:
a) Neena
b) ka
c) Semba
d) Sisya
e) Nenga
f) Sana
g) Vndka
h) Koma
i) Amka
Exercise II
Change the following imperatives into negative:
a) Nywa
b) Kwa
c) Thi
d) Kna
e) Ima
f) Tuma
g) Thnia
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 --KTHOOWA TIKITI BUYING A TICKET
NGEWA DIALOGUE A
WANZA NA MUTISO
Wanza
Mutiso
Wanza
Mutiso
Wanza
Mutiso
Wanza
Mutiso
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Wanza
Mutiso
Wanza
Mutiso
Wanza
Mutiso
Wanza
Mutiso
Wanza
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
W mseo mthoosya?
I n mseo wwa ata?
Kuti na thku, nenda kthi Mwambasa
Wenda kthi nd?
Nenda kthi mnth woo. Mwna mbasi?
twna mbasi il mnthi wienda kthi saa syiana?
Nienda kuma vaa saa il na nusu sya woo.
Mbasi ya woo yuma vaa sa itat sya tuku, tina mbasi ya saa
il.
Vaina thna nngwosa su ya saa itat.
Aaya nseo.
Thloowa wa tikiti n kya?
Mnd mima n silingi ana ymwe na mongo l.
Nenda tikiti mwe mbesa nii.
Aaya osa tikiti waku n. Wna mio?
I nina miio minini no vaa.
Vika vaa mbee wa nusu saa mbasi itanavika saa sya kthi.
I nngvika mbee wa saa isu nseo mno.
Soma kwa wasya Read aloud:

Mbasi yondoka saa syiana?
Mbasi yondoka saa ili.
Mbasi ondokaa saa monza na nusu sya mthenya.
Mbasi yiondoka saa itat sya wioo.
Mbasi vikaa saa syana?
vikaa saa mwe wa wioo.
vikaa saa monza sya mthenya.
vikaa saa sita katambanga.
Mbasi vtlaa va ithi Mwambasa?
vtlaa Masak.
vtlaa Kibwezi na Voi
vtlaa knd kwing.
80
Mbasi itmaa masaa meana savalini?

itmiaa masaa kmi.
kuaa masaa keenda.
Mbasi tmaa masaa mena savaln?
endaa kwa masaa nyanya.
Mbasi y;ngamaa Voi kwa masaa meana?
yungamaa kwa ndakika ikumi.
thumuaa Voi kwa ndakika miongo ili.
ungamaa Voi kwa nusu saa.
Tikiti wa kuthi n silingi siana?
Tikiti wauthi ni silingi miongo nyanya.
thoowa wa tikiti n silingi miongo kenda.
thoowa wa tikiti wa kana ni mbesa siana?
n silingi mongo na na itano
tikiti n silingi yiana ymwe.
Thoowa wa kuthi na kusyoka n mbesa siana?
n silingi yiana na miongo thanthatu.
Nndonya ukwata kvla kya ndilsyan?
no utonye ukwata kvla kya ndiisyan.
Wna mio yiana?
nna mio ming
nna muio umwe
ndina mio.
Mwina mio yana?
twna mio mnini muno
twna mio ming
twna muio umwe munene.
Soma na wasya munene:
VOCABULARY:
Mwna mbasi?
No nd mwe
Ntonya
Kvika
Kngama
Kthi
Ksyoka
Kkwata
Syiana
Mo
Do you have a bus.

It is all the same.
Please / if you can
To arrive
To stop.
To go.
To return.
To get
How many.
Load / luggage.
81
Tikiti
GRAMMAR:
Syiana
Sya
Ata
Ind
Ia
Wa
Kya
Ticket
EXERCISE 1: - TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES

1. Mbasi nyusute vay mwana.
2. Ngal ya mwaki endaa saa umwe wa kwakya.
3. And maendaa msy ata?
4. Ndeke ika vinda yiana ata kuma New York kvika Ilovi?
5. Nnnoete mno nnd wa kyalo ku.
6. Mwalim ya nthatite nnd nnaselewa.
7. Lu waku n mseo nnavna mno.
8. Syana nsyakoma nundu ninoete.
9. Amanywa nmathatite nnd vaii mwalim / mmanyisya.
10. Emanthaa nza nd ndanamyona.
11. Mtuma ya akwie nnd wa kuu.
12. Ethiwa niwamina mutiani thumaa vanini.
13. Nwmanytye kthyomo kwa vinda asa.
CULTURAL NOTE:
A Matatu is never full. Even if its 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. Dont 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 kya matuni?
What chan you see in the sky?
Dialogue 1
Mlinge
Moki
Mlinge
Moki
Mlinge
Moki
Mlinge
Moki
Mlinge
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Moki
Mlinge
Moki
Mlinge
Moki
:
:
:
:
:
voo waku?
No mseo.
voo wa msy?
Ki kand, no sua ying.
Mba ndnamba kua?
aiee ku n kmu vy.
K kwit kwna nyenye t na mbevo n mbing vy.
Kwna kseve?
I kla mthenya masaa ma woo kwthawa na kseve king; na
ktoo.
Na tuk nkwthawa na mbevo?
Aiee, kwthawa na yuutia yingi mno.
Asi, vole. ka twkalange k kwit, ktoo kyambe kthela.
I. Nngwymbanya. Nslya ngooka wathanthatu.
aaya, ngakweteela.
Soma kwa wasya munene: Read aloud

mnth Nzeve ily ata?
mnth kwna mbevo.
mnth kwna yuuta.
mnth kwna mbevo.
mnth kwna nyenye.
Iyoo kuna na kseve mno.
Kna na sua.
Mba nkua, yoo mba n nauie.
Iyoo mbua ndnaaua.
Un mbua ikaaua.
Kwna kseve mnth.
Kwna ktoo king.
Kina yuuta ying.
mnth nzeve ninthku.
Nwa yuuta mno.
Nwa mbevo mno.
voo wa msy?
N mseo, nd kwna ya mno.
Ivinda ya mbua.
Ivinda ya sua.
83
ivinda ya mbevo.
Ivinda ya mbevo kwthawa na kya?
Ivinda ya mbevo kwthawa na imwe masaa ma kwakya, na nundu.
Ivinda ya thano kwthawa kya?
Thano, kwthawa na sua vyu na vyv mwing.
Ivinda ya mbua kwthawa kya?
Kiwthawa mbua nying na matu.
Vocabularies:
Singular
Ivinda ya thano
Ivinda ya ua
Mbua
Mbevo
Sua
Kua
Kseve
Itu
Yuuta
Ktoo
Kwyumbania
Kweteela
Uvyvu
Kketha
Yua
Nzeve
Ngetha
Unyenye
Imwe
Mumbi
Nundu
Kwikala
Plural
Thano
Ua
Mbua
Mbevo
Sua
Iseve
Matu
Yuuta
Kitoo
vyvu
Kketha
Yua
Nzeve
Ngetha
nyenye
Mamwe
Mumbi
Nundu
-
English
Hot season
Rainy season
Rain
Cold
Sun
To rain
Wind
Cloud
Sweat
Dust
Prepare (oneself)
To wait
Hot and humid
To harvest
Draught
Air (weather)
Harvest
Drizzles
Dew
Fog
Frost
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
- ingi
- ithi
- vyu
- mosu
- ndulu
- ndasa
- ima
- thei
Small / a little
A lot
Raw, unripe
Hot
Weak, thin
Lazy
Tall, long
whole, complete
empty, bare, naked
84
- seo
- iana
- nou
- imwe
- ili
- m
- eni
- tumanu
good, nice, fine, pleasant, beautiful

how many / how much?
fat, healthy
one
two
hard, dry, tough, difficult
strange, foreign,
foolish, ignorant, stupid.
Exercise 1
complete the following exercise by inserting the correct noun prefixes:
Examples:
Matuuni n msyi_______ (nene)
Matuu n msyi mnene.
1. Ilovi n msy _______ (nene)
2. Ngit yakwa n _______ (thku)
3. Andu aya ni _____________ (ima) ti syana.
4. Mt ya mnathi n _______(asa) muno.
5. Iyoo knauie mbua ________ (ing).
6. Ngombe no n ______ (nou)
7. Mthkmi wake n ________ (kuv) ti _____(asa)_
8. Lu n _______(seo).
9. Nzau yake n _____(tulu) mno.
10. Kana kake n _____ (mosu) vy.
11. Mwai wa keenda kwthawa kw ____ (m) vy.
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 no Read this story:
Ngaliko sya kamba mbua yuaa keli kwa mwaka. Mwei wa katat niwo mbua ya
ua yuaa. Mbua ino yaua, and mavandaa malu ta mbemba, mboso, nthooko, nz
na mvya. Mwei wa kana na wa katano and methiawa maiimia liu.
Mwei wa monza wavika nkwthawa na nundu. Nundu ino niyo tumaa lu wiwa.
Ivinda ya nundu kwthawa na mbevo mbingi muno.
85
Mwei wa nyanya niwo and makethaa lu. Thano nawo wambaa mwei wa keenda.
Ivinda y kwthawa sua vy muno na kseve king. Ndetua makonde ni mbua ila
yuaa mwei wa kumi. Ino niyo mbua ya kel ya mwaka. Mbua no ytawa ndeta
makonde nundu yaa tina wa ngetha na kkua makonde ma malu ta mboso na nz.
Liu wa mbua ino kethawa mwei wa mbee na mwei wa kel. Itina wa kketha andu
nimaseuvasya munda yoo vamwe na kwyumbansya kvanda ing mwei wa katatu.
Makulyo Questions:
1. kamba n ngalko yik?
2. kambani mbua yuaa mala meana kwa mwaka?
3. Mbua la yuaa mwei wa katatu yitawa ata?
4. Ivinda ya ua andu mavandaa kya?
5. Nundu ythawa ind?
6. We nwendete vinda ya nundu? elesya.
7. Mwei wa keenda kwthawa na kyau? Ividna y ya mwei wa keenda ytawa ata
Ukambani?
8. Mbua ya mwei wa kmi yitawa ndetua makonde nk?
Exercise 4
What are the plurals of the following sentences?
86
LESSON NINETEEN
ISOMO YA IKUMI NA KEENDA
NGA NA LANGI CLOTHES AND COLOURS
Dialogue A:
Kaloki
Moses
Kaloki
Moses
:
:
:
:
Kaloki
Moses
Kaloki
Moses
Kaloki
:
:
:
:
:
Nata Moses?
N kseo muno, voo waku?
Ti mthku. Wkte nga nying u nk?
Nnd nwa mbevo. Nikte mvuuto, sati ya moko maasa,
sokisi, iatu, ngovia na msivi.
Nake Meni ekte kya?
Meni ekte linda, kavuti na ktambaa kya mtwe.
Nyie ivindi ya mbevo nendete kwikia ikoti na tai.
Ai, nyie ndyendete koti nd ninendete kwka vulana na tai.
Eka nthi msyi, ngose ikoti, niiwa mbevo mno.
Dialogue B:
Veronica
George
Veronica
George
:
:
:
:
Veronica
Kilyi ata George.

N kseo.
Wikte nga sya langi wk?
Nkte sati nzi, mvuto mwe, na sokisi sya mbuluu. Iyoo
ndinaaka iat nzi, nineekte nza. Naku wikiite nga
iilyata?
Nkte linda yeu na vulana ya umb vamwe na iat sya
muthanga
Soma kwa wasya munene Read aloud

n langi wik?
n langi mwe.
n langi mwi.
n langi wa ngilini.
n langi wa mbuluu.
n langi wa iumbi.
n langi wa yelo.
Ekte linda ya langi wku?
Ekte linda ya vingi.
Ekte suluali wa kaki
Nkte tai nza.
Ekte linda itune.
Ekte mbulausi ya nzlili.
Ekte skati ya muthanga.
Ekte tai iily ata?
Ekte tai ndune.
Ekte tai ya yumb.
87
Ekte ilinda tune.

Wkte mbulausi ilyi ata?
Nkte mbulausi nza.
Nikiite kamisi katune.
Nikiite iatu sya yelo.
Nendete nga iilyi ata?
Nendete iatu nzi.
Nendete sati nza
Nendente nga syi ndonatono.
Nendete sikati syi ngululo.
Nina sati il nziu.
Nna mivto il myeu.
Nna sikati imwe ya nzll
Sukulu yoo ykaa sikati sya mthanga.
Ithy twkaa mbulausi sya mat.
Vocabularies:
Singular
Plural
English
Langi
- Tune
- E
- Iu
Mbuluu
Ngilini waiy / matu
Masungwa
Nzililili
Mthanga
Iumb / Ngilee
Yelo
Thaavu
Ikoti
Vulana
Muvto
Moko maasa
Moko makuvi
Suluali wa nthini
Mbulausi
Sindilia
Ngovia
Tai
Msivi
Ktambaa
Ilinda
Malangi
Makoti
Vulana
Mivuuto
Suluali sya nthini
Mbulausi
Sindilia
Ngovia
Tai
Misivi
Itambaa
Malinda
Colour
Red
White
Black
Blue
Green
Orange
Light blue
Soil (brown)
Grey
Yellow
Golden
Coat
Sweater
Trousers
Long sleeved
Short sleeved
Underwear
Blouse
Brasiers
Cap / hat
Tie
Belt
Head scarf
Dress
88
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 M/A class we have:
Mnd mwe
Mnd mwi
Mindi mtune
Muindi mutune
Andu e
Aindi atune
-
A white (brown) person

A black person.
A red Indian
Brown people
Black people
Red Indians
In other classes we have: Kiat kye

A white shoe
Ivuku tune
A red book
Ngombe nzi
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.
Alight blue trouser.
Mvto wa nzlli Ktambaa kya mbuluu A blue head scarf
Sati ya iumbi
A grey shirt
Ngovia ya mthanga A brown hat
Grammar Exercises:
Exercise 1.
Alyula milaini ino.
1. Kioko ekte sati ya langi wk?
2. Muendo ekte muvuuto mtune.
3. Mtiso endete kwka vulana ya umbi.
4. su ekte ilinda yi.
5. Sukulu yitu ykaa tai sy ngululo.
6. Iat sya kvs kiya n sya mthanga.
7. Nendete kwka sokisi sya mat.
8. Klonzo ndendete kwka makoti.
9. Frank endete mvuto ya kaki.
10. Et mendete kwyova msivi.
Exercise II
Soma Ngewa ino Read this story:
Mwanake y etawa Peter. Peter ekte mvuuto, sati na koti. mnthi Peter
ndekiite vulana. Ekte koti yi na mvuuto mwi. Sati yake yina ngululo nza na
89
ndune. Peter endete nga sya malangi maingi. Mwiitu uya etawa Mary. Peter endete
nga sya malangi maingi. Mwtu uya etawa Mary. Mary ekaa nga nesa muno.
ekiite sikati ya muthanga, mbulausi nza na tai nzi. Mwtu y ndendete nga sya
malangi maing.
Questions:
1. Mwanake y etawa ata?
2. Peter ekte vulana ya langi wk?
3. Mvuuto wa Peter n wa langi wik?
4. Ikoti ya Peter n itune?
5. Peter nwkte ngovia?
6. Sikati ya Mary iily ata?
7. Peter na Mary mendete kwka langi wk?
Cultural Note:
Apart from the three dependant colours eu, iu, -une) all the other colours are
associated with natural things.
Examples:
Sati ya mat
Tai ya umb
Sikati ya muthanga
Kitambaa kya nziilili
Shirt of leaves (green shirt)

Tie of fog (a grey tie)
A skirt of soil (a brown skirt)
A light blue scarf.
Nziilili is a name of a bird that has some light blue feathers.

Ilinda ya muk - 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
91
Singular
Plural
English
sw
itho
Iny
Ieo
Ktuo
Kngokoa
Kyaa
Itako
Ktiinyo
Kyaa kya k
I
Kthui
Ngingo
Itau
Kt
Kwoko
Ku
Nzw
Metho
Many
Maeo
Ituo
Syngokoa
Syaa
Matako
Itiinyo
Syaa sya k
Mau
Ithui
Ngingo
Matau
Mat
Moko
Maa
Hair
Eyes
Nose
Teeth
Shoulder
Elbow
Finger
Thighs
Heels
Toes
Knees
Chests
Neck
Cheeks
Ears
Hands
Legs
Soma kwa wasya munene:

Kyongo kyakwa n knene mno.
Metho makwa n matune.
Mnuka waku
Ilomo syake n nene
Maa maku ni matheke
Ena moko maasa mno
Kana kake kena syaa thanthat.
K n k kwakwa Aya n maa makwa
K n kyaa kyake Ii ni syaa syake
Kuu n 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) Y n itho yakwa.
b) Klomo kyakwa n kinene.
c) Mwan wake ena kyongo knene.
d) Nna kyaa knini.
e) K n kthi
f) Kya n kwoko.
g) Y n ny.
Exercise 2
Choose the correct word here and construct sentences:
92
Example:
Y
Aya n litho
Asu
1. Ya n ny
Aaya
aya
Yii ni iitho
2.
K n moko
Aa
3. Aya
Ka n matu
Aaya
4. K
K n kithi
Asu
5. Ii
Aaya ni syaa
Kya
6. Iiya
Kya n klomo
Aaya
Cultural Note:
There are some parts of the body that we dont 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
MND MWAU A SICK PERSON
Ndakitali
Nelly
Ndakitali
Nelly
Ndakitali
Nelly
Ndakitali
Nelly
Ndakitali
Nelly
Ndakitali
Nelly
Ndakitali
Nelly
Ndakitali
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Nelly
Ndakitali
Nelly
:
:
:
W mseo mwait?
Ii, n nesa ndakitali.
Wwa ata?
N mwana mwau.
Awate kya?
Eiwa n vu na ktavika.
N mvy?
n mvy na nkthlia
Anawaie nd
Awaie iso.
Nkwtuua?
I nukwituua.
Ena myaka yiana?
Ena myaka itat na myei thanthat.
Aaya, nngumutonya singano vamwe na ndawa sya knywa.
Ndawa ino umunenge kisiko kya sukali katatu kwa mthenya,
na uimutunga itina wa kyumwa kmwe.
N mbesa syiana?
N silingi maana el.
N mvea mno.
Read Aloud:
Wwa ata?
Nwa n mutwe.
94
Nwa n ivu.
Nalwa n kthi.
Nalwa n muongo.
Nalwa n maeo.
Nwa na.
Mwana eiwa ata?
Ena kua
Ena ndetema
Ntayvka?
I ngtavika
I nngwta.
Mwana n mvy?
I n mvy
Wina kua Aiee ndina kua
Nina ndetema.
Mwana ewa ata?
Ewa na muno.
Ena kava.
Mwana ndanavoa.
Vocabularies:
wau
Ikua
vyuvu
Ndawa
Singano
Kiwa / kuumwa
Kvoa
Kkwata kava
Ktonya singano
Kwta
Ktavika
Kmelya
Kwaa
Kuthla
Kkwatya
Kwwa
Vole
Ndakitali
Mbevo
Yuuta
Woo
Mthelo
Kivinduvndu
Mungethya
Ndetetema
Klika
Sickness / Disease
Cold
Fever
Medicine
Injection
To be hurt / be pained
To recover
To improve (from a sickness)
To inject
To diarrhoe
To vomit / puke
To swallow
To suffer (through sickness)
To shiver
To infect
To feel
Sorry
Doctor
Cold
Hot, sweat
Pains
Aids
Cholera
Rabbies
Malaria
To enter
95
Ksa
Wani
Kitau
Kko
ng
To spread
Thirst
Wound
Dirt
Skin disease
Mang
Ksiiia
Kmaa nthakama
Mttno
Nthya
Leprosy
To prevent
Bilharzia
Whooping cough
Dizziness
Kiwa is a passive verb which leterally menas to be pained or to be eaten by, so
Niiwa ni vu means I am being pained by stomach. Nwa n 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
Kya
Kandika
Kwta
Kwona
Kua
becomes
becomes
becomes
becomes
becomes
Passive
Kwa
Kandikwa
Kwtwa
Kwonwa
Kuwa
Meaning
To be pained
To be written
To be named
To be seen
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
N, Mb, nd, ng
Plural first person

tu
Examples:
Nnanguine Nwandavisye Ndakambata Nnanengie -
Examples
He it me
He told me
He wont refuse me
he gave me
Singular 2nd person Ku

3rd person Mu
Examples
Plural
Plural
Nunatunengie
Niwatutavisye
Ndakatuvata
Nunatunengie
Mu
Ma (sometimes a)
96
Singular
Nnakukuhie
Nnamukuhie
The
Object
followin Infix
g table
might
help you
to
understa
nd
the
object
infixes in
other
noun
classes.
Noun
Class
M/M
U-MI
KA/T
N
KI/I
I/MA
/MA
/N
K/MA
VA/K
He hit you
He hit him
Exampl
e
Muango
-Door
KA-TU
Kalamu
pen
M I, Ngombe
SYS
Cow
K-SY, S Kiatu
Shoe
Y-MA
Iembe
Hoe
-MA
Undu
Issue
W, - Uthyu
I, SY, S
Face
K-MA Kutu
ear
VA-K
Vandu
Place
Nnamkunie He hit you (plural)

Nnamaknie He hit them
Word with Eng.
object infix Equival.
Singular
Word
W/Object
Infix (Plural)
English
equival.
(Plural)
Ill open
them.
Ngakaua
Ill buy
them.
Ngamiua
Ill buy it Ngasiua
Ill buy
them
Ngakiua
Ill know Ngasiua
Ill buy
it
them.
Ngayiua
Ill wash Ngamua
Ill buy
itit
them
Ngaumanya Ill wash Ngamamanya Ill wash
it
them.
Ngauthamba Ill wash Ngasithamba Ill wash
it
them
Ngakutila
Ill cut it Ngamatila
Ill cut
them.
Ngavua
Ill buy it Ngakuua
Ill buy
them
Ngauvingua
Ill open Ngamivingua

it
Ill buy it Ngatuua
Translate the following phrases and use proper passive forms of each of them.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
My son has a headache.

The letter will be written by George.
The food will be cooked by mother
Her daughter will be married by Jacob.
Those students will be beaten by their teacher.
You will be seen by the doctor.
97
Exercise 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Can you help me?

Youll pay me after the child recovers
He gave me four hundred shillings.
Ill see you tomorrow morning.
I told him the whole story.
That cow is big, Ill buy it.
My hand is ahcing, Ill 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. Its just a culture.
98
LESSON TWENTY TWO

ISOMO YA MIONGO ILI NA ILI
TOPIC;KUUA ---------COOKING ---------IN THE KITCHEN
COMPETENCY:PREPARE A LOCAL DISH
Pauline
Mwait
Pauline
Mwait
Pauline
Mwait
:
:
:
:
:
Pauline
Pauline
Mwait
:
:
Pauline
Mwait
:
:
Mwait mnth nngktetheesya kua, nnd ndina wa

mwing.
Tthi ikon
Wenda kua kya mnth?
mnth nenda ka ngima na sukuma.
Nyie nns kuua ngima nd ndys kuua sukuma.
Ningkvundsya. Ethiwa wenda kua sukuma, mbee no
nginya wthwe na ktunguu, mauta, mny, manyaanya na indi
sukuma.
Na nd yka ata?
Mbee tilanga nynyi, na ithambya, wmaina uu, tilanga
kitunguu na yka isiliani vamwe na munyu na mauta.
Wkaa kitunguu kiana ata?
Ethiwa n mboka nying, wkaa itng il, kitng kyavya,
niwo wikiaa sukuma na uikunika.
kunkaa vate kw?
I kunikaa kwa vinda nini na indi yikia kaw kanini niwo
mboka ndikange. Weekia kiw, etaela vand va ndakika
ikm na ndi ymya.
99
Pauline
Mwait
:
:
N mvea muno mwait. n ninyie ngaua mboka.

Aaya
Read aloud:
mnth nnga ngima.
mnth ninguua isyo.
Ongela kw kkombe kmwe.
Ika mauta na mny.
Tilanga mboka.
Tilanga kitng.
Tilanga maanyaanya.
Ikia kw.
Vocaburalires:
Kua
Ktetheesya Ikoni
Mauta
Ktilanga
Isilia
Kwva
Mbee
Ethwa
-
To cook
To help
Kitchen
Oil
To cut
Sauce pan
To serve
Before, first
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
mnth nngua ngima.

Nenda kya isyo.
mnth nenda kua tene.
Nngmtentheesya mwait kua ngima.
Ndnge akakaanga mboka n.
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
:
Kalani
:
Josto
:
Kalani
:
Josto
:
Kalani
:
Josto
Kalani
Josto
Kalani
Josto
:
:
:
:
:
DIALOGUE 2
Kalani
:
Sally
:
Kalani
:
Sally
:
Kalani
Sally
Kalani
Sally
Kalani
Sally
:
:
:
:
:
:
Ntonya kndetheesya?
uvoo waku.
N mseo.
Wna thna mwa?
Nenda nyumba ya kkoma. Nivo y?
yvo. Yina kyoo na mbavu. Wenda nymba kwa ivinda
yana ata?
Vand va utuku mwe. Ni mbesa syiana?
Ni silingi maana eli.
Kwata mbesa nii sya tuku mwe.
N asanda. Enda nymba namba itano.
N mvea.
Nata?
N kseo nndonya kkwata nymba vaa?
wende nymba ilyi ata?
Nenda nyumba ya andu eli, yina kyoo na mbavu. Ni mbesa
syiana?
Ni siling ana na mongo itano kwa mthenya mwe.
Kwata mbesa nii na ienenga mbungo.
Enda nyumba namba ikumi.
Nunenga lisiti?
yivo kwata.
N mvea.
Soma na wasya munene Read aloud:

Vaa ve nyumba?
ve nymba.
Aiee vai nyumba syoonthe, syina and.
Nyumba syoonthe n mbusu.
Wenda nyumba ilyi ata?
Nenda nyumba ya mundu umwe.
Nenda nyumba ya andu eli.
Nenda nyumba yina kyoo na mbavu.
Nenda nyumba yina itanda ili.
Nenda nyumba yina kitanda kinene.
Nyumba yina kyoo ni mbesa syiana?
N silingi maana eli.
N silingi maana atat.
Wenda nyumba kwa vinda yiana ata?
101
Vand va kyumwa kmwe.

Vand va symwa il
Vand va tuk mwe.
Vand va mthenya mwe.
Vocabularies:
Nymba
Kyoo
Mbavu
Ktanda
Vingua
Lika
Meni
Ngengele
Lisiti
Kiva
Saval
Kalani
House / room
Toilet
Bathroom
Bed
Close / lock
Enter
Visitor / guest
Bell
Receipt
To pay
Trip / journey
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)
b)
c)
d)
Nymba sya kukomboa sya Kenya siilyi ta sya Amelika?

Wekalile nymba iilyi ata?
Wasaa liu mwau vau mkaawani?
Wekalile kwa ivinda yiana ata?

a) I want a room with a bathroom and a toilet.
b) This room is cold.
c) I dont 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
:
Kingoo
:
Mbinda
:
Kingoo
Mbinda
Kingoo
Mbinda
Kingoo
:
:
:
:
:
Mbinda
Kingoo
:
:
Nata Kngoo
N kseo muno mbinda. voo waku?
No museo. Nauma Kanisan nayu nienda kthi musyi na ind
ngthi sini kthambia.
Ngwenda kendanya naku ona kau ndyendete kuthambia.
Nwsi kthambia?
Nnsi vaini, ind nngiia knywa.
Vaii vata wa kkia. Ningkvundisya kthamba.
Nyie nendete kthaka kalata mno. Ningkvndisya nza
kvathukanyo sya kthkanyo sya kthaka kalata.
Mbee tthi tkathambie na indi tithauka kalata.
Aya tuthi.
Soma kwa wasya mnene Read Aloud:

Wendete ksoma mavuku.
Nendete ksoma mavuku.
Nendete kwina.
Nendete matha.
Wauma wan wendete kwika ata?
Nauma wan nendete ksoma ikanzeti.
Nendete kwthuksya wathi.
Nendete kuua
Nendete kea ngewa sya uteti.
Twendete kthaka mvila wa maau kla woo.
Twendete kthaka mvilla wa moko kla kwaykya.
Twendete kthaka mvuila wa kkav kla mthenya.
Mathaukaa kalata tina wa kya.
Nendete kthambia, kkna ngitaa na ksnga.
Nendete ksemba.
Endete knywa k.
Kla wathanthat wkaa ata?
Nyie ntenteheeasya mwait kua.
Nendaa ndny kthooa Iu.
Nendaa mndan kuima
Mwka ata?
Twsoma mavuku.
Twkna ngitaa.
Mli endete kkoma muthenya amina kya.
103
Umnth nditonya kthaka. Nina wia mwing. Onayu nongandka valua.

No ngthooa iat.
No ngneena na sim.
No ngwloela sinema.
No ngvoya.
Vocabularies:
Kthambia
si
kanga
Kendania
Kkia
Knywa
Vai vata
Nzia
Kvathkanyo
Kthaka kalata
Mvla wa moko
Mvla wa maa
Mvla wa kkav
Ksnga
Kma
Ksemba
Kwloela
Sinema
Kthi
Kwina
Ikanzeti
Wathi
Kwithksya
ki
Ndny
Mndani
Kukoma
Sim
Kvoya
To swim
River
Ocean
Accompany To fear
To drink
No need
Way
Different
To play cards
Netball (handball)
(Football) (legs-ball)
Basketball
To dance
To cultivate
To run
To watch
Cinema
To go
To sing
Newspaper
Song
To listen to
Local brew
Market
Garden
To sleep
Phone
To pray
Mbs
Nganga
-
Nza
Cinema
Makanzeti
Mbathi
k
Ndny
Mndan
Phone
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 ngandika valua Im still writing a letter
No ngsoma ivuku Im still reading a book
No ngsnga
Im still dancing.
No ngya
Im still eating.
104
A phrase one yu meaning even now is added to emphasize the fact.
105
Example
Ona yu no ngsoma Up to now Im still reading.
Ona yu no ngomete up to now Im still sleeping.
Exercise 1
1. Ona yu nongsoma.
2. ona yu no methaka.
3. Ona yu no tkomete.
4. Ona yu no ngandika valua.
5. Ona yu no mka?
6. One yu no ngsemba.
7. Ona yu no ngima.
8. Ona yu no ngthoosya mboka.
9. Ona yu no ngtuma nthngi
10. Ona yu no ngwivundisya kikamba.
Exercise 2:
Re-write the following sentences using the Still Tense.
Example:
Q. Ningsoma ivuku.
A Ona yu no ngusoma ivuku
1. Paul nukwivundisya kthambia.
2. Inywi mwi alim ma kikamba.
3. Silikali nditetheeasya and.
4. Mbesa syakwa syi vengi.
5. Michael niwe mwalim woo.
6. Tom ainaa mbathi sya wana.
7. Rose endete nzuku mno.
8. Nendete kwikala na mwana mno.
9. Endete kmanya mand ma mnd mno.
10. Nendete wia wa kima.
Exercise 3:
Syana ii Syithauka matha mek? 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
muusik
ali
Nyie ni
vundi
Nyie ni
mwalimu
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--------UKIMWI.
MUTHELO-------
COMPETENCY:EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON DANGERS AND

PREVENTION,
MANYITHYA ANDU MA MBAI
MUTHELO.
MAUTHUKU NA NZIA YA KWISIIA
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
Ethiwa
Muno
Ivinda
Muikiio
Kukwatwa
Kumumunya
Kukooa
Kumosa
Kuiita
Kutheukya
Kwimanyisya
love
if
very
time/duration
believe
to be infected
to kiss
to cough
to slim
to treat
to boil
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.
NOTEWhen 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
Kma
Kwtwa
Kmanya
Kwkala
Kthi
Kka
Ksyoka
Kmanyisywa/ksomethya
Kima
Kthoosya
Kiita
Kithya
Ktala
Kthekya
Kya
Knywa
Knenga
Kete
Kwanwa
Kvma
Ktnga
Kwtya
Kwongela
Kiva
English
To come from / out of
To be called
Know
To stay
To go
To come
To return
To teach
To farm
To sell
To treat
To raise / keep
To count
To boil
To eat
To drink
To curve
To bring
To be satisfied
To be full
To return
To order
To add
To pay
110
Kmya
Kwiwa
Kmina
Kthma
Ksoma
Kelewa
Kua/kthooa
Kvita
Kwona
Ktheea
Ktula
Kklya
Ktetheesya
Kusinga
Kngama
Kvika
Ksua
Kendanga
Enda
Kkua
Kikamba
Kkwata
Kthi Kyalo
Ka
Kketha
Ktana
Kwka
Kwalwa/kmwa
Kvoa
Kvaka
Ktonya
Kwta
Ktavka
Ktma
Kmelya
Kwaa
Kthilia
Ktwaya
Knyaka
Klika
Ksia
Kua
Kwvua
Kamka
Kvinga
Kvinga
Klwa
Kutiala
To remove / substract
To fell/ hear
To finish
To rest
To read
To understand
To buy
To pass
To see
To go down / descend
To climb / go up
To ask
To help
To look
To stand / stop
To arrive
To be full
To move
To leave
To take / carry
English
To get / acquire
To travel
To rain
To harvest
To be happy
To put on / wear
To be pained / bitten by
To recover
To apply / smear
To inject
To diarrhoea
To vomit
To use
To swallow
To suffer from
To shiver
To infect
To spread
To enter
To prevent
To cook
To serve
To wake up
To open
To close
To forget
To remain
111
thambia
Kkia
Kendeea
Kthaka
Kma
Knythya
Kwendewa
Ksemba
Ksisya
Kola
Kwenda
Kvita
Kata
Kkuna
Ktonya
Ksyawa
Ksyaa
Kthama
Kwamba
Kmantha
Kandkwa
Kandka
Kwykalya
Kwonelelya
Kwanga
Knga
kwonia
Kvinduka
Ktavya
To swim
To fear
To continue
To play
To weed
To water, irrigate
To be attracted to
To run
To look
To reduce
To need
To pass
To follow
To hit / beat
To be able
To be born
To give birth
To move / migrate
To start / begin
To search
To be employed
To write / employ
To depend on oneself
To direct, guide
To move towards
To cross
To show
To turn
To tell
Adjectives:
Kikamba
Noti / nzilo
Imwe
Il
Itat
Inya
Itano
Thanthat
Muonza
Nyaanya
Keenda
Ikumi
Miongo l
Miongo itat
Miongo na
Miongo tano
Miongo thanthat
English
Zero
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Twenty
Thirty
Forty
Fifty
Sixty
112
Mionng monza
Miongo nyaanya
Miongo keenda
Iana
-ingi
-nini
-vy
-thithu
Thooa
Vaita
Kvya
Thooa mseo
Thooa wa mbee
-eni
-ingi
-iana?
Langi
Mat
Nzll
Mbuluu
Yelo
Vingi
Ngilee
Masungwa
-iu
-eu
-une
Kko
-seo
-thku
-ith
Seventy
Eighty
Ninety
Hundred
A lot / many
Small / little
Hot
Cold
Price
Profit
Get a loss
Fair / good price
First price
Strange / foreign
Other
How many?
Colour
Colour of leaves (green)
Light blue
Blue
Yellow
Pink
Grey
Orange colour
Black
White
Red
Dirty
Good
Bad
Unripe / raw
113
Maliu na Syaumywa
Kikamba
Mbemba
Mboso
Kyai
Mny
Lu
Ikovis
Kaawa
Kalati
Maluu
Iia
Kiw
Msele
Nyama
ki
Sota
Sukali
Us
Mkate
Itumb
Isungwa
Itunda
Inanasi
Iu
Inyaanya
Food and Drinks:

English
Corn / maize
Beans
Tea
Salt
Food
Cabbage
Coffee
Carrots
Potatoes
Milk
Water
Rice
Meat
Beer / alcohol
Soda
Sugar
Porridge
Bread
Egg
Orange
Fruit
Pineapple
Banana
Tomato
Syindu Sya Musyi na Ngua - Domestic Items and Clothing::

Kikamba
English
Nga
Clothing
Isaani
Plate
Kavy
Knife
Uma
Fork
Ngilasi
Glass
Kkombe
Cup
Ktambaa
Cloth
Kvila
Chair
Ndilisya
Window
Sokisi
Socks
Ktonyeo
Dress
Sati
Skirt
Suti
Suit
Leso
Kanga
Ngovia
Hat
Sulual
Pants
Mauta
Oil
114
Kikamba
Isilia
Nyumba
Mbavu
Kitanda
Ikoni
Neti ya umuu
Ngolova
English
Cooking pan
House
Bathroom
Bed
Kitchen
Mosquito net
Storey
Uito na kithimo
Kikamba
Mita
Kilo
Nginya
Nyusu
Kwota
Uasa
Muio
Kuma
Kithimo
Weights and Measures:

English
Metre
Kilogram
Up to / until
Half
Quarter
Distance
Luggage
Since
Amount
Social Aspects, Nouns and Titles:

Kikamba
Mundu muka
Munduuume
Uvoo
Mwaitu
Mutumia
Mwana
Musyi
Ni muvea
Enda nesa
Isyitwa
Ni muvea
Enda nesa
Isyitwa
Munyanya
Sukulu
Mwalimu / mumanyisya
Mumanyiwa
Kisungu
Isavu
Viasala
Ndakitali
Mbai
Nau
Musyai
Mwanaaia
Mwiituaia
English
Woman / Lady
Man / gentleman
News
Mother
Old man
Child
Home
Thank you
Go well, goodbye
Name
Thank you
Go well, goodbye
Name
Friend
School
Teacher
Student
English
Mathematics
Business
Doctor
Tribe/ethnic group
Father
Parent
Brother
Sister
115
Kikamba
ma
su
-me
-nga
Mwtu
Kavisi
Mkaawa
Mbesa
Silingi
Sumuni
Ingotole
Ndululu
Ndola
Mthoosya
Mthooi
Kanisa
Msikiti
Mwitikili
Misilaamu
Sikk
Thayu
Uk
Kisomo
Msingi
Vundi
Mvisi / Muui
Mimi
Mtongoi
Sivitali
Wa
Vengi
Vosita
Kyoo
Ovisi
Ndny
Ngali
Tikiti
Sim
Kyalo
Mwanya
Mthema
Ngetha
Ndawa
Singano
Mnd mka mito
Meni
Mthui
English
Grandfather
Grandmother
Male
Female
Girl
Boy
Restaurant
Money
Shilling
Fifty cent coin
Ten cents coin
Five cent coin
Dollar
Seller
Buyer
Church
Mosque
Christian
Muslim
Holiday
Life
Age
Education
Foundation
Artisan / Technician
Cook
Farmer
Leader
Hospital
Job/work
Bank
Post office
Toilet
Office
Market
Vehicle
Fare
Telephone
Journey / Trip
Chance, space
Type
Harvest, produce
Medicine
Injection
Pregnant woman
Guest, visitor
Rich person
116
Mvila
Mvila wa moko
Mvila wa maau
Ndanzi
Matha
Kwanza
Mawa
Ball
Hand ball (Volley ball)
Football
Dance
Games / Athletics
Field court
Chores / Errands
117
Ualyuku wa Ivinda na Nzeve

Changes in Time and Weather:
Kikamba
Kwaykya
Mthenya
Mawoo
tuku
Umnthi
Mvevo
Ivinda
Masangya
Tene
Katambanga
Wakwambiliilya
Wakeli
Wakatat
Wakana
Wakatano
Wathantat
Wakyuma
Nzanuali
Mwei wa Keli
Mwei wa Katat
Mwei wa Kana
Mwei wa Katano
Mwei wa Thanthat
Mwei wa Monza
Mwei wa Nyaanya
Mwei wa Keenda
Mwei wa Ikmi
Mwei wa Ikmi na Umwe
Mwei wa Ikmi na Ili
Mwei
Mwaka
Kyumwa
Iyoo
Iso
Un
Auke
Matk
Ind
Ivinda ya mbua
Mbua
Thano
Mat
Kseve
Sua
Mwei
English
Morning
Day
Evening
Night
Today
Cold / Chilly
Season
Dawan / early morning
Early / long ago
Noon / mid day
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Jauary
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Month
Year
Week
Yesterday
Day before yesterday
Tommorrow
Day after tomorrow
Date / Days
When
Rainy season
Rain
Dry season
Clouds
Wind
Sun
Moon
118
Ndata
Yua
Yuuta
Nzeve
Stars
Draught
Hot/Humid
Air
119
Preposition:
Kikamba
Iulu wa
Nth wa/ungu wa
Mbee wa
Itina wa
Nthini wa
Kati wa
Nza wa
Vand va
Vakuv na
Vaasa na
Vamwe na
Muingo
Itina wa
Mbee wa
English
On top of, over above
Under / below, down
Infront of, ahead
Behind
Inside, in
Between, middle
Outside, out
Instead of
Near, close to
Far (from)
Together
Across
After
Before
Transport:
Kikamba
Ngal
Kisuululu
Mbasi
Ndeke
Mtokaa
Ngali ya mwaki
Ikasya
English
Vehicle
Bicycle
Bus
Aeroplane
Motor car
Train
Cart
Adverbs:
Kikamba
Indi
Kana
Mtuk
Ta
Mno
Wo
Ni kana
nd
Vate
Ethwa
English
But
Or
Quickly / fast
Like
very
Really / true
So that
How to
Without
If
Mamutha ma Mwii Human Anatomy:

Kikamba
English
K
Leg / foot
Kwoko
Hand / arm
Itho
Eye
Kyongo / mtwe
Head
120
Kikamba
Kyaa
Iu
Kutu
Nzw
Iny
Ivu
Mwaa
Muongo
Mkaut
Ktuo
Matako
Ktinyo
Kthi
Ngingo
Ngolu
English
Fingure
Knee
Ear
Hair
Nose
Stomach
Nails
Back
Belly / Button / Navel
Shoulder
Thigh
Heel
Chest
Neck
Chin
Natural phenomena and land marks:

Kikamba
English
Nth
Country
Muunda
Farm / Garden
Mwaki
Fire
Kao
Bridge
Us
River
Kma
Mountain
kanga
Ocean / Sea
Iia
Lake
Makomano
Junction
Nza
Path/way
Ngalko
Side
Kwoko kwa ame
Right hand side
Kwoko kwa aka
Left hand side
wau
Ailment / Disease
vyvu
Fever
Ikua
Cold
Too
Sleep
Woo
Pain
AIDS
Mthelo
Kivinduvindu
Cholera
Mngethya
Rabbies
Ndetema
Malaria
Wauni
Thirst
Nzaa
Hunger
Kitau
Wound
ng
Scabies
Muttno
Whooping cough
Nhtya
Dizziness
121
Nyamu Sya Musyi na Sya Kithekani:

Animals (Domestic and Wild):
Kikamba
English
Ngk
Chicken / Hen
Ngombe
Cow
Mbi
Goat
Ilondu
Sheep
Ngluwe
Pig
Iky
Fish
Munyamb
Lion
Mbusya
Rhino
Nzou
Elephant
Ngii
Warthog
Kngaangi
Crocodile
Nzoka
Snake
Mbia
Rat
Mbaka
Cat
Ngt
Dog
Kikoyo
Leopard
Ingoi
Donkey
Mbalasi
Horse
Mbk
Rabbit / Hare
Ngi
Housefly
Umuu
Mosquito
Ndaa
Lice
Ngngni
Bedbut
Ingli
Cockroaches
Mboo
Buffalo
Mbiti
Hyena
Ndwia
Girafe
Nza
Zebra
Ndaatai
Antelope
122

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NGEWA NDNGE NA MUTUNGA DIALOGUE A:

PARENTS GREETS THEIR CHILDREN DEFFERENTLY/ELDER BROTHERS

SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE:

Are you fine?

ISOMO LA KELI LESSON TWO

NGEWA DIALOGUE TWO:

NGEWA DIALOGUE THREE:

SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE:

A few interrogatives have also been used.

voo waku? ___________________________________________.

Isiytwa yakwa ni Mwende ____________________________________.

voo waku Mtindi?

SUNGIUA MAKULYO AYA: - ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

K Loitoktok wikalaa va?

NGEWA YA MBEE-DIALOGE ONE

Where do you come from

Ok.i know Machakos.

SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE---READ ALOUD

you are welcome

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

Nmanyasya Kiswahili. Naku wkaa ata?

SOMA KWA WASYA:

You ) Ithy twi Asungu

Some demonstratives of the MU/A class have been used e.g.

This (Proximal) i.e. near the speaker.

These are Europeans

To negate the above sentences you need to replace ni with Ti i.e.

Andika kwa wingi

WRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE INTO PLURALS:

y n Mwait Aya n aa mwaitu.

EXERCISE THREE ALYULA CHANGE THESE SENTENCES INTO

Nwendete kw kya masungwa?

SOMA KWA WASYA READ ALOUD:

Explanaiton on the indefinite past tense will be done at a later stage.

yoo (kandika) vala.

(We) ____________________ kiwu ___________________ soda.

Ili (two) is a mutable stem.

SOMA KWA WASYA READ ALOUD

SOMA KWA WASYA MUNENE READ ALOUD:

Below are examples of Possessive Pronouns with some Noun Classes:

EXERCISE ONE COMPREHENSION:

ndathkamaa. Ekala na Eske vaa msy. Mka mwee athkmaa Thika. We

Kutetheesya syana kusoma

I have just eaten.

FINISH UP THESE DIALOGUES;

SOMA KWA WASYA MNENE READ ALOUD

Mwalim ena mbesa syiana?

In past and future tenses to have is expressed as follows:

Yesterday I had money.

Kkombe kna kwu.

The cup has water)

Itunda yna muyo.

The fruit (has) is sweet)

Iyoo ndineeuka nundu ______________________ wia mwingi.

Nna wa mwing Ndina wia mwingi.

ISOMO YA IKUMI LESSON TEN:

TOPIC:KUTHOOA/SHOPPING/N MBESA SYANA? HOW MUCH IS

Aiee. Nngkwata ngalama.

Wta ata msele?

EXERCISE TWO FILL IN THE GAPS.

Ithe was Mwkali athkmaa wa mwa?

- LESSON ELEVEN----ISOMO YA IKUMI NA

(We) __ kiwu _ soda.