Siwu

Siwu is a Kwa language spoken by about 27,000 people in the southeast of Ghana, particularly to the north of Hohoe in the north of the Volta Region. There are two dialects: Akpafu and Lolobi. Akpafu is spoken on the west side of the Akpafu range in the towns of Tɔdzi, Ɔdɔmi, Mempeasem, Sɔkpoo, and Adɔkɔ, and Lolobi is spoken on the east side of Akpafu in the towns of Kumasi, Ashiambi, and Huyeasem.

Siwu is known as Akpafu-Lolobi, Lolobi, Akpafu or Siwusi. It is written with the Latin alphabet. It was first documented by German missionaries and colonial officials in the late 19th century.

Siwu Alphabet

Siwu Alphabet

Download an alphabet chart for Siwu (Excel)

Sample text (The Lord's Prayer - Luke 11: 2-4)

  1. Ne ɔso si mito mikparama kayi ne, miɣɛ sɔ, ‘Bo Ɔse gɔ i kato, tã marɔ fɔ iyere sɛɛ.
  2. Fɔ sigara iɖe si siba i bo ndɛ̃. Maabara fɔ kuɖɔɛ i kayiiso lɛ kumɛgɔ masɛ mabara i kato.
  3. Tã bo nɔme ikpɛnɛ aɖera.
  4. Su bo akpi tsɛ bo lɛ kumɛgɔ bosɛ bosu botsɛ mma loɣɛrɛ bo.
  5. Daatã sɔ boabo i kalakanyɔ ame, ɣɛɛ ɖi bo bɔrɛgu i ikpi ame. Ala fɔ ɔkpɛ nɖe sigara iɖe gu ɔlegu ikpawaĩ ɔwi ɔɖuɖu ame.’

Source: https://www.bible.com/ka/bible/1738/MAT.6.akp

Translation

  1. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
  2. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  3. Give us this day our daily bread.
  4. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
  5. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Source: https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.6.kjv

Some details provided by Michael Peter Füstumum

Sample video in Siwu

Links

Information about Siwu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siwu_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/akp
https://ideophone.org/introducing-siwu/
https://www.sil.org/resources/search/language/akp
The Meaning and use of Ideophones in Siwu (PDF)

Kwa languages

Abidji, Adele, Ahanta, Akan, Anii, Anyin, Avatime, Baoulé, Chakosi, Chumburung, Dangme, Fante, Foodo, Ga, Gonja, Krache, Kyode, Logba, Mbato, Nkonya, Nzema, Siwu, Tchaman, Twi

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page created: 16.02.23. Last modified: 01.05.24

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