Sukuma (Kɪsukuma)

Sukuma is a Northeast Bantu language spoken by about 8.1 million people in northern Tanzania, particulary in the regions of Geita, Kagera, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida and Tabora, and also in Kigoma and Mara.

Sukuma is also known as Kesukuma or Kisukuma. Dialects include KɪmunaSukuma, GɪmunaNtuzu/GɪnaNtuzu and Jìnàkɪ̀ɪ̀yâ/JimunaKɪɪyâ. Sukuma is closely related to Nyamwezi and is mutually intelligible with it.

Sukuma is written with a version of the Latin alphabet, and there some literature, a dictionary, grammar and translations of the Bible.

Sukuma alphabet and pronunciation

Sukuma alphabet and pronunciation

Notes

Sukuma's tones can be indicated as follows: á = high tone, à = low tone, ǎ = rising tone, â = falling tone

Download an alphabet chart for Sukuma (Excel)

Sample text (Matthew 6:9-13)

  1. Huna luulu, mulalombage giki, ‘Siswe uyo uli ng’wigulu, lina lyako lyeela likujiwe.
  2. Butemi wako wize, iyo utogilwe ishikiile nu mu si, giti ng’wigulu.
  3. Twinhage ni lelo i shiliwa shise i sha buli lushiku.
  4. Tulekejage nu buhubi wise, git’umo na a bise tukabalekejaga abo bali na bugasa ku bise.
  5. Na utizututwala mu kugeng’wa, aliyo tupijage twinge u muli Wabubi. [Nguno u butemi buli wako, nu budula ni nguzu; kushisha welelo na welelo, Alichene].’

https://christianchildmultilingualbibleverse.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/the-lords-prayer-kisukuma-bible/

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.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-6/#9

Sample text (UDHR)

Banhu bose bakabyalagwa na wiyabi na bakabizaga na makujo na sekge jabo jilenganilile. Banhu bose bakabizaga na masala na buhabuji; hukuyomba balidakilwa gubi na witogwa gidi bana ba myaji umo.

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Sample video in Sukuma

Links

Information about the Sukuma language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukuma_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/suk

Bantu languages

Bangi, Basaa, Bemba, Bena, Benga, Bhaca, Bube, Bukusu, Bulu, Central Teke, Chichewa, Chokwe, Chuwabu, Comorian, Digo, Duala, Eton, Ewondo, Fang, Ganda/Luganda, Gogo, Gusii, Gwere, Haya, Hehe, Herero, Ibinda, Ikizu, Ikoma, Jita, Kamba, Kiga, Kikuyu, Kimbundu, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kisi, Kogo, Kongo, Konjo, Koti, Kukuya, Kunda, Kuria, Lambya, Lingala, Loma, Lozi, Luba-Katanga, Luchazi, Lunda, Luvale, Makaa, Makonde, Makhuwa, Mandekan, Maore, Masaaba, Mbukushu, Mbunda, Mende, Mongo, Mushungulu, Mwani, Nambya, Nande, Ngoni, Nkore, North Teke, Northern Ndebele (South Africa), Northern Ndebele (Zimbabwe), Northern Sotho, Nyamwezi, Nyakyusa, Nyemba, Nyole, Nyungwe, Nzadi, Oroko, OshiWambo, Pagibete, Punu, Ronga, Safwa, Sena, Sengele, Shona, Soga, Songe, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Sukuma, Swahili, Swati, Tanga, Tembo, Tonga, Tshiluba, Tsonga, Tswa, Tswana, Tumbuka, Umbundu, Venda, Vwanji, Xhosa, Yao, Yasa, Zigula, Zinza, Zulu

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page created: 09.11.21. Last modified: 09.03.22

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