Hey guys- does anyone know for certain what language the natives speak in the Luangwa Valley of Zambia. I'd like to be able to communicate (at least basic words) with the trackers and staff. Thanks!!

chalapalapa\\

sprig

Thakns sprig- Any ideas on where to get a book or dictionary on speaking it??

Bwana

Contact Lauara DuPlooy she should be a good resource for you as she and Johnnie are quite involved in the local communities, schools etc.

Mark

Bwana-

Where I hunted on the Luangwa the staff spoke Nanja or Nonja. Some words to know that might be helpful are (may not be spelled correctly):

myoka bwanj- good morning
zee komo- thank you
ahhpa- there
twenday- let's go
katemo- axe, (like a panga)
dugga- mud
bweeno- good
mooly bwanj- good day
jumbo- elephant
nyati- buffalo

Try an internet search for the nanja language, something might turn up. Hope this helps!!

John

I contacted Laura du Plooy and she confirmed the Nyanja is the widest spoken dialect. Anybody know where to get a travel dictionary? Wiki has a phrasebook, but I'd like something a little more in depth. Thanks for any advice you'd have BN

The language is Nyanja and if i maybe allowed some corrections on the words given to you by 30ott6.
mavuka bwanji- good morning
zee komo- thank you
aapa- here
tiyende- let's go
katemo- axe, (like a panga)
matika- mud
bweeno- good
muri bwanji- good day
njovu- elephant
injyati- buffalo

Some other words that you might find useful

Munjiri--- warthog
Nkhalumu---lion
basop----beware or careful
ooko---there
pafupi--near
kutari--far
miyara--rock
agona-- lying down or sleeping
mfuti--gun or rifle
mporoporo--bullet
The list can be endless if there are any specific words you need translated get in touch and I will be more than happy to help out.
Please do refrain from using chilapalapa as it is seen as a colonial language and the younger generation do at times take offence. but saying that I have an elderly gent who has been with us since Iwas 8 he insists on talking in chilapalapa with me although he knows that I speak Nyanja.

Zambian, there is one word I've heard used, usually in describing an animal you've just shot, but I have never asked what it actually means, and I'm not sure of the spelling. The word sounds like it would be spelled MANYENGE!

I was told by someone who may or may not be correct, it meant "GIANT"

Zambian- zikomo for your time and extra translated words! Any idea where I may purchase a dictionary? If you know it would be most helpful.. BN

Some more words for your pleasure,

Lion can also be Mukango
genet simba
watermonitor upani
sable lwenga
roan perembe or impelembe
hartebeest inkonshi (i think)
sitatunga insobe
common duiker insha
waterbuck chusa
impala pala
black rhino chippembere
dugga bulls kakuli
bushbuck mbabala
wildebeest nyumba
puku nseula
grysbok tungwa
hippo mvuu
kudu shambololo
hayena chimbwe
gineau foul nkhanga
frankolin nkwali
leopard kaingo
croc ngwena
black mamba mulala (yikes)
eland nsefu
Zebra mbizi
meat yama
water manzi

Hope you remember more than I do.

Bwana Nderobo,
you are more than welcome, unfortunately i do not know where you could get a dictionary. dont forget not many African languages are written.My son is going to check at his school as nyanja is taught as a language maybe the text book would help. I will let you know.
MacD37,
A giant is kapeta i am not sure on what the word manyege means.