From elementary grammar, we know that a noun is a word that names something like a thing, person, idea or place. In Bukusu language, there are five classes of Nouns:
1. The Om-/Ba- class of nouns
- Mostly used to identify human beings. For example: Omundu (person) in singular and Babaandu in plural.
- Similar nouns: Omwiisukha (An Isukha), omwekesi (instructor), omwami (chief), omwiwaana (nephew/niece), omweebolelesi (gossiper), omwiibo (new/postpartum mother), omwibusi (parent), omwiiranyi (blacksmith), omwinami (diver) & omwiimeelesi (sponsor) etc.
2. Kumu-/Kimi- class of nouns
- Used to refer to non-person objects such as kumukoye (rope) in singular and kimikoye in plural.
- Similar nouns: Kumukhonge (Terminalia mollis tree), kumukhuung’ano (gathering), kumuniina (steep slope), kumukuku (load), kumulilo (heat), kumusiinga (beehive), kumwiiko (year), kumweendo (small calabash), kumusiliisili (foolery), kumwanda (road), kumwasi (shin), kumulyulyu (greed), kumunalo (custom), kumusango (sacrifice) & kumusalaba (cross) etc.
3. Li-/Kama- class of nouns
- For example; liirome (weedy, uncultivated land) in singular and kamarome in collective form.
- Similar nouns: liikhola (dry fiber), Liikemo (hem), Likhumuuniu (snail), Likhebusyo (reminder), Liusi Libongobongo (wild dove), likololwe (reed), Libokoyi (Amaranthus blitum vegetable), Likongolio (millipede), Liloko (witchcraft), lichoki (yoke), Liisamuna (placenta), Lilekelesyo (contempt), Lilekhana (divorce), & Liing’anyu (horror) etc.
4. E-/Chi- class of nouns
- For example; Esesi (calabash) and chiisesi in plural
- Other nouns: Embalikha (jealousy), Ekholo (clan), Ekhomako (hammer), Enombela (shoot), Eng’ololo (urine stench), Embuusi (of grey color), Endaalo (day), Endali (wine), Embambilisi (security), Esindu (Harlequin quail bird), Ekheng’engele (ankle), Embuyusi (baboon) & Endakaano (promise) etc.
5. Lu-/Chi- class of nouns
- For example; luliimi (tongue) in singular and chiinimi in plural.
- Other nouns: Luyima (spleen), lukondo (skin color), lutelu (winnowing tray), lukoba (homestead), lusakya (tree branch), luutimba (curtain), luusekhe (beer-drinking tube), lumuusyu (odor), luusiba (deep waters), luteete (whininess), lutuukhulu (dust), luususi (grinding stone) & luutambi (wick) etc.
6. Si-/Bi- class of nouns
- For example; siifuba (chest) in singular and biifuba in plural.
- Similar nouns: Siilekhelo (forgiveness), sikheebo (circumcision), siichimi (wilderness), simichwa (broadcast crop), sicholon’go (wooden bench), sitekho (marriage reconfirmation), sikhandakilo (foot’s sole), sikhuumbu (paw), sikhalalafu (rough thing), sikhelekho (percolating dish), sikuunyilo (pestle), & sikhoonde (grudge) etc.
Bukusu is a beautiful language, may it outlive all generations!
