|
Here are some of the very few Rutoro (Rutooro) words, which I picked up during my stay in Uganda. Not much, but helps you to get an idea.
I am not sure about the correct spelling - how could I ? You should be aware, though, that the correct Rutoro spelling differs fundamentally from English ( Americans should take out their chewing-gums as a first step
towards a proper pronounciation ). It is a bit similar to the German way. Whatsoever, there is no guarantee. Also, I am not a linguist. So, if you have corrections to make, feel free to send a mail. If you are a Mutoro and you have similar site, I’d be happy to link you right here.
Now this is, what you find on this page:
First some basics ...
As with most Bantu languages, the Batoro use prefixes with most of the words:
- Mutoro is one individual (male or female) of the Toro-tribe.
- Batoro is the plural form.
- Kitoro stands for the culture of the Batoro e.g. songs, clothing etc. (read tchitoro).
- Rutoro is the language (note that other Bantu languages in Uganda use Lu- as prefix for the language e.g. Luganda - L and R are generaly happily mixed up in Uganda-English)
- Butoro would be the land of the Batoro, but is not being used in favor of Toro (Kingdom). I never understood why, but I assume, it is because the royal clan of the Batoro is originally from a non-Bantu
tribe of the North.
The Empakos
Special for the Batoro is the use of Empakos, which are often called pet-names, but are really much more important that ordinary pet-names. Traditionally an Empako is given to a child shortly after birth according to
which characteristics the child seems to have. There are 12 Empakos, each having a different meaning. Some examples:
- Araali - is the lightning.
- Abwooli - is the cat
- Apuuli - is the puppie
- Akiiki - is the grand father /mother oo many nations
- others are Atwooki, Atenyi, Abooki, Amooti, Ocaali (only used for the Omukama, the king)
The tradition of the Empakos is quite unusual among the Bantu tribes. It is sayed to have come from ancient military ranks of the the culture of the royal clan. Today it is given to each Mutoro. Some use the same
empako for their whole family - even integrated it into the family name, but mostly it is given on an individual basis. Strangers can be assigned an Empako, when they come to Toro. Mine is Apuuli, as I used it in www.apuuli.de.
The empako is essential for the greetings.
The Greetings
As in other cultures, where politeness is one of the most important goods, the Kitoro greetings are quite sophisticated. Here is a short example (women, please kneel down when greeting an older man :-)
|
Greeting/Answer
|
Rutoro
|
English
|
|
G
|
Empako yawe?
|
What is your Empako?
|
|
A
|
Araali. Kandi eyawe?
|
Araali, and yours?
|
|
G
|
Apuuli. - Oloho ota, Araali?
|
Apuuli. - How are you, Araali?
|
|
A
|
Ndoho kuringi, Apuuli!
|
Fine, Apuuli!
|
|
G
|
Oreire ota, Araali?
(Osibire ota, Araali?)
|
How did you sleep, Araali?
(How was your day, Araali?)
|
|
A
|
Ndeire kurungi, Apuuli!
(Nsibire kurungi, Apuuli!)
|
I slept well, Apuuli!
(My day was fine, Apuuli!)
|
|
G
|
Amakurru, Araali?
|
What are the news, Araali?
|
|
A
|
Harungi, Apuuli!
|
They are good, Apuuli!
|
|
G
|
Abomuka baloho bata, Araali?
|
How are the people at home, Araali?
|
|
A
|
Barungi, Apuuli!
|
They are all well, Apuuli!
|
|
G
|
Osibe kurungi, Araali!
(Orare kurungi, Araali!)
(Ogogrobe, Araali!)
|
Have a nice day, Araali!
(Sleep well, Araali!)
(Good Bye, Araali!)
|
|
Some Common Terms
|
English
|
Rutoro
|
|
excuse me
|
kimbo
|
|
go!
|
genda
|
|
let us go!
|
tugende
|
|
not so much
|
ti kuli muno
|
|
thank you (very much)
|
webale (muno)
|
|
I don’t understand!
|
ti nye tegereize!
|
|
yes
|
eh! (engo)
|
|
no
|
nangwa!
|
|
draw
|
sseneki
|
|
enough
|
essabu
|
|
tomorrow
|
nyencha
|
|
I
|
nyowe
|
|
you
|
iwe
|
|
he/she
|
oli / ogu
|
|
we
|
itwe
|
|
you
|
inywe
|
|
picture
|
ekisani
|
|
Words for Food
|
English
|
Rutoro
|
|
butter
|
amagita
|
|
eggs
|
amahuli
|
|
fish
|
esamaki (enchu)
|
|
lokust
|
ensenene
|
|
banana pancake
|
kabalagala
|
|
mango
|
omuyembe
|
|
passionfruit
|
akatunda (pl: obutunda)
|
|
sweet banana
|
obwenju (small type)
ebyenju (big type)
|
|
beans
|
ebihimba
|
|
curry
|
ebinzali
|
|
ground nut
|
ebinyobwa
|
|
kasava
|
muhogo
|
|
mais
|
ebicooli
|
|
rice
|
omucere (raw)
omupunga (cooked)
|
|
sugar cane
|
ekikaka
|
|
sweet potatoes
|
ebitakuli
|
|
sweet wood
|
omurondwa
|
|
tomato
|
enyanya
|
|
tomatoes
|
runyanya
|
|
Acknowledgements
I am proud and thankful to have received constructive feedback to this humble page from the following persons:
- Abwooli from Michigan has added these phrases:
|
English
|
Rutoro
|
|
I already told you.
|
Unku gambire
|
|
Come here!
|
Eeja hanu!
|
|
I will beat you!
|
Unjaku kuchapa!
|
|
- Maama Akiiki, currently residing in Kenya, has corrected a lot of my mis-spellings and added some terms.
|
