Nkọwa | Outline
1. Ụmụnne na ụmụnna (Relatives)
In Igbo language, ụmụnne means ‘siblings’ or
‘kindred’, that is referring to a people connected by blood, especially those
sharing the same mother.
It can refer to extended family members or clan, that
is ụmụnna, which refers to a group of families descended from a common
ancestor.
Therefore,
the words ‘ụmụnne,’ literally meaning ‘children of mother’ and ‘ụmụnna’
literally meaning ‘children of father’ are contextual.
In simple terms, on father’s side ụmụnna means
relatives. On mother’s side, ụmụnne also means relatives.
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| Family photograph |
2. Nwanne nna / Dede / Nwanne nne - Uncle
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| Two men drinking |
In Igbo language, uncle has some nuances:
“Nwanne nna”, if he is your father’s brother,
literally “baby of mother father” meaning “the sibling of father” means ‘uncle’
in English.
“Dede”, if he is your father’s brother, this is
particular to a section of Igbo people. It means ‘uncle’ in English.
On your mother’s side, your mother’s brother is
“nwanne nne, literally “baby of mother mother” meaning ‘sibling of mother’
which means ‘uncle’ in English.
3. Nwanne nna / Nwanne nne – Aunt
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| A dancer |
Just like with uncle, Igbo expression of an aunt is the same:
“Nwanne nna” if she is your father’s
sister, literally “baby of mother father” meaning “sibling of father.” Which
means ‘aunt’ in English.
“Nwanne nne” if she is your mother’s sister, literally
“baby of mother mother” meaning “sibling of mother.” Which means ‘aunt’ in
English.
4. Nwa nwanne - Cousin
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| Two happy young women |
In Igbo there is no single word to
use to describe a cousin.
“Nwa nwanne nwoke” literally “baby
childmother male” meaning “child of brother’s brother.” Which means ‘cousin’ in
English.
“Nwa nwanne nwanyi” literally “baby
childmother female” meaning “child of sister’s sister.” Which means ‘cousin’ in
English.
Additionally, “Ibenna” literally “abode of father”
meaning “paternal hometown” and “Ibenne” literally “abode of mother” meaning
maternal hometown” both refer to male and female in these categories as
cousins, respectively.
5. Nwa nwanyi nwanne - Niece
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| Two women holding a child |
Igbo niece slightly differs from the English cousin.
“Nwa nwanyị nwanne nwoke” literally “baby
female childmother male” meaning “brother’s daughter.”
“Nwa nwanyị
nwanne nwanyị” literally “baby female childmother female” meaning “sister’s
daughter.”
6. Nwa nwoke nwanne - Nephew
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| A man walking with a child |
Igbo niece and nephew seem similar
except the variation of male and female genders.
“Nwa nwoke nwanne nwoke” literally “baby
male childmother male” meaning “brother’s son.”
“Nwa nwoke nwanne nwanyị” literally “baby male
childmother female” meaning “sister’s son.”
7. Ọnụ-ọgụgụ - Numbers
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| A teacher doing calculations |
- Otu
- Abụọ
- Atọ
- Anọ
- Ise
- Isii
- Asaa
- Asatọ
- Itolu m'ọbụ Itenanị
- Iri
- Irina-otu
- Irina-abụọ
- Irina-atọ
- Irina-anọ
- Irina-ise
- Irina-isii
- Irina-asaa
- Irina-asatọ
- Irina-itolu m'ọbụ Irina-itenanị
- Olu m'ọbụ Irin’abo
8. Nkpụrụ Okwu ịga echeta | Words to remember
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| A family of five |
- Anyị dị asaa n'fọ nne m: nwoke abụọ na nwanyị ise.
- My mother has seven children: two males and five females.
- Nna m nụrụ nwanyị abụọ.
- My father married two wives.
- Eji m afọ anọ tọta gị
- I am older than you by four years.
9. Mmechi / Conclusion
Anyị amụọla
make ihe ndịa:
- Ụmụnne na ụmụnna (Relatives)
- Nwanne nna / Dede / Nwanne nne – Uncle
- Nwanne nna / Nwanne nne – Aunt
- Nwa nwanne – Cousin
- Nwa nwanyi nwanne – Niece
- Nwa nwoke nwanne – Nephew
- Ọnụ-ọgụgụ - Numbers
- Nkpụrụ Okwu ịg'echeta | Words to remember
Nke n'eso ya bụ ihe gbasara Ezi na-ụlọ m | My Family