Lesson: Greetings in Rukiga

A. Introduction:

For this exercise, we are going to focus greeting in Rukiga based on previous lessons and shared resources. In this particular lesson, we are going to work on practicing different types of greeting.  This would be relevant for both writing, listening, and speaking Rukiga for new learners.

Before we begin, the learner should review the following resources: Lessons 1 & 2 from the Rukiga Primer provided by the Peace Centre and the Rukiga Dialogue for Beginning Learners. These lessons will form the basis of this exercise.

A few points to remember:

• Keep track of singular versus plural greetings
• Make sure you use the right greetings for the right time of day as relevant.

B. Instructions:

1. Review the aforementioned lessons as well as the aforementioned points.
2. Review the provided examples below.
3. Using the example as well as the two resources noted above, complete the practice sentences through either writing in Rukiga or translating from Rukiga to English.

C. Example:

Me: Murimuta basebo?

SO: Turigye nyabo, oriregye nyabo?

Me: Ndigye basebo, mugambaki?

SO: Turigye.

Using this example from Rukiga, let us break part the relevant words to talk about the greeting that is happening here. First learners may note that the word “sebo” translating to “sir” is used additionally, “nyabo” is used translating to “madame/ma’am”. Murimuta is plural form of “ori ota”, literally how are you, asking how more than one person is. Turigye is a plural reply literally saying “We are fine”. The response “oriregye” is literally asking “are you fine” for a single respondent. The response is then given as “ndigye”, literally “I am fine”, with another question asked “mugambaki, or literally “what are you (plural) saying?”. This can have several responses but “turigye” is can be used as well. It is important to note that the same response can be used repeatedly as needed or desired.

Let us practice!