Happiness in Zulu


Jabula, means to be happy.  It reminds me of the song, 'don’t worry be happy’.  I just need to remember the singer.
People tend to be happier during the summer in North America.  Young people are happy when they are accepted in the college of their choice.  American voters are happy when their choice becomes U.S. President.

Ja-bu-la.  The first part is pronounced as in jar, the second part as in bull, but make it a soft ‘b’ and the last part as in lark.

ZULU
ENGLISH
Jabulani (Jabu, the short version).
A boy’s name which means be happy, at the baby’s birth.  Most African names are part of family history.  What was happening in the family when the child was born?  What did the family wish for when the child was born?
Bajabulile (Jabu, the short version).
A girl’s name which means they are happy about the baby.  Most African names are part of family history.  What was happening in the family when the child was born?  What did the family wish for when the child was born?
Ngi-ya-jabula uma ngikubona.
I’m happy when I see you.
Ngi-ya-jabula uma ngine-mali.
I’m happy when I have money.
Ngi-ya-jabula ekuseni.
I’m happy in the morning.
Ba-ya-jabula baya e-Gaborone.
They are happy.  They are going to Gaborone.
Ba-ya-jabula baya e-Braga.
They are happy.  They are going to Braga.
U-ya-jabula uya e-Odessa.
He’s happy.  He’s going to Odessa.
U-ya-jabula uya e-Munich.
She is happy.  She is going to Munich.
U-mama uya-jabula uma ngi-funda.
Mama is happy when I’m reading.
U-baba uya-jabula uma ngi-lele.
Father is happy when I’m asleep.
Si-ya-jabula u-Diwali.
We are happy.  It’s Diwali.
Si-ya-jabula ama-holide.
We are happy.  It’s vacation time.

Nonqaba waka Msimang is the author of Sweetness, a South African book.



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