Greetings and etiquettes in Luchazi

Greetings in Luchazi and conversational phrases

Greeting is the ceremonial words or acts of one who meets, welcomes, or formally addresses another. Greetings in Luchazi language are expressions or sometimes gestures used when meeting someone. They are a way to show respect, friendliness and goodwill. Depending on who you are with, greetings can range from formal to informal. When learning Luchazi, knowing how to greet someone and use of common phrases can help you build rapport and sound more natural in conversations.

General terms and reception phrases

1. Ngendzi = guest or visitor or newcomer
2. Ku sesa = to go and meet the visitor or guest on the way.
3. Ku licesa = to greet each other or visit one another or to address with expression of kind wishes upon meeting or arrival.
4. Meneka = greet or to address with expression of kind wishes upon meeting or arrival.
5. Meneka = early.
6. Ku limeneka = to start off early.
7. Menekela = pay an early visit.
8. Hinduisa = greet or to address with expression of kind wishes upon meeting or arrival.
9. Cihindu = well-being or good health.
10. Sambelela = greet or welcome a guest, visitor or a newcomer upon arrival with courtesy or cordially.
11. Andama = sojourn; social interaction.
12. U na ile = salutation or acknowledgement of someone's arrival from work, school etc.
13. Mu na ile (polite or plural) = salutation or acknowledgement of someone's arrival from work, school etc.
14. Ua ile = salutation to someone who went out of the country or community for some time.
15. Mua ile (polite or plural) = salutation to someone who went out of the country or community for some time.
16. Kuta muzimbu = a traditional verbal narrative or chronicle or an account of events given eloquently by the visitor or by the head of the visiting party to the welcoming party and the village members. Often the muzimbu is spiced with Luchazi proverbial sayings.
17. Lizumbu = hospitality; a feast given to guests.
18. Singimika = respect.
19. Santsa = clap.
20. Santsela = thank.
21. Sangala = praise.
22. Tsikama = kneel.
23. Niotama = squat.
24. Nongama = bow the head.
25. Kotama = bend down.
26. Sondama = swoop down.
27. Tumama = sit down.
28. Heteka = fold (folding of arms across the chest).
29. Tiangununa = opened (of thighs).
30. Vulumana = prostrate.

Luchazi greeting phrases 

1. Ua hinduka? = have you woken up well? Or are you well? It simply means “how are you?” or “good morning?”
2. Nja hinduka mua cili = I have woken up well or I am fine.
3. Uli vati? = How are you? (It is a direct translation from English to Luchazi and is widely used by Luchazi people in English speaking countries especially Zambia. Luchazi elders say that this is not acceptable as a Luchazi greeting).
4. Nji li mua cili = I am fine.
5. Mua hinduka? (polite or plural) = have you woken up well? Or are you well? It also means “how are you?” or “good morning?”
6. Tua hinduka mua cili (polite or plural) = I have woken up well or we have woken up well, I am fine, or we are fine.
7. Muli vati? (polite or plural) = How are you? (Not acceptable as a Luchazi greeting as earlier stated).
8. Tuli mua cili (polite or plural) = I am fine, or we are fine.
9. Yange uno = I am fine, or here am I.
10. Yetu vano (polite or plural) = I am fine, or we are fine or here am I.
11. Mitende yenu = My regards.
12. Yoyenu = live well or friendly greeting.
13. Moyo uenu = best wishes.

Greetings in Luchazi language.

1. Ua hinduka is used as a casual or less formal greeting to someone for the first time in the morning. It expresses good wishes on meeting during morning.
2. Mua hinduka is a polite greeting that you say to someone in the early hours of the day. Saying mua hinduka to someone is a polite and courteous greeting.
3. When you say ua hinduka or mua hinduka, you are not only greeting the person but also wishing them well for the day.
4. Mua cili = good or fine or satisfactory or healthy and feeling well or all right or very well or agreeable or acceptable.
5. Nji li mua cili = I am doing well, or I am okay or fine or I am healthy and feeling well.
6. Nja hinduka or nja hinduka mua cili = I have woken up well or I am fine.
7. Tua hinduka or tua hinduka mua cili = I am fine, or we are fine, or we are healthy and well.
8. U kose mua cili = sleep well; good night.
9. Mu kose mua cili (polite or plural) = sleep well; good night.

Note: Some Luchazi and Ngangela speaking people have directly translated and modified the greetings as follows:

1. Cimene ca cili = good morning.
2. Mutana ua cili = good afternoon.
3. Cinguezi ca cili = good evening.
4. Vutsiki vua cili = good night.

Luchazi farewell terms and phrases

1. Ku lisika = farewell or goodbye or to say goodbye.
2. Uendaho = go well or goodbye.
3. Muendaho (polite or plural) = go well or goodbye.
4. Salaho = goodbye; farewell; so long.
5. Salenuho (polite or plural) = goodbye; farewell; so long.
6. Sindikiya = escort someone.
7. Sovola = wave with a hand.
8. Sovueya = wave at someone.
9. Kolovola = beckon at someone.
10. Kolovuele = beckoned. Kaha va kolovuele vakuavo va kele mu vuato vukuavo = and they beckoned unto their partners who were in another boat.

Luchazi customary code of conduct

Luchazi customary code of conduct is a set of social customs or norms which describes the Luchazi etiquette, emphasizing respect, compliance with conventional rules and consideration for other's feelings. It is a customary way in which a person behaves toward other people or the way a person behaves on a particular occasion. It involves a range of behaviours from social interaction to eating meals, associated with the Luchazi tradition of placing a high value on good behaviours. Here are the key aspects of the Luchazi customary code of conduct:

1. Respect and honour. Give respect and honour to those who are older than you, especially the elderly members of the village or community by greeting them first. Luchazi proverb says, "U li ha citsizi ke ku nona njamba." Meaning that when you are on the shoulders, the elephant you see is not yours. Give respect and honour to elders who have worked hard and set a strong foundation for you to see the world.
2. Use verbal greeting when greeting nobles, elders and parents. Avoid shaking hands and nodding; use handclaps accompanied by verbal greetings.
3. Use touch-and-clap greeting when greeting close friends or age mates or grandparents. Use your right hand for greeting.
4. In many social situations, avoid speaking to or addressing elders while standing. A young person should always kneel down or squat when speaking with an older person who is seated. If you are addressing a crowd, always ask for permission to stand and address the gathering from an older person present. Avoid pointing with the index finger when speaking. It is considered impolite.
5. Keep your conversations at a respectful volume. Luchazi proverb says, "Ve ku aluluka ku muhela; mu kanua iya ua alulukilemo?" Meaning that people are able to turn around in bed, but who can turn around in the mouth?" The question is, who can turn around what the mouth has said?
6. Avoid controversial topics or subjects unless you know the subject or the issue at hand. Luchazi proverb says, "Ua tsa mu ciliva ca mbala; ua samatela mutue." Meaning that he who is caught in another's trap has stuck his head into it.
7. Listen attentively when an elder person is talking to you. Do not exchange words with an elderly person, and always keep quiet when he or she is rebuking or correcting you.
8. Do not dominate the conversation; allow others to speak. Avoid interrupting or finishing others' sentences. Luchazi proverb says, "SaKamana ua mana hose." Meaning that the father of Kamana (SaKamana) stands everywhere. It implies that he does everything because he thinks he knows everything, yet others view him as stupid.
9. Using polite language when appropriate demonstrates courtesy. This includes using phrases like lisesa (excuse me), muane (please), eyo (yes), eua (affirm, confirm) and nja santsela (thank you) or nja sangala demonstrate courtesy and politeness. Use or add the prefix va- when addressing a person older than you, for example VaSaVihinda (father of Vihinda) or VaNiaVihinda (mother of Vihinda).
10. Obey orders and instructions from parents, guardians and elders without question. Luchazi proverb says, "Via ku tuma, ku takinia, ni ku mina?" Meaning that which you are sent to do, is it to be chewed or swallowed. Just do what you have told to do; do not overthink.
11. Orderliness and respect for conventional rules. Following the order or sequence of washing hands at the table (which starts with an older person present and lastly the youngest), and following the order or sequence of serving food (water, plates or bowls of relish and lastly plate of civundu) are all considered important aspects of Luchazi etiquette.
12. Luchazi people eat food with hands. Always wash your hands before eating and use your right hand for eating. Avoid licking fingers while eating.
13. It is traditionally appropriate to serve young ones first before you eat. Ensure they are satisfied.
14. Avoid talking with food inside your mouth and close it when chewing.
15. Eating or having a snack while walking is considered inappropriate and unsafe because you won't hear the sound of someone stalking you; find a place and sit down to eat your food.
16. Do not forget to feed the dogs. The dog is valued in a number of ways in Luchazi culture.
17. In the morning, a person is expected to go and inquire about the health and well-being of his or her parents, grandparents, elders, the sick and other family members before embarking on his or her morning activities such as going to the farming fields, fishing, etc. This morning visitation is known as ku menekela. Hence the saying, Kamenemene ka ntumba, menekela a li na mana; kesi na mana ngueni, "tuhia nezila" (the first-born girl arises early in the morning for she knows it is wise to see how the others are doing; a foolish person, on seeing her, will say, "she has come for charcoal to start her fire").
18. Maintaining personal space and avoid standing too close unless the person is a close friend or age mate. Avoiding excessive closeness or touching with the opposite gender in social interactions is the characteristic of Luchazi culture.
19. Avoid calling a single or married person with a child or children by his or her first name. Use the prefix Sa- (father of) or Nia- (mother of), for example, SaMusole (father of Musole) or NiaMusole (mother of Musole). Always use the name of the firstborn child.
20. A Luchazi man avoid contact with his mother-in-law (wife's mother). He is even expected to be distant and careful in his speech with his father-in-law (her father). The avoidance between the mother-in-law and the son-in-law is still practiced even today. Strict customs usually forbid their speaking to each other or looking at each other or shaking hands. If a young man sees his mother-in-law coming along a footpath, he will give way to the mother-in-law or plunge into the bush.
21. In Luchazi society, public hugging and kissing are forbidden. Hugging of parents and the opposite gender is not allowed. Be mindful of personal space and avoid over familiarity. Only grandparents are allowed to kiss the palm of their grandchildren as a sign of blessings.
22. Grown sons are not allowed to swim together with their mother and sisters, and daughters are not allowed to swim together with their father and brothers.
23. Traditionally, grown-up sons and daughters are not allowed to enter their parent's bedroom. A father is not allowed to enter his grown-up daughters' bedrooms, and a mother is not allowed to enter her grown-up sons' bedrooms. Likewise, grown brothers are not allowed to enter their sisters' bedrooms, and grown-up sisters are not allowed to enter their brothers' bedrooms.
24. It was a taboo in the old days for any wife or young females of the village to pass through the middle of the open space of the village or go near the ndzango, except on the occasion such as a ceremony or during a ritual or causal dance. It was only elderly women or women past mensuration (menopause) who were free by custom to go or pass near the ndzango.
25. Only adult men and women are allowed to drink and smoke. Women past childbearing age have privileges never allowed to them in their youth. They can share alcoholic drinks with men around the Ndzango. They can dance close to the masked dancers (Makisi).
26. It is strictly a taboo for women to have any physical contact with any type of masked dancer (likisi), let alone have a handshake or hug a likisi. Touching or hugging a likisi by a woman or uninitiated man is considered an insult. Uncircumcised youth or man (Cilima) is not allowed to insult a likisi.
27. Traditionally, it is an offence to mention private parts in public especially the female genitals or sexual organs. Refraining from asking overly personal questions about a woman's monthly period or other private matter is considered polite.
28. Luchazi culture is reserved with a preference for distance in social interaction with uncircumcised people. Avoid handshake with strangers as you greet them. It is strictly taboo for a Luchazi man to share in certain social activities with an uncircumcised male (cilima). By tradition, uncircumcised men (vilima) are not accepted as equals; Luchazi men do not accept an uncircumcised male on an equal social basis.
29. Use both hands when receiving items or gifts from elders and always give using the right hand.