Measurement vocabulary: Luchazi to English

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Measurement Vocabulary in Luchazi (with English Equivalents)

This section presents common Luchazi terms used in measurement, along with their meanings in English. The vocabulary is grouped into thematic categories for clarity and ease of reference.

General Measurement Terms

  1. Seteko – rate; a measure, quantity, or frequency relative to another measure
  2. Ciseteko – measure; measurement
  3. Viseteko (plural) – measures; measurements
  4. Seteka – to compare; to measure by comparison

Types of Measurement

  1. Viseteko via vuhale – measures of length
  2. Viseteko via cipeso – measures of weight  
  3. Viseteko via zinjundo – measures of quantity

Length, Size, and Dimension

  1. Aihi – short
  2. Ku hiha – to be short
  3. Alaha – long; tall; high
  4. Vulahe – length; height
  5. Vuihi – breadth; width; short
  6. Ku lahesa / lahesa – to lengthen  
  7. Mukeya / Kamukeya – cubit (length of the forearm)

Depth and Position

  1. Ndzinga – depth (distance from top to bottom)
  2. Lova – deep
  3. Mu vuhati – at the side; beside

Weight and Mass

  1. Cipeso – weight (standard or general term); a piece of metal known to weigh a definite amount and used on scales to determine how heavy something is.
  2. Pezu – weight (standard or general term); a piece of metal known to weigh a definite amount and used on scales to determine how heavy something is.
  3. Njundo – weight (standard or general term); a piece of metal known to weigh a definite amount and used on scales to determine how heavy something is.
  4. Ha pezu – by weight
  5. Lema – heavy
  6. Ku lema – to be heavy
  7. Hehu – light (in weight)
  8. Lelu – light (in weight)

Measurement Tools and Actions

  1. Cipeseleso – scale; balance (device for measuring weight)
  2. Peselesa – weigh
  3. Ku peselesa – to weigh

Capacity and Volume

  1. Ngoleta – a small wooden barrel or container used as a unit of liquid measure (≈ 9 gallons / 41 litres)
  2. Zingoleta – plural of ngoleta
  3. Njongo – litre; a container used as a unit of capacity equal to a litre.
  4. Zinjongo – litres
  5. Mutamba ua njongo – half a litre

Standard Units and Quantities

  1. Kilu – kilo or pound
  2. Makilu – kilos or pounds
  3. Cikuta – bundle or bunch
  4. Vikuta – bundles or bunches
  5. Kacikuta – a small bunch or bundle

Counting and Quotas

  1. Konda – quota; number; tally 
  2. Konda ya zindopi – number of bricks (see Mbimbiliya, Exodus 5:8)
  3. Konda ize vene ya miaka – number of years (see Mbimbiliya, Job 15:20)

Related Descriptive Terms

  1. Kama – big  
  2. Kandende – small

Shapes and Sizes: Luchazi to English

  1. Vuzingululu = circular; state of being circular.
  2. Cizingulu = circle.
  3. Muzingulule = circle; disc; disk.
  4. Muzingulule ua mavu = circle of the earth (Isaiah 40:22).
  5. Vungululu  = cylindrical; state of being cylindrical.
  6. Vuvundungulu = oval; state of being oval.
  7. Mavundungulu = oval shaped.
  8. Vundungula zilungulu = round, circular in shape.
  9. Vumbunje = spherical; state of being spherical.
  10. Vupaua = rectangular; state of being rectangular.
  11. Vuopo = arch; state of being curved; curve; arc.
  12. Masumba = demilune; half-circle; crescent or object of this shape.
Beeswax and rubber are moulded in shapes and sizes as agreed upon by the producers and traders. Rubber is moulded in the following measures:
  1. Mutali = a cylindrical piece about the size of a man’s forearm.
  2. Cisama = a rectangular piece about an inch thick; two feet long and a foot wide.
  3. Citota = a pile of ten mitali or ten visama.
  4. Cipale = a pile of ten vitota.
Beeswax is moulded in the following measures:
  1. Mbunge = a spherical mass about one foot in diameter.
  2. Lipaua = a rectangular block averaging two feet in length, a foot wide and a foot thick.
Welcome to my profile. I am a proud member of the Luchazi tribe, dedicated to Honouring our ancestors by preserving our rich history. This blog is a digital home for the history, ways of life, custom practices, beliefs, values and social forms of the Luchazi people. It is a space built on deep respect for our past and hope for our future. Through this platform, I share authentic insights into the Luchazi history, way of life, including: The geographic roots of the Luchazi people, Luchazi identity and population, Origins and ancestry, Prehistoric Angola and Luchazi heritage, Precolonial Angola, Luchazi creation myths, Traditional society, etc,. Why I Started This Blog: Our heritage is not just history—it is a living blueprint for who we are. In a rapidly changing world, it is vital that we tell our own stories from an insider's perspective. I want to ensure our children and the wider world understand the depth of Luchazi history and culture. Whether you are a fellow community member looking to reconnect, or a visitor eager to learn about our vibrant way of life, I welcome you. Nja sangala, and thank you for walking this path of historical and cultural preservation with me.

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