Culture & Etiquette

1. Ingoma ni igicurarangisho gikomeye c'Uburundi

   The ingoma drum is a major musical instrument of Burundi

   Usage

   The ritual dance of the royal drum was inscribed by UNESCO in 2014; use this when talking about drumming heritage

   Grammar Note

   ingoma (drum) + ni (is) + igicurarangisho (musical instrument) + gikomeye (important) + c'Uburundi (of Burundi). Based on the wording of the rn.wikipedia article Ingoma

2. Kuvuza ingoma

   To beat the drum

   Usage

   For talking about or asking to watch drumming

   Grammar Note

   Matana lists kuvuza as to beat a drum; Tatoeba also uses it in kuvuza ipiano (to play the piano)

3. Inanga ni igicurarangisho gikomeye c'Abarundi

   The inanga is an important instrument for the Barundi

   Usage

   A trough zither used since long ago at the royal court and to accompany sung stories

   Grammar Note

   Almost the same sentence is in the rn.wikipedia article Inanga. c' is of and Abarundi are the people of Burundi

4. Umuduri ni igicurarangisho co mu Burundi

   The umuduri is an instrument from Burundi

   Usage

   A one-string instrument shaped like a bow; use it when talking about Burundian music

   Grammar Note

   Matana lists umuduri as a monochord instrument. The sentence follows the wording of the rn.wikipedia article Umuduri

5. Murakunda gutamba?

   Do you like to dance?

   Usage

   Burundi is known for its drum dances; for asking about someone's taste in dancing

   Grammar Note

   murakunda is a polite you (plural) like and gutamba is to dance; a sentence found in Tatoeba

6. Inka zitanga amata

   Cows give milk

   Usage

   Cattle are a prized possession and milk an everyday food; an opener for talking about cattle

   Grammar Note

   inka is cattle, zitanga is give and amata is milk; a sentence found in Tatoeba

7. Ikirundi ni ururimi rw'Abarundi

   Kirundi is the language of the Barundi

   Usage

   For introducing the language of the country

   Grammar Note

   ikirundi is the language name, ururimi is language and rw' is of. Composed from dictionary-verified words

8. Ikawa y'Uburundi ni nziza

   Burundian coffee is good

   Usage

   Coffee is a main product of the country, a good topic at a farm or shop

   Grammar Note

   ikawa is coffee, y' is of and nziza is good in the form agreeing with ikawa. Composed from dictionary-verified words

9. Umushingantahe

   Umushingantahe (respected elder)

   Usage

   A respected elder and man of influence, traditionally turned to for advice and settling disputes; it can also be a polite way to address someone as Sir

   Grammar Note

   Matana lists umushingantahe as witness, elder or man of influence, Mr. and Sir; rn.wikipedia also has an article

10. Rudoviko Rwagasore

    Louis Rwagasore

    Usage

    The prince who led the independence movement and is remembered as an independence hero in Burundi

    Grammar Note

    The spelling is that of the rn.wikipedia article title. He founded the UPRONA party

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