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Yanayoudhi kuyaona mafumbo na vijembe vya Kiswahili

In Swahili language proficiency is measured in terms of a speakers knowledge and use of methali (proverbs), misemo (sayings), mafumbo (riddles) and vijembe (sharp comments). The aim of the paper is to show the different uses of mafumbo and vijembe. Their meanings are at first sight hidden to the addressee, but understood in the context of their use. Mafumbo can be used as teasing, as circumscription for parts of the body of which it is taboo to speak of, as moral reprimands and warnings, and as a secret language between intimate partners or groups of people. Vijembe - `What cuts more than a knive? - the tongue´ - are used on kanga and in newspapers. An important feature of vijembe is that it always asks for an answer, therefore has a strong aspect of competition.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa.de:bsz:15-qucosa-98006
Date30 November 2012
CreatorsSheikh, Sauda
ContributorsUniversität Hamburg, Seminar für Afrikanische Sprachen und Kulturen, Universität zu Köln, Institut für Afrikanistik
PublisherUniversitätsbibliothek Leipzig
Source SetsHochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden
LanguageSwahili (individual language)
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typedoc-type:article
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceSwahili Forum; 1(1994), S. 7-11

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