We continue with our journey to learning and Gikuyu language. Among the Gikuyu people kinship was very important. There are numerous proverbs on kinship. Have you ever wondered about the titles though? Here are some of them;
Mwana wa – child of; Ciana cia - children of
Use in a sentence : ciana ciake ithomagira America (his/her children are studying in America)
Maitũ/mami – mother, Nyina – his/her mother, nyũkwa – your mother
Use in a sentence ũyũ niwe maitũ / mami - This is my mother
Mwari wa maitu – my sister (My mother’s daughter), Mwari wa nyina, Mwari wa nyukwa
Baba – Father, ithe – his/her father, ithe witũ – our father, Thoguo – your father
Mũrũ wa baba – Brother (my father’s son – used for stepbrother), Mũrũ wa ithe, Mũrũ wa thogwo
Tata – Auntie (on mother’s side), Mama – uncle (on mother’s side)
Baba mũnini - Uncle on Father’s side but must be younger than father (literally small father)
Baba Mũkũrũ – Uncle on father’s side but must be older than father (literally old father)
Please Note that all aunties on father’s side are all called Tata. (sisters to the father) All wives of paternal uncles are addressed as 'Mother.' Mami relative to age. For example, a father's older brothers wife is 'mami mukuru'
