adornment

ɛnk-adaláwùò Nom sg: ɛnk-ádaláwùò. Acc pl: ɨnk-adalawuoní. Nom pl: ɨnk-ádalawuoní. n. 1 • Small piece of wood or bone worn around the wrist and fastened with a small string, meant to protect the wrist from being hit with the string of the bow when shooting an arrow. Ɛ́tɛ́ɛ́ná ɔlpáyìàn ɛnkadaláwùò tɛ̀ nkaɨná. The man has tied a wrist protector on his hand.

2 • A small bracelet, perhaps of beads, for decoration. See: ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ ‘Bracelet’.

ɛnk-aɨwáŋʉ̀ Nom sg: ɛnk-áɨ́wàŋʉ̀. Acc pl: ɨnk-aɨwaŋuní. Variant: ɨnk-aɨwáŋ. Nom pl: ink-áɨ́waŋuní. n. 1 • Type of bracelet. ɛná aɨwáŋʉ̀ this bracelet.

2 • Small round piece of glittering metal at the end of a woman's ear-ring. See: a-wáŋ ‘To be open, bright’.

ɛnk-alʉlʉ́ŋà Nom sg: ɛnk-álʉlʉ́ŋà. Acc pl: ɨnk-alʉlʉŋaní. Nom pl: ɨnk-álʉlʉŋaní. n. 1 • Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs; leg bangle. Sídáí ɛndá álʉlʉ́ŋà. That metal bangle is nice. (W). Typically women will wear several of these at once. See: muleení ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’; [North] n-kúpúlìtò ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’.

2 • [North] Barricade. See: ol-tím ‘Barricade’.

ɛnk-alʉlʉ́ŋà Nom sg: ɛnk-álʉlʉ́ŋà. Acc pl: ink-alʉlʉŋaní. Nom pl: ink-álʉlʉŋaní. n.pl. Circular metal rings worn by women on the lower parts of the leg. See: ɛnk-alʉlʉ́ŋà ‘Circular leg bangle’.

ɛnk-arɛ́wà Nom sg: ɛnk-árɛ̀wà. Acc pl: ɨnk-arewaní. Nom pl: ɨnk-árɛwaní. n. Wedding necklace. Eishopókokí entíto narikí ɛnkarɛ́wà. A wedding necklace has been put on the girl being married off.

ol-bisílì Nom sg: ol-bísìlì. Acc pl: il-bisíl. Nom pl: il-bisíl. n. Pendant; an ornament that hangs from a leather strap, often ornate, worn by babies, believed to bring good luck and prevent diseases. Ɨnkɛ́rà ɛpɨkɨ́ ilbisíl. It is children that are adorned with pendants.

n-cípì n. 1 • [North] Type of beads.

2 • [West] Underwear.

ol-gísòì Nom sg: ol-gisóí. Acc pl: ɨl-gɨ́sɔ̀. Nom pl: ɨl-gɨ́sɔ̂. n. 1 • Ring. olgísoi lɛ́ nkáɨ́ná Finger ring. olgísoi lɔ́ lɔɨŋɔ́nɨ̀ Bull ring. olgísoi lɛ́ ncáshʉ̀r Sheath ring, put at the pointed-end of a sheath to prevent wear and tear.

2 • A thin metal wire for stringing beads to make a necklace.

3 • Small plate-shaped metallic ring with a hole in the middle to pass ɛnkalʉlʉ́ŋà through. Several of these are fitted into ɛnkalʉlʉ́ŋà and worn on the legs. When a woman walks, they hit against each other making noise. See: ɔl-pɛ́tɛ̀ ‘Finger ring’; ɛnk-alʉlʉ́ŋà ‘Leg bangle’; enk-orínì ‘Thin wire for beads’.

en-gótoô Nom sg: en-gótoô. Acc pl: in-gotooní. Nom pl: in-gótooní. [North] Acc sg: en-góroô. n. 1 • Tight neck ornament worn by women, made of i-lópòn beads.

2 • [North] Tight neck ornament worn by warriors, made of bigger beads worn by warriors; typically worn beneath other ornaments.

a-irím v. 1 • To put spots on the face or body with chalk or ochre; daub; splatter. Ɛgɨ́rà ɛnkɛráɨ́ airím enkomóm ɛ́ nkáɨ́ tɛ̀ nturotó. The child is daubing the face of the other using chalk. (Pk).

2 • To make permanent decorative cuttings or tatoos. For S, the idea of decoration is more important than the shape or method. It may be done with fire or knife, and the decoration is permanent. It can be on a house or a warrior. On a warrior, it often consists of dots burned in a circle around each nipple. See: a-igér ‘To make decorative cutting’.

n-kaiwúál [North] n. [North] Chain ornament warriors and girls put on lower parts of their legs.

kamishina n. [South] Medallion-style necklace.

ɛn-karɛ́wà n. Small decorative ornament for the lower ear, made of beads.

n-karrayíòn [North] n.pl. [North] Big beads. See: ɔ-saêî ‘Bead’.

ɔl-katáàrr Nom sg: ɨl-kátaarrí. Acc pl: ɨl-kataarrí. Nom pl: ɨl-kátaarrí. n. 1 • Bracelet (general). Ɛgɨ́rà náají entitó arɨpakɨ́ ɔrmʉ́rránì ɔrkatáàrr. The unmarried girl was making a bracelet for a warrior. (Pk).

2 • Bracelet typically worn on the upper arm, by women. ɛldɛ̂ katáàrr that bracelet (W).

3 • Bracelet worn by a dead man's sons.

4 • Big necklace used in traditional dance.

ɨl-kataarrí lɔɔ́ ɨnkɛjɛ́k Ornament made of beads sewn on leather worn by warriors on the calf parts of the legs. See: ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ ‘Bracelet’.

en-kéldéí Nom sg: en-keldéí. Acc pl: in-keldên. Nom pl: in-keldén. n. [North] String of beads. Syn: ɛ-sayéì ‘String of beads’.

ol-kélíáí n. Bracelet.

en-kerî Nom sg: en-kérì. Acc pl: in-kerîn. Nom pl: in-kérìn. n. 1 • Striped one.

2 • Bead ornament, sewn in a thin thread and coiled together (in S, in groups of four) worn by warriors across their bodies, hanging ii from one shoulder to the hip on the other side of the body. See: ɛnk-ɔ́ɨ́pɨ́láí ‘Beads ornaments’.

il-kídòŋì lɔɔ́ lopír Calabashes of the feathers: name of an ornament worn by warriors. See: en-kúkúrí ‘Calabash’; ol-oibónì ‘Ritual expert’.

ol-kigerótì Nom sg: ol-kígerótì. Acc pl: il-kigerót. Nom pl: il-kígèròt. n. 1 • Writing(s). Kɛ́sɨrákíno doí lɛlɔ̂ kígèròt ɛmpálai. Those writings are written (marked) on the paper. (Pk).

2 • Marks or tattoos made on the shoulders or stomach. Kɛ́ata ɛldɛ̂ mʉrraní ilkigerót sidaîn tɔ̀ lóílelâî. That warrior has good tattoos on the shoulders. (Pk). See: ol-kígérótó ‘Writing’; ɔ-sɨ́rátá ‘Writings, line’.

ol-kígérótó Nom sg: ol-kigerotó. Acc pl: il-kigerót. Nom pl: il-kígèròt. n. 1 • Permanent marking(s): marks or tattos made on the shoulders or stomach; writing(s), the product of writing. Kɛ́ata ɛldɛ̂ mʉrraní ilkigerót sidaîn tò lóíleláî. That warrior has good tatoos on the shoulders. (Pk). Kɛ́sɨrakíno doí lɛlɔ̂ kígèròt ɛmpálai. The writings are written (marked) on that paper.

2 • Making of tattoos on the skin.

en-kígérótó Writings, markings (e.g. in a book). See: en-kígéròrì ‘The process of writing’; ɔ-sɨ́rátá ‘Writing, line’; a-igér ‘To brand; write’.

en-kímèìtà Nom sg: en-kimeitá. Acc pl: in-kimeitaní. Nom pl: in-kímeitaní. [North] Acc sg: n-kɨmɛ́ɛntɛ̂. n.f. Decorated bead belt worn by women and girls to hold up the lower skirt. ɨ́nâ kímèìtà that belt (W). In W, the term especially refers to the triangular arrangement of beads on the belt. See: en-kitatí ‘Belt’.

ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ Nom sg: ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ. n. Traditional beaded Maasai bracelet, about 2 cm wide. Colors and patterns typically indicate what area the designer or maker is from. (cf. Klump, Donna and Corrine Kratz. 1993. Aesthetics, expertise & ethnicity: Okiek & Maasai perspectives on personal ornament. Being Maasai, ed. by Thomas Spear & Richard Waller. London: James Currey, 195-221.). Central Maa word for the same thing as Samburu márnây. LING: As a IVe-type word, both the accusative and nominative ɛ́nkáránâ become completely low. Note that, unlike tɔ́mɔ̂n, this does not behave as a Downstepped H in the nominative. LING: As with all words with High-Falling tone (ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ), this word is pronounced Low in context, regardless of preceding Low vs. High, and regardless of following Low vs. High: Kádɔ́lɨ́tà ɛ́nkɨ́rɨ́nâ [ɛ̀nkɪ̀rɪ̀nà] tɛnákatá. 'I will see the bracelet now.' Edúŋò ɛ́nkɨ́rɨ́nâ [ɛ̀nkɪ̀rɪ̀nà] táatá. 'The bracelet is cut now.'.

ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ oonkaina Wrapped wrist bangle. [North] Syn: márnâɨ̂ ‘Bracelet’; ɛ-máɨ́rɨ́náí ‘Bracelet’.

ɔl-kɨ́rɨ́pá Nom sg: ɔl-kɨrɨpá. Acc pl: ɨl-kɨrɨ́pan. Nom pl: ɨl-kɨ́rɨpán. n. Necklace made of beads worn by women. Ɛtɨpɨ́kɛ entító ɔlkɨ́rɨ́pá. The girl has put on a bead necklace.

ɛn-kɨ́rɨ́pá Small bead necklace. See: o-saéi ‘Bead’.

in-konítò oó nkíyiaa Nom pl: in-kónìtò oó nkíyiaa. n.pl. Ear ornament worn in the lower ear rim, by married women; earring flaps. LING: In W, in-konítò has no meaning by itself.

en-kulalé Nom sg: en-kúlàlè. Acc pl: in-kulalên. Nom pl: in-kúlalén. n. 1 • Wooden earplug.

2 • Ear.

n-kúpúlìtò [North] n. [North] Circular metal worn by women on their lower parts of the legs. See: muleení ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’; ɨn-kalʉlʉŋaní ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’.

en-kúsò Nom sg: en-kúsô. Acc pl: --. Nom pl: --. n. Decoration, pattern of beadwork. See: a-kús ‘To decorate, adorn (especially with beads)’; síkarr.

o-lópóní Nom sg: o-loponí. Acc pl: i-lópòn. Nom pl: i-lópôn. n. 1 • Small oval bead, maybe 2-3 millimeters long.

2 • Type of tree which has an inedible fruit; the fruit may be used for making necklaces; the tree may be planted around homes for shade.

3 • The fruit of the olópóní tree. See: ɔ-saêî ‘Bead’; ɛ-tʉ́ntáí ‘Oval bead’.

ɛ-máɨ́rɨ́náí Nom sg: ɛ-maɨrɨnáí. Acc pl: ɨ-maɨrɨnaní. Nom pl: ɨ-máɨ́rɨnaní. n. Traditional beaded bracelet, about 2 cm wide. See: ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ ‘Bracelet’; márnâɨ̂ [North] ‘Bracelet’; a-ɨrɨ́n ‘To twist’.

ɔl-mánkáí [máŋkáy] Nom sg: ol-mankáí. [[màŋkáy]] Acc pl: ɨl-mánkàì. [[máŋkàì] two morae in final syllable] Nom pl: ɨl-mánkáì. [[máŋkáì] two morae in final syllable] n. Short round spherical bead. See: ɔ-saêî ‘Bead’.

e-mánkékí n. Necklace. Míncòp ɛnâ mánkékí amʉ̂ ɛtadányàtɛ̀ intúntaí. Don't wear that necklace because the oval beads (used to finish the edge) are broken. (Pk).

e-márisíán n. emárisíán lɔɔ́ sɨkɨrá decorated band of cowrie-shells and beads, worn by female initiates around the head.

marlɛ̂n Nom sg: márlɛ̀n. n. Beads worn by young initiates on their heads.

ɨ-masáà Nom sg: ɛ-másaá-í. Acc pl: ɨ-masáà. Nom pl: ɨ-másàà. n. 1 • All the beaded ornaments of a person. Ɛtɨpɨ́kɛ̀ entitó ɨmasáà ɛnyɛ́ná, nélò osirua. The girl has put on her ornaments, then she went to a party (celebration).

2 • Wealth, riches, possessions, property, abundance, plenty, assets. Kɛ́atà ɛlɛ́ páyìàn ɨmasáà kúmòk. This man has many possessions.

3 • Weapons. Etudúmutúàa ɨlmʉ́rrân ɨmasáà áàpùò ɔlárràbàl. The warriors have picked up the weapons to go to war.

ɛ-masáitâî [Purko] Nom sg: ɛ-másaaɨtâ. Acc pl: ɨ-masáà. Nom pl: ɨ-másàà. n. 1 • Treasure, something precious.

2 • Personal ornament.

3 • Wealth.

e-monâî Acc pl: ɨ-mʉná. n. Long earring(s), worn by male elders, or by women of any age.

e-mónyórít Nom sg: e-monyorít. Acc pl: i-monyorití ??. Nom pl: i-mónyorití. n. 1 • Earring for newly circumcised girls; "marriage chain" ?

2 • [North] Sap. See: úrráúr ‘Earring for newly circumcised girls’.

muleení [North] Nom sg: múleení. n. [North] Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs. See: ɨnk-alʉlʉŋaní ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’; n-kúpúlìtò ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’.

i-munai Acc pl: muná. [North] Acc sg: munâî. n. Long wire earring that "hangs" (not extends) from the top of the ear, typically worn by Maasai girls and women.

ol-ódí Nom sg: ol-ódi. n. Plastic bungle put on the wrist of the arm and also be broken to fit into the earlobe. Kényokíé olódi ɔaata enkáyíóní té nkíok The bungle the boy has on his ear is red. See: bánkílì.

enk-óíléló Nom sg: enk-oileló. Acc pl: ink-óílèlò. Nom pl: in-óílélò. n. Oval bead, about 3 mm. long. Ádɔ́lɨ́tà ɛndá óíléó. I see that oval bead. (W).

ɛnk-ɔ́ɨ́pɨ́láí Nom sg: ɛnk-ɔɨpɨláí. Acc pl: ɨnk-ɔɨpɨlaní. Nom pl: ɨnk-ɔ́ɨ́pɨlaní. n.pl. Ornament of beads sewn in thin threads and coiled together in groups of four, worn by warriors across their bodies, hanging from one shoulder to the hip on the other side of the body. See: a-ɨpɨ́l ‘To twist’; en-kerî ‘Beads ornament’.

ink-onítò oó nkíyìàà Nom pl: ink-ónìtò óò nkíyìàà. n.pl. Big, leather beaded earrings worn by married women only. Kɛ́átà enkítòk inkonítò oó nkíyìàà. The woman has leather beaded earrings. See: en-cónì ‘Hide’.

l-págàs [North] Nom sg: l-págâs. Acc pl: l-págasí. n. [North] White soil, usually used by warriors or elders on special occasions to smear on their faces; may also be used by women as a source of mineral when pregnant. See: ɛnk-ɔɨbɔtɨ́ ‘White soil’; en-túrótó ‘Chalk’.

ɛm-pɛnyɛ́t Nom sg: ɛm-pɛ́nyɛ̀t. Acc pl: ɨm-pɛnyɛ́tà. Nom pl: ɨm-pɛ́nyɛ̀tà. n. Earring.

ɔl-pɛ́tɛ̀ n. Finger ring. Káátà ɔlpɛ́tɛ̀ tɔ̀ lkímojínò ɔ́sʉ̀jɨ̀tà ɛnkɨ́lintâ áí. I have a ring on the finger that follows my small finger. See: ol-gísòì ‘Finger ring’.

ol-pisiâî Acc pl: il-pisiá. n. 1 • Small chain used as an ornament.

2 • Cows or people that are left; remnant.

em-porrôî Nom sg: em-pórròì. Acc pl: ɨm-pɔrrɔ́. Nom pl: ɨm-pɔ́rrɔ̀. n. Beads ornaments sewn in a thin thread worn by women across their bodies, hanging from one shoulder to the hip on the opposite side of the body. See: ɨnk-ɔɨpɨlaní ‘Beads ornaments sewn in a thin thread and coiled together in groups of four worn by warriors across their bodies, that is, hanging it from one shoulder to the hip on the other side of the body’.

ol-púmpúí n. Big spherical bead. See: ɔ-saêî ‘Bead’.

e-rékò Nom sg: e-rékô. [North] Acc sg: e-récò. n. Red ochre. Ɛgɨ́rà inkɛ́rá áàèlìè átɛ́ erékò. The children are painting themselves with the red ochre. (Pk).

a-rúk v. 1 • To thread, string beads. Túrùkò saé. Make a string of beads. (SN).

2 • To put meat on a stick; skewer.

3 • To pass through an area; patrol. a-rúk ntîm To patrol in the forest.

4 • To flow. Néínepuní ɔlkɛjʉ́ orúkò. They came to a flowing stream of water.

5 • To scrutinize. Kéruk ɨlMaasáɨ́ ɛntálɨ́pá ɛ papaí linó. Maasai scrutinize the historical background of your father. (KS).

ɔ-saêî [Accː òsàêy Nomː òsáèy] Variant: o-saénì. Nom sg: o-sáèì. Acc pl: ɨ-saên. Nom pl: ɨ-sáèn. [North] Acc pl: saé. n. Bead. LING: For PK, ɔ-saeî is smaller than ɨl-mánkàì.

ɛ-saêî String of beads, bead necklace.

saêî nakúrò Having both boys and girls. See: n-karrayíòn ‘Big beads’; ol-púmpúí ‘Big spherical bead’; o-lópóní ‘Oval bead’; ɔl-mánkáí ‘Small spherical bead’; ɛn-tɛ́pɛ̀ ‘Round and flat bead’; ɛn-tʉ́ntáí ‘Oval bead’.

e-síkàr Nom sg: e-síkâr. Acc pl: i-síkàrì. Nom pl: i-síkárì. n. 1 • Luxury displayed by adornment and luxurious lifestyle. Kɛ́nyɔr ɔlɛ̂ Mankâ esíkar olêŋ; enkúsò aké ɛnɛ́nyɛ̀. Ole Manka loves luxury very much; he just goes about dressing lavishly.

2 • Pride.

3 • Adornment. See: ɛn-kársísìshò ‘Affluence’.

siririmí [North] n. [North] Type of beads worn by newly initiated girls on their heads. See: ɨ-saên ‘Beads’.

sirutia n.pl. Flat brass coils worn by Maasai women after they have sons who are warriors.

e-surútíáì Nom sg: e-súrutíáì. Acc pl: i-surútia. Nom pl: i-súrutiá. n. Women's scrolled ear rings. Ekéíshòp oshî ɨntɔmɔnɔ́k isurútia tɛ̀ nɛ́muratɨ́shɔ̀. Women normally wear scrolled earrings when their children are circumcised. (Pk).

pasúrutíàì 1 • Name called to each other by people who have exchanged esurútíàì

2 • Name used by the girl to call to his brother-in-law. The man must have given her e-surútíàì.

ɛn-tɛ́pɛ̀ Nom sg: ɛn-tɛ́pɛ. Acc pl: in-tépeí. Nom pl: in-tépeí. n. 1 • Flat round bead like a button but with the hole through the diameter of the bead.

2 • Flat round tablet or pill. See: ɔ-saêî ‘Bead’.

en-toré Nom sg: en-tórè. Acc pl: in-torên. Nom pl: in-tórèn. n. 1 • Belt made of beads worn by warriors.

2 • [North] Belt made of beads worn by girls.

3 • Belt of beads worn by young children. See: en-kíméítá ‘Belt made of beads’.

ol-tórónkéí Nom sg: ol-toronkéí. Acc pl: il-toronkên. Nom pl: il-tóronkên. n. Type of ornament for the wrist.

ol-túálá Nom sg: ol-tualá. Acc pl: il-túálân. Nom pl: il-tualán. n. Bell made of metal, mostly by blacksmiths. Ɛ́tɨ́pɨ́kákɨ̀ dúóó orkíné oltúálá. A castrated he-goat has been belled. (Pk). Ɛgɨ́rà ɔltualá lé sekenkêî aɨshɨ́r. The metalic bell is making a high-pitched sound. (Pk). See: l-ɔ́dɔ́ŋɨ́dɔ́ŋ ‘Wooden bell’.

ɛn-tʉ́ntáí₂ Nom sg: ɛn-tʉntáí. Acc pl: ɨn-tʉntaîn. Nom pl: ɨn-tʉ́ntaîn. [Purko] Acc pl: ɨn-túntaí. n. 1 • Small oval bead of a standard size, commonly (but not necessarily) black or white color, used to finish the edge of necklaces. The black and white beads alternate around the necklace. Míncòp ɛnâ mánkékí amʉ̂ ɛtadányàtɛ̀ ɨntʉ́ntaí. Don't wear that necklace because the oval beads (used to finish the edge) are broken. (Pk).

2 • Type of necklace. See: o-lópóní ‘Oval bead’; ɔ-saêî ‘Bead’; yíyáí ‘Black and white pattern’.

e-údótó Nom sg: ɛ-udotó. Acc pl: i-udót. Nom pl: i-udót. [Purko] Acc sg: ɛn-áúdótó. [Purko] Nom sg: ɛn-audotó. [Purko] Acc pl: in-audót. [Purko] Nom pl: in-áùdòt. [North] Acc sg: údótó. n. 1 • Hole made by poking, piercing, drilling. Ɛgɨ́rà empúrùò ayɨmʉ́ ɛnáúdótó ɛ́ nkají. The smoke is coming through the hole of the house. (Pk). This can be used for a hole drilled in the ground, as when one is looking for water.

2 • Hole in earlobe.

e-údótó oó-inkiyiaa Minor ceremony for boys and girls in which their earlobes are cut. . See: Syn = en-gúmótó ‘Hole’.

ɛ-walɨ́nà n. Pendant. See: ol-bisílì ‘Pendant’.