religion

ɔl-abáànì Nom sg: ɔl-ábáání. Acc pl: ɨl-abaák. Nom pl: ɨl-ábáák. [West] Nom pl: ɨl-abaák. [North] Acc sg: l-ábáání. n. 1 • Male healer or doctor for people or animals. He may perform surgery, may pray for people to get well, and may undo witchcraft. Traditionally he works from his home, waiting for those who come for treatment. He has acquired his position by virtue of effectively doing such work, and his work is life-long. Ɛ́tábáá ɔlábáání ɛnkɛ́ráí namúéí. The doctor has treated a sick child. Ɔlabáànì ŋolé láaɨshɔɔ́ lɛ́lɔ̂ keék. It is the doctor who gave me those medicines.

2 • God, as 'the Spirit who heals my soul'. Usage: Christian. Ɛ́támáyíáná ɔlábáání iyíóók aɨshɔ́ ɛncán sápʉ̀k tɛlɛ́ árî. God has blessed us to give us a lot of rain this year.

3 • [North] Ceremonial leader who goes first in letting people know how a ritual is done.

ɛnk-abáànì 1 • Female healer or doctor; she may bless women in order to conceive and bear children. She works from her home, waiting for those who come for treatment. She is believed to have acquired her skills from God, and thus has a high position in society.

2 • Female nurse who helps in a hospital.

3 • Unqualified doctor; "quack" Usage: contemptuous.

4 • Young doctor. See: e-sístáí ‘Nurse’; ol-oibónì ‘Diviner’; ɔl-kʉ́yántíkí ‘Self-proclaimed healer’; enk-aitóyìònì ‘Midwife’; enk-áíkònì ‘Medicine woman’; a-ishíú ‘To recover, heal’; ɔl-dákɨ́tárrí ‘Doctor’.

ɔl-aɛ́nànì Nom sg: ɔl-áɛ́nání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɛnák. Nom pl: ɨl-áɛ́nák. n. 1 • One who ties.

2 • A person who is like a "middleman" between ordinary people and the supernatural; typically his or her actions involve tying charms (which are not put on animals but are put on people). Alternatively, it could involve other actions such as spitting; sorcerer. Ɛ́́tɛ́ɛ́ná ɔláɛ́nání inkíshú naɨ́mɨnâ peê mɛ́nyá. ilowuarák. The sorcerer has tied the lost cows so that the beasts will not eat them.

ɛnk-aɛ́nànì Female sorcerer. See: a-ɛ́n ‘To tie’; ɔl-kʉ́yántíkí ‘Sorcerer’.

ɛnk-áí₂ [ɛŋkáí, two moras at end] Nom sg: ɛnk-aí. Acc pl: ɨnk-aítìn. Nom pl: ɨnk-áìtìn. n. 1 • God, as expressed in either a religious or everyday context. God is thought of as one who gives life, creates, is kind, is a provider and is in control of all things. Traditionally, ɛnkáí is the god of the mountains and rivers. Ɛɨtáyíó ɛnkaí shʉ́mátá ɔ́ ɛ́nkɔ́p. God has created heaven and earth. Áatɨpɨká ɛnkaí ɛntábóí. God has put me into trouble. Though ɛnkáí can only take feminine grammatical gender, at least some Maasai appear to conceptualize God as masculine.

2 • Sky. The Maasaɨ refer to the sky as a dwelling place for God. Etíi ɨnkátàmpò ɛnkáí. The clouds are in the sky. Ɛgɨ́rà airowuajú amʉ̂ ɛ́ɨ́pɨ́rá ɛnkɔ́lɔ̀ŋ ɛnkáí. It is becoming hot because the sun is high up in the sky. (Pk) (lit: It is becoming hot because the sun is facing the sky.). See: képér ‘Sky’; shʉ́mátá ‘Above, sky’. Ant: ɛn-kɔ́p ‘The ground, earth’.

3 • Moderate to heavy rain. Some Maasai communities associate the rain with God in the sense that God is the provider. Kínotitô ŋolé ɛnkáí sapʉ́k. Yesterday we got a lot of rain. Eéwuo ɛnkaí. The rain has come. See: ɛn-cán ‘Rain’.

ná-aí! Oh God! Commonly used in prayers and blessings.

ɛnk-áí nárɔ́k The sky.

ɛnk-áí nányókíé the red god.

ɛnk-áí pʉ̀s-ɔ́shɔ́kɛ̀ n.prop. God of mercy. Pʉ̂s ɔ́shɔ́kɛ̀ cannot be used to refer to a human-being, and is strictly reserved for God.

ɛn-áíbón Nom sg: ɛn-aibón. n.sg. 1 • Magic, divination, or prophecy of ol-oibónì, which is manifested in the form of a cure, a curse, or an explanation. ɛnâ áíbón [ɛná àìbòn] this magic (W). Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɨlmʉ́rrán oloibónì áɨ́ŋɔrʉ ɛnáíbón peê èpùò enjóré. The warriors have gone to the magician to look for advice so that they can go for raids. (i.e. to find out the success of upcoming raids).

2 • Witchcraft. When ol-oibónì prepares ɛn-áíbón as a treatment for disease or a curse, he mixes herbs together and give them to his patient. See: a-ibón ‘To perform office of ritual expert’; ol-oibónì ‘Prophet’; e-sakutét ‘Witchcraft’; ɛ-sákùtòrè ‘witchcraft’; ɛ-sɛtán ‘Witchcraft’; [North] n-gurúpòrè ‘Witchcraft’.

ɔl-aibónì Nom sg: ɔl-áíbònì. Nom pl: ɨl-áíbònòk. Acc pl: ɨl-áíbònòk. n. Diviner, sorcerer, witch doctor. See: ol-oibónì ‘Diviner’.

ɔl-airúkònì Nom sg: ɔl-áírúkóní. Acc pl: ɨl-airukók. Nom pl: ɨl-airukók. n. Believer. Órè oshî ɔlairúkònì pɔɔkɨ́ náà kéíshíákínó náà ɔltáʉ́ Sinyátì órikóò inkiasin ɛnyɛ́nà Every believer is supposed to let the Holy Spirit guide his action. (Pk). Ɛnkairúkònì Kónené ɛ̀ Kenyáttà. Konene is a believer of Kenyatta. See: a-irúk ‘To believe’.

ɔl-aɨrrɨ́tànì Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́rrɨ́tání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨrrɨták. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́rrɨ́ták. n. 1 • Herdsman, shepherd. Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɔláɨ́rrɨ́tání aɨŋʉrakɨ́ inkíshú ɨnkʉ́jɨ́t naányɔ̀rɨ́ naanyâ. The herdsman has gone to look for green grass for the cows to eat.

2 • Pastor, bishop. Usage: religion. See: ol-cekût ‘Shepherd’.

ɔl-aitájéúnònì Nom sg: ɔl-aɨtajéúnònì. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́tájéúnòk. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨtajéúnòk. [North] Acc sg: ɔl-áítájéúnònì. n. Savior.

ɔl-áɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rànì Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rání. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rák. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨtɔbɨrák. n. 1 • [South] One who makes, maker.

2 • One who heals; traditional healer. Ɛɨbʉ́ŋá Jôn olóírirúá, nériki enetíi ɔláɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rání peê epúéí áàɨ̀tɔ̀bɨ̀r. Jon became mad (crazy); then he was taken to the healer so that he could be healed. (W).

3 • Creator. Usage: Religion.

ɔl-aɨtɔ́rìànì Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́tɔ́ríání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨtɔríák. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́tɔ́ríák. [West] Nom pl: ɨl-aɨtɔríák. n. 1 • A ruler, one who is in charge. Ɔlaigúɛ́nànì oshî ɔláɨ́tɔ́ríání lɔ́ lpɔ́rrɔr lɛnyɛ́. The chief is the ruler of his age-set.

2 • The Lord Jesus Christ. Usage: Christian. Ɔlaɨtɔ́rìànì aké ɔ́ɨ́dɨ́m ataásà ɨmbáà ɛ́ nkɨŋasíá. It is only the Lord who can do miracles. See: a-ɨtɔrɛ́ ‘To rule’; ɔl-aríkònì ‘Leader’.

ɔl-álɛ́m ónyókíé [ɔ̀lálɛ́m ōɲōki͡é̄] Nom sg: ɔl-alɛ́m ɔ́nyòkìè. n.sg. 1 • God's sword. Usage: curse. This refers to the idea of God's dangerous wrath, but is normally used to curse s.o. Mɨ́kɨ́tárìè ɛnkaí ɔlálɛ́m ónyókíé. May God extinguish you! (Pk). Angry curse to mean, 'May God kill you!' Not used to put a curse with effects on a person, but to express anger.

2 • Red sword.

3 • [South] Death of blood.

ɛnk-anáshɛ̀ Nom sg: ɛnk-ánàshɛ̀. Acc pl: ɨnk-anáshɛ̀rà. Variant: ɨnk-anáshàrà. Nom pl: ɨnk-ánàshɛ̀rà; ɨnk-ánáshɛ̀rà. 1 • A female relative having the same father as "ego"; sister. LING: W uses just the second Nom PL form.

2 • A daughter of "ego's" father's siblings. A man cannot marry someone that is called ɛnkanáshɛ̀. This includes female offspring from the same mother and father as ego, from ego's father's brothers and sisters, from one's own clan. Ego cannot marry his mother's brother's daughters, but does not call them ɛnkanáshɛ̀.

3 • A female member of a religious group. Usage: Christian. ɛnkanáshɛ̀ tiátùà Yesu a sister in the Lord.

anáCɛ̀ bótór Elder sister. See: ɔl-aláshɛ̀ ‘Brother’.

ɔl-anyɔ́rrànì n. God; the one who loves. See: a-nyɔ́rr ‘To love, like’.

ɔl-ásákútònì Nom sg: ɔl-ásákútóní. n. Sorcerer; minor witch. See: [North] l-airúpònì ‘Sorcerer’.

ol-ásàr(r) Nom sg: ɔl-ásâr(r). Acc pl: ɨl-ásàrrì. Nom pl: ɨl-ásárrì. n. Sacrifice; offering to a deity. Eitáíkia apá Abraham ɛnkáí ɔlásàr. Abraham made a sacrifice for God. For a study of sacrifices in Maasai society, see Priest (19**).

a-itayú ɔl-ásàr To give up something of great value, e.g. devoting oneself to doing something extraordinary. aitayú ɔlásàr arét ɨlaɨsɨnák To devote oneself to helping the poor.

a-atá ɛ-lʉ́kʉ́nyá v.s. v.phrase. 1 • To be reliable, responsible. Ɛátà ɨná kɛráí ɛlʉ́kʉnyá amʉ̂ eipírríó sokónì néshukúnyè èìtù èlò aɨmalɨmál. That child is responsible because she ran to the market and returned without going to goof off. (W). Etuŋúáyìè inkíshú ɨná kítòk nɛ́mɛ́átà ɛlʉ́kʉ́nyá. That irresponsible woman has left the cows. (W).

2 • Crazy, mentally disturbed. Usage: negative form. Mɛátà ɛlʉ́kʉnyá ɨná áyíóní nábuaáyà. That boy who is making noise running away is crazy. This sense of the negative form does not imply mentally retarded, but something more like "craziness". In traditional Maasai thought, the boy has almost certainly been attacked by an evil spirit.

ata ol-oirírua v.s. v.phrase. 1 • To be crazy, deranged due to an evil spirit. Ɛátà oloirírua. He's deranged. (lit: He has an evil spirit.).

ol-cekût Variant: ol-cokût. Nom sg: ol-cékùt. Acc pl: il-cekúti. Nom pl: il-cékutí. [North] Acc sg: cokút. [Chamus] Acc sg: cekút. n. 1 • Herdsman. Ɛyɛŋɨyɛ́ŋɛ̀ dúóó olcékùt lɔ́ɔ̀ nkíshú ɔlɔɔ́ntaré. Both the herdsman and the shepherd took a rest. (Pk).

2 • Shepherd. Ɛshɔmɔ́ olcékùt aɨŋʉrakɨ́ inkíshú ɨnkʉ́jɨ́t naányɔrɨ́ naanyâ. The herdsman has gone to look for green grass for the cows to feed on.

3 • God. Usage: Religion.

ol-cekût Súpàt Jesus Christ. Usage: Christian. See: ɔl-aɨrrɨ́tànì ‘Herdsman’.

ɛn-cʉ́là n. Fellowship. See: kanísà ‘Church’.

en-dásùm n. Medicine from witchdoctors. See: [South] en-dásìm ‘Medicine’; ɔl-caní ‘Medicine’.

a-diaá v.mid. To be cursed. See: a-dɛ́k ‘To curse’; a-diaayá ‘To curse’.

a-ɛ́n Variant: a-yɛ́n. v. 1 • To tie, bind, fasten. Ɛgɨ́rà ɛnkáyíóní aɛ́n ɨnamʉ́kà. The boy is tying his shoes. (Pk). Tɛ́ɛ̀nà enetuduŋó ɛnkalɛ́m méítokí awó. Put a bandage on the area that the knife has cut so that it won't keep on bleeding. (Pk). Tɛ́ɛ̀nà ɛnkisunkúu ɛ́ nkɨlâ. Button your shirt. (Pk). Tɛ́ɛ̀nà ɔlkáráshá médoyio. Tie your sheet (shuka) so that it does not fall. (Pk). Tɛ́ɛ̀nà ɔláshê peê méló. Tether the calf so that it does not go. (Pk). Ɨncɔɔ́kɨ̀ ɛnkɛɛnɛ́ náéníé ɛlɛ̂ áshê. Give me a strap for tying this calf. (Pk).

2 • To protect with charms or magic, in order to ward off evil from persons, animals, or objects; be ritually or cremonially tied against disease or bad luck. Protection with a charm is done by special people, e.g. of a certain clan, though it need not be il-oibonok. Ɛɛnɨ́ inkíshú. The cows are ritually tied (against disease or ill-luck). [This is done to make the bulls docile, when the long rains come and they are well fed.]. Tɛ́ɛ̀nà intaré naáɨ́mɨnâ peê mɛ́nyá ilowuarák. Invoke a charm to protect the flock that is lost so that the wild beasts won't eat them. (Pk). aɛná peê mémúóyù to be tied ritually against diseases (Pk). Ɛshɔmɔ́ dúóó entúáà nɛ́yà ɔɛnɛ́t mɛtɛ́ɛ̀nɨ̀. The pregnant woman went with the fee to have herself charmed. (Pk). ɔltʉŋánì ɔɛ́nɨshɔ a person who is tied against disease/bad luck.

3 • To plait. aɛ́n ɨlpápɨ́t to plait hair (Pk).

4 • To arrest; seize and detain someone by legal authority. Ɛtɛɛnákɨ̀ olpúrríshóí. The thief was arrested.

a-ɛná v.mid. To be tied, bound. Áɛ́nà tɛ̀ ɔlmʉ́màì. I am tied by oath.

a-ɛnaá To tie away.

a-ɛnarɛ́ To be fastened with, tied with; tied down (to). aɛnarɛ́ ɛnkɛɛnɛ́ to be fastened with a leather strap (Pk). aɛnarɛ́ ɛncaní to be tied down to a tree (Pk).

a-ɛ́n emotí To perform ceremony of tying the drinking pot soon after circumcision (lit: To tie the pot). See: a-lɨ́d ‘To tie’.

ésaí Variant: ésaáí. interj. Amen. amʉ̂ tɛ̀ Yesu Kristo kíomón iyíé. Ésaí. because it is in Jesus Christ that we pray. Amen.

gurúpét n. [North] Things given to someone by an oloibónì to affect others by witchcraft.

n-gurúpòrè [North] n. 1 • [North] Witchcraft.

2 • [North] Things given by an ol-oibónì to affect another by witchcraft. See: e-sakutét ‘Witchcraft’; ɛ-sɛtán ‘Witchcraft’; ɛ-náíbón ‘Witchcraft’; a-rúp ‘Witchcraft’.

a-ɨbatisá Variant: a-ɨpatisá. v. To baptise; administer baptism to. Eibatísaɨ ɨltʉ́ŋáná tɛ̀ kánìsà. Peple are babtised at church.

enk-ibatisó [North] n. [North] Baptism.

a-ibón v.prog. 1 • To exercise the office of ritual expert (ol-oibónì). The ritual expert may divine, foretell, prophesy; make and dispense traditional medicine; or treat s.o. ritually. Éíbòn ɔlárràbàl. He will divine/fortell the war. (W -K). aibón emurúà to treat a site ritually with blessings to make it fit for a ceremonial settlement.

2 • To do witchcraft.

a-ibonú ́To exercise the office of ritual expert.

a-ibonishó To divine, exercise office of ritual expert. Eibónisho olóíbònì. The diviner is divining. (W).

a-ibonokí 1 • To prophesy, etc., on behalf of s.o.

a-iboníé To prophesy, treat ritually, fortell with or at.

a-ibonishoré To exercise the office of ritual expert with/at.

a-ikilésh v. To pray. See: a-omón ‘To pray’.

a-irúp v. 1 • To bewitch. This is very serious, and is only done by ol-oibónì.

2 • To go away unceremoniously. Ɛ́ɨ́rʉ́pâ dúóó ɨlárûôk. The wrong-doers have vanished unceremoniously. (Pk). See: a-sakút ‘To bewitch’; a-rúp ‘To bewitch’.

a-ɨtɔbɨ́r v.prog. 1 • To make sth; create. Ɛɨtɔ́bɨ̀r. He will make/prepare it. Ɛgɨ́rà ɛnkɛráí aɨtɔbɨ́r ɛngárrì tɛ̀ ɛsárŋab. The child is making a car from the mud. Áɨ́tɔ́bɨ̀r embúkù. I will make a book. (W). Kákè ɛshɛ́tà áàɨ̀tɔ̀bɨ̀ràkɨ̀ intukutukí náàishòpìtò ɛlɛ̂ mʉrraní. The concave shoes that this warrior are wearing are well made. (Pk). Olconí oshî eitobiríékì olkɨlâ. Ceremonial skin is made from hide. Emúá tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂ ɔ́ lcaní oleléshua tenéítobíékì iloríkan. Oleleshua is a bad type of tree from which to make chairs. See: a-ás ‘To do’; a-ikó ‘To do’; a-ɨtaá ‘To convert, make into’; a-shɛ́t ‘To build’.

2 • To repair, fix sth.

3 • To prepare, arrange. Áɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rɨ́tà ɛndáa ɛ̀ téípà. I am making dinner. (W). Ááɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rakɨ ɛndáà. I will prepare food for you. (W). Tápàlà ɛnkɨ́yágɨ́yàg, shɔ́mɔ̀ tɔ́tɔ̀nà intɔ́bɨrakɨ́. Stop bobbing your head as you walk, go and sit well. (Pk). Órè naá táatá ɛlɛ̂ payîân néínyiotótò nɛ́ɨ́tɔbɨ̂r ɛnkapʉtɨ́. Now this man planned to arrange marriage negotiations [for his daughter]. (Pk).

3 • To divine and fix somebody's problem; heal. Only an oloibónì could properly do this. Ɔláŋéní aké óyíóló ɛnaɨkoní tɛnɛ́ɨ́tɔbɨrɨ́ ɛnkáŋ natasakutókì. It is only the wiseman who knows how to undo a curse lodged at a certain home. (Pk). Ɛɨbʉ́ŋá Jôn olóírirúá, nériki enetíi ɔláɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rání peê epúéí áàɨ̀tɔ̀bɨ̀r. Jon became mad (crazy); then he was taken to the healer so that he could be healed. (W).

4 • To do. Ɛshɔ́mɔ̀ aɨtɔbɨ́r esíáì ɛnyɛ́ pɔɔkɨ́. He went to do all his work. (Pk).

a-ɨtɔbɨrakɨ́ To do sth. well, do satisfactorily. Mmetumókì ɛná áyíóní atɔtɔ́nà aɨtɔbɨrakɨ́ amʉ̂ ɛ́tɨ́jɨ́ŋá ɔldʉ́taɨ́ ɔltúlìì This boy cannot sit well because he has a boil on his buttock. (Pk). Ɛkɨgɨra oshî táatá atúm ɛncán aɨtɔbɨrakɨ́. Nowdays we are getting rain regularly. (Pk). Tádamʉ́ ɔltʉŋánì líyíólò aɨtɔbɨrakɨ́. Think of a person who you know well.

a-ɨtɔbɨ́r e-síáàì To work. See: a-ás e-síáàì ‘To work’; a-asɨshɔ́ ‘To work’.

a-itukú v. 1 • To wash, clean sth. Eitúku entitó ɔlayíʉ́nì. The girl will wash the boy. Ɛgɨ́rà entitó aitukú ɛnkɛráí kɨtɨ́. The girl is washing the little child. (Pk). Áaitukókì entitó ɔlayíʉ́nì. The girl will wash the boy for me. Ɛ́táá ɛná ájì ololá aitúkù ánàà aké. This house has become a burden, to clean it every day. Kórè tɛ̀ nɛ́tashá ŋolé ánáátá kinotô ɛnkárɛ́ nekíntukúyìè inkíshú. If it could have rained yesterday, we could have gotten water that we (could) spray/wash cows with. (W). Álóítò aitukú inkíshú. I am going to spray the cows. (W).

2 • To wash sth. off of self.

3 • To wash or cleanse oneself from evil or from curses.

a-itukúó v.mid. To take a bath. See: a-itukó ‘To take a bath’; a-ɨsʉj ‘To wash sth’.

en-jéúnotó n. Salvation. See: a-jéú(n) ‘To save’.

ol-jínì n. Evil spirit. Etym: < ? ‘jin’.

(en)-kanísà Nom sg: (en)-kánìsà. Acc pl: in-kanisaní. Nom pl: in-kánisaní. n. 1 • Church. Ɨ́ncɔɔ́kɨ̀ ɛndâ Biblíà Sinyátì maáwà kanísà. Give me that Holy Bible so that I can take it to the church. (Pk).

2 • Place of worship. kánísá oó isilámù Muslim mosque (W). See: ɛn-cʉ́là ‘Fellowship’; ɔl-aɨrrɨ́tànì ‘Pastor’.

képér Nom sg: kepér. Variant: képèr. n. 1 • Heaven.

2 • Sky, top (of something). Elóítò emótonyí tɛ̀ kepér. The bird is flying in the sky. (Pk).

3 • West, in the direction of the setting sun.

en-képér n.f. n. Top, above.

n-képér ɛ́ nkíyòk Upper side of the ear. See: shʉ́mátá ‘Heaven, sky, top’; ɛnk-áí ‘Sky, heaven’.

en-kídòŋ Nom sg: en-kídôŋ. Acc pl: in-kídòŋì. Nom pl: in-kídóŋì. n. 1 • Small narrow container, typically used for holding tobacco or snuff; traditionally made from a gourd (or calabash), but may also be made from plastic. enkídòŋ ɔ́ lkumpaú tobacco container, snuff container. Ɛ́yakɨ́ inkakúyiaâ enkídòŋ ɛnyɛ́ ɔ́ lkumpaú. [ólkùmpàú] Get the grandfather his container for tobacco. In older times some of these containers were made of ivory. Old men and sometimes old women wear the tobacco or snuff container around the neck on a chain. See: Syn = ol-tulét. .

2 • Small calabash used by ol-oibónì, in which he keeps his stones and other small objects like birds' beaks, etc., with which to divine and prophesy. Ɛgɨ́rà olóíbònì aósh enkídòŋ ɛnyɛ́. The Oloiboni is shaking his calabash [in order to throw out the stones for divination and prophesying] (Pk). The act of shaking the calabash and divination is described in detail by Jan Voshaar, Tracing God's Walking-Stick in Maa, 1979 pp. 208-211.

3 • Bee-hive, made from wood. enkídòŋ oó lotóròk container of the bees: bee-hive.

ol-kídòŋ Big container for snuff or tobacco; bee-hive. Ɛ́́tɨ́pɨ́kákɨ̀ ɔlkídòŋ lɔ́ ltásàt ɔlkʉmpaʉ́. The tobacco container of the old man has tobacco. (Pk). Ɛ́támánya ilótòròk olkídòŋ lɛnyɛ̂. The bees have occupied their bee-hive. (Pk).

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

ɔl-malaɨ́kà Nom sg: ɨl-málaɨ́kà. Acc pl: ɨl-malaɨ́kà. Nom pl: ɨl-málaɨká. n. Angel.

ɨ-mɔdɛ́tà n.pl. Charms, fetish.

l-mogírô [North] Nom sg: l-mógirô. Acc pl: l-mogíròn. Nom pl: l-mógirón. n. [North] Curse. See: ɔl-dɛkɛ́t ‘Curse’; [North] l-ŋóncóí ‘Curse’.

e-moyíán Acc pl: i-moyianti. n. Disease, sickness. Ɛtámúyíá ɨlɔ́ páyìàn nélauní ɨ́nâ moyíán ɛnyɛ́, kájó kétíí ɔltʉ́ŋání ɔ́shɔmɔ́ asakút. That old man became sick and the disease was not established, maybe somebody bewitched him. (W). Einósúáá oláyíóní ajó emúóyíáà inkíshù àà taá emoyíán oó mbɛ́nɛ́k. The boy has reported that the cows are sick; that is, (by) the disease caused by (eating of) leaves. (W). See: a-múóí ‘To be sick’.

ɛ-náíbón n. The doing of witchcraft; treating using traditional medicine; forseeing, predicting; prophesying.

Naɨtɛ́rʉkɔ́p Nom sg: Náɨ́tɛrʉkɔ́p. n.prop. Beginner of the world; God. See: a-ɨtɛ́r ‘To begin’; ɛn-kɔ́p ‘Earth’.

e-ŋókí Nom sg: e-ŋokí. Acc pl: i-ŋók. Nom pl: i-ŋôk. n. Sin, offence. Kétip ɔltʉŋánì iŋôk ánàà intɔ́rɔ̀k ɛ́nyɛ̀nà. A person is made impure by his sins or wrongdoing. (Pk). Órè tɛ̀ nkɛ́shâ ínyí ɨararɛ́rɛ̀ iŋók in your struggle against sin (lit: in your fighting with sin).

l-ŋóncóí [North] Nom sg: l-ŋoncóí. Acc pl: l-ŋóncò. Nom pl: l-ŋóncô. n. [North] Curse. See: ɔl-dɛkɛ́t ‘Curse’; [North] l-mogírô ‘Curse’.

ol-oibónì Nom sg: ol-óíbònì. Variant: ol-óíbóní. Acc pl: il-oibónòk. Nom pl: il-óíbònòk. Variant: ɔibónɨ̀; aibónì. n. 1 • Ritual expert, medicine man, prophet, diviner who has the highest rank in Maasai society. Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɨlmʉ́rrán oloibónì mɛtámayɨanɨ. The warriors have gone to the fortune-teller to be blessed. Eibónítò olóíbònì ɔlárràbàl. The diviner is divining the war. (W). An oloibónì is a man of about fifty years of age who has the highest rank in society because he is believed to have supernatural powers to heal, bless, undo witchcraft, and to mediate between God and man. The main functions of an ol-oibónì are: 1. Making predictions; 2. Advising and blessing warriors with regards to the success of their battles; 3. Concocting and undoing curses: If someone is cursed, ol-oibónì can figure out who made the curse, and what action the person should take to undo it, or he can give out medicine to cure the curse; 4. Searching for the cause of diseases that are especially challenging. He ascribes his position from his deceased father and will maintain it until he passes it on to his eldest son just before his death. The Maasai may have only one or two oloibónì at a time, and every section of the Maasai will visit him at certain days of the month. Ol-oibónì is no longer very powerful, but in previous years he was the most prominent person in Maasai society. Still nowadays, warriors will not go to war without first consulting with ol-oibónì. Also, other people will go to see ol-oibónì: If someone cannot understand the cause for something that has happened, or wants to know what might happen in the future, he will go to ol-oibónì, who will give him magic/explanation, or ɛn-áíbón. Ol-oibónì can explain why there is a problem, or who placed a curse on the individual (ɛn-áíbón). He can also possibly explain why another person placed a curse on that individual, and what the person should do to get the curser to undo his curse. He is also known to curse if consulted to do so. He will only be able to perform his duties under the influence of alcohol. His consultation fee is always paid in form of cows (usually 49). In traditional Maasai society there have been and still are famous ink-oibónòk, as for instance Sekenan, who lived near Magadi. Il-oibónòk use en-kidoŋ (calabashes) to carry small objects used in divination.

enk-oibónì Prophetess. Li oibónì! O ritual expert! See: a-ibón ‘To exercise the office of ritual expert’; en-kídòŋ ‘Calabash’; ɔl-abáànì ‘Healer’; ol-kuyantiki ‘Self-proclaimed healer’.

ɔl-ɔɨrírua Acc pl: il-oiriruaní. Nom pl: il-óíriruaní. [West] Acc sg: ol-óírirúá. n. 1 • Devil (just one single one); not a traditional Maasai concept as an "individual". NOT the same as "Satan". But an evil influence.

2 • Evil spirit; jin. Ɛɨbʉ́ŋá Jôn olóírirúá, nériki enetíi ɔláɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rání peê epúéí áàɨ̀tɔ̀bɨ̀r. Jon became mad (crazy); then he was taken to the healer so that he could be healed. (W). Ɛɨbʉ́ŋà ɨnkɛ́rà ilóíriruaní. The children became mad. (W). Kɛ́ɛ́tà oloirírua. He has an evil spirit (he is possessed). He has gone mad (insane). LING: An individual always has a singular ɔl-ɔɨrírua. Also, one "has" ol-oirúrua. Some Maasai believe that when someone is "mad", there is an evil spirit. Others say that one who behaves psychotically might or might not have ɔl-ɔɨrírua. See: ɔl-mɛ́nɛ́ŋaní ‘Ghost, spirit’; milika ‘Ghost’.

a-omón v. 1 • To request, ask for something. See: a-ɨtɔɔmɔ́n ‘To welcome’.

2 • To beg (e.g. for money on the street).

3 • To pray, worship (to God).

a-omonú To ask for. Átóómónùò. I have asked for it. (K). Átóómónùà. I have asked for it. (SN).

a-omonishó To beg (food, money).

a-omón ɛnkáí 1 • To pray to God. Usage: lit.

2 • To give birth. Usage: polite. See: a-sáí ‘To plead’.

m-pálákínotó [North] n. [North] Forgiveness. mpálákínotó eé ŋók The forgiveness of sin (SN).

Parmúàìn Nom sg: Pármùàìn. Acc pl: ɨlɔɔ́ parmúàìn. Nom pl: ɨlɔ́ɔ parmúàìn. n.prop. A traditional name for God: "One of many colors", or the one who owns, or is in control of, many situations, seasons, circumstances of life. Usage: vocative. Órè ɛnKáí náà kéjì Parmúàìn. God is called "The one of so many colors.". This name refers to the multi-faceted nature of the traditional view of God: (S)He can bring rain and blessing, can bring death, can bring punishment, can be kind and compassionate, can bring trouble and be mean, and knows all things and all situations. Keswe Mapena writes: Parmúàìn indicates that God is able to cause anything of any colour to happen or to come to existence. God is in charge of all seasons: dry season mostly signified by dry brown bushes, grass and trees that have shed all their leaves and the animals that are poor in health; the wet season signified by green grass, bushes and flowering shrubs, trees that have green leaves, and animals that are generally healthy and giving birth to new animals. In all situations, the people are simply telling God that "You are in charge of everything, and have the power to change every shade/colour of life." The people are asking for God's help, for example, especially to change a bad situation. This term is never used with reference to people. See: e-múá ‘Color’.

parsaí n.prop. One of tradational Maa names for God: The one who is to be worshiped, prayed to, beseeched, sacrificed to. See: a-saí ‘To pray’.

Pasaɨ́ Variant: Parsayé; Pasayé. Nom sg: Pásaɨ́. n.sg. God; the one to be beseeched. Usage: endearment. See: a-sáí ‘To pray’; ɛnk-áí ‘God’.

a-píú v. 1 • [North] To be revived, rejuvinated. Etipíwua dúó nkɛráí náíterríá nanî. [ètìpíwá] The child who fainted a while ago has come back to consciousness. (SN). Etipíwua lcánì. The plant revived. (SN).

2 • To be resurrected, rise from the dead. Usage: Christian.

a-rúp [North] v. [North] To bewitch. This is very serious, and is only done by ol-oibónì. See: a-irúp ‘To bewitch’; a-sakút ‘To bewitch livestock’.

a-rriá v.mid. 1 • To fall down. Átárríê náakʉ́nyɛ̀ ɛnkainá. I fell down and my hand became paralyzed/stunned. (W).

2 • [Purko] To be broken in pieces.

3 • To backslide. Usage: christian.

4 • To fail. Árríàà ɛntɨ́mátá. I will fail the exam. (W). See: a-ur ‘To droop’.

sakút₂ n. Witchcraft, curse. The witchcraft may be as little as someone coming by and cutting a tail off one of your cows, and can be done by anyone. This is less potent than n-gurúpòrè. See: n-gurúpòrè; ɛ-sɛtán ‘Results of witchcraft’.

e-sakutét n. Witchcraft. See: a-sakút ‘To bewitch’; ɛ-sɛtán ‘Witchcraft’; ɛ-náíbón ‘Witchcraft’; n-gurúpòrè ‘Witchcraft’.

ɛ-sákútòrè Nom sg: ɛ-sakútòrè. Acc pl: ɨ-sakutoritín. Nom pl: ɨ-sákutoritín. n. To bewitch. See: a-sakút; ɔl-ɔɨŋɔ́nɨ̀ ‘Fetish’.

a-sakutushoré v. 1 • To do witchcraft. Ɛshɔmɔ́ doí apá ɔlásákútóní ayaʉ́ intaléŋò tò láíbònì naá lotú asakutushoré. The minor witch has gone to get the charm for witchcraft from a witchdoctor. (Pk).

2 • To use sth. in order to do witchcraft. Etútúró ɨ́ná kítòk ɛnkʉ́rárɛ̀ aitayú ilóìk peê èyà aló asakutushoré. That woman has dug the grave to remove the bones to use them to do witchcraft. (W).

ɔ-salába n. Cross. Etym: < Swahili.

e-sárkìn, e-sárkìòn [Purko] Nom sg: sarkín. [Purko] Nom pl: sárkin. n. 1 • Desecration; spoiling blessings for others. This is associated with serious ceremonies (e.g. where children are being circumcised, a woman giving birth, warriors' graduation) in the sense that warnings are pronounced against causing sárkìn. The word belongs to the religious and spiritual domain. The seriousness of sárkìn can be appreciated by the fact that it could even describe the effect of throwing a pig's head into a mosque. Kɛ́ɨ́tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂ sárkin oshî. Desecration is always bad. (Pk).

e-sárkioní n. The one (fem) who likes to cause problems.

2 • Characteristic behavior of someone who always spoils peace.

e-sárkîn 1 • The causing of problems.

2 • Taboo on families intermarrying.

sárkinisho Nom sg: sarkínìshò. n. The quality of causing tumult and serious fights, to the point that blood is shed or death results. Kɛ́ɨ́tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂ sarkínìshò. Picking serious fights is bad.

sárkioní Nom pl: sarkín. adj. 1 • Having the inborn trait of desecrating serious ceremonies. Káló ɔltásàt sárkioní (or sarkín) The desecrating old man will come. Képuo ɨltasáti sarkín. The desecrating old men will come. Usage: This would not be said about children, but only about someone old enough to have seriously established a reputation based on some inborn trait.. Írá sárkioní You are a desecrater. Usage: Extremly serious.

2 • Having the quality of producing chaos, tumult, and prone to attempt solving difficulties by fighting. Kákè sárkioní taá ɛlɛ́ tʉ́ŋání, ɔlɛ́mɛ́ɛ́tà nɨnyɛ́ ɛnkátá nɛ́mɛ́ɨ́rrɨ́kɨ́ ɨltʉ́ŋáná. But this person is very chaotic everytime he makes people fight. See: a-ɨŋɔlɨŋɔ́l ‘To stir up’.

a-sɛrɛ́m v. To praise, worship, adore, pray. ɔltʉŋánì ɔsɛrɛ́m person who is worshiping, adoring.

ɛ-sɛ́rɛ́matá n. Worshiping, adoring.

ɛ-sɛ́rɛ́matá ɛ́ nkʉ́rárɛ̀ Worshiping, adoring of an old man's grave; this happens at some space of time after the death.

ɛ-sɛtán Nom sg: ɛ-sétan. Acc pl: ɨ-sɛtaní. Nom pl: ɨ-sɛ́taní. [North] Acc sg: setán. n. 1 • The results of doing witchcraft; curse; bewitchment. Eitáyio olóíbònì ɔltʉŋánì ɛsɛtán. The witchdoctor has removed the results of witchcraft from the man. (Pk).

2 • A devil. See: e-sakutét ‘Items of witchcraft ??’; ɛ-náíbón ‘Witchcraft’; a-rúp ‘Witchcraft’; n-gurúpòrè ‘Witchcraft’.

a-sɨnyá v.mid. 1 • To be holy, saintly, blameless, perfect, without moral fault. Ɛnkáí aké násɨpa ɛsɨnyá. It is only God who is (known to be) holy. (Pk). Though ɛsɨnyá can be applied to people in the sense of 'saintly', ɛn-káí 'God' is the only one who never makes mistakes, is infallible, etc. Órè ɨ̀lɔ̀ ɔsɨ́nyà ɔ́lɛ́mɛ́sɨ́nyà náà kɛ́ɨ́dɨ̀m aɨnɔ́sà The one who is holy [or, clean] and the unholy [or, unclean] can eat it. Ɔltʉŋánì ɔsɨ́nyà aké ɔ́jɨ̀ŋ intaléŋò. It is only the holy people who perform/are selected for ritual ceremonies. (Pk). ɔltʉŋánì ɔsɨ́nyà person who is holy, saintly, blameless.

2 • To be without physical deformity, physically perfect. Ɛsɨ́nyà. It is of only one sacred color (and therefore suitable for a sacred purpose). (W). Ɔlkɨ́tɛ́ŋ ɔsɨ́nyà oshî ɛpɨkɨ́ intaléŋò. It is an ox which has no physical fault that is slaughtered for ceremonies. (Pk). An animal acceptable for such ceremonies is pure white or black; it is not spotted nor has an "unsaintly" color such as sérò bush-brown (color of dry bush). Ɔlmʉ́rránì ɔsɨ́nyà oshî ɛɨ́táɨ́ ɔlaigúɛ́nànì. It is a physically healthy (wholesome) warrior who is made a leader of his age group. (Pk). An acceptable leader would not have a physical deformity (missing ear, incapcitated eye, crippled, etc.). Nɛ́pɨ́kɨ́ olkúkúrí ɔsɨ́nyà lɛ́mɛ́dányà. It is put into a perfect calabash that is not broken.

a-sɨnyarí v. 1 • To become clean, blessed, wholesome, holy. Órè ɨ̀lɔ̀ ɔsɨnyárì ɔ́ lɛ́mɛ́sɨ́nyárì kɛ́ɨ́dɨ̀m aɨnɔ́sà. The one who has been blessed (guided/ watched over/ holy [not "made clean"]) and the one who is not blessed (guided/ watched over/ holy [made clean]) can eat it. Ɛ́notó naá ɛ́ntɨrɨshʉ́ eŋúès nasɨnyárì ɔ́ ɛnɛ́mɛ́sɨ́nyárì. Get to know/learn the animal which is always blessed/holy/sacred, and the one that is not always blessed/holy/sacred. (Pk).

2 • To happen in a smooth, non-problematic manner. Kɛ́gɨ́rà taá doí ɨmbáá áàsɨ̀nyàrì. Things are moving smoothly. (Pk). Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɨntálèŋò áàsɨ̀nyàrì pɔ́ɔkɨ. All the work has gone fine (well). (Pk).

a-sɨnyayú 1 • To become holy, blameless. Kɛ́sɨ́nyáyù ɔlɔɨkɔ́paní ɔ́talaá inkíshú ɔɔ́ nkɨrrɔ́. A murderer who has paid the compensation for murder becomes blameless/holy. (Pk). Kɛ́sɨ́nyáyù ɔltʉ́ŋání pɔ́ɔ́kɨ́ óíruk oróréí lɛ́ nkáí. Every person who believes in the word of God becomes blameless/holy. (Pk).

a-sɨnyʉnyɛ́ 1 • To grow faultless or blessed. Ɛgɨ́rà táatá ɛncán tɛlɛ́ árí asɨnyʉnyɛ́. The rain this year is raining faultlessly (i.e. without stopping and without causing any harmful effects on humans and animals). (Pk). Asɨnyʉnyɛ́ naá doí esíááí nátií ɛnkarruoíshò atúa. Can work grow blessedly which has conflict (chaos) in it? (Pk).

2 • To become physically fit, without physical deformity. Ɔlmʉ́rránì ɔtɨsɨnyʉ́nyɛ̀ ɛɨtáaɨ ɔlaríkònì. It is the warrior who grew up to be without physical deformity that will be made a leader. (Pk).

a-sinyunyíé Variant: a-sinyunyé. 1 • To beceome holy or faultless through or via sth. Ɛgɨ́rà ɔltʉ́ŋání asinyunyé ɛnkomonó naomón ɛnkáí The person is becoming holy through the prayer he made to God. (Pk). Órè oshî ɔltʉ́ŋání pɔɔkɨ́ naá kéomón ɛnkí enkishón nasinyúnyè. Every person asks God to give him/her life that becomes progressively holy. (Pk).

a-sɨnyakɨ́ To be holy or blameless for s.o. Áatɨsɨnyaká táatá ɛlɛ̂ árî. This year has been holy for me (i.e. my affairs and activities have been blessed or favoured). (Pk). Tápàlà aké íyie amʉ̂ káaɨtɨsɨnyákɨ̀ ɛnkaí esíáàì. Do not mind (lt. just leave it [if there are doubtful things]) because God will make this work holy/blameless for me. (Pk).

a-sinyakinó 1 • To be holy, blameless, faultless for, or with reference to s.o. or sth. Káagɨrá oshî táatá ɨmbáâ áàsɨ̀nyàkìnò tì álò ɨmpápá. My work these days is becoming faultless towards my father. (Pk) Things are going on well with me vis-à-vis my father (e.g. he is more and more approving; we are more and more in agreement). (Pk). ... peê ètùm atɨsɨnyakínoyú ... so that it could become faultless (or holy) for him. See: sɨnyátì ‘Holy, saintly, blameless, faultless’; a-ɨtɨsɨ́ny ‘To cleanse; sanctify’.

sɨnyátì Nom sg: sɨ́nyàtì. Acc pl: sɨnyát. Nom pl: sɨnyát. adj. 1 • Holy, saintly, faultless, blameless. Ɨ́ncɔɔ́kɨ̀ ɛndâ Biblíà Sinyátì maáwà kanísà. Give me that Holy Bible so that I can take it to the church. (Pk).

2 • Being one color for a sacred purpose. Meyieŋí áíkátá ɔlkɨ́tɛ́ŋ lɛ́mɛ́ sinyátì tɔɔ́ ntálèŋò. An ox which is not of one color (for a sacred purpose) is not slaughtered.

a-sukút v. To bewitch. Ɛgɨ́rà ɛnkɛráɨ́ adamá ánàà ɛnasukútò. The child is behaving like one who is bewitched. (Pk).

shɛtánì Nom sg: shɛ́tànì. n. Satan, devil; chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell. Mɛ́nyɔ̂r shɛ́tànì inkiaasîn sídân. Satan does not like good deeds. See: ɔl-ɔɨrírua ‘Devil’.

ɛn-taléŋoi Nom sg: ɛn-táleŋóí. Acc pl: ɨn-taléŋò. Nom pl: ɨn-tálèŋò. n. 1 • Magical charm, associated with bewitching someone. Ɛshɔmɔ́ doí apá ɔlásákútóní ayaʉ́ intaléŋò tò láíbònì naá lotú asakutushoré. The minor witch has gone to get the charms for witchcraft from a witchdoctor. (Pk).

2 • Solemn ceremony. Mɛyɨɛŋɨ́ áɨ́kata ɔlkɨ́tɛ́ŋ lɛ́mɛ́ sinyátì tɔɔ́ ntálèŋò. An ox which is not of one colour for a sacred purpose is never slaughtered in any ceremony. (Pk). Kɛ́átáɨ́ intaléŋò tɛndá âŋ ɛmʉ́rátàrɛ̀ ɔɔ́ nkɛ́rà. There are solemn ceremonies in that home for the circumcisions of children. (Pk). Kɛ́ŋaɨ lóewúó ɨntaléŋò inónok. Who came to your party? (W).

a-ɨtaleŋoyíé To give sth little.

a-tarʉ́ v. To prevent death by means of talisman. Ɛtatárùàkɨ́ ɛldɛ̂ kúòò amʉ̂ ɛitʉ́ èrìk ŋɔtɔnyɛ́. That kid/lamb has been saved from dying by means of talisman because it's mother did not lead it. (Pk).

ɛn-tásɨ̀m Nom sg: ɛn-tásɨ̂m. Acc pl: ɨn-tásìmì. Nom pl: ɨn-tásímì. [North] Acc pl: n-tasími. n. 1 • A charm superstitiously believed to embody magical powers given to someone by | oloibónì as part of treatment.

2 • Sth. that is done for the sake of doing it, not important.

3 • [North] Celebration, festival, ceremony; ritual. See: a-ɨtasɨ́m ‘To try to do sth’.

in-torosí Nom pl: in-tórosí. n.pl. 1 • Group of women who gather and move from place to place performing ceremonial duties.

2 • [North] Singing competition between women from different clans.

3 • Singing and praying to God by women. See: n-kɨ́járɛ́ ‘Singing competition by warriors’.

Yɛ́sʉ̂ [West] [South] Acc sg: Yɛ́sʉ̀. Nom sg: Yɛ́sʉ̂. n.prop. Jesus.