Oral Literature of the Kalenjin


Book Description







From Strength to Strength


Book Description

Peter Rono won the 1,500 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympic games beating favourites Peter Elliott and Steve Cram of Great Britain thus becoming the youngest Olympic Champion to win the 1500 m. Ambassador Peter Rono, is an only child who grew up in humble background in Nandi, Kenya. Armed with champion stories from his grandfather's successes and his mother's unrelenting faith in God he begins a journey of firsts. With energy Peter's story easily moves from strength to strength.




A Beginner's Guide to Bemba


Book Description

The Bemba language is a Bantu language that is spoken primarily in Zambia by the Bemba people and about 18 related ethnic groups. It is the second-most spoken lanuage in Zambia, after Nyanja. The purpose of this guide is to provide a structured set of lessons for those interested in learning Bemba. Following these lessons will give students of Bemba a basic level of understanding and conversation skills.




The Last Speakers


Book Description

Part travelogue and part scientist's notebook, The Last Speakers is the poignant chronicle of author K. David Harrison's expeditions around the world to meet with last speakers of vanishing languages. The speakers' eloquent reflections and candid photographs reveal little-known lifeways as well as revitalization efforts to teach disappearing languages to younger generations. Thought-provoking and engaging, this unique book illuminates the global language-extinction crisis through photos, graphics, interviews, traditional wisdom never before translated into English, and first-person essays that thrillingly convey the adventure of science and exploration.




Oral Literature of the Marakwet of Kenya


Book Description

A comprehensive and innovative collection of African oral traditions from among the Marakwet of Kenya




A Comprehensive Course in Twi (Asante) for the Non-Twi Learner


Book Description

Asante Twi is the most widely spoken of the dialects of the Akan language, and Akan is spoken by about forty four percent of Ghana's population as a first language. It is also used as a second language by many others. The author, Professor of Linguistics at the University of Ghana, has written the bookto introduce a non-Twi beginner to the spoken language, which forms themain focus. Dialogues are as natural and as close to current every day usage as possible. "...another book that should be very helpful to students and examiners in the Twi (Asante) language." (West Africa)




A Dictionary of the Yoruba Language


Book Description

Based upon the nineteenth century standard work on the Yoruba language, and first ever English-Yoruba, Yoruba-English dictionary, this new edition has been revised and enlarged considerably. The dictionary contains about 50,000 references and translations; Yoruba pronunciation guidance; examples of how words are used; contemporary meanings and interpretations; and reference to grammatical usage and parts of speech. There is also an extensive list of commonly occurring birds, plants and trees, translated from Yoruba into English alongside their botanical equivalents.




A Practical Guide to Understanding Ciyawo


Book Description

A Practical Guide to Understanding Ciyawo has been developed over fourteen years and systematically explains for the novice the important aspects of Ciyawo grammar for effective communication. A practical grammar guide, the instruction is accessible, giving the basics of pronunciation, to building verb tenses, to ways of combining the different elements of the language in order to form sentences.




Jabulani Means Rejoice


Book Description

Jabulani Means Rejoice is a dictionary comprised of hundreds of African names in local South African languages, meticulously assembled and expounded upon for the curious reader. Names are listed in alphabetical order with gender indications, as well as information regarding their ethnographic origins and meanings. Yet, Jabulani Means Rejoice is so much more than simply a list of names and their meanings. The author skilfully interweaves cultural context and history, including issues surrounding naming rituals, domestic disputes and the curse of the evil eye. As a reference work, the book stands as an invaluable contribution to the growing interest in African cultural history. With its names ranging from the traditional to the unconventional, it will appeal to linguists, family historians and anyone with an interest in names.