Point in Zulu

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Point is kho-mba in Zulu.

Movies.  How many movies have you seen where there is a line-up of possible murderers or gangsters and the witness fingers one?  Too many, made me leave Hollywood.  Scripts too predictable.
Where was I?  Yes, kho-mba has some taboos in Zulu culture e.g. you don’t point a finger at elders. There is also a saying: u-zo-wu-kho-mba u-mu-zi o-no-tshwa-la, meaning you will speak the truth when I’m done with you.  That is the loose translation, I think.

Brides in Nigerian movies are asked to give the bridegroom palm wine, the traditional drink.  That is her way of pointing him, confirming her choice.   

Teacher:  5 + 5 =? Hands shoot up in Grade 1, so that the teacher can point at one of the eager, tender trusting minds for the answer.
When people are lost, you help them by pointing the way, turn left here and right at the crossroads, but never say you’ll turn left where the dog is barking.  What if the dog is on sabbatical? When a king has many sons, there are traditional ways of pointing (choosing), who will inherit the throne.
Kho-mba.  The first part is like collage, the second line like Colombia.

ZULU
ENGLISH
Ba-kho-mbile.
A girl’s name meaning they have pointed or chosen something or someone.
Kho-mba i-zi-nko-mo za-kho.
Point your cattle.
Kho-mba i-mo-to ya-kho.
Point your car.
Zanele, kho-mba i-ngu-bo o-yi-tha-nda-yo.
Zanele, point the dress you like.
Charlotte, kho-mba u-mu-ntu om-tha-nda-yo.
Charlotte, choose the man you like.
Ba-kho-mbe u-Donald Trump.
They chose Donald Trump.
Ba-kho-mbe u-Barack Obama.
They chose Barack Obama.
Gi-ji-ma, u-mama u-kho-mba we-na.
Run, mother is pointing at you.
U-kho-mba mi-na?
Is she pointing at me?
Ye-bo u-khomba we-na.
Yes, she is pointing at you.
I-zi-ba-lo zi-lu-khu-ni.
Mathematics is difficult.
U-nga-hlu-phe-ki ngi-zo-ku-kho-mbisa.
Don’t worry I will show you how to do Math.
U-ya-de-le-la. Ngi-zo-ku-kho-mbi-sa!!!
You are rude?  I will point things out to you.  I will show you!!!
Ba-kho-mbi-le, ba-fu-na u-Nosipho.
They have chosen Nosipho (bridegroom’s family).
Linda, ku-bu-hlu-ngu ku-phi? Ngi-kho-mbi-se.
Linda where is the pain? Show me.
By:  Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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