Happiness in Zulu
Jabula, means to
be happy. It reminds me of the song, 'don’t worry be happy’. I just need to remember the singer.
People tend to be happier during the summer in North
America. Young people are happy when
they are accepted in the college of their choice. American voters are happy when their choice
becomes U.S. President.
Ja-bu-la. The first part is pronounced as in jar, the
second part as in bull, but make it a soft ‘b’ and the last part as in lark.
ZULU
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ENGLISH
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Jabulani (Jabu, the short version).
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A boy’s name which means be happy, at the baby’s birth. Most African names are part of family history. What was happening in the family when the
child was born? What did the family
wish for when the child was born?
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Bajabulile (Jabu, the short version).
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A girl’s name which means they are happy about the baby. Most African names are part of family history. What was happening in the family when the
child was born? What did the family
wish for when the child was born?
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Ngi-ya-jabula uma ngikubona.
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I’m happy when I see you.
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Ngi-ya-jabula uma ngine-mali.
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I’m happy when I have money.
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Ngi-ya-jabula ekuseni.
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I’m happy in the morning.
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Ba-ya-jabula baya e-Gaborone.
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They are happy. They are going
to Gaborone.
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Ba-ya-jabula baya e-Braga.
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They are happy. They are going
to Braga.
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U-ya-jabula uya e-Odessa.
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He’s happy. He’s going to
Odessa.
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U-ya-jabula uya e-Munich.
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She is happy. She is going to
Munich.
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U-mama uya-jabula uma ngi-funda.
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Mama is happy when I’m reading.
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U-baba uya-jabula uma ngi-lele.
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Father is happy when I’m asleep.
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Si-ya-jabula u-Diwali.
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We are happy. It’s Diwali.
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Si-ya-jabula ama-holide.
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We are happy. It’s vacation
time.
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Nonqaba waka Msimang
is the author of Sweetness, a South African book.
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