Drinking in Zulu

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Ukhamba, for drinking isi-Zulu, the African beer.
Photo:  Nonqaba waka Msimang.
December is don’t drink and drive month.  Drink responsibly.  That message is everywhere.  Some Canadian cities have free public transport on New Year’s Eve.  People who don’t drink, also don’t mind being designated drivers for the evening.

Drinking is phuza in Zulu.  Cattle also drink water but it a funny way, using their broad tongue.  I don’t know how lions drink from the river and I have no intention of finding out, any time soon.  Proximity to the king of the jungle is not my idea of adventure. 

Some fool will go to Botswana on what is known as an African safari and try to take a selfie with a lion in the background.  Rest in peace (RIP) is all we can say.
Ancestors also drink.  It is called libation.  You pour African beer on the ground for ancestors before you drink it.  This is to acknowledge that they also get thirsty and they will bless you in your future endeavours. 

Nowadays, Africans and some African Americans pour on the ground a drop of wine, spirits or whatever they are drinking, to observe libation.  Jay Z, the hip hop star talks about libation in Oceans, a cut in his album Magna Carta Holy Grail.
We are encouraged to drink water and not soda or fizzy drinks because they might increase the waistline.  We are also warned against excessive beer because of the possibility of a beer belly.  He drinks like a fish, says the English language.
Phu-za.  Pronounce the first part as in pull, the second part as is Zanzibar.

ZULU
ENGLISH
U-phuza a-manzi.
She is drinking water.
He is drinking water.
U-nga-phuzi u-ma u-shayela.
Don’t drink and drive.
Phuza le-mbiza u-ma u-phethwe i-sisu.
Drink these herbs if you have an upset stomach.
Wena u-phuza-ni?
What are you drinking?
Ngi-phuza ubisi.
I drink milk.
Ngi-phuza i-expresso coffee.
I drink e-xpresso coffee.
Ngo-mile.  Ngizo-phuza i-juice.
I’m thirsty.  I will drink juice.
Ba-phuza i-vodka ngo-Khisimusi.
They drink vodka when it is Christmas.
U-ya-phuza u-Roberto.
Roberto drinks a lot.
U-ya-phuza u-Sergio.
Sergio drinks a lot.
U-ya-phuza u-Barbara.
Barbara drinks a lot.
Phu-zani si-hambe.
Finish drinking so that we can go.
Ngi-yam-saba.  Uphuzile.
I’m scared of him.  He is drunk.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang

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