To Carve in Zulu
Carve is -baza in Zulu.
The actual act is u-ku-baza.
Something that is carved, i-baziwe.
In ancient Africa, before ‘civilization’ the tree was the source for houses, furniture, boats, implements for working the land, kitchen appliances, musical instruments, masks, not to mention fruit and herbs.
Coaxing useful things from a tree is one of the reasons why the Queen of England called Africa underdeveloped because Africans did not use plates and cups that break. Saworoide, Tunde Kelani’s Yoruba movie has amazing cinematography shot on original film stock, before digital that is. It is also a classic movie because the tree is the main character.
Some tourists rent cars and drive through South Africa. If you find yourself deep in the province called KwaZulu-Natal, you might see boys along the road under trees carving serving platters, walking sticks, masks and other things. I hope so. Maybe they are now on Facebook or YouTube.
British education recognized carving and called the subject Woodwork, for boys only. Girls went to the Domestic Science class to learn British cooking like making pudding, baking scones and cakes.
Ba-za. You say the first part like baba, the second like Ibiza, Spain.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
The actual act is u-ku-baza.
Something that is carved, i-baziwe.
In ancient Africa, before ‘civilization’ the tree was the source for houses, furniture, boats, implements for working the land, kitchen appliances, musical instruments, masks, not to mention fruit and herbs.
Coaxing useful things from a tree is one of the reasons why the Queen of England called Africa underdeveloped because Africans did not use plates and cups that break. Saworoide, Tunde Kelani’s Yoruba movie has amazing cinematography shot on original film stock, before digital that is. It is also a classic movie because the tree is the main character.
Some tourists rent cars and drive through South Africa. If you find yourself deep in the province called KwaZulu-Natal, you might see boys along the road under trees carving serving platters, walking sticks, masks and other things. I hope so. Maybe they are now on Facebook or YouTube.
British education recognized carving and called the subject Woodwork, for boys only. Girls went to the Domestic Science class to learn British cooking like making pudding, baking scones and cakes.
Ba-za. You say the first part like baba, the second like Ibiza, Spain.
ZULU
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ENGLISH
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U-baza-ni?
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What are you carving?
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Ngi baza u-khezo.
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I’m carving a spoon.
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Ba-baza-ni?
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What are they carving?
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Ba-baza i-zithebe.
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They are carving serving platters for meat.
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A-ngikwazi u-ku-baza.
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I don’t know how to carve.
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U-Joe uphiwe u-ku-baza.
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Joe is gifted when it comes to carving.
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U-Derick u-baza umnyango.
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Derick is carving a door.
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Ama-totem poles ase-Canada abaziwe.
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Canadian totem poles are carved.
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Ngibaza umqamelo.
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I’m carving a pillow.
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U-baba mkhulu umbazi odumile.
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Grandfather is a famous carver.
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| British Columbia has many totem poles carved by Canada's First Nations. |
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