Lugbara (Lʉgbaratɨ)

Lugbara is a member of the Eastern Moru-Madi group of Central Sudanic languages. It is spoken by about 1.6 million people in the West Nile region of Uganda, and in the Orientale Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Lugbara is also known as Lugbarati. It is closely related to Aringa, which is also known as Low Lugbara, and is considered a dialect of Lugbara by some. Lugbara itself is classified by some scholars as a dialect of Ma'di, though this is not generally accepted.

Lugbara was first written in 1918 by Christian missionaries, who based their writing on the Ayivu dialect. A standarised spelling system for Lugbara was created at a conference in Arua in Uganda in 2000. A revised orthography was proposed by the Lugbarati Language Board in 2014. Other orthographies are available. The language is used in some schools in the West Nile region of Uganda.

Lugbara alphabet and pronunciation

Download an alphabet chart for Lugbara

Note

Tone indication appears to be optional.

Information compiled by Michael Peter Füstumum

Some Lugbara proverbs (Eʼyo Oʼbeza)

Ata aʼbua ri, le mima nga azi raka mima nya ndo.
Even in the valley plantation, you must first work before you eat.
Embeleke ka i-agi ma iti ne, eri gu sibe inve.
/>When an ape sees its friendʼs behind, it laughs with white teeth showing): Donʼt laugh at other peopleʼs shortcomings! Afterall, you also have yours.
Okuku dra drinza si / Drinza si, okuku dra oʼboa
The tortoise died of shyness / Due to shyness, the tortoise died in its shell: Life saving opportunities will pass you by because of shyness.
Sindani tokoa bongo sozuri ka di tajiri nde.
A mere cloth-sewing needle can defeat a rich man to own: Poor people are actually wealthier than rich people in certain aspects.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugbara_proverbs

Sample videos

Information about Lugbara | Numbers

Links

Information about the Lugbara language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugbara_language
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugbara_(langue)
https://www.sil.org/system/files/reapdata/10/06/46/100646256099282892829790816212446104791/OPSL_9.pdf
https://www.academia.edu/35811638/Lugbarati_Phonology_and_Orthography_Standardization_Lugbarati_Phonology_and_Orthography_Standardization
https://www.lugbarati.org/

Central Sudanic languages

Aringa, Avokaya, Bagirmi, Baka, Beli, Bongo, Jur Modo, Keliko, Lugbara, Ma'di, Morokodo, Moru, Naba, Ngambay, Olu'bo, Wa'di

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 27.04.26

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