### africa bemba abstract art
Definition: In Bemba, the concept of "having" or possession is expressed through the construction "kuli na" (literally "to be with"). This is a compound verb form that combines the copula verb "kuli" (to be) with the preposition "na" (with). Unlike English which has a single verb "have," Bemba expresses possession through this "be with" construction, similar to many other Bantu languages.
This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute's comprehensive language learning series. For a complete course index, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ Schema: What does "kuli na" mean in Bemba? Answer: "Kuli na" means "to have" or "to possess" in Bemba. It literally translates as "to be with" and is the standard way to express possession in the language. The verb conjugates according to the subject: ndi na (I have), uli na (you have), ali na (he/she has), etc.
In this lesson, you will encounter "kuli na" and its various conjugated forms in 30 practical examples. The verb appears in different positions within sentences, demonstrating its flexibility in expressing possession of objects, qualities, relationships, and abstract concepts. You'll see how Bemba speakers use this construction in everyday situations, from talking about material possessions to expressing feelings and states of being.
Educational Schema: This is a language learning lesson focusing on the Bemba verb "kuli na" (to have). It is designed for English-speaking students learning Bemba as a foreign language, using the Latinum Institute's interlinear glossing method for rapid comprehension.
Key Takeaways: -
"Kuli na" is the infinitive form meaning "to have" -
The verb conjugates: ndi na (I have), uli na (you have), ali na (he/she has) -
Possession in Bemba is literally expressed as "being with" something -
The negative form uses the prefix "nshi-" or "ta-" -
This construction is used for both concrete and abstract possession
Key sounds in Bemba that differ from English: -
ng' [ŋ] - like "ng" in "singer" but can start words -
nsh [nʃ] - like "nsh" in "mention" -
c [tʃ] - always pronounced like "ch" in "church" -
fy [fj] - like "f" followed quickly by "y" -
bw [bw] - like "b" followed quickly by "w"
Vowels are pronounced clearly: -
a [a] - like "a" in "father" -
e [e] - like "e" in "bet" -
i [i] - like "ee" in "see" -
o [o] - like "o" in "or" -
u [u] - like "oo" in "boot"
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11.1 Ndi I na with incito money
11.2 Uli you na with amalata strength
11.3 Umwana child ali is na with insala hunger
11.4 Tuli we na with lubuto pregnancy
11.5 Ba the mayo mother bali they-are na with abaana children abatatu three
11.6 Muli you-PL na with ing'anda house impya new
11.7 Nshi not-I na with nshita time nomba now
11.8 Ali he/she-is na with imbwa dog ishingi many
11.9 Ku at sukulu school tuli we-are na with baishibili teachers abasuma good
11.10 Bali they-are na with amashiwi words ayafya bad
11.11 Ndi I na with cibusa friend umo one fye only
11.12 Tauli not-you na with amaka power ya of kucita to-do uyu this mulimo work
11.13 Ali he/she-is na with ubumi life ubwasuma good
11.14 Tuli we-are na with ifipe problems ifingi many pano here
11.15 Muli you-PL na with imyeo hearts iyasuma good
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11.1 Ndi na incito. I have money.
11.2 Uli na amalata. You have strength.
11.3 Umwana ali na insala. The child is hungry. (The child has hunger.)
11.4 Tuli na lubuto. We are pregnant. (We have pregnancy.)
11.5 Ba mayo bali na abaana abatatu. Mother has three children.
11.6 Muli na ing'anda impya. You (plural) have a new house.
11.7 Nshi na nshita nomba. I don't have time now.
11.8 Ali na imbwa ishingi. He/she has many dogs.
11.9 Ku sukulu tuli na baishibili abasuma. At school we have good teachers.
11.10 Bali na amashiwi ayafya. They have bad words.
11.11 Ndi na cibusa umo fye. I have only one friend.
11.12 Tauli na amaka ya kucita uyu mulimo. You don't have the power to do this work.
11.13 Ali na ubumi ubwasuma. He/she has a good life.
11.14 Tuli na ifipe ifingi pano. We have many problems here.
11.15 Muli na imyeo iyasuma. You (plural) have good hearts.
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11.1 Ndi na incito.
11.2 Uli na amalata.
11.3 Umwana ali na insala.
11.4 Tuli na lubuto.
11.5 Ba mayo bali na abaana abatatu.
11.6 Muli na ing'anda impya.
11.7 Nshi na nshita nomba.
11.8 Ali na imbwa ishingi.
11.9 Ku sukulu tuli na baishibili abasuma.
11.10 Bali na amashiwi ayafya.
11.11 Ndi na cibusa umo fye.
11.12 Tauli na amaka ya kucita uyu mulimo.
11.13 Ali na ubumi ubwasuma.
11.14 Tuli na ifipe ifingi pano.
11.15 Muli na imyeo iyasuma.
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These are the grammar rules for "kuli na" (to have):
Basic Conjugation Pattern: The verb "kuli na" conjugates by changing the subject prefix while "na" remains constant: -
Ndi na = I have (1st person singular) -
Uli na = You have (2nd person singular) -
Ali na = He/she has (3rd person singular) -
Tuli na = We have (1st person plural) -
Muli na = You have (2nd person plural/formal) -
Bali na = They have (3rd person plural)
Negative Formation: To form the negative, add the negative prefix: -
Nshi na = I don't have -
Tauli na = You don't have -
Tali na = He/she doesn't have -
Tatuli na = We don't have -
Tamuli na = You (pl.) don't have -
Tabali na = They don't have
Common Mistakes: -
Forgetting that "na" is essential - you cannot say just "ndi" to mean "I have" -
Using English word order for questions - Bemba places question words at the beginning -
Confusing "na" (with) as a conjunction with "na" in the possessive construction -
Not adjusting noun class agreements when the possessed item changes
Noun Class Agreement: When the subject is not a person but a thing, the verb agrees with the noun class: -
Icimuti cili na = The tree has -
Ifimuti fili na = The trees have -
Ubwali buli na = The nshima has
Step-by-Step Construction: -
Identify your subject (I, you, he/she, we, you-pl, they) -
Choose the appropriate subject prefix -
Add "na" (with) -
Add the object being possessed -
Apply appropriate noun class prefixes to adjectives modifying the object
Grammatical Summary: Possession in Bemba follows the pattern SUBJECT + BE + WITH + OBJECT. This construction covers all types of possession including: -
Physical objects (ndi na incito = I have money) -
Abstract concepts (ali na ubumi = he/she has life) -
States and conditions (ali na insala = he/she is hungry, literally "has hunger") -
Relationships (bali na abaana = they have children)
The verb can appear in various tenses: -
Present: ndi na (I have) -
Past: nalikwete (I had) -
Future: nkakwata (I will have)
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In Bemba culture, the concept of possession extends beyond material ownership to encompass relationships and social standing. The phrase "kuli na" reflects a worldview where having something means being in relationship with it, rather than exercising dominion over it.
Formal vs. Informal Usage: When addressing elders or people in authority, always use "muli na" (the plural/formal form) even when speaking to one person. This shows respect. For example, asking an elder "Muli na abaana?" (Do you have children?) is more respectful than "Uli na abaana?"
Cultural Expressions Using "Kuli Na": -
"Ali na mano" (He/she has brains) = He/she is intelligent -
"Bali na insoni" (They have shame) = They are ashamed -
"Ndi na lubuto" (I have pregnancy) = I am pregnant -
"Ali na umutima" (He/she has a heart) = He/she is kind -
"Tuli na calo" (We have a country) = We are citizens
Regional Variations: In urban areas like Lusaka and the Copperbelt, you might hear "ndi ne" instead of "ndi na" due to vowel fusion. Both forms are correct, but "ndi na" is considered more formal or traditional.
Idiomatic Uses: The construction appears in many proverbs and sayings: -
"Uwakwete amenshi takaba" = One who has water doesn't get thirsty -
"Uli na fintu takulya icupo" = If you have things, you don't eat alone
False Friends with English: Be careful not to translate "have" literally in all contexts. For example: -
"Have a seat" = "Ikala panshi" (Sit down), not "Kwata icipuna" -
"Have lunch" = "Lya akalya ka munshi" (Eat lunch), not "Kuli na akalya"
Register and Politeness: The verb "kukwata" (to catch/hold) can sometimes substitute for "kuli na" in casual speech, but "kuli na" is more polite and appropriate in formal situations.
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From "Pano Calo" by Stephen Mpashi (classic Bemba literature):
F-A: Interleaved/Construed Text: Abantu people bonse all ku in calo country cesu our bali they-are na with inshila right ya of kusambilila to-learn. Abana children besu our bali they-are na with inshila right ya of kuya to-go ku to sukulu school. Ifwe we tuli we-are na with incito duty ya of kubafundisha to-teach-them ifyabupolitiki political-things ne and fya of bucalo nation. Calo country cesu our cili it-is na with ifyakulya food ifingi much, amenshi water ayasuma good, ne and filundu minerals ifili which-are mu in mpanga land.
F-B: Authentic Text with Translation: Abantu bonse ku calo cesu bali na inshila ya kusambilila. Abana besu bali na inshila ya kuya ku sukulu. Ifwe tuli na incito ya kubafundisha ifyabupolitiki ne fya bucalo. Calo cesu cili na ifyakulya ifingi, amenshi ayasuma, ne filundu ifili mu mpanga.
All people in our country have the right to education. Our children have the right to go to school. We have the duty to teach them about politics and nationhood. Our country has much food, good water, and minerals in the land.
F-C: Authentic Text Only: Abantu bonse ku calo cesu bali na inshila ya kusambilila. Abana besu bali na inshila ya kuya ku sukulu. Ifwe tuli na incito ya kubafundisha ifyabupolitiki ne fya bucalo. Calo cesu cili na ifyakulya ifingi, amenshi ayasuma, ne filundu ifili mu mpanga.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Explanation: This passage demonstrates the versatility of "kuli na" in formal written Bemba. Note how "bali na" is used with abstract concepts like "inshila" (right/way). The passage also shows noun class agreement: "calo cili na" (the country has) uses "cili" because "calo" belongs to noun class 7. The construction "ya ku-" (of to) shows purpose or intention, commonly paired with possession statements.
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SECTION A: INTERLINEAR CONSTRUED TEXT
11.16 Bushe Q-MARKER ba HONOR tata father bali they-are na with imotoka car impya new?
11.17 Ee yes, balikwete they-have Toyota Toyota iya which bashitile they-bought mweshi month wapwile passed
11.18 Pantu because ifwe we tatuli not-we-are na with incito money ishingi much
11.19 Nomba now muli you-PL na with amano plans yanji which pa about kuya to-go ku to mushi village?
11.20 Cibusa friend wandi my ali he-is na with ubwafya problem ubukulu big sana very
11.21 Bushe Q-MARKER mwana child ali she-is na with ifyakufwala clothes ifyakuya for-going ku to sukulu school?
11.22 Awe no, tali not-she na with ifintu things ifingi many ico that's-why alefwaya she-needs ubwafwilisho help
11.23 Mu in ng'anda house muli you-PL na with abantu people banga how-many?
11.24 Tuli we-are na with lupwa family ilukulu large: abana children basano five na and bakalamba adults babili two
11.25 Ine I nshi not-I na with ukwishiba knowledge pa about fya things-of computer computer
11.26 Lelo but ndefwaya I-want ukwishiba to-know pantu because nomba now bonse everyone bali they-are na with ifyo that
11.27 Baice children bandi my bali they-are na with amaka energy sana very icilisha which-makes ukukosa to-be-difficult
11.28 Mu in Bemba Bemba tuli we-are na with amashiwi words ayengi many aya which tulabomfya we-use cila every bushiku day
11.29 Bushe Q-MARKER mukwai sir/madam muli you-are na with nambala number ya of foni phone?
11.30 Ee yes, lelo but nomba now ndi I-am na with network network iishipa bad
SECTION B: NATURAL SENTENCES
11.16 Bushe ba tata bali na imotoka impya? Does father have a new car?
11.17 Ee, balikwete Toyota iya bashitile mweshi wapwile. Yes, they have a Toyota which they bought last month.
11.18 Pantu ifwe tatuli na incito ishingi. Because we don't have much money.
11.19 Nomba muli na amano yanji pa kuya ku mushi? Now what plans do you have for going to the village?
11.20 Cibusa wandi ali na ubwafya ubukulu sana. My friend has a very big problem.
11.21 Bushe mwana ali na ifyakufwala ifyakuya ku sukulu? Does the child have clothes for going to school?
11.22 Awe, tali na ifintu ifingi, ico alefwaya ubwafwilisho. No, she doesn't have many things, that's why she needs help.
11.23 Mu ng'anda muli na abantu banga? How many people do you have in the house?
11.24 Tuli na lupwa ilukulu: abana basano na bakalamba babili. We have a large family: five children and two adults.
11.25 Ine nshi na ukwishiba pa fya computer. I don't have knowledge about computers.
11.26 Lelo ndefwaya ukwishiba pantu nomba bonse bali na ifyo. But I want to know because now everyone has that.
11.27 Baice bandi bali na amaka sana icilisha ukukosa. My children have so much energy it makes it difficult.
11.28 Mu Bemba tuli na amashiwi ayengi aya tulabomfya cila bushiku. In Bemba we have many words that we use every day.
11.29 Bushe mukwai muli na nambala ya foni? Excuse me, do you have a phone number?
11.30 Ee, lelo nomba ndi na network iishipa. Yes, but now I have bad network.
SECTION C: TARGET LANGUAGE TEXT ONLY
11.16 Bushe ba tata bali na imotoka impya?
11.17 Ee, balikwete Toyota iya bashitile mweshi wapwile.
11.18 Pantu ifwe tatuli na incito ishingi.
11.19 Nomba muli na amano yanji pa kuya ku mushi?
11.20 Cibusa wandi ali na ubwafya ubukulu sana.
11.21 Bushe mwana ali na ifyakufwala ifyakuya ku sukulu?
11.22 Awe, tali na ifintu ifingi, ico alefwaya ubwafwilisho.
11.23 Mu ng'anda muli na abantu banga?
11.24 Tuli na lupwa ilukulu: abana basano na bakalamba babili.
11.25 Ine nshi na ukwishiba pa fya computer.
11.26 Lelo ndefwaya ukwishiba pantu nomba bonse bali na ifyo.
11.27 Baice bandi bali na amaka sana icilisha ukukosa.
11.28 Mu Bemba tuli na amashiwi ayengi aya tulabomfya cila bushiku.
11.29 Bushe mukwai muli na nambala ya foni?
11.30 Ee, lelo nomba ndi na network iishipa.
SECTION D: GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY EXPLANATION
This conversational section demonstrates "kuli na" in everyday dialogue. Note the question marker "bushe" at the beginning of questions. The past tense "balikwete" (they had/have acquired) shows an alternative way to express possession of recently acquired items. The negative forms "tatuli na" and "nshi na" appear frequently in natural speech. Modern loanwords like "computer," "network," and "Toyota" are incorporated directly into Bemba sentences, following Bemba grammar rules for agreement and modification.
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Bemba uses the Latin alphabet with 5 vowels and 19 consonants. The language is generally phonetic - words are pronounced as written.
Special Letter Combinations: -
sh - pronounced like English "sh" in "shop" -
ng' - velar nasal, like "ng" in "singing" -
nk - pronounced together, not separated -
mb, mp, nd, nt - prenasalized consonants, pronounced as units
Vowel Combinations: When vowels meet at word boundaries, they often fuse: -
na + i = ne (ndi na incito → ndi ne ncito in fast speech) -
na + u = no -
na + a = na (lengthened)
Stress Patterns: Stress in Bemba typically falls on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable. In "kuli na," stress falls on "ku-" and both syllables of "na" are equal.
Common Spelling Variations: -
Some writers use "c" instead of "ch": calo/chalo (country) -
The honorific "ba" is sometimes written separately or attached: ba mayo/bamayo -
Vowel fusion may or may not be shown in writing: ndi na/ndina
Tone: While Bemba is a tonal language with high and low tones, tone is not marked in standard orthography. Context usually clarifies meaning where tonal minimal pairs exist.
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