noun

MEANING 1

A drum

Example of use

1. Lisha i?oma, MEANING: To beat the drum.

SYNONYM/SIMILAR WORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST

Lubembo, semeka i?oma, mpula mu ?oma.

OTHER RELATED WORDS/USES/ SOURCES/FUNCTIONS

DIMINUTIVE: Kaoma.

Kind of drums: Cinkumbi (iuukumbi) cinsete, kalume, kashingili (nshingili), mpilingi, mangu (cimangu), mfukula, minkubili, (?omaya), mondo, mpikwe, munkanda, mutumba (litumba), mwimbi, na?oma (cina?oma). 

The na?oma, nshingili and itumba are beaten at the same time. The mititi beat involves two drums which are beaten at the same time.

FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONS:/SPEECH/IDIOMS/PHRASES/COLLOQUIAL USES

1. Kasa i?oma amafi Literal translation To smear the drum with dung. Meaning

To remonstrate with one who does not want to listen.

Example of use

1. Ntiila ndekweba, ndekasa i?oma amafi, MEANING: When I give you advice, I wasted my time.

2. Nipa ?oma yandi, MEANING: I did it on my own initiative that is my own business.

2. Nefwe ?oma pa lwesu. nefwe musulo fweka.

MEANING: That is a matter between us (only).

MEANING 2

Part of the back between the other shoulder blades.

PROVERBS

PROVERB 1

. Icikeete i?oma, nokupilibuka nacishiba.

Literal translation: 

He who holds the drum must know how to turn about (knows how to dance).

Meaning: 

He who holds the reins of power must also be able to give a good example to others.

Bemba meaning

Ngauleyangala mu misango iifwile yakuletelela ninshi nomusango wakuipokolwelamo nawishiba. Ngaulefunda ababiyo, uli nokubalilapo ukuficita bamoneko kapitao afwile ukulabombako nao tekusosafye pa kanwa peeka.

Similar proverbs

Icikeete i?oma nolwimbo cileshi.

 

PROVERB 2. 

Icikeete ?oma, no Iwimbo cileshi.

Literal translation

Whoever holds the drum, must also know how to lead the singing.

Meaning

Do not just claim to know something. Be prepared to prove it

Bemba meaning

Tauli nokutunininkisha babiyo ukucita ifyo iwe uletiina. Ukusunkila ababiyo petenga ninshi nuishiba amantimbwi ya kwabwila abalepana ukunwena. Umulangilishi wamuntu alapalama.

PROVERB 3. 

Kalulu ?oma pa yakwe.

Literal translation

The hare drums its own way.

Meaning

Make up your own mind and do not bother about other people's opinions

Bemba meaning

Fimbi ifintu kuipingula nokuicitila pa lobe. Wilasakamana lyonse pafyo abantu baletontonkanya

 

 

PROVERB 4

Nefwe ?oma pa lwesu.

Literal translation

We want to play our own drum our own way

Meaning

That is a matter just between us. It should not and does not concern anyone else. 

Bemba meaning

Ekutiila ifyo bonse balecita twipashanya iyoo, naifwe tuicitile palwesu.

 

PROVERB 5. 

Shiwalya kakwe tembwa mu ?oma.

Literal translation

When someone disposes of his own property there is no song and dance about it.

Meaning

A person can do what he likes with his own property

Bemba meaning

Umuntu pacintu cakwe ali nensambu, to wakulubulwisha atemwa ukumwamba kwati onawile ifyabene. Shiwalya akakwe tominwa mbila

Similar Proverb

 Shiwalya kakwe tominwa mbila

PROVERB 6 

I?oma yakwashima yashile kolwe ulweko.

Literal translation

The borrowed drum left the monkey with its tummy drawn in, right in the middle of the dance

Meaning

You cannot rely on borrowing everything. Some things must be your own

Bemba meaning

Umuntu nga ayashima icintu, ulukasu, isembe, akalimba nelyo icilembelo kuti fye cilya talapwisha kucibomfya, abene baisapoka ashalapofye. Kanshi kano ukuikwatila. Ecimo nokutiila, `akalimba kakwashima takapwa misango'

 

PROVERB 7

 Ubushalila numa bwabunshishe i?oma.

Literal translation

Lagging behind caused the drum to be lost in the water.

Meaning

Don’t be the odd man out

Bemba meaning

Nga watemwa ukulekelesha pabwingi, ninshi kuti bakweba ukuti niwe ucitile ici neci. Ngefyo ifwe twacicisha nga caluba shani, niwe fye.

 

 

PROVERB 8

 Umupama pamo watulile i?oma.

Literal translation

Endless repetition pierced the drum skin.

Meaning

Some actions become irritating when done too often

Bemba meaning

E pamo no munona pamo ukalifye linso. Icibemba ukutapaasha cimocine kuti wasuka waonaula.