Noun

MEANING

MEANING1 

Long feathers of the tail or wings of birds, often used as a panache.

Example of use

Ingala yacilongwe, MEANING: Feathers of the whydah, worn by the chief’s messengers

MEANING 2

Nails

Example of use

Naputula ingala, MEANING: He has cut his nails.

SYNONYM/SIMILARWORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST

Amaala.

FIGURATIVE SPECH/IDIOMS/PHRASES/COLLOQUAL USE/EXPRESSIONS

1.Shi Chabala, fumbe ngala, ukwima kufumpuka, Literal translation: Shichabala wear your plume in readiness, one must be ready for sudden departure Meaning:  One must be always be on alert.

2. Ubwali bwa ngala MEANING An extra lump of nshima on top of the main one destined for the headman’s wife when there is a wedding in the village

 

PROVERBS

PROVERB1

Umutwe ushilingala: cishiki.

Literal translation

The head without the plume is just a stump of wood.

Meaning

An older person must act responsibly if they want to be respected

Bemba Meaning

Umukalamba wabula amano tacindama.

 

PROVERB 2

Icikolwe nengala, cikolwe ne milandu.

Literal translation

The old timer with the plumed hat is the one in charge of disputes.

Meaning

The person in charge of a job must know that job well

Bemba Meaning

Pakuti umuntu akote ninshi alishiba namafunde yacalo. Kapitao alingile aishiba incito ukucila bambi.

Similar proverb

Nacimbuusa afwele ngala nokubwalabwala, MEANING: The matron of the initiation ceremony is greatly honoured, but she must exert herself.