The local language and culture is Lugbara – although English is widely spoken and understood.
Lugbara is classified as a “Nilitic” language (derived from the River Nile) and is also used in nearby parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For overseas visitors wanting to memorise a few phrases the following come from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugbara_language#Greetings_and_other_phrases) :
| Lugbara | English |
|---|---|
| Mi ifu ngoni? | How did you wake up?/ Good morning! |
| Ngoni? | How are you? |
| [Ma] Muke! | [I’m] Fine! |
| Ma azoru! | I’m sick! |
| Mi aa ngoni? | Good afternoon! |
| Ayiko ni ma fu! | Happiness is killing me!/ I’m happy! |
| Abiri ni ma fu(fu)! | Hunger is killing me!/ I’m hungry! |
| Sawa si? | What time is it? |
| Sawa alu o’bitisi. | 7:00 a.M. [To tell time, you mention the number on the opposite side of the clock. Sawa iri is 8 O’clock, Sawa na is 9 O’clock, etc.] |
| Sawa modri drini alu ondresi | 5:00 p.m. |
| Mi efi! | Come in! |
| Ife mani ‘yi! | Give me water! |
| Kirikiri! | Please! |
| Ada! | True! |
| Inzo! | Lies! |
| Iko ma aza! | Help me! |
| Ine! | See! |
| Mi a’bua ozi si? | How much do you sell bananas? |
| Ajeni si? | How much [is the price]? |
| Ale Obangulu! | I want mashed whiteants! |
| Ma mu Gili Gili-a ngoni? | How do I get to Gili Gili? |
| Arojo ngoa? | Where is the drugshop? |
| Mi ru adi-i? | What is your name? |
| Ma ru Joel-i! | I’m called Joel! |
| Awa’di fo! | Thanks! |
| Ale mi ra! | I love you! |
| Ma enga Ombaci-a. | I’m from Ombaci. |
| Ma mu kanisa-a. | I’m going to church. |
| Mi ma agi! | You are my friend! |
| Ma mu Ariwara-a ngoni? | How do I get to Ariwara? |
| Mosikiti ngwa? | Where is the mosque? |
| Mi ma ji Ragem-a ra? | Can you take me to Ragem? |
| Iji ma Ediofe-a! | Take me to Ediofe! |
| Ba mucele ozi ngwa? | Where is rice sold? |
| Aje/ andru/ drusi/ drozi | Yesterday, today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow |
| Ila muke! | Sleep well! |
| Ale ra! | I want! [The word ‘ra’ after a verb denotes positivity.] |
| Ale ku! | I don’t want! [The word ‘ku’ after a verb denotes negativity.] |