Rwandan Plant Names - Alexandre Kimenyi
Rwandan Plant Names - Alexandre Kimenyi
Rwandan Plant Names - Alexandre Kimenyi
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<strong>Rwandan</strong> <strong>Plant</strong> <strong>Names</strong> : Evidence for the Iconicity of Language<br />
by <strong>Alexandre</strong> <strong>Kimenyi</strong><br />
<strong>Rwandan</strong> plant names, strongly support the concept of the iconicity of language.<br />
Linguistic signs are supposed to be arbitrary. This view which originates from Ferdinand<br />
de Saussure is held by the majority of linguists. Looking at the structure of <strong>Rwandan</strong><br />
plant names, however, shows that there is an intrinsic relationship between linguistic<br />
form and meaning.<br />
The majority of plant names belong to class 3 and 4. A lot of plant names appear in<br />
redupilcated forms. Others have human proper names. Other plant names also describe<br />
their form or function. Only a small number has opaque meanings. The majority of the<br />
scientific names are from G.Troupin. Others are taken from Coupez et all and Lestrade.<br />
Some Kinyarwanda plant names don’t have scientific names because they are not<br />
available. They were listed, however, to show their iconic phonetic shape or their<br />
semantic transparecy.<br />
1. <strong>Plant</strong> names with reduplicated forms<br />
Reduplication in Kinyarwanda consists of repeating the initial syllable of the word stem<br />
or the whole stem.<strong>Plant</strong> names below appear in reduplicated foims.<br />
umubagabaga cassia didymobotrya<br />
imbátabáta plantago palmata/lannea edulis<br />
umugobógobo<br />
umufuumbafuumba rumex abyssinicus<br />
umugweegwe euphorbia grantii<br />
umugweegwe sanseviera dawei<br />
urukoyokoyo pavetta schumanniana<br />
urutiintibo alchornea birtella f. glabrata<br />
urubuyabuya allophylus kiwuensis<br />
uruziroziro vitex doniana<br />
umuzibaziba mitragyne rubrostipulosa<br />
umuvutavuta cadaba farinosa s.l.<br />
umuvuungovuungo coccinea mildbraedii<br />
kigelia africana<br />
umuturuturu schefflera goetzenii<br />
umutoratora hippocratea apocynoides<br />
umutiti faurea saligna<br />
umutobótobo englerina schubotziana/solanaceae/solanum sp.<br />
umutete solanum aculeastrum<br />
umutiritiri pancovia golungensis<br />
umushyoshyo polygala ruwenzoriensis<br />
umushishi symphonia globulifera<br />
umushirashira annona senegalensis<br />
umusheshe rhammus staddo
umushayishayi hangurana montana<br />
umushabishabi asparagus falcatus<br />
umusasa campylospermum vogelii<br />
umunyegenyege aeschysomena schimperi/sesbania macrantha<br />
sesbania div. spp.<br />
umuunzeenze olea europea spp.africana<br />
umuroondoroondo secamone africana/gongronema angolense<br />
umurukuruku tephrosia vogelii<br />
umusáasá limenia caffra<br />
umusaasa<br />
umusakasaka pavetta gardeniifolia s.l.<br />
umukoyokoyo combretum collinum<br />
umukoondokoondo canthium lactensens<br />
rubiaceae div.spp.<br />
umuhebehebe rhynchostigma racemosum<br />
umugobagoba psendarthria hookeri<br />
umugege myrica kandtiana<br />
umugayigayi lepidotrichilia volkensii<br />
umugaragara vernonia auriculifera<br />
vernonia subuligera<br />
ubugetugetu hedythyrsus thamnoideus<br />
umubaribari tabernaemontana johnstonii<br />
umubazibazi smithia elliotii<br />
umubónobóno croton macrostachysus<br />
galiniera coffeoides<br />
ikibónobóno chassalia subochreata/psychotria div.spp.<br />
ikibírabíra<br />
urubuumburi dasylepis racemosa/rapanae melanophloes<br />
igicuúnshu salva sp./ocimum sp.<br />
umubugabuga clerodendum laxicymosum<br />
umubuungobuungo embelia libeniana<br />
umubwabwa clerodendrum laxicymosum<br />
umucuucu solanum incanum<br />
umudwedwe euphorbia grantii<br />
ikeembekembe bethriocline longipes<br />
umucaáca cynodon dactylon<br />
igicumucumu bothriocline ugandensis<br />
igiheriheri vernonia lasiopus<br />
igishigishigi alsophila manniana<br />
igishurúshuru triumfetta pilosa ver. nyassana<br />
igitamatama bothriocline nyungwensis<br />
senecio trichopterygius<br />
ikijagajaga pavetta urundensis<br />
ikibugúbugu senecio trihopterygius<br />
ikibónobóno chassalia subochreata<br />
inteembeteembe ensette ventricosum<br />
umuteembeteembe musa entete<br />
ikinetenete/igitenetene kalanchoe beniensis/crassulaceae
intiritiri cassipourea gummiflua<br />
intyintyi allophyus channostachys<br />
imvuvu canthium glabriflorum<br />
urutaratara cyperaceae: cyperus dereilema<br />
umuvúmovúmo vernonia div.ssp.<br />
umuvuungavuungo goccinea mildbroedi/kigelia africana<br />
umuvútavúta cadaba farinosa s.l.<br />
umuziroziro vitex doniana<br />
igitaamataamba bothriocline nyungwensis/senecio trichoptergius<br />
umutégeengerí dovyalis macrocalyx'<br />
umusháabisháabi asparagus falcatus<br />
umuseríseri dichaetanthera corymbosa<br />
igishikashike guizotia scabra<br />
umusoombosoombo allophyllus griseotementonus<br />
umuseríseri dichaetanthera corymbasa<br />
umukúukúuyu/umukóoyokóoyo<br />
igikuyokuyo rhynchosia sublobato<br />
rhynchosia procurrens<br />
ikimoomo echinops amplecaulis<br />
echinops gigantens<br />
umukóbokóbo<br />
ikóobokóobo<br />
urukobekobe<br />
umuráandaráanda vigna oblongifolia var.parviflora<br />
umukéenjakéenja<br />
inganigani monanthotaxis orophila/rhynchosia hirta<br />
umubaríbari hyparrhenia cymbaria<br />
ikigéembégéembe carduus sp.<br />
umukárakára nuxia floribunda<br />
umukéenkakéenja<br />
umukizikizi<br />
urukobekobe<br />
umukóbokóbo<br />
igikuubokuubo<br />
igikubukubu<br />
ikimoomo echinops amplexicaulis/echinops gigantens<br />
umukóondokóondo tarenna graveolens/vangueria apiculata/bangueria volkensii<br />
ingobagoba<br />
umugobogobo<br />
umugájagája musanga leo-errarae<br />
ikigájagája pavetta urundensis<br />
umugaragara vernonia auriculifera/vernonia subuligera<br />
irebérebe/irebárebe<br />
ikiyuundoyuundo<br />
ikiribúribu ensete ventricosum<br />
uruhóombohóombo coleus<br />
igihérihéri vernonia lasiopus<br />
umunyégenyége aeschynomena schimperi
umuvútavúta cadaba farinosa<br />
umushaayishaayi hangurana montana/hangurana madagascariensis<br />
umushyíimboshyíimbo dolichos formosus<br />
umusoombosoombo allophyllus griseo-tomentosus<br />
umushéeshé osyris wightiana<br />
igiséengeséenge hermarthria<br />
umusákasáka pavetta gardeniifolia s.l./tricalysia rwandensis/trimaria<br />
grandifolia ssp.tropica<br />
ururoondoroondo<br />
umuvuungovuungo<br />
umubogóbogo<br />
urunugunugu clerodendrum laxicymosum<br />
umuteembeteembe<br />
intábaatába<br />
ikizovuzovu<br />
umuziroziro Vitex doniana<br />
umuzíbazíba Mitragyna rubrostipulacea<br />
igitsinatsina<br />
umuvúmavúmo<br />
umuvútavúta ‘Cadala farinosa’<br />
umusoombosoombo Allophyllus griseo-tomentosus<br />
umushyoóshyo Polygala ruwenzoriensis<br />
igishurúshuru Triumfeta pilosa<br />
umuráandaráanda Vigna oblongifolia/parviflora<br />
umureendareenda<br />
umuribúribu Ensete ventricosum<br />
umuroondoroondo Gongronema angolense/Secamone africana<br />
umuryáabaryáaba<br />
umusákasáka Trimera grandifolia subsp tropica<br />
igiséengeséenge Hemarthia<br />
igiseengoseengo Anthriscus sylvestris<br />
umusháabisháabi Asparagus falcatus<br />
umusherísheri Dichoetanthera corymbosa<br />
umushéeshé Osyris lanceolata<br />
igishígishígi Cythea manniana<br />
ikinyuundonyuundo Kalanchoe marmorata<br />
igishikashike Guizotia scabra<br />
umushíishi Symphonia globulifera<br />
ikinyégenyége Sesbania macrantha/diimeri/sesban var nubica/<br />
umukárakára Nuxia floribunda<br />
umukóondokóondo Canthium lactensens/Vangueria apiculata<br />
igikuubokuubo<br />
igikuyukuyu Rhynchosia procurrens subsp latisepala<br />
umukúuyukúuyu<br />
imáanamáana Herichrysum cymosum<br />
umubaríbari Tabernaemontana johnstonii<br />
ikibaríbari Anthocleista schweinfurthii<br />
intábatába <strong>Plant</strong>ago palmata/Lannea edulis
umubázibázi Smithia elliottii<br />
umubógobógo Cardiospermum halicacabum<br />
umubóombobóombo Cyphostema adenocaule<br />
ikibónobóno Psychotria palustris/Psychotria<br />
peduncularis/Chassalia subochreata/Psychotria mahoni<br />
var.puberula/Ricinus communis/Croton macrostachus<br />
umubónobóno Galiniera coffeoides<br />
umubúgabúga Clerodendrum laxicymosum<br />
umubuungobuungo Embelia libeniana<br />
umucáaca Cynodon dactylon<br />
igicúmucúmu Leonitis nepetaefolia/Leonitis mollissima<br />
umudweedwe Euphorbia grantii<br />
urugáagá Cyperus dives<br />
inganigani Monanthotaxis orophila/Rhynchosia hirta<br />
ikigéembegéembe Sonchus oleraceus/Sonchus asper/Sonchus<br />
luxurieus<br />
igírigíri Balanites aegypta<br />
ingobagoba Pseudarthria hokeri<br />
ubugobogobo<br />
umugweegwe Agane sisalana<br />
igihoondohoondo Dracaena steudneri<br />
2. <strong>Plant</strong> names with proper <strong>Names</strong><br />
Proper names are obtained by deleting the preprefix or by adding to the word (noun,<br />
verb, adjective) the onomastic prefixes namely nya-, munyá-, mukáa-, nyirá-, sée-, s(h)á-,<br />
káa-, rwáa-,<br />
karuungu gladiolus psittanicus<br />
bushya dischoriste radicans<br />
rubeerwá althea rosea<br />
ngiingwijana rubiaceae/borreria stricta/hypodematium aff. sphaerostigma<br />
kayogera crotalaria spinosa<br />
kaziraruguma ageratum conyzoides<br />
rwiiziriingá datura stramonium<br />
bugaangabukarí asteranantha longifolia<br />
mukurú asclepias sp.<br />
gisaayuura acanthaceae/thunbergia alata<br />
kazibannyo ronunculus multifidus<br />
nyirámukó rumex bequaertii<br />
baambubá irigeron sumatrensis<br />
séenyamigaanda Phryganea sp.<br />
nyirámukó Rumex bequaertii/Rumex ruwenzoriensis<br />
nyirámutébe Yephrosia aequilata<br />
nyirámagaándu
nyirámasaká<br />
nyirakayogera Crotalataria incana sbsp purpurascens<br />
nyirábutí Stendelii/Conyza welwitshii/Hedythyrsus<br />
thamnoideus<br />
nyirábutúumbwe<br />
nyirábutúutú<br />
nyirabuyugi<br />
nyiragashuheezi<br />
nyirágasogéreza Cleome schimperi/Cleome hirta/Cleome monophylla<br />
nyiragashuheezi<br />
nyirágakúryi<br />
nyirágasaámbu Trichodesma zeylanicum<br />
nyirábahayá<br />
nyarisoonga Ocimum canum<br />
nyarúbaámba<br />
nyaruboombwe Xymalos monospora<br />
nyaantuku Euphorbia hirta<br />
rwiiziriingá Datura stramonium<br />
kamaramahano Epilobium stereophyllum<br />
kamenamaseeke Polygala luteo-viridis<br />
kaaingáshya Oenanthe palustris/Ranunculus bequartii/Ranunculus multifudus<br />
musaagimbéehé Cleome monophylla<br />
mutaranuuka Helychrysum adoratissimum/Ethulia conyzoides<br />
ndimugashaanga Lythrum rotundifolium<br />
ndiiriyinká Elaeodendron buchananii<br />
basyitaka Craterostigma<br />
mahiinda Astipomoea malvaca<br />
3. <strong>Plant</strong> names with meanings<br />
Some of the plants listed below are either medicinal plants or plants used in certain<br />
rituals such as birth, wedding, divination, healing, initiation, burial, coronation, etc. The<br />
names describe tneir functions. Other names describe their physical features or their use.<br />
umugaanza 'the victorious'<br />
umusugí 'the pure'<br />
umutúurírwa 'the unclimbable'<br />
umuneesha 'the winner'<br />
umuremeera 'the heavy'<br />
umuruta 'the stronger'<br />
icyuunamyi 'the head bower'<br />
umukenya 'the youth destroyer'<br />
umuriinzi 'the guardian'<br />
umutaráanzá 'the undefeatable'<br />
umutágoká 'the one who is immune to bad luck'<br />
umugoboka 'the savior'
ingurukizi 'the one which occurs accidently'<br />
umuhurura 'the helper'<br />
umukúundé 'the one who inspires love'<br />
umwaánge 'the one who inspires hatred'<br />
umugwaampóro 'the pacifier'<br />
nkuurimwóonga 'the one that pulls from danger'<br />
umuhaánga 'the smart one'<br />
umuhé 'the luck carrier'<br />
umuhiíre 'the lucky one'<br />
umuhiíndire 'the pacifier'<br />
ishyá 'luck'<br />
ishyóoza 'the one which gentle'<br />
umureémbe 'the sick one'<br />
kaziraruguma 'the one which immune to wounds'<br />
bugaangabukarí 'strong medicine'<br />
ikizimyamuriro 'the one which stops fever'<br />
kamenamaseke 'the breaker of<br />
umwúungabéere 'the one that fixes breasts'<br />
isoonga 'the tip'<br />
umusabanyama 'the begger of meat'<br />
ireké 'leave alone'<br />
umugóombé 'the must'<br />
umucyúuro 'the one which brings back the cattle home'<br />
rugaara 'the large'<br />
rurirá 'the weeper'<br />
umuzibuura 'the clearer'<br />
umubíimbafúro 'the producer of foam'<br />
umukúzanyána 'the one which makes calves grow'<br />
umuseeno 'the polisher'<br />
kazibannyo 'the cover of the anus'<br />
kamaramahano 'the terminator of problems'<br />
umukúbayóka 'the folder of intestine parasites'<br />
umwíicanzóka 'the killer of snakes'<br />
umuramá 'the survivor'<br />
umugabudásuumbwá 'the man who is not surpassed by anybody'<br />
musáazugóna 'the old man who snores'<br />
umugabutáreengwá 'the man who cannot be passed over'<br />
abahánampabuka 'the punishers of Mpanuka'<br />
umugoombooro 'the anti-venom'<br />
rurirá 'the weeper'<br />
umwaanzuranya 'the interruptor'<br />
imbóni 'sight'<br />
urubabáza 'the one causes pain'<br />
umubázi 'the interrogator'<br />
umubeérwa 'the elegant'<br />
uruburamajyo 'the one which lacks clay pots pieces'<br />
umucaáca 'the crawler'<br />
umucaasúka 'the breaker of the hoe'
umucúungwé 'the subject'<br />
umudáhweerá 'the irresistable to death'<br />
indarama 'the one which is expecting'<br />
urudátebwá 'the one who refuses to wait'<br />
umufátaangwe 'the catcher of leopards'<br />
ifurwe 'curse'<br />
umugánashyá 'the leader to happiness'<br />
urugarura 'the one that brings back'<br />
ingese 'rust'<br />
gisabo 'milk calebash'<br />
gisaayuura 'débourbeuse'<br />
umuhoró 'calm/cold'<br />
umuhuúhe 'the blower'<br />
umwíifuuzo 'the desired one'<br />
impoosha 'the calmer'<br />
umwiitsa 'echo'<br />
umwiiha 'the one that gives itself'<br />
umukámambógo 'the milker of buffaloes'<br />
kamenamabuye 'the breaker of stones'<br />
umuhuúngwe 'the escapee'<br />
umuhuna 'the somnifer'<br />
uruheéza 'the one which keeps people away'<br />
umuhaanda 'the thorny one'<br />
umugosoora 'the filterer'<br />
umuhaandanzovu<br />
umuréengarútare<br />
mugorénamugabo 'man and woman'<br />
kayogera<br />
umumara 'the useful'<br />
ikimara 'the useful'<br />
umunyágisózi 'the one from the hill'<br />
inyamaheri 'la galeuse'<br />
akanyámapfúundo<br />
inyánzi 'the hater'<br />
umunyúragísaká<br />
iraaba<br />
urunyámavúta 'the oily one'<br />
irarire 'spend the night'<br />
ikiráaro 'lodging'<br />
umupfunyantoki' the folder of fingers'<br />
umuréengarútare 'the one which goes over the rock'<br />
umurérabáana 'the raiser of children'<br />
umuribata 'the foot dragger'<br />
umuroonzi 'the washer'<br />
umuryáanyoni 'the eater of birds'<br />
umuryawábasáaza 'the cord of old people'<br />
rwiiziriingá 'the trouble maker'<br />
igishókoro 'la colleuse'
umushoohera 'the problem curer'<br />
umusunuunú 'la loupe'<br />
umusiba 'the eraser'<br />
umusubyo 'the purifier'<br />
umushyigura 'the mover'<br />
umutaanga 'the giver'<br />
intáreyíruungu 'the solitary lion'<br />
urutóozo 'l'habituante'<br />
igitúguungúru 'false oignon'<br />
ubutwíiko 'body burn'<br />
umúunyuwíntaama 'sheep's salt'<br />
umuvúgo 'poetry recitation'<br />
ikizíranyéenzi 'immune to coachroaches'<br />
ikiyuundo 'large hammer'<br />
umuvúmo 'curse'<br />
imvúrídáhitá 'the unending rain'<br />
umuzígangóre 'the thing that women use for make-up'<br />
umuseké 'the favorable one'<br />
umukúundé 'the love plant'<br />
umutágara 'the smart one'<br />
igitáambitáambi 'the crawling one'<br />
umutáraazá 'the one that doesn't to survive the night'<br />
igitegamajaanja 'the one which presents its palms'<br />
intooroome 'the fast growing one'<br />
umutaanga 'the fast one'<br />
umutúkampuungwe 'the one who insults mpungwe'<br />
umutsíinduka 'the winner'<br />
umuzirandondwe 'the one which hates bugs'<br />
umuzígamfíizi 'the one which paints bulls'<br />
umuzígangore 'the one which paints maternity crowns'<br />
umuyuumbu 'the one which grows thich'<br />
ubwuungo 'the one which fixes broken bones'<br />
mutuúmbi 'the fat one'<br />
umutúramugina 'the one which leaks from the ground'<br />
umutúrabúguma 'the one that leaks old age'<br />
umuvúgangoma 'the drum that speaks'<br />
umuvúnaánka 'the one that rescues cows'<br />
umuzibuura 'the one that cleans cloaged things'<br />
umuzíbazíba 'the one that blocks the exit'<br />
umutsina 'the one which cut from the bottom'<br />
umutíma w'íisi 'the earth heart'<br />
umutíma w'íkimasá 'the bull's heart'<br />
umutáambashá 'the deer dancing'<br />
umuyoora 'the one that picks up'<br />
umuvuvu (kuvuvagura)<br />
umuyaza 'the one that makes body boil'<br />
umuviivi 'the survivor'<br />
umuyeenzi (kuyeenza)'
umusáangé 'the one that joins others'<br />
umushíranyóota 'the one that quenches thirst'<br />
ishárankíma 'the ugly one'<br />
umuságaambá 'the growing one'<br />
umushóomorankóko<br />
umushámarankóko<br />
umusékera-suka 'the one that smiles for the hoe'<br />
seka-baazané 'smile so that they bring (food)'<br />
urusána-nzúki 'the one that repairs bees'<br />
insesa-birago 'the one that moves straw mats'<br />
umukuundakwaaka ‘the one which burns easily’<br />
umucáasuká ‘the one that breaks the hoe’<br />
umukúragícuku ‘the one which grows fast’<br />
umuménamabuye ‘the one which breaks stones’<br />
umuríra-ngéenda<br />
inyoga-nyaanja<br />
umuryáamira-bákoóbwa<br />
ikiryaa-bashuumba<br />
ruvug-amadáago<br />
ruvug-amahoómbo<br />
umuruta<br />
urunyámavúta ‘the one with oil/fat’<br />
umuságaambá ‘the one that grows spreading’<br />
umunywáandé ‘who should drink it ?’ Ilex mitis<br />
4. <strong>Names</strong> from class 3<br />
Words in class 3 use class 4 to mark the plural. The class marker for class 3 is the prefix<br />
-mu- and the preprefix or augment is the copy of the prefix vowel ,namely u-.<br />
Class 4 is marked by the prefix -mi- and the preprefix i-.<br />
umunyinyá Acacia abyssinica subsp calophyllia/Acacia sieberana var<br />
vermoesenii<br />
umunyúra Dodonaea viscosa<br />
umutárishóonga Cluytia abyssinica<br />
umutaráma Gardenia ternifolia,subsp jovis-tonantis<br />
umutánuuká Dichrocephala bicolor<br />
umutaanga Lagenaria dv.spp<br />
umuteembe Rorippa cryplantha<br />
umuteekampengeri Mentha aquatica<br />
umutáambashá Magnistipula butayei<br />
umutágara Grassocephalum multicorymbosum<br />
umutabana Indigofera roseo-caerulea<br />
umutoryi solanum melongena<br />
umutsina Sporobolus pyramidalis<br />
umutooyi Chrysophyllum gorungosanum/Aningeria adolfi-<br />
friderici
umusurí Beilschimiedia rwandensis/Oxynthus speciosus subsp<br />
stenocarpus/Garcinia volkensii<br />
umusuumbarukeenke Panicum maximum<br />
umusiibyarugeendo Apodytes dimidiata<br />
umushoshwe Hibiscus ludwiigi/Abutilon angulatum<br />
umuraangara Croton macrostachyus/Croton megalocarpus<br />
umusagávu<br />
umusakávu Fagara sp<br />
umusámanzúki Hypercum revolutum<br />
umunyamabuye Fadogia ancylantha<br />
umunyakayuumbu Psychotria<br />
parvistipulata/Macrotylomaaxillare/Tephrosia elata/Diospyros<br />
gabonensis<br />
umunyákabáruká Hymenocaria<br />
umunége Croton megalocarpus<br />
umugóombé Chenopodium ugandae<br />
umusíine Peddiea rapaneoides/Peddiea<br />
orophila/Vaccinium stanleyi<br />
umusáduká Hibiscus aethiopicus<br />
umusagára Rhos longifer<br />
umusaande Urera cameroonensis<br />
umusaandi Cassia mimosoides<br />
umusáangé Entada abyssinica<br />
umusaángu Haronga madagascariensis<br />
umusáraba Crotalaria vallicola<br />
umusárabátemye Ryrigynia kivuensis<br />
umusáareendá Triumfetta cordifolia<br />
umusáasá Nuxia congesta/Nuxia floribunda/Olinia<br />
rochetiana/Campylosperum vegelii var.poggei/Ximenia caffra/Rhamnus<br />
prinoides/Polygala ruwenzoriensis/Dodonaea viscosa<br />
umusásankwáaré Hyercum revolutum<br />
umusé Urera cameroonensis/Urera hypselodendron<br />
umusebéya Albizia grandibractea/Albizia adianthifolia/Albizia<br />
gummifera<br />
umuseké Phragmites mauritianus<br />
umusekera Pittosporum spathicalyx/Macaranga<br />
kilimandscaria/Ximenia caffra/Platostoma denticulatun<br />
umuseena Ficus asperifolia/<br />
umuseene Ficus<br />
umuséengesi Myrica mildbraedii/Myrica salicifolia/Rapanea<br />
melanophloeios/Balthasarea schlibenii<br />
umushábarará Rytiginia bridsonii/Rytiginia Kigeziensis/Rytiginia<br />
kivuensis/Rytiginia beniensis/Canthium ruwenzoriense<br />
umushámi Haplocoelum gallaense<br />
umushaanga Adhatoda engleriana<br />
umusháranyóota Lannea humilis<br />
umushaariita Cyphostemma adenocaulis<br />
umusháashi Cripophyllum rwandense/Canthium sp./Bridelie
micrantha/Hippocratea goetzei/Salacia erecta<br />
umushaayishaanyi Harungana madascariensis<br />
umushiba Rhynchosia resinosa/Eriosema nutans<br />
umushírabwíiko Vaccinum stanleyi<br />
umupfúurankwáavu Tephrosia aequilata<br />
umupfunyantpke Eriosema<br />
psoraleoides/E.scioanum/E.montanum<br />
umunyerére<br />
umunyéreéri<br />
umunyarugabo Helichrysum odoratissimum<br />
umunyárugéerá Acacia moberana var kagerensis<br />
umunyárugoóndo Rhamnus staddo<br />
umunyáruhehá Ranunculus stagnalis<br />
umunyareenda Acalypha manniana<br />
umunyarubaanda Cleome monophylla<br />
umunyarubobi Trimeria grandifolia subsp tropica<br />
umunyáanzíigirirá Commicarpus plumbagineus<br />
umunyana Thunbergia mildbraediana<br />
umujugurira Boerhavia diffusa/Cammicarpus plumbagenius<br />
umukaanja Ochna schweinfurthiana<br />
umukaragata Embelia schimperi<br />
umukárara Agauria salicifolia<br />
umukeenke Hyparrhenia div.sp./Themeda trianda<br />
umukérakéenja Pennisetum trachyphyllum<br />
umukéreko Newtonia buchananii<br />
umukéreenké ozoroa reticulata<br />
umukeéri Rubus div.sp.<br />
umukíindo Phoenix reclinata<br />
umukiingabagabo Tephrosia elata/Tephrosia pamila<br />
umukíryi Virectaria major<br />
umukó Erytrina abyssinica<br />
umukómagoré Grewia similis<br />
umukoondo Isoglossa laxiflora/Mimulopsis solmsii<br />
umukóongwá Dombeya bagshawei/Hibiscus calyphyllus<br />
umukoni Synadenium synadenium grantii<br />
umukoonji Acacia senegalensis<br />
umukoonjoro Piper capense<br />
umukóre Dombeya rutindifolia/Dombeya kirkii<br />
umukorokoombe Capparis sepiaria/Capparis tomentosa<br />
umukúbagwá Psorospermum febrifugum<br />
umukúumbugurú Clerodendrum johnstonii/Clerodendrum<br />
buchholzii<br />
umuruundambaazo Markhamia tusifolia/Alangium chinense/Ehletia<br />
cymosa/Grewia mildbraedii<br />
umukúundé Cajanus cajan<br />
umukuúngeri Abutilon mauritianum<br />
umukúraazo Vernonia hochstetteri<br />
umukurú Pachycarpus schweinfurthii/Raphionacme
madiensis/Xysmalobium heudoletiatum/Staphmostelma<br />
peduculantum<br />
umukurura Capparis fascicularis/elaeagnoides<br />
umumara Pseudosabisea arborea subsp bequaertii<br />
umuména Pappea capensis<br />
umuméno Maerua angolensis<br />
umumeéyu Albizia petersiana<br />
umumuúna Lannea schimperi<br />
umumuri Olea europea var africana<br />
umunaaba Triumfeta cordifolia<br />
umunanira Jaundea/Rhamnus prinoides<br />
umunaniranzovu Solanum aculeastrum/Jaundea pinnata/Milletia<br />
psilopetala/Albizia amara sbsp. sericophala<br />
umunaáyo Brillantaisia cicatricosa/Mimulopsis<br />
solmisii/Dicliptera colorata<br />
umunazi Parinari curatellifolia/<br />
umwáahuro Periploca linearifolia/Rhyncostigma racemosum<br />
umwaamirangabo Hymenodictyon floribundum<br />
umwaamiya Alangium chinense<br />
umwáanyá Neoboutonia maqcrocalyx<br />
umwaasa Pentadesma reyndersii/Zanthoxylum mildbraedii<br />
umwaasha Balthasarea schliebenii<br />
umwáatashyári Trimeria grandiflora subsp tropica<br />
umubaánga Schrebera elata/Pericopsis angolensis<br />
umubáruká Pavetta gardenifolia/Tricalysia<br />
ruandensis/Cantium schimperianum<br />
umubázi Monechna subsessile/Dyschoriste<br />
clinopodioides/Ruellia patula<br />
umuberánya Typha angustifolia<br />
umubíimbafúro Helinus mystacinus/Gouania<br />
longistipicata/Vernonia pogosperma<br />
umubiriizi Vernonia amygdalina<br />
umuboómbo Cayratia gracilis<br />
umububá Albizia versicolor<br />
umubugú Salacia erecta<br />
umubúunda Casuarina equisetifolia<br />
umubyáazamásekérume Maerua triphylla var johannis<br />
umucuundura Erythrococca fisheri/Waltheria indica/Triumfetta<br />
rhomboidea/Triumfetta tomentosa/Maesa/lanceolata/Hibiscus<br />
berbedifolius/Sida div.spp.<br />
umucúungwé Celosia anthelmintica<br />
umucyúuro Cassia didymobotrya/Oreosyce<br />
africana/Momordica foetida<br />
umudáhaandá Orthosiphon suffrutescens<br />
umudáhweerá Commiphora madagascariensis/<br />
umudóboóri Trema orientalis<br />
umweena Satureja pseudosimensis<br />
umweenya Ocimum suave/Ocimum urticifolium
umufátaangwe Mezoneuron angolense/Caesarlpinia<br />
decapelata/Pterolobium stellatum/Harrisonia<br />
abrusinica<br />
umufú Podocarpus usambarensis<br />
umufuumba Rumex abyssinicus<br />
umufuumbageshi Rumex usamberensis<br />
umufúunzo Cyperus papyrus<br />
umufúura Boehmeria nivea/Laportea ovalifolia<br />
umugabudásuumírwa Carduus nyassanus/Carduus leptacanthus<br />
umugabudásunikwá Oxalis latifolia<br />
umuganáshya Cussonia holstii/Peucedonum nyassicum<br />
umugaango Pergularia daemia<br />
umugano Arundinaria alpina<br />
umugaanza Ocotea michelsonii<br />
umugaanzacyaaro Harrisonia abyssinica/Ziziphus abyssinica<br />
micronata<br />
umugarura Ammania baccifera/Acollanthus repens<br />
umugasá Scutia myrtina<br />
umugeendajoro Cassipourea gummiflua, var<br />
ugandensis/Lepidotrichilia volkensii/Maytenus undata<br />
umugéengé Acacia hockii<br />
umugeeti Hagenia abyssinica<br />
umugeyo Pterolobium stellatum/Mimosa pigra/Acacia<br />
brevispica<br />
umugiímbu Bridelia brideliifolia/Bridelia micrantha<br />
umugiingo Psychotria mahonii/Psychotria buyoyensis var<br />
rugensis<br />
umugomera Fagaropsis angolensis/Cantium vulgare<br />
umugónampíri Acalypha villicaulis<br />
umugoóte Syzigium parvifolium<br />
umugú Acacia polyacantha<br />
umuguunga Acacia gerrardii<br />
umugwáampóre Ficus glumosa/Trema orientalis<br />
umuhagatangimaCissus humertii<br />
umuhaánda Casearia runsorica/Stephania abyssinica<br />
umuhánurankúba Phyllanthus nummulariifolius<br />
umuhárakuukú Lablab purpureus/Rhynchosia hirta/Vigna<br />
parkeri/Rhynchosiakilimandscharica/Rhy nchosia sublobata/Rhynchosia<br />
minima var prostrata/<br />
umuháshya Monanthotaxis orophila/Dalbergia lactea/Leptoderris harmisiana<br />
umuháati Dracaena afromontana<br />
umuháto Astripomoea grantii<br />
umuhaátu Pavonia patens/Abutilon asiat5icum<br />
umuhatura Abutilon angulatum<br />
umuheengeri Lantana trifolia/Geniosporum rotundifolium<br />
umuhíihí Echinochloa colunum<br />
umuhokó Phytolacca dodecandra<br />
umuhoróro Premna angolensis
umuhótorá Jasminum fluminense/Jasminum dichotomum/Jasminum,<br />
schimperi/Xymalos,<br />
monospora/Mikaniopsis<br />
umuhuba<br />
umuhuúhe Croton dichogamus<br />
umuhuumbo Ficalhoa laurifolia<br />
umuhúunga Aeschynomene schimperi/Kotschya africana var<br />
bequaertii/Kotschya aeschynomenoides<br />
umuhúuriizi Podocarpus milanjianus<br />
umuhurura Achyrantes aspera<br />
5. <strong>Plant</strong> names from other classes<br />
isáandi Blepharis integrifolia<br />
igikákarúbaámba<br />
ishyóongoóshyo Thunbergia mildbraediana<br />
ubushyírahámwe Capsella bursera-pastoris<br />
ishóki Blepharis maderaspatensis<br />
igishókoonkoro Cynoglossum lanceolatum<br />
igishókorampoongo Crassophalum sp./Emilia coccinea<br />
ishoombosho Trachomeria macrocarpa<br />
iraáriire Senecio cydoniifolius<br />
uburyóoheramfíizi Dyschoriste perrottetii<br />
ikiryooheramuhoro Annona senegalensis/Galiniera coffeoides/Psychotria<br />
lauracea/Tricalisia rwandensis/Psychotria miahonii/Psychotria<br />
palustris/Psychotria<br />
pedunculoris<br />
isagara Pentas decora<br />
isakara Oldenlandia herbea<br />
igisámutóbwe Mimulopsis arborescens<br />
isaanda Trichodesma zeylanicum<br />
isaánzu Ochna afzeli/Vepris stolzii/Chrysophyllum<br />
pruniforme/Eugenia capensis sub sp<br />
nyassensis/Anisepalum humbertii<br />
isaayuura/igisaayuura Allophylus rubifolius<br />
uruseende Solanum nigrum<br />
akanyamwiiga Dychnostachys coerulea<br />
igishéhe Chrysophyllum rwandense/Ardista kivuensis<br />
inshiingati Stapfiella urugurica/Stapfiella lucida<br />
icyooganyaanja Dissotis senegambiensis/Suffrutex Bothriocline<br />
longipes<br />
akanyarubira Peperomia blanda var.Leptostaschya<br />
inyaanzi Tephrosia interrupta sbsp mildbraedi<br />
ikinyáankúrwe Clerodendrum formicalum/fuscum/johnstonii<br />
ikinyamucuucu Hypercum revolutum<br />
ijoojwe Asytasia gangetica/Asytasia schimperi/Justicia
striata/Justicia uncinulata/Justicia<br />
flava/Hypoestes forskalei/Phaulopsis imbricata<br />
injugúshu Nephrolepis undulata<br />
injuujú Evolvulus alsinoides<br />
inkabukira Coryza bonariensis<br />
igikákarúbaámba Aloès dawei/Aloès volkensii<br />
igikángaga Cyperius latiforius<br />
urukéembagúfa Stachys aculeolata/Geranium div ssp.<br />
urukeenke Dracena laxissima<br />
ubukikíri Lepidagathis andersionana<br />
inkookera Strychnos lucens<br />
inkonoondwe Crambe hispanica<br />
inkóorí Vigna ungiculata<br />
ubukuubo Vernonia perrottetii/Vernonia schweinfurtithii<br />
inkúundabúrimi Momordica pterocarpa<br />
umukuungu Parinari excelsa<br />
inkúruba Agelatum conyzoides /Haumaniastrum<br />
galeopsifolium<br />
imáanayeezé Helichrysum sp dv.<br />
ikimaanja Clotalaria karagwensis<br />
imari/ikimari Garinsoga parviflora<br />
akamaatiira Adenostemura mauritianum<br />
ikimezá Hedythyrsus thamnodideus<br />
inaánka Helichrisum mildbraedii/Eriosema mucans<br />
ineembo Maytenus acuminata/Tarenna rwandensis<br />
ikineesha Ixora burundiensis/Pavetta bagshawei/Psychotria<br />
chalconeura/Rauvolfia manii/Pleiocarpa pycnantha<br />
urwaakaara/inyaakaara Isodon ramosissimus/Plechranthus<br />
fimbriatus/Solenestemon sylvaticum<br />
urwaamba/inyaamba Flabellaria paniculata/Lasiantus kilimandscharicus<br />
icyaangwe Luffa cylindrica<br />
icyáanjogo Psilotrichum elliottii<br />
icyaánya Musanga leoerrerae<br />
urwaarikafuundi Rhynchelytrum roseum<br />
akaataburiingi Plumbago zeylanica<br />
ikibabanzovu Girardinia bullosa<br />
urubabára Combretum orophilum<br />
urubabáza Pyllantus div.sp./Desmodium<br />
ikibábo Peucedanum aculeolatum<br />
urubeba Vigna racemosa<br />
urubeerwá/imbeerwá Hibiscus cannabinus/Hibiscus diversifolius<br />
urubiingo Pennisetum purpureum<br />
iboórebee Morus alba var indica<br />
ikiboombwe Cyphostemma cyphopelatum<br />
imbóno Diplocyclos palmatus<br />
ikiborooza Girardinia condensata<br />
urubwiíja Amaranthus hybridus<br />
incáabugufí Becium abovatum
igicuúnshu Salvia sp./Ocinum sp.<br />
indásigáriza Helichrysum ellipticifolium<br />
idegéde Cucumis aculeatus<br />
ikidóboóri Ficus vallis-choudae<br />
idoóma Gutenvergia cordifolia<br />
ikidúha Euphorbia candelabrum<br />
icyeegeera Plectranthus longipes/Selecio angulatus<br />
akeendajoro Nesaea schinzii<br />
icyeerá Conyza hochstetteri<br />
igifáshi Cyathula polycephala/Cyathula<br />
schimperana/Cyathula uncinulata/Pupalia<br />
grandiflora/Pupalia lappacea<br />
igifuraniinda Crassophalum montuosum<br />
ifurwe Laportea alatipes<br />
inganáshya Cossyza subscaposa<br />
igaangabukári Hygrophila auriculata<br />
ingarikabigaanza Euphorbia inaequilatera<br />
akagiingo Kohaytia coccinea/Silene burchelliiJusticia anselliana<br />
ngiingwiijana Oldenlandia scopulorum/Spermacoce<br />
spucilla/Spermacoce subvulgata/Spermacoce princeae<br />
ubugoombooro Thalictrum rynchocarpum/Peucedanum<br />
runssoricum<br />
ingomwá Beilschmiedia troupinii/Ocotea<br />
kenyensis/Dasylepsis racemosa/Beilschmiedia<br />
rwandensis<br />
igóondé Sesamum angolense/Sesamum angustifolius/Conyza<br />
hochstetteri<br />
ingorámure Pausinystalia ituriense/Pauridiantha paucinervis<br />
igorogoonzo Polygonum div.sp<br />
ingosoora Tagetes patula<br />
uruguhú Miscanthidium violaceum<br />
ikigwáarará Berkheya spekeana/Garduus/Echinops<br />
akagwáarará Blepharis cristata<br />
agahagi Brachystephanus africanus<br />
agahago Physalis micrantha<br />
agahaandanzovu Tribulus terrestris<br />
iháangarúhiirá Ruellia patula<br />
ruharwá Opila celtigifolia<br />
ihenérane Caralluma schweinfurthii<br />
igiheehe Bothriocline longipes/Bothriocline nyungwensis<br />
uruhoómbo Vernonia/Vernonia angulifolia/Vernonia<br />
hochstetteri/Vernonia purpurea/Vernonia karagwensis<br />
ihónoranzóbe Ocimum trichodon<br />
impoóshya Drymaria cordata/Lemna paucicostata<br />
ihuumbu Hysanthes pusilla<br />
impuúmbya Veronica abyssinica<br />
umuhúunga Aeschynomene schimperi<br />
igihuúngeri Philippia benguellensis/Philippia johnstonii/Protea
madiensis<br />
igihwaápfu Mimulopsus excellens<br />
urunyarunyuundo Vernonia holstii<br />
akanyamabaya Dyschoriste trichocalyx<br />
ikinyamagaanga Plectranthus sarrulatus<br />
igitovu acanthus pubescens<br />
icyúumyá Guitozia scabra/Melanthera scandes/Aspilia<br />
pluriseta/Salivia nilotica<br />
Conclusion<br />
Kinyarwanda plant names are either icons or metonymies. They indicate the similarity or<br />
the association between the linguistic sign and the plant. Many appear in reduplicated<br />
forms because of their forms. They suggest their length, height and movement. It is also<br />
clear that class 3 and class 4 were natural classes reserved for plants and later on started<br />
including nouns referring to other semantic categories. All linguistic signs usually start as<br />
icons but lose their semantic transparency later on.<br />
The iconicity of plant names is due to the fact that they are seldom used in every day<br />
vocabulary thus keeping their original forms. It is linguistic expressions which are used<br />
more often which have tendency to develop develop more meanings, change meanings or<br />
shrink phonetically.<br />
References<br />
Coupez, André et all. 2006. Inkoranya y’ikinyarwanda. IRST :<br />
Butare, Rwanda and Musée Roal de l’Afrique Central :<br />
Tervuren.<br />
<strong>Kimenyi</strong>, <strong>Alexandre</strong>. 1980. Une analyse semiolinguistique des noms<br />
des plantes médicinales et rituelles du Rwanda. in Culture,<br />
Science et Education. Kigali : Rwanda.<br />
Lestrade, A. 1955. La médecine indigéne au Rwanda. Lexique des<br />
termes médicaux français-kinyarwanda. Académie Royale des<br />
Sciences Coloniales. Classes des Sciences Morales et Politiques,<br />
Mémoire in-8 0 ,N.S.VIII, 1.<br />
Troupin, G, 1978. Flore du Rwanda, Spernatophytes I. Butare : INRS.<br />
Troupin.G. 1982. Flore des plantes lingeuses du Rwanda. Butare :<br />
IRNS<br />
Troupin, G. 1983. Flore du Rwanda, Spermatophytes II. Butare : INRS.<br />
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