Dagbani Dictionary

Dagomba names

Persons

Animals

Plants

Objects

Dictionary

Persons


Name In Dagbanli	Gender	Group	Meaning
Aburu
Adirikarili
Adishiri
Adishiri
Ajuwa
Alheri
Anamzooya
Andani
Andi
Anfani
Anim
Anisung			good intention
Anzansi
Asana
Asiro		Saha Yuya
Azima		Dabsa Yuya
Azindoo
Balemini		Ancestral
Balima
Banbangtaba			those who know each other
Bandaba
Bangahim
Bangbebu
Bangda
Bangsim
Banzu		Ancestral
Beemoni		Saha Yuya
Beninye			stay and witness
Bieŋmali		Saha Yuya
Bigaŋ		Ŋaha Yuya	Not discriminated
Bineti			they have enlightened us
Biziŋ
Biʒem
Bonidima
Bonnidima / Dondirima		Ŋaha Yuya
Borizama
Budaali		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣijaa		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣili		Buɣi Yuya
Bugudabila		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣudabili		Buɣi Yuya
Buguli		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣutandi		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣuyɛligu		Buɣi Yuya
Busaɣiri		Buɣi Yuyaf
Chaanga
Chalpang
Changona
Chentiwuni
Chimsi		Goya Yuya
Daajuɣu		Saha Yuya
Daanaa
Daangoɣu		Ŋaha Yuya
Daankali
Daballi
Dahama
Daliri
Damba		Goya Yuya
Damduu
Danaa		Saha Yuya
Dangana
Dariʒieɣu
Dasana
Dasoli		Saha (Circumstantial)
Datia
Datorili
Dawora		Ŋaha Yuya
Dawuni
Dayuuni		Saha Yuya
Dede
Deeshini
Dikpong
Dinnani		Ŋaha Yuya
Dintoli
Dinviela
Dipantiche
Dirli
Faako
Fanjima
Fibili
Fiiluwa
Fuseina
Fuseini
Gariba
Gburiŋ
Gurimachaɣupaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Gurimpaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Hikolana
Jebuni,		Buɣi Yuya
Jemda
Jenda			It means Outstanding or exceptional when used as a verb, but when used as a noun it means responsibility
Jepu
Jilma
Jintora
Kachaɣu
Kacheli
Kaɣili
Kanli
Kasi
Kasuwa
Kataali
Katari
Kawoligili
Kayaba		Saha zooYuyazin
Kochim
Kokura
Kpala		Buɣi Yuya
Kuɣuli
Kumtili
Laakala
Lahari
Lansa		Buɣi Yuya
Lariba		Dabsa Yuya
Lasiche
Luro
Malima
Malimaŋa
Malisimli		Ŋaha Yuya
Maltiti		Ŋaha Yuya
Mandeiya
Matta
M’baŋba		Ŋaha Yuya
Mbatɔɣima
Mbo
M’buridiba		Ŋaha Yuya
Mfaanga
Mirifa
Mpanko
Naama
Naani		Ŋaha Yuya
Naatɔɣima
Nagumsi
Naina
Nakpambo		Ancestral
Naniendo
Nanjaa
Napaga
Napari
Naporo		Ancestral
Nasakai
Nasara
Nayi
Nbangzaa
Ndaduŋ
Ndini
Neina
Neindoo
Neira
Neisim
Nenpaga
N’gaŋŋuni		Ŋaha Yuya
Niema
Nirlim
Niyasung
Njalwuni			Leaning on God
Nniŋdini
Nnyeyam
Ntabiliba		Ŋaha Yuya
Nyaɣisi
N’yubaje		Ŋaha Yuya
ŋɔʒe
ŋmapiripaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Paɣanaa
Paɣawuni
Pagnaa
Pini
Puumaya
Saa		Saha Yuya
Sachibu
Sagtiti
Saha
Saha
Sakundi
Salaŋa		Saha Yuya
Salpawuni
Sayora		Saha Yuya
Shagba		Ancestral
Sheriga
Shitobu
Sibido		Dabsa Yuya
Sibiri
Siche
Siɣili		Saha Yuya
Siisabigi
Simdi
Sindoliwa		Ancestral
Soochi
Suɣiri		Saha Yuya
Suglo
Suhidoo
Suhipelli
Suhiyini		Ŋaha Yuya
Taali-mbo
Tahama
Talaata		Dabsa Yuya
Tamaha
Tambo		Buɣi Yuya
Tampuli		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Tani		Dabsa Yuya
Tapilimpaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Tasalla		Saha Yuya
Teenaba
Tia		Buɣi Yuya
Tidiya
Tido		Buɣi Yuya
Tikuli
Tikuma		Ŋaha Yuya
Timani
Timtooni		Ŋaha Yuya
Tinitoo
Tipaga		Buɣi Yuya
Tipaɣa
Tiyumba
Tiyuundiba
Toblanguri
Tunteiya
Tusua		Saha Yuya
Vabiloɣu		Saha Yuya
Vani
Velim
Wumbei
Wumda
Wumpini
Wumpini
Wundeiya
Wunibiyɛli
Wuniche
Wuninmi		Ŋaha Yuya
Wunintira		Ŋaha Yuya
Wunko
Wunnam
Wunpini
Wuntia
Wuntima
Wunzalgu
Yada
Yaɣimerigu
Yalsumah
Yemtori
Yemusa
Yerda
Yiko
Yiri		Ancestral
Yirifa
Yumzaa
Yumzaa
Yurizaa
Zabaɣapaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Zambalima		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Zantale
Zemoli
Zenebu		Buɣi Yuya
Ziŋba
Ziŋnaa		Saha Yuya
Zirili
Zitana (Ʒitana)
Ziyaba
Zoli
Zoosim
Zoosimli		Ŋaha Yuya
Zugsung
Ʒeenya
ʒiba
Ʒisuŋ

Animals

Name In Dagbani	Group	Name In English	Image
Noo Plural – Nɔhi Male- Nolɔɣu Female- No’nyaŋ	Domestic animals – Yiŋ binkɔbiri	Fowl	Nɔhi (Fowls)
Bua Plural- buhi Male- bulaa Female- bu’nyaŋ	Domestic animals – Yiŋ binkɔbiri	Goat	Bulaa – Billy Goat
Piɛɣu Plural – piɛri Male- piɛlaa Female- piɛ’nyaŋ	Domestic animals – Yiŋ binkɔbiri	Sheep	Piɛlaa – Ram
Nahu Plural – Niɣi Male- Naɣ’laa Female- Naɣ’ nyaŋ	Domestic animals – Yiŋ binkɔbiri	Cow	Cow – Nahu
Jɛnkuno Plural- jɛnkunti Male- jɛnkun lɔɣu Female- jɛnkun nyaŋ	Domestic animals – Yiŋ binkɔbiri	Cat	Cat – Jɛnkuno
Baa Plural- bahi Male – ba’ laa Female- ba’ nyaŋ	Domestic animals – Yiŋ binkɔbiri	Dog	Dog – Baa
Buŋa Plural – Bunsi Male- Bundaa Female- Buŋ nyaŋ	Domestic animals – Yiŋ binkɔbiri	Donkey	Donkey – buŋa
Gbuɣinli Plural – Gbuɣima Male- Gbuɣindaa Female- Gbuɣin nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Lion	Gbuɣindaa – Male Lion
Jɛngbuni Plural – Jɛngbuna Male- Jɛngbun lɔɣu Female- Jɛngbun nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Leopard/ Cheetah	Jɛngbuni – Leopard
Wɔbigu Plural – wɔbiri Male- wɔbilaa Female- wɔbi nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Elephant	Elephant – Wɔbigu
Tiŋbuŋ Plural- timbuna Male- tiŋbuŋ lɔɣu Female – tiŋbuŋ nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Aardvark	Aardvark – Tiŋbuŋ
Kparili Plural – kpara Male – kpari dɔɣu Female- kparinyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Baboon	Baboon – kparili
Dayuɣu Plural- Dayuri Male- Dayu’lɔɣu Female- Dayu nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Bandicoot	Bandicoot – Dayuɣu
Bat- Zɔŋa Plural – Zɔna Male- Zɔŋ lɔɣu Female- Zɔŋ nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Bat	Bat- Zɔŋa
Buffalo – Yonahu Plural – Yoniɣi Male- yonaɣilaa Female- Yonaɣ’ nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Buffalo	Buffalo – Yonahu
Bush buck- Sankpaluŋ Plural – Sankpalima Male- Sankpaluŋ lɔɣu Female- Sankpaluŋ nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Bush buck	Bush buck – Sankpaluŋ
Fox – ŋɔɣu Plural- ŋɔri Male- ŋɔlɔɣu Female- ŋɔnyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Fox	Fox – ŋɔɣu
Hyena – Kunduŋ Plural – kunduna Male- kundun lɔɣu Female- Kunduŋ nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Hyena	Hyena – Kunduna
Mulfu Plural – muya Male- mulfu lɔɣu Female- mulfu nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Gazelle	Gazelle – Mulfu
ŋɔŋli Plural- ŋɔŋa Male- ŋɔŋshi laa Female- ŋɔŋ nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Grass cutter	Grass cutter – ŋɔŋli
Laringa Plural- Larinsi Male- lariŋ lɔɣu Female- lariŋ nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Squirrel	Squirrel – Laringa
Sibiga Plural – Sibisi Male- Sibi dibiga Female- Sibi nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Hartebeest	Hartebeest – Sibiga
Hedgehog – Yuɣimpɛni Plural – yuɣimpɛna Male- Yuɣimpɛn lɔɣu Female- Yuɣimpɛn nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Hedgehog	Hippopotamus – ŋamli Hedgehog – Yuɣimpɛni
ŋamli Plural – ŋama Male- ŋandaa Female- ŋan nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Hippopotamus	Hippopotamus – ŋamli
Yɔbua Plural- yɔbuhi Male- yɔbu laa Female- yɔbu nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Ibex	Ibex – Yɔbua
Yɔbaa Plural- yɔbahi Male- yɔba lɔɣu Female- yɔba nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Jackal	Jackal- yɔbaa
Vulugu Plural Vulisi Male- vuli dibiga Female- Vulidibisi	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Red Buck	Reed Buck- Vulugu
Nantariga Plural- Nantarisi Male- Nantari lɔɣu Female- Nantari nyaŋ	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Mole	Mole- Nantariga
Kantamparim	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Rhinoceros	Rhinoceros – Kantamparim
Kɔɣu	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Zebra	Kɔɣu- zebra
Dee	Bush Animals – Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)	Warthog	Warthog – Dee

Plants

Objects

Dictionary

Proverbs In Dagbani

Proverbs

Appellations

Proverbs

Dagbani Proverbs,	Translation	Meaning
Puu suɣuli yi ŋmɛlim ka bɔ, di ku ŋmani kambɔŋa.	No matter how big a hut in the farm becomes, it will not be as big as a granary.	Don’t compare yourself to someone who is greater than you. It may also mean we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others who have something that we don’t have. You may also have something that person doesn’t have.
Ʒiri yirigi pum, ka yɛlimaŋli deei wali.”	Lies produce flowers, but it is the truth that gets the fruits.	The results of speaking the truth are always better than the results of telling lies. Or lies may carry you on your journey, but the one with truth will usually come and pass with more speed than yours.
Alizanda soli bili mɔri, wunti’zɔriba (wundabili) n-kani (n-naai)”.	If heaven’s path is grown over with grass, it means that there are no more good people around”.	If good people do not speak out against bad things, they will continue to happen.
Din nam kamli, dina n-nam kamtoo.”	What has created the ordinary garden egg has also created the bitter one.	Some people are good and some people are bad, but we are all descendants of the same ancestor. So we should learn to tolerate one another. This is often said to people during peace talks.
Gutulu ku sooŋa, n-tam wɔb’kura yɛla.”	An ungrateful man killed a hare and forgot about the elephant hunter.	The elephant hunter had given him much meat and he didn’t give anything in return. This is said to someone who you have helped a lot and he/she refuses you even a little help.
Jɛrigu ka yɛm shɛri dɔɣim, amaa o lee mali yɛm ŋmari dɔɣim”	The fool has no sense to unite a family, but he has sense to destroy a family”.	This is often said to someone who is using his talents to do evil to others instead of good; meanwhile evil has no reward but punishment from God.
Kaɣ’shia mali waayo ku ŋmani piliŋ.”	No matter how sharp a split guinea stalk is, it can’t be as sharp as a razor.	You may have some strengths, talents, intelligence, wisdom or whatever, but don’t think you can challenge everyone. This is said to someone who has been thinking he is the greatest in anything until he meets a bad day with someone greater than him/her.
Sataŋ kuɣili baɣa ni nɔŋ’kpani.”	The stone anvil doesn’t care about the scorpion’s spear.”	I don’t fear the bad deeds of an evil person; God is my protector. This is used in a situation where the speaker believes God has been his guard against his enemies’ evil, machinations, ploy, lies etc.
Dahinshɛli beni ka jɛŋkuno ni ŋubi sima ka guui kɔhi n-ti jɛngbariga.”	There will be a day when the cat will eat groundnuts and have some leftover to sell for the benefit of the mouse.”	With hope there will be a day two archrivals will unite. Unity is always possible if there is hope. It may also mean that we should have hope that God will always provide our needs.
Baŋdi waayo ku baŋ nu’ kpibili.”	Even if you are an expert in understanding everything, you can’t know what is inside a closed hand.	No one knows tomorrow. You can’t know exactly what is in the future. If there is an in-camera or closed door meeting of people you won’t know the outcome until they tell you. If the gods have something for you, you won’t know until it comes.
Tahima zuɣu ka juɣu doli gbuɣinli.”	The vulture follows the lion because of hope of getting something (carcass).”	The weak follows the strong because they hope to get something from them. When you respect somebody, it is because you hope to get greater benefit from him.
Tambiɛɣu din tabili kuɣili ni saɣim lɛri.”	A white ant hill that is built on a stone spoils an axe.”	We should beware of hidden dangers. Evil close to good may destroy the good.
Toya kum gari Alidu.”	The sound of several mortars pounding confused Alidu.”	A lot of things may come at the same time and need to be attended to at the same. If you have a small problem, solve it once and don’t wait to have several problems. It will confuse you like the sound from mortars pounding fufu confused Alidu. E.g. “Di chɛ ka toya ti kum gari Alidu”. That is “Don’t let the sound from several mortars pounding confuse Alidu.”
Ŋun karit’ a yi bɛ zani, a gba bɛ zanda.”	If the person running after you does not stop, you also don’t stop.”	Do not stop fleeing or defending yourself when there is still danger pursuing you. If your challenges are unresolved, you don’t stop struggling.
Pololi yi ʒi shɛli kam amaa o mi lɔŋ gballi.”	Even if the toad doesn’t know anything at all, at least it knows the grave of the frog.”	No matter how limited someone is, or how bad someone is, he or she has at least one good quality.
Wahu nyirivɔɣu m-bala.”	The is the anus of a horse.”	This is used to let the one boasting know that everyone knows that he won’t fulfill his promise. It may also refer to someone who wants to hide something that can’t be hidden.
Gaɣili deei mia, baŋmi nyaɣibu.”	The gourd has a rope tied round it; you have to know how to hang it on your shoulder.”	If you are given a position of authority, you need to learn how to act accordingly. If a couple gets married, they need to learn how to live together with each other. If you are in any situation, you have to learn how to live your life to suit that situation.
Dam is duu, yɛlli mii beni.”	There is pito in the room, there is also trouble inside.”	This proverb is said to have come from a story about a pito-drinking place where one day the pito seller was found dead inside the drinking spot (room). The pito buyer wanted the pito but there was trouble inside as the dead woman was there. This may be used as a warning that there is danger where you want to go.
Baŋkaŋ yihiri bɔ naɣilaa lan’ni?”	What can a tick remove from the bull’s testicle?”	If you have many things and only one is taken, you won’t feel it very much. It also means your enemies want to block your way to success but what they are doing cannot prevent your success if you have God in your favor or if what they are rather attacking is not your main source of success.
Dakoli ku sooŋa ku dooi bim.”	A bachelor hunter killed a rabbit, but he won’t get its broth.”	This proverb relates to a story of a bachelor hunter who killed a rabbit but could only give it to the wife of another hunter who kept the soup or the best portion for themselves. It means if you depend on others heavily for a solution, be prepared for some disappointments.
Nyir’kɔɣu lana mali o limli so bɛ deeira.”	A woman with slim buttocks has her beads around her waist and nobody can take them from her.”	People who have nothing may have something good that people who have everything wished they have. In such situations the people who have everything think those without anything are not qualified to have that one or few good thing(s).
Ko’kura lɔŋ baɣa ni saa.”	The frog always found in a mud doesn’t worry about the rain”	One doesn’t worry about what he is familiar or good at. If you have lived in a particular situation, you become fearless when people want to use that situation to scare you.
Niŋsim n-gari nangbanpibili.	Doing is better than the fast speaking lips.”	Actions speak louder than words. One must always fulfill his promises so that he may not be called a liar.
Piriŋkpana ni ka shɛli, ni ka sapibo surigiri bara	Where there is no spear grass (when you squat to ease yourself), that is where piles from one’s anus come out proudly.”	You can always do what you want to do so far as one greater than you is not around.
ʒiri lana duu piligirimi, di bɛ nyɔra.	The roof of a liar is removed, not set ablaze.”	If someone is telling big lies, he will be caught one day in a tight corner where no lie can save his face. If you have the opportunity to expose a liar, do it properly so that he will have no opportunity of lieing to escape again.
Zuɣu mɔɣulana pala zuɣu biɛɣulana.	The person with an oblong head is not an unlucky/bad person”	We shouldn’t judge people by their appearance. Be objective and open-minded when you are meeting somebody, no matter how bad the stories you have heard about him are.
Mi-ka-shini zo nyɛla baŋ-ku-yɛli-shɛli.	Know-and-be-quiet’ is the friend of ‘know-and-not-say-anything’ “	To know and be silent means to understand but not to tell it to others. That is a wise person keeps his ears open but his mouth shut.
Naawuni chɛl’ alibarika shɛriga ka gal suma kpɛ m-paɣi Wuni.”	May God spare the blessed needle so that beautiful threads can go into it and praise God.	This may refer to a good leader or chief who is willing or able to unite his people in doing well.
Naawuni dabili ku baŋ nini naɣila o tuma ni.”	Translation: A good person is not known by looks; you recognise him only through his/her deeds.	A good person is not recognised by external appearance. Appearance is deceptive.
Juɣu kpuɣi baa kɔbili, n-ŋmaligi sɔŋ baa dooshee.”	The vulture takes a bone from a dog, and later returns it to where the dog lies.	If you attempt to take a position for which you are not qualified, you will one day have to leave it for those who are qualified.
Saa bu nɔŋa ku suui tom.	The rain beats the scorpion, but it will not wash away its bitterness.	One cannot do away with the qualities that have been given to him from birth.
Salinsaa yɛliya ni o ku ŋubi paaŋa, paaŋa mii ku niŋ o naani.	The tiny ant says that it will not eat cricket, the cricket too will not trust it.	Fear whatever or whoever is dangerous because it or he/she will always cause you to fail in life.
A yɛla yi mali, a chomda n-kani.	If your problems are solved, it is because your false accuser/enemy is not there.	When a person succeeds, it is because his/her enemies are absent. Whatever you do you will have enemies who will magnify your mistakes.
Buŋ bɛ kumdi o kpee tiŋ’ ni.”	A donkey does not bray in it’s neighbour’s territory.	You cannot claim authority or boast in a place where another person rules. In other words, you can’t talk more about what is happening somewhere to a fellow who is from that place.
Chiriwaandana yi kpi, nakpaɣindana n-sɔɣir’o. (This proverb appears to be modernised by some modern-day Dagombas as “Kuruu yi kpi, guy n sɔɣir’ o.”	If a sarcastic/cheeky/diabolic person dies, it is the careless/I-don’t-care person who buries him.	Others will treat you as you have treated them. Be careful the way you handle people who need your help before they also treat you badly when you need their help.
A tim yi chihiri “ŋuni n-lee m-bala”, a bɛ zaandi/kpɛri zimsim ni.	If your magical power/charm/talisman taboos “Who is that?”, you don’t enter a dark place/spot.	If you don’t want to be disgraced, you should avoid behaviours that will bring disgrace on yourself. That is, you should be careful of what you are doing because one day you may have to give an account of your actions.
A “di mali o” yi zooi tiŋ’ni, a bɛ duri ti wɔɣinli.	If your “it suits him/her” (enemies) are many in your town, you don’t climb a tall tree.	You have to be careful where you are if your enemies are too many. Learn how to avoid/circumvent situations or plots by your enemies wherever you are.
Wua ŋun gɔri kukɔɣu ni gbaŋ ni vili mola.”	The skin of the monitor lizard that roams on fallow land will be used to wrap the shaft of arrows	Don’t take too much risk that can lead to your death. Don’t go where you shouldn’t go.
Wɔri yino tii bɛ baŋda	A single horse race is deceptive/unknown.	When two people quarrel, you won’t be fair if you listen to only one side and pass your judgment.
Piɛm yi sa valiga ni, di so ni di be tɔha nuu ni.	If an arrow is stuck in the body of an antelope, it is better than being left in the hand of a hunter.	It is better to do right so that people will not have anything to blame you for. It is better for your not-too-close friend to be suffering with a problem so you empathise with him.
Pakurugu duɣ’bila, viɛhima ka mira.	A witch’s small cooking pot, be careful when putting your hand into it to clear the last bit of soup with your finger for licking.	When situations are complex/difficult you have to be extra cautious in other to escape.
Anabi chilitɔŋ, bɛn ka laamba m-banda.”	The prophet’s eye powder is applied to the eyes of those who don’t have parents.	God cares for the disadvantaged; whether you are an orphan, poor, vulnerable, or whatever unfortunate situation you find yourself in, remember God does things at the right time.
Bɛnim’ n-doli soli, bɛnim’ n-dari mɔɣu, bɛ zaa kunila Yaakuba yili.”	Those walking on the (right) path, and those walking on the (wrong) path, they all have Yaakuba’s house as their destination.	There can be different routes, strategies, or ways of tackling a problem; the ultimate objective is the same. It is like saying “there are many ways of killing a cat.” It may also mean some will choose lies and some will choose truth, they are all from the same ancestor.
Bɛna n-kanilana” sola “ŋuna n-kanilana”.	They are coming” is better than “He is coming”.	There is strength in unity; and weakness in disunity. E.g. Usually used by our elders when they are talking to us to choose peace, love and unity instead of hatred.
Somuaa bi zori ka chari o ba tinga”.	a loyal citizen does not abandon his fatherland.
Naawuni ni zoogi so, sal’ ningsim ku tooi filimo”.	the one who has been nurtured by God to progress, a human cannot cause to retrogress.
Somoa bɛ zɔri ka chɛri o ba dabɔɣu
ŋuni n nam kuli
Aburu kaleem luwa
Somoa bɛ zɔri ka chɛri o ba dabɔɣu
Ka zaa n kuni kumbuŋ n ti ŋmani kumbuŋnima
Kari-Naa kikaa, a yi kuli piɛbi a ni bori shɛm, bɛ yɛn piɛbila a ni jɛ shɛm.
Zanduli ka chandi, Bagbani ka labiga.
Yɔɣu bia n dooi baŋa, ka di biɛri yɔɣunima. ŋun gba bora ŋun dooi.
ŋun chaŋ Savelugu wum o zilima ni labi zɔɣu.
Tuɣulan Damba, kpaakpuliŋ!
Bɛ yɛliya ni Tamale pala tiŋa. Ti kuli ʒimi ka yi kana. Ti kuli lahi yɛn ʒimi ka yi kuli.
Gbalonim baamaya, biɛɣuni sa lan kani?
Nyinbun-Naa baa yuli- soya wɔliya.
Pishiɣu-nim baamaaya, sirigi lu tandɔɣu ni.
Suɣulolan n diri o ba yuli
Suɣulo yi beni chinchini ni kpe gaɣali ni.
Suɣulo zuɣu ka dakoli nya paɣa, ka paɣ’lan nya bia.
Suɣulo mali nyɔri, suli n ka shɛli.
A yi niŋ Suɣulo ka bi di nyɔri, a bi niŋmi paai.
Din chani yuŋ ka kari a yaanim ŋɔ, ka a dii che ka biɛɣu neei.
Zolɔɣu ŋun bori yom, ŋun ka binkpaɣili marigira.
Lu ka n lu m-maani bahi diɛma
Yiya yi baa kpirila kum.
Nubil yini ku pii kuɣili
Din tuli zuɣu ka Naawuni nam kparima ayi.
Niri laɣirila jaŋ’ zori ni a doli ti pani tia zuɣu ka o paai ti a.
Din nam kamli, din n nam kamto.
Bihi yi zabiri saɣim zuɣu, bahi n ti diri li.
ŋun doli soli ka ŋuni n dari mɔɣu. Do zaa kunila Yaakuba yili.
ŋun duɣi juɣu, ŋun n dɔɣi suliga ni tɔrili
Din nam kamli, din n nam kamto
Bia ŋun nuu viɛla, ŋun n samdi kpɛm dɔri.
Bia ŋun duri ti’suŋ, ŋun ka ninkura tabira.
Gampiriga din mali mahim, din ka zɔna gɔnda.
Soli din viɛla ni laɣim so’chandiba.
Kuli noli din viɛla ni laɣim nyuriba
Baa lan zuɣu ka bi shini baa
ŋun bɔri o vum, ŋun’ n chimdi o gabo.
Lana piligu ka a yɛn baŋ ni di ni yi poli.
Buɣim yi na bi di, sakɔri bi puhiri taba ni ti zuɣu suŋ
Tarim barila o buŋa, ka o naba vuri tiŋa.
Noonbil ŋun yuli ʒɛm o kpuŋkpaŋ, ŋun’ ka bihi shɛra.
ŋun tum ka di bie, ŋun’ n gbili tibili.
Lana piligu ka a yɛn baŋ ni din’ yi pɔli.
Naɣ’so ŋun ka Zuli, Naawuni
Dɔli ni yaari shɛm, ka lala ka ti ŋmɛra
San’ kutooi baŋ kabira saɣim
A yi ʒili juɣu talla, a bi lahi wuhiri o tiŋkpansi.
San’ waɣinli dolila tiŋbi’jia

Appellations