kwiraba

How to say it

Meaning

to decorate one's own body, for example with traditional patterns.

Good to know

a reflexive verb (kwi- class) used of ceremonial or traditional body decoration rather than ordinary makeup.

Examples

• Umukobwa arashaka kwiraba imbere y'umugenzo w'ubukwe.The girl wants to paint herself before the wedding ceremony.
• Ese abakenyezi biraba imbere y'imihango?Do the women paint themselves before the rituals?
• Ntiraba kuko atagira ibara akunda.She doesn't paint herself because she has no color she likes.
• Baragiye kwiraba ku birori vy'umuco kama.They are going to paint themselves for the traditional festival.