imizimu

How to say it

Meaning

ancestral spirits; the spirits of the dead believed to linger and affect the living.

Good to know

plural of umuzimu (umu-/imi- class); traditional/cultural register.

Examples

• Abakurambere babwiraga ko imizimu igenda ikaraguza abazima.The elders used to say that ancestral spirits would go about disturbing the living.
• Ese wemera ko imizimu ibaho mu byukuri?Do you believe that ancestral spirits truly exist?
• Imizimu ntabwo yigeze igira icyo imbwira ubwanjye.Ancestral spirits have never told me anything personally.
• Bamwe bavuga ko imizimu izarakara iyo idahawe icyubahiro.Some say ancestral spirits become angry when not given respect.