makaburi
The Swahili word for graves is makaburi.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word makaburi is the plural form of the singular noun kaburi, which means grave.
Did you know?
- The word kaburi is a loanword from the Arabic qabr. Because of this influence, Swahili cemetery layouts often follow Islamic traditions with the feet of the deceased facing towards Mecca.
- In some East African contexts, talking too directly about 'graves' or 'death' is considered unlucky, so people may use euphemisms instead of the word makaburi.
- While makaburi refers to the physical sites, a person's place of rest is often poetically referred to as makazi ya mwisho, meaning 'the final dwelling'.
Examples in context
- Nimepata taarifa kuwa kuna kaburi jipya katika makaburi ya wazee.I heard there is a new grave in the cemetery of the elders.
- Makaburi mengi yapo hapa.There are many graves here.
- Makaburi hayo ni ya zamani.Those graves are old.
Example conversation
Omari and Aisha are walking through an old cemetery.
- OmariJe, unajua makaburi haya ni ya nani?Do you know whose graves these are?
- AishaSijui, lakini ni makaburi ya kale.I don't know, but they are ancient graves.
- OmariAisha, tunaweza kuondoka sasa?Aisha, can we leave now?
- AishaNdiyo, Omari, twende.Yes, Omari, let's go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry makaburi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
