Supa
In Maasai, "how are you?" is expressed as Supa.
Supa is a common, informal way to greet someone or ask how they are.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form Supa is used as a general greeting that functions both as "Hello" and "How are you?" in casual settings.
Did you know?
- The Maasai language belongs to the Nilotic family, meaning that Supa is more closely related to languages spoken in South Sudan than to the Swahili spoken in neighboring cities.
- In many pastoralist traditions, including the Maasai, asking 'how are you' is inextricably linked to the well-being of one's cattle.
- The Maasai language is tonal, meaning the pitch used when saying Supa can change the nuance of the greeting or the emotion behind it.
Example conversation
Sianayian and Kinyoro meet on a village path.
- SianayianSupa, Kinyoro!How are you, Kinyoro?
- KinyoroSupa, Sianayian!How are you, Sianayian?
- SianayianSupa?How are you?
- KinyoroSupa, ashe.I am well, thank you.
