The
language of the
Maasai peoples of Northern
Tanzania / South West
Kenya (where they are more commonly referred to as Samburu)
Maa goes big on greetings. I once heard two men spend no less than 15 minutes asking each other if they were ok. A typical exchange:
Subai lo moran - hello there young man
(or Subai lo sekolio - hello there boy just before circumcision)
..eba - I'm fine
ira sidan? - are you ok?
..eee - yes
ira supati? - are you ok?
..eee - yes
iserian? - are you ok
..eee - yes
And so on, until the other asks..
..ooo iye, ira sidan? - how about you, are you ok?
Lovely language. Pronounced like an exquisitely lazy Italian.
Other choice phrases:
engiringio kitti - small cow
engiringio kitok - large cow
engiteng - beef
aime - no
Note that every vowel is pronounced, softly and slowly in a slightly nasal fashion.