Greeting Short Cuts & Occasions

This unit covers specialized greetings used on particular occasions — traveling, illness, religious holidays, weddings, baptisms, and funerals. These formulaic expressions invoke God’s blessing and are an important part of Zarma social life.

Traveling

Zarma	English
Irikoy m’in halessi	May God protect you
Irikoy m’in zumandi bani	May God let you get off in health
Irikoy m’iri cabe cere	May God show us each other
Irikoy ma kwande nin bani	May God take you in health

Comforting the Sick

Zarma	English
Irikoy ma kande dama	May God bring betterness
Irikoy ma dama tonton	May God add to your betterness
Irikoy ma kanda bani	May God bring health

Fêtes

Zarma	English
Irikoy ma m’iri cabe yesi	May God show us next year
Irikoy m’iri cabe yesi bani	May God show us next year in health

Weddings

Zarma	English
Irikoy m’i no alomar kuku	May God give them long life
Irikoy ma hayan dañ	May God bring them children

Baptisms

Zarma	English
Irikoy m’a funandi	May God make the child live
Irikoy m’a no alomar kuku	May God give the child long life

Funerals

Zarma	English
Irikoy ma yaffa	May God pardon them
Irikoy ma suji	May God bless them

Barka Expressions

Zarma	English
Barka nda kayan	Congratulations on your coming from a trip
Barka nda jiri bareyan	Congratulations on the changing year
Barka nda jingaro	Congratulations on the fête
Barka nda hari hanyan	Congratulations on drinking water (Ramadan)
Barka nda hija	Congratulations on the wedding
Barka nda hayyan	Congratulations on giving birth

Cultural Notes

Any greeting starting with “Irikoy ma…” (May God…) is answered with “Amin” (Amen).

Barka can be used as a general congratulations — not only for happy events but also for surviving misfortune, such as recovering from illness or enduring a difficult journey.