Honey Wine in Ethiopian Languages
Here is a list of Ethiopian languages and their words for "honey wine" and "honey." Note frequent similarities: Some are cognates, or words that evolved from a common ancestor, and some represent borrowing. More than one word may appear for a language because of the difficulty of transliterating the words into English, or because different linguists have recorded different words. Where linguists have identified a dialect with a different word, I have created a line for that data. I began this project around 2008 and finally completed it in 2021, when a linguist provided me with the Nayi word for honey wine.
The presence of a word in a language doesn't necessarily mean the culture drinks honey wine. Some cultures make honey beer or other feremented drinks, and Moslem cultures tend not to drink it. I have noted those instances. The languages come from Ethnologue and the words from linguists.
To learn more about t'ej, visit my website: T'ej: The Ethiopian Honey Wine.
Language Language Exonyms & Endonyms Honey Wine Ethiopian Language Honey Wine Honey Family (Alternative Names) Name Source Aari s'ajji ant'si Omotic Ara, Aro, Shankilla [Dialects: Gozza, Bako, Biyo, Richard Hayward Galila, Laydo, Seyki, Shangama, Sido, Wubahamer (Ubamer), Zeddo] Afar malb malb Cushitic Afaraf, Danakil, Denkel, `Afar Af, Adal [Dialects: Various linguists gohoyu (honey Northern Afar, Central Afar, Aussa, Baadu beer) (Ba`adu)]
Alaaba daat'a malabu Cushitic Alaaba, Halaba Yvonne Treis (Moslem culture, alcohol forbidden)
Amharic t'ej mar Semitic None Amharic dictionaries
Anfillo bita jeyshey Omotic Southern Mao Wolf Leslau
Anuak ogool, maar kic Nilotic Anywak, Anyuak, Anywa, Yambo, Jambo, Yembo, Mechthild Reh ocatha (Nilo- Bar, Burjin, Miroy, Moojanga, Nuro [Dialects: (honey beer) Saharan) Adoyo, Coro, Lul, Openo]
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD Arbore d'aadi ked'ette Cushitic Arbora, Erbore, Irbore Echi Gabbert
Argobba t'ej dus Semitic None [Dialects: Ankober, Shonke] Abbebe Kifleyesus (Moslem culture, rarely consumed)
Awngi mishi nyargi, Cushitic Awiya, Awi, Agaw, Agau, Agew, Agow, Awawar, Robert Hetzron tseyari Damot, Kwollanyoch
Baiso t'ejji malab, Cushitic Bayso, Alkali Richard Hayward malabeel
Bambassi bit' jeyshey Omotic Bambeshi, Siggoyo, Amam, Fadiro, Northern Mao, Lionel Bender Didessa [Dialects: Kere, Bambassi]
Basketo t'ej ees Omotic Basketto, Baskatta, Mesketo Dirk Bustorf
Bench es es Omotic Gimira, Ghimarra, Gimarra, Dizu [Dialects: Bench Christian Rapold (Bencho, Benesho), Mer (Mieru), She (Sce, Kaba)]
Berta baas'a gongso, Nilo- Beni Shangul, Bertha, Barta, Burta, Wetawit, Ralph Siebert, Berta wonshoo Saharan Jebelawi [Dialects: Shuru, Bake, Undu, Mayu, dictionary of the (Fadashi), Wadashi, Fadashi, Dabuso, Gobato] Benishangul-Gumuz mosho Language (Gobato) Development Project
Bilin [in Eritrea] mes/miys, mid saxara Cushitic Bogo, Bogos, Bilayn, Balen, Beleni, Belen, Bilein, David Appleyard Bileno, North Agaw
Birale koronko sho'kaya Unclassified Ongota, Birelle, Ifa'ongota, Shanqilla Harold Fleming (nearly extinct) Afro- Asiatic Bodi gema, boor Surmic Dialect of Me'en Mulugeta Seyoum gemade boorini (Nilo-
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD Saharan)
Boro bito masa Omotic Bworo, Shinasha, Scinacia [Dialects: Amuru, David Turton Wembera, Gamila, Guba]
Burji boka/booka diida Cushitic Bambala, Bembala, Daashi Grover Hudson
Bussa t'ayye tanka Cushitic Dobase, D'oopace, D'opaasunte, Lohu, Mashile, 87% lexical Mashelle, Masholle, Mosiye, Musiye, Gobeze, similarity Gowase, Goraze, Orase w/ Gawwada (seeking confirmation)
Chaha dagye, dege weya Semitic Sebat Bet Gurage dialect Wolf Leslau
Chai gimay; ret'e Surmic Cai, Caci Jon Abbink; t'acc (Nilo- Gerrit Dimmendaal Saharan)
Chara eesa eesa Omotic Ciara Lionel Bender
Daasanach thaaniti, t'ej thaaniti Cushitic Dathanaik, Dathanaic, Dathanik, Gheleba, Geleba, Toru Sagawa (Made by nearby Geleb, Gallab, Galuba, Dama, Marille, Merile, Kara people) Morille, Reshiat, Russia, Shangilla
Dime tajj; khuru Omotic Dima Mulugeta Seyoum gabzi (local beer)
Dirasha t'ajjet tanket tanket, Cushitic Dhirasha, Diraasha, Dirayta, Gardulla, Ghidole, Wondwosen Tesfaye tanga Gidole
Dizi xezhi iinsn Omotic Maji, Dizi-Maji, Sizi, Twoyu Marvin Dean Beachy
Dorze t'ej 'ees Omotic None Rhoda Halperin Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD Language Language Exonyms & Endonyms Honey Wine Ethiopian Language Honey Wine Honey Family (Alternative Names) Name Source Falashan miz saea Cushitic Dialect of Qimant David Appleyard
Gafat (extinct) s'aj debs, Semitic None Wolf Leslau debsa, mar
Galila s'ajji kuri Omotic Dialect of Aari Richard Hayward Gamo-Gofa-Dawro t'ej 'ees, 'eesa Omotic None [Dialects: Gamo (Gemu), Gofa (Goffa), Malcolm Fosberg, 'ees (Gamo) Dawro (Dauro, Kullo, Cullo, Ometay). Subdialects Wolde Gossa Tadesse of Dawro are Konta (Conta) and Kucha (Kusha, Koysha)]
Ganza seleya esh, p'uk'i Omotic Ganzo, Koma Joshua Smolders (red honey)
Gawwada t'ayye sakmo Cushitic Gauwada, Gawata, Kawwad'a, Kawwada. Mauro Tosco [Dialects: Dihina (Tihina, Tihinte), Gergere (K'ark'arte), Gobeze, Gollango (Kollanko), Gorose (Gorrose, Korrose), Harso (Worase)]
Gedeo boka/booka, malebo Cushitic Geddeo, Deresa, Derasa, Darasa, Derasanya, Abebayehu Mesele, t'ajje Darassa Klaus Wedekind
Ge'ez s'ajj, ma'ar Semitic None Ser'ata Gebr, Wolf mes/miys Leslau
Gogot/Dobi dag'a, t'ej weya Semitic Dialect of Kistane Wolf Leslau Gumuz ke'e'-ka'tsha ka'tsha Nilo- Bega-Tse, Sigumza, Gumuzinya, Gumis, Gombo, Colleen Ahland Saharan Mendeya, Shankillinya, Shankilligna, Shanqilla, Debatsa, Debuga, Dehenda, Bega. [Dialects: Guba,
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD Wenbera, Sirba, Agalo, Yaso, Mandura, Dibate, Metemma]
Gwama sun dham tam Nilo- Takwama, Kwama, Goma, Gogwama, Koma of Donald Killian Saharan Asosa,North Koma, Nokanoka, Afan Mao, Amam, T'wa Kwama Hadiyya dik'aasa marabo Cushitic Adiya, Adiye, Hadya, Adea, Hadia. [Dialects: Grover Hudson Leemo, Soro]
Hamer-Banna zia (Hamer) kurri Omotic Hamar-Koke, Hammercoche, Amarcocche, Cocche, Susanne Epple, ant'si (Banna) Beshada, Amer, Amar, Ammar, Kara, Kerre Jean Lydall alla (honey beer)
Harari t'ajji mar Semitic Hararri, Adare, Adere, Aderinya, Adarinnya, Gey Wolf Leslau gohoy (honey Sinan beer) Hozo bit' tam Omotic Begi-Mao Daniel Aberra Inor dag'a, t'ej weya Semitic Ennemor [Dialects: Enegegny (Enner)] Wolf Leslau Kachama-Ganjule 'eesa (Kachama), 'shida Omotic Gats'ame, Get'eme, Gatame [Dialects: Ganjule Fitsum Abate shida (Ganjule) (Kachama) (Ganjawle), Ganta, Kachama] 'shir (Ganjule) Kacipo-Balesi gimay rete Surmic Baale [Dialects: Balesi, Zilmamu (Silmamo, Michael Bryant (Baale) (Nilo- Zelmamu, Zulmamu, Tsilmano), Kacipo (Kachepo, Saharan) Suri, Western Suri)] Kafa bito eeyo Omotic Kaficho, Kefa, Keffa, Caffino, Manjo [Dialects: David Appleyard Kafa, Bosha (Garo)] Related to Shekkacho
Kambaata daat'a malabu Cushitic Kembata, Kemata, Kambara, Donga. [Dialects: Grover Hudson Tambaro, Timbaro, Qabena]
Karo ala, sia kurro Omotic Kerre, Cherre Felix Girke
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD Kistane/Soddo t'ej ginz Semitic Soddo, Soddo Gurage, North Gurage [Dialects: Wolf Leslau Soddo (Aymallal, Aymellel, Kestane, Kistane), Dobi (Dobbi, Gogot)] Komo shwii dam daam Nilo- Madiin, Koma Manuel Otero Saharan Komso taadita, tajjeeta takma Cushitic Afaa Xonso, Konso, Conso, Gato, Af-Kareti, Ongaye Oda Karate, Kareti Koorete t'eje, shida dana; shida Omotic Amarro, Badittu, Nuna, Koyra, Koore, Kwera Binyam Sisay; sh'adzhe; Rolf Theil; caje R. Hayward Kunfal mishi nargi Cushitic Kunfel, Kumfel Teqebba Birru Kwegu itire jia Surmic Koegu, Kwegi, Bacha, Menja, Nidi. [Dialects: Osamu Hieda (Nilo- Yidinich (Yidinit, Yidi), Muguji] Saharan) Language Language Exonyms & Endonyms Honey Wine Ethiopian Language Honey Wine Honey Family (Alternative Names) Name Source Libido dik'aasa (non- marabo Cushitic Maraqo, Marako Joachim Crass alcoholic, Moslem culture) Majang ogool eted' Surmic Mesengo, Masongo, Masango, Majanjiro, Tama, Peter Unseth (Nilo- Ojanjur, Ajo, Ato Majang, Ato Majanger-Onk Saharan)
Maale dago 'essi Omotic Male Azeb Amha
Me'en gima, boke bor Surmic Mekan, Mie'en, Mieken, Meqan, Men. [Dialects: Jon Abbink (Nilo- Bodi (Podi), Tishena (Teshina, Teshenna)] Saharan)
Melo 'ess, 'eesa 'eess Omotic Malo Takeshi Fujimoto
Mesqan dag'a, t'ej weya Semitic Masqan, Meskan Wolf Leslau
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD Muher dagye, dege weya Semitic Sebat Bet Gurage dialect Wolf Leslau
Murle gimoč letec, Surmic Murele, Merule, Mourle, Murule, Beir, Ajibba Edmond Mok retshe (Nilo- [Dialects: Olam (Ngalam, Bangalam)] Saharan) Mursi gimma rete, retshe Surmic Murzi, Murzu, Merdu, Meritu, Dama David Turton (Nilo- Saharan) Nayi 'ees 'ees Omotic Na'o, Nao Andualem Adal Nuer koang twaar twaar Nilotic Naath [Dialects: Eastern Nuer (Ji, Kany, Jikany, John Luk Jok ("honey wine") (Nilo- Door, Abigar)] Saharan) Nyangatom a-tede akimyet Nilotic Inyangatom, Donyiro, Dongiro, Idongiro Serge Torney a awo (Nilo- Saharan) Opuuo (T'apo) sitam tam Nilo- Opo-Shita, Opo, Opuo, Cita, Ciita, Shita, Shiita, Joshua Smolders Saharan Ansita, Kina, Kwina, Langa Oromo daad'ii damma Cushitic Afan Oromo, Oromiffa, Oromoo, Galla. [Dialects: Oromo Mecha (Maccha, Wellaga, Wallaga, Wollega), Raya, dictionary Wello (Wollo), Tulema (Tulama, Shoa, Shewa)] [West Central; Eastern (Hararghe region); and Borana-Arsi-Guji (southern region)] Oyda t'ej, shid'a Omotic None Bernhard Kohler dana (local beer)
Qabena tajjita malabu Cushitic Kabenna, K'abeena, Wombisanta, Wanbasana Wolf Leslau [Dialect of Kambaata]
Qimant miz sayeya Cushitic Kimanteney, Western Agaw. [Dialects: Dembiya, Hans-Jurgen Sasse Hwarasa (Qwara, Qwarina, Kara), Kayla, Semyen, Achpar, Kwolasa (Kwolacha), Falashan, Kailina
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD Ethiopian Language Honey Wine Honey Language Language Exonyms & Endonyms Honey Wine Family (Alternative Names) Name Source Saho mees, bathce baska Cushitic Sao, Shaho, Shoho, Shiho [Dialects: Irob] Moreno Vergari malab (honey beer)
Sebat Bet Gurage t'ej weya Semitic Gurage, Guraginya [Six dialects: Chaha (Cheha), Sharon Rose ("Seven Houses Ezha (Eza, Izha), Gumer (Gwemarra), Gura, of Gurage") Gyeto, Muher] Seze bit' 'ishi Omotic Sezo Lionel Bender Shabo 'oo, soi Nilo- Shako, Mekeyer, Mikeyir, Mikair Daniel Aberra [tajan (beer)] Saharan Shekkacho bito eeyo Omotic Moca, Mocha, Shakacho, Shekka Wolf Leslau
Sheko taka 'eesa Omotic Shekka, Tschako, Shako, Shak [Dialects: Dorsha, Elisabeth Anne Bulla (Daan, Dan, Daanyir)] Hildebrand
Sidama malawo/malabo, malawo, Cushitic Sidamo 'Afo, Sidaminya Grover Hudson t'ajje malabo
Silt'e tajji tegay Semitic East Gurage, Selti, Silti [Dialects: Enneqor Sharon Rose (Inneqor), Ulbarag (Urbareg), Wolane (Walane)] Somali khamri malabeed malab Cushitic None Mauro Tosco ("honey wine") [Moslem culture, not consumed]
Tigre mes/miys ma'ar Semitic None Wolf Leslau
Tigrinya mes/miys ma'ar Semitic None Tigrinya dictionary
Tirma gimay; ret'e Surmic Tirima, Terema, Terna, Dirma, Cirma, Tirmaga, Jon Abbink; Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD t'acc (Nilo- Tirmagi Gerrit Dimmendaal Saharan)
Tsamai xoronko zamu Cushitic Ts'amay, S'amai, Tamaha, Tsamako, Tsamakko, Graziano Sava Bago S'aamakk-Ulo, Kuile, Kule, Cule Turkana epurot a aowu/aoo aowu/aoo Nilotic None Anthony Barrett (Nilo- Saharan) Uduk su dham ayin Nilo- Twampa, Kwanim Pa, Burun, Kebeirka, Othan, Donald Killian Saharan Korara, Kumus Wolane t'ajay tegay Semitic Dialect of Silt'e Wolf Leslau Wolayta 'essa 'essa Omotic Wellamo, Welamo, Wollamo, Wallamo, Walamo, Azeb Amha Ualamo, Uollamo, Wolataita, Borodda, Uba, Ometo [Dialects: Zala, Dorze, Melo]
Xamtanga miz sara Cushitic Khamtanga, Simt'anga, Agawinya, Xamta, Xamir, David Appleyard Khamir Yemsa eesa eesa, Omotic Yem, Yemma, Janjero, Janjerinya, Janjor, Yangaro, Hans and Gabi deema Zinjero [Dialects: Fuga, Toba] Schaumberger Zergulla c'ajj 'shida Omotic Zaysse Azeb Amha
Zway sexar, t'eje tage Semitic Zay, Lak'i, Laqi, Gelilla Wolf Leslau Language Language Exonyms & Endonyms Honey Wine Ethiopian Language Honey Wine Honey Family (Alternative Names) Name Source
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