Vikolezo (Condiments)

Kikolezo (Condiment)
Kitoweo (Dressing)
Kiungo (Spice)
Sosi (Sauce)
Mchuzi (Gravy)
Kachumbari (Salad)
Saladi (Green salad)

Achari	Relish / Pickles
Aioli	Aïoli
Asali	Honey
Chatne ya maembe	Mango chutney
Chumvi	Salt
Chumvi ya bahari	Sea salt
Dipu ya vitunguu	Onion dip
Guakamole (Rojo ya parachichi)	Guacamole
Haradali ya asali	Honey mustard
Haradali ya Dijoni	Dijon mustard
Haradali ya Kiingereza	English mustard
Haradali ya Kijerumani	German mustard
Haradali ya manjano	Yellow mustard
Haradali ya nafaka zisizokobolewa	Wholegrain mustard
Haradali ya unga	Powdered mustard
Harisa	Harissa
Hummus	Hummus
Jemu	Jam
Jibini ya nacho	Nacho cheese
Kachumbari	Salad / Pico de gallo
Kachumbari ya kabichi	Coleslaw
Kechapu	Ketchup
Kitoweo cha ranchi	Ranch dressing
Kitoweo cha visiwa elfu	Thousand Island dressing
Kiziduo cha lavani / vanila	Vanilla extract
Mafuta ya zeituni	Olive oil
Majarini	Margarine
Malai machungu	Sour cream
Mayonesi	Mayonnaise
Mchuzi	Gravy
Mchuzi wa bizari	Curry
Mchuzi wa nyama	Broth
Mraba	Marmelade
Rojo ya biringani	Baba ghannouj
Rojo ya jibini	Cheese spread
Rojo ya nyanya	Tomato paste
Salsa	Salsa
Sambali	Sambal
Saukrauti	Sauerkraut
Shira ya mshira	Maple syrup
Siagi	Butter
Siagi ya karanga	Peanut butter
Siki ya balsamiki	Balsamic vinegar
Siki ya kimea	Malt vinegar
Siki ya mvinyo	Wine vinegar
Siki ya sida ya matofaa	Apple cidar vinegar
Siki ya wali	Rice vinegar
Sosi kali	Hot sauce
Sosi tamu-chachu	Sweet-and-sour sauce
Sosi ya B.B.Q.	Barbecue sauce
Sosi ya Bearnia	Béarnaise sauce
Sosi ya hoisin	Hoisin sauce
Sosi ya karanga	Peanut sauce
Sosi ya Kiholanzi	Hollandaise sauce
Sosi ya Kiingereza	Worcestershire sauce
Sosi ya Kitatari	Tartar sauce
Sosi ya kokteli	Coctail sauce
Sosi ya maplamu	Plum sauce
Sosi ya samaki	Fish sauce
Sosi ya soya	Soy sauce
Tahini	Tahini
Vinagreti	Vinaigrette
Wasabi	Wasabi

Uranasi (Uranus)

Uranasi (Uranus)

Uranasi alikuwa mungu Mgiriki wa mbingu. Mwenzi wake wa Kirumi alikuwa Caelus. Katika fasihi ya Ugiriki Mkongwe, Uranasi au Baba Mbingu alikuwa mwana na mume wa Gaya, Mama Dunia. Kulingana na Theogonia ya Hesiodi, Uranasi alizaliwa na Gaya tu bila baba, lakini vyanzo vingine visema kuwa Etha alikuwa baba yake. Uranasi na Gaya walikuwa wazazi wa kizazi cha kwanza cha Titani, na wahenga wa miungu Wagiriki. Uranasi huwa hatokei kwenye vyombo vya udongo vilivyopakwa rangi vya Kigiriki.

Uranus was the Greek god of the sky. His Roman counterpart was Caelus. In Ancient Greek literature, Uranus or Father Sky was the son and husband of Gaea, Mother Earth. According to Hesiod's Theogony, Uranus was born to Gaea alone without a father, but other sources say that Æther was his father. Uranus and Gaea were the parents of the first generation of Titans, and the ancestors of the Greek gods. Uranus does not usually appear on Greek painted pottery.

Demita (Demeter)

Demita (Kiing.: Demeter; Kigir.: Δήμητρα "Dḗmētra")

Demita ni mungu-jike wa mavuno ambaye hudhibiti nafaka na uoto wa Dunia katika dini ya Ugiriki Mkongwe. Mwenzi wake wa Kirumi ni Seresi. Alama zake ni konukopia, nafaka, nyoka na shayiri.

Demeter is the goddess of the harvest who controls grains and Earth's vegetation in Ancient Greek religion. Her Roman counterpart is Ceres. Her symbols are the cornucopia, cereal, snakes and barley.

Hera (Hera)

Hera (Hera; Kigir.: Ήρη "Ḗrē") / Juno (Juno; Kilat.: Iuno)

Hera ni mke na mojawapo wa dada wa Zeu katika dini na mitholojia ya Kigiriki. Yeye ni mungu-jike wa wanawake na ndoa. Mwenzi wake wa Kirumi ni Juno. Alama zake ni ng'ombe, simba, tausi na matofaa.

Hera is the wife and one of the sisters of Zeus in the Greek religion and mythology. She is the goddess of women and marriage. Her Roman counterpart is Juno. Her symbols are the cow, the lion, the peacock and apples.

Poseidoni (Poseidon)

Poseidoni (Poseidon; Kigir.: Ποσειδώνας "Poseidṓnas") / Neptuni (Neptune; Kilat.: Neptūnus)

Poseidoni ni mojawapo wa Waolimpo Kumi na Wawili katika mitholojia ya Kigiriki. Himaya kuu yake ni bahari na anaitwa "Mungu wa Bahari". Yeye pia hujulikana kama Neptuni katika mitholojia ya Kirumi na kama Nethuns katika mitholojia ya Kietruski. Alama zake ni chusa chenye vyembe vitatu, farasi, msonobari na dolfini.

Poseidon is one of the Twelve Olympians in Greek mythology. His main domain is the sea and is called the "God of the Sea". He is also known as Neptune in Roman mythology and as Nethuns in Etruscan mythology. His symbols are a three-pointed harpoon, horses, the pine tree and dolphins.

Hestia (Hestia)

Hestia (Hestia; Kigir.: Εστία "Hestía")

Katika dini ya Ugiriki Mkongwe, Hestia ni mungu-jike wa bikira wa meko, usanifu majengo wa Ugiriki Mkongwe, familia na jimbo. Katika mitholojia wa Kigiriki, yeye ni binti was Kronu na Rea. Alama zake ni mkate, moto, nguruwe na mti wa usafi. Mwenzi wake wa Kirumi ni Vesta.

In the religion of Ancient Greece, Hestia is the virginal goddess of the hearth, Ancient Greek architecture, family and the state. In Greek mythology, she is the daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Her symbols are bread, fire, pig and the chaste tree. Her Roman counterpart is Vesta.

Zeu (Zeus)

Zeu (Zeus) (Kigir.: Ζευς or Δίας "Zeus / Días", Kilat.: Iuppiter)

Zeu ni "baba wa miungu na binadamu" ambaye hutawala miungu Waolimpo wanaoishi Mlimani mwa Olimpo. Yeye ni mungu wa mbingu wa radi na ni mfalme wa miungu katika mitholojia ya Kigiriki. Mwenzi wake wa Kirumi ni Jupita. Alama zake ni tai, fahali na mwaloni. Kulingana na mitholojia ya Kietruski, yeye hujulikana kama Tinia.

Zeus is the "father of gods and men" who rules the Olympians gods living on Mount Olympus. He is the god of the sky and thunder and is the king of the gods in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter. His symbols are the eagle, bull and oak tree. According to Etruscan mythology he is known as Tinia.

Afrodaiti (Aphrodite)

Afrodaiti (Aphrodite)
Afrodaiti ni mungu-jike Mgiriki wa upendo, urembo na ngono. Mwenzi wake wa Kirumi ni Venusi. Kulingana na Theogonia ya Hesiodi, alizaliwa kutoka kwa povu ya bahari. Hata hivyo, kulingana na Iliadi ya Homeri, yeye ni binti wa Zeu na Dione. Kulingana na Plato, kuna Afrodaiti mbili: Aphrodite Ourania (Afrodaiti wa Mbingu) na Aphrodite Pandemos (Afrodaiti wa Kawaida). Alama zake ni mhadasi, njiwa na saladi. Katika mitholojia ya Kietruski, yeye hujulikana kama Apru.

Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty and sex. Her Roman counterpart is Venus. According to Hesiod's Theogony, she was born from sea foam. However, according to Homer's Iliad, she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. According to Plato, there are two Aphrodites: Aphrodite Ourania (Celestial Aphrodite) and Aphrodite Pandemos (Common Aphrodite). Her symbols are the myrtle, dove and lettuce. In Etruscan mythology she is known as Apru.

Apolo (Apollo)

Apolo (Apollo)

Apolo ni mojawapo wa miungu muhimu zaidi wa Olimpo katika dini na mitholojia ya Kigiriki na ya Kirumi. Apolo ni mungu wa mwanga na jua, ukweli na ubashiri, muziki na shairi. Apolo ni mwana wa Zeu na Leto na ana dada pacha, mwindaji Artemisi. Alama zake ni lairi (kinubi kidogo cha Kigiriki), mbei (aina ya laurusi) na kunguru. Katika mitholojia ya Kietruski, yeye hujulikana kama Apulu.

Apollo is one of the most important gods of Olympus in the Roman and Roman religion and mythology. Apollo is the god of light and the Sun, truth and prophecy, music and poems. Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto and he has a twin sister, the huntress Artemis. His symbols are the lyre (a little Greek harp), the bay tree (a type of laurel) and the crow. In Etruscan mythology, he is known as Apulu.

Theogonia (The Theogony)

Mungu (God)
Mungu-jike (Goddess)
Mwolimpo, Waolimpo (Olympian, Olympians)
Mungu wa Olimpo (Olympian God)
Kiolimpo (Olympic)

Aelo	Aëllo
Afrodaiti	Aphrodite
Aglaya	Aglaea
Airisi	Iris
Alekto	Alecto
Algea	Algea
Amfilojia	The Amphilogiai
Androktasia	The Androktasiai
Apate	Apate
Apolo	Apollo
Aresi	Ares
Argesi	Arges
Artemisi	Artemis
Asklepio	Asclepius
Asteria	Asteria
Astrea	Astrea
Astreu	Astraeus
Ate	Ate
Athena	Athena
Atlasi	Atlas
Atropo	Atropos
Aukso	Auxo
Bia	Bia
Boreasi	Boreas
Briareu	Briareus
Bronte	Brontes
Deimosi	Deimos
Deino	Deino
Demita	Demeter
Dioniso	Dionysus
Disnomia	Dysnomia
Enyo	Enyo
Eosi	Eos
Epifroni	Epiphron
Epimetheu	Epimetheus
Erato	Erato
Erebu	Erebus
Erisi	Eris
Erosi	Eros
Etha	Æther
Eufrosine	Euphrosyne
Eurasi	Eurus
Euriale	Euryale
Euribia	Eurybia
Euterpe	Euterpe
Fantasu	Phantasus
Filotesi	Philotes
Fobetori	Phobetor
Fobosi	Phobos
Foibe	Phoebe
Fonoi	The Phonoi
Fosisi	Phorcys
Fujo	Chaos
Gaya	Gaea
Gogoni	The Gorgons
Hadesi	Hades
Haiperioni	Hyperion
Harmonia	Harmonia
Hebe	Hebe
Hefesto	Hephaestus
Hekate	Hecate
Hekatonkeri	The Hecatoncheires
Heliosi	Helios
Hemera	Hemera
Hera	Hera
Herme	Hermes
Hesperidi	The Hesperids
Hestia	Hestia
Himerosi	Himeros
Hiponosi	Hypnos
Hisminai	The Hysminai
Horkosi	Horkos
Ilithia	Eileithyia
Jaijesi	Gyges
Jerasi	Geras
Kaliope	Calliope
Karpo	Carpo
Keresi	The Keres
Kleta	Cleta
Klio	Clio
Klotho	Clotho
Kotu	Cottus
Koyosi	Coeus
Kratosi	Kratos
Kriasi	Crius
Kronosi	Chronos
Kronu	Cronus
Lakhesi	Lachesis
Lethe	Lethe
Leto	Leto
Limosi	Limos
Madahiro Matatu	The Three Graces
Majitu	The Giants
Makhai	The Makhai
Medusa	Medusa
Megaira	Megaera
Meliadi	The Meliads
Melpomene	Melpomene
Menoitio	Menoetius
Milima	The Ourea
Mito	The Potamoi
Miungu wa Majaliwa	The Fates
Miungu wa Misimu	The Horae
Miungu wa Upepo	The Winds
Mnemosine	Mnemosyne
Mofeasi	Morpheus
Momu	Momus
Muza	The Muses
Ndoto	The Oneiroi
Neikea	The Neikea
Nemesisi	Nemesis
Nereidi	The Nereids
Nereu	Nereus
Nike	Nike
Niksi	Nyx
Notu	Notus
Oizisi	Oizys
Oseanidi	The Oceanids
Oseanu	Oceanus
Osipete	Ocypete
Palasi	Pallas
Pemfredo	Pemphredo
Pepo za Ghadhabu	The Furies
Perse	Perses
Persefone	Persephone
Plutosi	Plutus
Polihimnia	Polyhymnia
Ponosi	Ponos
Ponto	Pontus
Poseidoni	Poseidon
Prometheu	Prometheus
Rea	Rhea
Saiklopsi	The Cyclopes
Selene	Selene
Seleno	Celaeno
Seto	Ceto
Steno	Sthenno
Sterope	Steropes
Sudologo	The Pseudologoi
Taifoni	Typhon
Tepsikore	Terpsichore
Tethys	Tethisi
Thalia	Thalia
Thalo	Thallo
Thanatosi	Thanatos
Thaumasi	Thaumas
Thea	Thea
Themisi	Themis
Tisifone	Tisiphone
Urania	Urania
Uranu	Uranus
Wachawi wa Kijivu	The Graeae
Wanawake-ndege	The Harpies
Yapeto	Iapetus
Zefiro	Zephyrus
Zelosi	Zelos
Zeu	Zeus

Familia ya Vibuyu (Cucurbitaceae)

Familia ya vibuyu (Cucurbitaceae; Gourd family)
*Note: The eggplant / aubergine belongs to the Solanaceae family.

Biringani	Eggplant / Aubergine
Boga	Pumpkin
Chayote	Chayote
Kibuyu	Gourd / Squash
Kibuyu cha demani	Autumn squash
Kibuyu cha kiangazi	Summer squash
Kibuyu cha kipupwe	Winter squash
Kibuyu cha manjano	Yellow squash
Kibuyu cha spageti	Spaghetti squash
Kibuyu cheupe	White squash
Kibuyu kichungu	Bitter gourd
Mung'unye	Zucchini (Courgette)
Tango	Cucumber
Tango bila mbegu	Seedless cucumber
Tango la achari	Pickle

Huntha (Hermaphrodites)

Huntha (Hermaphrodite)

Huntha ni mtu aliyezaliwa na viungo vya uzazi vya kiume na vya kike pamoja.

A hermaphrodite is person born with both male and female sexual organs.

Hermafrodaiti (Hermaphroditus)

Katika mitholojia ya Kigiriki, Hermafrodaiti alikuwa mwana wa Afrodaiti na Herme. Kulingana na Ovidi, alizaliwa mvulana mrembo sana, akabadilishwa kuwa kiumbe mwenye jinsia mbili kwa muungano na nimfi wa maji aliyeitwa Salmasisi. Jina lake ni msingi wa neno la Kiingereza hermaphrodite, yaani "huntha".

In Greek mythology, Hermaphroditus was the son of Aphrodite and Hermes. According to Ovid, he was born a very beautiful boy, and was transformed into an androgynous being by the union with the water nymph Salmacis. His name is the basis of the English word hermaphrodite, which is "huntha" (in Swahili).

Pepo Anayerudi (Returning Spirit)

Pepo anayerudi (A returning spirit)

Pepo anayerudi (pia anayejulikana kama revenant kwa Kifaransa na Wiedergänger kwa Kijerumani) ni pepo anayeonekana wa mtu aliyekufa ambaye alikuwa mwovu, ovyo au kafiri ambaye anaaminika kurudi kutoka kwenye kaburi na kuwahangaisha wanaoishi; ingawaje hekaya na hadithi za baadaye zinawasawiri revenanti wakirudi hasa kwa sababu maalum (k.m. kulipiza kisasi dhidi ya muuaji wa marehemu). Katika rekodi nyingi za enzi ya kati, wao hurudi kuwahangaisha familia na majirani wanaoishi na huweza hata kueneza magonjwa  kati ya wanaoishi.

A returning spirit (also known as revenant in French and Wiedergänger in German) is the visible spirit of a dead person who was wicked, vain or a non-believer, that is believed to return from the grave to terrorize the living; though later legend and folklore depict revenants as returning for a specific purpose (e.g. revenge against the deceased’s killer). In most medieval accounts they return to harass their surviving families and neighbours, and may spread disease among the living.

Wiedergänger

Tafsiri la Kijerumani la pepo anayerudi ni maiti aliyepewa uhai, kama kizuu, ambaye amerudi ulimwengu wa wanaoishi. Wao husababisha matatizo na kushtua watu wanaoishi. Wao huishi kulipiza kisasi kwa dhuluma fulani walizopitia walipokuwa hai, au kwa sababu roho yao haiko tayari kuachiliwa kutokana na hali ya maisha yao ya hapo awali.

The German version of a returning spirit is an animated corpse, like a zombie, that has returned to the world of the living. They usually cause problems and frighten living people. They exist either to avenge some injustice they experienced while alive, or because their soul is not ready to be released, as a consequence of their former way of life.

Golemu (The Golem)

Golemu (Golem)

Golemu ni kiumbe wa kianthropomofiki kilichopewa uhai katika hadithi za Kiyahudi kilichoumbwa hasa kutokana na mata isiyo na uhai, kama vile udongo au vipande vya maiti kama dubwana la Frankensteini. Golemu wa kwanza aliumbwa na rabi Mcheki huko Praga ili kulinda gheto yake kutoka mashambulizi na vujo ya wasiopendelea Wasemiti. Chini ya uongozi wa Rudolfu wa Pili, Milki Takatifu ya Roma, wakati Wayahudi waliuawa au walifukuzwa kutoka Praga. Hivyo, rabi alimpa uhai golemu kwa kutumia matambiko ya Kiebrania na matabano. Golemu aligeuka na kuwa mwenye nguvu kali huku akiwaua wasio Wayahudi na kueneza hofu. Mfalme mkuu aliahidi kukomesha mateso ya Wayahudi, hivyo rabi akamtolea uhai golemu kwa kufuta herufi mbili za kwanza ya “undead” kwenye paji la uso na kuwacha neno “dead”. Golemu alihifadhiwa darini mwa Sinagogi Mpya ya Kale ambayo angerudishwa uhai tena kama kungehitajika.

A golem is an animated anthropomorphic being in Jewish folklore, created entirely from inanimate matter, such as clay or severed pieces of corpses like Frankenstein’s monster. The first golem was created by a Czech rabbi in Prague in order to defend his ghetto from anti-Semitic attacks and riots. Under the rule of Rudolph II, the Holy Roman Emperor at the time, Jews were killed or expelled from Prague. So, the rabbi brought the golem to life through Hebrew rituals and incantations. The golem turned terribly violent, killing gentiles and spreading fear. The Emperor promised to stop the persecution of the Jews, so the rabbi deactivated the golem by rubbing out the first two letters of “undead” on its forehead, leaving the word “dead”. The golem was stored in the attic of the Old New Synagogue where it would be restored to life again if ever needed.

Majinamizi ya Usiku (Nightmares)

Jinamizi (Mare)

Jinamizi la usiku (Nightmare)

Jinamizi au jinamizi la usiku ni kishetani kidogo kiovu katika hadithi za Kijerumaniki ambao hupanda vifua vya watu wanaolala na kuwaletea ndoto mbaya. Jinamizi limeshuhudiwa mapema kuanzia karne ya kumi na tatu katika ngano ya Kinorsi ya Yngling. Jinamizi linafanana na inkubu na sukubu ya visasili, na kuna uwezekano wa kuvutiwa na kiharusi cha usingizini. Majinamizi pia yanaaminika kupanda farasi ambao huwaacha wamechoka na kufunikwa na jasho kufikia asubuhi. Linaweza pia kuzongomeza nywele ya mtu au hayawani anayelala na kusababisha msokoto wa farasi-jike na pengine inaeleza tukio la msuko wa Kipolandi, ugonjwa wa nywele.

Mare, or nightmare, is an evil imp in Germanic folklore which rides on sleeping people’s chests, bringing on bad dreams. The mare is attested as early as the 13^th century in the Norse Yngling saga. The mare is similar to the mythical incubus and succubus, and was likely inspired by sleep paralysis. The mares were also believed to ride horses, which left them exhausted and covered in sweat by the morning. It could also entangle the hair of the sleeping person or beast, resulting in mare-braids and probably the explanation to the Polish plait phenomenon, a hair disease.

Kambioni (Cambions)

Kambioni (Cambion)

Kambioni ni istilahi inayotumiwa kurejelea mtoto aliye nusu-binadamu anayetokana na muungano kati ya inkubu na mwanamke binadamu. Hekaya maarufu zaidi ya kisa kama hiki ni ya Merlini, mganga maarufu kutoka hekaya ya Kiarthuri. Kulingana na “Nyundo ya Mchawi” iliyoandikwa na Heinrich Kramer mwaka wa 1486 (sukubu na inkubu ni shetani sawa ambao wana uwezo wa kubadilisha umbo kati ya uume na kike). Baada ya sukubu kukusanya manii kutoka kwa wanaume anaolala nao, yeye hujibadilisha kuwa inkubu na kutumia mbegu kutia mimba wanawake, hivyo kueleza jinsi pepo wabaya anavyoweza kuzaa watoto licha ya kwamba kuna imani ya kitamaduni kuwa hawana uwezo wa kuzaa. Katika elimu ya Kivikingi mtoto huzaliwa akiwa na ulemavu na huathirika kwa urahisi zaidi athari zisizo za dunia kwa sababu utungaji mimba wao si wa kawaida.

A cambion is a term used to refer to the half-human offspring of the union between an incubus and a human woman. The most famous legend of such a case includes that of Merlin, the famous wizard from Arthurian legend. According to the “Witch’s Hammer” written by Heinrich Kramer in 1486 (succubi and incubi are the same demon, able to switch between male and female forms). Once the succubus collects the semen from the men she sleeps with, she then transforms into an incubus to use that seed to impregnate women, thus explaining how these demons could apparently sire children despite the traditional belief that they were incapable of reproduction. In Viking lore the child is born deformed and more susceptible to supernatural influences because the conception was unnatural.

Mumiani (Mummies)

Mumiani (Mummy)

Mumiani ni maiti ya binadamu au mnyama ambaye ngozi na viungo vyake vimehifadhiwa kwa kutiwa dawa ya kutoozesha. Mumiani hufungwa kwa bendeji kutoka kichwani hadi vidole vya miguu na kuwekwa kwenye majeneza ya jiwe hekaluni au piramidi. Kama ni mafarao, kabla ya kuzikwa, wao hufungwa kwa uchawi na mganga mkuu ili kuondoa au kulaani yeyote anayemsumbua farao katika usingizi wake wa milele. Wakati kaburi la farao ambalo limepovurugwa (mara nyingi na wanaakiolojia na wezi wa makaburi) linaweza kuamsha mumiani ambayo haiwezi kupumzishwa mpaka laana ivunjwe, kwa kawaida kwa kusoma maandishi yaliyochongwa upande wa jeneza la jiwe au kuta za kaburi, au hata hati ya kukunja yaliyo na kivunja-laana. Wasiposimamishwa, mumiani watatembea Duniani milele, wakiweka laana kwa yeyote ambaye apitie njia yao, na kuwageuza kuwa wanasesere wa vuudu au vifaa vingine vidogo.

A mummy is a human or animal corpse, whose skin and organs have been preserved by embalming. Mummies are wrapped in bandages from head to toe and are kept in sarcophagi either in temples or pyramids. In the case of pharaohs, before their entombment, they are usually sealed with a hex by the head magician to ward off or curse anyone who may disturb the pharaoh’s eternal slumber. When a pharaoh’s tomb has been disturbed (most often by archaeologists and grave-robbers), it can awaken the mummy that cannot be put to rest until the curse is broken, generally by reading an inscription carved on the side of the sarcophagus or the tomb’s walls, or even a scroll that contains the counter-spell. If not stopped, mummies will forever walk the Earth, putting curses on anyone who crosses their path, turning them into voodoo dolls or other small artifacts.

Maiti-Warukarukaji (Hopping Corpses)

Maiti-mrukarukaji (Hopping corpse)

Katika hekaya za Kichina, maiti-warukarukaji hujificha mahali penye giza kama vile mapango wakati wa mchana. Wakati wa usiku, wao husonga kwa kurukaruka na mikono yake ikiwa imenyoshwa kila wakati. Inaaminika kuwa maiti-mrukarukaji ni kavu sana, hivi kwamba hawezi kunja viungo vyake na mwili, hivyo inabidi asonge kwa kurukaruka akiwa amenyosha mikono yake yanayomwezesha kusonga. Sifa yake ya kipekee ni ngozi yake ya kijani-nyeupe kutokana na ukungu au kuvu inayomea kwenye maiti na kucha zake ndefu zenye ukali wa wembe. Wao huwa vipofu na wanaweza epukwa kwa kushikilia pumzi, kwa kuwa wafuata viumbe hai kwa kutambua kupumua kwao. Maiti-mrukarukaji anaweza kuwekwa alale kwa kubandika kwenye paji lake kipande cha hati ya kukunja ya manjano, kiitwacho karatasi ya ulinzi au hirizi ya Kichina, iliyo andikiwa laana.

In Chinese legend, hopping-corpses hide in dark places such as caves during the day. At night, they move around by hopping with their arms permanently outstretched. It is believed that the hopping-corpse is so stiff, that it cannot bend its limbs and body, so it has to move around by hopping while keeping its arms extended for mobility. A peculiar feature is its greenish-white skin due to fungus or mold growing on the corpse and its long razor-sharp claws. They are blind, and may be evaded by holding one’s breath, as they track living creatures by detecting their breathing. A hopping-corpse can be put to sleep by pinning on their forehead a piece of a yellow scroll, called a ward-paper or Chinese talisman, with a spell written on it.