Ma Nishtana in Luganda
Translated by Gershom Sizomu
Compiled by Murray F. Spiegel and Rickey Stein
Lwakyi ekyiro kyino kyanjawulo kubiro ebilala byonna? Mubiro ebilala byonna tulya emigati emizimbulukuse oba egitali mizimbulukuse; mukyiro kyino tulya emigati egitali mizimbulukuse zokka. Mubiro ebilala byonna tulya enva zonna zonna; mukyiro kyino tulya enva ezikawa zokka. Mubiro ebilala byonna tetukoza omulundi nogumu; mukyiro kyino tukoza emirundi ebiri. Mubiro ebilala byonna tulya tutudde oba nga tweganzise; mukyiro kyino tulya tweganzise.
Why is this night different from all other nights? On all other nights we may eat either leavened or unleavened bread, but on this night only unleavened bread. On all other nights we may eat any species of herbs, but on this night only bitter herbs. On all other nights we do not dip even once, but on this night we dip twice. On all other nights we eat either sitting or reclining, but on this night we all recline.
Gershom Sizomu is the spiritual leader of the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda. He founded the Semei Kakungulu High School, Uganda’s only Jewish parochial high school. He is an accomplished singer, musician, and songwriter. He is currently studying for rabbinic ordination at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles.
This Luganda version is copyright by Spiegel and Stein, 4 Questions translation project.