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Different markers are use to indicate cohesion (unity) in various noun phrases. These markers are : wuma, zuma, buma, fuma and dzwu ma. Let’s examine how they come in different noun phrases.
wuma
ŋkə̀mə̀ wuma bə kə̀ zo’o. –The noble that was installed.
M̀fò wuma bə kə̀ nùsə. – The chief that was enthroned.
Ǹcì wuma a kə̀ yìi. – The Father-in-law who came.
Kàŋə̀ wuma Talà kə ko. – The squirrel that Tala caught.
Əkù wuma Ndì kə̀ kuŋə. – The bed that Ndi made.
Nta’a wuma bə kə̀ to.– The hill that was burnt.
ŋkyi wuma ə ŋwa’a.– The water that is clean.
zuma
Nə̀lòŋə̀ zuma bə bu’u. – The radio that is played.
Nə̀fa zuma nə kwo (yɛnə). – The twin that is dead.
Àkù zuma ə zaŋə. – The foot that is paining.
Àtì zuma be waa. – The tree that is fell.
Ǹnà zuma bə kə̀ ko. – The animal that was caught.
buma
Bə̀fò buma bə zo’okə. – The chiefs who are enthroned.
Bə̀kə̀mə̀ buma be zo’okə. – The nobles that are installed.
Bə̀forə buma bə kə̀ kotə. – The rats that are caught.
Bə̀ntò buma bə ŋwa’a. – The pots which are clean.
Bə̀kàŋə̀ buma bə kotə. – The squirrels that are caught.
fuma
Fə̀nyə fuma fə tya yi . – The snake that has bitten him/her.
Fə̀ŋkəbə fuma be kuŋə . – The statue that is calved.
dzwu ma
Əso dzwu ma bə zû . – The hoes that are bought.
Ətsə’ə dzwu ma bə ta. – The dresses that are sown.
əba’a dzwu ma bə nyεsə. – The doors that a renovated.
əkaŋə dzwu ma bə mε’ε. – The pan (dishes) that are thrown.
N.B: Buma and dzwu ma make cohesion in nouns of the plural classes while wuma, zuma and fuma are markers for nouns in the singular classes.
