The Samburu people’s dialect features very specific words describing the taste and texture of milk. These expressions are elegant, detailed, and unique.
Explore Samburu words about milk taste and texture.
Each link below will take you to an in-depth description of the term, including a pronunciation guide, and how the word relates to milk taste and texture.
- loishiamunoi – taste, especially of milk
- kebebek – thin mouthfeel
- kelili – disgusting smell or taste
- keidukulan – tasteless; neutral
- keirapirap – astringent
- keirucha – thick
- keisamis – rotten smell
- keisiicho – sour; hint of bitter
- keisukut – mild sour
- kemelok – sweet
- kemelok nesiicho – sweet-sour
- kemelok nodua – sweet-bitter
- kodua – bitter
- kong’u – bad smell
- koropili – nice smelling
- lata – creamy
- lkiraeu – smell of milk; negative
- lngusul – strong, unpleasant smell and taste
- meishiamu – taste that lacks its essence
- nkuama – wood aroma in fermented milk
- ulaash – tasteless like water
More
Use the following links to explore additional content collected through the Samburu Milk Project.
Introduction to the Samburu Milk Project
Dictionary Methodology and Acknowledgements
Stages of Milk Fermentation
Types of Milk Containers (Lmalasin)
Botanicals for Lmala Preparation
The Culture of Milk — Idioms and Expressions
Other Samburu Words
Milk, Music, and Religion — scheduled completion in late 2025
Milking Songs — scheduled completion in late 2025
This is the draft manuscript of the Samburu Milk Project, © 2024 William Rubel.
Samburu Research 