Skip to footer

In Kenya, audiences roar at language in 'Jedi' film

  • By Compiled From Wire Service Dispatches With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World
  • Edited By Linda Feldmann

| Nairobi

The latest Star Wars movie, ''Return of the Jedi,'' opened in Kenya, but fans aren't cheering for Luke Skywalker or Han Solo. Their favorite character is the alien Nien Numb - because he speaks their language.

''Atirizi inyui mwi hau inyouthe ukai haha,'' said Nien Numb to Lando Calrissian, the captain of starship Millenium Falcon in the film. The sentence had them rolling in the aisles at the Kenyan premiere. The reason: Nien Numb speaks fluent Kikuyu, the dialect of Kenya's majority tribe. Loosely translated, the words mean ''What are you doing over there? All of you please come here.''

You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to In Kenya, audiences roar at language in 'Jedi' film
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/1983/0728/072823.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us