The Greek in Matthew 17:6 that is translated as “fell to the ground” or similar in English is translated in Elhomwe with yaamora ekhove or “fell on their faces,” the same expression that is used in Numbers 14:5 and Numbers 16:45. (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Gbaya, the ideophone hirr is used to emphasize this expression. Hirr denotes a tight fit — such as the one of the disciples’ faces to the ground. Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

See also fell to the ground and fell on their faces.