Collected by: Don Sybertz,   Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs, Sayings and stories)

Oliho ngosha umo na nke, bhalina na kaya yabho. Ikale ubhusabhi bholibhulambu. Bhagabhiza bhilukilwa bhupandika ng’ombe ibhili na bhana bhubyala bhabhili. Ng’wana ng’waniki na nyanda. Lushiku lumo ungosha uhaya, unene nke wane naje kubhadugu bhane. Nkima adalemile ngosha unzunilija.

Ngosha uyo ubhuka ajile, aho waja ungosha uyo nkima okwe ukunu kaya ulota ung`wana okwe nyanda agayaga. Nkima uyo akabhiza na mayange no. Nose ikabhiza omona namhala omuchalo jinijo ung’wila umo olotelaga. Namhala agang’wila, olotaga shibhi giki bhuli, ilidakilwa ung’wana ng’wenuyo umulagile ng’ombe yajililo.

Nang’hana nkima ng’wenuyo akamulagila ng’ombe yajililo yusaga ng’ombe imo. Aho wakashoka ngosha ng’wenuyo uko olioja. Aho oshika aho kaya uponya iliso ubhona ng`ombe imo, ubhuja. “Ing`ombe iyingi yajaga he?” Nkima ung’wila igashaga duguwile. Ngosha agigasha.

Nkima ung’wila, ulushiku lwene wingilaga nagalota jiloti jagiki, ng’wana wane wagayaga unyanda mnagabhiza na mayange no. Nose numona namhala nung’wila umo nalotelaga. Aho nang’wila nawe uniwila olotaga shibhi giki, ulidakilwa ung’wana ng’wenuyo umulagile ng’ombe yajililo, una lulu ng’ombe iyimo dibhulaga yajililo ja ng`wana wane.

Ngosha agang`wila, ubhebhe nkima wane udina masala nulu mado. Bhanga osanga bhalotaga jiloti duhu bhugabhulaga na ng’ombe! Ubhebhe nkima dulekanile amasala nunene. Naje nane nagachole abha masala giti game.

Ngosha akabhuka uja kujuchola abha masala giti gakwe. Aho oshika ng’wipolu umona nkima umo, ungisha, uzunya mhola, ngosha umuja unkima ng’wenuyo ulitaki ahenaha? Nkima ng’wenuyo ung’wila nalilinda jigila aho bhachila bhatemi na bhagole. Ngosha umuja galihe? gayuko, hama lulu nani agagulolaga ulu omisha mhola? Nkima uyomba akizaga ngole onilola.

Ngosha ubhita ajile, aho obhita ujajaja duhu wibhisa mumasaka. Aho wila ubhujiku, ngosha uzula imyenda yakwe usaga duhu, usumula ajile ha jigila ja ntemi. Agasimba simba wijika ukulubhala. Aho wela wiza ngole kunola unkima ng’wenuyo ulu olalaga mhola.

Aho wegela aha majigila ulolela giti munhu ogunya hoyi ubhitila ajile aho agalalaga unkima ng’wenuyo. Aho wegela umuja, bhebhe liki lyagunyaga giti munhu? Nang’hwe ung’wila nadinalola hoyi, dujage lulu, aho bhagaluka giki bhaja bhumona umbehi wimila igulya yajigila bhuja bhung’wegela bhumuja ubhebhe ofumila he? Nang`hwe ubhawila nafuma mujigila gubhambati na mbati pye abhatemi abho bhacha ubhayomba ukunu aliduhu. Bhubhiza bhamponekeja ng’wenda.

Aho witunga bhumuja, ubhebhe uli ntemi nani? Nang’hwe uyomba, nali ntemi mbati. Uyomba lina lya ntemi uyo ocha. Haho na haho bhung’wila dujage kaya lulu. Bhubhuka bhajile ng’hana. Aho bhashika ikaya aho ng’wa ntemi bhusanga untemi winga oja bhugeni. Bunsanga unke ontemi bhung’wila, ung’wenuyu ntemi mbati. Nasanga ojukukaga lelo.

Nkima ontemi ukumya no, ubhawila abhana bhakwe gumulagila ng’ombe yagulya untemi ng’wenuyo. Nang`hwe uhaya kajagi najile unene. Bhandya kuzuga na gung’winha hela ningi noyi pye namamyenda. Aho olya, uja ashokile kaya.

Aho winga duhu ung’winikili kaya untemi nawe ushika. Ubhuja, ing’ombe yiniyi ng`wamulagilaga nani? Nkima uyomba igashaga duguwile. Ntemi wigasha uwilwa nu nkima, damulagilaga ntemi mbati uyo oliocha ujuguka. Ntemi ung’wila unkima okwe, ubhebhe uli nkima udina masala! Osanga munhu ojukukaga. Oja he? Nkima ung’wila oja kaya, hamo ihaha oshika kule.

Ntemi upaga nzobhe yakwe unfata. Nzobhe yandyagupela no mpaga ungosha ng’wenuyo yung’wegela. Nawe aho olola inuma ubhona nzobhe ilinfata umana gashi nafatagwa ayibhuja kimba nite ginehe, gashi oganoga ulolela ngosha agulimaga. Aho omona ubhuka ajile ho. Ukashika ho ung’wila giki, nkoyi ilelo himba ling’witulo, hama bhalitulwa no nu ntemi. Nkoyi lulu nagupije, nhaga iligembe unene nalime, ubhebhe jaga ugalinhe aho linti lyenilo, unene ulu alanisange nakung’wila nali ngeni.

Ngosha uyo uzunya ung’winha iligembe ngosha ng`wenuyo uja ukalinha. Ntemi adadilile ubhulung’hanya unsanga ngosha uyu akulimaga wiza umuja. Omonaga ngosha alina nigo? Ngosha ng’wenuyo ung’wila giki, iti ng’wene uyo namonaga agulinhaga umo linti lyenilo jaga ukanole, nhaga nagudimilije inzobhe yako.

Ntemi ung’winha. Ntemi ubhuka ajile kujulinha, aho wandya kulinha, ngosha uonzobhe uibhakila na kwilekela yandya kupela. Ntemi aho olabhula inuma wibhona inzobhe yandya kupela.

Agakumya no na kuhaya gashi unkima one alina masala nayungwibhonelaga duhu. Haho na haho untemi wandya kunyamuka kaya. Aho wegela hakaya, bhahakaya bhunolela agushimizaga bhiwila himba ilelo kinehe. Aho oshikila bhumuja ginehe bhabha yabhizaga ginehe nayi?

Ntemi uhaya lyehagi nifule nakumuwila. Aho wifula ubhawila giki bhadugu bhane inzobhe yane nanyang’hanyiwe naling’wana, lyunilemba lemba lyisola. Nkima one nalikulomba unilekeje gete. Gashi nu nene natina masala. Ngosha ng’wenuyo nawe uonzobhe aho okashika uko ng’wakwe, ung’wila unke giki. Ihaha lulu nke wane ditolage duhu nguno nabhonile bhangi abha nduhu masala giti bhebhe, gashi bhali bhingi.

Kiswahili: Mwanamume Na Mke Wake

Alikuwepo mwanaume mmoja na mke wake walikuwa na familiya yao. Zamani utajiri ulikuwa mgumu. Walipata bahati ya kupata ng’ombe wawili na wakazaa watoto wawili. Msichana na mvulana. Siku moja mwanaume alisema, “mke wangu mimi naenda kwa ndugu zangu. Mwanamke hakukataa alimkubalia mume wake.

Mwanaume huyo alianza safari yake. Alipoenda mke wake huko nyuma aliota kwamba mtoto mvulana amefariki. Mwanamke huyo alikuwa na mahangaiko mno. Mwishowe ikawa amemuona mzee wa hapo kijijini akamueleza alivyoota. Mzee akamwambia, “umeota vibaya hivi, inatakiwa umchinjie ng’ombe mtoto huyo ya kilio.”

Kweli mwanamke huyo alimchinjia ng’ombe ya kilio akabakiwa na ng’ombe mmoja tu. Aliporudi mwanaume huyo huko alikoenda akaona ng’ombe mmoja tu alipotupa jicho lake zizini. Akauliza, “Ng’ombe mwingine ameenda wapi?” Mwanamke alimwambia, “kaa tukuambie.” Mwanaume akakaa.

Mwanamke alimsimulia, “siku ile uliyoondokea niliota ndoto ya hivi, mtoto wangu amefariki yule mvulana na nilikuwa na mahangaiko mno. Mwishowe nikamuona mzee mmoja na kumsimulia nilivyoota.” Nilipomwambia naye akaniambia, “umeota vibaya hivi, unatakiwa umchinjie ng’ombe ya kilio mtoto huyo,” ndipo nikamuua ng’ombe huyo kwa kumlilia mwanangu.”

Mwanamume alimwambia, “wewe mke wangu huna akili hata kidogo. Umekuta wangapi wameota ndoto tu wakaua na ng’ombe!” Wewe mwanamke tumetofautiana akili na mimi. Naenda nikatafute mwenye akili kama zangu.

Mwanaume alifunga safari kwenda kutafuta wenye akili kama zake. Alipofika porini alimuona mwanamke mmoja akamsalimia, akakubali salama. Mwanaume akamuuliza mwanamke huyo, “Unafanya nini hapa?” Mwanamke huyo akamwambia, “nalinda makaburi walipozikwa wafalme na wake zao.” Mwanaume akauliza, “yako wapi?” Mwanamke akajibu, “hayo huko”. Akauliza, “nani huwa anakuja kukuona kama umeamka salama?” Mwanamke alisema, “Huwa anakuja mke wa mfalme kuniangalia.”

Mwanaume huyo, alipita akiendelea na safari yake. Alipopita akaenda kidogo tu akajificha vichakani. Usiku ulipoingia, mwanaume huyo, alivua nguo zake akabaki uchi. Akaenda kwenye kaburi la mfalme. Akachimba na kujizika huku akibakisha mwili nje kwa kuinama. Kesho yake, akaja mke wa mfalme kumuona mwanamke huyo kama amelala salama.

Alipokaribia kwenye makaburi aliona kama mtu ametokeza pale akapita akiendelea na safari yake kwenda pale anapolala yule mwanamke.  Alipokaribia aliuliza, “wewe nini kimetokeza kama mtu? Naye akamwambia, “sijaangalia pale, twende basi.” Walipogeuka kuelekea kuona ni nini, wakamuona jamaa amesimama juu ya kaburi wakaenda wakamkaribia wakamuuliza, “wewe umetoka wapi?” Naye akawaambia, “nimetoka kwenye kaburi kwa akina Fulani na Fulani wafalme wote waliokufa akawataja huku akiwa uchi. Wakawa wamemtupia nguo.

Alipojifunga wakamuuliza, “Wewe ni mfalme nani?” Naye akasema, “Ni mfalme Fulani.” Alisema jina la mfalme aliyekufa. Baada ya kusema hivyo tu, walimwambia waende nyumbani. Kweli wakaanza safari yao. Walipofika nyumbani kwa mfalme wakakuta mfalme ameondoka kwenda ugenini. Wakamkuta mke wa mfalme wakamwambia, “huyu ni mfalme Fulani. Nimekuta amefufuka leo.”

Mke wa mfalme alishangaa mno. Akawaambia watoto wake kumchingia ng’ombe wa kula mfalme huyo. Naye akasema, “fanyeni haraka mimi naenda.” Wakaanza kupika na kumpa hela nyingi mno na nguo. Alipokula, alianza safari ya kurudi nyumbani.

Alipoondoka tu mwenye nyumba yule Mfalme naye alifika. Akauliza, “ng’ombe huyu mmemchinjia nani?” Mwanamke akasema, “kaa tukuambie.”  Mfalme alikaa akaambiwa na mwanamke, “tumemuulia mfalme Fulani yule aliyekufa amefufuka.” Mfalme akamwambia mke wake, “wewe ni mwanamke usiye na akili! Umekuta mtu amefufufka. Ameenda wapi?” Mwanamke alimwambia, “ameenda nyumbani, labda sasa atakuwa amefika mbali.”

Mfalme alipanda punda wake kumfuata yule mtu. Punda alianza kukimbia sana mpaka yule mwanaume akamkaribia. Naye alipoangalia nyuma, aliona punda akimfuata, akaelewa kuwa kumbe anafuatwa alianza kujiuliza hajui afanye nini, mwishowe, alimuona mwanaume anapalilia palizi.

Alipomuona alianza safari kwenda pale. Akafika pale akamwambia hivi, “Jamaa yangu, leo sijui kuna nini, watu wanakimbia, wanapigwa na mfalme. Bwana, basi, nikusalimishe, nipe jembe mimi nilime, wewe uende ukapande kwenye mti huo, mimi akinikuta nitamwambia kuwa, mimi ni mgeni.

Mwanaume huyo, alikubali akampa jembe mwanaume huyo akaenda kupanda mtini. Haukupita mda mrefu mfalme akatokeza na kumkuta mwanaume yule anayelima akaja kumuuliza. “Umemuona mwanaume ana mzigo?” Mwanaume yule alimwambia kwamba, “Siyo yule huyo niliyemuona akipanda kwenye mti huo, nenda ukamwamgalie, nipe punda wako nikusaidie kushikilia.”

Mfalme akampa na kuanza safari ya kwenda kupanda. Alipoanza kupanda, mwanaume yule wa punda alipanda akamwachia akaanza kukimbia. Mfalme alipoangalia nyuma, akamuona punda ameanza kukimbia.

Alishangaa mno na kusema, “kumbe mke wangu ana akili nilikuwa namuonea tu.” Wakati huo mfalme akaanza kurudi nyumbani. Alipokaribia nyumbani, wakamuona kwa mbali akitembea, wakaambiana, sijui leo vipi. Alipofika wakamuuliza “vipi baba kwani imekuaje?”

Mfalme akasema, “subirini nipumzike nitawaambia.” Alipopumzika aliwaambia hivi, “ndugu zangu punda wangu nimenyang’anywa na yule jamaa, akanidanganya na kumchukua. Mke wangu nakuomba unisamehe kabisa. Kumbe na mimi sina akili.”

Mwanaume yule wa punda naye alipofika nyumbani kwake, alimwambia mke wake, “Sasa mke wangu, tuoane tu kwa sababu nilishaona wengine ambao hawana akili kama wewe, kumbe wako wengi.”

ENGLISH: MAN AND HIS WIFE

There was one man and his wife. They had their family. Long time ago getting wealth was hard. They were lucky to get two cows and had two children a Girl and a boy. One day a man said, “My wife I go to my brothers. The woman did not refuse the idea of her husband. She accepted it.

The man started his journey. When he went his wife back there dreamed that the baby boy had died. The woman was very anxious. At last she saw an old man in the village to whom she explained her dream. An elder said to her, “You have so badly dreamed, you have to slaughter the calf for the baby.”

The woman truly slaughtered the cow and left only one cow. When the man returned where he went, saw that a cow was missing. He asked, “Where did another cow go?” The woman said, “Let’s tell you.” The man stayed.

The woman told him, “On the day when you left me I dreamed about this, my baby, the boy died, and I was very anxious. Finally I saw an old man and told him what I dreamed. “When I told him what I dreamed and he said to me,” You have dreamed so badly, you have to slaughter a cow for the baby’s cries, “and I killed the cow for crying to my son.”

The man said to her, “you my wife you do not have even little intelligence. How many people have you seen only dreamed and killed a bull and a cow! “You woman, your mind differs with mine. I am going to look for the one who has the mind as mine.

A man made a trip to find out the same as his own. When he arrived at a sertan place he saw a woman and greeted her, and she agreed to be safe. The man asked, “What are you doing here?” The woman said to her, “I am guarding the graves when the kings and their wives were buried.” The man asked, “Where are they?” The woman replied, “There they are.” She asked, “Who is coming to see you as you have waken up safe?” “The woman said,” There is a king’s wife coming to see me.”

The man passed by on his way. When he went, he went a little and hid himself in the bush. When the night came in, the man, stripped off his clothes and remained naked. He went to the king’s tomb. He digged and sat down and kept the body out by lying. The next day, the king’s wife came to see her asleep in safety.

As he approached the cemetery she saw as if he had passed away when he went on his way to the place where he slept. As she approached, she asked, “What has appeared like a man? They said, “I have not looked there, but let us go.” When they turned to what they saw, they saw the fellow standing on the tomb and approached him and asked, “Where did you come from?” He said to them, “I have come from the tomb to so and so and all the dead kings, he named them while been naked. They were throwing clothes to him.

When he closed himself, they asked him, “Who king are you?” And he said, “I am a king somebody.” He said the name of the dead king. After saying this, they told him to go home. Really they started their journey. When they came to the king’s house they found the king left for exile. And they found the king’s wife, and said unto him, this is a king. I found him awakened today. “

The king’s wife was very surprised. She told her children to slaughter for him a cow to eat the king. And he said, “do so quickly I am going.” They started to cook and give him lots of money and clothes. As soon as he got up, he started the journey home.

As soon as he left, the King’s householder arrived. The king asked, “For whom have slaughtered that cow?” The woman said “Sit let us tell you.” The king sat and she told, “We have killed a cow for a dead King who has been raised.” The king said to his wife, “You are a senseless woman! Have you found someone raised up. Where did he go? “The woman said to her,” He has gone home, maybe he will be far away.”

The king climbed his donkey to follow the man. The donkey began to run so fast enough to catch as he approached him. When that man looked back, he saw a donkey following him, and realized that if he was followed. He began to think himself on what to do, at last, he saw a man weeding on the floor.

When he saw him he started to go there. When he got there he said, “My relative, today I do not know what, people run away, beaten by the king. Lord, then, let me save you, and give me the hoe that I can weed, and you go to climb that tree, and if he gets to me, I will tell him that, I am a stranger.

The man, agreed and gave him the hoe and went to the fig tree. Not long after the king turned and found the man who was plowing came to ask him. “Have you seen a man with a load?” The man told him, “is that not the one I saw going up on the tree? Go and lay him down, give me your donkey to help you in holding it.”

The king gave him and started the journey to go to the tree. As he began to climb, the donkey grew up and left off and began to run. When the king looked back, he saw the donkey has begun to run.

 He was very surprised and said, “my wife is mentally careful, I humiliated her with no reason, I would only see her.” At that moment the king began to return home. As he came home, they saw him afar off walking, saying to one another, I do not know today. When he arrived, they asked him, “how is it dad, what has happened?”

The king said, “Let the rest of my soul rest and I will tell you.” When he rested, he said to them, “My donkeys have been robbed by that fellow, and he deceived me and carried him away. I beg you my wife to forgive me completely. Or I’m not smart.”

When that man of the donkey arrived to his home, he said to his wife, “Now, my wife, let us just get together because I have seen some who do not have the same mind as you are, they are many.”