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

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

Waliho ngosha umo lina lyakwe Jiji, wali nguhi no. Ubhuguhi wenubho bhukang’wenheleja kwitanwa Jiji (kanoni kado). Nose akabyala bhana bhingi bhali bha mimili mitale na bhalihu, huna lulu ulu bhitanwa bha ng’wa Jiji, bhabhi bhucha Soni.

Nose bhuhaya, hambu hambu tusame henaha. Namhala alitugola no, alituponda Soni. Bhusama na gusama. Aho bhasegendela bhukamanwa, bha ng’wa Jiji ng’washikile nanali ukunu?

Bhandya kwiwila, “Kunu twamanwa, tusamagi tujagi, bhongeja lugendo lwabho kuja ipande lingi. Bhahayushika nu kwene bhukamanwa, bha ng’wa Jiji ng’washikile nanali?” Nose bhiwila giki, bhagosha tushokagi kaya tulinoga dalali. Tuli bha ng’wa Jiji nulu tuje hali tuli bha ng’wa Jiji.

Kiswahili: Hata Uenda Wapi Ni Wa Jiji

Alikuwepo mwanamume mmoja jina lake aliitwa Jiji. Alikuwa mfupi mno. Ufupi huo ulimsababishia yeyé kuitwa Jiji (ka ndege kadogo).

Mwishowe alizaa watoto wengi wa miili mikubwa na warefu. Wakawa wanaitwa watoto wa jiji, nao walijisikia aibu.

Mwishowe wasema afadhali wahame hapo. “Mzee anatutunza mno, lakini anatuaibisha.” Walihama pale. Walipofika mbali walitambuliwa, na watu wakaauliza, “Wa Jiji mmefika lini huku?”

Wakaanza kuambiana, “Huku tumetambuliwa, tuhameni twendeni.” Wakaongeza mwendo wao kwenda upande mwingine. Walipofika na huko wakatambuliwa, “Wa Jiji mmefika lini?”

Mwishowe, wakaambiana hivi, “wanaume turudi nyumbani tunachoka bure. Sisi ni wa Jiji hata tuende wapi ni wa Jiji.”

WHEREVER YOU GO, YOU ARE OF JIJI

There was a man named Jiji. He was very short. His shortness made him to be called Jiji (a type of a small bird).

Eventually he gave birth to many children who were tall and had well-built bodies. These children were called sons of Jiji.They felt embarrassed because of their father’s height.

Finally, they decided to leave and move to somewhere else where no one knew them. “Our father takes care of us very well, but he shames us.” Then, they left the place. When they were far off, they were recognized, and the people asked, “When did you of Jiji arrive here?”

They began to say to one another, “We have been identified, let us move on. Let us go.” They went to the other side. When they got there, they were recognized, “Sons of Jiji when did you come here?”

Finally, they said to each other, “Men,let us go back home.We are tired. We are of Jiji.Wherever we go, we are of Jiji. ”