Research sponsored by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Mbuki ya lusumo lwenulu ililola ng’wana uyo ali na bhakongi b’ingi, nulu uyo alina b’ab’ucha b’ingi. Giko lulu ung’wana ng’wunuyo, adiko ugutuulwa hasi, kulwa nguno agumanisahilwa bhogub’uchiwa na ungi.

Lusumo lwenulo lugalenganijiyagwa na munhu uyo agalanhanagwa na bhanhu bhingi, abho b’agamanaga b’iyambilija ugunanha ubhulangwa uwiza.

Ukubhanhu, ulusumo lwenulo lulilanga higulya ya kub’iza na masala ga gwikala chiza na bhanhu umumakaya.

Abhanhu bhenabho b’agiyambilija bho gufunya bhulangwa bho wiza ukub’ana bhose abha muchalo jabho, kugiki bhuling’wene abhize nhangi obhana bha ng’wiye.

KISWAHILI: MTOTO WA WALEZI WENGI HANG’ATWI SIAFU

Maana ya methali hiyo inaangalia mtoto aliye na walezi wengi, au yule aliye na wabebaji wengi. Hivyo basi mtoto huyo, hana nafasi ya kuwekwa chini, kwa vile atakuwa anabebwa mara kwa mara na wabebaji wake wakipokezana.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa na mtu yule ambaye hufundishwa na watu wengi ambao huwa wanasaidiana katika kumpa malezi mema.

Kwa watu, methali hiyo hufundisha juu ya kuwa na akili ya kuishi vizuri na watu kwenye familia.

Watu hao husaidiana katika kulea watoto, kwa kuwafundisha malezi mema vizuri watoto hao wote waliomo kwenye kijiji chao, ili kila mmoja awe mwalimu kwa watoto wa mwenzake.

 “Mimi ni Myahudi, niliyezaliwa Tarso huko Kilikia, lakini nimelelewa hapa penye mji huu, miguuni mwa Gamalieli. Nilifundishwa kikamilifu katika sheria ya baba zetu, nikiwa mwenye juhudi kwa ajili ya Mungu kama kila mmoja wenu alivyo leo.” (Matendo 22:3).

“Ndoa na iheshimiwe na watu wote, nayo malezi yawe safi, kwa kuwa Mungu atawahukumu wazinzi na waasherati wote.” (Waebrania 13:4).

ENGLISH: THE CHILD OF MANY GUARDIANS IS NOT BITTEN BY ANTS

The meaning of the above proverb looks at the baby who has many guardians, or the one with many carriers. The baby does not have a chance to be put down since he/she will be regularly dressed and carried by his/her many caretakers.

Such a proverb is likened to the one who is taught by many people in a given society. These people help each other in giving him/her good teachings for living peacefully with others. The above proverb teaches people about having an ability to live well with people in families.

Those people who apply such  a proverb into their lives help each other in raising children by teaching them good values and habits. They do so to all children in their villages. Each one becomes a good teacher to the children of others.

“I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day”(Acts 22:3). “Let marriage be held in honor among all” (Hebrews 13:4). “Train up a child in the way he or she should go” (Proverbs 22:6). ”Bring your children  them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).