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

Mbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola lub’ub’u. Ulub’ub’u lugigelaga ulu munhu agushimizaga. Aguyuludundumucha aliyo luguyunshogela nuwei uyo agulutumyaga.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa nu kumiito ga bhanhu, inguno amiito genayo gaganhondejaga bhuli ng’wene uyo agagitaga umuwikaji bhokwe. Ulu munhu wita miito gawiza, agubhiza na bhuyegi, umuwikaji bhokwe. Aliyo ulu miito gakwe gib’iza gabhub’i, gagung’wenhela makoye, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Ukubhanhu akahayile kenako kalilola munhu uyo witaga mihayo ya sagala, nulu giti gwib’a, guyomba b’ulomolomo, bhupondya, na yingi iyoyikolile ni yeniyo. Giko lulu, ulugiki mihayo yudaama, aguimala nu ng’witi oyo.

Akahayile kenako kadulanga higulya ya kulekana ni mihayo iyabhub’ub’i, giti yeniyo iyasagala. Kunguno imihayo yeniyo idulile guduchala ku makoye, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Ijinagongeja, akahayile kenako kadulanga higulya ya kub’iza na nhungwa jawiza, ijagwita miito gawiza, ayogadulile gudenhela b’uyegi bho gwikala na mholele na bhigisu umuwikaji wise.

VUMBI HUMRUDIA ALIYE ITIMUA

Maana ya msemo huo inaangalia vumbi. Vumbi hutokea wakati mtu akitembea. Vumbi hilo humfuata yule anayelitimua.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa na matendo ya watu, kwa sababu matendo hayo humfuata kila mmoja yale aliyoyafanya katika maisha yake. Kama mtu akitenda matendo mema, atakuwa na furaha maishani mwake. Lakini kama matendo yake yatakuwa mabaya, yatamuletea matatizo maishani mwake.

Kwa maana hiyo, msemo huo unamwangalia mtu anayetenda matendo ya hovyo kama vile kuiba, kusema uongo, kubaka na mengine kama hayo. Hivyo basi mambo yakiwa magumu, atayamaliza yeye aliyeyatenda.

Msemo huo hutufundisha juu ya kuacha maneno na matendo ambayo ni ya hovyo kama hayo. Kwa sababu maneno na matendo hayo yatatupeleka kwenye matatizo.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hutufundisha juu ya kuwa na tabia njema ili matendo yetu yaweze kutuletea furaha ya kupata maendeleo ya kuishi kwa amani na wenzetu maishani mwetu.

ENGLISH: DUST TRAILS HE WHO STIRS IT UP

As one walks, one tends to stir up dust in the walk. Ordinarily, the dust would trail him or her that rouses it. That is the basic meaning of the above proverb.

That proverb is used to draw a parallel with people’s actions in life: Good deeds beget happiness; bad ones beget sadness or a troubled life.

For instance, a person who engages in immoral actions such as theft, deception, among other such vices is bound to face the harsh consequences of his or her actions.

Such proverb can be compared to another English proverb which says: “You reap what you sowed.” In essence, the two proverbs imply that one ought to be prepared to take responsibility of one’s actions at all times.

The above proverb teaches us to be wary of engaging in undesirable or wicked actions like deception since they can cause us grief.

It further advises us to be morally upright so that our actions can guarantee happiness, peace and harmony in our lives.

ANOTHER ENGLISH VERSION: DUST FOLLOWS THE ONE WHO CAUSES IT

The meaning of the above proverb looks at the dust which has been caused by somebody. Dust occurs when someone walks. It follows him/her who causes it.

The above proverb is compared to actions of people, because these actions follow each one in his/her life. If one does good deeds, he/she will be happy in his/her life. But if his/her actions are bad, they will put him/her into troubles in his/her life.

For that reason, such proverb looks at the person who acts as a thief, deceiver, and so forth. So when things are hard, the doer will be responsible to what has been done by him/her.

Such proverbial statement teaches us ab

out stopping deceiving others or doing bad actions and the like. This is due to the fact that, erroneous doings as well as wicked actions bring problems to their doers.

Furthermore, it imparts us to be morally upright so that our actions can bring us happiness for achieving peace and harmony in our lives.