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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile munhu gumana mihayo ya ng’hana gukila guimana iyo iliya sagala. Ulusumo lunulo agawilagwa munhu uyo adaitumamaga imilimo, nguno atogilwe guyunga. Ubhuyungi bhunub’o bhuli guti bhub’ini bho mbina, kunguno abhab’ini bhambina bhagamanaga bhuyunga bhagucholaga mbina.

Abho bhadebhile i solobho ya milimo, bhagabhakomelejaga abhichab’o giki bhamane milimo, bhadizumana mbina, kunguno imbina jigenhaga bhukokolo, ahakaya ya bhanhu bhenobho. Ubhukolo bhunubho bhugwenha makoye ga nzala ahakaya yiniyo, kunguno ya bhanhu bhenobho gugatumile amakanza gabho imingi bho bhub’ina mbina, gukila uguitumama imilimo yabho.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo atogilwe kukubhija mbina, umuwikaji bhokwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo akailekaga imilimo yakwe kunguno ya kub’ina mbina. Igelelilwe umunhu adebhe milimo iyo idulile gunmegeja kaya yakwe. Hichene guhaya giki, ‘Managa milimo udizumana mbina.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu hugulya ya gubhiza bhakamu uguitumama imilimo yabho, kugiki bhadule gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho. Ubhukamu bho gutumama milimo, bhugabhenhelaga sabho umukaya jabho na jiliwa, jizwalo na numba. Igelelilwe abhanhu bhaitumame imilimo yabho na bhukamu ubho bhukomile gubhasabhya umuwikaji bhobho.

Ijinagongeja, ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu hugulya ya kuleka gujimija makanza gabho kumihayo iyo iliyasagara. Imihayo yiniyo, igalenganijiyagwa na bhumani bho gub’ina mbina. Igelelilwe umunhu, alekane ni mihayo iyo itinasolobho ukuwikaji bhokwe.

KISWAHILI: FAHAMU KAZI USIFAHAMU MICHEZO

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia mtu kufahamu maneno ya maana badala ya yale ambayo ni ya hovyo.  Methali hiyo huambiwa mtu ambaye huwa hafanyi kazi kwa sababu ya kupenda kwake kutembea akifuata michezo ya ngoma. Utembeaji huo hujumuisha uchezaji wa ngoma, kwa sababu wacheza ngoma huwa na kawaida hiyo ya kutembea akitafuta kucheza michezo hiyo.

Wale wafahamuo hasara za kupenda kucheza michezo hiyo ya ngoma badala ya kufanya kazi, huwaambia wenzao kwamba, wapende kufanya kazi, kuliko kucheza michezo, kwa sababu, michezo kama hiyo huleta uvivu katika kufanya kazi kwenye familia za wapenda michezo hao. Uvivu huo hupelekea kuwepo kwa matatizo ya njaa katika familia hiyo, kwa sababu ya watu wake kuutumia muda wao zaidi kwenye maswala ya kucheza ngoma badala ya kufanya kazi.

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule apendaye kutembea kwa sababu ya kutafuta michezo hiyo ya ngoma badala ya kazi ambazo zaweza kumletea maendeleo yeye na familia yake. Ndiyo, kusema kwamba, ‘Fahamu kazi usifahamu michezo.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na bidii ya kufanya kazi zao, ili waweze kujiletea maendeleo kwenye familia zao. Bidii hiyo, huwapatia nafasi ya kujipatia mahitaji yao ya kila siku, yakiwemo yale ya: chakula, mavazi na malazi, mpaka kufikia hatua ya kuwa matajiri. Yafaa watu wafanye kazi kwa bidii iwezayo kuwatajirisha maishani mwao.

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuachana na tabia ya kupenda kufuata michezo ya ngoma, ambayo ni sawa na kufuata maneno ya hovyo. Maneno hayo, hufananishwa na kucheza michezo hiyo ya ngoma. Yafaa watu waachane na yote ambayo hayana faida maishani mwake.

Mithali 6:6-9.

2Wathesalonike 3:10.

ENGLISH: HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF WORK NOT OF PLAY

The overhead proverb talks about the need for someone to take into serious consideration meaningful isues rather than useless ones. The proverb is usually directed at a person who roams about seeking fun and enjoyment at dancing festivals, instead of working. Dancers have a habit of moving from place to place to stage their sport.

Those who understand the damage caused by the love of play and dance usually tell those hooked on it to love work instead, since such vain activities breed nothing but laziness in the family. Laziness leads to hunger and starvation because people spend more time engaging in fun and games at the expense of working.

The proverb can be used to refer to someone who revels in fun – wandering in search of the pleasures of music and dance – instead of engaging in productive work that can guarantee progress in the family. That is why such a person will be told, ‘Have knowledge of work, not games.’

That truism imparts in people the spirit of hard work so that they may bring progress in their families. That way, they create an opportunity to provide themselves with their daily basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter, and they can even get to a point of attaining richness. Indeed, it is important for people to work hard so that they can acquire richness in their lives.

In addition, the epigram teaches people about the vanity of engaging in dance and games, just like it is useless focusing on meaningless ideas. Such ideas are likened to dancing games. In essence, people are advised to shun those things that are worthless in their lives.

Proverbs 6: 6-9.

2 Thessalonians 3:10.