Author: Sukuma legacy

1386. NENE NALINAJO IJILANGA.

Akahayile kenako kanhoyelile munhu uyo wikalaga na jilanga ijo oliajisanije gete umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo wikalaga na ngong’ho, lushu, ichimu, mbasa, bhuta na masonga. Ijilanga jinijo, oliajisanije noyi kunguno jangunanaga ukubhukinda ubhulugu. Hunagwene oyombaga giki, “nene nalinajo ijilanga.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo ang’wisanije Mulungu umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, aganombaga Mulungu ulu opandikaga makoye kunguno abhudebhile ubhutale bho bhudula bhokwe uMulungu, umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agakindaga bhuli bhulugu aha kaya yakwe kunguno ya bhudula bho ng’wa Mulungu uyo ang’wisanije, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo wikalaga na jilanga ijo oliajisanije umubhulugu, kunguno nuweyi aganombaga Mulungu uyo ang’wisanije ulu opandikaga bhulugu umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene agayombaga giki, “nene nalinajo ijilanga.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gujitumamila ijilanga jabho bho gung’wisanya Mulungu, kugiki bhadule kubhukinda ubhulugu na gupandika matwajo mingi gagubhashisha Ng’wiguru.

Hesabu 32:17.

2 Samweli 15:15.

KISWAHILI: MIMI NINAZO SILAHA.

Msemo huo humwongelea mtu aliyekuwa na silaha alizozitegemea sana katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, alikuwa na bunduki, kisu, mkuki, shoka, upinde na mishare. Silaha hizo, alizitegemea sana kwa sababu zilizimsaidia kushinda vita. Ndiyo maana alisema kwamba, “mimi ninazo silaha.”

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule amtegemeae Mungu katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, humuomba Mungu anapokumbana na matatizo kwa sababu anauelewa uwezo wake Mungu ambao ni mkubwa, maishani mwake. Yeye hushinda kila vita katika familia yake kwa sababu ya kuutegemea uwezo huo mkubwa wa Mungu, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo hufanana na yule aliyezitegemea silaha zake katika vita, kwa sababu naye humuomba Mungu anayemtegemea anapopata vita maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana yeye husema kwamba, “mimi ninazo silaha.”

Msemo huo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuvitumia silaha zao katika kutatua matatizo yao kwa kumtegemea Mungu, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi maishani na kufika Mbinguni.

Hesabu 32:17.

2 Samweli 15:15.

ENGLISH: I HAVE WEAPONS.

This saying refers to a person who had weapons that he relied on a lot in his life. This person had a gun, a knife, a spear, an axe, a bow and arrows. He relied on those weapons because they helped him enough to win wars. That is why he said that, “I have weapons.”

This saying is equated to a person who relies on God in his life. Such person prays to God when he encounters difficulties because he understands God’s power which is great, in his life. He wins every battle in his family because of relying on that great power of God, in his life.

This person is like the one who relied on his weapons enough to win in wars, because he also prays to God whom he relies on when he finds a battle in his life. That is why he says, “I have weapons.”

This saying teaches people about using their weapons enough to solve their hitches by relying on God, so that they can achieve great success in life to the point of reaching Heaven.

Numbers 32:17.

2 Samuel 15:15.

1385. LYADINHA GULUB’ALUB’A MUNYANGALIKA.

Aho kale bhalihoyi bhanhu abho bhikalaga na bhabyaji bhabho. Abhabyaji bhabho bhenabho bhagazumalika bhulekwa bhaguyanganaga abhanhu bhenabho kunguno ya kubhiza bhapina. Abhoyi bhagiyumilija umumakoye gabho genayo mpaga nose bhumanila kunguno ya gudebha igiki bhadizile ng’hana ng’hana aha welelo henaha. Hunagwene bhagayomba giki, “lyadinha gulub’alub’a munyangalika.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenanijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagiyumilijaga bho gung’wisanya Mulungu ulu bhapandikaga makoye umukikalile kakwe. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagapandikaga mayange ga guchilwa na bhadugu bhabho bhiyumilija bho gung’wisanya Mulungu kunguno bhamanile igiki Uweyi adebhile yose. Abhoyi bhagikalaga na mholele umukaya jabho kunguno ya gwiyumilija bho gung’wisanya Mulungu ulu bhapandikaga mayange umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Abhanhu bhenabho bhagikolaga nabho bhagiyumilija aho bhachilwa na bhabyaji bhabho mpaka bhumanila wangu, kunguno nabhoyi bhagiyumilijaga bho gung’wisanya Mulungu ulu bhapandikaga mayange gaguchilwa na bhadugu bhabho, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho. Hunagwene bhagayombaga giki, “lyadinha gulub’alub’a munyangalika.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na wiyumilija bho gung’wisanya Mulungu ulu bhapandikaga mayange umukaya jabho, kugiki bhadule gugamala chiza, umuwikaji bhobho.

Kutoka 22:22.

Kumbukumbu la Torati 10:12.

KISWAHILI: LIMETUPA HUZUNI NA KUHANGAIKA.

Hapo zamani walikuwepo watu waliokuwa wakiishi na wazazi wao. Wazazi wao hao walifariki wakawaacha watoto hao wakiwa na huzuni kwa sababu ya kuachwa yatima. Wao walivumilia matatizo yao hayo mpaga mwishowe wakazoea kwa sababu ya kuelewa kwamba, hawakuja kuishi milele hapa duniani. Ndiyo maana walisema kwamba, “limetupa huzuni na kuhangaika.”

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale ambao huvumilia kwa kumtegemea Mungu wanapopata matatizo, katika maisha yao. Watu hao huvumilia kwa kumtegemea Mungu wanapopata matatizo ya kufiwa na ndugu zao, kwa sababu wanaamini kwamba, Yeye anajua yote. Wao huwa na amani kwenye familia zao kwa sababu ya kumtegemea Mungu wanapopata matatizo ya kufiwa na ndugu zao, maishani mwao.

Watu hao, hufanana na wale waliovumilia walipofiwa na wazazi wao, mpaka wakayamaliza haraka matatizo hayo, kwa sababu nao humayavumilia matatizo ya kufiwa na ndugu zao, kwa kumetemea Mungu, maishani mwao. Ndiyo maana wao husema kwamba, “limetupa huzuni na kuhangaika.”

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uvumilivu wa kumtegemea Mungu wanapopata matatizo katika familia zao, ili waweze kuyamaliza vizuri, maishani mwao.

Kutoka 22:22.

Kumbukumbu la Torati 10:12.

ENGLISH: IT HAS GIVEN US SADNESS AND ANXIETY.

In the past, there were people who lived with their parents. Their parents passed away leaving their children sad because they were orphaned. They endured their glitches until they finally got used to them because they understood that they did not come to live forever on this earth. That is why they said that, “It has given us sadness and anxiety.”

This saying is paralleled to people who endure by relying on God when they experience hitches in their lives. These people endure by relying on God when they experience difficulties of losing their brethren, because they believe that He knows everything. They have peace in their families because of relying on God when they experience those difficulties of losing their brethren, in their lives.

These people are similar to those who endured hardships when their parents passed away, until they quickly overcame those hitches, because they also endure hitches of losing their brethren, by relying on God, in their lives. That is why they say that, “It has given us sadness and anxiety.”

This proverb imparts in people a clue of having patience enough to rely on God when they experience hitches in their families, so that they can end them well, in their lives.

Exodus 22:22.

Deuteronomy 10:12.

1384. OLU IDABHINZIKILE UZIDEBHEGELEJA.

April 2025 African Proverb of the Month If it is not broken don’t fix it. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb

Olu idabhenzekile uzidebhageleja. (Sukuma)
Ikiwa haijavunjika usirekebishe. (Swahili)
Si ce n’est pas cassé, ne le réparez pas. (French)
If it is not broken don’t fix it. (English)

Sukuma(Tanzania) Proverb

Background, Meaning and Everyday Use

The Sukuma people are found in northern part of Tanzania. The regions where they are found are: Shinyanga, Simiyu, Mwanza, Geita, Katavi and Tabora. Sukuma is the biggest ethnic group in the country. It estimated to reach 10 million people that represents 16% of the inhabitants of Tanzania.  The word “Wasukuma” means “Northern People.” Because the Sukuma stayed in the north they decided to call themselves Sukuma.

These people work as farmers and pastoralists. They are tolerant, peaceful, calm and have jokes for anybody. They teach each other by using proverbs, riddles, wise sayings and drumming in order to mediate, educate, criticize, console, entertain and also encourage people as the proverb says: If it is not broken don’t fix it. When you recognize that something is in a satisfactory state, there is no reason to change it.

There was a woman who was working in a pottery factory. She started to fix strong pots by remolding them. She damaged them even more until they broke. When the buyers came, they rejected them because they were bad. That’s why the Sukuma people say If it is not broken don’t fix it. This saying is compared to the person who likes to negatively judge innocent people and criticize them. The woman’s act of remaking the pots makes her lose her peace of mind after destroying all the pots. This person is similar to people who consider themselves as good and end up looking at the mistakes of others. They can also up miss the Kingdom of God. But the good ones who were judged as sinners see the Kingdom of God.

Biblical Parallels

Mark 9:40: “Anyone who is not against us is for us.”

Matthew 19:2: “Then Peter answered and said, ‘look we have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?’”

Genesis 4:8: “Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘let us go out’ and while they were in the open           country, Cain set on his brother Abel and killed him.”

Mark 10:47-48:When heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and cry out, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet.”

2 Corinthians 13:11: “To end then, brothers we wish you joy try to grow perfect, encourage one another, have a common mind and live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

       

Contemporary Use And Religious Application

This Sukuma proverb encourages people to get rid of the habit of negatively judging everything by not seeing the good in others. Especially if they realize that those people are not flawed, they should not continue to insist on correcting their behavior.  This proverb helps Christians to encourage themselves in their daily worries. It helps them to find enough strength to confess their mistakes once they realize that they have failed in order to stand up and move forward again.

This proverb warns Christians that they should love and help each other in their daily lives and stop pointing fingers and judging each other but rather consult and admonish each other with love. This proverb makes people understand the consequences of following the lives of others and forgetting to reflect on their own lives. So, with that attention they can save their lives.

Therefore, we are in a period of globalization. Let’s encourage our children to participate in Small Christian Communities so that they can learn good values of Christian virtues, so they can be strong in faith enough to set goals in their lives and especially to have the fear of God. So that when they meet with temptations, they can overcome them with the armor of faith.

Text by:

Sister Lucia Deus Shelembi

Collegine Sisters of the Holy Family

Nairobi, Kenya

luciashelembi@gmail.com

Smartphone No: +254703201330 (also WhatsApp)

Photographs by:

Rev. Zakaria Kashinje, OSA
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Cellphones:
+255-756-887787 Vodacom
+255-717-3337787 Tigo
+255-786-337787 Airtel
Email: zkashinje@gmail.com
zkashinje@yahoo.co.uk

1383. NG’HASHA YAB’AKULUGENJI YALEMA GUTELA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile ng’hasha ya walwa. Ing’hasha yiniyo jili jisanjo ijo ulu giki bhanhu bhuhaya gusiza walwa b’agandijaga guyib’eja iyagwiza gubhusanja uwalwa wenubho kunguno ya gubhukalihya. Iyoyi ilolile na mihayo ya b’akulugenji iyakale iyo mpaga na lelo dugwitumamilaga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayiyombaga giki, “Ng’hasha ya b’akulugenji yalema gutela.”

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agalikalanaga chiza ililange lya bhatale bhakwe umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agalikanaga ililange lya bhatale bhakwe bhenabho bho gubhalanga abhanhu bhakwe nhungwa ja gwikala na bhanhu chiza, kunguno ya witegeleja bhokwe bhunubho umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agikalaga na bhuyegi bhutale aha kaya yakwe kunguno ya witegeleja bhokwe bhunubho ubho gubhalanga abhanhu bhakwe nhungwa ja gwikala na bhanhu chiza, umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nhi ng’hasha ya bhakulugenji iyo igabhukalihyaga uwalwa, kunguno nuweyi agalikanaga chiza ililange lya bhabyaji bhakwe bho gubhalanga abhanhu bhakwe nhungwa ja gwikala na bhanhu chiza umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhaganyombaga giki “Ng’hasha ya b’akulugenji yalema gutela.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gulikalana chiza ililange lya bhatale bhabho bho gubhalanga abhanhu bhabho nhungwa ja gwikala na bhichabho chiza, kugiki bhadule gwikala na bhuyegi bhutale, umukaya jabho.

Mathayo 24:35.

Luka 21:32.

1Wakorintho 7:31.

KISWAHILI: CHACHU YA WAKUU IMEKATAA KUFIFIA.

Chanzo na maana ya methali hii inaangalia chachu ya pombe. Chachu hiyo ni kikolezo ambacho watu wakitaka kupiga pombe huanza kukitengeneza kinachokuja kuchanganywa na pombe ili kuikoleza. Chachu hiyo pia ni maneno ya wakuu yaliyo ya zamani ambayo bado tunayatumia hadi leo. Ndiyo maana watu huisema kwamba, “chachu ya wakuu imekataa kufifia.”

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huyaishi vizuri malezi ya wakubwa wake katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huyaishi malezi hayo ya wakubwa wake kwa kuwafundisha watu wake maadili ya kuishi na watu vizuri, kwa sababu ya umakini wake huo, maishani mwake. Yeye hupata furaha kubwa katika familia yake kwa sababu ya umakini wake huo wa kuwafundisha watu wake maadili ya kuishi vizuri na watu, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo hufanana na ile chachu ya wakuu iliyokoleza pombe, kwa sababu naye huyaishi vizuri maadili ya wakuu wake kwa kuwafundisha watu wake maadili ya kuishi na watu vizuri, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu humfananisha na chachu kwa kusema kwamba, “chachu ya wakuu imekataa kufifia.”

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuyaishi malezi ya wakubwa wao kwa kuwafundisha watu wao maadili ya kuishi vizuri na wenzao, ili waweze kuishi kwa furaha kubwa, katika familia zao.

Mathayo 24:35.

Luka 21:32.

1Wakorintho 7:31.

ENGLISH: THE YEAST OF THE ELDERS HAS REFUSED TO FADE.

The origin of meaning of this proverb looks at the yeast of alcohol. This yeast is a flavoring that people who want to prepare alcohol begin to make which is then mixed with alcohol to flavor it. It is also an old saying of the elders that we still use up to this day. That is why people say that, “The yeast of the elders has refused to fade.”

This proverb is related to a person who lives well the upbringings of his elders in his life. This person lives these upbringings of his elders by teaching his people about values ​​of living well with their fellows, because of his attention, in his life. He finds great happiness in his family because of his attention of teaching his people the values ​​of living well with others, in his life.

This person is like the yeast of the elders that fermented alcohol, because he also lives well the values ​​of his elders by teaching his people about the values ​​of living well with others, in his life. That is why people compare it to this yeast by saying that, “the yeast of the elders has refused to fade.”

This proverb teaches people about living the upbringing of their elders by teaching their people about the values ​​of living well with their nobles, so that they can live with great happiness, in their families.

Matthew 24:35.

Luke 21:32.

1 Corinthians 7:31.

1382. MBALU MAHULE LYADULYA MANG’OMBE.

Olihoyi munhu uyo atumamaga nimo gokwe uyo wikalaga muchalo jilebhe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo oliagutoliwe noyi unimo gokwe gunuyo kunguno goli na solobho nhale noyi umuwikaji bhokwe. Aliyo lulu uweyi agawilwa giki aguleke ugugutumama unimo gunuyo ulema bho gwilahila kunguno goli na sabho ningi umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene agayomba giki, “mbalu mahule lyadulya mang’ombe.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli nzunya uyo alemile ugugulema unimo gogusalila, umukikalile kakwe. Unzunya ng’wunuyo, agagikalanaga chiza amalagilo ga ng’wa Sebha, kunguno antogilwe noyi UYesu, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Uweyi agapandikaga mbango ningi noyi umubhuzunya bhokwe kunguno ya gugikalana chiza amalagilo ga ng’wa Sebha umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Unzunya ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agalema uguguleka unimo gokwe uyo oliagutoliwe noyi, kunguno nuweyi alemile uguguleka unimo gokwe ugo bhuzunya  uyo agutogilwe bho gugikalana chiza amalagilo ga ng’wa Sebha, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene agilahilaga giki, “mbalu mahule lyadulya mang’ombe.”

Akahayile kenako kabhalanga bhazunya higulya ya gugudimila chiza unimo gunuyo bho gugikalana chiza amalagilo ga ng’wa Sebha, kugiki bhadule gupandika mbango ja gubhashisha Ng’wigulu.

Wakolosai 3:1-4.

KISWAHILI: MBALU MAHULE IMETUGHARIMU NG’OMBE.

Alikuwepo mtu aliyekuwa anafanya kazi yake aliyekuwa akiishi katika kijiji fulani. Mtu huyo, aliipenda sana kazi yake hiyo kwa sababu ilikuwa na faida kubwa sana maishani mwake.

Lakini yeye aliambiwa kwamba aache kuitekeleza kazi hiyo akakataa kwa kuapa kwa sababu ameigharimia ng’ombe kuipata kazi hiyo. Ndiyo maana alisema kwamba, “mbalu Mahule imetugharimu ng’ombe.”

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mkristo ambaye hataki kuiacha kazi yake ya kusali, katika maisha yake. Mkristo huyo, huyaishi vizuri maagizo ya Bwana kwa sababu anampenda sana Yesu, maishani mwake. Yeye hupata Baraka nyingi sana katika ukristo wake kwa sababu ya kuyaishi vizuri maagizo ya Bwana katika maisha yake.

Mkristo huyo, hufanana na yule aliyekataa kuiacha kazi yake aliyoipenda sana, kwa sababu naye hukataa kuuacha ukristo anaopenda sana, kwa kuyaishi maagizo ya Bwana, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana huapa kwa kusemakwamba, “mbalu Mahule imetugharimu ng’ombe.”

Msemo huo, hufundisha wakristo juu ya kuiishi kazi hiyo kwa kuyaishi maagizo ya Bwana, maishani mwao, ili waweze kupata Baraka za kuwafikisha Mbinguni.

Wakolosai 3:1-4.

ENGLISH: MBALU MAHULE IT HAS COSTED US A COW.

There was a man who was working and living in Sanjo village. Such man valued his job so much because it was accordingly profitable in his life.

But he was told to stop doing such job. He refused by swearing because he had cost a cow to get it. That is why he said that, “Mbalu Mahule it has costed us a cow.”

This saying is likened to a Christian who does not want to leave his work of prayer, in his life. Such Christian lives well the commandments of the Lord because he loves Jesus very much, in his life. He receives a lot of blessings in his Christianity because of living well the commandments of the Lord in his life.

This Christian resembles the one who refused to leave his job that he valued so much, because he also refuses to leave the Christianity that he likes so much, by living according to the commandments of the Lord, in his life. That is why he swears by saying that, “Mbalu Mahule it has costed us a cow.”

This saying imparts in Christians an idea living according to the Lord’s instructions in their lives, so that they can receive blessings that will take them to Heaven.

Colossians 3:1-4.