Collected by: Don Sybertz,

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

Jaliho chalo jilebhe, abhanhu gwegela gub’iza bhose, bhalibhashilimuka, aliyo munhu umo duhu olina jika. Oliadamanile ubhumunhu ni ki. Kuyiniyo, ichalo jigankolwa noi uwei kihamo nu nke.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo ilina lwakwe oli Ntwebhudamu. Oliatolile? Ehe, olimunhu obhub’i noi. Kulwa nguno oliadatoshekile nu nke. Limibu wiyungulaga aha naho, agukungilaga bhaniki, kihamo na bhakima bha bhanhu, na gwita nabho bhunwani bhob’ub’i.

Aliyo abhaswahili bhuhayaga, “amasaka gina miso, ni dunia idina siri. Giko, lidab’itile ikanza, ilishinya lwakwe ilib’i ligamanyika. Idi muchalo jakwe duhu, aliyo hangi ni chalo ijizenganilwe najo, nija kule jigamana na bhanhu bhagankolwa noi, nghangala ningi, aliyo pye iyose yale bhule.

Ntwebhdamu adalekile ngilo, ilishinya lwakwe. Kulwa nguno yakwe, uwikaji bho bhaniki bhingi bhugab’ipa, na kaya ningi jigacha. Uluub’ita kwigulilo abhanhu bhanyombaga uwei, uluuja kumbina amimbo gose gang’wimbaga, numu makanisa na mumisikiti yose, ubhulombi bhanombelaga wei.

Hado hado nhuma imbi ja ng’wa Ntwebhudamu jigampandika hangi nu nke (UVumilia) ng’wiyumilija. Agab’ita Jiwambaza, jisego jose jigansega wei, na bhanhu bhuyunsona wei.

Idi yiniyo duhu, unke agab’ita kulwinzi, bhakima bhose bhuyunsiga wei Ung’wiyumilija, giki adinkima, ali ginhu. Na giki uluniolinkima nghana, ungoshi niadakoyakoyile!

Jito jinijo jigang’wingha bhupina bhutale noi uNg’wiyumilija. No no iki uwei alinshilimu, uyo adamanile kukoyakoya. Ahawandya uNtwebhudamu iyakwe yiniyo,  agagema ugumhama ungoshi ng’wunuyo, aliyo agaduma.

Aha ngelelo agiyangula gulilima na guchib’a matu. Ligashiga ikanza lya gwipanga mujiji ja bhujamaa, ng’waka gunuyo Iserikali igita mhayo gumo gogubhalanga abhanhu gitumo igadugija.

Igabhalomela abhanhu yose ya higulwa ya solobho ja gwikala kihamo, na gutumama milimo kihamo. Aha nghalikilo igabhalekela abhanhu bhayangule b’inikili.

KISWAHILI: Usiponawa Maji Utaoga Damu

Kulikuwapo kijiji fulani, watu wake karibu wote walistaarabika ila mtu mmoja tu alikuwa na kasoro. Hakujua uungwana ni nini. Hivyo kijiji kizima kilimchukia sana yeye pamoja na mkewe.

Mtu huyo jina lake ni Kichwangumu. Alikuwa ameoa? Ndiyo, lakini alikuwa mtu mbaya sana. Maana hakutosheka na mkewe. Kutwa kucha alizunguka hapa  na pale akiwavizia wasichana, pamoja na wake za watu, na kufanya nao urafiki mbaya.

Lakini waswahili husema ‘vichaka vina macho, na dunia haina siri.’ Hivyo haukupita muda mchezo wake huo mbaya ulijulikana. Si kijijini pake tu, bali pia na vijiji vya jirani, na hata vya mbali. Kutokana na jambo hilo watu walimchukia sana mara nyingi, lakini yote hayo yalikuwa bure.

Kichwangumu hakuacha kamwe mchezo wake, na kwa sababu yake maisha ya wasichana wengi yaliharibika, na familia nyingi zilivunjika. Ukipita sokoni watu walimsema yeye, ukienda kwenye ngoma, nyimbo zote zilimwimba, na makanisani na misikitini madua yote yalimwombea yeye.

Kidogo kidogo sifa mbaya za Kichwangumu zilimfikia pia mkewe Vumilia. Akipita viwambaza vicheko vilimcheka yeye, na misonyo yote ilimsonya yeye.

Si hayo tu, akipita kisimani wanawake wote wanamteta yeye Vumilia, kwamba si mwanamke, ni kitu. Na kwamba angalikuwa mwanamke kweli mmewe asingelihangaika!

Jambo hilo lilimtia uchungu mkubwa sana Vumilia. Hasa kwa vile yeye ni muungwana, asiyejua kuhangaika. Mwanzoni alijaribu kumrudi mumewe, lakini alishindwa.

Mwishoni aliamua kufumba macho, na kuziba masikio. Sasa ilifika enzi ya operesheni vijiji vya ujamaa. Mwaka huo Serikali ilifanya jambo moja la kuwaelimisha watu kwa kadiri ilivyoweza.

Pia iliwashawishi watu kwa kadiri ilivyoweza, yote kuhusu faida za kuishi pamoja, na kufanya kazi kwa pamoja. Mwishoni iliwaachia watu waamue wenyewe.

 

 

 

ENGLISH: IF YOU DON’T WASH HANDS WITH WATER YOU WILL TAKE BATH WITH BLOOD

There was a village. Its people were civilized except one man. He had a defect. He did not know what being a gentleman meant. So the whole village hated him.

The name of such a person was Kichwangumu (which means hard head). Was he married? Yes, but he was a very bad man. For he was not satisfied with his wife. He went around and around looking for girls, as well as the wives of other people, and made with them bad friendship.

But the Swahili people have a saying “Vichaka vina macho, na dunia haina siri.” That means the bushes have eyes, and the world has no secret. Within a short time, his game was known by people. He was known not only in his village, but also in neighboring villages, and even those in distant places. Because of this, people often hated him.

Kichwangumu never left his game and because him many girls’ lives got spoiled and many families were broken. When you went to the market, the people talked about him. During the traditional dances, , all the songs were about him. In churches and mosques, prayers were for him.

Little by little, the bad conduct of Kichwangumu also reached his wife, Vumilia. As she passed through various areas, people laughed at her, and they looked down upon her.

Not only that, when she went to the wells, all the women gossiped about her saying, she was not a woman, rather she was something. If she were a true woman, her husband would not worry!

This thing made Vumilia very sad especially since she was a gentle lady, she was not worried. At first, she tried to change her husband, but she failed.

At the end, she decided to pretend not to see and not to hear. Now came the era of operation villages of socialism. The government did one thing to educate people as much as possible.

It also persuaded people as much as possible, all about the benefits of living together, and working together. At last it left people to decide for themselves.

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

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

Olihoi Ntemi umo nsabhi noi, ilina lwake, Kisirani. Untemi ng’wunuyo uli na manumba mingi guti sonda, hangi pye agose gali malihu mpaga ng’wigulya.

Giko, olina na hela nyingi guti masalu ga nghwani. Hangi jose jali muma noti ga igana igana. Kunguno ya bhusabhi bhutale bhunubho, UKisirani agabhiza na kajile ka gukumya noi.

Oliadazwalaga imyenda nghangala ibhili. Adalalaga muchumba jimo nghangala ibhili, oladikalaga na nke nghangala ibhili, oliadalalilaga bhulili bhumo nghangali ibhili.

Uwei ulu uzwala sulubhale ni ngwanda ijikolile ilelo, intondo aguzwala jingi, na atalaishokela hangi iyalelo. Hangi ulu ulala muchumba iji ilelo, nduhu atalishokela hangi ugulala umuchumba jinijo ija lelo.  Uwei uluntola ng’waniki nnebhe ileo limi, agumpeja idilu hilu, na guntola ungi ilimi, adunkumya hangi uolelo ng’wunuyo.

Ulu ulalila bhulili ubhu ilelo, intondo ubhuponya kule na adubhulalila hangi. Nose UKisirani agisanga bhuli lushiku wenhaga myenda mipya, nkima mpya, chumba jipya, bhulili bhupya na gwendelea.

Aliyo pye iyose iyiniyo idanfujije, na ijina bhunghana, umumoyo gokwe adabhizile na bhuyegi, nulu hadoo, kunguno lushigu mpaga lushigu wigwaga ilaka ilebhe umumoyo gokwe. Nawe wiigwa giki ginhu jilebhe jiligaikana ijagubhushikilija ubhuyegi bho bhusabhi bhokwe. Aliyo adamanile ni ginhu ki iginijo, na ku iyiniyo lushigu lulebhe agigisha wiganika noi, kugiki wite kiyi adule gupandika ubheyegi umusi.

Aho wiganika chiniko, agashigila ha wiyanguji bhumo, giki, ubhusabhi ubho alinabho bhutoshije, aliyo ijojiligaikana, umuwikaji bhokwe, angu bhuli bhuhabhi ubho gudula gulinganila nubhusabhi bhokwe.

Na lulu, agiyangula giki, acholwe munhu uyo wina makoye gulebha pye umubhikaji bhakwe, wenhwe kuliwei. Ililagilo linilo ligatimijiwe numulikanza lwenilo.

KISWAHILI: Kuhurumiwa Kwa Ulimwengu

Alikuwapo  Mfalme mmoja tajiri sana, jina lake Kisirani. Mfalme huyu alikuwa na majumba mengi  kama nyota, tena yote yalikuwa marefu hadi angani.

Vile vile, alikuwa na fedha nyingi kama mchanga wa pwani. Tena zote zikiwa katika manoti ya mia mia. Kutokana na utajiri huo mkubwa, Kisirani alikuwa na tabia moja ya ajabu sana.

 Alikuwa havai nguo moja mara mbili, halali chumba kimoja mara mbili, hakai na mke siku mbili, wala halali kitanda kimoja mara mbili. Yeye akivaa suti hii leo, kesho anatupa na kuvaa nyingine, na kamwe hatairudia tena hiyo ya leo.

Aidha Kisirani akilala chumba hiki leo, kesho atalala chumba kingine na hatakigusa tena kile cha leo. Yeye akimwoa binti fulani leo alasiri, atamfukuza mapema alfajiri na kumwoa mwingine alasiri, na kamwe hatamgusa tena huyo wa leo.

Pia akilalia kitanda hiki leo, kesho atakitupilia mbali na kulalia kingine, hatakirudia tena hiki cha leo, nakadhalika. Hatimaye kisirani alijikuta kila siku ana nguo mpya, ana mke mpya, chumba kipya, kitanda kipya, nakadhalika.

Lakini yote hayo, hayakutosha kumfanya atosheke na kwa kweli rohoni mwake hakuwa na raha, hata kidogo, kwani siku hadi siku, sauti fulani ililia rohoni mwake. Naye alihisi kwamba kitu fulani kimekosekana katika kuikamilisha  raha ya utajiri wake.

Lakini hakujua kitu hicho ni nini. Hata hivyo, siku fulani alikaa kitako na kufikiri sana, afanye nini ili apate raha  katika dunia. Na baada ya kufikiri hivyo, alifikia uamuzi mmoja,  kwamba utajiri alionao unatosha, lakini kilichokosekana, katika maisha yake, eti, ni umaskini wa kuweza kulinganishwa na utajiri wake. Basi aliamuru kwamba atafutwe mtu mwenye dhiki kuliko wote katika raia wake aletwe kwake. Amri hiyo ilitimizwa mara moja.

 

ENGLISH: MERCY TO THE WORLD

Once upon a time, there was a very rich king whose name was Kisirani. The king had many palaces like stars, and they were all tall reaching the sky.

He also had a lot of money as sands of the beach. All his money was in one  hundred notes. As a result of this enormous wealth, Kisirani had one strange character.

 He could not wear the same clothes twice. He could not sleep in the same room twice. He could not sleep with the same wife for two days. He could not sleep in the  same bed twice. It was like this: If he wears this suit today, tomorrow he throws it away, and if he wears different dress, he never repeated wearing any of the clothes.

In addition, if Kisirani sleeps in this room today, tomorrow he would sleep in another room and would not come back it again. When he married a woman this afternoon, he would divorce her early the following morning and could marry another woman in the afternoon.  He would never come back to previous one.

Also, if he lay on this bed today, tomorrow he would throw it away and sleep in another. He would never come back to this another day. Finally, Kisirani found himself every day with new clothes, a new wife, a new room, a new bed, and so on.

But all those, were not enough to make him satisfied and really in his soul there was no happiness. No happiness at all. One day, a voice cried out in his heart. He felt that something was missing despite his wealth.

But he didn’t know what that was. However, he sat down and thought deeply about it. He realized that what was missing, was poverty with which to compared his wealth. So he ordered that a man in distress should be sought among his citizens to be brought to him. The command was fulfilled immediately.

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

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

Umuchalo jise agikala munhu umo uyo akatola nkima nsoga noi. Aho bhikala miaka mingi, bhagapandika ng’wana umo ng’waniki, ilina lwakwe, Nanyale.

UNanyale oli ng’wana o mili gowiza na nihanga lisoga. Uling’wana oafya na bhuyegi bhuli lughigu. Bhab’yaji bhakwe bhagantogwa noi, bhuli lughigu bhang’winhaga ginhu jawiza, bhang’winhaga magi, machungwa, pipi, myenda misoga, jilatu na jingi ningi.

Nanyale agakula ubhiza mtale. Lughigu lumo agapandika masugu, unina agazumalika, usaga wei na se. Agatumama milimo yose ya gufula, kupyagula numba, na gunzugila use. Use agampinihalila noi ung’wana  okwe ng’waniki ng’wunuyo.

Nanyale agandya gukonda kunguno ya miganiko na milimo. Use akamtola mkima ungi. UNanyale oliadantogilwe unina okwe uo kab’ili, kunguno olinkali noi. Oliadatumamaga nimo gosegose, oliatogilwe gwigasha du, bhuli nimo otumamaga Nanyale.

Nalulu, lughigu lumo Nanyale aginhiwa nimo go gusha bhulezi. Agazunya, adalemile. Hangi, bhuli ikanza ilo agagenhiha use, uNanyale opandikaga makoye noi. Uluwandya ugusha wimbaga:

“Sheku sheku umaji, Sheku sheku anganite,  Sheku sheku bwo atajaga,  Sheku sheku ngupya, Sheku sheku ngupya.”

 “Uliyomba ginehe?” Unina uokabhili agamuja.

“Naduyombaga ginhu,” uNanyale agashosha.

“Nigwaga noi, na lulu, ulu ulashokele nagugutula mapi.” UNanyale adayombile ginhu, agendelea gusha. Aho lwabhita ikanza iguhi, agashokela ilwimbo lwake:

 “Sheku sheku umaji, sheku sheku anganite, sheku sheku bwo atajaga, sheku sheku ngupya, sheku sheku ngupya.”

Ubhulingisilo bho lwimbo linilo, ili giki, “nalipandika makoye, umayu olianitogilwe. Oli adaniluhyaga giki, napandika makoye, napandika makoye. Sheku lilililaka lya liwe lwa gushela.

Aho omala ugusha ubhufu bhokwe, agatulwa mapi ga kubhushu. Nanyale agagwa sagali. Gashinaga aho alimba unina o kabhili olibihi nanghwe.

Nanyale agimila bho polepole. Agalisola iliwe lwakwe wandya gusha. Jisoji jingi jazwaga. Unina uokabhili ng’wenuyo, agamuuja, “nagaguwila udizimba ilwimbo lilinilo ulishogela?” UNanyale adashoshije. “Udigwaga, naliyomba niwe nulu munhu?”

Nanyale adashoshije. ‘Paaa!’ Agang’wongegeja ipi lwa kabhili. Nanyale adadililile, agendelea gusha. Jisoji jigahuma noi gulebha igwandya. Unina uokabhili aho obhona giki uNanyale adushoshaga, aginga uneka.

Oliamanile ugwiyumilija adalekile ugusha. Use aho oshoka agansanga uNanyale agushaga ukunu agulilaga. “Mayu ung’wana oko alililila khiyi?” Use agamuja unina uokabhili, “Nadaminile mujage ng’wana oko. Ulinibhuja unene? Nayi unene naliNanyale?” Agashosha unke.

 “Sheku sheku umaji, Sheku sheku angatile, Sheku sheku bwo atajaga, Sheku sheku ingupya, Sheku sheku ingupya”.

Nanyale agashokela ilyimbo lwakwe. Uligwa imihayo ya ng’wana oko?” Unke agang’wila ungoshi, huna gwene nagantula. Agendelea, “ulualing’wizuka unina, na lulu aje aganhimbule, nayi adujibhonaga ijigila?”

Use o ng’wa Nanyale agakumya na hangi wandya gulila. Agampinhihalila ung’wana okwe ung’waniki ung’wunuyo. UNanyale oling’waniki ng’wiyumilija. Kihamo na gupandika bhuluhi  wingi giko adabhinzikile moyo.

Use agampeja unke okwe nu lushigu lunulo. Agasaga na ng’waniki ung’wana okwe ng’wunuyo, bho miaka mingi.

Nose uNanyale agapandika ngosha utolwa. Agikala wikaji bho bhuyegi noi. Mpaga agagibha amakoye goze ga ng’wa nina uokabhili.

Kiswahili: Kuvumilia Taabu

Katika kijiji chetu aliishi mtu mmoja ambaye alioa mke mzuri sana. Baada ya kuishi miaka mingi, walipata mtoto mmoja msichana, jina lake Nanyale. Nanyale alikuwa na umbo zuri na sura nzuri pia.

Alikuwa mtoto mwenye afya njema na furaha kila siku. Wazazi wake walimpenda sana. Kila siku walimpa vitu vizuri. Walimpa mayai, machungwa, peremende, nguo nzuri, viatu na vingine vingi.

Nanyale alikua akawa mkubwa. Siku moja alipata msiba, mama yake alikufa. Akabaki yeye na baba yake. Alifanya kazi zote za kufua, kufyagia nyumba na kumpikia baba yake. Baba alimhurumia sana binti yake.

Nanyale alianza kukonda kwa sababu ya mawazo na kazi hizo nyingi. Baba yake akamwoa mwanamke mwingine. Nanyale hakumpenda mama huyo wa kambo, kwa sababu alikuwa mkali sana. Hakufanya kazi yoyote, alipenda kukaa tu. Kila kazi aliifanya Nanyale.

Basi siku moja Nanyale alipewa kazi ya kusaga ulezi. Nanyale alikubali, hakukataa kwa sababu alimwogopa mama yake. Baba yake alikuwa amesafiri, na kila aliposafiri baba yake, Nanyale  alipata taabu sana. Alipoanza kusaga aliimba:

“Sheku sheku umaji, sheku sheku anganite, sheku sheku bwo atajaga, sheku sheku ngupya, sheku sheku ngupya.”

“Unasemaje?” Mama wa kambo alimwuuliza.

“Sisemi kitu,” Nanyale alijibu.

“Nimesikia sana, basi ukirudia nitakuchapa makofi.” Nanyale hakusema kitu, aliendelea kusaga. Baada ya muda kidogo alirudia kuimba wimbo wake:

“Sheku sheku umaji, sheku sheku anganite, sheku sheku bwo atajaga, sheku sheku ngupya, sheku sheku ngupya.”

Maana ya wimbo huo ni kwamba, ‘napata taabu, mama yangu alinipenda. Hakuwa ananitesa hivi, napata taabu, napata taabu.’ Sheku ni sauti ya jiwe la kusagia. Alipomaliza kusaga unga wake, alipigwa kofi usoni. Nanyale akaanguka chali, kumbe wakati ule alipokuwa akiimba  mama huyo wa kambo, alikuwa karibu naye.

Nanyale  alinyanyuka polepole, akachukua jiwe lake akaanza kusaga, huku machozi yakimtoka kwa wingi. Mama wa kambo alimwuuliza, “nilikuambia usiimbe wimbo huo unarudia?” Nanyale hakujibu, “husikii, nasema na jiwe au mtu?” mama yule aliuza. Nanyale hakujibu kitu, “Paaa!” Alimwongezea kofi la pili. Nanyale hakujali alindelea kusaga.

Machozi yalimtiririka zaidi kuliko mara ya kwanza. Mama wa kambo alipoona kuwa, Nanyale hamjibu, aliondoka akamwacha. Nanyale alijua kuvumilia,  hakuacha kusaga.

Baba yake aliporudi alimkuta Nanyale anasaga huku akilia. “Mama, mtoto wako analilia nini?” Baba alimwuuliza mama wa kambo, “Sijui mwuulize mtoto wako. Unaniuliza mimi? Kwani mimi ni Nanyale?” Mkewe alijibu.

 “Sheku sheku umaji, Sheku sheku angatile, Sheku sheku bwo atajaga, Sheku sheku ngupya, Sheku sheku ngupya”.

Nanyale alirudia wimbo wake. “Unasikia maneno ya mtoto wako? Mkewe alimwambia mumewe, ndiyo maana nampiga.” Akaendelea, “kama anamkumbuka mama yake, basi aende akamfufue, kwani haoni kaburi?” Baba yake Nanyale alisikitika akaanza kulia pia. Alimhurumia binti yake. Nanyale alikuwa binti mvumilivu. Ingawa alipata mateso mengi hakukata tamaa.

Baba yake alimfukuza mke wake siku hiyo hiyo, akabaki na binti yake kwa miaka mingi. Mwishowe Nanyale alipata mchumba akaolewa. Aliishi maisha ya raha sana. Hata alisahau taabu zote za mama wa kambo.

ENGLISH: ENDURING SUFFERINGS

Oncee a person lived in a village. He married a very beautiful wife. After living for many years, they were blessed with one baby girl, named Nanyale. Nanyale had a good shape and a beautiful face.

She was always a healthy and happy child. Her parents loved her very much. Every day, the parents gave her good things. They gave her eggs, orange, sweets, beautiful clothes, shoes and many other things.

With Nanyale grew up to became and an adult. One day, her mother died. She remained with her father. She had to do all the laundry, cleaning the house and caring for her father. Her father was very kind to his daughter.

Nanyale started getting thin because she remembered her mother and did a lot of work. Her father married another woman. Nanyale did not like this stepmother because she was very aggressive. She did not do any work. She rather loved to stay idle. Every piece of work was done by Nanyale.

One day, Nanyale was given a task of grinding sorghum. Nanyale agreed to do that. She did not refuse because she feared her stepmother. His father had traveled, and each time his father traveled, Nanyale suffered a lot. When she started grinding she sang:: “Sheku sheku umaji, sheku sheku anganite, sheku sheku bwo atajaga, sheku sheku ngupya, sheku sheku ngupya.”

 “What are you saying?” the stepmother asked her.

“I am not saying anything,” Nanyale replied.

“I have heard you saying something. Repeat that and I will slap you.” Nanyale said nothing. She continued grinding. After a while, she repeated his song: “Sheku sheku umaji, sheku sheku anganite, sheku sheku bwo atajaga, sheku sheku ngupya, sheku sheku ngupya.”

The meaning of this song is, ‘I am in trouble, my mother loved me. She was not torchering me, I am in trouble, I am in trouble.” When she finished grinding his meal, she was slapped in the face. And she fell on her back. She did not realize that when she was singing that song, her stepmother was near her.

Nanyale got up slowly, took her stone and started grinding again, with tears coming out of her eyes. The stepmother asked, “Did I not tell you not to sing that song?” Nanyale did not answer, “Don’t you hear? Am I talking to a stone or to a person?” The stepmother asked again, “Nanyale, don’t you answer anything?” “Paaa!”, the stepmother added a second slap.. Nanyale did not care. She continued grinding the sorghum.

More tears flew than the first time. When the stepmother saw that Nanyale was not responding, she left leaving her alone. Nanyale knew how to endure difficulty. She did not stop grinding.

When her father came back home, she found Nanyale grinding while crying. “Woman, why is your baby crying?” Nanyale’s father asked the stepmother, “I don’t know why. You better ask your daughter. Do you ask me? Why?  Am I Nanyale?”, his wife replied.  “Sheku sheku umaji, Sheku sheku angatile, Sheku sheku bwo atajaga, Sheku sheku ngupya, Sheku sheku ngupya”,

Nanyale continued with her song. “Do you hear your child’s words?”, the wife said to her husband, “That is why I hit her.” She continued, “If she remembers her mother, let her go and bring her back to life. Doesn’t she see the grave?” Nanyale’s father felt very sad and he wept bitterly. He sympathized with his daughter. Nanyale was a brave daughter. Although she suffered much, she did not give up.

Her father divorced his wife on the same day. He remained with his daughter for many years. Finally, Nanyale got married. She lived a very comfortable life. She even forgot all the troubles of the stepmother.

 

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

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

Ahuli! Nyuli! Bhaliho bhaniki bhabhili abho bhali na makoye ya kugaiwa myenda ya guzwala. U ng’waniki uogwandya agaja kuli mami okwe gujulomba myenda.

Use aganzunilija uguja, aliyo agang’winha malagilo ga gub’itila nzila ya mashi. Aho oshika umunzila usanga jiganza ya bhanhu jilisha bho nduhu ugugubhoa umili. Aho oshika hoy ujigisha. Ijiganza junzunija. Junomba ajambilije. Ujambilija.

Aho amala wendelea na lugendo. Oganoga utung’wana na mitwe igwisugaga nzwili. Uigisha na guyambilija aho yamala gunomba wite chene. Agendelea na lugendo mpaga ugatung’wana na ndutu tulonhya ng’wana. Ujigisha na kujambilija ugonhya, huna wendelea na lugendo.

Aho oimala iyiniyo ashiga ukuli mamiye uyo wina kajile ka gubhulaga bhanhu. Aho onsanga agang’wila ilikoye lwakwe ya kupandika myenda. Aha ntondo yaho, umamiye agansinzila mbuli, uitula haliko. Unke o ng’wamiye aganhugula ung’waniki ng’winuyo giki, adizugema ugukundula inungu ya nyama.

Umamiye aho oshoka agamuja unke ulu okundulaga ung’waniki ng’wunuyo inungu ya nyama. Unke okwe agasha giki, adakundule. Umami okwe na ng’waniki ng’wunuyo aho bhaikundula inungu ya nyama kihamo, bhagabhona myenda mingi. Ung’waniki winhiwa imyenda iniyo.

Unke omamiye unhugula ung’waniki ng’unuyo giki adizulindila mpaga ntondo yaho unawinge, aliyo wingi nulushigu lunulo kugiki adizubhulagwa. Ung’waniki agashaka kaya alinamyenda yake ya kuguzwala.

Mke wa mjomba wake alipomwonya yule msichana kuwa asingoje hadi kesho ndipo aondoke, bali aondoke siku ileile ili asije akauawa. Msichana alirejea nyumbani akiwa na nguo zake za kuvaa.

Ung’wanike ukabhili akanumba use kugiki nanghwe aje kuli mami okwe. Ung’waniki uogwandya aganhugula higulwa ya kajile ka ng’wamami okwe. Nalulu, agiyangula guja.

Umunzila agasanga jiganza jigushaga, aliyo adazunije ugujambilija. Giko naho omanhya ni ndutu ijo jigonhyaga, adajambilijije. Naho oshika aha kaya ya mami okwe, adazunije ugulondeja iyo unke ong’wamami okwe onhugulaga.

Aho oshika umami okwe aganumela ilikoye lwakwe ilo lwanshishaga kunuko. Unke o ng’wamami okwe aganhugula giki adukundula inungu ya nyama iyo alazugilwe intondo yaho.

Nghana umami okwe agamulagila mbuli aha lushugu ulo lugalondela. Unke o ng’wa mami okwe, agaizuga, na ng’waniki ng’wunuyo agaja gujukundula inungu na usanga inyama idinapya.

Aho oshoka umamiye agamuja unke okwe ulu ng’wipwa okwe ng’wunuyo okundulaga inungu iniyo nulu yaya. Unke okwe agazunya giki ung’wipya okwe agakundula inungu iniyo.

Huna umami okwe ung’wila, “ogaiyagwa imyenda kulwa nguno okundula inungu iniyo.

Hanuma ya yiniyo, umami okwe umuja ulushigu lo gwenga. Ung’waniki uhaya giki, niwanga intondo yaho. Aliyo unke o ng’wa mami okwe aganshauri, winge ni likanza linilo. Aliyo ung’waniki ng’wunuyo adingile. Huna intondo yaho, ung’waniki ng’wunuyo agabhulagwa un mami okwe.

KISWAHILI: WASICHANA WAWILI

Paukwa! Pakawa! Palikuwepo na wasichana wawili waliokuwa na shida ya nguo za kuvaa. Msichana wa kwanza alikwenda kwa mjomba wake kuomba nguo.

Baba yake alimruhusu kwenda, lakini akampa masharti ya kupita njia ya mavi. Alipofika njiani akakuta viganja vikisaga bila ya kiwiliwili. Alipofika hapo akavisalimu. Viganja vikaitikia. Vikamuomba avisaidie. Akavisaidia.

Kisha akendelea na safari, halafu akavikuta vichwa vikisukana nywele, akavisalimia na akavisaidia baada ya kuombwa kufanya hivyo. Akaendelea na safari hadi alipokutana na matiti yananyonyesha mtoto. Akayasalimu na kuyasaidia kunyonyesha, kisha akaendelea na safari.

Alipofika kwa mjomba wake ambaye ana tabia ya kuua watu. Alipomkuta akamweleza shida yake ya kupata nguo. Kesho yake, mjomba wake akamchinjia mbuzi, akaiweka mekoni. Mke wa mjomba wake alimwonya yule msichana kwamba asijaribu kufunua chungu cha nyama.

Mjomba wake aliporudi alimwuliza mkewe kama yule msichana amefunua chungu cha nyama. Mke wake akamjibu kuwa hakufunua. Mjomba na yule msichana wakipofungua chungu cha nyama kwa pamoja, wakaona nguo nyingi.

Msichana akapewa nguo hizo. Mke wa mjomba wake akamuonya yule msichana kuwa asingoje hadi kesho ndipo aondoke, bali aondoke siku ileile ili asije akauawa. Msichana alirejea nyumbani akiwa na nguo zake za kuvaa.

Yule msichana wa pili alimuomba baba yake ili naye  aende kwa mjomba. Msichana wa kwanza alimuonya kuhusu tabia ya mjomba wake. Basi akaamua kwenda.

 Njiani alivikuta viganja vikisaga, lakini hakukubali kuvisaidia, vivyo hivyo alipoyakuta matiti yananyonyesha, hakukubali kuyasaidia. Na alipowasili nyumbani kwa mjomba wake, hakukubali kuzingatia yale ambayo mke wa mjomba alimuasa.

 Mjomba wake alipofika akamweleza shida iliyomfikisha huko. Mke wa mjomba wake alimuonya kutokifunua chungu cha nyama ambayo atapikiwa kesho yake. Kweli mjomba wake alimchinjia mbuzi siku ile iliyofuata. Mke wake akaipika, na yule msichana akaenda kukifunua kile chungu na akaikuta nyama haijaiva.

Mjomba aliporudi akamwuliza mke wake kama yule mpwa wake alifunua chungu au la! Mke wake alikubali kuwa mpwa wake alifunua kile chungu. Ndipo mjomba wake alipomwambia, “Umezikosa nguo kwa kuwa umefunua chungu hicho.”

Halafu  mjomba wake akamwuliza siku ya kuondoka. Msichana alisema kuwa angeondoka kesho yake. Lakini mke wa mjomba akamshauri aondoke mara moja. Lakini yule msichana hakuondoka. Ndipo kesho yake  yule msichana aliuliwa na mjomba wake.

 

THE STORY OF TWO GIRLS

Once upon a time, there were two girls who had no clothes to wear. The first girl wanted to go to her uncle to ask for clothes.

His father allowed her to go, but gave her conditions. One of the conditions was to pass through the path of faeces. When she got to the path, she found arms grinding without a body. When she got there, she greeted them. They responded to her. Then, they asked her to help them. She helped them.

Then, she went on with her journey. On the way, she found the heads plaiting each other’s hair. She greeted and helped them after she was asked to do so. Then, she went on with the journey until she met -breastsself-breast feeding a baby. She greeted and helped them to breastfeed, and then she went on.

When she came to her uncle who had the habit of killing people, she told him her problem of getting clothes. The next day, her uncle slaughtered a goat for her and put it in a pot. Her uncle’s wife warned the girl that she should not try to uncover the pot containing meat.

When her uncle came back, he asked his wife if the girl had opened a pot of meat. His wife replied that she had not opened it. When the uncle and the girl opened the meat pot together, they saw a lot of clothes.

The girl was given the clothes. His uncle’s wife warned the girl not to wait until the following day to leave, but to leave the same day so that she would not be killed by her uncle. The girl returned home with her clothes.

The second girl asked her father to go to the uncle. Before she went, the first girl warned her about her uncle’s behaviour..

 On the way, she found the arms grinding without the body, but she refused to help them. Then she found the breasts self-breast feeding the baby. She did not help them with the task. When she arrived at her uncle’s house, she did not accept what her uncle’s wife told her.

 When her uncle came home, the girl told her uncle the trouble that had brought her there. His uncle’s wife warned her not to open the pot of meat that would be given to her the following day. Her uncle really slaughtered a goat the next day. His wife cooked it, and the girl went to uncover the pot and found the meat uncooked.

When the uncle came back he asked his wife if his nephew had uncovered the pot or not! His wife reported that her nephew had uncovered the pot. Then her uncle said to the  girl, “You have missed the clothes because you have opened the pot.”

Then her uncle asked her to leave. The girl said she would leave the following day. But the uncle’s wife advised her to leave immediately. But the girl did not leave. Then the following day the girl was killed by her uncle.

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

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

Bhaliho bhayanda bhadatu bha hakaya imo bhajaga gujutega noni bhuli dilu. Nyanda wabhenabho obhizaga ulu opuja inoni yang’wila giki “nilekege nkoyi nalagugunana gubhujakale,” wilekela.

Pye indimu ujitang’ang’hya. Nose ab’iye bhuyunjija ugulya ijo bhapujaga bhaling’wila giki, “ubhebhe ugajilekelaga ulu opuja. Nose wifugula uguyutega na uja ng’wipolu ugab’ona ng’waniki umo bhitogwa.

Nabhuja kung’wawe ya ng’waniki ng’wenuyo. Aho bhashiga ho, namhala uhaya, “napandika nkwilima.” Uwilwa gujufega ipolu itale gete kulushigu lumo. Nang’hwe uja ugandya ugufega. Uliduma linti limo gwike, wandya gulila ohaimanila jiza mhuli jung’wambilija ugulifega lyose.

Uwilwa guja gujub’ib’a ngunda gutale go heka 10. Aho oshoga unkwiye ung’wila “noloha ugulima, jaga ugajikong’onhe imbiyu jane jib’ize gitumo jalijili. Nang’hwe agaja ugita gitumo owililagwa. Aho oshika uduma umo witile. Gwimanila jiza noni jung’wambilija ujisolela imbiyu jose uchala kaya, unkwiye utogwa gete.

Lukangala ulu unkwiye ung’wila ng’wanone nab’onaga giki izile utole ahenaha nguno yose iyo naliguwila ulishigilija, ihaha lulu jaga lo kwimala uganisumile bhujiku pa ganana unenhele henaha. Nyanda uja aliyo alib’uja ‘nagudula ginehe ugub’udima ubhujiku nagubhutula mu ganana?’

Aho oshiga kwenuko owilagwa, kiza ga sayayi kung’wila, “ilekage iganana ugang’wile ‘nakajaga aliyo ninhage ngata ya lyochi nagabhukije ninhage ni haha.’

Namhala aho owilwa chene uduma umo agudulila ugulib’ilinga ilyochi, na ung’wila unyanda giki, “jaga ugab’ufuge ubhujiku, wenhe kaya iganana na usole unke oko.’

KISWAHILI: Hadithi Ya Vijana Watatu

Walikuwepo wavulana watatu kwenye familia moja. Walioenda kutega ndege kila asubuhi. Mdogo wao kila aliponasa ndege, ndege alimwambia, “niachia rafiki yangu nitakusaidia kwenye siku za mbele.” Alimwachia.

  Wanyama wote aliwaeneza. Mwishowe wenzake walimkataza kula wale waliowanasa wao wakimwambia hivi, “wewe huwa unawaachia unapowanasa.

Mwishowe alizila kutega, akaenda porini. Huko alionana na msichana mmoja wakapendana. Akaenda kwa wazazi wake msichana huyo. Walipofika pale, mzee alisema, “nimepata mkwilima.”

Aliambiwa kwenda kufyeka pori kubwa kabisa kwa siku moja. Naye alienda na kuanza kufyeka. Alishindwa kuukata mti mmoja tu akaanza kulia, kushitukia, wakaja tembo wakamsaidia kulifyeka lote.

Baada ya kuimaliza kazi hiyo, aliambiwa kwenda kumwaga mbegu kwenye shamba kubwa la heka 10. Aliporudi, baba mkwe wake alimwambia, “nimeahilisha kulima, nenda ukaziokote zile mbegu zangu ziwe kama zilivyokuwa.” Naye kama alivyoelezwa alienda. Alipofika alishindwa wakaja ndege wakamsaidia kuziokota mbegu zile zote, akapeleka nyumbani, baba mkwe alifurahi kabisa.

Safari hii baba mkwe wake, alimwambia, “mtoto wangu nimeona kwamba utaoa hapa kwa sababu yote yale ninayokuambia unayatimiza. Sasa basi, nenda kwa mara ya mwisho, ukanikusanyie usiku ujae kwenye kikapu, uniletee hapa.”

Mvulana alienda lakini akijiuliza “nitawezaje kuushika usiku na kuuweka kwenye kikapu?”

Alipofika huko alikoambiwa, akaja Sungura, akamwambia, “kiache kikapu ukamwambie, nimejaza, lakini nipatie kata ya moshi nikabebee, nipatia sasa hivi.”

Mzee alipoambiwa hivyo, alishindwa namna ya kuukusanya huo moshi na akamwambia mvulana hivi, “nenda ukaumwage usiku, ulete nyumbani kile kikapu na umchukue mke wako.”

THE STORY OF THREE YOUTHS

There were three boys in one family. They used to go the trap birds every morning. When the youngest trapped a bird, such a bird could tell him, “Leave me, my friend I will help you in the future.” He could leave it.

He did the same it to all animals. Finally, his brothers forbade him to eat what they had caught saying, “You cannot eat what we catch because you leave the animals that you catch.”

He finally abandoned the whole enterprise and went the wilderness. There, he met a girl with whom he fell in love. He went to the parents of that girl. When they got there, the old man said, “I’ve got a son-in-law.”

As a condition before he could be allowed to marry a daughter, the young man was told to go to cut a big forest for one day. He went and started slashing. He failed to cut down one tree and started to crying, not knowing what to do. It happened that the elephants came and helped him to cut all the troubling trees.

After completing the work, the young man was told to go and sow the seeds in a huge piece of land of ten acres. After that, his father in law told him, “I have changed my mind on the idea of cultivating. Therefore, I order you to go and gather up all the seeds you sowed and return them to me as they were.”  When he tried to do that, he failed. Suddenly, birds came and helped him to gather up all the seeds, which he sent home. His father-in-law was very happy for what the young man did.

After the young man had passed all the tests, his father-in-law told him, “My son I have seen that you will marry here because you do all that I tell you. Now, go for the last test. Gather the night in this basket. Bring it to me here. ”

The boy went but wondered, “How can I catch the night and put it in the basket?”

When he got there, he came across the hare shared his assignment with him, the hare told the young man,“Leave the basket with me and then go back and tell him, I have filled it, but give me smoke so as to go and  carry it, right now.”

When the father-in-law was told that, he failed to collect the smoke and in response told the boy, “Go and pour out the night and bring home the basket and then take your wife.”