Sukuma Proverbs

804. UNTWE IPOLU.

Ulusumo lunulo, lulolile ntwe na mingi iyo ibhungilwe moyi. Umuntwe go ng’wa munhu jilihoyi mbisila ningi guti numo lili ilipolu ilitale, kunguno nalyo ligabhungaga mingi moyi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “untwe ipolu.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agabhadalahaga abhanhu abho bhahumulile, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agabhadalahaga abhanhu bhenabho abho bhahumulile, kunguno adamanile iyo bhaliiganika, umukikalile kabho. Uweyi agabhonaga soni noyi ulu oigwa mihayo ya wiza iyo bhagaiyombaga abhanhu abho agabhadalahaga bhenabho, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Umunhu ung’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo adadebhile mingi iyo ili muntwe go ng’wa munhu, kunguno nuweyi agabhadalahaga abhanhu abho bhahumulile, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “untwe ipolu.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka gubhadalaga abhichabho, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule kupandika matwajo mingi umuwikaji bhobho.

Mathayo 6:6.

KISWAHILI: KICHWA NI POLI.

Methali hiyo, huangalia kichwa na wingi wa yale yaliyomo ndani yake. Kichwani mwa mtu kuna mengi yaliyofichika mle kama vile poli kubwa lilivyo na vitu vingi ndani yake, kwa sababu nalo huwa na vitu vingi sana vilivyofichika. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “kichwa ni poli.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huwadharau watu ambao wako kimya, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huwadharau watu hao ambao wako kimya, kwa sababu hajui yale wanayoyafikiria, katika maisha yake. Yeye huona aibu sana anaposikia maneno mazuri wanayoyaongea watu hao ambao aliwadharaua kabla ya kuwasikiliza kwanza ili afahamu mawazo yao.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule ambaye hakuyaelewa yale mengi yaliyomo kichwani mwa mtu, kwa sababu naye huwadharau watu walioko kimya, katika maisha yake bila kuwasikiliza kwanza. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “kichwa ni poli.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia za kuwadharau wenzao, katika maisha yao, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yao, maishani mwao.

Mathayo 6:6.

HEAD2

 

HEAD3

ENGLISH:  THE HEAD IS A FOREST (A PERSON’S HEAD IS LIKE A FOREST).

This proverb looks at the head of person and what it contains. In it, there are as many hidden things as there are in a big forest with a lot of things in it, because it also has a lot of hidden things. That is why people say, “the head is a forest (a person’s head is like a forest).”

This proverb is likened to a man who despises people who are silent in life. This person, in turn, despises them because he does not know what they are thinking in their heads. He feels very ashamed when he hears the wise words which are spoken by those whom he despised before first listening to them so that he could understand their thoughts.

This person is like the one who did not understand much of what is in a person’s head, because he also despises people who are silent, in his life without first listening to them. That is why people say to him, “the head is a forest (a person’s head is like a forest).”

This proverb teaches people about giving up the habit of despising others, in their societies, so that they can find more success in fulfilling their daily responsibilities in their families.

Matthew 6: 6.

 

 

803. IJIGWILILE MUMABHU JITASHILAGA UGUFULWA.

Iginhu ulu jugwila mumabhu jigakulikaga noyi. Ung’winikili ojo iginhu jinijo agajisolaga wandya gujingija amabhu genayo bho gugafula. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agishokelaga mara hingi ugujifula iginhu jakwe jinijo, kugiki aginje  pye amabhu genayo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “ijigwilile mumabhu jitashilaga ugufulwa.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agamanaga ushokela gwita miito ga bhubhi, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agolechaga nhungwa ja bhubhi kunguno ya miito gakwe genayo ayo gadigawiza. Uweyi adebhile igiki, inhungwa jakwe jinijo jidijawiza kunguno jigang’wenhelejaga gubyedwa na bhiye. Giko lulu, agikomeja ugujileka inhungwa jinijo bho gulomba bhulekejiwa ukubhiye abho agabhahulilaga, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga ni ginhu ijo jigagwila mumabhu genjiwa bho gufulwa amabhu genayo, kunguno nuweyi agahubhaga olomba bhulekejiwa ukubhiye abho abhahubhilaga, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene agabhawilaga abhanhu giki, “ijigwilile mumabhu jitashilaga ugufulwa.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka nhungwa ja gushokela gwita miito ga bhubhi, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gwikala bho mholele na bhichabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Luka 13:1-5.

Luka 15:17-19.

KISWAHILI: KIANGUKACHO MAJIVUNI HAKIISHI KUPULIZWA.

Kitu kikiangukia kwenye majivu huchafuka sana. Mwenye kitu hicho hukiokota na kuanza kukiondolea majivu hayo, kwa  kukipuliza. Mtu huyo, hurudia kukipuliza mara nyingi kitu chake hicho, ili ayaondoe majivu hayo yote. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “kiangukacho majivuni hakiishi kupulizwa.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huwa anarudia kutenda maovu, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo huonesha tabia mbaya kwa kutenda matendo maovu. Yeye anaelewa kwamba, tabia yake hiyo mbaya humpelekea kudharauliwa na wenzake. Hivyo basi, huwa na anajitahidi kuomba msamaha kwa wenzake aliowakosea, katika maisha yake.

Methali hiyo, hufanana na kitu kilichoangukia kwenye majivu kikasafishwa kwa kupulizwa, kwa sababu naye huwakosea wenzake na kuwaomba msamaha, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana yeye huwaambia watu kwamba, “kiangukacho majivuni hakiishi kupulizwa.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuachana na tabia ya kurudia kutenda maovu, katika maisha yao, ili waweze kuishi kwa amani na wenzao, maishani mwao.

Luka 13:1-5.

Luka 15:17-19.

food with ashes

eating

eating2

ENGLISH: WHAT FALLS ON ASHES DOES NOT STOP TO BE BLOWN AWAY (IT COSTS MUCH TO MAKE CLEAN SOMETHING THAT WAS TAINTED).

When something falls on ashes becomes very dirty. The owner of it picks it up and begins to remove the ashes by blowing them away. This person, on the other hand, repeatedly blows the object for removing all the ashes. That is why people say that “what falls on ashes does not stop to be blown away (it costs much to make clean something that was tainted).”

This proverb is compared to a person who repeatedly commits evil deeds in life. Such person shows evil attitudes by doing them. He/she understands that his/her evil habits have led to the point of being despised by others. Therefore, he/she often tries to apologize to them for those evils in life.

This person is like something that fell on ashes and was cleansed by blowing, because he/she also offends others by doing evils and apologizes to them in daily life. That is why he/she tells people that “what falls on ashes does not stop to be blown away (it costs much to make clean something that was tainted).”

This proverb imparts in people an idea of stopping evil deeds which they repeat in their lives, so that they can live in peace with each other, in their daily lives.

Luke 13: 1-5.

Luke 15: 17-19.

 

802. HAHO UDINIBHULAGA INONI UTIZUBHACHA UMOTO.

Ulusumo lunulo, lulolile bhulingi bho noni bho bhanigini. Abhanigini bhagalingaga noni ja gocha kugiki bhalye. Aliyo lulu, bhagalingaga tamu mpaga bhayibhulaga inoni na bhapemba umoto go gokecha. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “haho udinibhulaga inoni utizubhacha umoto.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agitaga bhukengeji bho milimo yakwe mpaga yamanyika chiza, haho atali ugwiyandya uguitumama, umukikalile kakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agigulambijaga ugugumanyicha unimo gokwe bho gugwitila bhukengeji bhutale mpaka ogudebha chiza na ogwandya ugugutumama, umukikalile kakwe. Uweyi agapandikaga matwajo mingi, umubhutumami bhokwe kunguno ya gutumama milimo iyo imanyikile, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga na bhanigini abho bhabhulagaga tamu inoni na bhapemba umoto gogokecha, kunguno nu weyi agitaga bhukengeji bho milimo yakwe mpaga yamanyika chiza, na wandya utuitumama, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene agabhawilaga abhanhu giki, “haho udinibhulaga inoni udizupemba umoto.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guitila bhukengeji imilimo yabho mpaga bhayidebha chiza, huna bhandya uguitumama, kugiki bhadule gujibheja chiza ikaya yabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Luka 14:28-29.

KISWAHILI: KABLA HUJAMUUA NDEGE USIWASHE MOTO.

Methali hiyo, huangalia uwindaji wa ndege unaofanywa na watoto. Watoto huwa wanawinda ndege kwa ajili ya kuchoma ili wale. Lakini basi, watoto hao, huwinda kwanza mpaga wanampata ndege wanayemuwinda ndipo wanawasha moto wa kumchomea. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “kabla hujamuua ndege usiwashe moto.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye hufanya utafiki wa kazi zake kwanza, kabla hajazianza kuzitekeleza, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hujibidisha kufanya utafiti wa kumwezesha kuzifahamu vizuri kazi kwa sababu anataka kupata undani wa mahitaji ya kazi hizo. Yeye hufanikiwa kupata maendeleo mengi yanayotokana na kupata mavuno mengi ya kazi hizo, kwa sababu ya kufanya kazi anazozifahamu, maishani mwake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na watoto waliowinda ndege mpaga wakampata ndipo wakawasha moto wa kumchomea, kwa sababu naye hufanya utafiki wa kumwezesha kuzielewa vizuri kazi zake, ndipo anaanza kuzitekeleza, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana yeye huwaambia watu kwamba, “kabla hujamuua ndege usiwashe moto.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuzifanyia utafiti wa kuwawezesha kuzielewa vizuri kazi zao, ndipo waanze kuzitekeleza, katika maisha yao, ili waweze kuziendeleza vizuri familia zao, maishani mwao.

Luka 14:28-29.

bird

bird1

bird3

ENGLISH: BEFORE YOU KILL A BIRD, DO NOT LIGHT FIRE (DO NOT COUNT YOUR EGGS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED).

This proverb focuses on an activity of bird-hunting that is done by children. Children often hunt birds for roasting in order to eat. They first hunt until they kill a bird then they light fire for burning it. That is why people say, “Before you kill a bird, do not light fire.”

This proverb is likened to a man who first researches his works, before dong them in his life. He strives to do research that is good enough to enable him understand the work because he wants to find out requirements of those jobs. He succeeds in making many advances from fruits of his labor, because of doing the work that he knows best in his life.

This man is like the children who hunted birds then they set fire, because he also did research on his works for understanding his works before doing them in his life. That is why he tells people that, “Before you kill a bird, do not light fire.”

This proverb teaches people on how to do research enough to enable them understand their works, and then start implementing them in their lives, so that they can develop their families in their societies.

Luke 14: 28-29.

801. NEB’ULEB’U ATUGAYIWA LUSHIKU LOKWE.

Uneb’uleb’u alimunhu uyo agatumamaga milimo yakwe hado hado. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agabhizaga na jikolo jigehu, umukikalile kakwe kunguno ya katumamile kakwe. Uweyi agikalaga apinihalile noyi kunguno ya gubhiza na jiliwa jigehu, ahakaya yakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “neb’uleb’u atugayiwa lushigu lokwe.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alina wiyumilija bho gutumama milimo yakwe kihamo nu gupandika matwajo magehu adayoyaga, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikomejaga gutumama milimo bhuli lushigu bho gwingila dilu mpaga mhindi. Uweyi adalekaga uguja ukumilimo yakwe, mumo agakelela bhuli ng’waka.

Ulusumo lunulo, lugikolaga nu neb’uleb’u uyo opandikaga jikolo jigehu,  kunguno nang’hwe agapandikaga jiliwa jigehu aliyo adabhinzikaga moyo, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene agabhawilaga abhanhu giki, “neb’uleb’u atugayiwa lushigu lokwe.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gwikomeja gutumama milimo yabho bho wiyumilija bhutale, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi, umuwikaji bhobho.

Marko 10:21.

Luka 12: 23.

Luka 16:22-23.

KISWAHILI: HOHEHAHE HAKOSI SIKU YAKE.

Hohehahe ni mtu yule ambaye hufanya kazi zake pole pole. Mtu huyo, mara nyingi huwa na vitu vichache katika maisha yake kwa sababu ya utendaji wake huo. Yeye huwa katika hali ya masikitiko maishani mwake, kwa sababu ya kuwa na chakula kidogo. Ndiyo maana watu humtia moyo kwa kumwambia kwamba, “hohehahe hakosi siku yake.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni mwenye uvumilivu wa kuyatekeleza majukumu yake bila kuyaacha pamoja na kupata mafanikio kidogo, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hujibidisha kufanya kazi kila siku, kuanzia asubuhi hadi jioni. Yeye haachi kwenda kwenye kazi zake hizo hata kama atapata mavuno kidogo kila mwaka.

Methali hiyo, hufanana na hohehahe aliyeendelea kufanya kazi pamoja na kupata mavuno kidogo, kwa sababu naye ana uvumilivu huo wa kuendelea kuyatekeleza majukumu yake kwa bidii hata anapokosa mavuno kwenye kazi zake, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “hohehahe hakosi siku yake.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuendelea kuyatekeleza majukumu yao kwa uvumilivu mkubwa katika maisha yao, ili waweze kuziendeleza vizuri familia zao, maishani mwao.

Marko 10:21.

Luka 12: 23.

Luka 16:22-23.

working2

working

ENGLISH: A LAZY  MAN  HAS  ALSO  HIS  DAY  WHERE HE  FEELS  READY  TO  WORK.

A lazy one is the person who does his/her work slowly. He/she often has few things in life because of such slow working which leads to a life of sadness, because of having little food. That is why people encourage him/her by saying, “a lazy  man  has  also  his  day  where he  feels  ready  to  work.”

This proverb is likened to a man who is patient with his duties without neglecting them in spite of having little success in life. This person, on the other hand, works hard every day, from morning till evening. He does not stop going to those jobs even if he gets a little harvest each year.

This person is similar to the lazy one who continued to work in spite of earning little, because he also has strong patience enough to continue diligently fulfilling his duties even when he lacks harvest from his works in life. That is why people tell him that “a lazy  man  has  also  his  day  where he  feels  ready  to  work.”

This proverb instills in people an idea on how to continue fulfilling their daily responsibilities with great patience in their lives, so that they can better develop their families in their societies.

Mark 10:21.

Luke 12:23.

Luke 16: 22-23.

800. MABHANGILI GAGULABHA NA KUBHELELA ABHAMANILILE.

Amabhangili gali matendele ga bhubheleji ayo agazwalaga munhu bho bhutogwa bhokwe. Amatendele genayo, gaganmelejaga noyi ung’winikili ogo, kunguno agamanilile. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “mabhangili gagulabha na kubhelela abhamanilile.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo abhudebhile ubhubheleji bho jikolo ijo alinajo, ung’winikili ojo, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, alinikujo lya gujilang’hana chiza ijikolo ja bhiye umunzengo gokwe. Uweyi agabhalangaga abhanhu bhakwe igiki, iginhu jakwe umunhu jili jawiza noyi ukuli weyi ng’winikili.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agabhelela bho guzwala matendele gagulabha, kunguno nuweyi abhudebhile ubhubheleji bho jiko ijo alinajo umunhu, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “mabhangili gagulabha na kubhelela abhamanilile.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka gwikumbwa ginhu ja bhangi, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gwilang’hanija chiza isabho jabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Marko 9:43-50.

Mathayo 18:8-9.

KISWAHILI: BANGILI HUNG’AA NA KUPENDEZA KWA WALE WALIOZIZOEA.

Mabangili ni mapambo fulani yanayovaliwa na mtu kwa upendo wake mwenyewe kwa lengo la kupendeza. Mabangili hayo, humpendeza sana yule mwenye nayo, kwa sababu ameyazoea. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “bangili hung’aa na kupendeza kwa wale waliozizoea.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule anayeelewa uzuri wa vitu vyake anavyovitumia, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huheshimu pia vitu kwa wenzake na kuvitunza vizuri, kwa sababu ya uwezo wake huo wa kuthamini mali za wanakijiji wenzake. Yeye huwafundisha pia watu wake namna ya kuvithamini vitu vyao wenyewe.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyependeza kwa kuvaa mabangili yang’aayo, kwa sababu naye huthamini vitu vyake ana vile anavyovitumia mwenye navyo, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “bangili hung’aa na kupendeza kwa wale waliozizoea.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha kutamani vitu vya wengine, katika maisha yao, ili waweze kutunziana vizuri mali zao, maishani mwao.

Marko 9:43-50.

Mathayo 18:8-9.

african ring3

african ring2

african ring1

 

ENGLISH: BRACELETS ARE SHINING AND PLEASING TO THOSE WHO ARE ACCUSTOMED TO WEARING THEM.

Bracelets are certain ornaments which are worn by a person for his/her own interest for the purpose of good-looking. These bracelets normally please the wearer, because they are used to them. That is why people say, “Bracelets are shining and pleasing to those who are accustomed to wearing them.”

This proverb is compared to a person who understands the beauty of things which he/she uses in daily life. This person also respects properties of others and takes good care of them, because of having an ability to value even those of his/her fellow villagers. He/she also teaches others on how to value their own things.

This person is like the one who is comfortable with wearing shiny bracelets, because he or she also values ​​his or her possessions and uses them in his or her life. That is why people say to him/her, “Bracelets are shining and pleasing to those who are accustomed to wearing them.”

This proverb imparts in people an idea to stop demanding things of others in their lives, so that they can take good care of their possessions in their daily lives.

Mark 9: 43-50.

Matthew 18: 8-9.