Sukuma Proverbs

799. SHILE YA MHAMBA KWIMALA NG’WENEYO.

Ulusumo lunulo, lwingilile kuli munhu uyo agagopa jiliwa ijo agajishosha aho ojipandika. Ijililwa jinijo, hi mhamba iyo agagopa aho omala ijiliwa jakwe.  Ishile hu ngopo gokwe uyo agagushosha aho ojipandika ijiliwa jinijo kunguno adebhile igiki adakililwe agushowe weyi uyo ugugopa. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “shile ya mhamba kwimala ng’weneyo.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alina witegeleja bho gushosha ijo agagopaga kubhiye ulu omala ugujipandika, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, alintungilija kunguno agitaka ya nhana bho gushosha ukubhiye ijo ojigopa gitumo ogopela. Uweyi agabhalangaga abhanhu bhakwe inzila ja gwikala chiza na bhanhu bho kikalile kakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agashosha ukubhiye ijiliwa ijo agajigopa, kunguno nuweyi alina bhutengeke bho gushosha ukubhiye ijo agagopaga, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “shile ya mhamba kwimala ng’weneyo.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na bhutogwa bho gwigunana chiza, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi, umuwikaji bhobho.

Luka 11:5-8.

KISWAHILI: MKOPO WA CHAKULA HUMALIZA MWENYEWE.

Methali hiyo, ilianzia kwa mtu aliyekopa chakula kwa mwenzake ambacho alikirudisha baada ya kukipata. Chakula hicho, ni mkopo aliouchukua mtu yule baada ya yeye kuishiwa chakula, ambao anatakiwa kuurudisha yeye mwenyewe, kama alivyouchukua. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “mkopo wa chakula humaliza mwenyewe.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye anauaminifu wa kurudisha kile alichokopa kwa wenzake mara anapokipata, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, ni mwaminifu na mkweli kwa sababu ya umakini wake wa kurudisha kwa wakati unaotakiwa kama alivyouchukua mkopo huo kwa wenzake. Yeye huwafundisha watu wake namna ya kuishi vizuri na wenzake hao kwa njia ya maisha yake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyerudisha kwa wenzake chakula alichokopa, kwa sababu naye ana uaminifu huo wa kurudisha kwa wenzake kile alichokopa, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “mkopo wa chakula humaliza mwenyewe.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na upendo wa kusaidiana vizuri katika maisha yao, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi zaidi, maishani mwao.

Luka 11:5-8.

carrying

carrying1

carrying food

ENGLISH: FOOD LOAN IS REPAID BY THE LOANER.

This proverb originated from a man who borrowed food from a colleague who returned it after getting it. This food is a loan that the man took out after he ran out of food, which he has to repay himself, as he took it. That is why people say, “Food loan is repaid by the loaner.”

This proverb is likened to a man who is honest enough to pay back what he owes to his colleagues as soon as he gets it, in his life. He is an honest one and truthful because of his seriousness in repaying back on time, what he took as a loan from his colleagues. He teaches his people on how to live well with others through his life.

This person is like the one who gave back to his colleagues the food he borrowed, because he also has the same honesty of giving back to his colleagues what he borrowed, in his life. That is why people say to him, “Food loan is repaid by the loaner.”

This proverb teaches people on how to help each other well in their lives, so that they can have more success, in their lives.

Luke 11: 5-8.

798. NG’HELA YA KUMANGALA ITAPUGUTAGWA.

Ubhusika ulu bhubhitwa ilele ahikanza bhulihola bhudapyaga. Unimi o ngunda gunuyo, agahawiyagwa giki okelaga, kunguno adadulaga ugupandika josejose, umungunda gokwe gunuyo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “ng’hela ya kumangala itapugutagwa.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo onanhala, nulu uyo ogiguluha adinabyala ng’wana, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agasunduhalaga noyi, kunguno ya gwikumbwa gupandika bhana, umukikalile kakwe. Uweyi agikalaga bho wiyumilija na bhutale, umukikalile kakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agakela bhusiga bhokwe ubho bhugabhitwa ilele ahikanza lya guhola, kunguno nu weyi, onanhala nulu ogiguluha, adabyalile, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “ng’hela ya kumangala itapugutagwa.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na wiyumilija bho gugamala chiza amakoye ayo bhalinago, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule kupandika bhuyegi, umuwikaji bhobho.

Marko 11:12-14.

Yohana 15:1-2.

KISWAHILI: KUTOCHANUA MASUKE HUONDOA UWEZEKANO KUPANDA.

Mtama ukipigwa ukungu wakati wa kuchanua, hukosa matunda ya kuvunwa kwa sababu ya kukosekana kwa mtama huo. Mkulima wa shamba hilo, hukosa mavuno, kwa sababu ya kukosa kupata chochote, kutoka kwenye shamba hilo. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “kutochanua masuke huondoa uwezekano wa kupanda.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye amefikia umri wa uzee bila kuzaa, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huhudhunika sana, kwa sababu ya kukosa bahati ya kupata watoto, katika maisha yake. Yeye huishi kwa uvumilifu mkubwa kutokana na tatizo hilo kuendelea kumsumbua, maishani mwake.

Methali hiyo, hulinganana na yule aliyekosa mtama kutokana shamba late kupigwa ukungu wakati wa mtama kuchanua, kwa sababu naye amezeeka bila kuzaa, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “kutochanua masuke huondoa uwezekano wa kupanda.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uvumilivu wa kuwawezesha kuyatatua matatizo walio nayo, katika maisha yao, ili waweze kupata furaha, maishani mwao.

Marko 11:12-14.

Yohana 15:1-2.

millet7

millet6

 ENGLISH: WHEN  PLANTS  DO  NOT  GIVE  OUT  FLOWERS  MEAN  ANOTHER  SEASON OF  PLANTING  MAY  NOT  COME.

When the sorghum/millet is mistaken during germination, it loses its fruit to harvest due to the lack of required flowers. The farmer of that field misses harvest, because of the inability to get anything, from it. That is why people tell him that, “when  plants  do  not  give  out  flowers  mean  another  season of  planting  may  not  come.”

This proverb is compared to a person who has reached an age of infertility in his/her lifetime. Such person becomes sad, because of a lack of children, in life. He/she lives with great patience as the problem continues to haunt him/her, throughout the life.

This person is similar to the one who misses the sorghum/millet due to one’s field being foggy when the sorghum/millet blossoms, because he/she too is barren and childless, in his/her lifetime. That is why people tell him/her that, “when  plants  do  not  give  out  flowers  mean  another  season of  planting  may  not  come.”

This proverb instills in people an idea of having patience that is strong enough to enable them solve their daily problems, so that they can find happiness, in their lives.

Mark 11: 12-14.

John 15: 1-2.

 

797. DIMA NZOKA UDIZUDIMA JIKOLO JA BHANGI.

Ulusumo lululo, lulolile bhuhambohambo bho gudima nzoka gukila ugudima ijikolo ja bhangi. Ubhudimi bho nzoka bhugikalaga niyange lya gulung’wa ni  nzoka yiniyo, kunguno inzoka iningi jigikalaga na bhusungu.

Aliyo lulu, ugudima ijikolo ja bhangi gugabhizaga niyange itale kukila ugwidima nzoka, kunguno undimi adulile guding’wa na gutulwa mpaga ucha. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “dima nzoka udizudima jikolo ja bhangi.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenaganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agamanaga usola jikolo ja bhangi bho nduhu uguzunilijiwa, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agitanagwa nsambo kunguno agabhib’ilaga abhiye ijikolo jabho. Uweyi adamanile igiki agiyenhelejaga kupandika makoye ayo galikihayo na guding’wa utulwa mpaga ucha.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agogoha gudima nzoka bho gusola jikolo ja bhangi wiyenheleja gutulwa mpaga ucha, kunguno nu weyi agibhaga jikolo ja bhangi abho bhadulile gundina na kumulaga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “dima nzoka udizudima jikolo ja bhangi.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka nhungwa ja bhusambo, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gubhulang’hana chiza ubhupanda bhobho, uwikaji bhobho.

Mambo ya Walawi 19:11-13.

1Wathesalonike 4:6.

KISWAHILI: SHIKA NYOKA USISHIKE VITU VYA WENGINE.

Methali hiyo, huangalia urahisi wa kushika nyoka kuliko kushika vitu vya wengine. Ushikaji huo wa nyoka huwa ni wa hatari sana kwa sababu ya uwepo wa nyoka wengi wenye sumu ya kuweza kuua mtu.

Lakini kushika vitu vya wengine huwa ni kitendo cha hatari kubwa zaidi ya kushika nyoka kwa sababu akikamatwa huyo aliyeshika vitu hivyo aweza kupigwa hadi kufa. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “shika nyoka usishike vitu vya wengine.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huwa anachukua vitu vya wengine bila ya kuruhusiwa, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huitwa mwizi kwa sababu ya kuwaibia wengine vitu vyao. Yeye huwa haelewi kwamba, kwa kitendo hicho, hujiletea matatizo mbalimbali yakiwemo yale ya kukamatwa na kupigwa hadi kufa.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyeokopa kushika nyoka, kwa kudiriki kushika vitu vya wengine, kwa sababu naye huiba vitu vya wengine wanaoweza kumkamata na kumuua. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “shika nyoka usishike vitu vya wengine.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia ya wizi katika maisha yao, ili waweze kuulinda vizuri uhai wao, maishani mwao.

Mambo ya Walawi 19:11-13.

1Wathesalonike 4:6.

snake catching

snake catching1

snake catching2

ENGLISH: CATCH SNAKE DO NOT SNATCH OTHERS’ THINGS.

This proverb focuses at an ease way of catching snakes rather than grabbing things of others. These snake bites are very dangerous because of the presence of many venomous snakes that can kill a person.

But snatching belongings of others is a far more dangerous act than catching snakes because if one is caught doing so can be beaten to death. That is why people say, “catch snake do not snatch others’ things.”

This proverb is compared to a person who tends to take other people’s belongings without permission, in life. This person is called a thief because he robbed others of their belongings. He does not understand that, in doing so, he inflicts various hardships on himself, including arrest and beatings to death.

This person is like the one who is afraid of catching a snake, by daring to grab the things of others, because he also steals the things of others who can catch and kill him. That is why people say to him, “catch snake do not snatch others’ things.”

This proverb imparts in people an idea of stopping a habit of theft in their lives, so that they can better protect their lives, in their societies.

Leviticus 19: 11-13.

1Thessalonians 4: 6.

795. GUYOMBA GWIJUKULA GUHUMULA GWIJIKA.

Ulusumo lunulo, luhoyelile higulya ya wijukuji bho ng’wa munhu na wijiki bhokwe. Bhalihoyi bhanhu bhabhili abho bhikalaga muchalo jilebhe. Abhanhu bhenabho, bhagamala ijiliwa jagulya.

Uumo agaja gujulanda habhuzenganwa aliyomba, “naliomba munigunane jiliwa nagalye nagucha na nzala kunguno natubhaga noyi.” Abhazengangwa bhakwe bhagang’wila, “solaga lulu jiji aha ugalye.” Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agapila ugucha na nzala kunguno ya guyomba bho gulomba jiliwa kubhiye.  Uweyi agijukula bho gulomba jiliwa jinijo kubhiye bhenabho.

Aliyo lulu, ung’wiye oduka ahumulile duhu alukunhu inzala ilinabhula, nose agananuka bho gucha na nzala. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agabhiza wijika weyi bho guhumula gokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “guyomba gwijukula guhumula gwijika.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agapandikaga makoye obhabhile wangu abhiye, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, ijinagugemela, ulu usada agayombaga kubhiye kunguno adebhile igiki bhadulile gung’wambilija bho gunchala kusitali. Uweyi agagamalaga wangu amakoye gakwe kunguno ya gubhawila abhiye abho bhagang’wambilijaga haho gatali ugugula, umukikalile kakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agapila nzala bho gulomba jiliwa habhuzenganwa bhokwe, kunguno nuweyi agalombaga wambilijiwa kubhiye, ulu opandikaga makoye. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “guyomba gwijukula guhumula gwijika.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gugamala wangu amakoye gabho bho gulomba wambilijiwa kubhichabho, kugiki bhadule gutumama milimo yabho mhola, umuwikaji bhobho.

Luka 18:1-5.

Mathayo 11:28.

KISWAHILI: KUONGEA KUJIFUFUA, KUNYAMAZA KUJIZIKA.

Methali hiyo, huongelea juu ya kujifufua kwa mtu na kujizika kwake. Walikuwepo watu wawili katika kijiji fulani. Watu hao walimaliza chakula wakawa katika hatari ya kufa.

Mmoja alienda kuomba msaada kwa jirani zake akisema, “naomba munisaidie chakula nikale nitakufa kwa njaa, kwa sababu najisikia njaa sana.” Majirani zake walimwambia, “chukula hiki hapa ukale.” Mtu yule alijiponya kufa kwa njaa kwa sababu ya kuomba chakula kwa wenzake. Yeye akawa amejifufua kwa kuomba chakula hicho kutoka kwa wenzake hao.

Lakini, yule mwingine alibaki kimya tu huku akiumizwa na nzaa ile, mwishowe alipoteza maisha yake kwa kukosa chakula. Mtu huyo, akawa amejizika mwenyewe kwa kukaa kimya wakati ana tatizo kubwa linaloweza kutatuliwa kwa kuwashirikisha wenzake. Ndiyo maana watu walisema kwamba, “kuongea kujifufua, kunyamaza kujizika.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye hupata matatizo na kuwashirikisha wenzake mapema, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, kwa mfano, akiugua, huwaambia wenzake kwa sababu anafahamu kwamba, wale wanaweza kumsaidia kwa kumpeleka hospitalini mapema. Yeye hupata utatuzi wa matatizo yake mapema kwa sababu ya kuwashirikisha wenzake, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyepona kufa kwa njaa kwa kuomba chakula kutoka kwa wenzake, kwa sababu naye akipata matatizo, huomba msaada unaoweza kumsaidia kutoka kwa wenzake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “kuongea kujifufua, kunyamaza kujizika.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuyamaliza mapema matatizo yao kwa kuomba msaada kutoka kwa wenzao, ili waweze kuendelea kuyatekeleza majukumu yao salama, maishani mwao.

Luka 18:1-5.

Mathayo 11:28.

people-talking1

people-talking

talking

ENGLISH: TO SPEAK OUT IS TO RESURRECT ONESELF TO REMAIN SILENT IS TO BURY ONESELF.

This proverb speaks of a person’s resurrection and burial. There were two people in a certain village. These men finished food and were in danger of dying.

One of them went to ask for help from his neighbors, saying, “Please help me to eat otherwise I will starve to death, because I am so hungry.” Her neighbors told her, “Take this and eat it here.” The man saved himself from starvation by begging for food from his companions. He became self-reliant by asking for food from his companions.

However, the other man remained silent while he was hurt by the hunger, eventually lost his life for lack of food. The man became obsessed with keeping quiet when he had a serious problem that could be solved by involving his colleagues. That is why the people said, “to speak out is to resurrect oneself to remain silent is to bury oneself.”

This proverb is compared to a person who gets into trouble and shares it with others early in life. This person, for example, when he or she is sick, tells his or her colleagues because he or she knows that those are the ones who can help him or her by taking him or her early to hospital. He finds a solution to his problems early because of an involvement of his colleagues in looking for solutions to various tribulations in life.

This person is like the one who survived a starvation by begging for food from his fellows, because when he gets into trouble, he also asks for help from his fellows. That is why people say to him, “to speak out is to resurrect oneself to remain silent is to bury oneself.”

This proverb instills in people an idea on how to solve their problems early by asking for help from their neighbors, so that they can continue carrying out their daily responsibilities safely in their lives.

Luke 18: 1-5.

Matthew 11:28.

794. MHELA IDUGAYIWA BHUSHEMELI.

Imhela ili ndimu iyo igikalaga ya danhagwa, nulu yalumagwa ng’hundya umu mili goyo. Kuyiniyo lulu, inoni ijo jigitanagwa bhushemeli na jingi ja mbika ningi, jigamanaga julya ng’hundya umu mili go mhela yiniyo.

Inoni jinijo, jigamanaga juchalanijiwa ni mhela yiniyo uko ijile, kugiki jimane jujilya ing’hundya jinijo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “mhela idugayiwa bhusehemeli.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alinsabhi o majikolo mingi, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agabhizaga na jiliwa ja gudula gubhalisha bhanhu bhingi abho bhagatumamaga milimo aha kaya yake. Uweyi agikalaga na bhanhu bhingi kunguno ya kupandika bhatumami bha milimo yakwe, abho nabho bhagamanaga bhulya jiliwa ja ha kaya yiniyo.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga ni mhela iyo idagayiwagwa bhushemeli, kunguno nu weyi adagayiwagwa abhanhu abha gutumama milimo yakwe na gulya jiliwa jakwe, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “mhela idugayiwa bhushemeli.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gwikala na gwiyambilija bho gutumama milimo chiza, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Marko 2:1-2.

Yohana 6:26.

KISWAHILI: FARU HAKOSI NDEGE.

Faru ni mnyama poli ambaye huwa ameng’atwa na kupe mwilini mwake. Kwa hiyo basi, ndege wanaokula kupe hao huwa hawaishi mwilini mwake kwa sababu ya wao kuendelea kufaidika kwa kuwala hao kupe.

Ndege hao, huendelea kupelekwa na mnyama huyo kokote anakoenda kwa lengo la kuendelea kuwala hao kupe. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “Faru hakosi ndege.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni tajiri wa vitu vingi katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huwa na chakula kingi kiasi cha kutosha kuwalisha watu wote wanaofanya kazi kwenye familia yake.

Tajiri huyo, huishi na watu wengi kwa lengo la kupata wafanya kazi katika familia yake, ambao nao hufaidika kwa hula chakula cha pale, kama vile ndege wanavyofaidika kwa kula kupe mwilini mwa Faru.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na Faru yule asiyekosa ndege mwilini mwake, kwa sababu naye huwa hakosi watu wa kufanya kazi na kula chakula katika familia yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “Faru hakosi ndege.”

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

Marko 2:1-2.

Yohana 6:26.

rhonoceros mhela

rhinoceros-mhela

rhino-mhela

ENGLISH: THE RHINO DOES NOT LACK BIRDS.

The Rhino is a wild animal that is been bitten by ticks on its body. Therefore, birds which eat those ticks do not leave its body because they continue to benefit from eating those ticks.

These birds continue to be carried by this animal wherever it goes with an aim of continuing to eat the ticks. That is why people say, “the Rhino does not miss birds.”

This proverb is compared to the man who is rich of many things in his life. This person, in turn, has enough food to feed all people who work in his family.

This rich man lives with many people in order to find workers in his family, who also benefit from eating local food, just as birds benefit from eating ticks on the body of a Rhino.

This man is like the Rhino which does not miss birds in its body, because it also has people who work and eat food in his family. That is why people say to him, “the Rhino does not miss birds.”

This proverb teaches people on how to live by helping each other in fulfilling their daily responsibilities, in their lives, so that they can better develop their families in their societies.

Mark 2: 1-2.

John 6:26.