Sukuma Proverbs

963. OPALA NVA HANKIMBILI.

Ulusumo lunulo, lulolile bhupaji bho mva hamkimbili bho ng’wa munhu nheb’e. Oliyohi nfugi o mawa aha kaya yakwe, uyo wikalaga mu chalo ja halebhe. Lushigu lumo agayidima inva yakwe wandya guyipala ahamkimbili, mpaga abhanhu bhukumya noyi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wila giki, “opala nva hamkimbili.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli ng’waniki uyo obyala ng’wana omumabala, umukikalile kakwe. Ung’waniki ng’wunuyo, adatolilwe aliyo ogetwa nda ya mumabala kunguno ya gulala na bhagosha, aho atali ugutolwa. Uweyi agakoyaga ugutolwa kunguno ulu bhigela abhatoji, bhagawilwa giki, ‘opala nva hamkimbili’, mumho obyalila ng’wana mumabala, umukikalile kakwe.

Ung’waniki ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nu nsugi onva uyo agayipala ahamkimbili inva yakwe, kunguno nuweyi ubyala ng’wana omumabala, haho adinatolwa. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “opala nva hamkimbili.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhaniki higulya ya kubhiza bhib’embu, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule kutolwa wangu haho bhadina byajiwa bhana bha mumabala, umuwikaji bhobho.

Luka 1:46-56.

Mathayo 5:27-30.

KISWAHILI: AMEMPIGA MBWA KIUNONI.

Methali hiyo, huongelea juu ya upigaji wa mbwa kiunoni wa mtu fulani. Alikuwepo mfugaji wa mbwa kwenye familia yake aliyeishi kwenye kijiji fulani. Siku moja alimshika mbwa wake mmoja na kumpiga kiunoni mpaga watu wakashangaa sana. Ndiyo maana watu walimwambia kwamba, “amempiga mbwa kiunoni.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa msichana yule aliyezaa mtoto kabla ya kuolewa, katika maisha yake. Msichana huyo, hajaolewa lakini omepata ujauzito kwa sababu ya kulala wa wanaume kabla ya kuolewa. Yeye hupata shida ya kuolewa kwa sababu wale wanaotaka kumuoa huambiwa na watu kwamba, msichana yule ‘amempiga mbwa kiunoni’, katika maisha yake.

Msichana huyo, hufanana na yule mfugaji aliyempiga mbwa wake kiunoni, kwa sababu naye alizaa kabla ya kuolewa, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “amempiga mbwa kiunoni.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha wasichana juu ya kuwa watulivu katika maisha yao, ili waweze kuolewa mapema kabla ya kuzalishwa watoto wa mapolini, maishani mwao.

Luka 1:46-56.

Mathayo 5:27-30.

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ENGLISH: YOU HAVE SLAPPED A DOG ON ITS WAIST.

This proverb speaks about slapping the waist of a dog. There was a dog keeper in her family who lived in a certain village. One day she grabbed one of her dogs and slapped one of the on the waist. The people who saw such event were shocked. That is why they told her that, “You have slapped a dog on its waist.”

This proverb is compared to the girl who gave birth to a child before marriage, in her lifetime. Such girl is unmarried but has become pregnant because of premarital sex. She finds it difficult to get married because those who want to marry her are told by people that the girl has ‘beaten a dog in the waist’, in her lifetime.

This girl is like the dog keeper who slapped her dog on the waist, because she also gave birth before marriage, in her lifetime. That is why people say to her that, “You have slapped a dog on its waist.”

This proverb instills in girls an idea on how to be calm in their lives, so that they can get married early before being impregnated, in their lifetime.

Luke 1: 46-56.

Matthew 5: 27-30.

956. NG’HINGI YANEGA ITAB’ANYA B’ASIMBIJI.

Ulusumo lunulo, luhoyelile ng’hingi iyo yanega. Ing’hingi yiniyo, igamanaga yusimbililwa na bhasimbiji bhayo, yandra gunega duhu hangi. Iyoyi igabhanojaga nose abhanhu abho bhagayisimbilaga kunguno, ulu bhayisimbila yanega duhu hangi. Hunagwene bhagayombaga giki, “ng’hingi yanega itab’anya b’asimbiji.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa ku kaya iyo yigayogaga bhuli makanza umukikalile kayo. Ikaya yiniyo, yigamanaga yuyoga bhuli makanza kunguno abhanhu bhayo bhadishibhaga ulu bhalilomela. Abhoyi bhagabhizaga bhuli ng’wene nkali duhu uyo alemile ugubhadegeleka abhiye. Iyoyi ikabhakoyaga nose abhayanguji bhayo, kunguno ulu bhayiyangula yayoga duhu hangi, kunguno ya bhikaji bhayo gugayiwa wiyumilija, umukikalile kabho.

Ikaya yiniyo igikolaga ni ng’hingi iyi inegile iyo igatabhanya bhasimbiji, kunguno niyoyi igabhatabhanyaga abhayanguji bhayo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhenabho bhagiyombaga giki, “ng’hingi yanega itab’anya b’asimbiji.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhitoji higulya ya gubhiza na wiyumilija bho gwitogwa na gwilekeja ulu bhidumaga, kugiki bhadule gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho, umuwikiji bhobho.

1Yohane 3:18.

Marko 10:5-8.

Wakolosai 3:18-19

Mathayo 18:15.

KISWAHILI: NGUZO ILIYOLEGEA HUTATANISHA WACHIMBIAJI.

Methali hiyo, huongelea juu ya nguzo iliyolegea. Nguzo hiyo, huwa inachimbiwa na wachimbiaji wake, lakini huanza kulegea tena. Yenyewe mwishawe huwachosha wale wanaoichimbia, kwa sababu ya kuendelea kulegea kila wanapoichimbia. Ndiyo maana watu huisema kwamba, “nguzo iliyolegea hutatanisha wachimbiaji.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwenye familia ile ambayo huwa inazozana kila wakati, katika maisha yake. Familia hiyo, huzozana kila wakati kwa sababu ya wakazi wake kutokuwa na hali ya kusikilizana wanapoongea. Watu hao, huwa ni wakali wasiokubali kuwasikiliza wenzao, kwa sababu ya kutokuwa na uvumilivu katika maisha yao. Yenyewe huwachosha waamuzi wake kwa sababu ya kuendelea kuzozana tena kila wanapomaliza kuwapatanisha, maishani mwao.

Familia hiyo, hufanana na ile nguzo iliyolegea ambayo iliwashinda wachimbiaji wake, kwa sababu nayo huendelea kuzozana kila inapopatanishwa mwishowe huwashinda wale wapatanishi wake. Ndiyo maana watu hao huisema kwamba, “nguzo iliyolegea hutatanisha wachimbiaji.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha wana ndoa juu ya kuwa na uvumilivu wa kupendana na kusameheana wanapokoseana, ili waweze kuzilea vizuri familia zao, maishani mwao.

1Yohane 3:18.

Marko 10:5-8.

Wakolosai 3:18-19

Mathayo 18:15.

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ENGLISH: A POST THAT HAS BECOME LOOSE CONFUSES THE DIGGERS.

This proverb speaks of a loose post. This post is dug by its diggers, but it begins to loosen again. It eventually exhausts those who dig its hole for strengthening it, because it continues to falter every time after being fixed. That is why people say that, “a post that has become loose confuses the diggers.”

This proverb is compared to the family that is constantly at misunderstanding, in its life. This family is continually at conflict because of its lack of listening ability to its members. These people are harsh and unwilling to listen to one another, because of their impatience in their lives. It exhausts its judges because of such constantly arguing with them every time after reconciling them, in their lives.

This family resembles the loose pillar that overcame its diggers, because it also continues to quarrel with each other and eventually overcomes its mediators. That is why people say that “a post that has become loose confuses the diggers.”

This proverb teaches married couples on how to have patience that is strong enough to love and forgive each other when they offend each other, so that they can nicely raise well their families, in their lives.

1 John 3:18.

Mark 10: 5-8.

Colossians 3: 18-19.

Matthew 18:15.

949. NAWE JANHILILA BHUGOTA BHUGAMANAGWA NA BHASAJI.

Ulusumo lunulo, luhoyelile bhuhililwa bho ng’wa munhu uyo amanile bhugota aliyo adinapandika solobho nabho. Umunhu ng’winuyo, agawilagwa giki janhilila kunguno inhungulume jili ngoko ng’osha ijo jigahilaga golecha giki ubhujiku welaga.

Ulu munhu alina lugendo ujigwa jahila agumana igiki okelejaga ugwandya ulugendo lokwe lunulo. Hunagwene umunhu uyo adinapandika solobho ya bhugota ubho abhumanile agawilagwa giki “nawe jamhilila bhugota bhugamanagwa na bhasaji.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo amanile bhugota aliyo akatumamile kakwe kali kab’i, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agabhinhaga bhanhu sagala ubhugota bhokwe bhunubho, bho nduhu gwinhiwa josejose. Uweyi agashililagwa nose inguzu ja gubhubhegeja ubhugota ubho abhumanile bhunubho, bho nduhu ugupandika josejose, kunguno ya gubhiza adina witegeleja, umumilimo yakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nu nsaji uyo agaponyaga sagara ijikolo, kunguno nuweyi gabhinhaga bhanhu sagala ubhugota bhokwe bhunubho, bho nduhu gwinhiwa josejose. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “nawe jamhilila bhugota bhugamanagwa na bhasaji.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza ni kujo lya gubhutumila ubhumani bhobho bho gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho, kugiki bhadule gupandika solobho ningi, umubhumani bhobho.

Mhubiri 4:7-12.

KISWAHILI: NAYE ZIMEMUWIKIA DAWA HUFAHAMIWA NA WEHU.

Methali hiyo, huongelea uwikiwaji wa mtu anayefahamu dawa lakini hapati faida nayo. Mtu huyo, huambiwa kuwa amewikiwa kwa sababu jogoo ni kuku dume ambaye huwika kuonesha kwamba usiku umekucha.

Mtu akiwa na safari akisikia jogoo hao wanawika huelewa kwamba amechelewa kuianza safari yake hiyo. Ndiyo maana mtu yule ambaye hapati faida ya dawa anayoifahamu huambiwa kwamba, “naye zimemuwikia dawa hufahamiwa na wehu.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule anayefahamu dawa fulani lakini huitumia vibaya, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huwagawia watu hovyo ile dawa yake bila kupewa chochote. Yeye, mwishowe huishiwa nguvu za kuendelea kuitengeneza dawa yake hiyo, bila kupata faida yoyote, kwa sababu ya kutokuwa na umakini katika kazi zake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule kichaa ambaye hutupa hovyo mali, kwa sababu naye huwagawia watu hovyo dawa hiyo, bila kupewa chochote katika kazi yake hiyo. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “naye zimemuwikia dawa hufahamiwa na wehu.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na busara ya kuitumia elimu yao kwa kuziendeleza vizuri familia zao, ili waweze kufaidika vizuri kutokana na elimu hiyo, maishani mwao.

Mhubiri 4:7-12.

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ENGLISH: THE COCKS HAVE CROWED FOR HIM/HER, MEDICINAL HERBS ARE KNOWN BY MAD ONES!

This proverb speaks of the roosters which crowed before benefiting from medicine which a particular man knew. This man is told so because he has finished his medicine without making anything out of it.  

The rooster is a male chicken that crows to show that the night is over. A person who has a journey, for instance, when he hears the roosters crowing, he realizes that he is late to start his journey. That is why the person who does not get the benefit of the medicine which he knew is told that, “the cocks have crowed for him/her, medicinal herbs are known by mad ones!”

This proverb is compared to a man who is familiar with a particular drug but who abuses it, in his life. This man, in turn, distributes his medication comprehensively without being given anything. He/she, in the end, loses the ability to continue making this medicine, to no avail, because of a lack of concentration in his work.

This man is like the madman who did not benefit from his medicine, because he also distributes the drug to people without being given anything in his work. That is why people say to him that, “the cocks have crowed for him/her, medicinal herbs are known by mad ones!”

This proverb teaches people on how to be wise enough to use their education for the betterment of their families, so that they can benefit well from it, in their lives.

Ecclesiastes 4: 7-12.

946. B’UGUBUGUBU B’O B’AB’I CHAGATA HAHO B’ASOGA.

Ubhugubugubu bhuli wimanilija bho ng’wa munhu mumihayo ya bhangi iyo adaimanile chiza. Umunhu uyo agimanilijaga sagala chiniko agitanagwa ngubugubu. Uweyi agikalaga na nhungwa ja bhubhi ijo jigabhayugulaga abhanhu abho bhagitaga miito ga wiza, umukikalile kabho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “b’ugubugubu b’o b’ab’i chagata haho b’asoga.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo adimanile igiki ali obhub’i, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agabhigulanyaga sagala abhanhu abho bhali na nhungwa ja wiza kunguno ya guhaya ajiranije nabho aliho uweyi alina nhungwa ja bhub’i. Uweyi agabhayugulaga abha bhali na nhungwa ja wiza kunguno ya nhungwa jakwe ija bhub’i jinijo, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nu ngubugubu uyo agabhayugula abhanhu abho bhali bhawiza, kunguno nu weyi agisanjaga mubha nhungwa ja wiza na gubhayugula moyi, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “b’ugubugubu b’o b’ab’i chagata haho bhasoga.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka nhungwa ja bhubhi bho gujikalana ijo jili jawiza, kugiki bhadule gwiyambilija ugujidimila chiza inhungwa ijiwiza jinijo, umuwikaji bhobho.

Mathayo 7:15-20.

Waebrania 12:14-17.

Luka 6:45.

KISWAHILI: KITENDAWILI – KIHELEHELE CHA WENYE MATENDO MAOVU, HUVURUGA KUNDI LA WENYE MATENDO MEMA.

Kihelehele ni hali ya kujizoelesha kwa mtu kwenye maneno ya wengine ambayo hayafahamu vizuri. Mtu anayejizoelesha hovyo hivyo, huitwa mwenye kihelehele. Yeye huwa na tabia mbaya ambayo huwavuruga watu wanaotenda matendo mema, katika maisha yao. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “kihelehele cha wenye matendo maovu, huvuruga kundi la wenye matendo mema.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye haelewi kwamba ni muovu, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hujichanganya hovyo kwenye kundi la watu walio wema kwa sababu ya kutaka aendane nao, wakati yeye ni muovu. Yeye huwavuruga wale walio na tabia njema kwa sababu ya tabia yake hiyo ya kutenda maovu, maishani mwake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule mwenye kihelehele aliye wavuruga watu wenye matendo mema, kwa sababu naye hujichanganya kwenye kundi la wenye tabia njema na kuwavuruga mle, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “kihelehele cha wenye matendo maovu, huvuruga kundi la wenye matendo mema.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia ya kutenda uovu kwa kuiishi tabia ile iliyo njema, ili waweze kuendeleza matendo mema kwa wenzao, maishani mwao.

Mathayo 7:15-20.

Waebrania 12:14-17.

Luka 6:45.

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ENGLISH: VIOLENCE OF EVIL DOERS, DISTURBS THE GROUP OF GOOD DOERS.

This proverb speaks about Violence of the group of people who do evils in societies. This group disturbs the people who do good deeds. That is why people say that “violence of evil doers, disturbs the group of good doers.”

This proverb is related to a person who does not understand that he is evil, in his life. This person associates himself with a group of good people because he wants to appear like them, while he is evil. He disturbs those who have good character because of his evil nature, in his life.

This person resembles the group that did evil in their societies, because he also has evil behavior that disturbs the group of good doers. That is why people say that, “violence of evil doers, disturbs the group of good doers.”

This proverb teaches people on how to stop doing evils by having good behaviors, so that they can develop good deeds for others, in their lives.

Matthew 7: 15-20.

Hebrews 12: 14-17.

Luke 6:45.

945. MADOSHI GAMANHYA; GAMANHIJA MASHIGINA.

Ulusumo lunulo, lulolile bhulumani bho bhanhu bhadoshi abho bhenghwe na munhu aha kaya ndebhe. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagikalaga bhikolilwe kunguno bhuli ng’wene agansondagulaga ung’wiye. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “madoshi gamanhya; gamanhija mashigina.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kubhakima bha mhali abho bhatolilwe na ngosha umo. Abhakima bhenabho, bhadideb’aga, kunguno bhagikala na yombo ya gwidukila sagala, umukikalile kabho. Abhoyi bhagadumaga ugwidebha kunguno bhuli ng’wene wenghwa akahaya yiniyo iyo ahayile azage bhung’wene, na adiyeninhile ng’winikili hoyi, umuwikaji bhobho.

Abhakima bhenabho, bhakikolaga na abhanhu abhadoshi abhaha kaya imo abho bhadidebhile, kunguno na bhoyi bhagikalaga na yombo ya gwidukila sagala, umukikalile kabho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “madoshi gamanhya; gamanhijia mashigina.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na witoji bho nkima, na ngosha umo, kugiki bhadule gwikala bho mholele, umukaya jabho.

Mathayo 6:2.

Mathayo 19: 1-12.

Mathayo 5:27-32.

KISWAHILI: WENYE MAJIVUNO WAMEKUTANA; WAMEKUTANIA VISIGINO.

Methali hiyo, huongelea ukutananji wa watu wenye majivuno walioletwa na mtu mmoja kwenye familia fulani. Watu hao, huwa wamechukiana kwa sababu ya kila mmoja wao kumsimanga mwenzake. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “wenye majivuno wamekutana; wamekutania visigino.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa wanawake wa mitala walioolewa na mwanamume mmoja. Wanawake hao, huwa hawapatani, kwa sababu ya kuishi kwenye kelele za matusi ya hovyo, katika maisha yao. Wao hushindwa kuelewana kwa sababu kila mmoja aliletwa kwenye familia hiyo, akitegemea kubaki yeye tu, na hakujileta mwenyewe hapo, maishani mwao.

Wanawake hao, hufanana na wale wenye majivuno wa kwenye familia walioletwa na mtu mmoja, kwa sababu nao, huishi kwenye kelele za kutukanana matuzi ya hovyo, katika maisha yao. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “wenye majivuno wamekutana; wamekutania visigino.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na ndoa ya mume na mke mmoja, ili waweze kuishi kwa amani, maishani mwao.

Mathayo 6:2.

Mathayo 19: 1-12.

Mathayo 5:27-32.

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ENGLISH: PROUD ONES HAVE MET; THEY HAVE MET HEELS.

This proverb speaks of a host of proud people who are brought in by someone in a certain family. These people hate each other because of teasing one another. That is why people say that, “the proud ones have met; they have met heels.”

This proverb is related to polygamous women who are married to the same man. These women are often at misunderstanding with one another, because of living in a vicious circle of insults, in their lives. They fail to understand each other because everyone was brought into that family by hoping to remain alone in it.

These women are like the proud members of the family who were brought there by one man, because they, too, live in the noise of insults, in their lifetime. That is why people say that, “the proud ones have met; they have met heels.”

This proverb imparts in people an idea of living their marriage in monogamy, so that they can live peacefully in their lives.

Matthew 6: 2.

Matthew 19: 1-12.

Matthew 5: 27-32.

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