Sukuma Proverbs

786. NANDI WA NZAGAMBA ADIGASHAGA.

Oliyo munhu uyo agaja gujulanda nzagamba habhuzenganwa. Aho oshika aha kaya yiniyo, agandya guhoyela mihayo yingi duhu, bho nduhu uguyimba ishida yakwe. Nose wiza munhu ungi uyo nang’hwe olandaga nzagamba uyomba, “nizagulanda nzagamba aha kaya yiniyi.” Ung’winikili nzagamba agang’wila, “tulaga yiyo aho.”

Umunhu uyo oli otonga uguja aha kaya yiniyo, nang’hwe agayomba, “nane nizaga gulanda nzagamba.” unsabhi unshokeja, “wishigilwa lulu nu ng’wiyo, iki oliokelejaga ugulomba.” Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “nandi wa nzagamba adigashaga.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agalombaga bhugunanwa kubhiye bho gushiga na guguyombaga umhayo gokwe uyo gonchalaga hoyi. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, adadililaga milimo yingi ulu alitumama nimo nhebhe, kunguno adebhile igiki adulile gwishigilwa na bhiye. Uweyi agapandikaga matwajo mingi kunguno agashigaba na gugutimija umhayo uyo gonchala ahenaho, bho nduhu ugwigasha tamu.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nu nandi o nzagamba uyo agapandika bho bho gushiga na gulomba, kunguno nuweyi adadililaga milimo yingi ulu obhuchaga nimo nhebhe. Agagumalaga tamu unimo gokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “nandi wa nzagamba adigashaga.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gudilila milimo yabho chiza bho nduhu ugwigedyagedya, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi, umuwikaji bhobho.

Mathayo 19:30.

KISWAHILI: MWAZIMA FAHALI HAKAI.

Alikuwepo mtu aliyeenda kuazima fahali kwa jirani yake. Alipofika kwenye familia hiyo, alikaa na kuanza kuongelea mambo mengine tu badala ya kuitaja kwanza shida yake. Mwishowe akaja mtu mwingine aliyekuwa na shida hiyo akasema, “naazima fahali kwenye familia hii.” Mwenye fahali alimwambia, “swaga ile pale.”

Naye mtu aliyeanza kufika pale akaomba, “nami nimekuja kuazima fahali.” Tajiri akamjibu, “umewahiwa basi, kwa vile umechelewa kuomba.” Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “mwazima fahali hakai.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule anayetafuta msaada kwa mwenzake, kwa kufika na kuisema shida yake bila kukawia, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hacheleweshi na mambo mengine anapoamua kutelekeza jambo fulani, kwa sababu anaelewa hasara ya kuwahiwa na wenzake kupata mafanikio. Yeye hupata mafanikio mengi, kwa sababu ya kujali jambo moja kwa wakati mmoja, bila kukaa kwanza, maishani mwake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na mwazima fahali aliyempata kwa kufika na kutaja shida yake bila kukawia, kwa sababu naye hufuatilia kazi yake mpaka anaimaliza vizuri. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “mwazima fahali hakai.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kujali kazi zao kwa kuzifuatilia mpaka mwisho, bila kupoteza muda wao kwenye kazi zingine, katika maisha yao, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi, maishani mwao.

Mathayo 19:30.

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ENGLISH: A BULL BORROWER DOES NOT SIT (A DETERMINED PERSON NEVER LOSES FOCUS).

There was a man who went to borrow a bull to his neighbor. When he reached that family, he sat down and started talking about other things instead of mentioning his problem first. Finally another person who had the same problem came and said, “I borrow a bull from this family.” The bull owner said to him, “you may take it is there.”

Then the first one to come there also requested, “I have come to borrow a bull.” The rich man replied, “You are late to say because of your staying first instead of requesting it.” That is why people say, “a bull borrower does not sit (a determined person never loses focus).”

This proverb is likened to a man who seeks help from his fellow man, by saying his problem without delay, in his life. This person does not delay by doing other things when he decides to do something, because he understands the disadvantages of being overtaken by his peers in gaining success. This man manages to get a lot of success, because he cares about one thing at a time, without staying in his life.

This man is like a bull borrower who expressed his problem to the bull owner after meeting him, because he also keeps track of his work until he finishes it well. That is why people say to him, “a bull borrower does not sit (a determined person never loses focus).”

This proverb teaches people on how to take care of their jobs by pursuing them to the end, without wasting their time on other careers in their lives, so that they can find more success in their lives.

Matthew 19:30.

785. TUNGE IDAGUMAGA LOYA.

Itunge jilijisumva ijo jigabhulukaga jayiyungula ng’wigulya bho gutumila manana gajo. Aliyo lulu, kihamo nu gwiyungula ung’wigulya chiniko, idagumanga loya loyo, kunguno ya mili goyo guludimila noyi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “tunge idagumaga loya.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo ali ngugu o sabho jakwe, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, adahayile ugujifunya isabho jakwe ukubhiye. Uweyi alemile nulu gubhagunana abhiye ijikolo jakwe, kunguno ya bhugugu bhokwe bhunubho. Adabhagunanaga abhiye isabho jakwe mumo bhagabhizila na makoye, umukikalile kakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga ni tunge iyo idagumaga loya loyo, kunguno nu weyi, adajifunyaga isabho jakwe ukubhiye, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’witanaga lina lya, “tunge idagumaga loya.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka bhugugu bho sabho jabho, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gwiyambilija chiza, ugujibheja ikaya jabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Marko 10:21-22.

KISWAHILI: POPO HAANGUSHI UNYOYA.

Popo ni kiumbe yule ambaye huruka juu na kuanza kuzunguka kwa kutumia mabawa yake. Lakini basi, pamoja na kuzunguka juu hivyo, hadondoshi unyoya wake, kwa sababu ya mwili wake kuushikiria sana. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “popo haangushi unyoya.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni mbanizi wa mali zake katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hataki kuzitoa mali zake hizo kwa wenzake wanaohitaji msaada wake. Yeye hataki hata kutumia mali hizo kwa ajili ya wengine hao, kwa sababu ya ubanizi wake huo. Hakubali kuwasaidia wenzake waliopatwa na matatizo, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na popo yule asiye angusha unyoya, kwa sababu naye hatowi mali zake kwa wenzake walio na shida, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwita jina la, “popo haangushi unyoya.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha ubanizi wa mali zao, katika maisha yao, ili waweze kusaidiana vizuri katika kuziendeleza familia zao, maishani mwao.

Marko 10:21-22.

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ENGLISH: A BAT NEVER DROPS FEATHER.

A bat is a creature that flies high and begins to move around using its wings. But then, despite its moving upwards, it does not drop its feathers, because its body holds them tightly. That is why people say that “a bat never drops a feather.”

This proverb is compared to the person who does like to use his/her possessions for helping others in life. Such person does not want to share his/her properties with others who need support. He/she does not even want to use them for the sake of others, because of ungenerousness. He/she refuses to support those who are in great need in life.

This person is like a bat that does not drop its feather, because he/she also does not share his/her wealth with others who are in trouble. That is why people tell him/her that, “a bat never drops a feather.”

This proverb teaches people about stopping being stingy in their lives, so that they can share their wealth by helping each other better for developing their families in lives.

Mark 10: 21-22.

784. NYAMA YA NG’HOLO UGUIKOLELWA KUBHOYA.

Inyama ya ng’holo ilindoni noyi uguilwa aliyo lulu, ubhoya bhoyo bhudibhowiza ugubhulola. Gashinaga lulu, ubhoya bhunubho bhudulile gunhecha munhu guilya nyama yiniyo uyo alagelele guwilolela bhoyi duhu bho nduhu ugubhonja iyoyi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “nyama ya ng’holo uguikolelwa kubhoya.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo abhudebhile uwiza bho mioyo ya bhanhu ubho bhuli heke na mahanga gabho. Umunhu ng’winuyo, agikalaga na bhanhu bhose bho nduhu ugubhakomanya kunguno ya mahanga gabho. Uweyi agapandikaga matwajo mingi umutumami bho milimo yakwe, kunguno ya gwikala kihamo chiza na bhanhu bhakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga ni nyama ya ng’holo iyo iliyawiza kukila ubhoya bhoyo, kunguno nuweyi, alina miito ga gawiza, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene agabhawilaga abhanhu giki, ““nyama ya ng’holo uguikolelwa kubhoya.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gulola wiza bho miito ga bhanhu gukila ugugalola mahanga gabho duhu, kugiki bhadule gwikala chiza na bhichacho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Matendo ya mitume 1:24.

2Wakorintho 10:7.

KISWAHILI: NYAMA YA KONDOO UTAICHUKIA KWENYE MANYOYA.

Nyama ya kondoo ni tamu sana kwa kuila. Lakini manyoya yake siyo mazuri kwa kuyaangalia. Kumbe basi, manyoya hayo yaweza kumuachisha kuila nyama hiyo yule anayeishia kuyangalia hayo tu bila kuamua kuionja nyama ya mnyama huyo. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “nyama ya kondoo utaichukuia kwenye manyoya.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye anauelewa uzuri wa mioyo ya watu ambao hutofautiana na sura zao. Mtu huyo, huishi na watu kwa amani bila kuwabagua kwa sababu ya sura zao. Yeye hupata mafanikio mengi maishani mwake, kutokana na ushirikiano wake mzuri alio nao kwa watu wake.

Methali hiyo, hufanana na nyama ya kondoo ambayo ni nzuri kupita manyoya yake, kwa sababu naye ana matendo mema yanayomuwezesha kutambua pia nia njema za watu wake, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana yeye huwaambia watu kwamba, “nyama ya kondoo utaichukua kwenye manyoya.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuangalia matendo mema ya watu wao badaya kuangalia muonekano wa sura zao tu, ili waweze kuishi kwa amani na wenzao, maishani mwao.

Matendo ya Mitume 1:24.

2Wakorintho 10:7.

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ENGLISH: YOU WILL HATE SHEEP MEAT ON THE WOOL (THERE IS NO ROSE WITHOUT A THORN).

Sheep meat is very sweet to eat. But its wool are not good to look at. In fact, they may stop eating the meat from the one who ends up looking at them without even deciding to taste the meat. That is why people say, “you will hate sheep meat on the wool.”

This proverb is compared to people who understand the kindness of people’s hearts that differ from their appearances. These people live with others in peace without discriminating against them because of their appearances. They find many successes in their lives, and appreciate good cooperation which they have with others.

These people are like sheep, which is better than its wool, because they also have good deeds that enable them to recognize the good intentions of their people who live with them. That is why they tell others that, “you will hate sheep meat on the wool.”

This proverb teaches people to look at the good deeds of their people instead of just looking at their appearances, so that they can live in peace with each other, in their lives.

Acts 1:24.

2 Corinthians 10: 7.

783. KAWE KAGOSHA KADAKOMANGAGWA.

Ulusumo lunulo, lwingila kubhanhu abho bhilomelaga higulya ya bhukomangi bho liwe. Uumo agang’wila ung’wiye, “likamangage iliwe linilo.” Ung’wiye agabhuja, “nibhuli nalikomange iliwe iligosha linilo?” Nang’hwe agashosha, “ulu ulikomanga ligubhela gukila igwandya.” Ung’wiye ushobha, “nadudula ugukakomanga akawe kenako kunguno kali kagosha.” Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “kawe kagosha kadakomangagwa.”

Usulumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agabhadalahijaga abhana abhagosha abha mimili midoo, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, adajidebhile chiza inguzu ijo bhalijo abhana abhagosha bhenabho. Uweyi agaigayiyagwa ibahati ya gwandilijiwa ugutumama imilimo yakwe imidimu iyo bhaidulile guitumama abhanhu bhenabho, kunguno ya libhengwe lyakwe.

Akawe akagosha kagikolaga nu munhu ngosha uyo bhagandalahaga abhanhu aliyo adulile kutumama nimo ndamu, umukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagabhawilaga giki, “kawe kagosha kadakomangagwa.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka gubhadalaha abhanhu kunguno ya bhudoo bho mimili yabho, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gwiyambilija chiza uguitumama imilimo yabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Luka 19:1-10.

KISWAHILI: JIWE DUME HALIGONGWI.

Methali hiyo, ilianzia kwa watu waliokuwa wakiongelea juu ya ugongaji wa jiwe. Mmoja alimwambia mwenzake, “ligonge hilo jiwe.” Mwenzake aliuliza, “kwa nini niligonge hilo jiwe dume?”

Naye akajibu, “unatakiwa kuligonga ili liwe zuri kuliko mwanzani.” Mwenzake huyo, alimjibu, “siwezi kuligonga kwa sababu jiwe hilo ni dume.” Ndiyo maana watu husema, kwamba, “jiwe dume haligongwi.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huwadharau watoto wa kiume wenye miili midogo, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hazielewi vizuri nguvu walizo nazo watoto hao wa kiume. Yeye hukosa msaada kutoka kwa watu hao kutokana dharau yake hiyo.

Jiwe dume hufanana na mtoto wa kiume ambaye watu humdharau pamoja na kwamba anao uwezo wa kufanya kazi ngumu, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu huwaambia kwamba, “jiwe dume haligongwi.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha kuwadharau watu kwa sababu ya miili yao kuwa na maumbo madogo, katika maisha yao, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi katika ushirikano wao wa kuyatekeleza vizuri majukumu yao, maishani mwao.

Luka 19:1-10.

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ENGLISH: A MALE STONE IS NEVER STRUCK.

The above proverb began with people who were talking about hitting a grinding stone. One said to the other, “Hit that stone.” A colleague asked, “Why should I hit it?”

The other replied, “You have to hit it for enabling it to grind grains easily.” His companion replied, “I cannot hit it because it a male stone.” That is why people say that, “a male stone is never struck.”

This proverb is likened to a person who despises small boys in his lifetime. Such man does not fully understand the power of these boys. He lacks support from those people who can help him due to his contempt.

This stone is like a baby boy whom people despise even though he has the ability to work hard, in his life. That is why people say to them, “a male stone is never struck.”

This proverb instills in people an idea of stopping despising others because of their small bodies, in their lives, so that they can have more success in their partnership enough to easily fulfill their responsibilities in their lives.

Luke 19: 1-10.

782. BHAJIKUJA MBITA.

Bhalihoyi bhanhu abho bhatumamaga nimo. Umuluganda lobho, abhingi bhatumamaga chiza imilimo yiniyo. Aliyo lulu, abhagehi bhabho, bhikalaga bhigashije duhu kunguno bhalibhadatumamaga chiza imilimo yiniyo. Abhoyi bhakujaga luganda duhu. Hunangwene abhanhu bhagabhitanaga giki, “bhakuja mbita.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhali bhagokolo ugutumama imilimo, umukikalile kabho. Abhanhu bhenabho, bhagisanjaga muchibho abho bhagatumamaga milimo bho bhukamu bhutale. Abhoyi bhagisanjaga mubhatumami kugiki bhahayiwe nabho bhatumami bha nhana, gashinaga bhali bhalomolomo duhu.

Abhanhu bhenabho, bhagikolaga nabho bhagisanjaga muligele lya bhatumami aliyo bhali bhagokolo, kunguno na bhoyi bhali bhagokolo ugutumama imilimo, aliyo bhagisanjaga mubhatumami. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagabhitanaga giki, “bhakuja mbita.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka bhugokolo bho gutumama milimo, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gwigulambija chiza uguitumama imilimo yabho, mpaga bhapandike mafumimo mingi, umuwikaji bhobho.

Mathayo 7:22.

Luka 13:26-30.

Mathayo 22:11-14.

KISWAHILI: WAJAZA KUNDI.

Walikuwepo watu waliokuwa wakifanya kazi. Wengi wao, walifanya kazi vizuri na kwa bidii sana. Lakini baadhi yao, walipenda kukaa tu bila kuyatekeleza vizuri majukumu yao. Watu hao ambao hawakufanya kazi vizuri, walikuwa wakiliza kundi tu. Ndiyo maana watu waliwaita kwamba ni, “wajaza kundi.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa watu wale ambao ni wavivu wa kufanya kazi, katika maisha yao. Watu hao, hujichanganya kwenye kundi la watu wenye bidii ya kufanya kazi. Wao hufanya hivyo ili watu wawafikirie kuwa nao ni wachapa kazi wa kweli, kumbe ni waongo tu.

Watu hao, hufanana na wale waliojichanganya kwenye kundi la wenye bidii ya kufanya kazi, kwa sababu nao hujificha kwa wenzao wanaofanya kazi vizuri, kumbe wao ni wavivu. Ndiyo maana watu huwaita kwamba, ni “wajaza kundi.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha uvivu wa kuyatekeleza makujumu yao, katika maisha yao, ili waweze kujibidisha kufanya kazi za kuwaeletea maendeleo, maishani mwao.

Mathayo 7:22.

Luka 13:26-30.

Mathayo 22:11-14.

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bhabhini bha benini

ENGLISH: THE GROUP FILLERS.

There were people who were working in a certain village. Most of them worked well and very hard. But some of them preferred resting by sitting down without fulfilling their responsibilities. Those people, who did not work well, were just filling the group. That is why people called them, “the group fillers.”

This proverb is compared to people who are lazy to work, in their lives. These people, in turn, join a group of hardworking ones. They do this to make people think that they are real hard workers, but they are just liars.

These people are like those who are lazy ones who just filled a group of hard workers, because they are also lazy in their lives. They just pretend to be hard workers but in real sense they not. That is why people call them that they are “the group fillers.”

This proverb teaches people to stop being lazy enough to actively carry out their daily responsibilities, in their families, so that they can bring progress to their societies throughout their lives.

Matthew 7:22.

Luke 13: 26-30.

Matthew 22: 11-14.