Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yingilile kubhabheja bha magembe. Abhafuji bha magembe bhenabho, bhagitanagwa bhalongo. Abhoyi bhadebhile gubheja magembe duhu, kunguno bhagalilaga moyi, iki bhadalimaga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘meja wigembe ati Nimi.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alingokolo ugulima, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agamanaga ubheja igembe ahikanza ilya gulima, kugiki adule gwifula ugulima. Uweyi adulile nulu gulikolola iligembe lyakwe, kunguno ya kuchola wasa bho gwifula, kugiki ulu bhalitumama abhiye, amane ulibheja iligembe linilo.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agakoyiyagwa na nzala aha ng’wakwe, kunguno ya kugaiwa ijiliwa bhuli makanza. Uweyi agikalaga bho gwilombeleja ijiliwa ukubhanhu abho bhagalimaga.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nu meja wigembe uyo adalimaga, kunguno nuweyi adalimaga, umuwikaji bhokwe. Abhanhu abho bhandebhile igiki alingokolo ugulima, bhagankomelejaga gulima. Hunagwene bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘meja wigembe ati Nimi.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka bhugokolo bho gutumama milimo, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gutumama milimo ya gubhapandikila matwajo mingi, umuwikaji bhobho.

Luka 11:46.

Mathayo 23:3-4.

Yohana 4:38.

KISWAHILI: MFUA JEMBE SI MKULIMA.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chatokea kwa wafua majembe. Wafuaji hao wa majembe, hutumia muda wao katika kuufanyia kazi ufundi wao. Wenyewe hufanya kazi hiyo ya kufua majembe kama kazi yao ya kuwapatia mahitaji yao, kwa sababu hawalimi. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘mfua jembe si mkulima.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni mvivu wa kulima, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hujifanya kama anatengeneja jembe wakati wa kufanya kazi ya kulima, kumbe anatafuta muda wa kupumzika. Yeye aweza hata kulilegeza jembe lake, ili apate muda wa kupumzika wakati analitengeneza jembe lake hilo.

Mtu huyo, husumbuliwa na tatizo la njaa nyumbani kwake, kwa sababu ya kukosa chakula. Yeye huishi kwa kuomba chakula kutoka kwa wale wanaolima kwa bidii katika, maisha yao.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na mfua jembe ambaye halimi, kwa sababu naye halimi kwa bidii katika, maisha yake. Watu wanaoifahamu tabia yake hiyo ya uvivu, humhimiza kulima. Ndiyo maana humwambia kwamba, ‘mfua jembe si mkulima.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha uvivu wa kufanya kazi, ili waweze kuwa na bidii ya kuzitegeleza kazi za kuwawezesha kujipatia mafanikio mengi, maishani mwao.

Luka 11:46.

Mathayo 23:3-4.

Yohana 4:38.

ENGLISH: THE HOE MAKER IS NOT A FARMER.

The source of this proverb comes from the hoe maker. These hoe makers spend much of their time working on their craft. To them, making hoes is their task that makes them earn their living. They don’t go to farms because farming to them replaced by the hoe making craft. To describe this scenario of hoe makers not going to farms, people came with the proverb that ‘the hoe maker is not a farmer.’

This proverb can be compared to a lazy person. This person does not like to participate in farming activities instead he/she tends to bring a lot of excuses to excempt himself/herself from farming. He/she can deliberately break the handle of the hoe or losen the hoe from its handle and begin repairing it while wasting time. People of this nature are likely to suffer from hunger because they can fail to have enough food to feed their families. They sometimes end up begging for food from others.

This proverb teaches people to stop being lazy rather they have to work hard in order to have enough food to feed their families.

Luke 11:46. Matthew 23: 3-4. John 4:38.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yililola mbiti umo igicholelaga ijiliwa. Imbiti yiniyo, igagatumilaga amagulu gayo bho gwicholela jiliwa jayo. Iyoyi igacholaga nyama ulu yujipandika igasekaga. Iyiniyo himbuki ya guhaya giki,  ‘mtiti yab´eja magulu.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo, agagatumamilaga amagulu gakwe bho gwicholela jiliwa, umuwikaji bhokwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agacholaga milimo ya gutumama na guipandika, kunguno ya wigulambija bhokwe. Uweyi agaitumamaga imilimo yakwe yiniyo, bho bhukalalwa bhutale, mpaga oishisha chiza.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga ni mbiti iyo igacholaga nyama mpaga yajipandika, kunguno nuweyi, agagatumilaga amagulu gakwe bho gwicholela sabho, mpaga ojipandika, umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agabhalanjaga nabhiye inzila ja gwicholela ijikolo, mpaga bhajipandika. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’witagana giki, ‘mbili yab’eja magulu.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gugatumamila amagulu gabho bho gwicholeja jikolo ija gudula gubhambilija aha shigu ijahabhutongi, kugiki bhadule gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho.

Kumbukumbu 10:18.

2 Wafalme 4:8.

Ayubu 42:11.

Luka 9:13-17.

Yohana 6:58.

KISWAHILI: FISI KATENGENEZA MIGUU.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chaangalia fisi anavyojitafutia chakula. Fisi huyo, huitumia miguu yake, kwa kujitafutia chakula chake. Yeye hutafuta nyama, akizipata hufurahi. Hicho ndicho chanzo cha kusema kwamba, ‘Fisi katengeneza miguu.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huitumia miguu yake kwa kujitafutia, mahitaji yake yakiwemo yale ya chakula, maishani mwake. Mtu huyo, hutafuta kazi za kufanya na kuzipata, kwa sababu ya kujibidisha kwake. Yeye huzitekeleza vizuri kazi zake hizo, kwa sababu ya bidii yake kubwa aliyo nayo.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na Fisi yule ambaye hujitafutia nyama mpaga anazipata, kwa sababu naye, huitumia miguu yake kwa kujitafutia mali, na kufanikiwa kuzipata, maishani mwake. Yeye huwafundisha pia wenzake njia za kujitafutia vitu mpaga wanavipata. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, ‘Fisi katengeneza Miguu.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuitumia miguu yao, kwa kujibidisha kutafuta mahitaji yao yawezayo kuwasaidia katika siku za mbeleni, ili waweze kuziendeleza vizuri familia zao.

Kumbukumbu 10:18.

2 Wafalme 4:8.

Ayubu 42:11.

Luka 9:13-17.

Yohana 6:58.

ENGLISH: THE HYENA EATS BY ITS FEET.

The source of this saying is the way hyenas search for their food. These wild animals tend to use their feet effectively in searching for food. They can travel for a long distance looking for food to sustain their lives. This is why people can describe the relationship between hyenas and their ability to search food using the saying that ‘the hyena eats by its feet.’

This saying can be compared to a person who uses his/her feet for self pursuits. These pursuits may include food or any other necessity. Such a person can use a lot of efforts to make sure that he/she gets what he/she wants.

The proverb teaches people about using their feet effectively in order to get their necessities in life. This will help them to have good life and take good care of their families.

Deuteronomy 10:18. 2 Kings 4: 8. Job 42:11. Luke 9: 13-17. John 6:58.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yilolile wiyambilija bho njala ibhili ijinaguitina Inda. Abhanhu ulu bhuhaya guitina inda, bhagaitulaga halukulume, hunabhaikandikija ahalukulume ulungi.

Ulu lutiho ulukulume ulungi, ulogwiyambilija iguitina, inda yiniyo, mumho igwikala mhanga duhu. Hunagwene abhanhu abhayombaga giki, ‘Nda udibhulaga (uditina) na lwala lumo.’ Iyiniyo ili mujitabho ja ‘Kugundua mbegu za Injili,’ ijo jandikwa na Kamati ya Utafiki wa Utamaduni, Bujora. Ndanda – Peramiho, 1993, bhukurasa bho 106.

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagatumamaga nimo bho gwiyambilija chiza, umuwikaji bhobho. Abhanhu bhenabho, bhagiyambilijaga ugugutumama unimo guti  ugo gubhakuja chiza abhana bhabho. Kuyiniyo lulu, abhabhyaji bhose, na bhana ndugu, bhagalunganaga chiza ugunlela ung’wana, kunguno abhoyi bhadebhile igiki, gulinimo go gutumama kihamo ugung’winha ilange lya lwiza ung’wana ng’wunuyo, kugiki adule kukula chiza.

Idafaile ugunhekela unimo gunuyo bhabha, nulu mayu ong’wana ng’wunuyo yiyene, kunguno agubhiza wikolaga nu lwala ulumo, ulo ludadulile uguitina inda. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘Nda udibhulaga (uditina) na lwala lumo.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na wiyambilija umubhutumami bho milimo yabho, kunguno ubhutumami ubho yiyine, bhudamala nimo ntale, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwazo mingi, umukikalile kabho.

Kutoka 18:25-26.

1Wakarintho 12:12.

Wagalatia 6:2.

Matendo ya Mitume 4:32.

KISWAHILI: KIDOLE KIMOJA HAKIVUNJI CHAWA.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chaangalia kazi ya umoja wa gucha mbili katika kuvunja chawa.  Watu wakitaka kuvunja chawa, humweka juu ya dole gumba moja na kumkandamiza kwa kutumia dole gumba jingine.

Lisipokuwepo dole gumba la kusaidiana na lile jingine, chawa huyo hatavunjwa kwa kutumia kidole kimoja. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa.’ Hayo yanapatikana kwenye kitabu cha ‘Kugundua mbegu za Injili,’ kilichoandikwa na Kamati ya Utafiti wa Utamaduni, Bujora, Ndanda-Peramiho, 1993, ukurasa wa 106.

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa watu wanaofanya kazi kwa ushirikiano mzuri katika maisha yao. Watu hao, husaidiana katika kufanya kazi mbalimbali ikiwemo ile ya kumkuza mtoto vizuri. Kwa hiyo basi, wazazi wote, pamoja na wana ndugu huungana kwa pamoja katika kumlea mtoto, kwa sababu wao wanaelewa kwamba, kazi hiyo yahitaji ushirikiano wa wote katika kumpatia malezi mema mtoto huyo.

Haifai kumuachia kazi hiyo, baba au mama peke yake, kwa sababu kufanya hivyo, hufanana na kukiachia kidole kimoja kujaribu kuvunja chawa, ambacho hakiwezi. Hivyo mzazi mmoja peke yake hawezi kumkuza katika malezi mema mtoto wake. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na ushirikiano katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yao, kwa sababu kazi ya mmoja haifanyiki pakubwa, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi, maishani mwao.

Kutoka 18:25-26.

1Wakarintho 12:12.

Wagalatia 6:2.

Matendo ya Mitume 4:32.

ENGLISH: ONE FINGER DOES NOT BREAK A LICE.

The source of this proverb is the unity of two thumbs in breaking a lice. If one wants to break a lice he/she needs to place it in between the two thumbs and crush it to death. The absence of one thumb will make the other not to function accordingly. This is why people say ‘one finger does not break a lice’ to mean the unity in achieveing something. This proverb is also documented in a book, Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, translated as ‘Discovering the Gospel Seeds’ compiled by the Cultural Research Committee, Bujora, Ndanda-Peramiho, 1993, page 106.

This proverb can be compared to people who work in harmony in their lives. These people help each other to perform various tasks, including taking care of their children. If parents work together in taking care of their children there is a greater possibility of having a well nurtured family that abides by societal norms and failure to do so, there is a possibility of having a poorly nurtured society that does not follow norms and moral values of a given society. Therefore, parenting requires good cooperation between mother and father of children. Fathers have to play their parts accordingly so do mothers. Shouldering responsibilities to only one person means leaving one finger to break the lice, something which does not help to defeat the enemy.

This proverb teaches people about being cooperative in the execution of their duties. Cooperation can make people have achievements in life.

          Exodus 18: 25-26. 1Corinthians 12:12. Galatians 6: 2. Acts 4:32.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yilolile bhutumami bho mazwi umugunlela ung’wana. Ulu munhu uhaha gumlela chiza ung’wana okwe, adadulile ugumukija halizwi limo, kunguno agugwa hasi wiminya, ulu wita chiniko.

Gashinaga lulu, umunhu ng’wunuyo agunlela ung’wana okwe bho gumukija hamazwi abhili, kugiki adizugwa hasi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘izwi limo lidalelaga ng’wana.’ Iyiniyo ili mujitabho cha ‘Kugundua mbegu za Injili,’ ijo jandikwa na Kamati ya Utafiki wa Utamaduni, Bujora. Ndanda – Peramiho, 1993, bhukurasa bho 106.

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kwikanza ilo ginhu jibhili jilidakiwa gutumama nimo kihamo, guti bhananzengo, bhabhyaji pye abhose, na bhana ndugu, ijinagwiyambilija ugunlela ung’wana. Gulinimo go bhabhyaji pye abhose na bhana ndugu kihamo na bhananzengo ugwiyambilija ugung’winha ilange lya lwiza ung’wana ng’wunuyo, kugiki adule kukula chiza.

Idafaile ugunhekela unimo gunuyo bhabha, nulu mayu ong’wana ng’wunuyo yiyene, kunguno agubhiza wikolaga ni lizwi ilimo ilo idadulile ugunlela ung’wana ng’wunuyo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘izwi limo lidalelaga ng’wana.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na wiyambilija bho bhana nzengo, bhabhyaji pye abhose, na bhana ndugu, umugunlela ung’wana, kugiki adule gukula ni lange lya wiza, umukikalile kakwe.

Kutoka 18:25-26.

1Wakarintho 12:12.

Wagalatia 6:2.

Matendo ya Mitume 4:32.

KISWAHILI: GOTI MOJA HALIMLEI MTOTO.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chaangalia kazi ya magoti katika kumlea mtoto. Mtu akitaka kumlea vyema mtoto wake hawezi kumbebea kwenye goti moja, kwa sababu ataanguka na kuumia akifanya hivyo.

Kumbe basi, mtu huyo atamlea mtoto wake huyo, kwa kumbebea kwenye magoti mawili, ili asije akaanguka. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘goti moja halimlei mtoto.’ Hayo yanapatikana kwenye kitabu cha ‘Kugundua mbegu za Injili,’ kilichoandikwa na Kamati ya Utafiti wa Utamaduni, Bujora, Ndanda-Peramiho, 1993, ukurasa wa 106.

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwenye wakati ule ambao vitu viwili vinahitajika kutumika pamoja, kama vile wana kijiji, wazazi wote, na wana ndugu wanavyohitajika kusaidiana katika kumlea mtoto. Kazi hiyo, ni ya wazazi wote, na wana ndugu wakishirikiana na wana kijiji, katika kuifanikisha kazi hiyo ya kumlea vizuri mtoto, ili aweze kukua katika malezi mema.

Haifai kumuachia kazi hiyo, baba au mama peke yake, kwa sababu kufanya hivyo, hufanana na goti moja kumlea mtoto, ambalo haliwezi kumkuza katika malezi mema mtoto huyo. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘goti moja haliwezi kumlea mtoto.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na ushirikiano wa wana kijiji, na wazazi wote, pamoja na wana ndugu, katika kumlea mtoto, ili aweze kukua katika maadili mema, maishani mwake.

Kutoka 18:25-26.

1Wakarintho 12:12.

Wagalatia 6:2.

Matendo ya Mitume 4:32.

ENGLISH: ONE KNEE DOES NOT BRING UP A CHILD.

ENGLISH: ONE KNEE DOES NOT BRING UP A CHILD.

The basis of the above proverb looks at the knee’s function in raising a child. If someone wants to nurture a child well he/she cannot carry him/her by using one knee, because such child will fall and get hurt while doing so.

Nevertheless, such person shall nourish the baby, by using both knees, in carrying him/her.  That is why people say, ‘one knee does not bring up a child.’

These ideas are found in the book ‘Kugundua mbegu za Injili’, which means ‘Discovering the Gospel Seeds,’ that was written by the Cultural Research Committee, Bujora, Ndanda-Peramiho, 1993, page 106.

This proverb is compared to the time when two things are needed to be used together, such as having a village of all parents, and siblings needed for assisting in raising a child. The job is for all parents. They have to unite with their brothers and sisters in partnership with the village, in accomplishing the task of raising the child properly, so that he/she can grow up in a good atmosphere.

It is not appropriate to leave the job to the father or mother alone, because doing so is like using a single knee to raise a child, which cannot raise the child in the best care. That’s why people say, ‘one knee does not bring up a child.’

Such a proverb is likened to the one who is taught by many people in a given society. These people help each other in giving him/her good teachings for living peacefully with others. Hence the above proverb teaches people on having an ability to live well with people in families.

Those people who apply such proverb into their lives help each other in raising children by teaching them good values and habits. They do so to all children in their villages. Each one becomes a good teacher to the children of others.

Therefore, this proverb teaches people about the co-operation of village children, and all parents, as well as siblings, in raising a child, so that he/she can grow with good morals in life.

Exodus 18: 25-26. 1Corinthians 12:12. Galatians 6: 2. Acts 4:32.