Sukuma Proverbs

657. NATIZILE GUBHEJA LINA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yingilile kubhubheja bho lina. Ubhubheja bho lina bhenabho, bhuli bhogutumama milimo iyo  yiliyawiza aha kaya. Gashinaga lulu, uyo alemile ugutumama imilimo uyawiza yiniyo, agaikolanijaga na bhubheja bho lina duhu, kunguno uweyi alingokolo uguitumama imilimo iyo idulile guibheja chiza, ikaya yakwe. Hunagwene umunhu ng’wunuyo, agayombaga giki, ‘natizile gubheja lina.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alingokolo ugumama imilimo guti iyagulima, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, atogilwe gwigasha hakaya bho nduhu nimo gosegose, kunguno ya bhugokolo bhokwe. Uweyi adulile nulu gulikolola iligembe lyakwe, kunguno ya kuchola wasa bho gwifula, kugiki ulu bhalitumama abhiye, uweyi 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 bhagigulambijaga uguitumama chiza imilimo yabho.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo ayilemile imilimo iya wiza, kunguno nuweyi alemile uguitumama imilimo yakwe, iyo idulile gung’wingija amakoye, umuwikaji bhokwe. Abhanhu abho bhandebhile igiki alingokolo ugulima, bhagankomelejaga gutumama milimo chiza.  Aliyo uweyi agalemaga bho guyomba giki, ‘natizile gubheja lina.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gwigulambija gutumama milimo, umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi agagujibheja chiza ikaya jabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Luka 11:46.

Mathayo 23:3-4.

Yohana 4:38.

KISWAHILI: SIKUJA KUTENGENEJA JINA.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chatokea kwenye utengenezaji wa jina. Utengenezaji huo, ni wa kuutumia muda katika kuufanyia kazi njema. Kumbe basi, yule asiyetaka kuzifanya kazi hizo njema, huzifananisha kazi hizo kama utengenezaji jina tu, kwa sababu ya uvivu wake wa kuzitekeleza kazi zile ziwezazo kuiendeleza vizuri familia yake. Ndiyo maana mtu huyo, hukataa kufanya kazi kwa kusema kwamba, ‘sikuja kutengeneza jina.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni mvivu wa kuyatekeleza majukumu yale yawezayo kuijenga vizuri familia yake, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hupenda kukaa nyumbani bila kufanya kazi yoyote, kwa sababu ya uvivu wake wa kufanya kazi. Yeye hujisingizia kama anatengeneja jembe wakati wa kufanya kazi ya kulima, kumbe anatafuta muda wa kupumzika. Pia aweza hata kulilegeza jembe lake, ili apate muda wa kupumzika wakati analitengeneza jembe lake hilo, maishani mwake.

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, maishani mwao.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule asiyetaka kufanya kazi, kwa sababu naye ni mvivu katika kufanya kazi, maishani mwake. Watu wanaoifahamu tabia yake hiyo ya uvivu, humuonya ili aweze kuiyacha tabia hiyo. Lakini yeye hukataa kwa kusema kwamba, ‘sikuja kutengeneza jina.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kujibidisha kuyatekeleza majukumu yao vizuri, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi yanayotosha kuziendeleza vizuri familia zao, maishani mwao.

Luka 11:46.

Mathayo 23:3-4.

Yohana 4:38.

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women2

women3

ENGLISH: I DID NOT COME TO MAKE A NAME.

The source of this saying is a person who would like to be known because of his/her own abilities in doing something. This person will have to spend much of the time doing what he/she thinks at the end of the day will make his/her name. On the contrary, lazy people can ridule those hard working people by telling them that they didn’t come to make a name. Such lazy people can do whatever they think can make them not spend much energy in doing their works.

This saying can be likened to a lazy person who avoids his/her family responsibilities. Such a person can just stay home without working and, at the end of the day, he/she suffers for not having food to sustain his/her family. People of this nature can have several tricks of avoiding work. They can deliberately sit down and beginning nursing a child while his/her fellows go on with working, they can also losen the handle of the hoe deliberately in order to rest, and so many other means of justifying their restiness. When these lazy people are asked as to why they do so the simple answer can be ‘I didn’t come to make a name.’

The proverb teaches people to work hard in order to fulfill their responsibilities. In so doing they will be able to supply their families with needs and at the right time.

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

656. MEJA WIGEMBE ATI NIMI.

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.

plow ethiopian

nimi2

farmers nimi

 

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.

655. MBITI YAB`EJA MAGULU.

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.

hyena1

hyena2

hyena3

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.

653. BHUBHEJA WA NO BHUGATWALA NOMO IPANDE.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yilolile bhubheja ubho bhugabhipya nomo bho guguchala lwande. Ubhubheja bhunubho, bhulibhogujishogela ugujibheja iginhu ijo jamalaga gubhela. Umeja o ginhu ijojabhelaga, agajibhipyaga nose, kunguno ya gumana ujishokela ugujibheja. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘bhubheja wa no bhugatwala nomo ipande.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agaikenagulaga imilimo imisoga, kunguno ya gwitula bhumani bho sagala, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ung’wunuyo, agamanaga uibhegeleja imilimo iyo yamalaga gubhela, guti nu meja o nomo uyo agagutwala lwande, kunguno ya bhudonho bhokwe. Uweyi agamanaga unoneleja guti gutwila munhu ng’wikubhi nose gulula amakubhi genayo.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agaikenagulaga imilimo yakwe ni ya bhiye kulo wituji bho bhumani bhokwe. Abhiye bhaganhugulaga giki, aleke ugujibheja iginhu ijo jamalaga gubhela. Hunagwene bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘bhubheja wa no bhugatwala nomo ipande.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka gwitula bhumani bho  guitumama imilimo iyo yabhelaga, kugiki bhadizuyikenagula, umuwikaji bhobho, kunguno, ubhumani ulu bhubhitila, ingelelo yaho, bhuli bhukenaguji.

Mwanzo 11:4.

Mathayo 23:5.

Mathayo 6:16.

1 Wathesalonike 3:10.

Tito 1:5.

Waebrania 3:4.

1 Petro 5:10.

Mithali 16:18.

Mhubiri 29:23.

Luka 6:24.

KISWAHILI: UTENGENEZAJI WA MUDA MREFU ULIPELEKA MDOMO UPANDE.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chaangalia utengenezaji wa kitu kilichochisha kutengenezwa, ambao ulipeleka mdomo upande. Utengenezaji huo, ni wa kutumia muda mrefu katika kukirudia kukitengeneza kitu ambacho matokeo yake ni kukipeleka kitu hicho upande. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘utengenezaji wa muda mrefu ulipeleka mdomo upande.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huziharibu kazi zilizoisha kutekelezwa kwa sababu ya kujidai kujua kwake kwa hovyo, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huendelea kuzirudia kazi zilizoisha kutekelezwa, kama yule mtengenezaji wa mdomo aliyeupeleka upande. Yeye huendelea kuzinogesha kazi hizo zilizoisha, matokea yake huziharibu.

Mtu huyo, huziharibu kazi zilizoisha kutekelezwa kwa sababu ya kujidai kwake kujua kuliko wenzake. Wenzake humuonya ili aache kurudia kutengeneza vilevilivyoisha kutengenezwa. Ndiyo maana wenzake hao humwambia kwamba, ‘utengenezaji wa muda mrefu ulipeleka mdomo upande.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha kujidai kujua kwa kurudia kufanya kazi zilizoisha kutengenezwa, ili wasije wakaziharibu kazi hizo, maishani mwao, kwa sababu ufundi ukizidi, matokeo yake ni kuharibu.

Mwanzo 11:4.

Mathayo 23:5.

Mathayo 6:16.

1 Wathesalonike 3:10.

Tito 1:5.

Waebrania 3:4.

1 Petro 5:10.

Mithali 16:18.

Mhubiri 29:23.

Luka 6:24.

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ghana-farmers

bhubheja1

ENGLISH: TOO MUCH MAINTANANCE LED TO DESTRUCTION.

The source of this proverb is maintenance of something which is already in its complete stage. That maintanace can take too long in such a way that, instead of making it appear more attractive, it destructs it. This is why people can describe such a scenario using a proverb that ‘too much maintenance led to destruction.’

The proverb can be compared to a person who destroys the work he/she has finished doing it just because of spending much time re-doing it. This person can keep on repeating doing the same job, which finally destructs the former appearance of the job he/she was doing. People of this nature tend to underrate their works when done once. They would think that doing something more than once will lead to perfection but the reality on the ground is that sometimes it can lead to destruction of that particular work.

This proverb teaches people to stop pretending to know how to do works repetitively. Doing the same work more than once can lead to destruction. Therefore, people should avoid multiple maintenance of their works in order to avoid destructing them.

Genesis 11: 4. Matthew 23: 5. Matthew 6:16. 1 Thessalonians 3:10. Titus 1: 5. Hebrews 3: 4.

652. NDA UDIBHULAGA (UDITINA) BHO LWALA LUMO.

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.

baboon nguku na ng'wana

kaya ya ethiopia

bhalimi1

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.