Sukuma Proverbs

471. LIMI LYAFUNGA BHACHILU.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yilolile limi na bhuchilu bho bhanhu. Ubhuchilu bhunubho, bhugabhizaga bho likanza lya limi. Ulu lyusalalila ilimi linilo, abhanhu bhagoyaga nulu guitumama imilimo yabho, kunguno ya kuduma ugubhona chiza. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘limi lyafunga bhachilu.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu, uyo alintumami gete o milimo. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agaitumamaga imilimo yiniyo, bho bhukamu bhutale, gwingila aho ligafumilaga ilimi, mpaga aho ligagwilaga.

Uweyi agalenganijiyagwa na munhu uyo alimchilu, uyo agafungagwa limi, kunguno nang’hwe, agatumamaga milimo, mpaga, agafungagwa limi duhu. Uweyi agatumamaga milimo mpaga oya ugulibhona ilimi, huna ogodoka, ukumilimo yiniyo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘limi lyafunga bhachilu.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza bhakamu bha gutumama milimo, kugiki bhadule gubhiza na matwajo mingi, ayo gadulile gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Yahane 9:4.

Mathayo 11:12.

Joshua 10:12-15.

KISWAHILI:JUA LILIAMUA WAKALI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chaangalia ukali wa watu. Ukali huo huwa unakuwepo wakati wa mchana, jua likiwepo. Jua hilo likizama, watu huacha hata kufanya kazi zao, kwa sababu ya kushindwa kuona vizuri. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘jua liliamua wakali.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule, ambaye ni mchapa kazi kweli. Mtu huyo hufanya kazi zake hizo, kwa bidii kubwa, yaani huanzia wakati wa mawio ya jua, hadi machweo yake.

Yeye hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye, ni mkali aliyeamliwa na jua, kwa sababu naye, hufanya kazi kwa bidii kubwa, kuanzia asubuhi, mpaka jioni, anapoamuliwa na jua. Mtu huyo, hufanya kazi mpaga anaacha kuliona jua, ndipo anaondoka kazini kwake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, ‘jua liliamua wakali.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na bidii ya kufanya kazi, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi, yawezayo kuziendeleza vizuri, familia zao, maishani mwao.

Yahane 9:4.

Mathayo 11:12.

Joshua 10:12-15.

woman-nimi

ENGLISH: THE SUN DECIDED ON THE FURIOUS ONES.

The source of this proverb is the zeal of people. People can always show zeal during day time. When the sun goes down, people stop even doing their jobs, because they can’t see properly. That is why people can say ‘the sun decided on the furious ones.’

The proverb can be compared to a person, for example, an artist who performs his/her duties with great diligence, that is, from sunrise to sunset. Such a person, in his/her work, the sun determines his/her ability and to describe such a person one can use the proverb that ‘the sun decided on the furious one.’

This proverb teaches people to work hard so that they can achieve many successes. Those successes can help to better off their lives and for the better future.

John 9: 4.

Matthew 11:12.

Joshua 10: 12-15.

470. ULAFUNDA LUGE LWA NGOKO.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yilolile luge lo ngoko, ulo luli ludoo gete. Aliyo kihamo nu bhudoo bhunubho, umunhu adulile gubhiza na ginhu jitale, ubhiza adinalo uluge lunulo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ulafunda luge lwa ngoko.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alinsabhi, aliyo agagayiyagwa ginhu jidoo noyi, guti nu luge lo ngoko lunulo. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, nulu agabhiza nsabhi ntale naginehe, jigwigela duhu ijikolo ijo agubhiza adinajo, ahakaya yakwe, nulu jidoo.

Ijikolo ijo alijigayiwa aha ng’wakwe henaho, hijo jikolile na luge lunulo, ulo ngoko. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘ulafunda luge lwa ngoko.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na widohya bho gudula gubhambilija gwikala kihamo, abhasabhi na bhahabhi, kugiki bhuli ng’wene adule kupandika gufumila kuli ng’wiye ijo adinajo, umuwikaji bhobho.

Yakobo 1:9-15.

Yakobo 2:5-7.

Ufunuo 3:17.

KISWAHILI: UTAKOSA MSHIPA WA KUKU

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chaangalia mshipa wa kuku, ambao ni mdogo kabisa. Lakini pamoja na udogo wa mshipa huo, mtu aweza kuwa na vitu vikubwa, akawa hana mshipa huo. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘utakosa mshipa wa kuku.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni tajiri, lakini hukosa kitu kidogo sana, kama mshipa huo wa kuku. Mtu huyo, hata awe tajiri mkubwa kiasi gani, kitakuwepo tu, kitu kile ambacho hatakuwa na nacho, katika familia yake.

Kitu hicho, akikosacho kwakwe mtu huyo, ndicho hicho kifananacho na mshipa ule wa kuku. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, ‘utakosa mshipa wa kuku.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na unyenyekevu wa kuwawezesha matajiri na maskini, kuishi pamoja, ili kile anachokikosa mmoja wao, aweze kukipata kutoka kwa mwenzake, maishani mwao.

Yakobo 1:9-15.

Yakobo 2:5-7.

Ufunuo 3:17.

chicken-

ENGLISH: YOU WILL FAIL TO HAVE A CHICKEN VEIN.

The source of the saying is the vein of a chicken. This vein is considered to be very small in size. Despite its small size it has its own importance for the survival of the chicken. One can have a lot of properties but fail to have a very small item which is very essential in his/her life. This is why people can tell such a person that ‘you will fail to have a chicken vein’ to communicate the message that human beings cannot easily have self-sufficiency in life.

The saying can be compared to a rich man who claims to be self-sufficient in terms of possession of properties but, in actual fact, he may be missing some small items which are more important in his life.

This saying teaches people about humility by advicing rich individuals not to despite their poor counterpart rather consider them as fellow individuals who might be having some abilities that are not found in the rich fellows. Humility can enable them have peace and love.

James 1: 9-15.

James 2: 5-7.

Revelation 3:17.

469. NTUNGA JILEMEJIJE AGATUNGAGA WIMILILE.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yilolile bhutungi bho ginhu, ijo jilemejiwe ugutumamilwa. Untungi o ginhu jinijo, agatungaga ukunu wimilile, kugiki adule gupela wangu, ulu bhumhona abhanikili, nulu abho bhajilemejije. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ntunga jilemejije agatungaga wimilile.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu, uyo atogilwe gwita mihayo ya bhubhi, umukalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agiitaga iyo iliyabhubhi yiniyo, ukunu wimilile shangu na gupela, kunguno igabhizaga ilemejiwe imihayo yiniyo.

Uweyi agalenganijiyagwa nu ntunga jilemejije, kunguno nang’hwe agiitaga imihayo iyo ilemejije iyabhubhi yiniyo, ukunu alibihi na kupela, ulu bhumhona abho bhayilemejije. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga umunhu ng’wunuyo giki, ‘ntunga jilemejije agatungaga wimilile.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka gwita ya bhubhi, kugiki bhadule gujidimila chiza isheria jabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Mwanzo 4:8-9.

Mathayo 27:3-4.

KISWAHILI: MFUNGAJI WA KILICHOKATAZWA HUFUNGA AKIWA AMESIMAMA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chaangalia ufungaji wa kitu kilichokatazwa kutumiwa. Umfungaji wa kitu hicho, hufunga huku akiwa amesimama, ili aweze kukimbia kwa haraka, wakimuona wale waliokikataza kutumiwa. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘mfungaji wa kilichotazwa hufunga akiwa amesimama.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule apendaye kufanya maovu katika mwenendo wake. Mtu huyo, huyafanya maovu hayo huku akiwa amesimama tayari kwa kukimbia, kwa sababu anafahamu kwamba hayo, yamekatazwa katika jamii.

Yeye hulinganishwa na mfungaji wa kitu kilichokatazwa, afungaye huku akiwa amesimama, kwa sababu, naye huyafanya maovu hayo, kwa kuibia akiwa tayari kukimbia wakati wowote, wakimuona wale wahusikao na sheria ikatazayo maovu hayo. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, ‘mfungaji wa kilichotazwa hufunga akiwa amesimama.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia za kufanya maovu katika jamii, ili waweze kuishi kwa kufuata sheria za maeneo yao, katika maisha yao.

Mwanzo 4:8-9.

Mathayo 27:3-4.

fishing

angry women

ENGLISH: HE WHO FASTENS WHAT IS FORBIDDEN WILL DO IT WHILE STANDING.

The source of this proverb is someone who fastens something in the environment where doing such a fastening activity is forbidden. Such a person is likely to fasten it while standing for fear of being caught by those who forbade the doing of the activity of fastening. This is why people can describe this scenario using the proverb that ‘he who fastens what is forbidden will do it while standing.’

The proverb can be likened to a man who loves to do evils in his life. This person can be doing those evils with a lot of attention because he knows that he can be caught any time therefore he has to be ready to run fast to free himself from being beaten.

The proverb teaches people about giving up bad habits in the society. This will enable them to have a better society where people love each other.

Genesis 4: 8-9.

Matthew 27: 3-4.

468. NJILE NJILE IAGALAJA MZILA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yingilile kuli munhu uyo oli mulugendo, lo guja halebhe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, ulu oduma ugushiga uko ajile olalijaga habhaduguye. Uweyi agahayiyagwa giki, olalaga mzila. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘njile njile igalaja mzila.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu, uyo agabhuchaga nimo ogudilila bho gugutumama chiza, mpaga ogushisha aha nhalikilo yago.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikalaga na bhanhu bha wiza, abho bhadulile ugung’wambilija ijinagugumala chiza unimo gokwe gunuyo. Uweyi agitaga bhukengeji bho gubhadebha abhanhu, abho bhalibhawiza, umuwikaji bhobho.

Uweyi, agalenganijiyagwa na munhu, uyo olimulugendo uyo agalalija habhaduguye, uhayiwa giki, olalijaga munzila, kunguno nang’hwe agikalaga na bhanhu abho bhadulile ugung’wambilija ijinagugumala chiza unimo gokwe gunuyo. Abhanhu bhenabho, ha bhaduguye nang’hwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘njile njile igalaja mzila.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuitumama chiza imilimo yabho, mpaka bhayimale, bho guhoya na bhanhu bhiza, abho bhadulile ugubhambilija ijinaguyimala chiza, imilimo yabho yiniyo.

Mathayo 21:28- 31.

KISWAHILI: NAENDA NAENDA ILIMLAZA NJIANI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chatokea kwa mtu yule, ambaye alikuwa na safari yake ya kwenda sehemu fulani. Mtu huyo, alishindwa kufika kule aendako, akaamua kulala kwa ndugu zake, waliomo njiani. Hali hiyo, watu huisema kwamba, amelala njiani. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘naenda naenda ilimlaza njiani.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule, ambaye huianza kazi yake na kuifuatilia vizuri, kwa kuyitekeleza mpaka kuifikisha kwenye mwisho wake.

Mtu huyo huishi na watu wale wawezao kumsaidia katika kulifikia lengo la kuimaliza vizuri kazi yake hiyo. Yeye hufanya utafiti wa kuwaelewa watu wale wenye nia njema, iwezayo kumsaidia katika kulifikia lengo la kazi yake.

Mtu huyo, hulinganishwa na mtu yule aliyekuwa safarini, akalala kwa ndugu zake, waliomo njiani, kwa sababu naye, huishi na watu wenye nia njema ya kuweza kumsaidia katika kuimaliza vizuri kazi yake hiyo. Watu hao, ndio ndugu zake mtu huyo, waliomo njiani mwa kulifikia lengo la kuimaliza vizuri kazi yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, ‘naenda naenda ilimlaza njiani.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuyatimiza malengo ya kazi zao, mpaka mwisho, kwa kuongea na watu wale wawezao kuwasaidia katika kuyafikia vizuri, malengo ya kazi zao hizo,

Mathayo 21:28- 31.

africa-nimi o tanzania

ENGLISH: TOO MUCH PROMISE TO LEAVE MADE ONE SLEEP ON THE WAY.

The source of the proverb came from the man who was travelling to somewhere far from home. He kept on promising to leave but finally he delayed his departure and ended up not reaching his destination. He had to sleep on the way. This is why people can describe this scenario using the proverb that ‘too much promise to leave made one sleep on the way.’

The proverb can be compared to a man who begins his work and pursues it well by carrying it out to the end. This person can live with other people who can help him reach his goal. Those people can help him conduct research in order to understand the ways he can use to reach his desired destination. Those people, whom this person reaches them on the way, are well-to-do individuals who are knowledgeable enough in helping him to complete his mission.

The proverb teaches people about accomplishing their career goals to the end, by talking to people who can help them achieve their goals.

Matthew 21: 28-31.

467. NJA NA SUNGE AGASHOKAGA NI TONO LYAKWE.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo, yingilile kuli munhu uyo agagenihaga bhanhu, ukunu obhuchaga nidebe lya bhufu. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agabhulagilagwa ng’ombe ni kaya iyo wigenihaga.

Ulu uhaya gushoka kaya, aginhagwa nyama ya ng’ombe, iyo igakomelgwa mpaga yuma. Iyiniyo hiyo agajaga nayo kaya, pye ni likunza nalyo agachalaga kukaya yakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘nja na sunge agashokaga ni tono lyakwe.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu, uyo adebhile ugubhagunana abhiye bho gubhinha, ijo alinajo. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, alinabhutogwa bho ng’wang’hana ukubhiye, ubho bhugang’wambilijaga ugubhinha na bhiye ijo alinajo.

Abhanhu abho agabhinhaga ginhu, nabho bhagang’winhaga ginhu jitale gulebha nijo ofunyaga uwei. Agalenganijiyagwa nu ngeni uyo agagenihaga na sunge ya bhufu, ogashoga na nyama ya ng’ombe, kunguno nang’hwe agapandikaga jikolo, ijo aginhiyagwa na bhanhu abho agabhambilijaga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘nja na sunge agashokaga ni tono lyakwe.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhachalila ginhu josejose, abhanhu abho bhalibhageniha, na gubhagalila chiza, abhageni bhabho, kugiki bhadule guchala josejose, ukukaya jabho, ulubhashokile.

Mathayo 2:10-11.

Isaya 9:27.

KISWAHILI: APELEKAYE ZAWADI HURUDI NA ZAWADI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chatokea kwa mtu yule, ambaye huanza safari ya kutembelea watu huku amebeba debe la unga. Mtu huyo, huchinjiwa ng’ombe na familia ile aliyoitembelea.

Akitaka kurudi nyumbani kwake, hupewa nyama ya ng’ombe iliyokaushwa, pamoja na ngozi yake, ambazo huzipeleka nyumbani kwake kama zawadi. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘apelekaye zawadi hurudi na zawadi.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule, ambaye anafahamu kuwasaidia wenzake kwa kutumia kile alicho nacho. Mtu huyo, anaupendo wa kweli kwa wenzake, ambao humsaidia katika kuwapatia wenzake hao, kile alichonacho.

Watu nao, humpatia vitu mbalimbali kama zawadi, kwa upendo wake wa kuwaletea zawadi zake. Yeye hulinganishwa na mgeni yule aliyepeleka zawadi kwa wale aliowatembelea, nao wakampatia nyama ya ng’ombe kama zawadi, kwa sababu naye, hupata zawadi mbalimbali kutoka kwa watu anaowasaidia, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘apelekaye zawadi hurudi na zawadi.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwapelekea zawadi wale wanaowatembelea, na kuwapokea kwa ukarimu wageni wao, ili watakaporudi kwenda kwao, wawe na zawadi za kupeleka nyumbani kwao.

Mathayo 2:10-11.

Isaya 9:27.

working woman

ENGLISH: HE WHO GOES WITH PRESENT RETURNS WITH PRESENT.

The source of this proverb comes from a person who used to visit her relatives with a container of maize flour as her present to her host. A cow may be slaughtered for for such a person. When she wants to return home, her host finds herself obliged to give her visitor some presents that can be dried beef along with the cow’s hide to take back home. This is where the source of this proverb that ‘he who goes with present returns with present.’

The proverb can be compared to a person who knows how to help his/her friends in needy times. Such a person, by helping others, he/she is investing for his/her own future because he/she is likely to be helped when he/she needs it.

This proverb teaches people to value each other. When one pays visit he/she has to carry something as present to his/her host. In so doing, the host, in return, can do the same to him/her. This will help to strengthen friendship and togetherness.

Matthew 2: 10-11.

Isaiah 9:27.