Sukuma Proverbs

428. INZAGAMBA ULU YUPYENWA IGAZONGAGA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kubhuzongu bho nzagamba iyo yapyenagwa. Inzagamba, igabhizaga nhyangamumku ulu itemile ung’widale.

Aliyo lulu, ulu yupyenwa niyagamba lingi, igazongaga noyi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘inzagamba ulu yupyenwa igazongaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo olintongeji o bhanhu, aho atali ugupejiwa. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agakindwa na ng’wiye abho wiza ubhuchaji, ukija uguchagulwa. Agingila ungi umunimo gokwe gunuyo.

Kuyiniyo lulu, uweyi nanghwe agazongaga guti ni nzagamba iyo yapyenwa yiniyo. Agamalaga ulubhango umuwikaji bhokwe, kunguno hamo obhitilaga yabhubhi abhanhu abho obhatongelaga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘‘inzagamba ulu yupyenwa igazongaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhitila yawiza abhanhu abho bhalibhatongela, kugiki nulu bhaginga umubhotongeji, bhadule gwikala bho bhuyeji na bhanhu abho bhabhatongelaga.

Luka 15:13-16.

Daniel 4:30-33.

KISWAHILI: FAHARI AKISHINDWA NA FAHARI NG’WINGINE HUSONONEKA.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye kusononeka kwa fahari aliyeshindwa na fahari mwenzake kwenye kundi. Lakini basi, akizidiwa na fahari mwenzake, husononeka sana. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘fahari akishindwa na fahari mwingine husononeka.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye alikuwa kiongozi kablya hajafukuzwa. Mtu huyo alishindwa na mwenzake kwenye uchaguzi akaingia mwingine kwenye nafari yake.

Kwa hiyo basi, yeye naye husononeka kama yule fahari aliyeshindwa. Fahari huyo hukosa Baraka au furaha maishani mwake, kwa sababu pengine aliwatendea mabaya wenzake alipokuwa kiongozi. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘fahari akishindwa na fahari mwingine husononeka.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwatendea mema watu wanaowaongoza, ili wakiacha kazi hiyo ya uonngozi, waweze kuishi kwa furaha na watu waliowaongaza.

Luka 15:13-16.

Daniel 4:30-33.

bull

cattle1

 

ENGLISH: A DEFEATED BULL BECOMES SAD.

The source of the above proverb is derived from a failed and frustration bull. When the bull is defeated by its fellow, it becomes very depressed. That is why people can say ‘a defeated bull becomes sad’ to communicate the sad feelings the bull can feel for being defeated in the challenge.

The proverb can be compared to a person who was a leader before before being dismissed. Such a person was taken out of power through ballot and his/her position was replaced by someone else.  The defeated leader will always feel uncomfortable to go back to the people he/she used to lead when in power.

The proverb teaches people to respect others, especially in leadership. They have to respect their subordinates so that when they come out of power they can be well accepted in the society.

Luke 15: 13-16.

Daniel 4: 30-33.

427. GWAGULA GO NG’WANA BHUYEGI BHO BHABYAJI.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yilolile bhuyegi bho bhabyaji, kunguno ya gwandya gwagula go ng’wana obho. Abhabyaji bhenabho ulu bhumona ng’wana obho alikula chiza, bho gwandya gwigasha, na gwagula bho weyi bhung’wene, bhagayegaga noyi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘gwagula go ng’wana bhuyegi bho bhabyaji.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhanhela chiza ung’wana obho, mpaga ubheja kaya yakwe, na gwandya gubhambilija.

Abhabyaji bhenabho bhagabhalangaga abhana bhabho higulya ya gutumama milimo yabho, kubhukamu bhatale, na gwikala chiza na bhanhu.

Ugwagula go ng’wana ng’wunuyo, yikolile nu gubhiza na bhukamu bho gutumama milimo yiniyo na gubhalanghana chiza abhabyaji bhakwe, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘gwagula go ng’wana bhuyegi bho bhabyaji.’

Ulusumo lunuyo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhalela chiza abhana bhabho, kugiki, bhadule gubhiza na bhukamu bho gutumama milimo na gwikala chiza, na bhichabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Marko 10:13-16.

KISWAHILI: KUTAMBAA KWA MTOTO FURAHA YA WAZAZI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia furaha ya wazazi, kwa sababu ya kuanza kutambaa kwa mtoto wao. Wazazi hao wakimuona mtoto wao anakua vizuri kwa kuanza kukaa na kutambaa yeye mwenyewe, hufurahi sana. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘kutambaa kwa mtoto furaha ya wazazi.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu ambao wamemlea vizuri mtoto wao, mpaka akatengeneza mji wake, na kuanza kuwatunza wao wenyewe. Wazazi hao huwalea vizuri watoto wao kwa kuwafundisha kufanya kazi zao, kwa bidii kubwa, na kuishi vizuri na watu.

Kutambaa kwa mtoto kwafanana na kuwa na bidii ya kufanya kazi hizo, na kuwatunza wazazi wake, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘kutambaa kwa mtoto furaha ya wazazi.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwalea vizuri watu wao, ili waweze kuwa na bidii ya kufanya kazi, na kuishi vizuri na wenzao, maishani mwao.

Marko 10:13-16.

baby african

baby2

 

ENGLISH: THE CRAWLING OF THE BABY IS THE JOY OF THE PARENTS.

The source of the above proverb looks at the parents’ happiness when their child begins to craw. When parents see their child grows up they become happy. That is why people can say ‘the crawling of the baby is the joy of the parents’ to communicate the degree at which parents feel when their children grow healthly.

The proverb can be compared to people who raise well their children. It is expected that those children are, in return, likely to save their parents by taking care of them. Therefore, parents need to nurture well their children by encouraging them to build the spirit of working hard in order to be in a position to take care of their parents when they are old enough to save themselves.

The proverb teaches people about how to properly care for their people. Parents have to take care of their children in a properly manner in order to bring about a well nurtured society that abides by moral ethics of the given society.

Mark 10: 13-16.

423. UBHEBHE ULIKALEMEJI.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kubhulemeji bho ng’wa munhu nebhe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo ulu utung’wa guja gujutumama nimo nebhe, agalemaga.

Uweyi adahamagwa na bhiye umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘ubhebhe ulikalemeji.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo obhalemela abhabyaji bhakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo adabhigwaga abhabyaji bhakwe bhenabho, ulu bhang’wila mhayo nebhe. Ulu bhanhugula higulya ya guleka ginhu jilebhe, uweyi agalemaga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘ubhebhe ulikalemeji.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kubhakuja bhabyaji bhao, kugiki bhadule gupandika wikaji bho shigu ningi ukuwelelo, na bhuyeji bhutale ung’wigulu.

Mithali 19:13.

KISWAHILI: WEWE NI YULE ALIYESHINDIKANA.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye hali ya kushindikana kwa mtu fulani. Mtu huyo akitumwa kwenda kufanya kazi fulani hukataa.

Yeye hukataa kuonywa na wenzake maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, ‘wewe ni yule aliyeshindikana.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ameshindikana kwa wazazi wake. Mtu huyo hawasikilizi wazazi wake, wakimwambia kufanya kitu fulani. Wakimuonya juu ya kuacha kufanya jambo fulani, yeye hukataa. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, ‘wewe ni yule aliyeshindikana.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwaheshimu wazazi wao, ili waweze kuishi siku nyingi hapa duniani, na heri Mbinguni.

Mithali 19:13.

lady

kids3

 

ENGLISH: YOU ARE A FAILED PERSON.

The source of this saying is someone’s failure to achieve his/her expectations in life. That person tends to refuse doing something when asked to do so. Due to his/her behaviour of disobeying his/her elders he/she can be warned by the saying that ‘you’re a failed person.’

This saying can be compared to a person who refuses to obey the teachings of his/her parents. Such a person does not listern to his/her parents who tell him/her how to approach life. Eventually, parents can give give up leaving him/her to face the consequences of his/her disobedience.

The proverb teaches people to respect their parents so that they can live longer and be blessed in Heaven.

Proverbs 19:13.

420. UNENE NABHIZILE NTONGEJI O LUGENDO.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kubhushikanu bho ng’wa munhu. Ubhushikanu bhunubho bhuli bho gubhatongela abhanhu.

Ubhutongeji bhunubho bhudulile gubhiza bho gulekelwa na bhanhu abho bhali bhatongeji, nulu bhogushila gucha abhantongeji, usaga weyi uyo alintali, umuchalo jinijo. Hunagwene umunhu ng’wunuyo agayombaga giki, ‘unene nabhizile ntongeji o lugendo.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo aimanile chiza imilimo yakwe iyagubhatongela abhanhu bhakwe bhenabho.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo alintongeji o bhanhu uyo agabhatongelaga bhobhutogwa bhutale. Uweyi agabhalangaga abhanhu bhakwe inzila ja gubhatumamila bho bhutogwa abhichabho. Hunagwene umunhu ng’wunuyo agayombaga giki, ‘unene nabhizile ntongeji o lugendo.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gujimana inzila ja gubhatongela abhanhu bhabho bho bhutogwa bhutale, kugiki bhadule gwikala bho mholele, umuwikaji bhobho.

Matendo ya mitume 2: 14-22.

KISWAHILI: MIMI NIMEKUWA KIONGOZI WA SAFARI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye ukomavu wa mtu katika makuzi yake. Ukomavu huo ni wa kuongoza watu kuyafikia malengo fulani.

Uongozi huo waweza kuwa wa kurithi, au wa kutokana na kufa kwa viongozi wote, akabaki yeye peke yake, ambaye ni mkubwa katika kijiji hicho. Ndiyo maana mtu huyo husema kwamba, ‘mimi nimekuwa kiongozi wa safari.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye anaelewa vizuri wajibu wake wa kuwaongoza wananchi wake. Mtu huyo ni kiongozi wa watu, ambaye huwaongoza watu kwa upendo mkubwa.

Yeye huwafundisha pia watu wake njia za kuwaongoza wenzao kwa upendo huo. Ndiyo maana mtu huyo husema kwamba, ‘mimi nimekuwa kiongozi wa safari.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuzielewa njia za kuwaongoza watu wao kwa upendo mkubwa, ili waweze kuishi kwa amani, maishani mwao.

Matendo ya mitume 2: 14-22.

people-leader

ENGLISH: I HAVE BEEN A LEADER OF THE JOURNEY.

The source of the above saying comes from one’s ability to demonstrate his/her capacity to lead others. His/her capacity is gauged based on how he/she can lead others to attain their desired goals in life. This leadership position can be through inheritance (after the death of the former leader) or by appointment. Such a person, after succeeding to lead his/her people in the right direction, he/she can say ‘I have been a leader of the journey.’

This saying can be compared to a person who understands his/her responsibilities to his/her citizens; leading people to the right direction. Such a leader leads his/her people with love and humility. He/she also teaches others how lead in a manner that can make them be loved by others as well.

The proverb teaches people to understand the ways of leading their people with great love. This will help them to have peace and love all the time.

Acts 2: 14-22.

 

419. BHANABHANE NAMTONGE KUNTI KULUGULU NG’WITUMBI GUGAPYAGA MANG’OMBE.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kumahoya ga namhala na bhana bhakwe. Unamhala ng’wunuyo obhalomelaga abhana bhakwe higulya ya gubhatongela kulugulu, ukunti go gupandikila jikolo.

Unti gunuyo ilimbisila ya gwikala chiza na bhanhu. Uwikaji bhunubho bhuli bho gwilanga gutumama milimo na bhukamu bhatale. Hunagwene unamhala ng’wunuyo agayombaga giki, ‘bhana bhane namtonge kunti kulugulu ng’witumbi gugapyaga mang’ombe.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhabyaji abho bhagabhalanga bhana bhabho gwikala chiza na bhanhu, bho gutumama milimo na bhukamu bhutale.

Abhabyaji bhenabho, bhajidebhile inzila ja gujipandikila isabho, bho gutumama milimo ya bhuli lushugu. Hunagwene bhagabhawilaga abhana bhabho giki, ‘bhana bhane namtonge kunti kulugulu ng’witumbi gugapyaga mang’ombe.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhalekela abhanhu bhabho, ilange lya gutumama milimo bho bhukamu bhutale, kugiki bhadule gupandika sabho ja gubhambilija umuwikaji bhobho.

Yohane 13:1-11.

KISWAHILI: WANANGU TWENDENI KWENYE MTI MLIMANI NG’WITUMBI UZAAO NG’OMBE.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye maongezi ya mzee na watoto wake. Mzee huyo alikuwa akiwasilimulia watoto wake hao juu ya kuwaongoza kwenye mti mlimani wa kupatia mali.

Mti huo ni fumbo la kuishi na watu vizuri. Maisha hayo ni ya kujifunza kufanya kazi kwa bidii kubwa. Ndiyo maana mzee huyo huwaambia watoto wake kwamba, ‘Wanangu twendeni kwenye mti mlimani uzaao ng’ombe.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa wazazi wale ambao huwafundisha watoto wao juu ya kuishi vizuri na watu. Maisha hayo ni kufanya kazi kwa bidii kubwa.

Wazazi hao wanazifahamu njia za kupatia mali kwa kufanya kazi za kila siku. Ndiyo maana wazazi hao huwaambia watoto wao kwamba, ‘wanangu twendeni kwenye mti mlimani uzaao ng’ombe.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwaachia watu wao malezi ya kufanya kazi kwa bidii kubwa, ili waweze kupata mali za kuweza kuwasaidia, maishani mwao.

Yohane 13:1-11.

massai-tanzania

 

ENGLISH: MY CHILDREN LET ME LEAD YOU TO THE TREE THAT BEARS CATTLE IN THE MOUNTAIN.

The source of the above saying comes from the conversation between an old man and his children. The old man tells his children to go with him to the tree located in the mountain where they can get cows. The mountain tree is believed to be bearing cows.

The saying can be compared to those parents who teach their children how to live well. They encourage their children to be hard workers so that they can have good life in future. As a way to lead them to future better life, parents could use the saying ‘my children, ‘let me lead you to the tree that bears cattle in the Mountain.’

The proverb teaches people about working hard. Parents have to guide their children to walk the path of success.

John 13: 1-11.