Sukuma Proverbs

352. NUGU-TENGELWA B’O NYAMA NANG’HO WANDYA KUKOB’A JAMAGUHA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kubhutengelwa bho nyama hakaya ya ng’wa munhu nhebhe. Imyama jinijo jalijawiza pye ijose. Aliyo lulu untengelwa o nyama ng’wunuyo, agandya guyujichola nsoga guti giki, inyama ijingi jidijawiza. Hunagwene agawilagwa giki ‘nugutengelwa bho nyama nangho wandya gukob’a jamaguha.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alindoshi, ogutogwa gujisondagula ijiliwa ijo wenhelagwa. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agandyaga guyuchola inyama iniza niza ijingi ojibhonaga giki, jidijawiza umukiganikile kakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘nugutengelwa bho nyama nangho wandya gukob’a jamaguha.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka nhungwa ja bhudoshi umukikalile kabho, kugiki bhadule gub’iza na bhulumbi ukubhanhu abho wagabhab’egejaga jiliwa.

Matayo 20:20-24.

KISWAHILI: NA KUTENGEWA NYAMA NAWE UKAANZA KUCHAMBUA ZA MIFUPA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia kutengewa nyama kwenye familia ya mtu fulani. Nyama hizo zilikuwa nzuri zote. Lakini yule aliyetengewa ili azile, alianza kuzitafuta zile zilizonzuri, na kuziona zingine kama hazifai. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia mtu huyo, kwamba, ‘na kutengewa nyama nawe ukaanza kuchambua za mifupa.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye ni mwenye majivuno ya kuvidharau vile anavyopewa na wenzake. Mtu huyo baada ya kutengewa chakula huanza kuzitafuta zile zilizonzuri na kuziona zingile kama hazifari. Ndiyo maana wenzake humwambia kwamba, ‘na kutengewa nyama nawe ukaanza kuchambua za mifupa.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia za majivuno ya kuwadharau wengine na kukidharau chakula kile wapewacho maisha mwao.

Matayo 20:20-24.

african-meat

meat

 

ENGLISH: TO BE GIVEN MEAT AND BEGINNING TO LOOK FOR BONES.

The source of the above proverb is a story about someone being given meat. The story narrates about someone who was given meat and instead, began looking for bones as a way to disapprove the given food. People of this caliber are being criticized through this saying.

This proverb can be compared to a person who is arrogant and is not ready to appreciate what is being given by others. When given food to eat, he/she begins looking for its weaknesses and finally disapproves it. Such people are challenged by telling them that ‘to be given meat and beginning to look for bones’ in order to make them calm and appreciate what comes before them.

The proverb teaches people to stop being arrogant by despising others who appear to be helpful in their lives. Rather, they have to have a tendency of appreciation whenever they are being given something.

Matthew 20: 20-24.

345. HIMBA NDA JIZA NA JIZA JIDATUNG’WANAGA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yilolile ginhu jiza. Yijiza yinijo jidulile gub’iza sab’o, nulu ginhu jose jose. Umunhu adulile gupandika sabho, aliyo ugayiwa abhana, nulu upandika abhana bhenabho, aliyo ugaiwa isab’o. Gudulile gwigela nzengo uyo gugaponaga jiliwa, aliyo gugaiwa aminzi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombagaga giki, ‘hinba nda jiza na jiza jidatung’wanaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agongile gujisangila halumo, pye ijo jilijawiza. Umunhu ng’wunuyo ulu uhaya kuchola nulu nzengo, agamanaga uja ukwene, agasanga hamo jiliwa bhaponile abhanhu, aliyo badina minzi.

Abhanhu abho bhadebhile igiki ijiza jidatung’wanaga, bhagang’wilaga umunhu ajidimile ijawiza ijo alinajo, kunguno adiko gujisangila halumo pye ijo jilijawiza. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘hinba nda jiza na jiza jidatung’wanaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kulilang’hana chiza ijiza ijo bhalinajo, badizulindila gujisangila halumo pye ijo jijawiza, kunguno ijiza na jiza jidatung’wanaga.

Mathayo 6:24.

Luka 16:13.

KISWAHILI: PIGA TUMBO KIZURI NA KIZURI HAKIKUTANI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia kitu kizuri. Kitu hicho kizuri chaweza kuwa mali, au kitu chochote. Mtu aweza kupata mali, lakini akakosa watoto, au aweza kupata watoto, lakini akakosa mali. Chaweza kuwepo kijiji ambacho kina mazao mengi, lakini hakina maji.  Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘piga tumbo kizuri na kuzuri hakikutani.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye hutaka kuvikuta vizuri vyote vikiwa pamoja. Akitaka kutafuta makazi mtu huyo, hutembelea sehemu mbalimbali, ambako hukikuta kizuri kimoja na kingine hukosekana.

Watu waelewao kwamba, kizuri na kizuri hakikutani, humsahauri mtu huyo juu ya kukitunza kizuri alicho nacho, badala ya kuzunguka huko na huko akitaka kuvikuta vizuri vyote vikiwa pamoja. Ndiyo maana watu husema, ‘piga tumbo kizuri na kizuri hakikutani.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kukitunza kizuri walicho nacho, wasisubiri kwamba watavikuta vizuri vyote vikiwa pamoja, kwa sababu kizuri na kizuri hakikutani.

Mathayo 6:24.

Luka 16:13.

ngorongoro

pears

 

ENGLISH: GOOD THINGS NEVER MEET.

The source of this proverb is looking at something that is good or beautiful. Good things are the ones that give pleasure to people. These good things do not always come at once. You can have wealth but fail to have children, having a lot of produce but no water, etc. This is why people say, ‘good things never meet’.

The proverb can be compared to someone who wants to get all good things at once. Such people can be in trouble of traveling in search for good things that can be obtained within the same locality. People who understand the meaning of this proverb can advise them by saying that ‘good things never meet.

The proverb teaches people to take good care of what they have. They don’t have to expect that they will find all good or beautiful things at a go.

Matthew 6:24.

Luke 16:13.

344. NG’WANANGWA IDASHILAGA

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kuwilangi bho ginhu jipya. Uwilangi bhunubho bhukomile gumpandika umunhu kumakanza gose gose, ib’ize hab’undoo, nulu habhutale bhokwe. Hangi umunhu ng’wunuyo nulu agasoma mpaka umala amasomo gakwe, adubhiza giki, wilangaga pye uyimala impya, igub’iza yilihoyi duhu yiyo atali uguimana. Adulile gulangwa ginhu jipya na munhu uyo adasomile nulu hadoo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ng’wanangwa idashilaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhalinawidohya bho kuzunya kulangwa na bhichabho, abho bhagikalaga nabho. Gashinaga umunhu nulu agab’iza ntale, gugikalaga gulihoyi duhu umhayo uyo adagumanile na agulangwa. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayomgaga giki, ‘ng’wa nangwa idashilaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu hugulya ya kub’iza na widohya bho gubhambilija guzunya gulangwa nabhichab’o, iyo bhatali uguyimana, kunguno i‘ng’wanangwa idashilaga.’

Mathayo 6:7-9.

Luka 11:1-4.

Mathayo 13:54.

KISWAHILI: YAKUFUNDISHWA HAYAISHI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye ufundishwaji wa kitu kipya. Ufundishwa huo, waweza kumfikia mtu wakati wowote, akiwa kijana au mzee. Tena mtu huyo hata asome namna gani, hataweza kuyamaliza yote yakujifunza, kitakuwepo tu kile ambacho yeye hakifahamu. Aweza kufundisha kitu hicho kipya, hata na mtu aliye mdogo ambaye hategemewi. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘yakufundishwa hayaishi.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu ambao wana unyenyekevu wa kukubali kufundishwa kitu kipya na wenzao waishio nao. Kumbe, mtu hata awe mkubwa kiasi gani, au amesoma hadi kiwango cha juu zaidi, yatakuwepo tu yale ambayo yeye hayafahamu. Ndiyo maana watu husema, ‘yakufundishwa hayaishi.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na unyenyekevu wa kuwawezesha kukubali kufundishwa na wenzao, yale ambayo hawajayafamu, kwa sababu, ‘yakufundishwa hayaishi.’

Mathayo 6:7-9.

Luka 11:1-4.

Mathayo 13:54.

teacher

ENGLISH: EDUCATION HAS NO END.

The source of the above proverb comes from the teaching of something new. Knowledge has no age. No one can claim to know each and everything on earth. One can be taught by any other person regardless of age differences and education level. This is why people say, ‘education has no end.’

The proverb can be compared to people who have the humility to accept teaching from others regardless of education level and age differences.

The proverb teaches people to have humility that allows them to accept teaching and training from others in order to get knowledge that they are lacking.

Matthew 6: 7-9.

Luke 11: 1-4.

Matthew 13:54.

343. NIYAKALE NAYO NG’HINDA,

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile ku ng’hinda. Ing’hinda yiniyo igab’izaga na kalilile kayo, ulu yukumiwa na munhu. Mumo igakuluhalila idugalucha akalilile kayo kenako. Ukwene huguhaya giki, nulu igakuluhala igwitanwa ng’hinda duhu. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagab’awilaga abhichab’o abho bhagajilekanijiga ing’hinda jabho ijakale giki, ‘niyakale nayo ng’hinda.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo ukula ub’iza nhamhala, nulu ngikulu, umuchalo. Uyo okula ng’unuyo alitanwa munhu duhu mumo agakulila. Yigelelilwe nabho bhalang’hanwe chiza, abhanhu bhenabho, kunguno bhali sawa na bhichabho abho bhatali bhadoo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘niyakale nayo ng’hinda.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kub’alanghana chiza bhatale bhabho abho bhalikihamo na wabyaji bhabho, mumo bhagakulila, kunguno ‘niyakale nayo ng’hinda.’

2Wakorintho 4:16.

KISWAHILI: NA YAZAMANI NAYO NJUGA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye njuga. Njuga ni kengele ambayo hutoa mlima wake ikiguswa au kutikiswa. Hivyo, njuga hiyo huwa na mlio wake wa pekee. Hata iwe kuukuu kiasi gani, itaitwa njuga tu, kwa sababu hali hiyo haukani ule unjuga wake. Ndiyo maana watu huwaambia wale wazitelekezao njuga zao zilizo za zamani kwamba, ‘na yazamani nayo njuga.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu aliyezeeka katika jamii fulani. Mtu huyo huendelea kuitwa mtu hata kama amezeeka namna gani. Yafaa watu waliona nguvu hasa vijana, waendelee kuwantunza mzee wao huo, kwa sababu wao ni watu waliosawa na wao wenyewe. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘na yazamani nayo njuga.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwatunza vizuri wazee wao katika jamii, wakiwemo wazazi, hata kama wamezeeka kiasi gani, kwa sababu, ‘na yazamani nayo njuga.

2Wakorintho 4:16.

 

bell

taking care of elders

 

ENGLISH: AN OLD ANKLE BELL IS ALSO AN ANKLE BELL.

The source of the proverb comes from an iron ankle bell. Such a bell gives a certain musical sound when it is shaken. It always has a unique sound regardless of whether it is old or new. This is why people tell others that ‘an old ankle bell is also an ankle bell’ to mean that they don’t have to ignore the old ones because they have the same effect as the new ones.

This proverb is likened to an old man in the society. Old men continue to be counted as human beings regardless of their age. Youngsters need to take care of the old ones and consider them as human beings that can have positive effects in the society. This is why people say, ‘an old ankle bell is also an ankle bell.’

The proverb teaches youngsters to take care of old people because, apart from being fellow human beings, they have positive impacts to the society.

2 Corinthians 4:16.

341. NG’OSHA YA MVA IDIGUSHAGA NA MBUNDA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kuwikaji bho mva ng’osha na mbunda. Imva ing’osha yiniyo igikalaga ilemile ugwigusha ni mbunda, munho igubhaluma bhandya guipela. Igubhalija kunguno iyoyi ilimyaji yabho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ng’osha ya mva idigushaga na mbunda.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli namugi ohakaya uyo alina bhana wake. Unamugi ng’wunuyo alinikujo lwakwe ahakaya yakwe yiniyo. Kuyiniyo lulu, idichiza ugwigusha na bhana wake unamhala ng’wunuyo, kunguno bhagundalaha. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ng’osha ya mva idigushaga na mbunda.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka wimaniliji bho sagala na bhana bhabho, kugiki bhadule gwikala ni kujo lya gubhalanga chiza umuwikaji bhobho.

Waefeso 6:4.

KISWAHILI: DUME LA MVA HALICHEZI NA WATOTO WA MBWA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye maisha ya dume la mbwa na watoto wa mbwa. Dume hilo hukataa kucheza na watoto wa mbwa, kwa sababu lenyewe ni kubwa kwao, vinginevyo litawauma mpaka wataanza kulikimbia. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘dume la mbwa halichezi na watoto wa mbwa.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mzee mwenye familia na watoto wake. Mzee huyo huwa na heshima yake kwenye familiya yake, iyomuwezesha kuwalea vizuri watoto wake pamoja na familia yote. Kwa hiyo basi, siyo vizuri kucheza na watoto wake mzee huyo, kwa sababu akifanya hivyo watoto hao watamdharau maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘dume la mbwa halichezi na watoto wa mbwa.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha mazoea ya hovyo na watoto wao, ili waweze kuwalea vema kwa kujenga heshima inayotakiwa katika familia yote, maishani mwao.

Waefeso 6:4.

male dog

puppies

 

ENGLISH: A MALE DOG DOES NOT PLAY WITH PUPPIES

The source of the above proverb comes from the life of male dog and puppies. The male dog refuses to play with puppies because it is too big for them, otherwise it will bite them until they run away. This is why people say, ‘a male dog does not play with puppies.’

The proverb is likened to a family elder and his children. Elders tend to maintain their  respect to families in order to be able to take care of them. Therefore, it is not good for elders to play with children because they can disrespect them. This is why people warn elders by saying that ‘a male dog does not play with puppies.’

The proverb teaches people to stop being so intimate with children. This will help them from not being disrespected and disturb the whole process of taking care of them.

Ephesians 6: 4.