Sukuma Proverbs

337. AB’ALI SENGE LIMO B’ADIKELELAGA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kubhusangiji wisenge b’o b’anhu bhab’ili. Ilisenge linilo ligolechaga bhiyaambilija bho gutumama milimo yabho kihamo. B’uli ng’wene amanile iyo ung’wiye aliitumama, kunguno bhagikalaga kihamo bhuli makanza. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ab’ali senge limo b’adikelelaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho b’itolile, abho b’adadulile gwikelela, kunguno b’agikalaga kihamo b’uli makanza. Uwitoji bhobho abhanhu bhenabho, b’ulisawa nisenge ilo b’alisangilile umukikalile kabho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ab’ali senge limo b’adikelelaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhitoji higulya ya gub’iza bhatungilija umukikalile ka witoji bhobho, umushigu jab’ulamu bhobho. Yigeleliwe abhanhu bhenabho bhab’ize na wigogwi bho gwikala kihamo, umuwikaji bhobho bhose.

Yohane 15:14-15.

KISWAHILI: WALIO UKUTA MMOJA HAWAFICHANI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye uchangiaji wa ukuta wa watu wawili. Ukuta huo huonesha hali ya kusaidiana kwao katika kufanya kazi zao, kwa vile wao huishi pamoja. Kila mmoja huelewa afanyacho mwenzake, kwa sababu ya kuishi pamoja maishani mwao.  Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘walio ukuta mmoja hawafichani.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu walioona wasioweza kufichana kitu kwa sababu ya kuishi kwao pamoja kila wakati. Maisha ya wana ndoa hao ni sawa na ukuta wanaouchangia katika kuishi kwao. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘walio ukuta mmoja wahafichani.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa waaminifu katika maisha yao ya ndoa, siku zote za maisha yao. Yafaa watu hao wawe na upendo wa kuishi pamoja katika maisha yao yote.

Yohane 15:14-15.

couple african

ENGLISH: THOSE WHO SHARE THE SAME ROOM DO NOT HIDE FROM EACH OTHER.

This proverb has its source in married couples. It shows how people who share the same room cannot hide their doings to each other. They understand each other well because they live together. This is why people say, ‘those who share the same wall do not hide from each other.’

This proverb can be compared to marriage life where husband and wife, in sharing the same wall, find themselves not capable of hiding their doings to each other.

This proverb teaches people about being faithful in marriage. They must have true love and be able to live together for the rest of their lives.

John 15: 14-15.

334. GUKO NGILI ISE O NG’WAMBI.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kub’itoji abho b’iyambilijaga uguitumama imilimo yabho.  Abhanhu bhenabho bhali nkima na ngosha abho bhalib’itolile. B’iyambilijaga gufuga, nulu gusegegesa mabhele. Unkima onkangililaga ungosha, bho gujishindika ijisabho ijojalijitungilile mlusunda, ulugoye lutungwa kumahaba, nang’hwe ungosha onkangililaga unkima. Bhuli ng’wene uluonkangilila ung’wiye ijisabho jinijo, oyombaga giki, ‘guko ngili ise o Ng’wambi.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhitoji abho bhali na bhumo, umukikalile kabho. Abhanhu bhenabho, bhagaitumamaga imilimo yabho bhogwiyambilija chiza. Bhagabhalangaga na bhazenganwa b’abho akajile ka gwikala na bhumo bhunubho, umuwikaji bhobho wa witoji.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu abho witolile higulya ya gub’iza na b’umo, bho gwiyambilija utuitumama imilimo yabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Mwanzo 2:18.

Tobithi 8:4-8.

KISWAHILI: HUKO NGILI BABA WA NG’WAMBI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia wanandoa ambao husaidiana katika kufanya kazi zao. Watu hao ni mwanamke na mwanaume waliofunga ndoa. Wao husaidiana kuchekecha maziwa. Mwanamke humsukumia mwanaume kibuyu kwenye maziwa hayo, ambacho huzungushiwa kamba iliyohufungwa kwenye mlingoti juu, ili kiweze kuning’inia, naye mwanaume hukisukuma kibuyu hicho kuelekea kwa mwanamke. Kila mmoja amsukumiapo mwenzake husema hivi, ‘huko ngili baba wa Ng’wambi.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa wanandoa ambao wana umoja maishani mwao. Watu hao hufanya kazi zao kwa kusaidiana vizuri. Huwafundisha pia majirani zao namna ya kuishi katika umoja huo, katika maisha yao.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu wa ndoa juu ya kuwa na umoja wa kuwawezesha kusaidiana katika kutekeleza majukumu yao ya kila siku, maishani mwao.

Mwanzo 2:18.

Tobithi 8:4-8.

africa uganda

THERE IS NGILI; THE FATHER OF NG’WAMBI.

This saying is based on couples that help each other in their daily activities. It pictures a hanging calabash with little milk in it being tied to one of the roof poles. The wife and husband push it (the calabash) to each other in an attempt to shake the milk. Each of them pushes it by saying, ‘there is Ngili, the father of Ng’wambi.’

This saying can be comparable to married couples who live in unity throughout their lives. They work together by helping each other in viarious activities. They also teach their neighbours on how to live in peace, and unity in their lives. That is why they say to each other, ‘there is Ngili; the father of Ng’wambi.’

The saying teaches married couples how to maintain their unity by living in peace so as to fulfill their tasks of taking care of their families.

Genesis 2:18.

Tobithi 8: 4-8.

333. GILAGA GITUMO WAGILILA HA LUB’ELE.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kubhuleki bho ng’wana gong’ha ha lub’ele lo ng’wa nina. Ung’wana ulu ubyalwa agong’haga lub’ele halinina mpaka okula wikoma gulya. Ulu ukula ung’wana ng’wunuyo agabishiyagwa ogila ugong’ha. Ulu ubishiwa agagilaga ugong’ha na adalashokela. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘gilaga gitumo wagilila ha lub’ele.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo witaga mihayo ya bhub’i, uyo agawilaga giki oye ugwiita imihayo yiniyo gitumo oyela gong’ha ha lub’ele lo ng’wa nina. Abhanhu abho umunhu ng’wunuyo ob’itilaga imihayo yiniyo, hab’o hagang’wilaga umhub’i ng’wunuyo giki, ‘gilaga gitumo wagilila ha lub’ele.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya goya gwita mihayo yabhub’i, na gub’awila abhahub’i bhoye ugwiita imihayo imib’i yiniyo, gitumo bhagilila ha lub’ele lo b’aninabho.’

Wakolosai 3:5.

KISWAHILI: ACHA KAMA ULIVYOACHA ZIWA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye kuacha kunyonya kwa mtoto kwenye ziwa la mama yake. Mtoto akizaliwa hunyonya maziwa ya mama yake, mpaka anakua kiasi cha kutosha kula chakula. Akikua mtoto huyo huachishwa kunyonya ziwa na mama yake. Akiachishwa hivyo, mtoto huyo hukoma kunyonya na hatarudia. Ndiyo maana watu huambiana kwamba, ‘acha kama ulivyoacha ziwa.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu aliyefanya kitu kibaya kwa wenzake, ambao humwambia akome kufanya hivyo, kama alivyo koma kunyonya ziwa kwa mama yake. Watu hao aliowatendea kitendo hicho, yule mkosefu, huumia sana mpaka kufikia hatua ya kumwambia mtu huyo kwamba, ‘acha kama ulivyoacha ziwa.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha kutenda matendo mauvu katika jamii, kwa sababu matendo hayo huwaumiza sana wenzao. Ndiyo maana wao humwambia, mtu huyo aache maovu hayo kama alivyoacha kunyonya ziwa kwa mama yake.

Wakolosai 3:5.

woman breatfeeding

 

ENGLISH: STOP AS YOU STOPPED FEEDING AT YOUR MOTHER’S BREAST

This proverb has its origin in breastfeeding. It is obvious that when a baby is born, it begins by feeding at its mother’s breasts until when it is old enough to eat other food stuff.

At the time the baby begins eating other food stuff the mother can stop him/her from breastfeeding.

This proverb can be compared to a person who does something wrong to his/her friends then warned against it. The warning can be associated with stopping such a wrong behaviour in the same way he/she stopped sucking from his/her mother’s breasts.’

This proverb teaches people to stop doing bad things in the society because they hurt others. That is why they tell wrong doers to stop their evil deeds in order not to harm the society.

Colossians 3: 5.

332. NG’HULU JAWIZA, JIGALAJA MBITI HA NYANGO

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yingilile kuli nigini na nina. Unigini ng’wunuyo olatogilwe kulila ahikanza lya b’ujiku. Lushugu lumo, unina agankanga unigini giki, ‘ululamane ulila naguguponya hanze uliwe mbili.’ Ahikanza linilo aliyomba, imbiti nayo yalihoyi aha nyango. Naigwa imihayo yiniyo. Kuyiniyo lulu, imbiti yiniyo yaduka yalindilaga giki iguponegejiwa akana ize ikalye, nose ub’ujiku wela. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki ng’hulu jawiza, jigalaja mbiti hanyango.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agalindilaga gupandika sabho, nulu jiliwa, bho gwikuga, giki munhu agujigwisha, bho nduhu ugutumama  nimo gose gose. Umunhu ng’wunuyo adulile nulu gucha na nzala, guti ni mbiti yiniyo iyo igelewa b’ujiku, kunguno bhuli ng’wene adatogilwe uguponya sabho jakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ng’hulu jawiza jigalaga mbiti hanyango.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gutumama milimo ya gubhapandikila sabho, bho nduhu gulindila ja guponyiwa na bhangi, kugiki abhoyi bhajikuge.

KISWAHILI: HABARI NZURI ILIMLAZA FISI MLANGONI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwa mtoto na mama yake. Mtoto huo alipenda kulia wakati wa usiku. Siku moja mama yake alimtisha mtoto huyo, kwa kumwambia hivi, ‘ukiwa unalia nitakutupa nje uliwe na fisi.’ Wakati mama huyo akiongea hivyo, fisi naye alikuwepo mlangoni. Akayasikia maneno hayo. Kwa hiyo, fisi huyo alibaki amesubiri kwamba atatupiwa mtoto aje amle, mwishowe usiku ukapambazuka. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘habari nzuri ilimlaza fisi mlangoni.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule asubiriye kupata mali au chakula kwa kuokota, kwamba mmoja atadondosha, bila kufanya kazi yoyote. Mtu huyo huweza hata kufa kwa njaa, kama yule fisi aliyepambazukiwa usiku, kwa sababu kila mtu hapendi kutupa mali zake, au kupoteza. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘habari nzuri ilimlaza fisi mlangoni.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kufanya kazi mbalimbali ziwezazo kuwapatia mahitaji yao yakiwemo yale ya chakula, badala ya kusubiri kuokota au wengine wapoteze, ili wao waweze kuokota.

hyena

mother

ENGLISH: GOOD NEWS MADE A HYENA SLEEP AT THE DOOR

The source of this proverb is a child who used to cry at night. One day the mother of the child threatened to hrow out the child to be eaten by hyena. The hyena was around the door when the mother was threatening the child. Hearing the mother’s threat, the hyena hid itself near the door waiting for the meat. It waited the whole night with no success. That is why people say, ‘good news made a hyena sleep at the door.’

The proverb is likened to lazy people, who dream to have possessions or abundant food without struggling for them. They just wait with hope that someone will drop possessions for them to pick. Such people are likely to starve to death.

The proverb teaches people to work hard so as to be self sufficient in different sorts of life, including food and other necessities.

329. WINGA B’UDALIAGWA KAB’ILI

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo yinginile kubhuli bho winga. Ulu winga wikwela mumho na b’amalaga b’adalashokela gwikwela hangi. Ulushugu ulo b’ikwelaga b’agiigwa b’ulya bhumala. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, winga b’udaligwa kab’ili.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho b’adajidililaga indoa jacho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagajilekanijiga ikaya jabho guti giki, bhalashokela  hangi ugwikwela. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagakomelejiyagwa gujidilila ikaya jabho, bhaleke ugujilekanija, kunguno bhamala gutola. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘winga b’udaliagwa kab’ili.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gujilanghana chiza ikaya jabho bho gujilisha jiliwa, kugiki abhanhu bhabho bhadule, gwikala na b’uyegi.

Mathayo 28:16-20.

Waefeso 4:5.

KISWAHILI: HARUSI HAILIWI MARA MBILI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye ulaji wa harusi. Harusi akisherekewa kwa wahusika kuelewana, ndiyo wamemaliza, hawatarudia tena. Siku ya kuelewana huwa wanakula chakula na kumaliza. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘harusi hailiwi mara mbili.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale ambao huzitelekeza ndoa zao kwa kutokuzijali familia hizo. Watu hao huwaacha wanafamilia bila msaada, kama kwamba, watarudia kusherekea ndoa tena.

Wale wanaozitunza ndoa zao huwahimiza watu hao wazijali familia zao kwa kuzitunza vizuri, kwa sababu, hawatarudia kufunga ndoa nyingine wakati hii ya sasa bado ipo. Ndiyo maana huwaambia watu hao kwamba, ‘harusi hailiwi mara mbili.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuzilinda kwa kuzitunza vizuri familia zao, ili watu wao waendelee kupata mahitaji yao vizuri, maishani mwao.

Mathayo 28:16-20.

Waefeso 4:5.

couples

african-food

 

ENGLISH: A WEDDING IS NEVERCELEBRATED TWICE

The source of this saying is wedding celebration. When the wedding is celebrated, it is done, it cannot be repeated. On the day of negotiating the dowry, they conclude everything and celebrate. That is why people say, “a wedding is nevercelebrated twice.”

The saying is compared to people who do not respect their marriage. Such people abandon their families as if they will celebrate the marriage again.

Such people are urged to respect their marriage and take care of their families because they cannot celebrate another wedding as the first marriage still binds them. That is why people tell these people, “a wedding is never celebrated twice.”

The proverb teaches people about respecting their marriage and being responsible for their families so that family members can live happily.

Matthew 28: 16-20.

Ephesians 4: 5.