Sukuma Proverbs

1245. FUJAGA NDIMU, UTIZE’ FUJA NHO-LA

 

SWAHILI: KOSEA KULENGA MNYAMA MAWINDONI, USIKOSEE KUOA.

Kumekuwa na mjadala mkubwa kuhusu nafasi ya mwanamke katika mila za Kiafrika. Hili lilinifanya niwe na utafiti wa kina kwenye kabila la Wasukuma, ambapo wazee wa Wakisukuma (takribani 12) walithibitisha kwamba, ili familia ifanikiwe, jukumu la mwanamke haliepukiki. Kwa hivyo miongoni mwa Wasukuma, mwanamke katika familia anachukuliwa kuwa msaidizi wa karibu wa mumewe katika utunzaji na uhandisi wa shughuli zote za nyumbani.

Kwa hiyo wanaume wa Kisukuma hutumia methali hii “Fujaga ndimu, utize’ fuja nho-la.” Ili kutoa ufahamu kwa vijana wa kiume na wa kike kabla ya kupambanua kuingia katika maisha ya familia.

Methali hii ya Wasukuma inaonesha utimilifu mkubwa wa mwanaume na mwanamke katika familia yao, ikimaanisha kuwa mwanaume anapooa mwanamke shupavu, mwenye moyo mzuri, mwenye nidhamu, Wasukuma huamini kuwa familia nzima itafanikiwa kwa sababu mwanamke na mwanaume wanaweza kusaidiana vizuri katika maisha ya familia

Hivyo basi, wanawake wanapaswa kuelewa kwamba, wana nafasi au wajibu mkubwa wa kutekeleza katika familia zao. Wanapaswa kufurahishwa na hali yao kama wanawake katika familia na jamii zao.

Mwanzo 2:18 “Bwana Mungu akasema, si vema huyo mtu awe peke yake; nitamfanyia msaidizi wa kufanana naye.”

Marko 10:6-8 “…Mungu akamfanya mume na mke, kwa sababu hiyo mwanamume atamwacha baba yake na mama yake, ataambatana na mkewe, na hao wawili watakuwa mwili mmoja.

Waefeso 5:31 “Lakini kila mmoja wenu ampende mkewe kama nafsi yake mwenyewe; na mke na amheshimu mumewe.

ENGLISH: MISS A TARGET WHEN HUNTING, RATHER THAN MARRYING A WRONG WOMAN.

There has been a great discussion on the role of women in the African traditions. This made me have a serious search on the Sukuma Ethnic group, where the Sukuma elders (about 12) confirmed that, in order for the family to prosper, the role of a woman is inevitable. Thus among the Sukuma, a woman in a family is regarded as the closer helper of her husband in keeping and engineering of all domestic activities. Hence the Sukuma men use this proverb “Fujaga ndimu, utize’ fuja nho–la.” So as to give awareness to young men and women before discerning to enter family life.

This Sukuma proverb shows the great complementarity of man and woman in their family, meaning that when a man marries a strong, good hearted, disciplined woman, the Sukuma believe that the whole family will be prosperous because the woman and man can really help each other in family life

Hence, women should understand that, have a great role or duty to perform in their families.  They should be happy with their status as women in their family and society.

Gen 2:18 “Then the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Mk 10:6-8 “….God made the male and female, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh…”

Eph 5:31 “however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

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1242. WITUNGILAGA ING’HINDA HIYIKU ISAJI IMBA UGUITALIGULA GINEHE!

Aho kale olihoyi munhu uyo agayitungila ing’hinda yakwe hiyiku lisaji aho lyalililalile. Aho lyamisha iliyiku linilo ligandya guyumpeja umunhu ng’wunuyo kugiki linkunde kunguno lyali likali noyi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wila giki, “witungilaga ing’hinda hiyiku isaji imba uguitaligula ginehe!”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agagikoloshaga mamunhu mashilimu umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agacholaga mamihayo bho gugikolosha amamunhu amashilimu ayo gagankanyaga ikesi kunguno gajimanile sheria, umuwikaji bhogo. Uweyi agamalaga isabho jakwe bho gugalipa amamunhu ayo agagikoloshaga genayo ulugankinda ahibhanza, kunguno gamanile uguyomba.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agaitungila inhinda yakwe hiyiku isaji, kunguno nuweyi agagikoloshaga mamunhu mashilimu ayo gajimanile isheria ja hibhanza, umuwikaji bhogo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “witungilaga ing’hinda hiyiku isaji imba uguitaligula ginehe!”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka gwichobhela mamihayo bho gubhikolosha abhichabho, kugiki bhadule gujilanhana chiza isabho jabho, umukaya jabho jinijo.

Mithali 21:24-25.

Mithali 18:23.

KISWAHILI: UMEIFUNGIA NJUGA KWA MAKISAI KICHAA SIJUI UTAIFUNGUAJE!

Hapo zamani alikuwepo mtu aliyeifungia njuga yake kwa makisai kichaa wakati akiwa amelala. Alipoamka makisai huyo alianza kumfukuza ili amugonge kwa sababu alikuwa mkali mno. Ndiyo maana watu walimwambia kwamba, “umeifungia njuga kwa makisai kichaa sijui utaifunguaje.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huwachokoza watu waliowajanja, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hutafuta kesi kwa kuwachokoza watu hao wenye ujanja wa kujua sheria ambao humshinda kesi kwa sababu ya uelewa wao mzuri wa sheria hizo, katika maisha yao. Yeye huzimaliza mali zake kwa kuwalipa watu hao wenye ujanja wa kuongea vizuri mahakamani wanapomshinda kesi kwa sababu ya wao kuzijua vizuri sheria za hapo mahakamani.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyeifungia njuga yake kwa makisai kichaa akashindwa kuifungua, kwa sababu naye hujitafutia kesi kwa kuwachokoza watu wanaozijua sheria vizuri, ambao humshinda kesi na kumlipisha, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “umeifungia njuga kwa makisai kichaa sijui utaifunguaje.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha kujitafutia kesi kwa kuwachokoza wenzao, ili waweze kuzitunza vizuri mali zao, katika familia zao.

Mithali 21:24-25.

Mithali 18:23.

ENGLISH: YOU HAVE TIED A BELL TO A CRAZY OX, I DO NOT KNOW HOW YOU WILL UNTIE HIM!

Once upon a time, there was a man who tied his rattle to a crazy ox during sleeping time. When the ox woke up started chasing him to hit him because of being too fierce. That is why people told him that, “you have tied a bell to a crazy ox, I do not know how you will untie him!”

This proverb is compared to the person who provokes clever people in his life. Such person, looks for a case by provoking those people who are clever to know the law enough to win the case because of their good understanding of those laws, in their lives. He ends his wealth by paying those people who have skills to speak well in court when they win the case because they know well the rules of those courts.

This person resembles the one who tied his bell to a crazy ox and failed to untie him, because he also seeks a lawsuit by provoking people who know the law well, who normally win the case and tell him to pay them. That is why people tell him that, “you have tied a bell to a crazy ox, I do not know how you will untie him!”

This proverb imparts in people an idea of stopping provoking their people, so that they can take good care of their properties, in their families.

Proverbs 21:24-25.

Proverbs 18:23.

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1240. AGASOLA HUHA UYILEKA IGAGI.

Imbuki ya ulusumo lunulo iholelile bhubhinzi bho huha bho ng’wa munhu nhebhe. Ulihoyi munhu uyo agaja gujubhinza gagi mungunda ugisanga obhinzaga huha ojilekaga igagi. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agasunduhala noyi ukikalile kakwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayomba gika, “agasola huha uyileka igagi.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo otola nkima, nulu otolwa na ngosha uyo alina nhungwa ja bhubhi, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, ocholaga bhutoji aliyo lulu aha onpandika nkima, nulu ngosha ubhiza alina nhungwa jabhubhi ijo jigayunkoya noyi umukikalile kunguno ya miito agabhubhi genayo. Uweyi agapandika makoye mingi noyi aha kaya yakwe yiniyo kunguno ya gwitola na munhu o nhungwa ja bhubhi umuwikaji bhokwe. Ugusola huha munho gutola nkima, nulu gutolwa na ngosha uyo alina nhungwa ja bhubhi.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agaja gujubhinza gagi ugasola huha uyileka igagi, kunguno nuweyi agapandika nkima/ngosha uyo alina nhungwa jabhubhi, unleka uonhungwa jabhiza, umubhuchoji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayomba giki, “agasola huha uyileka igagi.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na witegeleja ulu bhalichola bhutoji, nulu ginhu ijo jilijawiza, kugiki bhadule kupandika ng’witoji uyo alina nhungwa ja wiza, nulu ginhu ijo jijawiza, umubhuchoji bhobho.

Ezekieli 3:3.

Kumbukumbu la Torati 30:15-17.

Yoshua 24:15.

KISWAHILI: ALICHUKUA BUA LA MTAMA LISILO NA UTAMU AKAACHA LENYE UTAMU.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo huongelea juu ya ukataji wa bua la mtama lisilo na utamu alioufanya mtu fulani. Alikuwepo mtu aliyeenda shambani kukata bua la mtama lenye utamu akajikuta amekata lile lisilo na utamu. Mtu huyo, alihuzunika sana katika maisha yake. Ndio maana watu walisema kwamba, “alikuchua bua la mtama lisilo na utamu akaacha lenye utamu.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule aliyepata mwenzie wa ndoa mwenye tabia mbaya, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, alikuwa akitafuta mwenzie wa kuishi naye kwenye maisha hayo ya ndoa, achamchagua mwenye tabia mbaya ambaye alimsumbua sana, kwa sababu ya matendo yake hayo mabaya. Yeye alipata matatizo mengi sana kwenye ndoa yake, kwa sababu ya kuchagua bua, katika utafutaji wake. Kuchukua bua lisilo na utamu ni kuoa au kuolewa na mtu mwenye tabia mbaya.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyekata bua la mtama lisilo na utamu, kwa sababu naye alipata mke/mume mwenye tabia mbaya, akaamuacha yule aliye na tabia njema, katika utafutaji wake huo. Ndiyo maana watu walisema kwamba, “alikuchua bua la mtama lisilo na utamu akaacha lenye utamu.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa makini wanapotafuta wachumba wa ndoa, au kitu kilicho kizuri, ili waweze kupata wachumba wenye tabia njema, au kitu kilicho kizuri, bila kukosea, katika utafutaji wao huo.

Ezekieli 3:3.

Kumbukumbu la Torati 30:15-17.

Yoshua 24:15.

ENGLISH: HE PLUCKED A STALK OF MILLET THAT WAS NOT SWEET AND LEFT THE SWEET ONE.

The origin of this proverb talks about someone who cut of a stalk of millet that is not sweet instead of a sweet one. There was a man who went to the field to cut a stalk of sweet millet and found himself cutting an unsweetened one. Such man became very sad in his life. That is why people said that, “he plucked the stalk of millet that was not sweet and left the sweet one.”

This proverb is paralleled to a person who found a spouse who had wicked behavior in his life. Such person was looking for a partner to live with in that married life. Unfortunately he chose someone who has evil character which bothered him a lot in life. He got a lot of problems in his marriage, because of choosing shoots in his search. To take a stalk that is not sweet means marrying or being married to a person who has a wicked character.

This person is similar to the one who cut the stalk of millet that is not sweet, because he also found a wife/husband of evil behavior, and left the one that has good behavior in his search. That is why people said that, “he plucked the stalk of millet that was not sweet and left the sweet one.”

This proverb imparts in people an idea of being careful when looking for marriage partners, or something good, so that they can find good-matured partners, or something good, without making a mistake, in their search.

Ezekiel 3:3.

Deuteronomy 30:15-17.

Joshua 24:15.

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1239. KALUGAKA KAGALYAGA NUGUGINA NDUHU.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile kalugaka. Akalugaka kenako kali kajisunva kadoo giti kapalala ako kagalyaga jiliwa aliyo kadaginaga kunguno ya kikalile kako. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “kalugaka kagalyaga nugugina nduhu.”

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agitilagwa mihayo ya wiza aliyo adalumbaga, umukikalile kakwe. Abhanhu abho agikalaga nabho umunhu ng’wunuyo, bhagang’witilaga miito ga wiza bho gung’winha makijikolo mingi noyi aliyo weyi adalumbaga kunguno ya gugaiya bhulumbi bhokwe bhunubho, umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agabhanojaga nose abhanhu abho bhagang’wambilijaga bhenabho bho gung’winha majikolo mingi, kunguno ya bhujidalumba bhokwe bhunubho, umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga na kalugaka ako kagalyaga aliyo ugugina nduhu, kunguno nuweyi adalumbaga ulu winhiwa amajikolo na bhanhu abho agikalaga nabho, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “kalugaka kagalyaga nugugina nduhu.”

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kubhiza na moyo go gufunya bhulumbi uku bhichabho abho bhagabhitilaga mihayo ya wiza, kugiki bhadule kupandika mbango ja gwikala chiza umubhulamu bhobho bhunubho.

Mwanzo 1:20-21.

Mwanzo 1:30.

KISWAHILI: JAMII YA KOMBA MWIKO HULA KUNENEPA HAKUNA.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, huangalia Jamii ya komba mwiko. Jamii hiyo ya komba mwiko ni kiumbe kidogo kama takataka ambacho hula chakula lakini hakinenepi kwa sababu ya maisha yake hayo. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “jamii ya komba mwiko hula kunenepa hakuna.”

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye hutendewa wema lakini hashukuru, katika maisha yake. Watu waishio naye mtu huyo, humtendea wela kwa kumpatia vitu wingi lakini hashukuru kwa sababu ya kukosa shukrani kwake, maishani mwake. Yeye huwachosha watu hao wanaomsaidia kwa kumpatia vitu vingi, kwa sababu ya kutokushukuru kwake, katika maisha yake hayo.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule jamii ya komba mwiko alaye chakula bila kunenepa, kwa sababu naye watu humtendea wema kwa kumpatia vitu vingi lakini hatoi shukrani kwao, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maaana watu humwambia kwamba, “jamii ya komba mwiko hula kunenepa hakuna.”

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na moyo wa kutoa shukrani kwa wenzao wanaowatendea wema, ili waweze kupata Baraka za kuishi vizuri, maishani mwako.

Mwanzo 1:20-21.

Mwanzo 1:30.

ENGLISH: COCKROACH EATS WITHOUT BECOMING FAT.

This proverb looks at a cockroach type of insects. This type of insects is a small creature which like garbage that eats food but does not get fat because of its life. That is why people say that, “cockroach eats without becoming fat.”

This proverb is paralleled to a person who is treated well but is not grateful, in his life. The people who live with that person treat him well by providing him with many basic needs but he is not grateful because of his lack of gratitude in his life. He wears out those people who help him by providing him with many things because of his ungratefulness in his life.

This person is similar to the cockroach that ate food without getting fat, because people also treat him well by giving him many things but he does not thank them, in his life. That is why people tell him that, “cockroach eats without becoming fat.”

This proverb teaches people about having being appreciative to their colleagues who treat them well, so that they can get blessings of living well in their lives.

Genesis 1:20-21.

Genesis 1:30.

1234. UNG’WENE WINGILA GUKANO.

Imbuki ya Lusumo lunulo, ihoyelile munhu uyo uliwingila gukano. Ugukano kunuko ili gwigulya uko bhanhu bhagatulaga ginhu giti mandege, Nhalanga, Nhumbu na jingi jingi ijo jilijawiza, umunumba yiniyo.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agalinha mpaga ushiga ukuginhu ijawiza jinijo umugati ya numba yiniyo. Giko lulu, uweyi agaja kuwiza kunguno jilinduhu ijagulula koyi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhaganyomba giki, “ung’wene wingila gukano.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo osabha sabho ningi umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agigulambijaga gutumama milimo yakwe bho bhukamu bhutale mpaga osabha sabho ningi kunguno ya wiyumilija bhokwe ubho gutumama milimo chiza na witegeleja bhutale, umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agasabhaga majikolo mingi noyi aha kaya yakwe yiniyo kunguno ya gwigulambija gutumama milimo yakwe chiza na bho wiyumilija bhutale bhunubho, umukikalile kakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agingila gukano uko bhuli uwiza bho majikolo mingi, kunguno nuweyi agigulambijaga gutumama milimo yakwe chiza mpaga osabha majikolo mingi, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhaganyombaga giki, “ung’wene wingila gukano.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gwigulambija gutumama milimo yabho chiza na bho wiyumilija bhutale mpaga bhapandike sabho ningi, kugiki bhadule gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho jinijo, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Wakolosai 3:1-3.

Mathayo 6:19-21.

KISWAHILI: HUYO AMEINGIA DARINI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo huangalia mtu aliyeingia darini. Dari ni juu ambako watu huweka vitu kama mahindi, karanga, viazi na vingine vingi vilivyo vizuri ndani ya nyumba hiyo.

Mtu huyo alipanda mpaga juu ndani ya nyumba hiyo, viliko vitu hivyo vizuri. Hivyo basi, yeye aliingia kwenye uzuri kwa sababu hakuna kinachokosekana huko. Ndiyo maana watu walimuongelea kwamba, “huyo ameingia darini.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule aliyetajirika kwa kupata mali nyingi, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hujibidisha kufanya kazi kwa bidii kubwa na umakini mkubwa, maishani mwake. Yeye hupata mali nyingi sana kwenye familia yake hiyo kwa sababu ya bidii yake ya kufanya kazi vizuri na kwa uvumilifu wa hali ya juu, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyeingia darini kwenye uzuri wa vitu vingi, kwa sababu naye ametajirika kwa kujibidisha kufanya kazi mpaka akapata mali nyingi, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu humuongelea kwamba, “huyo ameingia darini.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kujibidisha kufanya kazi zao vizuri na kwa uvumilivu mkubwa mpaka wapate mali nyingi za kutoka kutumia katika familia zao, ili waweze kuziendeleza vizuri familia zao hizo, maishani mwao.

Wakolosai 3:1-3.

Mathayo 6:19-21.

ENGLISH: THAT ONE HAS ENTERED THE CEILING.

This proverb looks at a person who entered the ceiling. The ceiling is a high place where people put things like corn, peanuts, potatoes and many other things that are good in the house.

This man climbed up into the house, where the things are good. So, he entered the beauty. That is why people said about him that, “that one has entered the ceiling.”

This proverb is related to a person who got rich by getting a lot of wealth, in his life. Such person works with great effort and great attention, in his life. He gets a lot of wealth in his family because of his hard working and great patience in his life.

This person is similar to the one who entered the ceiling in the beauty of many things, because he has also become rich by having to work until he got a lot of wealth in his life. That is why people talk about him saying, “that one has entered the ceiling.”

This proverb imparts in people an idea of working hard in doing their jobs well and with great patience until they get a lot of wealth for using in their families, so that they can develop their families well in their lives.

Colossians 3:1-3.

Matthew 6:19-21.

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