Sukuma Proverbs

1295. NJINJA ATINA NYANGO GUMO.

KISWAHILI: MWUZAJI HANA MLANGO MMOJA

ENGLISH: The salesperson (seller or merchant) does not have only one door. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb

Njinja atina nyango gumo. (Sukuma)
Mwuzaji hana mlango mmoja. (Swahili)
Le marchand n’a pas qu’une seule porte. (French)
The salesperson (seller or merchant) does not have only one door. (English)

Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb

Background, Meaning and Everyday Use

The Sukuma Ethnic Group is the largest ethnic group (more than six million people) in Tanzania in East Africa and live mainly in rural areas in the northwestern part of the country on or near the southern shores of Lake Victoria – mainly in the Mwanza and Shinyanga Regions.
The Sukuma are the largest ethnic group in Tanzania. Sukuma means “north” and refers to “people of the north.” They are relatives of the Nyamwezi Ethnic Group and share a similar language of Bantu origin.

Traditionally part of an oral culture, the Sukuma people use many types of oral literature such as proverbs, sayings, riddles, stories, myths and songs to communicate values and priorities.

A popular Sukuma proverb says the salesperson (seller or merchant) does not have only one door. He or she goes all over the place. The salesperson goes to every door to sell his or her wares. He or she is ready for any response. The person is accustomed to be praised in one place and scorned in another place. The salesperson perseveres whatever happens.

This Sukuma proverb is posted on the:

Sukuma Legacy Project Website

https://sukumalegacy.org/category/sukuma-proverbs

Nanetya Foundation: Ethnic Stories in Mother Tongues Website 
http://nanetya-foundation.org/sukuma-proverbs

Biblical Parallels

St. Paul says, “Preach the word; be ready/prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). 

This Sukuma proverb relates to always trying and not being afraid to launch out into the deep. Compare Jesus’s words to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4).
The missionary experience is very similar. It is an experience of moving out and reaching out. “And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). And in another place: “as the Father has sent me, so I send you” John 20:21). Missionaries are not meant to look inward only but to reach out. Missionaries are called to explore new vistas and new ways of doing things, to be flexible and ready for new experiences. Missionaries adapt to new and unexpected situations.

Missionaries adapt to new and unexpected situations. Compare this with St. Paul’s description of his missionary work in Philippians 4:12-13: “I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well‑fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Contemporary Use and Religious Application

There are many characteristic African proverbs from across the continent of Africa — Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia — that describe the universal human experience of moving out, of going elsewhere. This reaching out experience is a learning experience as seen in many similar African proverbs and sayings: Traveling is learning (Kikuyu, Kenya). Traveling is seeing (Kikuyu, Kenya/Shona, Zimbabwe). Those who travel see much (Sukuma/Swahili, Eastern and Central Africa). One who does not move about knows very little (Haya, Tanzania). Thus, traveling broadens the mind and enlarges one’s experience.

This Sukuma proverb promotes mission and evangelization. The missionary, the evangelist uses all doors, all means, all avenues of spreading the Gospel. For example, today we reach people with the Good News of Salvation using many means of communication: traditional means, mass media, internet, social media, etc. Pope Francis encourages us to be “bold and creative.”

All Catholics, all laypeople and SCCs members have the missionary obligation to go out to proclaim the good news starting with our own local neighborhoods.

Another application is to African SCCs that adapt to the local context and adjust to local circumstances and situations. SCC members try to find creative ways and “doors” on the grassroots level.

Another application: In brainstorming about various pastoral solutions in youth ministry in Africa (how to reach out to young people) someone said: “If you can’t use the door, use the window or even the roof to get in,” meaning use all possible options or alternatives.

Further information on this proverb can be found in “To Be Called Is to be Sent,” Chapter Eight in Joseph Healey and Donald Sybertz, Towards an African Narrative Theology, (Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa, 1996 (1st Reprint 1996, 2nd Reprint 1997, 3rd Reprint 2000, 4th Reprint 2005, 5th Reprint 2012) and Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1997, (many reprints, New Cover 2012). Available as an Ebook on Amazon (for Kindle), Google and Barnes and Noble (for Nook).

1289. BHACHOJI BHA NHULAGUJI.

Inhulaguji jili ngoko ijo jigicholelaga jiliwa bho gukulagula hasi. Abhachoji bha nhulaguji bhali bhachoji bha ngoko kunguno ya kikalile kajo kenako akagumana jukulagula bhuli makanza. Hunagwene abhachoji bhajo bhagitangwa giki “bhachoji bha nhulaguji.”

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhitoji abho bhagabhalangaga gwicholela chiza abhana bhabho, umuwikaji bhobho. Abhitoji bhenabho bhagabhalangaga gwicholela chiza abhana bhabho bho gumisha diyu bhaja gujutumama milimo yabho kunguno ya witegeleja bhobho ubho gwigulambija gutumama milimo yabho chiza. Abhoyi bhagabhakujaga abhana bhabho bhadebhile ugutumama imilimo yao chiza kunguno ya bhukamu bho gutumama milimo yabho chiza bhuli makanza umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Abhanhu bhenabho bhagikolaga nabho chacholaga nhulaguji kunguno nabhoyi bhagabhalangaga abhana bhabho gwigulambija kutumama milimo yabho chiza umuwikaji bhobho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagabhitanaga giki, “bhachoji bha nhulaguji.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gwigulambija gutumama milimo yabho bho bhukamu bhutale, kugiki bhadule kupandika matwajo mingi, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Mwanzo 9:7.

Mathayo 23:37.

Waamuzi 13:3.

Zaburi 28:3.

KISWAHILI: WATAFUTAJI WA PEKUA PEKUA.

Pekua pekua ni kuku ambao hutafuta chakula kwa kupekua pekua chini. Watafutaji wa pekua pekua ni watafuta wa kuku kwa sababu ya aina hiyo ya kuishi kwa kupekua pekua kila wakati. Ndiyo maana watu hao huwaita kwamba ni “watafutaji wa pekua pekua.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa wana ndoa wale ambao huwafundisha watoto wao namna ya kujitafutia, maishani mwao. Wana ndoa hao huwafundisha watu wao kwa kuamka asabuhi kwenda kufanya kazi zao vizuri kwa sababu ya umakini wao huo wa kujibidisha kufanya kazi vizuri. Wao huwakuza watoto wao wakiwa na ufahamu wa kufanya kazi vizuri kwa sababu ya bidii yao hiyo ya kufanya kazi zao vizuri kila wakati, mashani mwao.

Watu hao hufanana na hao wapekuzi kwa sababu nao huwafundisha watu wao juu ya kujibidisha kufanya kazi zao vizuri maishani mwao. Ndiyo maana watu huwaita kwamba ni “watatutaji wa pekua pekua.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kujibidisha kufanya kazi zao kwa bidii kubwa, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi maishani mwao.

Mwanzo 9:7.

Mathayo 23:37.

Waamuzi 13:3.

Zaburi 28:3.

ENGLISH: CANVASSERS OF SEARCHERS

Canvassers are chicken that search for food by pecking on the ground. Foragers are chicken scavengers because of that kind of constant seeking lifestyle of their needs. That is why people call them “canvassers of searchers.”

This proverb is equaled to married people who teach their children on how to find basic needs by themselves in their lives. Those married people teach their children on how to wake up in the morning and do their jobs well because of their good responsiveness enough to work well. They nurture their children by giving them necessary knowledge for working well because of their effort to nicely do their works every time in their lives.

These people are similar to the constant food searching of chicken  because they also teach their people on how to work hard in doing their jobs. That is why people call them “canvassers of searchers.”

This proverb teaches people on how to force themselves in doing their works with great effort, so that they can acquire a lot of success in their lives.

Genesis 9:7.

Matthew 23:37.

Judges 13:3.

Psalm 28:3.

 

 

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1282. NG`WILU WA NZWILI CHEYO

Imbuki ya ulusumo lunulo inhoyelile Nkima uyo wikalaga muchalo jilebhe umusi ya bhasuguma. Oli na nzwili ndiihu na nzwi. Oli nsoga, na mfula uyo oswalaga chiza bhuli makanza. Olintalaamu uyo uipyagulaga chiza inumba yakwe na ogaga chiza bhuli makanza.

Oli ng’wiza ng’holo noyi uyo uyilanhanaga chiza ikaya yakwe mpaga nu ngoshi wikalaga na bhuyegi kunguno ya kikalile kawiza ka nke okwe kenako. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’witana giki, “Ng’wilu wa nzwili cheyo”

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubha mayu abho bhagajilelaga chiza ikaya jabho umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho. Abha mayu bhenabho, bhagajilelaga ikaya jabho bho gubhalanga abhanhu bhabho higulya yagwikala na bhutogwa bho gwikala na mholele na bhanhu  bhose kunguno ya nhungwa jabho ijawiza jinijo umuwikaji bhosho. Abhoyi bhagikala na bhuyegi  umukaya jabho kunguno ya gubhalela bho gwikala na witogwi abhanhu bhabho bhenabho.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu no no abhakima higulya ya gwikala na bhutengeka bho gujilanhana chiza ikaya jabho kugiki bhadule gwikala na bhuyegi bhutale umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Wimbo Ulio Bora 6:4-5

Wimbo Ulio Bora 4:1-2: “

Luka 1:26-38

KISWAHILI: WEUPE WA NYWELE NI UFAGIO.

Asili ya methali hii inamhusu mwanamke aliyeishi katika kijiji fulani katika ardhi ya Wasukuma. Alikuwa na nywele ndefu na mvi. Alikuwa mrembo, msafi na amevalia vizuri kila wakati. Hakutaka kuona mazingira machafu karibu yake. Alijitunza (mwili wake), familia yake, wengine, nyumba na mazingira kwa ujumla. Alikuwa mkarimu, mnyenyekevu, mkaribishaji, na mchangamfu na mwenye moyo mzuri na tabia. Ili kufupisha hadithi, aliishi vizuri na kila mtu katika kijiji chake. Mume alifurahi na kujivunia kuwa na mke wa aina hiyo. Alisifiwa kwa kuoa mke anayejali. Alijipenda na kujijali mwenyewe na wengine; daima alikuwa akiangaza.

Kila mwanakijiji alimpenda mwanamke huyu kwa sababu alikuwa na sifa za mwanamke/mama mzuri. Aliwafundisha watoto wake kujipenda na kujijali wao wenyewe na kwa wengine na zaidi kuishi kama umoja (udugu). Aliwalea watoto wake kwa kuwafundisha tabia njema na maadili kama vile kuwasikiliza na kuwaheshimu wazee. Watoto wake wakawa mifano mizuri katika jamii. Alikuwa mfano mzuri kwa wanawake wote kijijini kwao. Wasukuma wanatumia methali hii ya “Ng’wilu wa nzwili cheyo” kuwafunza watu katika jamii hasa wanawake na wasichana kwamba wanapaswa kuwa warembo nje ya mwili na ndani (moyo wao). Mwanamke anapokuwa na moyo mzuri jamii nzima itafundishwa na wema wake kwa sababu yeye hupitisha maadili haya kwa watoto. Katika Kiswahili kuna methali inayofanana na hii: “Uzuri wa mwanamke ni tabia yake”.

Methali hii hufundisha watu hasa wanawake juu ya wema na utunzaji wa nyumba na mazingira na kujua kuwafundisha watoto maadili hayo mema kama mama ili familia na jamii kwa ujumla iishi maisha yenye furaha na utimilifu pale penye maelewano, upendo. na kujaliana.

Wimbo Ulio Bora 6:4-5

Wimbo Ulio Bora 4:1-2.

Luka 1:26-38.

ENGLISH: HAVING WHITE HAIR IS A BROOM.

BACKGROUND, MEANING AND EVERYDAY USE

The origin of this proverb concerns a woman who existed in a certain village in Sukuma land. She had long and grey hair. She was beautiful, clean and always dressed properly. She did not want to see dirty environment around her. She took care of herself (her body), her family, others, house and the surrounding in general. She was kind, humble, welcoming, and cheerful with a good heart and behavior. To cut the story short, she lived well with everybody in her village. The husband was happy and proud to have such a wife. He was praised for marrying such a caring wife. She loved and cared for herself and others; she was always shining.

 Every villager admired this woman because she had qualities of a good woman/mother. She taught her children to love and care for themselves and for others and foremost to live as one (brotherhood) unity. She raised her children by teaching the good manners and values like listening and respecting elders. Her children became good examples in the society. She was a good example to all women in her village. The Sukuma use this proverb “Ng’wilu wa nzwili cheyo” to teach people in the society especially women and girls that they have to be beautiful outside the body and inside (their heart). When the woman is good hearted the whole society will be taught by her goodness because she transmits these values to children. In Swahili there is a proverb similar to this: “Uzuri wa Mwanamke tabia”, translated as the beauty of a woman is her behavior.

This proverb teaches people especially women about goodness and taking care of the house and environment and knowing to teach those good values to children as mothers in order that the family and society at large may live happy and fulfilled life where there is harmony, love and care for each other.

BIBLICAL PARALLELS

Song of Songs 6: 4-5 “You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, as lovely as Jerusalem, as majestic as troops with banners. Turn your eyes from me; they overwhelm me. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Gilead.”

Song of Songs 4: 1-2: “How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from the hills of Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn, coming up from the washing. Each has its twin; not one of them is alone.”

Luke 1:26-38 “ In the sixth month of Elizabeth`s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin`s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob`s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be ,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God…” I am the Lord`s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

CONTEMPORARY USE AND RELIGIOUS APPLICATION

This sukuma proverbs invites people not only to take care of themselves, their body or appearance but also to have a good behavior and good heart. That is to be clean outside the body and inside the body (heart). When they are good to themselves and their fellow human beings (neighbors, family members) they will live a happy life where love, peace and brotherhood is experienced. It is when they live in love with oneself and with others as Jesus states in the commandment of love that they are really serving God.

It encourages and teaches them that when you have good behavior and good heart God can use them as an instruments to spread the Good News in our family and our Small Christian Communities by our examples of love and care. When we live Christian values of love, respect, care for the others especially the poor and needy, obedience to our elders and parents, or strive for unite, peace and justice in our homes and the society we can draw many people to become disciples of Jesus. The Virgin Mary is a good example of God’s instrument that God used to bring salvation to the whole world.

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1281. INYUMBA YINOGA PEYINA VANU. (BENA)

KISWAHILI: NYUMBA INAPENDEZA IKIWA NA WATU.

ENGLISH: A HOUSE IS BEAUTIFUL IF IT HAS PEOPLE.

Background, Meaning and Everyday Use

This proverb talks about a man who was rich and owned a luxurious house. Unfortunately, he did not know how to live and socialize with people. The Wabena Ethnic Group around 1,322,000 people use this proverb.  This ethnic group is one of the Bantu Ethnic Groups in Tanzania. They like to live in the mountains and in places with rivers with a lot of water.  The Bena people use stories, dances, idioms, songs, games and various sayings in teaching, criticizing and educating the community, especially their younger generation.  Inyumba yinoga peyina vanu means (A house is beautiful if it has people) is one of the proverbs they use.

It happened that in their village of Navalonge Swela, there was a Mr. Nyongise, a rich man who built many housing estates. He had a large area, enough entertainment grounds and a place to raise animals. People really liked the houses and went to plan them so that they could live and others could do their business. However, unfortunately, people did not manage to live in those houses; they stayed for a short time and then left. No one could stay long. The houses remained empty, the locals were surprised and wanted to know what was going on.

Fortunately, when a tenant was going out, he passed by saying that this old man is disrespectful, very annoying and wants the tenants to live by doing what he wants. He is also a drunkard and a person who loves luxury so “we have decided to leave because we are afraid that his behaviour will destroy our children.”

After a while old Nyongise spent all his assets. He was left with nothing, he gave up and looked for a way to demolish his house and move to another area because he was ashamed in front of the villagers due to his pride.

Locals and well-wishers approached him, advised and encouraged him to stop his bad behaviour and cooperate well with others. The old man agreed and apologized, he promised to change his behaviour and that he would help the poor since he had a lot of wealth. He fulfilled his promise to help the poor.

Then the locals after seeing this said Inyumba yinoga peyina vanu that means A house is beautiful if it has people. This is how this proverb started and continues to be used until now.

This proverb is compared to many rich people who forget that their wealth comes from God, so when they have wealth they look down on others.  These people are the same as old Nyongise who abused them, despised them and refused to have a relationship because of his wealth. People laughed at them because in the end he ended up being poor like the others.

This proverb teaches to love, to care for all people and to respect them, whether they are rich or poor.

Biblical Parallels

Luke 14:23: “And the lord said unto the servant, go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

Isaiah 32:18: “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”

2 Chronicles 8:2: “Solomon rebuilt the villages that Hiram had given him, and settled Israelites in them.”

Deuteronomy 8.12, 14: “Look, when you have eaten and are full, and build a beautiful house and live in it, then your heart should not rise, and forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery.”

Contemporary Use And Religious Application

This Bena Proverb encourages all people to keep and to maintain their good traditions. We need to build cooperation so that we can live as one family. That is why the Catholic Church today emphasizes the importance of participating in Small Christian Communities (SCCs). It is a good place to meet, teach and help each other. Children are helped to grow in good Christian traditions and customs. Let us work together as brothers and sisters.

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Text by:

Sister Felisia Mbifile, SCSF

Email: felisiambifile@gmail.com

1280. MBELE ILINAOKO UTIPAMA ISHIKE.

 

 

 

KISWAHILI: UKIWA NA WA KUKUONGOZA HUWEZI KUJIKWAA.

 

 

ENGLISH: IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE LEADING YOU, YOU CANNOT LOSE THE WAY.

 
 

 


Background, Meaning and Everyday Use

The Sukuma People, one among the ethnic groups found in Tanzania, use proverbs, sayings, songs and riddles to convey some important messages to a particular person or to a group of people in the community, depending on the certain circumstances.

In Tanzania there is very common Swahili proverb known as zimwi likujualo halikuli ukakwisha (a ghost that knows you cannot devour you completely). This proverb is well used to address people to live a suitable life in the community so as to keep the gift of fraternity alive because no one knows about tomorrow. Thus you can undermine someone today and tomorrow you go to seek for his or her help. This Swahili proverb made me to go to my Sukuma language to search for a similar proverb. When I asked, immediately my grandfather told me such a proverb in Sukuma known as mbele ilinaoko utipoma/utipama ishike (if you have someone leading  you, you cannot lose the way).

This Sukuma proverb shows the complexity of the Sukuma language and the difficulty of translation. First, both utipoma and utipama are used depending on what part of Sukumaland you are living in, for example, Mwanza or Nyalikungu. Second, there are three possible English translations:

The meaning of this proverb is: ON THE NECESSITY OF LEAVING A GOOD LEGACY.  When you are living somewhere, try to be nice to people because you never know what will happen in the future. If you are a parent leave a good legacy to your children. Such a legacy will help them build their daily activities and be trusted.

Biblical Parallels

John 14: 1-3: “Let not your hearts be troubled. I will go and prepare a place for you. I will come again and I will take you to myself. That where I am you may also be.”

Romans 16: 1-2: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord as benefits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well.”

1 John 5:14: “This is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

Psalm 133:1: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell in unity!”

Contemporary Use And Religious Application

We are living in intercultural societies, where we can help each other through sharing the core values found in our cultures. It our task today here and now to rediscover the treasure found in our cultures. Through them we can transfer a message or speech of many words in a single sentence that communicates the same thing that could be given in a long message. Thus this proverb can be a compendium for all of us to leave a life worthy for all called to be Christians. Leaving a legacy behind us makes us to be alive even in our absence.

Think of some of our legacies such as: Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the Founding President of Tanzania. Among Catholic Bishops Bishop Christopher Mwoleka, one of the Bishop Founders of Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in Eastern Africa. Among African theologians Father Laurenti Magesa. More recent legacies are the SCC Model of Church and the Synodal Process.

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Prepared by:

Rev. Deacon Paschal Mahalagu

Deacon of the Catholic Diocese of Shinyanga

P.O Box 47

Shinyanga, Tanzania

Email: paschalmahalagu@gmail.com

Cellphone: +255755180893

Photographs by:

Rev. Zakaria Kashinje, OSA
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Cellphones:
+255-756-887787 Vodacom
+255-717-3337787 Tigo
+255-786-337787 Airtel
Email: zkashinje@gmail.com
zkashinje@yahoo.co.uk