Sukuma Proverbs

292. LUSHU LWA NG’HAB’I IMALA NGOB’O.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile lushu lo ng’wa munhu uyo aling’hab’i. Ulushu lunulo lugatumamilagwa kubhuli nimo, kihamo na kuchembela ndili ja mihujo ya miatila. Imihujo yiniyo, ilimwenda ya ndili. Gashinaga lulu, ulushu lunulo lugamalaga ngob’o, kunzila yiniyo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki ‘lushu lwa ng’hab’i imala ngob’o.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo ali nomolomo. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agajaga ulomaloma uko ajile, guti nulushu ulo ng’hab’i, ulolugamalaga guchemba ngob’o. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga umunhu ng’wunuyo giki, ‘lushu lwa ng’hab’i imala ngob’o.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka ng’hungwa ja bhulomolomo, kugiki bhadule gwikala chiza na bhanhu bhabho, umuwikaji bhobho, abhanhu bhenabho.

Mwanzo 3:5.

Yohana 8:44.

KISWAHILI: KISU CHA MASKINI HUMALIZA NGOZI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia kisu cha mtu ambaye ni maskini. Kisu hicho hutumiwa kufanyia kazi nyingi, ambazo ni pamoja na kukatia ngozi za kutengenezea nguo za mila mbalimbali. Kumbe basi, kisu hicho humaliza ngozi. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘kisu cha maskini humaliza ngozi.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni muongo. Mtu huyo huenda akidanganya kule aendapo, kama vile kisu cha maskini kimalizavyo kukata ngozi. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia mtu huyo kwamba, ‘kisu cha maskini humaliza ngozi.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia za udanganyifu, ili watu hao waweze kuishi vizuri na kwa amani na watu wao, maishani mwao.

Mwanzo 3:5.

Yohana 8:44.

africa

ENGLISH: A POOR’S KNIFE FINISHES SKINS.

The basis of the overhead proverb looks at the knife of a poor person. Such knife is used to perform many tasks, which include cutting skins of various animals. But then, the knife just finishes the skin. That is why people say, ‘a poor’s knife finishes skins.’

The proverb is compared to the person who is a liar. Such person may be cheating on the spot, just as a poor knife ends up cutting off the skins. That is why people tell that person, ‘a poor’s knife finishes skins.’

The proverb imparts on people an idea of  stopping deceptive practices, so that they can live in peace with their people, in their lives.

Genesis 3: 5.

John 8:44.

291. LUGENDO LWA NHULU IMALA YOSE.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile sada iyo igitanagwa nhulu. Isada yiniyo igamanaga yukula hado hado bho gubhimba imhumbi unsadi oyo, mpaga myaka mingi. Aliyo lulu, ulu yushika ahanhalikilo yayo, igatangukaga. Ulu yutanduka chiniko, ucha umunhu uyo alinayo isada yiniyo, yubhiza yamala yose. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘lugendo lwa nhulu imala yose.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alina nhungwa jabhub’i, ijo jidulile gumulaga ahashigu ija habhutongi. Inhungwa jinijo, jilikihamo na kunyama bhanhu, b’ugwilila, nulu gutula bhanhu bhogubhibhonela.

Kuyiniyo lulu, ulu uding’wa umunhu ng’wunuyo, adulile nulu kutungwa, nulu kutulwa ucha. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga umunhu ng’wunuyo giki, ‘lugendo lwa nhulu imala yose.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka nhungwa ja bhubhi, na kusola ijo jilijawiza. Kunguno inhungwa ijabhub’i jigubhenheleja gubhulagwa, aliyo lulu, ijo jilijawiza, jigubhulang’hala chiza ubhupanda bhobho, na jigubhinha wasa bho gwikala bho mholele na bhichabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Matendo ya mitume 1:18.

KISWAHILI: SAFARI YA PURU HUMALIZA YOTE.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia ujonjwa wa puru ambao ni wa kuvimba tumbo kwa mgonjwa alionao. Ugongwa huo huwa unakua kidogo kidogo kwa kuchukua miaka mingi. Lakini basi, ukifikia mwisho wake hupasuka. Ukipasuka anakufa mgonjwa alionao ugonjwa huo, maana yake, ugonjwa huo unamaliza yote. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘safari ya puru humaliza yote.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu aliye na tabia mbaya iwezayo kuangamiza uhai wake, kwenye siku za mbeleni. Tabia hiyo yaweze kujionesha kwa kufanya matendo yakiwemo yale ya kuvamia watu, kubaka, au kugiga watu kwa kuwaonea.  

Kwa hiyo basi, akikamatwa mtu huyo aweza kufungwa jera au kupigwa hadi kifo. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia mtu huyo kwamba, ‘safari ya puru humaliza yote.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia mbaya na kufuata zile zilizo njema. Tabia mbaya itawasababisha watu hao kuawa, lakini tabia njema, itawalindia vizuri uhai wao, na kuwapa nafasi ya kuishi kwa amani na wenzao, maishani mwao.

anger

 

ENGLISH: THE JOURNEY OF STOMACH CANCER ENDS ALL.

The source of the above proverb looks at an ulcerative colitis, which is inflammatory in the patient. The seizures tend to grow slowly over the years. But then, when it reaches its end it breaks. If the rupture dies, the patient suffers from the disease. That is why people say, ‘the journey of stomach cancer ends all.’

The proverb is likened to a person who has a bad habit that can ruin his or her life, in the future. This behavior can manifest itself by committing acts including assaulting, raping, or abusing people.

Therefore, if arrested, the person can be jailed or beaten to death. That is why people tell that person, ‘the journey of stomach cancer ends all.’

This proverb teaches people to stop bad habits by folowing good ones. Bad behavior will cause them to be killed, but good manners will better protect their lives, and give them a chance to live in peace with their partners, in their lives.

290. KASWA KAMO KAGAMALA B’UKI NG’WIDEBE.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ingilile kukaswa na b’uki, ubho bhuli ng’widebe. A kaswa kenako kamanaga kinja b’uki bho gusombya ung’widebe linilo. Iki kasombyaga kasola b’uki bhugehu, bho ng’hangala ningi, nose kagalimala ilidebe linilo ilya b’uki. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki ‘kaswa kamo kagamala b’uki ng’widebe.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alina sabho ningi, ijo agajimalaga bho gujitumila sagala, umuwikaji bhokwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agamanaga usola bhulilushigu ngehu ujitumila, nose ujimala isabho jinijo. Ubhusoji bhunubho wikolile na kaswa, ako kagamala b’uki ng’widebe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga umunhu ng’wunuyo giki, ‘kaswa kamo kagamala b’uki ng’widebe.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu  gujitumila chiza isabho jabho, kugiki jidule gubhambilija ahashigu ijabhobhutongi.

KISWAHILI: UNYASI MMOJA ULIMALIZA ASALI KWENYE DEBE.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye jani na debe la asali. Jani hilo lilikuwa likipunguza asali hiyo kwa kuchovya kwenye debe hilo la asali. Kwa vile jani hilo lilikuwa likichukua asali kidogo kwa mara nyingi, mwishowe, liliimaliza asali yote iliyokuwemo ndani ya debe hilo zima la asali. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘jani moja lilimaliza asali kwenye debe.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu mwenye mali nyingi ambaye huimaliza mali hiyo kwenye matumizi yasiyo na maana. Mtu huyo huwa anashukua mali hiyo kidogo kidogo, kila siku na kuitumia vibaya, mwishowe ataimaliza. Uchukuaji huo wa mali hufanana na ule na jani lile lililomaliza asali kwenye debe. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia mtu huyo kwamba, ‘jani moja lilimaliza asali kwenye debe.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu  kuitumia vizuri mali waliyonayo, ili iweze kuwasaidia kwenye siku zijazo.

 

honey

ENGLISH: A GRASS STALK FINISHED THE ENTIRE TIN CONTAINER OF HONEY.

The origin of this proverb is a grass stalk and a honey container. Someone used such a stalk to frequently dip into the honey container and was in the process reducing the amount of honey bits by bits. Although the stalk had been taking little honey, the entire container was finished in the end as the act was done many times. That is why people say, “A grass stalk finished the entire tin container of honey.”

The proverb is used comparatively to refer to any rich person who eventually finishes his or her riches for useless purposes by slowly taking and abusing bits of the properties day after day. The slow and bit by bit taking of the properties is considered to be the same as that of the grass stalk that finished up the honey in the entire tin container. That is why people remind the rich person, “A grass stalk finished the entire tin container of honey.”

The proverb teaches people about how to use the resources they have, so that they can help them in the future.

289. JAWIZA JIDAMALAGWA/ABHASOGA BHADAMALAGWA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile jisumbwa ja ng’wa Mulungu. Ijisumbwa jinijo jili jabhuli mbika. Bhuli jene jili na wiza bhojo, ubho bhujikilile ijingi. Aliyo lulu gashinaga, jilihoyi ijawiza hangi kukila ni jinijo, ijo umunhu ujikumilijaga, giki jilijawiza kulilanija pye. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘jawiza jidamalagwa.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agajidalahijaga ijo alinajo bho gujibhona giki angu jidijawiza, nulu jilijabhubhi, ulu ojibhona jingi ijo jilijawiza gukila ijo alinajo. Aliyo lulu umunhu ng’wunuyo aho ojibhonaga ijo alinajo ihaha, ojihayaga giki, jilijawiza gukila pye ijingi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘jawiza jidamalagwa,’ kunguno uweyi wiganikaga giki, ojimala pye ugujibhona, ijawiza jinijo.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu gufula ijo bhalinajo umuwikaji bhobho, bho gujibhona giki jilijawiza, kunguno ijawiza jidamalagwa.

(Luka 12:16-21; Luka 16:19)’

KISWAHILI: VIZURI HAVIMALIZWI/WAZURI HAWAMALIZWI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia viumbe vya Mungu. Viumbe hivyo ni vingi, na pia ni vya kila aina. Kila kimoja kina uzuri wake uliotafauti na ule wa kingine. Lakini basi, vipo vilivyo vizuri zaidi ya vingine, ambavyo mtu alishaviona mara ya kwanza, na kudhani kwamba, hicho ni kizuri kuliko vyote. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘vizuri havimalizwi.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huvidharau vile alivyo navyo, baada ya kuviona vingine kuwa ni vizuri kuliko alivyo navyo. Lakini mtu huyo, alipoviona kwa mara ya kwanza vile alivyo navyo, alivifikiria kuwa ni vizuri kupita vyote, alivyoviona wakati huo. Yeye alifikiria kwamba, alivishamaliza kuviona vyote vilivyo vizuri, kumbe haikuwa hivyo. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘vizuri havimalizwi.’ 

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu  kuridhika na vile walivyovichagua maishani mwao. Kuridhika huko, kutawawezesha watu hao, kuyaishi vizuri maisha yao waliyoyachagua, au kuishi kwa amani na wenza wao waliowachagua, maishani mwao, kwa sababu ‘vizuri havimalizwi, au wazuri hawamalizwi.’

(Luka 12:16-21; Luka 16:19).

flowers

ENGLISH: THAT WHICH IS GOOD IS NEVER FINISHED.

The origin of this proverb is God’s creations. They are many, and of all kinds. Each has its own unique beauty that is different from that of the other. But then, there are other things that are much better than that which is thought to be the best. That is why people say, ”what is good is never finished.”

The proverb is comparatively used to remind those who despise what they have after seeing other things or other people as better than what they have that “the good things/the beautiful ones are never finished”. But when these people first saw what they have, they thought that it was the best. They thought that they had finished seeing all that was good or beautiful, which wasn’t the case. That is why people say, ”what is good is never finished.”

The proverb teaches people about being content with the choices they make in their lives. That satisfaction, will allow them to live the life they have chosen, or to live in peace with the people they have chosen in their lives, because ”what is good is never finished.”

(Luke 12: 16-21; Luke 16:19)

288. AHO JILI JIDAMALAGWA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ingilile ku wingi bho sabho. Isabho jinijo jigabhizaga jilihoyi duhu aho jakwijiwa, kunguno ijoyi jigiyongeja bho gwibyala. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga, ‘Aho jili jidamalagwa.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhamanile ugujilang’hana chiza isabho ijo bhagajipandikaga, umuwikaji bhobho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagamanaga bhujilekeja isabho jinijo, kunguno jigabhizaga jilihoyi duhu. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘aho jili jidamalagwa.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu gujilanghala chiza isabho ijo bhagajipandikaga umuwikaji bhobho. Ubhulang’hani bhunubho, bhugubhambilija abhanhu bhenabho, ugujikalana isabho jinijo, bho makanza malihu, umuwikaji bhobho.

(Waroma 5: 20-21).

KISWAHILI: PALE ZILIPO HAZIMALIZWI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye wingi wa mali pale zilipo. Mali hizo huwa zipo tu pale zilipokusanywa, kwa sababu mali hizo huwa zinaongezeka kwa kuzaana. Ndiyo maana watu husema, ‘Pale zilipo hazimalizwi.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale waelewao vizuri kuzitunza mali zile wazipatazo maishani mwao. Watu hao huzitunza kwa uangalifu mali hizo, ambazo huwa wanarithishana, kwa sababu ya mali hizo kuendelea kuwapo kwao. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘pale zilipo hazimalizwi.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu kutunza vizuri mali wazipatazo maishani mwao. Utunzaji huo, utawasaidia watu hao, katika kuendelea kuwa nazo mali hizo kwa mda mrefu, maishani mwao.

(Waroma 5: 20-21).

agriculture

 

ENGLISH: WHERE THERE IS A LOT, IT IS NEVER FINISHED.

The origin of this proverb is a lot of wealth. This wealth exists where it is accumulated and it tends to increase in size. That is why people say, ‘Where there is a lot, it is never finished.’

The proverb is used to compare people who know to those who do not know how to properly manage the assets they have in their lives. As opposed to those who do not, those people how to properly manage their assets continue to take good care of them property, the result of which is their perpetual existence and increase. That is why people say, “Where there is a lot, it is never finished.”

The proverb teaches people how to take good care of the wealth they have in their lives. Such care will help them, in the long run, to continue owning those assets.

Romans 5: 20-21.