Sukuma Proverbs

287. YALYA NOMI/NYOMBI.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile ginhu ijo jalyaga munhu uyo agayombaga mihayo ya golecha giki alintungilija. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agitanagwa nomi, nulu nyombi. Ulu upandika ikoye unomi ng’wunuyo, abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘yalya nomi/nyombi.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagihayaga giki bhali bhatungalija. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagabhizaga bha gwandya ugubhalamula abhichabho abho bhidumaga.

Kuyiniyo lulu, abhanhu abho bhagabhalamulaga bhagiganikaga giki, abhanhu guti bhenabho bhadidumaga, nulu bhadapandika makoye umuwikaji bhobho. Giko lulu, ubhupandiki bho makoye ga gwiduma go bhanhu bhenabho, bhugabhenhelejaga abhalamulwa guyomba giki, ‘yalya nomi/nyombi.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu kuleka kajile ka wihayi bho sagala umuwikaji bhobho. Uwikaji bhunubho bhugubhinha nguzu, jagubhatumamila chiza abhanhu bhabho.

(Waroma 2: 1-2).

KISWAHILI: IMEKULA MSEMAJI.

Chanzo cha msemo huu chaangalia kitu kilichokula mtu ambaye husema maneno yaoneshayo kwamba yeye ni mkweli. Mtu huyo huitwa msemaji. Hivyo, akipata tatizo huyo msemaji watu husema, ‘Imekula msemaji.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale ambao hujidai kuwa wao ni watu wazuri au wakweli. Watu hao huwa wa kwanza kwenda kuwapatanisha wenzao waliogombana maishani mwao.

Kwa hiyo, watu wengine huwafikiria watu hao kama vile hawawezi kupata matatizo ya kugombana wao kwa wao. Hivyo basi, wakigombana watu hao wawapatanishao wenzao, wale waliopatanishwa husema, ‘Imekuka msemaji.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu kuacha tabia ya kujidai hovyo maishani mwao. Maisha hayo, yatawasaidia katika kupata nguvu za kuwahudumia watu wao vizuri.

(Waroma 2: 1-2).

 

fighting

ENGLISH: IT HAS EATEN THE SPEAKER.

The origin of this proverb is something that affects someone who utters a word of truth. That person is called the speaker. So, when the speaker gets in trouble, people say, ‘It has eaten the speaker.’

The proverb is used to warn people who parade themselves as good or honest. These people are usually the first to go and reconcile rivals.

Some people, therefore, think of such people as being free from conflicts. So, when they get into an argument, those who are reconciled say, ‘It has eaten the speaker.’

The proverb teaches people to break the cycle of self-indulgence in their lives. Such a life will help them find the strength to serve their people well.

(Romans 2: 1-2)

286. WELELO IGALYAGA NA B’AMAHANO.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile bhudula bho ng’wa Welelo. Ubhudula bhokwe bholechije giki, Uweyi adinantale, nulu munhu mgamkumilija giki, ali na bhudula, Iyoyi iWelelo ulu yuhaya gung’wizila, igunsola duhu. Gashinaga lulu, Iwelelo, idalemejiyagwa. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayomba giki, ‘Welelo igalyaga na bhamahano.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo ali na nhinda jagwikumilija giki, uweyi adakangagwa umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agikalaga wihaya giki adalacha, kunguno ya bhudula bhokwe. Aliyo lulu, ulu ucha umunhu ng’wunuyo, abhanhu bhaguyomba giki, ‘Welelo igalyaga na bhamahano.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu guleka nhinda ja gubhulema ubhutale bho ng’wa Mulungu. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhadebhe igiki, bhadadulile ugubhushigila ubhudula n’ubhutale bho ng’wa Mulungu.

(1 Wakorintho 13:8-9).

KISWAHILI: DUNIA HUMEZA HATA WENYE MAAJABU.

Chanzo cha methali hii chaangalia uwezo wa Mungu. Uwezo wake huo hujionesha kwamba, Yeye hana mkubwa, hata watu wakimsifia mtu fulani kuwa ana uwezo, Mungu akitaka kumwijia, hayupo wa kumkataza. Kumbe basi, Mungu, hakatazwi. Ndiyo maana watu husema, ‘Dunia humeza hata wenye maajabu.’

Methali hii hulinganishwa kwa mtu mwenye kiburi cha kujisifia kwamba yeye hatishwi maishani mwake. Mtu huyo hujitapa kuwa hataweza kufa, kwa sababu ya uwezo wake. Lakini, mtu huyo akifa, watu watasema, ‘Dunia humeza hata wenye maajabu.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu kuacha kiburi cha kuukataa ukuu na uwezo wa Mungu maishani mwao. Yafaa watu hao waelewe kwamba, hawawezi kuufikia ukuu na uwezo wa Mungu.

(1 Wakorintho 13:8-9).

 

 

Thank God

ENGLISH: THE WORLD SWALLOWS EVEN THOSE WITH MIRACULOUS ABILITIES.

The origin of this proverb is the mighty power of God. God’s power shows Him as the Almighty and the greatest of all, the Most High. Even when people praise someone else as powerful, if God wants to take him/her, there is no way He can be resisted. That is why people say, ‘The world swallows even those with miraculous abilities.’

The proverb is comparatively used as a warning to proud people who brag that no one can intimidate them, including God. They swear that they will not die, because of their abilities. But, when such a person dies, people say, ‘The world swallows even those with miraculous abilities.’

This proverb teaches people to swallow their pride and embrace God’s greatness and power in their lives. It is fitting for them to realize that they cannot compare their abilities to God’s greatness and mighty powers.

(1 Corinthians 13: 8-9)

285. WALYA KAMANILA WATOGWA MHONZU.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ingilile kubhumaniji bho gulya ijo jilijinogu. Uni ojinogu ng’wunuyo adanogaga ugujilya kunguno jidijidamu, nulu jidalulile gusatya mino. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘walya kamanila watogwa mhonzu.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo atogilwe gubhibhonela abhiye. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agab’agemaga ab’iye bhenabho, guti si iyo ili ndogu. Kuyiniyo lulu, umunhu ng’wunuyo agabhayanjaga ab’iye bhogubhibhonela chiniko. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘walya kamanila watogwa mhonzu.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu guleka nhungwa ja gubhibhonela abhichabho.  Gashinaga yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho, bhab’ize na bhutogwa kubhichabho, kugiki bhadule gwita ya bhutungilija ukubhanhu bhabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

(Matendo ya Mitume 9:1-6)

KISWAHILI: UMEKULA MAZOEA UKAPENDA VILAINI.

 Chanzo cha methali hii chatokea kwenye mazoea ya kula vilivyo vilaini. Mlaji wa vilaini huyo huwa hachoki kula kwa sababu havimuumizi meno akila. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘umekula mazoea ukapenda vilaini.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule apendaye kuwaonea wenzake. Mtu huyo huwatendea wenzake hao maovu kirahisi kama ardhi laini inavyoweza kulimwa kirahisi. Kwa hiyo basi, yeye huwasumbua wenzake kwa kuwaonea kwa namna mbalimbali kwa sababu huwaona wanyonge kama ardhi laini. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia, ‘Umekula mazoea ukapenda vilaini.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu kuacha tabia za kuwaonea wenzao. Kumbe yafaa watu hao wawe na upendo kwa wenzao, ili waweze kuwatendea haki watu wao maishani mwao.

(Matendo ya Mitume 9:1-6).

 

smoothies

ENGLISH: YOU HAVE EATEN THE HABITS AND LIKED SOFTNESS.

  The origin of this proverb is a habit of eating something soft. A person who eats such thing does not get tired of eating it because the food does not hurt one’s teeth, due to its softness and, therefore, it becomes his/her habit. That is why people say, ‘You have eaten the habits and liked softness.’

The proverb is comparatively used to urge those who bully others to stop the habit. Such people like to easily maltreat others like soft grounds that can be easily ploughed. As such, they harass their colleagues in a variety of ways. That is why people tell them, ‘You have eaten the habits and liked softness.’

This proverb teaches people to refrain from the bullying habits. Instead, they should show love to people so that they can do justice to their lives.

(Acts 9: 1-6)

281. DUGULYA IJATUNGWA NGUKU.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile kikalile ka nguku.  Inguku ili ndimu ya ng’wipolu iyo idalimaga, aliyo igalyaga jiliwa bho nduhu nulu gugayiwa. Igikalaga bho gwicholela umuwikaji bhoyo, aliyo kihamo ni yiniyo, igab’izaga ilihoyi.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhali na nzala ya gwikala bhagwibhegejaga ijinaaguchola ijagulya.  Abhanhu bhenabho bhagicholelaga ijiliwa, gitumo jigicholelaga nguku, mpaga bhajipandika. Bhagayombaga giki, ‘dugulya ijatungwa nguku.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu  gwicholela jiliwa ahikanza lya makoye, guti ga nzala. Uwikaji bhunubho bhugub’inha nguzu ja gudula gugamala amakoye gabho genayo chiza.

(Luka 12:22).

KISWAHILI: TUTAKULA KILE KINACHOMNUSURU NYANI.

Chanzo cha methali hii chaangalia namna maisha ya nyani yalivyo. Nyani ni mnyamapori asiyelima mazao, lakini hula chakula bila kukosa. Yeye huishi katika mazingira ya kujitafutia chakula kila wakati.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wenye njaa ya kujitafutia chakula kila wakati.  Watu hao hujitafutia chakula kama ajitafutiavyo nyani katika maisha yake.  Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘tutakula kile kilichofungwa nyani.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu  kujitafutia chakula wakati wa matatizo kama yale ya njaa. Maisha hayo huwapa nguvu za kuweza kumaliza matatizo yao vizuri.

(Luka 12:22).

 

monkey

 

ENGLISH: WE SHALL EAT WHAT MAKES BABOONS SURVIVE.

The origin of the proverb is the life of a baboon. Baboons are wild animals that do not grow crops, but they eat food without lacking. They live on constant search for food.

This proverb is often used comparatively by hungry people who constantly search for food. These people look for food just as baboons do in their lives. That is why these people say, ‘We will eat what makes baboons survive.’

The proverb teaches people to look for food in times of famine. This life gives them the strength to deal with their problems well.

(Luke 12:22)

280. SHIMBA IGALYAGA MAGUZU GAYO.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile kalile ka shimba. Ishimba ilindimu iyo idalyaga ndimu iyo ichile. Iyoyi igalyaga indimu iyo yib’ulagaga yoyi njinikili. Kuyiniyo lulu, ishimba igatumilaga nguzu ningi ijaguipeja indimu yiniyo mpaga yib’ulage kugiki ipandike jiliwa. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘shimba igalyaga maguzu gayo.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagalyaga jiliwa ijo bhajipandika bho gutumila nguzu jabho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagatumama milimo yabho, bho bhukamu bhutale mpaga bhajipandika isabho ijobhagajilyaga umuwikaji bhobho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagabhakomelejaga abhichabho gwikomeja gutumama milimo bho guyomba giki, ‘shimba igalyaga maguzu gayo.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu gwikomeja gutumama milimo, kugiki bhadule gujipandika isabho ijaguyulya jiliwa ja maguzu gabho.

(1 Wathesalonike 4:11 – 12)

KISWAHILI: SIMBA HULA NGUVUZE.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia ulaji wa simba. Simba ni myamapori ambaye hali mzoga. Yeye hula mnyama ambaye amemuua yeye mwenyewe kwa nguvu zake. Kwa hiyo, mnyama huyo hutumia nguvu nyingi katika kumfukuza mnyama yule aliyemlenga, mpaka ampate na kumuua, ili apate chakula chake. Ndiyo maana watu husema, ‘Simba hula nguvuze.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale ambao hula chakula walichokipata wao kwa kutumia nguvu zao wenyewe. Watu hao hufanya kazi zao kwa bidii kubwa, mpaka kufikia hatua ya kupata mali wailayo maishani mwao. Watu hao huwahimiza pia wenzao kuongeza bidii ya kufanya kazi zao, kwa kusema kwamba, ‘Simba hula nguzuze.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu  kuongeza bidii katika kufanya kazi ili waweze kupata mali ya kula chakula kitokanacho na jasho lao. Bidii hiyo itawaletea maendeleo katika familia zao.

(1 Wathesalonike 4:11 – 12).

lion

ENGLISH: THE LION EATS ITS STRENGTHS.

The origin of this proverb looks at the lions’ eating habits. A lion is a wild animal that does not eat a corpse. It eats an animal that it has killed with its own efforts and strenghts. Thus, the animal spends most of its energy on chasing the targeted prey, until it finds and kills it, in order to get its well deserved food. That is why people say, ‘A lion eats its strengths’.

The proverb is used comparatively to refer to those people who eat food from their own sweat as a result of using their own strengths. These people work very hard, to the point where they get the wealth they need in their lives. The same people also encourage their peers to work hard, saying, ‘The lion eats its strengths.’

The proverb teaches people to increase their effort in working hard so that they can earn a living from their sweat. The effort will bring prosperity to their families.

(1 Thessalonians 4:11 – 12)