Sukuma Proverbs

238. IHINDI HUKO IGAFUMILAGA IMYENDA NA AB’AGAJA DUHU B’ALIHOI.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile myenda iyoigafumilaga b’uhindi. Imyenda yiniyo igab’egejiwagwa kunuko. Igab’ejiwagwa mingi kugiki abhanhu bhayigule b’ingi, nulu bhatanhanhile ugwizwala na yingi isage iyo igashigaga mpaga kusi jingi.

Abhanhu abho bhalihanze ya si iyo igabhejaga myenda, bhagiganikaga giki, bhuli ng’wene uko igab’egejiyagwa imyenda, aizwalile iyimyenda yiniyo. Aliyo gashinaga nukwene bhalikoyi abho bhagasimizaga duuhu. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ihindi huko igafumilaga imyenda na abhagajaga duuhu bhalikoyi.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhalimusi iyo ilina b’usab’i, na bhanhu bhayo abhakamu bha milimo bhalibhasab’i. Aliyo kihamo nubhusabhi bho si yiniyo, na bhabhab’i bhalihoyi.

Hangi lulu ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiwagwa ku likelesia, kunguno ung’wene jilihoi mbango ningi noyi, aliyo lulu, nabhanhu abho bhadinajo imbango jinijo, bhalihoi moyi.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu gubhiza na bhukamu bho gub’utumila chiza ubhusab’i ubho bhulihoyi umusi yabho, nulu kubhiza na bhukamu bho gujichola imbango ijo jilihoyi umo bhali. Ubhukamu bhenubho bhugubhenhela matwajo mingi umuwikaji b’ob’o.

Mathayo 6:33.

KISWAHILI: HINDI NDIKO ZITOKAKO NGUO NA WAENDAO UCHI WAKO.

Chanzo cha methali hii chaangalia nguo ambazo hutoka Hindi. Nguo hizo hutengenezwa huko kwa wingi ili kuwawezesha watu wengi kuzipata kwa kuzinunua, ikiwezekana kila mmoja azipate, na zingine kufikia hatua ya kuuzwa nje ya nchi.

Watu walioko nje ya nchi hiyo hudhani kwamba, kila mmoja katika nchi itengenezayo nguo hizo huvaa nguo hizo. Lakini kumbe hata watu watembeao uchi kule wapo. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, Hindi ndiko zitokako nguo na waendao uchi wako.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu waishio ndani ya nchi yenye utajiri mwingi, na wenye bidii ya kuutumia utajiri huo, wamekuwa matajiri. Lakini pamoja na nchi hiyo kuwa na utajiri mwingi hivyo, waishio bila kupata mahitaji ya lazima yakiwemo yale ya nguo, chakula na malazi, wapo.

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo hulinganishwa na Kanisa kwa sababu ndani yake kuna baraka na neema nyingi. Lakini pamoja na uwepo wa baraka hizo ndani yake, watu waishio bila baraka hizo wapo.

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu kuwa na bidii ya kuutumia utajiri uliomo ndani ya nchi yao vizuri, au kuwa na bidii ya kuzipata na kuzitumia baraka na neema zilizoko ndani ya Kanisa. Bidii hiyo itawawezesha kupata mafanikio mengi maishani mwao. “Lakini utafuteni kwanza Ufalme wa Mungu na haki yake na haya yote mtaongezewa” (Mathayo 6:33).

ENGLISH: EVEN IN INDIA WHERE CLOTHES COME FROM, THERE ARE THOSE WHO WALK NAKED

The origin of this proverb is clothes from India. The garments are manufactured locally in large quantities to enable more people to buy them, preferably for everyone to acquire, and sometimes to the point of exporting.

People outside the country think that everyone in the country that produces such garments has clothes to wear. However, there are people who go without decent clothes. That is why people say that even in India is where clothes come from, there are those who walk naked.

The proverb is used comparatively to refer to people who live in a rich countries; those who are eager to use the riches have also become rich. However, despite the countries’ immense wealth, those who do not live on basic necessities, including clothing, food and shelter, also exist there.

Moreover, the proverb is used to refer to the Church, because it has enormous blessings and graces. However, despite the presence of such blessings in the Church, people who live without those blessings exist in the same Church.

This proverb teaches people to be diligent in making use of the wealth present within their reach, or to be diligent in applying the blessings and graces present within their Church. That effort will allow them to achieve immeasurable successes in their lives. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Matthew 6:33.

237. TOB’OTOB’O YAB’UB’I HAMBOHAMBO GWIKULUMBULA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ingilile kubhulenganija bho bhanhu bhab’ili, uyo wigumhaga uchubhuka ulukulume, nuyo ochaga. Gashinaga lulu ilihambuhambu uyo wigumhaga uchubhuka ulukulume kunguno ung’winuyo agulagulwa upila, aliyo lulu uyo ochaga adiko ugulagulwa mpaga ushoka hangi kuwelelo.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiagwa kubhanhu abho bhagiyangulaga gwita miito gawiza ukubhichabho, guti gutumila sabho jabho bhogubhambilija bhasadu na gubhasomisha bhana bhabho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhadeb’ile igiki amasabho mabhonwa, hangi macholwa, aliyo lulu ubhupanga bhulambu.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu gubhiza na wiyanguji na bhulamuji bho wiza umuwikaji bhobho. Ubhulamuji nu wiyanguji bhunubho bhugubhambilija ugujitumamila chiza isabho jabho bho gubhambilija abhichacho, abho bhali na makoye ijinagubhulanghana ubhupanga bhobho.

(2 Petro 2:14; Mathayo 5:27-30)

KISWAHILI: NI HERI KUUMIA KWA KUJIKWAA KULIKO KUSAGIKA.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chatokea kwenye ulinganishaji wa watu wawili, aliyejikwa akaumia kidole, na yule aliyefariki. Kumbe ni afadhali yule aliyeumia kidole kwa kujikwaa, kwa sababu huyo atatibiwa na kupona, lakini basi, yule aliyefariki hawezi kutibiwa mpaka akarudishwa duniani.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu waamuao kutenda matendo mema ya kuwasaidia watu wenye shida kwa kutumia mali zao kwa lengo la kuwarudishia afya na kuwasomesha watoto wao. Watu hao wafahamu kwamba, mali hupatikana lakini uhai una gharama, hivyo ni vigumu kuupata.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu kuwa na maamuzi mema maishani mwao. Maamuzi hayo yatawasaidia katika kuzitumia vizuri mali zao kwa kuwasaidia wenzao walioko kwenye matatizo kiasi cha kutosha kuulinda uhai wao.

2 Petro 2:14;

Mathayo 5:27-30.

working woman

ENGLISH: IT IS BETTER TO HURT ONESELF BY STUMBLING THAN TO BE CRUSHED.

The origin of this proverb is a comparison of two people, one with an injured finger and the other one dead. It is better for the person injured by stumbling, because he or she will be healed, but the dead one will not be healed to the point of coming back to life on earth.

The proverb is used comparatively to refer to people who decide to do good deeds to help other people who are in need by using their resources to restore health and educate their children. People know that property can be found, but life is expensive and hard to find.

The proverb teaches people to make good decisions in their lives. These decisions will help them in managing their assets better by helping their less fortunate friends to save their lives.

2 Peter 2:14.

Matthew 5: 27-30.

233. IJO JINIHANGA JILINIGUDI

Imbuki ya Lusumo lunulo ilolile ihanga na nhuni ya ng’wa munhu. Ilihanga ligalingisilaga wandijo b’o ng’wa munhu, nulu ginhu jileb’e. Inhuni igalingisilaga nhalikijo yakwe umunhu ng’wunuyo, nulu iginhu jinijo.

Kuyiniyo lulu, b’uli jene ijo jilinihanga jidagaiyagwa inhuni, ilingisilile giki, b’uli jene ijilinawandijo jidagayiyagwa inhalikijo.

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kub’anhu abho bhagiganikaga giki, b’agwikala bhulunga kele ehenaha welelo. Kunguno yiniyo lulu, ulu umo ob’o winga kuwelelo, bhagapandikaga wib’akizu bho gudula nulu gucha, kunguno ya wib’akizu b’unubho. Abhanhu bhenabho b’aghibhaga igiki, b’ulijene ijo jilinihanga jina nhuni.

Ijinagongeja, ulusumo lunulo hangi lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagapandikaga mayange, nulu matwajo ayo galikihamo na bhusab’i, gub’iza bhalinhola, gupandika milimo na yingi mingi, umuwikaji b’ob’o. Ulusumo lunulo lugab’izukijaga abhanhu bhenab’o igiki, b’ulijene ijo jilinihanga, jidagayiyagwa inhuni.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na widohya b’o gwikala na bhanhu bho mholele. Uwikaji bhunub’o bhugabhadugijaga b’ingi uguginja amakoye gab’o chiza, nulu gugatumila chiza amatwajo gab’o, kunguno bhuli jene ijo jilinihanga jidakijaga ugub’iza ni nhuni. Hugwene guhaya giki, bhuli jene ijo jilinawandijo, jidagayiyagwa ugub’iza na nhalikijo.

KISWAHILI: KILA KILICHO NA SURA KINA KISOGO

Chanzo cha methali hiyo huangalia sura na kisogo cha mtu. Sura humaanisha mwanzo wa mtu au kitu fulani. Kisogo humaanisha mwisho wake huyo mtu au kitu hicho.

Kwa hiyo, kila kilicho na sura hakikosi kuwa na kisogo, humaanisha, kwamba, ‘kila kilicho na mwanzo hakikosi kuwa na mwisho.’

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa watu wafikirio kwamba wataishi milele hapa duniani. Kwa sababu hiyo, mmoja wao akifariki, watu hao hupata mshituko hata kupelekea kwa baadhi yao kupoteza maisha, kwa sababu ya mshituko huo. Watu hao husahau kuwa ‘kila kilicho na sura kina kisogo.’

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo pia hulinganishwa kwa watu wapatao matatizo au mafanikio, yakiwemo yale ya kupata utajiri, kuwa na afya njema, kupata kazi na kadhalika, maishani mwao. Methali hiyo huwakumbusha watu hao kuwa kila kilicho na sura hakikosi kuwa na kisogo.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na unyenyekevu wa kuishi na watu kwa amani. Hali hiyo huwawezesha wengi kuyatatua vizuri matatizo yao, na kuyatumia vizuri mafanikio yao, kwa sababu kila kilicho na sura hakikosi kuwa na kisogo. Ndiyo kusema, ‘kila kilicho na mwanzo hakikosi kuwa na mwisho.’

elephant-richness

meditate-

ENGLISH: EVERYTHING THAT HAS A FACE HAS A BACK HEAD

The overhead proverb looks at the existence of the face and the back head, both being parts of a human being. On the one hand, the face signifies the beginning of person or thing, and on the other hand, the back head signifies the end of a person or thing. Therefore, everything that has a face also has an end, that is, the back head. This also means that ‘everything that has a beginning has an end.’

The proverb relates to those who think that they will live on earth forever. Thus, when one of them passes on, these people get so devastated to an extent of even losing their own life as well, due to the shock. They forget that ‘everything that has a face has a back head.’

In addition, the proverb is also relates to people who experience both success and problems. Success could be in form of wealth, good health, employment, and so on. The proverb reminds them that everything that has a face also has a back head.

The proverb teaches people about the importance of living with others in humility and in peace. This enables people to solve their problems effectively, and to make the most out of their success, because everything that has a face has a back head. This is to say, ‘Everything that has a beginning has an end.’

229. WAJA KUBHINGI

Imbuki ya Lusumo lunulo ilolile munhu uyo ozumalika. Umunhu ulu winga kuwelelo abhanhu b’agibhujaga giki, umbati hali?’ Abho bhadebhile uko ali bhagushosha giki, ‘ung’wene waja kub’ingi.’ Ukwene huguhaya giki, ‘umunhu ng’wunuyo wazumalika.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhadebhile ugubhalunguja abhichabho abho bhapandikile mayange ga guzumalikilwa na ng’wichab’o. Abhanhu bhenabho bhamanile igiki, abhanhu abho bhazumalika bhalibhingi gukila abho bhalimusi. Giko lulu, abhoyi, bhagab’alangaga abhichibho giki, bhuli munhu aguzumalika, nulu aguja kubhingi. Kuyiniyo lulu, itiho inguno ya munhu gupinhihala mpaga ugabhitilija ulu ozumalikilagwa na nduguye.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na bhumani bho gubhalunguja abhanhu abho bhapandikaga mayange ga guzumalikilwa na ng’wichabho. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhakije ugupinhihala mpaka bhugabhitilija, kunguno umunhu ng’wunuyo, ojile kubhingi.

Marko 9:31-32.

KISWAHILI: ALISHAENDA KWA WENGI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo huangalia mtu ambaye amefariki. Mtu akiaga dunia watu huulizana kwamba, ‘fulani wapi?’ Wale wafahamuo kule aliko hujibu kwamba, ‘huyo alishaenda kwa wengi.’ Ndiyo kusema kwamba, ‘mtu huyo alishafariki.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale wafahamuo kuwafariji wenzao waliopata matatizo ya kuondokewa na wenzao. Watu hao wafahamu kwamba, watu waliofariki ni wengi kuliko wale walioko duniani. Hivyo, wao huwafundisha wenzao kwamba, ‘kila mtu atafariki, au ataenda kwa wengi. Kwa hiyo basi, hakuna sababu ya mtu kuhuzunika kupita kiasi pale ambapo ndugu yake atafariki dunia.

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uelewa wa kuwafariji wenzao waliopata matatizo ya kuondokewa na wapendwa wao. Yafaa watu hao waache kuhuzunika kupita kiasi kwa sababu mtu huyo alieshaenda kwa wengi.

Marko 9:31-32.

graves

ENGLISH: HE/SHE WENT TO MANY

The above proverb addresses the phenomenon of death. When a person dies, people ask each other, ‘Where is so and so?’ And those in the know would usually respond by saying, ‘He/she went to many,’ which implies that the person is deceased.

This proverb relates to people who understand how to comfort their friends who may have experienced distressing situations like loss of loved ones. Aware that the dead are more than the living, they use the wise saying to teach others that everyone will die, or ‘will go to many’. There is therefore no compelling need for the affected person to grieve too much for a kinsman’s demise.

The proverb teaches people to be understanding as they comfort others who may have suffered loss of loved ones. Bereaved people need not grieve extensively because, after all, the deceased ‘has gone to many.’

Mark 9: 31-32.

225 MAJA MUNDA GATI MIKAJI

Imbuki ya Lusumo lunulo ilolile jiliwa ijo munhu agajilyaga na hanuma yaho jigikalaga munda kumakanza maguhi na guponyiwa hanze. Kubhulingisilo bhunubho, umunhu ulujiyegela mpaga gubhitilija ijililwa ijo ojilyaga, nulu ulu ulema ugujilya jiliwa jilebhe, ijo jidijawiza umugujilola, aguwilwa na bhiye giki, ‘maja munda gati mikaji.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagabhadarahaga abhahabhi na kulema ugujilya ijiliwa jabho angu giki bhalijibhona jibhi. Abhoyi bhagalyaga na wigimbi ijiliwa jabho ija nyasabhi.

Ijinagongeja, abhanhu bhenabho bhagajiyegelaga iginhu ijo jilijamakanza maguhi duhu na bhajileka ija makanza malihu. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagibhaga igiki amaja munda gati mikali.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka nhungwa ja kubhadaraha abhanhu abho bhalibhahabhi. Lulibhalemeja ugwigimbila ginhu, guti jiliwa, ijo jigabhitaga, nulu gwigimbila bhupandiki bhulebhe. Abhanhu bhenabho, yigelelilwe bhizengele nhungwa ja wiza ijagubhiza kihamo na bhanhu bho bhutogwa na mholele kubhose, bho nduhu gubhasolanya bhalebhe duhu. Inhungwa yiniyo, igubhizukija isolobho ya guidilila iyo idashilaga kihamo na mihayo ya ng’wa Mulungu uyo obhabhumba.

Isaya 40:6-8.

Mhubiri 1:2-3.

Marko 7:18-19.

1Wakorintho 7:31.

KISWAHILI: KIENDACHO TUMBONI HAKIKAI

Chanzo cha Methali hiyo huangalia chakula, ambacho mtu hukila na baada ya hapo chakula hicho hukaa tumboni kwa muda mfupi tu, na kutupwa nje. Kwa maana hiyo, mtu akijivunia kupita kiasi chakula alichokula, au akikataa kula chakula fulani, ambacho kwa macho hakipendezi, huambiwa na wenzake kwamba, ‘kiendacho tumboni hakikai.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wawadharauo wenzao ambao ni maskini na hukataa kula chakula chao wakikiona kama chakula kibaya. Wao hujivunia kula vyakula vyao ambavyo ni vya kitajiri.

Zaidi ya hayo, watu hao pia hujivunia vitu ambavyo ni vya muda mfupi tu na huviacha ambavyo ni vya kudumu. Watu hao husahau kwamba kiendacho tumboni hakikai.

Methali hiyo hufudisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia ya kuwadharau watu walio masikini. Huwakataza kujivunia vitu vipitavyo, kama vile vyakula vizuri au mafanikio fulani. Watu hao hutakiwa kujijengea tabia njema ya kushirikiana kwa upendo na watu wote, bila kuwabagua. Tabia hiyo, itawakumbusha watu hao juu ya umuhimu wa kuyazingatia yale yasiyopita, yakiwemo yale yamhusuyo Mungu aliyewaumba.

Isaya 40:6-8.

Mhubiri 1:2-3.

Marko 7:18-19.

1Wakorintho 7:31.

fruit1 village1

ENGLISH: WHAT GOES INTO THE STOMACH DOES NOT STAY

The above proverb focuses on the food that a person eats, and the fact that it stays in the stomach for just a short time, soon to be expelled. Thus, if a person is too proud of what he/she has eaten, or declines to partake of certain foods which he/she dislikes, the person is told by colleagues, ‘what goes into the stomach does not stay.’

The proverb is compared to people who despise their poor counterparts. For instance, they will turn down a poor person’s food offer because they consider it (the food) bad. They take pride in taking only the kind of food that is associated with opulence.

Moreover, such people adore things that are merely temporary or short-lived, and ignore those that are durable or long lasting. This asserts the gist of the proverb: ‘What goes into the stomach does not stay.’

The proverb is used to discourage people from despising the poor. It cautions against boasting of things that are temporal, such as good food or a certain level of success. People are encouraged to cultivate good habits of sharing with others lovingly and without discrimination. Such pleasant attitude will remind them about the virtue of only focusing on critical issues, including what entails the place of God who created them.

Isaiah 40: 6-8.

Ecclesiastes 1: 2-3.

Mark 7: 18-19.

1 Corinthians 7:31.