Sukuma Proverbs

144. NAB’UNDALAGA NDIHAJIGANGA

Research sponsored by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako igayombagwa na munhu uyo wisanije ginhu jakwe ijo ajaminile, nulu munhu uyo obiisha jiliwa jingi. Huyo agayombaga giki ‘nab’undalaga ndihajiganga.’

Giko lulu agwikala amanile igiki aduluhiwa ni nzala, kulwa nguno alinajo ijiganga. Ijiganga jinijo hijiliwa jakwe.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo abizaga na jikolo jileb’e ijo ajisanije gete umuwikaji bhokwe. Ijikolo jinijo jigang’winhaga nhinda ja guigimba umumasala gakwe.

Akahayile kenako kadulanga higulya ya gulekana nayo iyamusi ng’wenumu iyabhubhi. Duhandatile mli Yesu, kulwa nguno ung’wunuyo hii jiganga jise. Duleke ugwisanya ginhu jingi aha bhutongi yakwe UYesu.

KISWAHILI: NIMELALA KIFUDIFUDI KWENYE MWAMBA

Maana ya msemo huo inaangalia mtu anayejivunia kitu mbele yake anacho kiamini, au mtu ambaye alilima mazao yake na akapata mavuno mengi. Mtu huyo husema kwamba, ‘nimelala kifudifudi kwenye mwamba.’

 Hivyo, basi atakaa akijua hivyo kwamba hatateseka na njaa kwa sababu anajivunia mwamba huo alionao ambao ni chakula chake. Hicho ndicho akitegemeacho.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huwa na kitu fulani ambacho hukiamini kabisa maishani mwake. Kitu hicho humpa kiburi cha kujigamba katika akili zake.

Msemo huo hutufundisha juu ya kuachana na mambo ya duniani yapinganayo na Mungu. Unatufundisha kumfuata Yesu Kristo peke yake, kwa sababu Yeye ndiye mwamba au nguvu yetu. Tusijivunie mali nyingine mbele yake Yesu Kristo.

ENGLISH: I HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP USING STOMACH ON THE ROCK

The above wise saying is used to depict the satisfaction associated with someone who has had a bumper harvest of his/her crop. It can also be used to mean the sense of pride that comes with achievement and contentment.

Someone who has “fallen asleep using stomach on the rock” will stay there in the comfortable knowledge that he/she will not suffer from starvation. The rock in this case symbolizes the strong foundation of food security or bountifulness.

The adage can be used to refer to the egotistic character that an individual develops courtesy of his/her possessions.

As Christians, the above saying reminds us about the Biblical teaching on the vanity of worldly possessions. It teaches us on how to follow none other than Jesus Christ, for He is our rock, our power. We are thus cautioned against believing in anything else but to put all our hope and all our might in Jesus Christ.

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ANOTHER ENGLISH VERSION: I HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP USING STOMACH ON THE ROCK

The meaning of the overhead wise saying looks at a person who is proud of something in front of himself/herself. It also looks at someone who planted his/her crops and earned a lot of yields. Such person says, ‘I have fallen asleep using stomach on the rock.’

So, he/she will stay there knowing that he/she wi

ll not suffer from starvation because of being proud of the rock, that is, the food that he/she has. Such food is what one relies on as his/her rock.

The overhead adage is likened to the person who has something that he/she really believes in his/her life. Such thing gives egotism to him/her in his/her mind.

The above proverbial saying imparts us about abandon

ing the worldly things that are in opposition to the guidelines of God. It teaches us on how to follow Jesus Christ alone, because He is our rock or power. Let us not put on ourselves another property instead of Jesus Christ.

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143. LUB’UB’U LUGANSHOGELAGA UYOOLUTUMYA

Research sponsored by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Mbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola lub’ub’u. Ulub’ub’u lugigelaga ulu munhu agushimizaga. Aguyuludundumucha aliyo luguyunshogela nuwei uyo agulutumyaga.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa nu kumiito ga bhanhu, inguno amiito genayo gaganhondejaga bhuli ng’wene uyo agagitaga umuwikaji bhokwe. Ulu munhu wita miito gawiza, agubhiza na bhuyegi, umuwikaji bhokwe. Aliyo ulu miito gakwe gib’iza gabhub’i, gagung’wenhela makoye, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Ukubhanhu akahayile kenako kalilola munhu uyo witaga mihayo ya sagala, nulu giti gwib’a, guyomba b’ulomolomo, bhupondya, na yingi iyoyikolile ni yeniyo. Giko lulu, ulugiki mihayo yudaama, aguimala nu ng’witi oyo.

Akahayile kenako kadulanga higulya ya kulekana ni mihayo iyabhub’ub’i, giti yeniyo iyasagala. Kunguno imihayo yeniyo idulile guduchala ku makoye, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Ijinagongeja, akahayile kenako kadulanga higulya ya kub’iza na nhungwa jawiza, ijagwita miito gawiza, ayogadulile gudenhela b’uyegi bho gwikala na mholele na bhigisu umuwikaji wise.

VUMBI HUMRUDIA ALIYE ITIMUA

Maana ya msemo huo inaangalia vumbi. Vumbi hutokea wakati mtu akitembea. Vumbi hilo humfuata yule anayelitimua.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa na matendo ya watu, kwa sababu matendo hayo humfuata kila mmoja yale aliyoyafanya katika maisha yake. Kama mtu akitenda matendo mema, atakuwa na furaha maishani mwake. Lakini kama matendo yake yatakuwa mabaya, yatamuletea matatizo maishani mwake.

Kwa maana hiyo, msemo huo unamwangalia mtu anayetenda matendo ya hovyo kama vile kuiba, kusema uongo, kubaka na mengine kama hayo. Hivyo basi mambo yakiwa magumu, atayamaliza yeye aliyeyatenda.

Msemo huo hutufundisha juu ya kuacha maneno na matendo ambayo ni ya hovyo kama hayo. Kwa sababu maneno na matendo hayo yatatupeleka kwenye matatizo.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hutufundisha juu ya kuwa na tabia njema ili matendo yetu yaweze kutuletea furaha ya kupata maendeleo ya kuishi kwa amani na wenzetu maishani mwetu.

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ENGLISH: DUST TRAILS HE WHO STIRS IT UP

As one walks, one tends to stir up dust in the walk. Ordinarily, the dust would trail him or her that rouses it. That is the basic meaning of the above proverb.

That proverb is used to draw a parallel with people’s actions in life: Good deeds beget happiness; bad ones beget sadness or a troubled life.

For instance, a person who engages in immoral actions such as theft, deception, among other such vices is bound to face the harsh consequences of his or her actions.

Such proverb can be compared to another English proverb which says: “You reap what you sowed.” In essence, the two proverbs imply that one ought to be prepared to take responsibility of one’s actions at all times.

The above proverb teaches us to be wary of engaging in undesirable or wicked actions like deception since they can cause us grief.

It further advises us to be morally upright so that our actions can guarantee happiness, peace and harmony in our lives.

ANOTHER ENGLISH VERSION: DUST FOLLOWS THE ONE WHO CAUSES IT

The meaning of the above proverb looks at the dust which has been caused by somebody. Dust occurs when someone walks. It follows him/her who causes it.

The above proverb is compared to actions of people, because these actions follow each one in his/her life. If one does good deeds, he/she will be happy in his/her life. But if his/her actions are bad, they will put him/her into troubles in his/her life.

For that reason, such proverb looks at the person who acts as a thief, deceiver, and so forth. So when things are hard, the doer will be responsible to what has been done by him/her.

Such proverbial statement teaches us ab

out stopping deceiving others or doing bad actions and the like. This is due to the fact that, erroneous doings as well as wicked actions bring problems to their doers.

Furthermore, it imparts us to be morally upright so that our actions can bring us happiness for achieving peace and harmony in our lives.

142. WENUBHU WILIGAGA NDINHO

Research sponsored by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Mbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola munhu uyo alinzugi obhugali, ulu giki ubhugali bhunubho b’udapile. Ubhagali bhunubho bhugab’izaga bhutaganu.

Abhanhu bhagayombaga chene giki ‘ubhunubhu wiligaga ndinho.’ Mumho ubhugali bhunubho b’ulib’ub’isi.

Ukubhanhu akahayile kenako kalolile munhu uyo alitumama nimo bho nduhu gub’iza na bhulingisiji. Adatumamaga bho bhugalili mpaga ogumala.

Akahayile kenako, kakalenganijiyagwa nukubhanhu ijinabhukuji bhobho na bhutumami bhobho.

Ulu munhu ab’iza alingokolo alikola na bhugali ubho wiligile ndinho. Munho ogiliga amalange agagub’iza alintumami nkamu omilimo.

Aliyo ulu munhu ub’iza alintumami nkamu omilimo, mumho wikolile na bhugali ubho bhupile. Ubhunubho bhudagwiligile undinho. Ukwene huguhaya giki, umunhu ng’wunuyo, alangile chiza.

Akahayile kenako kalidulanga higulya ya gutumama milimo yise yose bho chiza, yaya uguja wangu bho nduhu bhulingisiji. Ili chiza ugugutumama unimo bho bhulingisiji bhutale.

Hangi akahayile kenako kalilanga higulya ya gub’iza na nhungwa ja wiza. Inhungwa jinijo jigalenganijiyagwa na bhugali ubho bhupile.

Kuyiniyo lulu, akahayile kenako kalinhugula umunhu uyo agatumamaga nimo bho nduhu gub’iza na bhulingisiji bhutale. Umunhu ng’winuyo, igelelilwe kutumama nimo bho chiza na bhulingisiji bhutale mpaga agumale chiza.

KISWAHILI: HUU UMEUKWEPA MWIKO

Maana ya msemo huo inaangalia mtu anayesonga ugali.  Kama ugali utakuwa laini, na tepetepe, maana yake, ugali huo ni mbichi.

Watu husema kwamba, ‘huo umeukwepa mwiko.’ Maana yake, ugali huo ni mbichi. Huo ni ugali ambao haujaiva.

Kwa watu, msemo huo huangalia mtu anayefanya kazi bila kuwa na umakini. Mtu huyo hafanyi kazi kwa umakini unaotakiwa mpaka kuimaliza.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa na malezi ya mtu katika makuzi yake na utendaji wake wa kazi.

Mtu huyo akiwa mvivu hulingana na ugali ulioukwepa mwiko. Ndiyo kusema, kwamba, mtu kama huyo aliyakwepa malezi yatakiwayo kwa mtu kuwa mfanya kazi mwenye bidii.

Lakini kama mtu huyo ni mwenye bidii katika kufanya kazi, hufanana na ugali ulioiva. Ugali huo haukuukwepa mwiko. Ndiyo kusema, kwamba, mtu huyo ana malezi mema.

Msemo huo hutufundisha juu ya kufanya kazi zetu vizuri na kwa bidii na umakini mkubwa. Ni vizuri kufanya kazi kwa umakini unayotakiwa hadi kuifikisha mwisho wake kwa ajili ya kupata mafanikio mengi na mazuri katika maisha yetu.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na tabia njema. Tabia hiyo hulinganishwa na ugali ulioiva vizuri.

Kwa hiyo, msemo huo, humuonya mtu anayefanya kazi bila kufuata utaratibu sahihi unaotakiwa. Mtu huyo anatakiwa kufanya kazi kwa kufuata utaratibu sahihi na kwa bidii ili aweze kuifanya kazi hiyo kwa usahihi mpaka kuimaliza.

“Lakini yule atakayevumilia hadi mwisho ndiye atakayeokoka.” (Mathayo 24:13).

“Msiwe wavivu, bali mwe na bidii katika roho mkimtumikia Bwana. Iweni na furaha katika tumaini, katika dhiki iweni na saburi, dumuni katika maombi. Changieni katika mahitaji ya watakatifu, wakaribisheni wageni.

 Wabarikini wale wanaowatesa, barikini wala msilaani. Furahini pamoja na wenye kufurahi, lieni pamoja na wale waliao.” (Waroma 12:11-15).

“Mwanamke anapokuwa na utungu wa kuzaa huwa na maumivu kwa sababu saa yake imewadia. Lakini mtoto akiisha kuzaliwa, yule mwanamke husahau maumivu hayo kwa sababu ya furaha ya kuzaliwa mtoto ulimwenguni. Hivyo ninyi mna maumivu sasa, lakini nitawaona tena, nayo mioyo yenu itafurahi na furaha yenu hakuna awaondoleaye.” (Yohana 16:21-22).

“Lakini kufuatana na ahadi Yake, sisi tunatazamia kwa furaha mbingu mpya na dunia mpya, ambayo haki hukaa ndani yake. Kwa sababu hii, wapenzi, kwa kuwa mnatazamia kwa furaha mambo haya, fanyeni bidii ili awakute katika amani, bila mawaa wala dosari. Nanyi hesabuni uvumilivu wa Bwana kuwa ni wokovu, kama vile ndugu yetu mpenzi Paulo alivyowaandikia kwa hekima ile aliyopewa na Mungu.” (2Petro 3:13-15).

“Wale niwapendao, ninawakemea na kuwaadibisha. Hivyo uwe na bidii ukatubu.” (Ufunuo 3:19).

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ENGLISH: THIS FOOD HAS ESCAPED THE COOKING STICK

The meaning of the above saying looks at the person who cooks some food or stiff porige in which cook has to use special cooking stick. If such food soft, and smooth, meaning that it is raw. People say, this food has escaped the special cooking stick.

For people, the phrase looks at the person who works without paying attention to what he/she is doing. The person does not work carefully enough to earn good products.

The above saying is compared to the formation of a person in his or her background and performance.

The sluggish person is like the ugly tale. That is, such a person has avoided the formation which supposed to form him/her enough to become a hard worker.

But if that person is actively involved in hard working, he/she like somefood which has been cooked pleasantly. Such person has got good preparations in his/her life.

That statemental saying teaches us about being hard workers in ourlives. We shoud work well, diligently and seriously. It is good to work carefully from the starting point of a given work to its end for being successifully in living sound lives.

Additionally, the saying teaches people on how to behave well. Such character is likened to a well-cooked food.

Therefore, the above saying warns the one who does not follow appropriate procedures in a given work. The person should work in accordance with the correct order and diligence so that he or she can perform the task correctly and successfully from its beginning to its end.

“But he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13).
“Do not be slothful, but be diligent in spirit to serve the Lord. Be happy in hope, in distress be in quietness, in prayer in prayer. Get involved in the needs of the saints, welcome visitors.

 Make fun of those who are harassing you, screaming and disagreeing. Rejoice with the cheerful, liar with the rest. “(Romans 12: 11-15).

“When a woman has birth pains she has pain because her hour has come. But when the baby is born, the woman remembers the pain because of the baby’s baby’s happiness in the world. So you are now suffering, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice and your joy no one will take away from you. “(John 16: 21-22).

“But according to His promise, we joyfully await the new heaven and the new earth, in which righteousness dwells in it. For this reason, dear friends, since you eagerly await these things, work diligently to keep them in peace, with no thought or flaws. And consider the patience of the Lord as salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul wrote unto you in the wisdom which God hath given him “(2 Peter 3: 13-15).

“Those I love, I rebuke and discipline them. So be diligent and repent. “(Revelation 3:19).

141. NG’WILIMYA LIMYA AGAPANDIKAGA MANOG’HO

Research sponsored by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Mbuki ya lusumo lwenulu ililola munhu nimi. Umunhu unimi ung’wene agiyumilijaga ahab’ulimi bhokwe wenubho, mpaka ogushisha unimo gunuyo ahikanza lya gubisha ijilhiwa. Ahenaho agub’iza opandikagaga amanong’ho; nguno agubisha ijiliwa giti Mandege, Busiga, Numbu na jingi ningi giti jinijo.

Ukubhanhu, akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa na munhu uyo alitumama nimo gosegose bho wiyumilija mpaka ogushisha unimo gunuyo aha ng’halikijo yago.

Ubhulangwa bho kahayile kenako ukubhanhu, b’uli higulya ya wiyumilija umubhutumami bho milimo. Ilichiza ugugutumama unimo bho wiyumilija mpaga gugushisha aha ng’halikoko yago.

 Hangi akahayile kenako, kalilanga bhanhu, higulya ya gub’iza b’akamu umugutumama imilimo.  Ijina b’ukamu b’unubho, ubho gutumama imilimo, b’adulile guishisha imilimo yiniyo aha ng’halikilo yajo, bho makanza maguhi.

KISWAHILI: ANAYELIMA HUPATA FAIDA.

Maana ya methali hii inaangalia mtu anayelima. Mkulima huyo huvumilia katika kufanya kazi hiyo ya kulima mpaka kufikia hatua ya kupata mazao yaliyokomaa, hapo atakuwa amepata faida.

Maana atapata mazao ya vyakula kama vile: mahindi, mtama, viazi na vinginevyo vingi kama hivyo.

Kwa watu, msemo huo hulinganishwa na mtu yule anayefanya kazi yeyote kwa uvumilivu, mpaka kufikia hatua ya kuifikishisha kazi yake hiyo kwenye mwisho wake.

Fundisho la msemo huo kwa watu, uko juu ya uvumilivu katika kufanya kazi. Ni vizuri kufanya kazi kwa uvumilivu mpaka kuifikisha kazi hiyo kwenye mwisho wake.

Msemo huo pia hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na bidii katika kufanya kazi. Ndani ya bidii hiyo ya kufanya kazi, watu wataweza kuimaliza kazi hiyo kwa muda mfupi zaidi na kupata faida ya kazi hiyo.

“Msiwe wavivu, bali mwe na bidii katika roho mkimtumikia Bwana. Iweni na furaha katika tumaini, katika dhiki iweni na saburi, dumuni katika maombi.” (Waroma 12:11-12).

“Kwa kuwa vitu vyote vitayeyuka hivyo, ninyi je, imewapasa kuwa watu wa namna gani? Inawapasa kuishi maisha matakatifu na ya kumcha Mungu, mkingojea na kuhimiza kuja kwa hiyo siku ya Mungu, ambayo siku hiyo mbingu zitachomwa moto na kutoweka na vitu vya asili vitayeyuka kwa moto.” (2Petro 3:8-11).

“Hivyo, tusichoke katika kutenda mema, kwa kuwa tutavuna kwa wakati wake tusipokata tamaa.” (Wagalatia 6:9).

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ENGLISH: THE ONE WHO FARMS FINDS PROFITS

The meaning of the above proverb looks at the person who farms. The farmer persists in doing difficult works until he/she reaches the stage of earning from growing crops where he/she will have benefits in the future. The one does so patiently because of being aware of his/her receiving food products such as maize, millet, potatoes and the like as many as possible, in the time to come.

The above proverb is likened to a person who works hard with patience, until he completes his/her work at the end. He/she will find profits in his/her future life. The teaching of this proverb to the people is on patience in work activities. It is good to work patiently until one brings his/her work to its end.

Besides, the proverb also teaches people about being active in working enough to become hard workers for earning much profits. In such a workforce, people will be able to finish their jobs within a short time and gain a lot of benefits from those works.

“Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12: 11-12). “But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness” (2 Peter 3: 8-11). “And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6: 9).

140. NGW’ANA OBHAKONGI BHINGI ADALUMAGWA MBISU.

Research sponsored by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Mbuki ya lusumo lwenulu ililola ng’wana uyo ali na bhakongi b’ingi, nulu uyo alina b’ab’ucha b’ingi. Giko lulu ung’wana ng’wunuyo, adiko ugutuulwa hasi, kulwa nguno agumanisahilwa bhogub’uchiwa na ungi.

Lusumo lwenulo lugalenganijiyagwa na munhu uyo agalanhanagwa na bhanhu bhingi, abho b’agamanaga b’iyambilija ugunanha ubhulangwa uwiza.

Ukubhanhu, ulusumo lwenulo lulilanga higulya ya kub’iza na masala ga gwikala chiza na bhanhu umumakaya.

Abhanhu bhenabho b’agiyambilija bho gufunya bhulangwa bho wiza ukub’ana bhose abha muchalo jabho, kugiki bhuling’wene abhize nhangi obhana bha ng’wiye.

KISWAHILI: MTOTO WA WALEZI WENGI HANG’ATWI SIAFU

Maana ya methali hiyo inaangalia mtoto aliye na walezi wengi, au yule aliye na wabebaji wengi. Hivyo basi mtoto huyo, hana nafasi ya kuwekwa chini, kwa vile atakuwa anabebwa mara kwa mara na wabebaji wake wakipokezana.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa na mtu yule ambaye hufundishwa na watu wengi ambao huwa wanasaidiana katika kumpa malezi mema.

Kwa watu, methali hiyo hufundisha juu ya kuwa na akili ya kuishi vizuri na watu kwenye familia.

Watu hao husaidiana katika kulea watoto, kwa kuwafundisha malezi mema vizuri watoto hao wote waliomo kwenye kijiji chao, ili kila mmoja awe mwalimu kwa watoto wa mwenzake.

 “Mimi ni Myahudi, niliyezaliwa Tarso huko Kilikia, lakini nimelelewa hapa penye mji huu, miguuni mwa Gamalieli. Nilifundishwa kikamilifu katika sheria ya baba zetu, nikiwa mwenye juhudi kwa ajili ya Mungu kama kila mmoja wenu alivyo leo.” (Matendo 22:3).

“Ndoa na iheshimiwe na watu wote, nayo malezi yawe safi, kwa kuwa Mungu atawahukumu wazinzi na waasherati wote.” (Waebrania 13:4).

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ENGLISH: THE CHILD OF MANY GUARDIANS IS NOT BITTEN BY ANTS

The meaning of the above proverb looks at the baby who has many guardians, or the one with many carriers. The baby does not have a chance to be put down since he/she will be regularly dressed and carried by his/her many caretakers.

Such a proverb is likened to the one who is taught by many people in a given society. These people help each other in giving him/her good teachings for living peacefully with others. The above proverb teaches people about having an ability to live well with people in families.

Those people who apply such  a proverb into their lives help each other in raising children by teaching them good values and habits. They do so to all children in their villages. Each one becomes a good teacher to the children of others.

“I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day”(Acts 22:3). “Let marriage be held in honor among all” (Hebrews 13:4). “Train up a child in the way he or she should go” (Proverbs 22:6). ”Bring your children  them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).