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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ililola ngoko iyo ilinasusu iyo igajilishaga tamu mpaga giguta, haho itali iyoyi ugulya. Ingoko yiniyo igajidilililaga tamu isusu jayo, huna yalya nayo ahanuma.

Ulusumo lunulo lugatumamilagwa kubhabyaji abho bhagabhalishaga, na gub’alela chiza abhana bhabho. Ili nghana gitumo dugabhonelaga umuwikaji wize bho bhuli lushigu, igiki, ingoko iyo ilina susu, igatucholelaga ijiliwa utususu toyo, bho nduhu ugulya tamu iyoyi. Alilomela, UPadri Joseph G. Healey, umujitabho jakwe ijo jihayile, “KUENEZA INJILI KWA METHALI.” “Gutananya nhulu ja wiza bho sumo.” Uk. 34.

Abhasukuma, bhagatumilaga ulusumo lunulo umuguzenga nholo ya gwifunya jisambo kunguno ya bhanhu bhangi, nonono abhobhadidulile. Ukujigemelo ijawiza, ija guitimija iyiniyo, ni ngoko iyoigajilanghanaga isusu jayo ijo jidamanile ugulimila ilishinu.

Ubhulangwa ubhutale umu lusumo lunulo bhuli “bhulanghani ubho bhalinabho abhabyaji ukubhana bhabho.” Ingoko guti mayu, igacholaga makanza gose ijiliwa ja gujilisha isusu jayo. Amakanza ayo ikomile gupandika nulu lishinu, idalilyaga, aliyo igalilekaga kugiki isusu jayo jigalilye.

Ingoko yiniyo, igizunilijaga duhui aho isusu jayo, jamalaga ugulya. Ulu jumala gwituta isusu, huna nu mayu ojo ng’wunuyo, agicholegaga ginhu ja gulya ng’winikili.

Umyaji ng’unuyo agalekaga ugwiiganikila ng’winikili tamu, mpaga ulu yujiganikila tamu isusu jayo.

Inhungwa yiniyo iya ngoko, ilijigongwa numa nu lusumo ulo luhayile giki, “Uli ng’wana o mbata, ib’egejage ng’winikili.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lulilanga mingi ukubhabyaji. Ili milimo yabho, ugubhalanga abhana bhab’o bho gub’inha bhugota, gubhasomisha, na gub’inha nhungwa jawiza, jiliwa, myenda na yingi mingi.

Ijinaguitimija iyiniyo ukubhana bhabho, guli nimo go bhabyaji uguleka nhungwa guti ja gung’wa walwa wingi, guzwala majizwalo ga mahela mingi, na gangi ayo gikolile na genayo.

Ubhulingisilo bho gwita giko, ili kihamo na golecha bhutogwa bhobho ukubhana bhabho na kubhose abho bhadidulile umuwikaji bhobho, abho bhalilomba wambilijiwa.

Bhadulile ugubhalela chiza abhana bhabho bho gugaleka amatumiji ayo gadigalazima kugiki bhatimije unimo gogubhadilila abhana bhabho, mpaga nabho bhakule bhali na nhungwa ja wiza.

Ijinagongeja, ulusumo lunulo lulilanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka wimi ng’holo bhogwidilila bhoyi duhui, aliyo, bhabhadilile abhobhalilomba wambilijiwa. Inhungwa guti yiniyo, idulile gwenha wizang’holo bho gubhalela chiza abhana bhose abha muchalo, bho nduhu gulola igiki, uyo aling’wana ong’wa nani, nulu alifumila ha kaya iliginehe.

SWAHILI: KUKU MWENYE VIFARANGA HAMEZI FUNZA (NYUNGUNYUNGU)

Chanzo cha methali hii kilaangalia kuku mwenye vifaranga ambaye huhakikisha kwamba vifaranga wamwepata chakula, kabla ya yeye mwenyewe kula. Kuku huyo huwajali kwanza wale watoto ndipo anakula na yeye mwenyewe baadaye.

Methali hiyo hutumika kwa wazazi ambao huwalisha, na kuwatunza kwa kuwalea vizuri watoto wao. Ni kweli kama tunavyoona katika maisha yetu ya kila siku, kwamba, kuku mwenye vifaranga huwa anawatafutia watoto wake chakula bila kula yeye mwenyewe kwanza. Aeleza Pd. Joseph G. Healey, kwenye kitabu chake kisemacho “KUENEZA INJILI KWA METHALI.” uk. 34.

Wasukuma hutumia methali hiyo katika kujenga moyo wa kujitolea sadaka kwa ajili ya wengine hasa wale wasiojiweza. Mfano mzuri wa kutekeleza hilo ni kuku ambaye huwatunza watoto wake wachanga, ambao hawawezi kumeza mdudu. Mandhali kuu ya methali hiyo ni “Utunzaji walionao wazazi kwa watoto wao.”

Kuku kama mama, hutafuta daima chakula ili kuwalisha vifaranga vyake. Wakati apatapo chakula, kama vile mdudu, hamli lakini humuacha kwa ajili ya watoto wake.

Kuku huyo kuridhika tu baada ya vifaranga vyake kula. Baada ya watoto wake kushiba, basi ndipo naye mama huyo huchukua kitu fulani kwa ajili yake mwenyewe.

Mama huyo huacha kujifikiria mwenyewe kwanza, badala yake huwafikiria kwanza watoto wake. Tabia hiyo ya kuku huenda kinyume na methali ya kisukuma isemayo, “Uli mwana o mbata ib’egejage.” Maana yake, “wewe ni mtoto wa pata, jitegemee mwenyewe.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha mengi kwa wazazi. Ni wajibu wao, kwa mfano, kuwahudumia watoto wao kwa kuwapa mahitaji ya afya, elimu na tabia nzuri, chakula, nguo na mahitaji mengine.

Ili kutimiza majukumu hayo kwa watoto wao, ni muhimu kwa wazazi kuacha tabia ya kujishughulisha na mambo fulani katika maisha yao, kama vile, kunywa bia nyingi, kuvaa nguo za gharama kubwa, nk. Lengo la kufanya hivyo, ni pamoja na kuutekeleza upendo wao kwa watoto wao na kwa wale wanaohitaji msaada wao, kwa kuwatunza. Wataweza kuwalea vyema watoto wao kwa kuacha matumizi yasiyoyalazima ili walitekeleze jukumu la kuwajali zaidi watoto wao kwa ajili ya kuwawezesha kukua katika maadili mema.

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha ubinafsi kwa kuwajali wahitaji katika jamii. Tabia kama hiyo huweza kuleta ukalimu wa kuwalea watoto wote pale walipo bila kujali kwamba, mtoto fulani ni wa nani, au anatoka kwenye familia gani.

ENGLISH: THE HEN WITH BABY CHICKS DOESN’T SWALLOW THE WORM.

Sukuma ( Tanzania) Proverb

BACKGROUND, EXPLANATION, MEANING AND EVERYDAY USE

An inspiring Sukuma proverb in Tanzania on sacrifice and self-denial is The hen with baby chicks doesn’t swallow the worm. Its main theme is “Parental Care.” The mother hen is constantly looking for food to feed her chicks. When she does find some food, for example a worm, she doesn’t eat it but leaves it for her chicks. Only after the chicks have eaten and been satisfied will the mother hen take something for herself. In contrast to the hen, the mother duck doesn’t provide for her ducklings. She let’s them fend for themselves. See the Sukuma proverb Uli ng’wana wa mbata ibegejage (You are the child of a duck; take care of yourself).

Similar African proverbs are When a woman is hungry she says: “Roast something for the children that they may eat” (Akan, Ghana). No matter how skinny, the son always belongs to his father (Galla, Ethiopia). The cows never run away from her calves (Bemba, Zambia). The porcupine lovingly licks her spinney (thorny) offspring (Oromo, Ethiopia). The child who stays near his or her mother does not fall into the trap (Chewa, Malawi/Zambia). The mother hen does not break its own eggs (Swahili, Eastern Africa). The umbilical cord and strap in which the cord is wrapped is like mother and child (Ganda, Uganda).

Parents can learn much from this proverb. It is their obligation to care for their children by providing what is necessary for their health, education and right conduct — food, clothing and other needs. To fulfill their obligations to their children, it is necessary for parents to be self-sacrificing and forego certain things in their lifestyle, for example, excessive beer drinking, wearing expensive clothes, etc.

An important aspect of African proverbs is their participatory nature that fits in very well with relationship and community values. Sometimes a preacher or teacher gives the first half of the proverb and the congregation or audience responds with the second half: Unity is strength…division is weakness. The hen with baby chicks…doesn’t swallow the worm. The second half is the advice that the speaker wants the audience to accept so he or she “maneuvers” the listeners so that the words come from their own lips.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilinola munhu uyo agikalaga na lukando kando na adakangilwe mhayo gose gose, kulo giki wimanile igiki alinajo ijikolo. Ijikolo jinijo jili giti ng’ombe, hela, malale, na manumba.

Giko lulu, umunhu ng’wunuyo agikalaga wimanile igiki nulu agapandika mayange, nduhu amakoye nguno agwigunana bho jikolo jakwe. Huguha giki, ung’wenuyo wisanije jikolo jakwe umuwikaji bhokwe.

Gashinaga lulu, akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo wisanije jikolo jakwe umuwikaji bhokwe. Ung’wunuyo adakangagwa kulwa nguno ya jikolo jinijo ijo ajisanije.

Akahayile kenako kadulanga higulya ya kuleka inhungwa ija bhudoshi umukikalile kise. Tub’ize na nhungwa jawiza ijagudambilija gwikala nab’umo na b’igisu, kunguno dudina ginhu ijagudosela. Idichiza ugudosela majikolo ga musi ng’wenumu, kunguno gose agenayo galab’ita.

KISWAHILI: KUJIDAI DAI KWA MWANAFURANI ATEGEMEA CHAKE.

Chanzo cha msemo huo kinamwangalia mtu ambaye huwa na tabia ya kujidai maishani mwake. Mtu huyo hatishwi na neno lolote, kwa sababu ya mali zake anazozitegemea. Mali hizo ni kama ng’ombe pesa, mashamba na majumba.

Hivyo basi, mtu huyo huwa anajiamini kwamba, hata kama akipata matatizo, atazitumia mali hizo katika kutatua matatizo hayo. Ndiyo kusema kwamba, mtu huyo hutegemea mali zake maishani mwake. Hujiona yeye kuwa hawezi kuhangaika, kwa vile atatumia mali hizo katika kutatua matatizo hayo.

Kumbe basi, msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye hutumainia mali zake maishani mwake. Mtu huyo huwa hatishwi na kitu kwa sababu ya mali zake hizo anazozitegemea.

Msemo huo hutufundisha juu ya kuacha tabia yenye majivuno ya kuzarau wengine maishani. Badala yake tuwe na tabia njema iwezayo kusaidia katika kuishi maisha yenye umoja na wenzetu, kwa sababu hatuna cha kulingia au kujivunia. Ndiyo kusema kwamba, siyo vizuri kulingia mali za hapa duniani kwa sababu hizo zote zitapita.

ENGLISH: BOASTING ONESELF OF SOMEONE HE/SHE HINGES ON HIS/HERS

The overhead proverb examines the unwise attitude of boastfulness in people. Human beings sometimes allow their earthly possessions like cattle, land among other resources to blind them and cause them to believe that they are infallible.

They believe that, because of their immense wealth, nothing can pose any difficulties in their lives; they have the resources to surmount every obstacle in their way.

In other words, the aphorism reflects a person who trusts in his/her wealth so much that it overwhelms his/her sense of reason.

The message we can draw from such proverb is that boasting, materialism and haughtiness are all in vain.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        We should rather strive to be humble, and possess a helpful assertiveness; qualities that can help us live a peaceable life with others.

ENGLISH: BOSTING ONESELF OF SOMEONE HE/SHE HINGES ON HIS/HERS

The source of the overhead adage looks at someone who has a tendency of expressing something to others by boasting himself/herself in life. He/she is not satisfied with any word, because of his/her own dependence on oneself. Such person has assets are like cattle, farms, and parks.

Hence, he/she is convinced that, even if he or she gets in trouble, he/she will use the resources to solve those difficulties. That is, such person depends on his/her possessions in his or her life. He/she does not feel that he/she can face hitches, since he/she will use those resources to solve them.

Otherwise, the overhead aphorism is likened to a person who trusts his/her wealth in his/her life. Such person is overwhelmed by the reason of his/her dependent possessions.

Such proverb imparts people about stopping boasting approaches in their lives. They should not depend on what they possess by putting aside their haughty behavior to others in life.

Rather, they should have a helpful assertiveness that can help them in living a peaceable life with their fellows. They have no reason to boast themselves in front others. That is, it is not noble to consider physical belongings on earth as givers of all solutions to hitches of human beings.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola ginhu ijo jidachamagwa guti mongo. Nguno umongo gugajaga mpaga uko guligagelela na gudab’izaga na nchami.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agapangaga milimo yake na guidilila chiza ijinaguitumama. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agaginjaga amapinjapinja ayo gakomile gugulemeja ugutumamwa unimo gunuyo. Adina bususanya umub’utumami bho milimo yakwe.

Akahayile kenako kalidulanga higulya ya kuleka gub’iza na b’ususanya. Uluuhaya gulondeja mhayo, ilichiza uje na ngholo yimo.

Ilichiza kumtumamila Sebha Yesu bho ngholo yimo pye ishigu ja wikaji bho musi ng’wenumu. Diyangule gunhondeja weyi bho nduhu gususanya mpaga dupandike ubhupanga ubho bhudashilaga.

KISWAHILI: MIMI SIZUWILIWI NINAKOENDA MPAKA NIFIKE HUKO NINAKOENDA

Maana ya msemo huo inaangalia kitu ambacho hakizuiwiliwi, kwa mfano mto, kwa sababu mto huenda mpaka unakokomea, huwa hauziwiliwi.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa na mtu ambaye hupanga mipango yake na kuifuatilia vizuri katika kuukamilisha utekelezaji wake. Mtu huyo huondoa mapingamizi ya mipango hiyo, kwa vile huamua kufanya kitu hicho bila kusitasita.

Msemo huo hutufundisha juu ya kutokuwa na kazi za kusita sita katika maisha yetu. Ni vizuri kufanya kazi kwa roho moja au kwa bidii bila kusisita.

Ni vizuri kumfuata Bwana Yesu kwa moyo mmoja siku zote za hapa duniani. Tuamue kumfuata Yeye bila kusitasita, mpaka tuupate uzima wa milele.

ENGLISH: I AM NOT PREVENTED I GO UNTIL I REACH MY DESTINATION

Just like a river pushes itself all the way to its destination, this proverb is about the unstoppable nature of certain phenomena in life.

For instance, an individual who makes sound plans and executes them meticulously is bound to achieve the set goals and objectives with very little or no chance of failure.

Such proverb teaches us about the virtue of planning; and the necessity of working hard and resolutely to implement our plans in life. It advises us that it is always a good thing to complete what we set out to do.

In the same breath, the proverb seeks to invite us to be closer to the Lord Jesus Christ to serve Him with all our might and with the whole heart. This way, we may be able to inherit the kingdom of God and be assured of eternal life.

ANOTHER ENGLISH VERSION: I AM NOT PREVENTED I GO UNTIL I REACH MY DESTINATION

The meaning of the above saying looks at something that is not stopped, for example a river, because it goes until it reaches its destination. It is not easily prevented.

Such saying is likened to a person who plans his/her strategies and follows them well from the beginning to their completions. Such person eliminates what can stop him/her from fulfilling his/her strategic plans. The one does so because he or she decides to achieve a given goal in life without hesitation.

The above proverb imparts us about planning well in our daily lives without hesitation. It is good to work hard in our planned workings from the beginning to the point of completing them without hesitation.

It likewise imparts us on following daily the Lord Jesus Christ. It is good to follow Him with one heart all days of living on earth. Let us follow Him without hesitation, until we become heirs to the eternal life.

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.

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.