Sukuma Sayings

309. NANGULO GO MVA

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ingilile kukikalile kamva. Imva igikalaga igashije duhu, kunguno idajaga nulu kumilimo. Aliyo ijiliwa igalyaga duhu, bho nduhu nugumana nuko jigafumilaga ilijiwa jinijo, kunguno iyoyi igikalaga ifulile duhu. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘nangulo go mva.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agikalaga wigashije bho nduhu ninga gutumama milimo. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agalenganijiyagwa nimva, kunguno nanghwe adajaga ukunimo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘nangulo go mva.’

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na nhungwa ja gutumama milimo yabho chiza, kugiki bhadule abhanhu bhenabho, ugujenhela maendeleo ikaya jabho.

2Wathesalonike 3:10-11.

KISWAHILI: PUMZIKO LA MBWA

Chanzo cha msemo huo chatokea kwenye maisha ya mbwa. Mbwa huishi bila kufanya kazi, Yeye hupumzika tu, kwa sababu haendi wala kazini. Lakini chakula huwa anakula tu bila kuelewa kule kilichotoka chakula hicho, kwa sababu yeye huishi kwa kupumzika tu. Ndiyo maana watu husema, ‘pumziko la mbwa.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huishi kwa kukaa bila kwenda kufanya kazi. Mtu huyo hulinganishwa na mbwa, kwa sababu naye huwa hafanyi kazi. Ndiyo maana watu humwita, ‘pumziko la mbwa.’

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na tabia ya kufanya kazi kwa bidii ili watu hao waweze kuziletea maendeleo familia zao.

2Wathesalonike 3:10-11.

dog3

dog2

ENGLISH: A DOG NEVER WORK, YET IS SATISFIED

This proverb originates from the dog’s life. The dog does not work. It spends most of its life resting. It also eats food without knowing where that food comes from. That is why people say, “a dog never work, yet is satisfied.”

The saying is compared to a person who lives by doing nothing. Such person is likened to a dog because he/she does not work but he/she is contented with such life. That is why people tell him, “a dog never work, yet is satisfied.”

The saying discourages people from living without work. They should work hard so as to improve their lives and their families.

2Thessalonians 3: 10-11.

305. GUNANGA GULU GUSHIGA UNSHINDIKE

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ingilile kuli munhu uyo unangaga munhu uyo aligulu. Umunhu ng´wunuyo, agadebha igiki, ugulu ng´wunuyo adelelwa ulu adakumiwe nang´hwe. Aho onkumya, agabhona igiki ugulu ng´wunuyo aliidebha iyo aling´wila, kunguno agalab´ula ukuli unangi, uyo agatumila makono ugunanga mpaga welelwa, ugulu ng´wunuyo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayomba giki, ´gunanga gulu gushiga unshindike.´

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo adebhile nzila ningi ija gubhalanga abhanhu abho bhalina jika, umuwikaji bhobho. Umunhu ng´wunuyo agabhalangaga na bhanhu bhakwe ahigulya ya gujitumila inzila jinijo, kugiki bhajidebhe nabho, bhogubhawila giki, ´gunanga gulu gushiga unshindike.´

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gub´iza na nzila ningi ijagudula gubhalangija abhanhu bhabho abho bhali na jika, umuwikaji bhobho.

Wagalatia 3:1-3.

Luka 7:31-32.

KISWAHILI: KUMFUNDISHA BUBU MPAKA UMSUKUME

Chanzo cha msemo huo chatokea kwa mtu aliyekuwa anamfundisha mtu aliyekuwa bubu. Mtu huyo aligundua kwamba, bubu huyo asingekielewa kile alichokuwa akimfundisha, bila kumgusa mwenyewe. Alipomgusa, mtu huyo aliyekuwa bubu, alianza kuelewa kile alichokuwa akimfundisha, kwa sababu baada ya kumgusa aligeuka kumwangalia, naye akamweleza kwa kutumia ishara za mikono. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ´kumfundisha bubu mpaka umsukume.´

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye afahamu njia nyingi za kuwafundishia watu wenye vilema mbalimbali, maishani mwao. Mtu huyo huwafundisha pia wenzake juu ya njia hizo kwa kuwaambia kwamba, ´kumfundisha bubu mpaka umsukume.´

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kutumia njia nyingi za kuweza kuwafundishia watu wenye ulemavu mbalimbali, maishani mwao, ili waweze kuufikisha vizuri ujumbe wao kwao.

Wagalatia 3:1-3.

Luka 7:31-32.

women

mute

ENGLISH: TEACHING A DEAF PERSON, YOU NEED TO TOUCH HIM/HER

This saying originates from a person who was teaching a deaf person. The teacher realized that the deaf could not understand what he/she was teaching without touching him/her. When the teacher touched him/her, he/she began to understand the teachings because, after he/she had touched him/her, he/she turned to look at the teacher and the teacher explained to him/her by using gestures. That is why people say, “Teaching a deaf person, you need to touch him/her.”

The saying is compared to someone who knows different ways of teaching people with disabilities. Such a person also teaches his/her companions about these ways by telling them, “Teaching a deaf person, you need to touch him/her.”

The above saying teaches people about using different ways of teaching people with disabilities so that they can understand the subject.

Galatians 3: 1-3.

Luke 7: 31-32.

304. B´UGENI B´ULAGANE

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ingilile kubhanhu abho bhalibhalagana giki bhagulumana hanhu. Aho loshiga ulushugu lunulo, uumo agakija uguja ukunuko. Bhahayibhona, ung´wiye uyo alioja koyi, agang´wizukija, ub´ulagane bhobho, bho gung´wila giki, ´b´ugeni b´ulagane.´

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agabhizukijaga abhiye, ugwiita iyo bhalibhizunilija guitumama. Umunhu ng´wunuyo agabhizaga wiyizukile iyo bhizunilija kuitumama na bhiye, iyo idulile gubhambilija abhanhu bhabho ijinagwenha matwajo mingi, umuwikji bhobho. Uweyi agabhalanjaga nabhiye uguwizuka uwizunilija bhobho, bhogubhawila giki, ´b´ugeni b´ulagane.´

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya guwizuka na gub´utumamila uwizunilija bhobho, umuwikaji bhobho, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi ayo gadulile gujibheja chiza, ikaya jabho.

Wagatia 3:16.

Yohane 16:7-8.

KISWAHILI: AHADI YA UGENI

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaanzia kwa watu waliokubaliana kukutana sehemu fulani. Ilipofika siku hiyo, mwingine hakuenda kule walikokubaliana kwenda. Walipoonana, yule aliyeenda kule, alimkumbusha mwenzake kwa kumwambia hivi, ´ahadi ya ugeni.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huwakumbusha wenzake juu ya utekelezaji wa makubaliano yao. Mtu huyo huendelea kuyakumbuka makubaliano hayo waliyofanya na wenzake, maishani mwake. Yeye huwakumbusha pia wenzake juu ya utekelezaji wa makubaliano hayo kwa kuwaambia, ´ahadi ya ugeni.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuukumbuka utekelezaji wa makubaliano yao, maishani mwao, kwa ajili ya kuleta maendeleo kwenye familia zao.

Wagatia 3:16.

Yohane 16:7-8.

african

 

ENGLISH: A PROMISE MADE IS A DEBT UNPAID

This saying comes from a story of two people who agreed to meet somewhere. On that day, the other did not show up where they had agreed to meet. When they saw each other on the following day, the one who went to the place they agreed to meet reminded his companion about their agreement saying, “a promise made is a debt unpaid.”

The saying is linked to someone who reminds his/her fellows about implementing what they agreed on. Such a person remembers the agreement they made in his/her life. He/she also reminds his/her companions about implementing the agreement by telling them, “a promise is a debt unpaid.”

The above saying teaches people to fulfil their promises in their lives.

Galatians 3:16.

John 16: 7-8.

303. BUDOSHI BHO LISO ILAGAJA INGOHE

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ingilile ku liso na ngohe. Iliso linilo ligenhelejaga kubhiza na b´udoshi, kunguno ya kubhona ginhu lyukija ugujitoghwa. Aliyo lulu, ululyudishiwa ngohe lyuyulila jisoji. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, b´usoshi b´o liso ilagaja ngohe. ´

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alina nhungwa ja b´udoshi umuwikaji bhokwe. Aliyo lulu umunhu ng´wunuyo, ulu usada, b´ushila ub´udoshi b´okwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang´wilaga giki, alina ´b´udoshi bho liso ilagaja ngohe.´

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka gubhiza na nhungwa ja b´udoshi, kugiki bhadule gwikala chiza na bhichabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Zaburi 31:18.

Zaburi 101:5.

Yakobo 4:16-17.

KISWAHILI: MARINGO YA JICHO KUWA NA KOPE NYINGI

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaanzia kwenye jicho na kope. Jicho hilo husababisha kuwa na malingo kwas ababuu ya kuona kitu na kutopendezwa nacho. Lakini basi, likiingiliwa na kope, huwa linaanza kulia machozi. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ´maringo ya jicho´ kuwa na kope nyingi.´

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu mwenye tabia ya maringo maishani mwake. Lakini mtu huyo, akiugua, maringo yake huisha wakati huo. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ´maringo ya jicho kuwa na kope nyingi.´

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia ya maringo, ili waweze kuishi kwa amani na wenzao, maishani mwao.

Zaburi 31:18.

Zaburi 101:5.

Yakobo 4:16-17.

eye

 

 

ENGLISH: THE BOAST OF AN EYE CAUSES EYELIDS TO DROP

The source of this saying is the eye and eyelids.The eye causes boast because of seeing something and not being impressed.However, when an eyelid enters the eye, the person will rub it and the eye will drop tears. In the course of rubbing the eye, eyelids will drop. Therefore, people say, “the boast of an eye causes eyelids to drop.”

The saying is compared to someone who is boastiful in his/her life. However, when such a person gets sick his/her boast tends to cease. That is why people say, ‘the boast of an eye causes eyelids to drop. “

The proverb teaches people to stop bad behaviour so that they can live with others in harmony.

Psalm 31:18.

Psalm 101: 5.

James 4: 16-17.

284. ULU UDI NAMHALA UDULYA NYAMA YABHO.

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ingilile kunyama ya bhanamhala. Inyama yiniyo ili yidako lya ntugo goguntona ngeni, uyo ogenihaga hakaya ya ng’wa munhu nhebhe. Ulu mbuli, nulu ng’holo, nulu ng’ombe ub’ulagilwa ngeni, inyama iyidako bagazugilagwa bhanamhala b’a muzengo.

Umulilika lya bhanamhala bhagingilaga bho gufunya ntugo, uyo gugabhulagagwa, bhalya abhanamhala bhenabho. Gashinaga lulu, inyama yiniyo igaliyagwa nabhanabhala duhu. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ulu udi namhala udulya nyama yabho.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagitaga milimo, nulu miito ayo gadigabho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagishatyaga milimo nulu ginhu ijo jidijabho. B’agingilaga muluganda lo bhanhu bhatale, aliyo bhatali bhadoni. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagabhawilaga giki, ‘ulu udi namhala udulya nyama yabho.’

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu  gub’iza na widohya bho gudima malagilo ayo gagabhambilijaga abhanhu ugwikala mhola. Kuyiniyo lulu, akahayile kenako, kalibhawila abhanhu bhenabho, bhatumame milimo yabho chiza bho nduhu ugwitula bhutale, nulu gwisanja mumagele gabhangi, umo bhoyi bhalemejiwe ugwingira.

(1Kor. 11:26-28)

KISWAHILI: USIPOKUWA MZEE, HULI NYAMA YAO.

Chanzo cha msemo huo hutokea kwenye nyama ya wazee. Nyama hiyo ni ya tako la mfugo uliochinjwa kwa heshima ya mgeni aliyeitembele familia inayohusika. Mbuzi au kondoo, au ng’ombe akiuliwa kwa heshima ya mgeni huyo, nyama ya tako, hutolewa kwa wazee wa kijiji hicho. Nyama hiyo hupikwa kwa ajili yao tu.

Mzee akitaka kuingia kwenye lika la wazee hutakiwa kutoa mfugo kama mbuzi au kondoo, ambaye hupikwa na kuliwa na wazee hao. Kumbe basi, nyama hiyo haruhusiwi kula mtu ambaye hajaingia kwenye ulika huo wa wazee. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘ukiwa sio mzee huli nyama yao.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale wavunjao sheria za amani katika jamii, kwa kufanya kazi isiyo yao, au kutenda wasiotakiwa kuyatenda. Watu hao hujiingiza kwenye kazi za wengine, kwa kuingia kwenye makundi wasiyoruhusiwa kuingia. Ndiyo maana watu huwaambia kwamba, ‘ukiwa sio mzee huli nyama yao.’

Msemo huo hufundisha watu  kufuata sheria ziwawezeshazo kuishi kwa amani. Huwataka watu kufanya kazi kwa kufuata sheria za nchi zao au jamii zao, kwa kutokujiingiza kwenye makundi wasiyofurusiwa kuingia.

(1 Wakorintho11:26-28).

 

people

ENGLISH: IF YOU ARE NOT AN ELDER, YOU SHALL NOT EAT THEIR MEAT.

The origin of this saying is the elders’ meat. Such meat is from the backside of a slaughtered animal in honour of a visitor of the relevant family. If a goat, sheep or bull is slaughtered in honour the guest’s, the backside meat is offered to the village elders. The meat is only cooked for them.

If someone wants to be initiated into elderly, he or she is required to provide a sheep or goat, which is then cooked and eaten by the elders as a rite of passage. However, it is not allowed to eat the meat for non-initiates. That is why people say, “If you are not an elder, you shall not eat their meat”.

The saying is comparatively used to warn those who violate the rules of peace in the community, by doing what they should not. Such individuals engage in activities of others, by joining unauthorized groups. That is why people tell them, “If you are not an elder, you shall not eat their meat.”

The saying teaches people to be compliant to the rules which create a peaceful environment for them to live. It directs people to work in accordance with the laws of their country or their communities, by not joining criminal groups.

(1 Cor. 11: 26-28)