Sukuma Sayings

283. DAB’ULYA DUGINGA NA HISUMBI

Imbuki ya kahahile kenako ilolile wingi bho jiliwa ijo bhanhu bhalyaga hakaya ya ng’wa munhu nhebhe bhiguta. Abhanhu ulu bhalilya jiliwa bhagigashaga hisumbi, mpaga bhamale ugulya, hunab’inga hoyi. Ijiliwa jinijo ulu jili ningi ja gulya abhanhu mpaga bhiguta, bhagajilekaga bhagingila amasumbi. Hunagwene abhanhu ulu bhalya mpaga bhajileka ijiliwa jinijo, bhagayomba giki, ‘dab’ulya duginga na hisumbi.’

 Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alinajiliwa ja gudula gubhigutya abhanhu bhakwe ahang’wakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agapandikaga sabho ningi, umubhutumami bhokwe. Uwei kihamo na bhiye bhagajitumamilaga chiza isabho jabho, ijinagubhanhana abhanhu bhabho. Abhanhu abhahakaya yiniyo, abho bhagalyaga bhiguta na gujisaja ijiliwa jinijo, bhagayombaga giki, ‘dab’ulya duginga na hisumbi.’

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu  gubhagola chiza abhanhu bhabho, bho gujitumila isabho jabho, jinagubhulanghana bhupanga bhobho. Ubhugoji bhunubho bhugubhambilija abhanhu bhabho, ijinakupandika nguzu ja gutumama milimo ya kupandikala sabho ningi.

(Mathayo 6:42)

KISWAHILI: TUMEKULA HADI TUKAONDOKA KWENYE KITI.

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia wingi wa chakula ambacho watu wamekula kwenye familia fulani. Watu hao hukaa kwenye kiti walapo chakula mpaka wamalize kula ndipo watoke kwenye kiti. Chakula kikiwa kingi cha kutosha kula na kusaza, watu hao huondoka kwenye kiti hicho. Ndiyo maana watu hao walioshiba na kusaza husema, ‘tumekula tukaondoka kwenye kiti.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu awatunzaye watu wake kwa kutumia chakula kingi alicho nacho, katika kuwalisha vizuri watu wake. Watu hao hupata mali nyingi kwa kufanya kazi zao vizuri. Mali hizo ndizo zile wazitumiazo katika kuwatunza watu wao. Wale waliotunzwa kwa kulishwa chakula walichokila na kusaza, husema, ‘tumekula tukaondoka kwenye kiti.’

Msemo huo hufundisha watu  kuwatunza watu wao, kwa kutumia mali walizonazo katika kuulinda uhai wao. Matunzo hayo yatawasaidia watu wao katika kupata nguvu za kuwawezesha kufanya kazi za kuwapatia mali nyingi zaidi.

(Mathayo 6:42).

design chair

ENGLISH: WE HAVE EATEN ENOUGH TO THE EXTENT OF LEAVING THE SEATS.

The origin of this saying is the amount of food people eat in a particular family. These people sit on chairs while they eat until they finish eating. When they have eaten enough food, they leave the seats. That is why those people who are satisfied say, ‘We have eaten enough to extent of leaving the seats.’

The saying is likened to a person who takes care of his people by using the abundant food he has, in the proper feeding of his people. Such person earns a lot of money by doing their jobs well. These assets are what they use to care for their people. Those who were fed, said, ‘We have eaten enough to leave the chair.’

The proverb teaches people to take care of their families by using the resources they have in protecting their lives. This training will help their people in gaining strength to do the work of providing them with more resources.

(Matthew 6:42).

282. DULYAGE IDAMANILAGWA.

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile bhanhu abho bhalibhegeleja gwandya lugendo bho gulya tamu. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagikomelejaga gulya jiliwa ja gudula gwiguta, kunguno bhadamanile uko bhajile, igiki jilihoyi jiliwa koyi, nulu nduhu. Bhakomile gusanga jitiho uko bhajile. Hunagwene bhagikomelejaga bho gwiwila giki, ‘dulyage idamanilagwa.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagibhegelejaga chiza ulu bhuhaya gwita nimo gose gose, haho bhatali ugugwita unimo gunuyo. Abhanhu bhanebho bhadebhile igiki bhuli nimo guhayile gutumamwe bho wibhegeleja bhutale.

Abhoyi bhagapandika matwajo mingi umubhutumami bho milimo yabho, kunguno ya gwita wibhegeleja bhutale bho guitumama imimo yiniyo, haho bhatali ugwiyandya uguitumama.

Ijinagongeja, abhanhu bhenabho bhagabhalangaga abhichacho uguchola ijo jidakililwe umubhutumami bho nimo nibhe. Bhagabhawilaga abhanhu bhabho giki, ‘dulyage idamanilagwa.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu  gwita wibhegeleja bhutale bho nimo gose gose, uyo bhalihaya gugutumama, haho bhatali ugugwandya. Uwibhegeleja bhunubho bhugubhenhela matwajo mingi umuwikaji bhobho.

1Wafalme 19:7-8.

KISWAHILI: TULE, YA MBELE HAYAJULIKANI.

Chanzo cha msemo huu chaangalia watu wanaojiandaa kuanza safari ya kwenda sehemu fulani, kwa kula chakula kwanza. Chakula hicho hukila cha kutosha kuwapatia nguvu za kusafiri hadi kufika salama.

Chakula hicho huwasaidia watu hao katika kuishi kwa mda mrefu wakiwa na nguvu, hata kama wakikosa chakula kule waendako. Ndiyo maana wao huhimizana kula kabla ya kuanza safari yao, wakisema, ‘tule haijulikani.’

Msemo huu hulinganishwa kwa watu wale wajiandaao vizuri watakapo kufanya kazi fulani, kabla ya kuanza kuifanya, kazi hiyo. Wao hufahamu kwamba, kila kazi yahitaji kuwa na maandalizi mazuri kablya ya kuitekeleza. Hivyo kazi iliyofanywa kwa maandalizi mazuri, huleta mafanikio makubwa kwa watendaji wake.

Kwa Maana hiyo, watu hao hupata mafanikio mengi kwenye kazi zao kwa sababu ya kujiandaa vizuri kabla ya kuzifanya kazi hizo. Zaidi ya hayo, wao huwafundisha pia wenzao namna ya kujiandaa vizuri kabla ya kufanya kazi yoyote, ili nao wapate mafanikio mengi. Ndiyo maana watu hao huwaambia wenzao hivi, ‘tule haijulikani.’

Msemo huo hufundisha watu  kufanya maandalizi mazuri, watakapo kufanza kazi fulani, kabla hawajaifanya kazi hiyo. Matayarisho hayo, yatawaletea mafanikio mengi maishani mwao.

(1Wafalme 19:7-8).

 

older one

ENGLISH: LET US EAT, WE NEVER KNOW.

The origin of this saying is people getting ready to embark on a journey, by eating food first. They eat enough to get energy to travel safely.

The food helps them live longer and be stronger, even if they do not have enough food where they go. That is why they encourage one another to eat before they begin their journey, saying, ‘Let us eat, we never know.’

The saying is comparatively used to encourage people to be well prepared beforeand when they intend to do a certain task. They realize that every job needs well-preparedness for it to be successful. So, the work done with good preparation brings great success to its executors.

In that sense, those people get a lot of success in their work because of the good preparation they have to do before doing the tasks at hand. In addition, they also teach their peers how to prepare themselves well before doing any piece of work so that they too can be successful. That is why such people tell their companions, ‘Let us eat, we never know.’

The saying teaches people to make good preparations, when they have to do a certain task, before doing the taskk. Such preparation is bound to bring many benefits to them.

(1Kings 19: 7-8)

265. B’ALANG’HUNG’HULA BHANHU KAGANDA.

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ifumilile kuli ningi o Jisuguma uyo witanagwa Samike. Uningi ng’wunuyo wimbaga mimbo ukinu wikimilija giki uweyi alinyehu noyi. Nulu agigela munhu wa gung’wib’onela abhanhu abhingi bhaduntogwa. Ukwene huguhaya giki, ‘b’alang’ung’ula bhanhu kaganda.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agikalaga chiza na bhanhu bha muchalo jakwe. Agabhambilija abho bhali mumakoye ijinaguginja wangu amakaye genayo, kugiki nabho bhapandike bhuyegi. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agab’izaga azunije nulu guminyika kunguno ya gwita mihayo ya wiza ukubhiye. Alina bhutogwa kubhanhu ubhogub’enhela bhuyegi abho alikala nabho. Ulu wigela munhu ogung’wib’onelwa umunhu ng’wunuyo, ‘b’alang’ung’ula bhanhu kaganda.’

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu gwikala na bhutogwa kubhanhu ubhogudula gubhalunguja abho bhali mumakoye. Ubhutogwa bhunhubho bhugulanga bhichab’o gwikala bho mholele umuchalo jabho.

(Luka 23:48- 49; Luka 24: 20-21).

KISWAHILI: WATANUNG’UNIKA WATU KWA MAKUNDI.

Chanzo cha msemo huo chatokea kwa manju wa Kisukuma aliyeitwa Samike. Manju huyo alikuwa akiimba nyimbo kwa kujisifia upole aliokuwa nao uliomwezesha kuishi vizuri na watu. Hata akitokea mtu wa kumuonea, watu wengi hawatafurahia kitendo hicho na hawatampenda. Ndiyo kusema kwamba, ‘watanung’unika watu kwa makundi.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule aishiye vizuri na watu walioko kwenye kijiji chake. Huwa akiwasaidia wenye matatizo mbalimbali maishani mwao ili waweze kuyatatua mapema na kuanza kufurahi tena.

Mtu huyo hukubali hata kuumia kwa ajili ya kutenda mema kwa faida ya wenzake. Hufanya hivyo kwa sababu ya upendo alio nao kwa wenzake. Upendo huo humpatia furaha ya kuwasaidia watu wake kwa upole. Kwa hiyo basi, mtu huyo akionewa na watu wenye nia mbaya, ‘watanung’unika watu kwa makundi’.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu kuishi kwa upendo na watu ili kuweza kuwasaidia na kuwafariji wale wenye shida mbalimbali. Upendo huo utawafundisha wenzao umuhimu wa kuishi kwa amani kwenye kijiji chao.

(Luka 23:48- 49; Luka 24: 20-21).

 

 

african-dancers-

ENGLISH: PEOPLE WILL COMPLAIN IN GROUPS.

The origin of this saying is a Sukuma maestro named Samike. The man used to sing boasting of his gentleness, which enabled him to live well with other people. Even if a bully happens to molest him, most people will not like it and him. Yes, ‘People will complain in a groups.’

The saying is used in comparison to refer to any person who lives well with other people in his village. He helps those who are in various troubles in life so that they can easily resolve them and start enjoying life again.

Such a person even accepts to suffer in order to do good deeds that benefit of his fellows. He does so out of love for his fellows. That love gives him the joy of helping his people in good faith. So, if that person is bullied by any ill-minded people, ‘people will complain in groups’.

The saying teaches people about living in love with other people so that they can help and comfort those in various troubles. That love will teach their peers about the importance of living in peace in their village.

(Luke 23: 48-49; Luke 24: 20-21).

261. WADIMA NZWI WALEKA UGUGULU.

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ingilile kujigano ja ng’wa Sayayi na Shimba. Ijigano jinijo jihayile giki, Usayayi b’agikenya ni Shimba, uwei upelela mujigulu. Ugingila na usanganijiwa moyi uding’wa ugugulu. Aho oding’wa uwei uhaya giki, ‘wadima nzwi waleka ugugulu.’

Umunashinda aho wigwa chene, ugulekela ugugulu alihaya owilagwa go ng’hana, igiki linzwi.  Akoyi akaSayayi kukolob’ela mugati, kub’iza kapila ugubhulagwa. Hunakub’iza kahayile giki, ‘wadima nzwi waleka ugugulu.’

Akahayile kenako kakalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agatumilaga masala gakwe ijinagwipija umumakoye. Umunhu ng’wunuyo adebhile uguginja amakoye  ayo alinago, bho gutumila wiganiki bho masala mingi. Umunhu ng’wunuyo hangi adeb’ile ugubhambilija ab’iye ugugatumila amasala geneyo bhogwipija mumakoye.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu  gumana ugugatumila chiza amasala gabho bho gwipija na gwiyinja mumakoye. Ubhumani bhunubho bhugub’ambilija bhanhu bhingi uguginja amakoye ayo bhalinago.

(1 Samweli 16:18; Mathayo 10:17-18)

KISWAHILI: UMESHIKA MZIZI UKAACHA MGUU.

Chanzo cha msemo huo chatokea kwenye hadithi ya Sungura na Simba. Hadithi hiyo yaeleza kwamba, Sungura na Simba waligombana. Sungura akakimbia kwenda kujificha kwenye kichuguu. Kabla hajaingia vizuri kwenye kichuguu, Simba alimpata akamshika mguu. Sungura aliposhikwa mguu, alisema hivi, ‘umeshika mzizi ukaacha mguu.’ Simba aliposikia hivyo, alimwachia akifikiri kuwa kweli ni mzizi. Sungura alitokomea ndani akapona au akasalimika. Ndiyo ukawa msemo kwamba, ‘umeshika mzizi ukaacha mguu.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule atumiaye akili zake vizuri katika kujitatulia matatizo. Mtu huyo afahamu namna ya kujiondolea matatizo aliyo nayo maishani mwake kwa kutumia akili zaidi. Zaidi ya hayo, mtu huyo huwafundisha pia wengine njia za kujiondolea matatizo yanayowakumba.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu  kuelewa namna ya kuzitumia vizuri akili zao katika kujitatulia matatizo maishani mwao. Uelewa huo utawasaidia watu wengi katika kujiondolea matatizo yawakumbayo maishani mwao.

(1 Samweli 16:18; Mathayo 10:17-18).

 

african lion

rabbit

ENGLISH: YOU GOT HOLD OF A ROOT AND LEFT THE LEG.

The origin of this saying is a tale about the Rabbit and the Lion. The tale has it that the two had a fight. As a result, the Rabbit ran to take cover in an anthill. The Lion chased and caught the Rabbit by the leg before entering the anthill.

When the Rabbit learnt that it had been caught by its leg, it said to the Lion, ‘You got hold of a root and left the leg.’ On hearing that, the Lion thought it was true and, therefore, left the leg thereby allowing the Rabbit to vanish into the anthill and survive his attack. Thereafter, it became a saying, ‘You got hold of a root and left the leg.’

The saying is used comparatively to refer to people who use their brains well in solving problems. Such people know how to get rid of problems they have in their lives by simply using common sense. In addition, such people also teach others how to get out of their problems using their brains.

The saying teaches people about understanding how to use their senses to solve problems in their lives. This understanding will help many people to get rid of the problems they are going through in their lives.

(1 Samuel 16:18; Matthew 10: 17-18).

254. DUDIME HASI.

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ililole b’udimi bho hasi. Ubhudimi bhunubho b’ugatumilaga makono. Umunhu akomile gudima hasi ulu alihaya gupandika nguzu ja gudula gwimila chiza uyo oliwigashije.

Hangi, ulubhanhu bhalilya jiliwa bhagab’izaga guti bhalidima hasi ulu jiliwa jitulile hasi. Ulu bhalya, abhanhu bhenab’o bhagapandikaga nguzu jagufumila mujiliwa jinijo ijo bhajilyaga.

Ijiliwa ulu jubishiwa abhanhu bhagatumilaga masala agagwibhonecha kugiki bhadule gwigwa abhoyi na kubhuka kujujilya ijiliwa jinijo. Hunagwene ulu lyushika ilikanza ilya gujulya, abhanhu bhagiwilaga giki, ‘dudime hasi.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiwagwa kubhanhu abho bhadeb’ile gutumila mihayo ya mbisila ijinagubhahugula abhichabho kugiki bhajigwe ing’hulu ijo jidulile gubhambilija ugwikala mhola na bichab’o umuwikaji bhobho.

Abhanhu bhenab’o bhagabhambilijaga bhichab’o bho gub’iza na masala gagupandika nguzu ya gutumamila milimo ya kujibheja chiza ikaya jabho. Hunagwene bhagabhawilaga abhichab’o giki, ‘dudime hasi.’

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu  gub’iza n’ikujo lya gujishisha ing’hulu ijagubhambilija abhanhu ijinagwikala na nguzu umuwikaji bhobho. Ilikujo linilo ligub’ambilija ugupandika amasala gagutumila mihayo iyoidulile kubhambilija abhanhu bhenabho ugwikala mhola na bhanasi b’ichab’o.

(Matendo ya Mitume 27:34-36).

KISWAHILI: TUSHIKE CHINI.

Chanzo cha msemo huu huangalia ushikaji wa chini. Ushikaji huo hutumia mikono ambayo humwezesha mtu mwenye mikono hiyo kushikilia chini wakati akitekeleza lengo lake. Mtu huyo aweza kushika chini wakati wa kusimama alipokuwa amekaa. Hiyo ni namna mojawapo ya kumpatia nguvu fulani, mtu huyo, itakiwayo kwake kumwezesha kusimama kwa haraka.

Watu hupata nguvu pia wakila chakula. Chakula hicho kikiiva, watu hao hutumia maneno ya mafumbo yahusishayo akili katika kuufikisha ujumbe wa kuwaalika kwenda kula ili wao wenyewe waweze kuelewana na kuamua kwenda kula. Ndiyo maana, watu hao huambiana kwamba, ‘tushike chini.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa watu wafahamuo kutumia hekima ya kuhusisha mafumbo katika kuwafikishia wenzao habari yenye ujumbe wa kuwapatia nguvu maishani mwao ili waweze kuishi kwa amani. Watu hao huwasaidia pia wenzao katika kuwa na akili ya kuufikisha ujumbe mwingine utakiwao kuwafikia wenzao. Ndiyo maana watu hao huwaalika wenzao kwa kusema, ‘tushike chini.’

Msemo huo hufundisha watu  kuwa na hekima ya kuufikisha ujumbe uwezao kuwapatia wenzao nguzu ya kuishi kwa amani maishani mwao. Hekima hiyo itawasaidia wengi katika kupata akili ya kutumia mafumbo yawezayo kuwasaidia watu wao katika kuishi kwa amani na wananchi wenzao.

(Matendo ya Mitume 27:34-36).

 

 

literature

adult-education

ENGLISH: LET US TOUCH DOWN ON THE GROUND.

The origin of this saying is an act of touching on the ground. Such action requires the concerned person to use arms that enable him/her to hold the ground. The person may hold the ground while trying to stand up. That is a way to give him/her support or energy that will enable him/her to get up quickly.

People usually gain energy from food that they eat. When the food is ready, these people use brainteasers to convey invitation message to others who can understand them to come and eat. The idea is to wisely exclude others who are not concerned. That’s why, these people tell each other, as a brainteaser and exclusion strategy, ‘Let us touch down on the ground.’

The saying is urges people to use their wisdom to convey information for empowering others in their lives so that they can live in peace. People who use wisdom also help their peers in having the ability to decode and convey other messages that they need to achieve their goals. That is why those people invite their peers by saying, ‘Let us touch down on the ground.’

The saying teaches people about being wise when delivering any message that will give other people opportunity to live in peace in their lives. Such wisdom will help many people in getting the mind enough to use mysteries that can help their people to live in peace with their fellow citizens.

(Acts 27: 34-36).