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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile ng’hung’huni. Ing’hung’huni yiniyo igalumaga na gwib’isa, kunguno ya gogoha gubhonwa nuyo yanumaga. Umunhu uyo yanumaga agumanauyichola oyigaiwa. Ulu wiyib’a umunhu ng’wunuyo yanuma na gwib’isa hangi. Nose abhanhu bhuyiwila giki, ‘udakung’hung’hunage nya kung’huni,’ ulu umunhu ng’wunuyo wikolaga chene.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agikalaga ab’isile mhayo uyo agumanile. Umhayo uyo agub’isile gunuyo gugab’aminyaga abhiye abho agikalaga nabho. Abhiye bhenabho bhagang’wilaga giki, adakung’hunage nya kung’huni.’ Hichene agalenganijiyagwa na ng’hung’huni, kunguno najo jigalumaga na gwibhisa.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka inhungwa  ija bhub’i umukajile kabho, kunguno ijinijo jigab’aminyaga abhichabho abho bhagikalaga nabho. Gashinaga lulu, yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhadilile shitwa sha wiza ijojidulile gubhambilija ugujib’eja chiza ikaya jabho.

KISWAHILI: USIKIMBIE KI KUNGUNI

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia kunguni. Kunguni huyo ni mdudu ambaye huuma na kujificha kwa sababu ya kuogopa kuonwa na yule aliyemuuma. Mtu huyo aliyemuuma humtafuta na kumkosa. Akijisahamu tu mtu huyo, kunguni huyo humuuma na kujificha tena. Mwishowe watu wakawa wakiambiana kwamba, ‘usikimbie ki kunguni,’ ndiyo ukawa msemo wa kuwaonya watu waache tabia hiyo.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huficha jambo analolifahamu. Jambo hilo alifichalo huwaumiza wenzake aishio nao. Wenzake hao humwambia kwamba, asikimbie ki kunguni. Hivyo ndivyo mtu huyo afananishwavyo na kunguni kwa sababu naye huuma kama kunguni aumavyo na kujicha.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuachana na tabia zilizombaya maishani mwao, kwa sababu tabia hizo huwa zinawaumiza wenzao waishio nao. Kumbe basi, yafaa watu hao wafuatilie matendo yaliyo mema yawezayo kuwasaidia katika kuzijenga vizuri familia zao.

1 Samweli 3:17.

Matendo 5:7-9.

ENGLISH: DO NOT RUN LIKE A BEDBUG

The source of the above saying looks is an insect called bedbug. Such a bedbug is an insect that bites and hides thereafter because of the fear of being seen by the bitten person. The bitten person seeks and misses it. Whenever be the person loses attention, the the bedbug bites and hides again. Then,  people started talking to one another, “Don’t  run in a bedbug style.’ It became a warning for people to stop that habit; the habit of pretending to be good. But they turn against people they pretended to befriend.

The proverb is comparable to someone who hides what he knows. But the thing he/she hides harms his/her neighbors. When the recognize such a fellow, his/her colleagues will tell the him/her that he/she should not behave like a bedbug. That is how the person is likened to the the bedbug because he/she bites and hides.

The proverb teaches people to abandon destructive habits in their lives because these habits are harm those with whom they live. Rather, people are warned that it is better for them to follow the good ways which can help them in building their families for better.

1 Samuel 3:17.

Acts 5: 7-9.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile b’usiga ubho gulanda aha kaya ya ng’wa munhu. Ub’usiga bhunubho b’ugab’izaga bhugehu duhu, kunguno unandi obho agab’ub’uchaga wei kugiki bhagazugilwe abhanhu bhakwe bhalye. Gashinaga ub’usiga bhunubho bhugashilaga kulikanza liguhi duhu. Kuyiniyo lulu, unandi ob’usiga ng’wunuyo  agisangaga bhuli lushigu adinabhusiga aha kaya. Hunagwene, abhanhu bhagayombaga giki ‘b’usiga bho gulanda bhudamalaga nzala hakaya.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agab’izaga alalilile aha kaya yakwe bhuli lushigu kunguno ya bhukokolo bhokwe ubho gutumama milimo. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikalaga bho gumana wilandilija ijiliwa bhuli lushigu. Kunguno yiniyo, abhiye abho bhandebhile igiki alinkokolo, bhagang’wilaga giki, ‘b’usiga bho gulanda b’udamalaga nzala hakaya,’ kugiki atumame milimo ya gudula kumpandikila jiliwa umunhu ng’wunuyo.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya kub’iza bhakamu bha gutumama milimo ya gubhapandikila jiliwa ijo jidulile gumala nzala umukaya jabho. Ubhukamu ubho gutumama milimo bhunubho, bhugub’enhela sabho za gudula gubhambilija ijinagujib’eja chiza ikaya jabho.

Mithali 20:4.

2Wathesalonike 3:10.

KISWAHILI: MTAMA WA KUAZIMA HAIMALIZI NJAA KWENYE FAMILIA

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia mtama wa kuazima kwenye familia. Mtama huo huwa kidogo kwa sababu muazimaji wake huubeba yeye mwenyewe ili wakapikiwe watu wake wale. Kumbe mtama huo huisha kwa muda mfupi tu. Kwa hiyo, muazimaji wa mtama huyo hujikuta hana mtama karibu kila siku, kwenye familia yake. Ndiyo maana, watu husema kwamba, ‘mtama wa kuazima haumalizi njaa kwenye familia.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huwa ana njaa nyumbani kwake kila siku, kwa sababu ya uvivu wake wa kufanya kazi. Mtu huyo kuishi kwa kuazima chakula kwa watu wengine karibu kila siku. Kwa sababu hiyo, wenzake ambao humfahamu kwamba ni mvivu, humwambia kwamba, ‘mtama wa kuazima haumalizi njaa kwenye familia,’ ili afanye kazi za kumpatia chakula mtu huyo.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na bidii ya kufanya kazi za kuwapatia chakula kiwezacho kumaliza tatizo la njaa kwenye familia zao. Bidii hiyo, itawapatia watu hao mali za kuweza kuwasaidia katika kuzijenga vizuri familia zao.

Mithali 20:4.

2Wathesalonike 3:10.

ENGLISH: BORROWED MILLET DOES NOT END HUNGER IN THE FAMILY

The in the air saying focuses on the aspect of borrowing food (millet) for family use. Ordinarily, borrowed millet is usually very little because the borrower carries the much that can feed his/her family only for a short time. Therefore there is always scarcity of the food in the family every day. That is why people say, ‘borrowed millet does not end hunger in the family.’

The saying is likened to someone who goes hungry on daily basis because of his/her laziness. He/she survives on borrowed food from other people almost daily. So, in a bid to encourage him/her to work hard and provide enough food for his/her family, his/her colleagues would tell the lazy born that ‘borrowed millet does not end hunger in the family.’

The above saying teaches people about how hard work can enable them provide sufficient food for their families and alleviate the problem of hunger. It is hard work that yields the resources to help people build their families effectively.

Proverbs 20: 4.

2 Thessalonians 3:10.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile nyama iyo yazugagwa. Inyama yiniyo igab’izaga ya guliwa na bhuli munhu uyo whisangaga. Igachembagulagwa na gutinagulwa kugiki bhanhu bhingi bhadule gupandika nulu kadoo. Ichene huguhaya giki, inyama ulu yuzugwa bhagulya bhingi, nulu munhu ugaiwa inyama yiniyo, agubuta nulu misuji yayo. Gashinaga lulu,  guligonhana igiki, ‘ipile idaleb’elaga.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo atogilwe ugubhambilija abhanhu abho b’alinamakoye bho gutumila jikolo na miganiko gakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo aling’wiza nholo ijinagub’ambilija abhanhu abho bhali na makoye. Adeb’ile ugugab’anha na bhiye ijo alinajo, kunguno amanile igiki iyoipile idaleb’elaga.’

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gudebha ugubhambilija abhanhu abho bhali na makoye. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhadule ugubhambilija abhichabho, bho gubhinha jikolo, nulu miganiko ayo gadulile ugubhambilija umuwikaji bhobho.

Marko 7:25-30.

KISWAHILI: ILIYOIVA HAIPELEI

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia nyama iliyopikwa. Nyama hiyo huliwa na kila mtu aikutaye mahali ilipo. Huwa inakatwa katika vipande vidogo kwa lengo la kuwawezesha watu wengi kuipata. Ndiyo kusema kwamba, nyama ikipikwa huliwa na watu wengi, na hata kama mtu akikosa kipande chake, atakunya walau mchuzi wake. Kumbe ni kweli kwaba, iliyoiva haipelei.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu apendaye kuwasaidia watu walio na matatizo kwa kutumia mali na mawazo yake. Mtu huyo ni mkarimu katika kuwasaidia wahitaji walioko kwenye maeneo yake. Afahamu namna ya kuwapa wenzake vile alivyo navyo, kwa sababu afahamu pia kwamba, iliyoiva haipelei.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuelewa namna ya kuwasadia watu ambao wako kwenye matatizo mbalimbali, yakiwemo yale ya kupungukiwa na chakula. Yafaa watu hao wajitahidi kuwasaidia wenzao kwa kuwapatia kitu au ushauri wa kuwawezesha kupata utatuzi wa matatizo yao.

Marko 7:25-30.

ENGLISH: NO ONE MISSES WHAT HAS BEEN COOKED

The above saying is about cooked meat. Such meat gets to be eaten by everyone who comes around. It is usually cut into small pieces so that many people can each have a bite. But in the event that someone misses a piece, he/she can drink its sauce. That is why it is said that ‘no one misses what has been cooked.’

The saying is likened to someone who, through his/her ideas and wealth, enjoys helping people who are in problems, like those in needy situations. He/she understands the spirit of sharing because he/she knows that ‘no one misses what has been cooked.’

Such saying teaches people about being helpful to those saddled in various problems, including them that lack food. It is good for people to assist others either by giving them material provisions or pieces of advice to enable them find solutions to their problems.

Mark 7: 25-30.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile nzobhe na masala gayo. Inzobhe ilina masala agagudebha aho izengile. Akamanile kenako kiyegelile na kabhanhu, kunguno, nabho bhadebhile aho bhazengile.

Inzobhe igikalaga imanile igiki aho ng’wagulala goyo, ili naha kaya aho izengile. Hunagwene ulu gushiga amakanza gayo agagulala, igashokaga kaya. Umukajile kayo kenako, nose abhanhu bhagandya guyuyomba giki, ‘Inzobhe idalalaga kungi.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alina kajile kawiza, aha kaya yakwe. Atogilwe gwikala alikihamo na bhahakaya yakwe. Agabhizaga alendile chiza na bhaha ng’wakwe. Hichene lulu umunhu ng’winuyo ulu akinga, agashokaga ahakaya yakwe ulu wila ubhujiku. Adalalaga kungi, kunguno atogilwe guilanghana na guitongela chiza ikaya yakwe.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya kubhiza na kajile kagutogwa gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho. Akenako, ha kajile akawiza akagabhalumanyaga chiza abhanhu abhaha kaya jabho. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhuikala bhagulalaga hakaya jabho. Bhadizikala bhagulalaga kungi, bho nduhu inguno iyo iliyasolobho.

Ijinagongeja, akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya kub’iza na kajile kagwikala muli Yesu, kunguno ung’wene huyo alinayo imihayo ya upanga ubho bhudashilaga. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhikale muli wei, kugiki bhadule ugubhupandika ubhupanga bhunubho ubho bhulungakele.

Yohana 6:67-68.

KISWAHILI: PUNDA HALALI KWINGINE

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia punda na akili yake. Punda ana akili ya kufahamu aishipo. Namna hiyo ya kufahamu, hukaribiana na ile ya watu, kwa sababu nao hufahamu pale waishipo.

Punda hufahamu kwamba mahali pa kulala kwake, ni pale aishipo. Ndiyo maana, hata kama atakuwa mbali na pale aishipo, ukifika wakati wake wa kulala, hurudi nyumbani pale aishipo. Watu walipoifuatilia tabia yake hiyo, walianza kusema kwamba, ‘punda halali kwingine.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu mwenye tabia njema ya kuishi vizuri na familia yake. Hupenda kuwa pamoja na wanafamilia wenzake akiwaongoza. Huwa ametulia vizuri pamoja na wanafamilia hao. Hivyo basi, mtu huyo akiondoka, hurudi nyumbani kwake, zikifika nyakati za usiku. Huwa halali kwingine, kwa sababu apenda kuilinda na kuiongoza vizuri familia yake.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na tabia yenye mwenendo mwema wa kupenda kuzijenga vizuri familia zao. Huo ndio mwenendo wenye tabia njema iwezayo kuwaunganisha vizuri watu wao wote, katika familia zao. Yafaa watu hao wawe na tabia hiyo ya kulala kwenye familia zao. Wasiwe wanalala kwingine, kwa sababu zisizo za msingi.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kujijengea tabia ya kuishi ndani ya Yesu, kwa sababu yeye ndiye mwenye maneno yaletayo uzima wa milele. Yafaa watu hao, waishi ndani yake, ili waweze kuupata uzima huo wa milele.

Yohana 6:67-68.

ENGLISH: THE DONKEY DOES NOT SLEEP SOMEWHERE ELSE

The above proverb relates to the mental capacity of a donkey to remember where it lives. Such quality in the animal is likened to the sense of consciousness in human beings, which affords them a clear mastery of their dwelling places. The donkey knows that wherever it sleeps, that is its home, and it would always get back there to sleep, irrespective of how far off it might have wandered. That behavior is what necessitated the proverb, “a donkey does not sleep somewhere else.”

That saying is likened to a person of good character and who relates well with his/her family members. He/she takes pride in staying with and providing leadership in the family, and always makes sure that he/she does not fail to return home however late it might be. He/she does not spend the night away from the family because he/she cares for them.

The saying is used to encourage people to be of good character for the purpose of taking care of their families responsibly. That is because responsible behavior enhances cohesion in the family and among the people. Just like the saying, ‘the donkey does not sleep somewhere else’, people should remain true to their families and be there for them at all times. They should avoid straying for no apparent reasons.

In addition, such saying teaches people about the need to dwell in Jesus Christ because He is the giver of eternal life.

John 6: 67-68.