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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile lwinzi na nkumbi olo. Unkumbi o lwinzi ng’wunuyo agakoyakoyaga ugulukumba mpaka ulumala. Ulu ulumara ugulukumba ulwinzi lunulo abhanhu bhaguiza b’adaha aminzi hoi, b’ang’wa. Hunagwene bhagahayaga giki ‘nkumbi o lwinzi, adalung’waga.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agab’ejaga ginhu jawiza, aliyo okija uwei ugujitumamila, jatumamilwa na bhanhu b’angi duhu. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agab’ab’egejaga bhanhu bhangi, abho bhagizaga bhapandika solobho umub’utumami bhokwe.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gwifunya gubhambilija ab’ichab’o umuwikaji bhobho. Yigelelilwe gub’alonja chiza abhanhu, nulu abhichab’o, kukila ugwilonja bhoi b’inikili duhu. Uwifunya bhenubho bhugudula gub’ambilija abhanhu bhenabho umugujib’eja chiza ikaya jabho pye ni Jumuiya jabho.

Yohana 4:12

Kumbukumbu la Torati 34:4-5.

KISWAHILI: MCHIMBAJI WA KISIMA HAKINYWI

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia mchimbaji wa kisima na kisima chanyewe. Mchimbaji wa kisima huyo huhangaika katika kukichimba kisima hicho mpaka anakimaliza. Akimaliza kukichimba kisima hicho, watu huja kuteka maji na kung’wa. Ndiyo maana watu husema, ‘mchimbaji wa kisima, hakinywi.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye hutengeneza kitu kizuri, lakini anaacha kukitumia, badala yake kinatumiwa na watu wengine tu. Mtu uyo huwatengezea wengine ambao huja kupata faida itokanayo na utumishi wake. Ndiyo maana watu kusema, ‘mchimbaji wa kisima hakinywi.’

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kujitoa kuwasaidia wenzao maishani mwao. Yafaa kuwajali vizuri watu, au wenzao, kuliko kujijali wao wenyewe tu. Kujitoa huko, huweza kuwasaidia watu katika kuzijenga na kuziendeleza vizuri familia, na jumuiya zao.

Yohana 4:12

Kumbukumbu la Torati 34:4-5.

ENGLISH: A WELL-DIGGER DOES NOT DRINK ITS WATER

The above proverb is about the well digger and the well. The digger goes through a lot of trouble in the process of digging before he/she completes the job. After the task is accomplished, it is other people who will come to fetch the water from the well to drink. That is the reason why people would say, ‘a well digger does not drink its water.’

The saying is comparable to a situation whereby someone may create a good thing but end up not using it. Instead, it may be used to benefit other people. Thus the saying, ‘a well digger does not drink its water.’

That saying teaches people about commitment to help others in life through sacrifice and selflessness. It is a virtue to be mindful of other people’s welfare, rather than simply caring for self. The sense of commitment and service to society helps people to build and improve families and their communities.

John 4:12

Deuteronomy 34: 4-5.

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile bhalaguji na bhalagulwa. Abhalaguji bhagikomeja ugubhadilila abhasatu bhogubhapima na gub’inha bhugota ubho gudula guipija isada iyo b’aibhonaga. Ulubhab’apija abhasatu bhenabho, bhagayegaga umumyoyo yabho. Abhasatu nabho bhagayegaga ulubhapijiwa.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa na bhazugi bha jiliwa abho b’alibhazugila abhanhu abho bhatub’ile. Ugubhazugila abhanhu bhenabho abho bhatub’ile, nugubhalagula bhogubhabhegeja ijiliwa ijo jikolile na bhugota.

Inhubha igalenganijiagwa na sada. Gashinaga lulu, ulu bhanhu bhutubha, bhagabhizaga guti bhasati. Aliyo ulu bhulya b’iguta abhanhu bhenabho ilisawa na giki bhapila isada yabho ya nhubha yiniyo.

Gashinaga lulu, ugulagula bhasadu ili sawa na gulya jiliwa ijaguipija isada yiniyo iya nhubha. Abho bhalilagula bhasatu bhali bhanhu abho bhalilya jiliwa ja gubhapija isada yao ya nhubha, bho gulya mpaga b’iguta.

Ululumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na wizang’holo bho gub’inha jiliwa abho abhatub’ile kugiki bhadule guipija isada yao ya nhubha yiniyo bho gulya jiliwa mpaga b’iguta. Uwizang’holo bhunubho, b’ugubhambilija abhanhu umugub’alagula abho bhalina na sada ya nhubho, bho gub’inha ijiliwa ija gulya mpaga b’iguta.

Mathayo 15:34-38.

KISWAHILI: WANATIBU WAGONJWA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo, chaangalia wauguzi na wale wanaoguzwa. Wauguzi hufanya jitihada za kuwajali wagonjwa wao kwa kuwapima na kuwapatia dawa za kuweza kuyatibu magonjwa waliyoyagundua. Wakiwaponyesha wagonjwa wao, wauguzi hao hufurahi mioyoni mwao. Hali kadhalika na wale wagonjwa hufurahi wanapopona magonjwa yao.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa wapishi wa chakula ambao huwapikia watu walio na njaa. Kuwapikia chakula watu hao wenye njaa na kuwatibu kwa kuwatengenezea chakula, hufanana na kuwapa dawa ya kuwaponya magonjwa yao.

Njaa hulinganishwa na ugonjwa. Kumbe basi, kama watu wakijisikia njaa huwa kama wagonjwa. Lakini wakila na kutosheka watu hao hufananishwa na wagonjwa waliopona ujonjwa wao wa kujisikia njaa.

Kumbe basi, kuwatibu ugonjwa huo ni sawa na kula chakula kiwezacho kuuponyesha ugonjwa wa njaa hiyo kwa kutosheka. Wale wanaotibu wagonjwa ni watu wanaokula chakula cha kuwawezesha kutosheka, yaani, kuwaponyesha ugonjwa wao wa kujisikia njaa.

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na ukarimu wa kuwapatia chakula watu wenye njaa ili waweze kupona ugonjwa wao wa kujisikia njaa, kwa kula mpaka kutosheka. Ukarimu huo, huwasaidia watu katika kuwatibu wale walio na ugonjwa huo wa njaa kwa kuwapatia chakula cha kula mpaka kutosheka.

Mathayo 15:34-38.

ENGLISH: THEY ARE TREATING PATIENTS

The above proverb is about those who nurse the sick. Nurses do a lot in providing care for their patients. For instance, they check on them and give them medicine to treat the various ailments as diagnosed. When the nurses heal their patients, they, just like their patients, become happy.

Such proverb is likened to those who cook and feed hungry people. Cooking and feeding the hungry is like providing a cure for their diseases. Hunger is equated to an ailment, meaning that when people are hungry they are sick. So, when the hungry eat and become satisfied, they are likened to sick people who have recovered from their illnesses.

In fact, treating sickness is like eating a diet that can heal the disease of hunger. Treating patients is akin to giving them food to make them happy, that is, to heal their hunger.

The proverb teaches people to be generous in giving food to the hungry so that they can recover from their hunger by eating to satisfaction. Such hospitality enables people to treat those who suffer from hunger by feeding them until they get satisfied.

Matthew 15: 34-38.

 

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile luhungo. Uluhungo jili jiseme ijagutumamila milimo bho gusungulila jiliwa ijo jigokalaga moi, aliyo jiligigehu duhu. Ludadulile ugub’ucha jiliwa jingi, kunguno jilijisema jidoo.

Gashinaga lulu, umunhu uyo agatumamaga opandika jiliwa jikomile gokala muluhungo duhu, agitanagwa, ‘nguzu muluhungo. Humo kagandija utumilwa na bhanhu akahayile kenako.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alingokolo, umuigutumama imilimo iyanguzu. Agatumamaga milimo mibupu duhu. Kunguno yiniyo, umunhu ng’wunuyo agalimaga ngunda ndoo, na opandika jiliwa jigehu, guti jikomile gokala mulihungo duhu. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agitanagwa ‘nguzu muluhungo’ na bhanhu abho bhandeb’ile igiki alingokolo ugutumama imilimo yakwe.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka nhungwa ja bhugokolo bho gutumama milimo. Kabhalanga abhanhu bhenabho kub’iza bhakamu umuguitumama imilimo yabho bho nguzu, kugiki, bhadule gupandika jiliwa ja gujilisha chiza ikaya jabho.

Amos 9:9.

KISWAHILI: NGUVU KWENYE UNGO

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia ungo. Ungo ni chombo cha kufanyia kazi kwa kupepetea chakula ambacho chatosha kujaa humo tu. Lakini chakula hicho ni kidogo, kwa sababu ungo hauwezi kubeba chakula kingi. Chombo hicho hakiwezi kuchukua chakula kingi kwa sababu ya udogo wake.

Kumbe basi, mtu huyo hufanya kazi na kupata chakula kinachotosha kujaa kwenye ungo tu, huitwa, ‘nguvu kwenye ungo.’ Huo ndio mwanzo wa msemo huo kutumiwa na watu.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye ni mvivu au mzembe katika kufanya kazi kwa kutumia nguvu zake. Mtu huyo hufanya kazi nyepezi na kupata chakula kiasi kidogo sana, kama kile kiwezacho kujaa kwenye ungo tu.

Kwa sababu hiyo, watu humwita, ‘nguvu kwenye ungo,’ kutokana na yeye kulima shamba dogo, na kupata chakula kiasi kidogo. Hali hiyo husababishwa na uvivu wake wa kufanya kazi ngumu.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuachana na tabia za uvivu katika kufanya kazi kwa nguvu.  Huwafundisha watu hao kuwa na bidii ya kufanya kazi kwa ajili ya kujipatia chakula kingi kiasi cha kutosha kuwalisha vizuri watu wao na familia zao.

Amos 9:9.

ENGLISH: POWER OF THE SIEVE

The basis of that saying is the sieve, a device that is used to separate food substances by letting through the holes only the stuff that can pass through them. And because a sieve is small in size too, it cannot bear a lot of food.

The saying therefore relates to a person who works to get food that can only fill a sieve. Ideally, such a person is lazy since he/she concentrates only on simple tasks and in turn produces very little food, just like what can only fill in a sieve.

For that reason, people call such a fellow, ‘Power of the sieve’ because he/she cultivates a very small portion of the farm due to his/her laziness. He/she then ends up getting little food.

Such saying is used to discourage people from lazy habits in their duties and responsibilities. It instills in them the spirit of hard work to enable them secure enough food for them and for their families.

Amos 9: 9.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile munhu uyo ugubhejaga igembe lya kulimila, bho gulikomela chiza aha npini golyo, kugiki lidule gudama. Iligembe linilo ulu lyudama chiza ligung’wambilija unimi o ngunda, nulu unimiji ongese, umugutumama nimo ntale mulikanza liguhi. Gashinaga iligembe ilikomezu lidulile gutumama nimo ntale mulikanza liguhi.

Aliyo iligembe ulu lyunega, ligakolokagaga na gufuma umunpini golyo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagakomelaga amagembe gabho, kugiki gadame chiza ijinagugalimila umumigunda yabho. Umunhu uyo alilikomela iligembe linilo, ulu ubhujiwa giki ‘ulitaki?’ Agashoshaga giki, ‘nagukomelaga igembe.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agunangaga ng’wana okwe higulya ya gutumama milimo, kugiki amane uguitumama chiza. Ugunanga milimo chiniko ng’wana ng’wunuyo, ilenganilile na gulikomela iligembe lidame aha npini golyo, mpaga lyoye ugunega.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya kubhalanga gumana kutumama milimo chiza abhana bhabho, pye na bhose abho b’agikalaga aha kaya yabho, kugiki bhadule gubhiza bhatumami bhakamu wa milimo.

Yigelelilwe abhabhyaji, bhang’walimu, na bhatongeji bha bhanhu, bhabhalange abhanhu bhab’o mpaga bhadebhe uguitumama chiza imilimo ya bhuli lushigu, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi aga jikolo ja gudula gutumila kumakanza malihu umukaya jabho.

Luka 2:41-51.

KISWAHILI: NAKOMELEA JEMBE

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia mtu atengenezaye jembe lake kwa kulikomelea kwenye mpini ili lishikane vizuri na mpini huo, kiasi cha kutosha kulilimia bila kulegea kwa muda mrefu.

Jembe hilo likishikana vizuri na mpini wake, litamsaidia mkulima wa shamba na mpaliliaji wa palizi, kufanya kazi kubwa kwa muda mfupi. Kumbe jembe lililokomelewa vizuri laweza kutumika shambani kwa kufanya kazi kubwa kwa muda mfupi.

Lakini jembe likilegea, hukongoloka na kutoka kwenye mpini wake. Ndiyo maana watu hukomelea mapembe kwa kuyatengeneza vizuri ili yashikane vizuri na mpini kiasi cha kutosha kuyalimia kwa muda mrefu kwenye mashamba mbalimbali, bila kulegea. Mtu atengenezaye jembe hilo akiulizwa kwamba ‘unafanya nini?’ Yeye hujibu ‘nakomelea jembe.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu afundishaye mtoto wake juu ya kufanya kazi kwa bidii ili afahamu vizuri. Lengo lake ni kumwezesha mtoto huyo, kuwa mfanyakazi mwenye bidii katika maisha yake, kwa ajili ya kujiletea maendeleo makubwa katika familia na maishani mwake.

Kumfundisha mtoto namna hiyo, hulingana na kukomelea jembe kwenye mpini wake kwa kulitengeneza vizuri kutosha kulifanyia kazi shambani ili lisilegee, bali liwe imara.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwapa malezi ya kufanya kazi kwa bidii, watoto wao, na wote waishio kwenye familia zao, ili waweze kuwa wafanyakazi wenye bidii maishani mwao.

Yafaa wazazi, walimu, na viongozi wote wawalee watu wao vyema kwa kuwafundisha namna ya kuwa wafanyakazi hodari maishani mwao, ili waweze kujipatia mapato ya kutosha kuziendeleza familia zao.

Luka 2:41-51.

ENGLISH: I’M FIXING THE HOE

The overhead saying focuses on the act of fastening a hoe in its handle to make it firm enough for effective cultivation, and to prevent it from becoming loose easily.

If the hoe is tightened well in its handle, the farmer is able to accomplish a great job in a relatively shorter time.

But if the hoe is loose in its grip, it turns round the handle and easily comes off. That is why people are always fixing their hoes to make them sturdy enough to cope with the long weeding periods in the fields. Asked what he/she is doing, the maker of the hoe would respond by saying, ‘I’m fixing the hoe.”

That saying is comparable to a person who teaches his/her child on how to work hard in life, with the aim of instilling in him/her the virtue of hard work for self and family development.

Teaching a child that way is akin to fixing a hoe in its handle to make it strong enough to do the fields without falling off.

The adage is used to encourage sound upbringing of children, making them appreciate and practice hard work in their lives and in their families.

It is important for parents, teachers and all leaders in general to teach people to embrace hard work. This would enable them earn enough income to sustain their families.

Luke 2: 41-51.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile munhu uyo agizaga bho nduhu ugumuwila ab’ahakaya iyo omugenihaga. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agab’ifumbukiza abho alib’ageniha. Kunguno yiniyo, agitanagwa ‘ng’wiza sele’ na abhanhu bhenabho abho obhagenihaga.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agikalaga nzugurumatu bhuli makanza umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agabhizaga wib’egelejije umubhutumami bho milimo yakwe pye bhuli makanza. Gashinaga lulu, yigelelilwe abhanhu bhab’ize nzugurumatu bhuli makanza umuwikaji b’ob’o.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gwikala nzurugumatu umubhutumami bho milimo yabho pye bhuli makanza, umuwikaji b’ob’o. Imilimo yiniyo ilikihamo na gwandya gulima aha mbula ja gwandya, bho nduhu ugukeleja. Ubhulimi bhunubho bhugitanagwa, bhulimi wigembe lya gwandya, kugiki bhadule abhanhu bhenabho ugupandika ijiliwa ijakutumila pye amakanza aganduhu mbula.

Ukulwande lo bhatumami bha milimo ya muofisi, yigelelilwe bhanguhe uguja ukumilimo yabho yiniyo. Pye na bhasuluja, nabho bhanguhe uguja ukumilimo yabho, kihamo na bhalab’iji bha mitugo, nabho bhanguhe ugujichilula imitumo jabho. Umukajile kenako, abhanhu bhenabho bhagudula ugujibheja chiza ikaya jabho.

Ijinagongeja, akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gwikala bhib’egelejije pye bhuli makanza umugubhasumbila abhageni b’ab’o, kugiki bhadizub’isanganija ulu bhalize. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenab’o bhadimile chiza ugwikala munhungwa ja wiza, umuwikaji b’ob’o na bhanhu, kunguno, bhadadeb’ile ulushigu ni saa iyagwinga gobho ukuwelelo.

Mathayo 25:1-13.

KISWAHILI: AJAYE KIMYA

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia mtu ajaye bila kuwataarifu ninyi mlioko kwenye familia anayoitembelea. Mtu huyo huwashitukiza wale aliowatembelea. Kwa sababu hiyo, watu hayo aliowafikia bila taarifa, humwita, ‘ajaye kimya.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huwa yuko tayari kutekeleza majukumu yake wakati wowote katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo huwa yuko tayari katika utendaji wa kazi zake, na kwa muda wote. Kumbe basi, yafaaa watu wawe na busara hiyo ya kuwa tayari kufanya kazi au kupokea wageni wakati wowote maishani mwao.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na busara ya kuwa tayari kuyatekeleza majukumu yao bila kukawia. Majukumu hayo ni pamoja na kuwahi kulima kwenye mvua za kwanza, yaani kulima kilimo cha kwanza, kwa wakulima, ili waweze kupata mavuno ya kutosha kutumia katika familia zao kwa muda wote wa ukame.

Kwa upande wa wale wanaofanya kazi za maofisini, watakiwa kuwahi mapema kwenda kufungua ofisi zao, hali kadhalika na wale wanaofanya biashara. Wachungaji nao watakiwa kuwahi kupeleka mifugo yao kwenye sehemu za kuchungia. Utayari huo utawawezesa watu hao kuziendeleza vizuri familia zao.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa tayari kila wakati kuwapokea wageni wao, ili wajapo wasije wakawashitukiza. Yafaa watu hao wajijengee tabia njema ya kuishi vizuri na watu, maishani mwao, kwa sababu hawajui siku wala saa ya kuaga kwao dunia.

Mathayo 25:1-13.

ENGLISH: ONE WHO COMES SILENTLY

The overhead saying is about people who visit others without giving prior notice, something that startles their hosts. A person who goes to a place without informing his/her would-be host is referred to as “He who comes silently.”

The saying is likened to someone who is ready to carry out his/her duties at any particular time. It is actually imperative for people to be wise enough to work or receive visitors any time.

The saying teaches people about the wisdom of staying ready and prepared all the time in order that they can carry out their duties without delay. Such duties may include cultivation of their farms at the beginning of the rainy season, that is, in good time to guarantee a successful yield that can sustain their families through the dry season.

As for pastoralists, they are required to drive their livestock to the pastures as early as possible. Office workers and business people on their part ought to commence their operations quite early too in the day. Such alertness will enable people to improve their family situations.

Additionally, the saying teaches people about readiness to receive their guests at all times, without being embarrassed. They also need to develop a harmonious co-existence with others for they know not the day or the hour of their demise.

Matthew 25: 1-13.