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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile bhanhu abho b’ib’ilingaga. Abhanhu bhenabho ulu b’ib’ilingaga bhagaholelaga mihayo mingi noi. Iyingi igab’izaga mihayo ya solobho, aliyo iyingi idina solobho. Ahowib’ilingilo henaho, igahoyelegwa mihayo yoseyose. Gashinaga iliho mihayo imo idiyaguja umunhu aguyiyombaga sagala, kunguno itiya wiza.

Imihayo yiniyo iliyaguleka haho wib’ilingilo duhu, kunguno idinayo isolobho umuwikaji bho bhanhu. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘yeniyo igalekagwa haho wib’ilingilo. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhasole imihayo iyo ilina solobho duhu umuwikaji b’ob’o.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo adeb’ile ugusolanya chiza imihayo iyo idulile gub’iza na solobho ahakaya yakwe, nulu ukubhanhu bhakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo alina nhungwa ja guiholela imihayo iyo iliyasolobho ulu olumanaga na bhiye. Agilangaga imihayo iya solobho kwingila kub’iye, na guyileka haho mahoyelo iyo iliyasagara.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya guikomanya imihayo iyo iliya solobho kwingila hamahoya gosegose, na kuileka haho mahoya genayo iya sagara. Imihayo iya solobho igambilijaga bhanhu umugujibheja chiza ikaya ni jumuiya jabho.

Ijinagongeja, akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka uguiyomba imihayo ya sagara, umumahoya gabho, kunguno iyiniyo igakenagulaga kaya na jumuiya ja bhanhu. Yigelelilwe abhanhu b’ab’ize na nhungwa ja guiholela imihayo iyo iliya solobho ukabhanhu ni kaya jabho.

Kuyiniyo, yigelelilwe abhanhu bhachagule chiza imihayo iya solobho umumahoya gabho. Imihayo yiniyo, idulile gubhambilija umugujenghela upandiki bho sabho ikaya ni jumuiya jabho.

KISWAHILI: HAYO HUACHWA HAPO KWENYE MKUSANYIKO

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia watu waliokusanyika mahali fulani. Watu hao huongea maneno mengi mno. Mengine huwa yana faida katika maendeleo ya jamii, lakini mengine niya hovyo.

Kwa maana hiyo, walipokusanyikia watu huongelewa maneno yoyote. Kumbe yapo yaliyo mazuri, ambayo yana faida kwa wanajamii, lakini mengine hayana faida. Hayo ni maneno ya hovyo.

Maneno hayo yaliyo ya hovyo huachwa hapo kwenye mkusanyiko, kwa sababu hayana faida maishani mwa watu. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘hayo huachwa hapo kwenye mkusanyiko.’ Yafaa watu wachukue yale yenye faida na kuyaacha hapo yale yasiyo na faida, maishani mwao.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu afahamuye kuchambua na kuyafanyia kazi maneno yale yawezayo kuwa na faida kwenye familia yake, au kwenye jumuiya yake. Mtu huyo ana tabia ya kuzungumza maneno yenye faida katika maongezi yake na wenzake. Hujifunza kutokana na maneno yenye faida wasemayo wenzake, katika maongezi yao. Mtu huyo pia huyaacha hapo yale yasiyo na faida maishani mwake.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuchambua maneno yenye faida kutoka kwenye maongezi yoyote na wenzao, na kuyaacha yale yaliyo ya hovyo. Maneno yenye faida husaidia watu katika kuziendeleza familia na jumuiya zao.

Zaidi hayo, msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha kuongea maneno ya hovyo katika maongezi yao, kwa sababu maneno hayo husambalatisha familia na jumuiya za watu. Yafaa watu wajijengee tabia ya kuongea maneno yenye faida maishani mwao na katika familia zao.

Kwa hiyo, watu watakiwa kuchagua vizuri maneno yenye faida katika maongezi yao. Hayo ndiyo maneno yawezayo kuwasaidia katika kuleta maendeleo kwenye familia na jumuiya zao.

Waebrania 13:7-9.

Luka 10:38-42.

ENGLISH: THOSE ARE LEFT THERE AT THE GATHERING.

The above saying relates to how people in a gathering behave. Many things are said by people whenever they are gathered at a place, some of which can be beneficial to society, yet others which are of no value at all.

People say, ‘Those are left at the gathering’ to imply that those meaningless issues (or words) shared at the gathering need to remain there because they are of no value to people’s lives. Only aspects considered worthwhile in life should be picked out and harnessed.

Such saying is likened to a person who has the capacity to analyse words or issues before applying them, based on how beneficial they are to his/her family or community. Such a person weighs his/her words in conversations, carefully choosing those that are believed to add value in life, and ignoring worthless ones.

People use the above saying to learn about being analytical in their interaction with their peers, and therefore being able to exploit only valuable aspects that can help develop their families and communities.

Additionally, the aphorism is used to discourage empty rhetoric because it destroys society. People ought to develop a habit of saying things that can benefit and build their lives and their families.

They should therefore choose the most profitable words in their conversations. Those are the words that can help them to bring development to their families and communities.

Hebrews 13: 7-9.

Luke 10: 38-42.

 

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

Mbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile munhu uyo agacholaga bhuki. Ubhuki jili ginhu jinonu. Kuyiniyo lulu, umunhu uyo ahayile gulya chiza agajicholaga ijawiza na gutumama milimo iyo idulile gung’wambilija ujipandika kugiki abhize na bhuyegi.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agakwabhaga sabho, nulu jikolo bhogutumama bho nguzu na wiyumilija bhutale. Unchoji o ginhu ijawiza jinijo adanogaga ugujichola mpaka ajipandike. Ukwene huguhaya giki, ‘uyo agacholaga bhuki adanogaga.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa nu kuli munhu uyo agacholaga ginhu ijawiza bho wiyumilija bhutale mpaka ajipandike. Iginhu jinijo jilisawa na bhusuluja, bhulimi, nu bhutumami ubho milimo iyo iliyawiza. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agajipandikaga, kunguno, ‘Uyo agacholaga bhuki adanogaga.’

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya guchola ginhu ijo jilijawiza bho nduhu ugunoga. Ilichiza abhanhu bhabhize na wiyumilija bhutale ubho uguitumama imilimo iyo iliyawiza mpaka guimala chiza na gupandika matwajo mingi.

KISWAHILI: YULE ATAFUTAYE ASALI HACHOKI

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia mtu atafutaye asali. Asali ni kitu kitamu. Kwa hiyo basi, mtu huyo atakaye kula vitu vizuri hutafuta kilicho kizuri kwa kufanya kazi ambazo zaweza kumsaidia kukipata ili awe na furaha.

Mtu huyo hupata mali au vitu hivyo vizuri kwa kufanya kazi kwa nguvu na uvumilivu wa kutosha kumwezesha kuyafikia mafanikio hayo. Mtafutaji huyo wa kitu kilichokizuri huwa hachopi mpaka atakipata. Ndiyo kusema kwamba, ‘Yule atafutaye asali hachoki.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule atafutaye kitu kizuri kwa kuvumilia kukubwa mpaka akipate. Kitu hicho ni sawa na kufanya biashara, kuendesha kilimo na kufanya kazi zingine zilizo nzuri maishani mwa mtu huyo. Mtu huyo hukipata kitu hicho kilichokizuri kwa sababu, ‘Yule atafutaye asali hachoki.’

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kutafuta kitu kilicho kizuri kwa uvumilivu bila kuchoka. Yafaa watu wawe na uvumilivu mkubwa wa kuwawezesha kufanya kazi zilizonjema kwa bidii kubwa, mpaka kuzimaliza vizuri kiasi cha kutosha kuwapatia mavuno mengi na yaliyo mazuri.

Zaburi 8:10.

Waebrania 10:36.

Mathayo 13:45-46.

ENGLISH: HE WHO SEARCHES FOR HONEY DOES NOT GET TIRED

The above saying talks about a person who searches for honey. Honey is a sweet thing. Thus, anybody who loves eating sweet things will do whatever it takes to find them and be happy.

A person achieves wealth or admirable possessions through hard work and sufficient patience. Such a person never gets tired in the search for those good things until he/she finds it. That is why it is said, “He who searches for honey does not get tired.”

That maxim is compared to the effort of one who searches for an invaluable thing, enduring all the difficulties until one gets it. Such a thing could be an activity like engaging in business, farming or doing other valuable things in one’s life. The person is bound to get that good thing because, ‘He who searches for honey does not get tired.’

The saying teaches people about perseverance in their pursuit of what they value. People ought to possess a lot of patience to enable them undertake their tasks with hard work until they effectively accomplish those tasks and reap bountifully and admirably.

Psalm 8:10.

Hebrews 10:36.

Matthew 13: 45-46.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola ngoko iyo ilina bhana yao. Ingoko yiniyo ulu yusojiwa ung’wana oyo na Fungwe igayangaga noi. Igahadikaga na gulala, aliyo ifungwe idigwaga nulu kinhu josejose, kunguno iyoi igalalaga ng’wigulya nu ng’wana ongoko na gwandya gukalya akasusu kenako.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo adoyaga wangu ugulila uluopandikaga makoye, guti ga lufu ulu lwigelaga aha ng’wakwe. Ogulila go ng’wa munhu ng’wunuyo, gwiyegelile nu bhuliji ubho ngoko iyo yasojiwagwa ung’wana oyo na lifungwe. Igelelilwe umunhu adebhe igiki, ubhuliji ubho ng’wa munhu b’udadulile ugunshosha uyo omalaga guzumalika.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na wiyumilija bhutale ulu bhapandikaga makoye, guti ga guchilwa na bhadugu bhabho. Igelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhamalile na goya ugulila, kunguno undugu obho ng’wunuyo, omalaga gwinga kuwelelo, atiho gushoshiwa na bhuliji bhobho.

Ijinagongeja, akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka uguyomba imihayo iyo idinasobho ulubhapandikaga makoye. Igelelilwe bhilunguje bho guyomba mihayo iyo idulile gubhambilija abhanhu bhabho umu gwikala na mholele na b’ichab’o.

KISWAHILI: MALALAMIKO YA KUKU HAYAMPATI MWEWE

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia kuku mwenye vifaranga vyake. Kuku huyo akinyang’anywa kifaranga na Mwewe, huhangaika kwa kulia sana. Hujaribu hata kuruka, lakini Mwewe huwa hasikii lolote, kwa maana huruka juu akiwa na kile kifaranga na kuanza kukitafuna.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu asiyeacha mapema kulia apatapo matatizo mbali mbali, yakiwemo yale ya kufiwa na ndugu kwenye familia yake. Kulia kwa mtu huyo hukaribiana na kilio cha kuku aliyenyang’anywa kifaranga chake na Mwewe. Yafaa mtu kama huyo aelewe kwamba, kilio cha mtu hakiwezi kumrudisha kwenye maisha haya yule aliyefariki.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uvumilivu wa kutosha kuwasaidia katika kustahimili matatizo mbali mbali, yakiwemo yale ya kufiwa na ndugu zao. Yafaa watu kama hao, warudie hali yao ya kawaida kwa kuacha kulia, kwa sababu mtu yule aliyefariki hawezi kurudishwa kwa kilio chao.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha kusema maneno yasiyofaa wapatapo matatizo mbali mbali maishani mwao. Yafaa wafarijiane kwa kuongea yale yawezayo kuwasaidia katika kuishi kwa amani na wenzao pale walipo.

Kutoka 3:19.

Ayubu 1:21.

Mathayo 10:26-28.

1Wakorintho 15:20-26.

1Wakorintho 15:54-58.

ENGLISH: THE CRIES OF THE HEN DO NOT REACH THE HAWK

The overhead saying is about a hen and her chicks. When a hawk snatches one of the chicks, the hen cries and complains for a long time. But the hawk flies high up without a care, and goes ahead to feast on the chick. The hen’s loud lamentation changes nothing.

The saying is likened to someone who keeps on complaining when faced with the various trials and tribulations in life, including loss of a relative in his/her family. His/her incessant lamentation is likened to that of a hen whose chick is snatched by a hawk. It is vital for such a person to understand that no amount of weeping can bring back the dead to life.

That saying teaches people about the need to possess enough patience to enable them cope with various situations of distress, including loss of loved ones. It is necessary that such people quit crying and resume their normal lives, because the deceased cannot be resurrected through expression of sorrow by the bereaved.

In addition, the saying is used to discourage people from negativity in regard to dealing with life’s myriad problems. They should instead comfort and encourage one another to co-exist peacefully and with optimism.

Exodus 3:19.

Job 1:21.

Matthew 10: 26-28.

1 Corinthians 15: 20-26.

1 Corinthians 15: 54-58.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola shinu ijijigikalaga mng’obho giti: Mbiti, Naga, Nzoka na jingi ningi. Ishinu jinijo jigib’isaga munywobho yajo kunguno ya gogoha guding’wa na bhanishi b’ajo.

Ulu giki jifuma umu ng’ob’o ili jinogu nulu gunyamanijiwa na b’anisha bhajo bhenabho abho bhadulile nulu gujib’ulaga. Abhanishi bhenabho bhagayombaga ulu bhumona umo oshinu jinijo alihanze ya ng’ob’o gokwe, giki, ‘ilelo ogwingilaga ung’ob’o.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kulimunhu uyo agingaga ahakaya yakwe bho nduhu gub’iza witegeleja bhutale. Agisangaga opandikaga makoye nulu ga guding’wa na bhanishi wakwe abho bhadulile kumulaga.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gwikala bihi ni kaya jabho. Kabhalemeja ugugusenengela ung’wingi nulu ung’ob’o gobho kunguno ugunuyo hu b’uli b’upililo bhobho.

Ijinagongeja, akahayile kenako kabhalanga abhanhu giki: ug’wingi (ng’ob’o) gob’o ali Yesu. Ili yaya ugugusenengela kunguno bhadulile gunyamanijiwa na ng’wanishi obho ushetani.

LEO OMEONDOKA KWENYE PANGO (SHIMO)

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia wanyama waishio kwenye mashimo, kama vile: Fisi, Mhanga, Nyoka na wengine wengi. Wanyama hao hujificha kwenye mapango au mashimo yao kwa sababu ya kuogopa kukamatwa na maadui zao.’

Endapo watatoka kwenye mapango au mashimo hayo itakuwa rahisi kukamatwa na adui zao hao ambao waweza kuwaua. Imaana kwamba, kama wakitoka shimoni itakuwa rahisi hata kuzingilwa na maadui zao ambao waweza hata kuuawa. Maadui hao husema endapo watamuona mmoja wao akiwa nje ya pango au shimo lake, kwamba, ‘leo omeondoka kwenye pango (shimo).

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huondoka kwenye makazi yake bila kuwa na umakini mkubwa. Hujikuta amepata matatizo yahatarishayo usalama wake, yakiwemo ya kukamatwa na adui zake.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuishi karibu na makazi yao yawezayo kulinda usalama wao. Huwakataza kuishi mbali na familia zao ambazo ndizo makazi yao yenye usalama. Watu wanasisitiziwa kutokukaa mbali na pango au shimo lao, maana hapo ni mahala pa usalama wao.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kubakia kwenye makazi yao yenye usalama ambayo ni Yesu mwenyewe. Watakiwa kutokukaa mbali na Yeye kwa sababu adui yao shetani huwawinda ili awaangamize. Kwa hiyo, msemo huo wawafundisha watu kuwa: pango (shimo) lao ni Yesu Kristo. Wasikae mbali naye wasije wakazingilwa na adui yao shetani.

Zaburi 23:1-4.

Zaburi 140:1-4.

Yohana 12:26.

Yohana 15:5-10.

ENGLISH: TODAY ONE HAS LEFT THE HOLE (CAVE)

The above proverb relates to animals that live in holes or caves such as hyenas, snakes, among many others. These animals hibernate in the caves because of fear of being caught by their enemies.

If they come out of their hide-outs, they become vulnerable. That situation makes it easy to be attacked by their enemies, who can even kill them. Whenever the enemies behold them out of the cave or hole, they would say, ‘today one has left the cave (hole).’

Such proverb is likened to a person who leaves his/her abode without being cautious. Such a person finds himself/herself in problems that compromise his/her security, including the risk of being kidnapped by the enemy.

The proverb is used to urge people to live in close proximity to each other as a family so that they are secure. People are encouraged not to stay away from their cave or hole.

In essence, the proverb teaches people about staying in the most secure home, i.e. in Jesus Christ. They should not stay away from Him in case their enemy – Satan – ensnares them and destroys them. Thus, the proverb teaches people that their cave is Jesus Christ. They should stay as close as possible to Him to keep Satan at bay.

Psalm 23: 1-4.

Psalm 140: 1-4.

John 12:26.

John 15: 5-10.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola bhanhu abho bhagukoyelaga ginhu, nulu nimo uyo gub’izile guti gupya ijigugulola. Aliyo ubhunghana bhogo ukubhanhu abho bhagudeb’ile guligukulukulu.

Ligashigaga ikanza ilya gubhudeb’a ubhunghana bho nimo, nulu ginhu jinijo ukubhanhu bhenebho abho b’agujikoyelaga kulwa nguno ya bhoyi gub’iza bhalibhageni ukuginhu jinijo. Ulu bhumana chena, bhagayombaga giki ‘gashi dugukoyelaga ishalekwa.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agatumamaga milimo yakwe bho nduhu ugub’iza na bhukengeji bho guimana chiza imilimo yiniyo. Agisangaga onogaga sagara, kulwa gujimara inguzu jakwe kumilimo iyo idina solobho ya kub’eja kaya, nulu jumuiya yakwe. Ilichiza umunhu agudeb’e chiza unimo gokwe, hayo adinagwandya ugugutumama.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gwita bhukengeji bho gudula guideb’a chiza imilimo yabho, hayo bhatali ugwandya uguitumama. Ulub’ita chene, bhagudula uguitumama imilimo iyagubhenhela solobho, umuwikaji bhobho, na guileka iyo itina solobho.

Kuyiniyo lulu, akahayile kenako agayombaga munhu uyo alitumama nimo uyo gudinayo isolobho. Guti gugwita nimo gosegose uyogoiwa ugudililwa na bhiye.

KISWAHILI: KUMBE TWAHANGAIKIA KILICHOACHWA

 Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia watu wahangaikiao kitu ambacho kwa macho huonekana kama kipya. Lakini ukweli wa kitu hicho kwa wale wakifahamuo ni kikuukuu.

Hufika wakati wa kuufahamu ukweli wa kitu hicho ambacho watu hao hukihangaikia kwa sababu ya ugeni wao kwenye kitu hicho. Wakisha fahamu hivyo, watu hao husema hivi ‘kumbe twahangaikia kilichoachwa.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu afanyaye kazi zake bila kufanya utafiti wa kutosha kuzifahamu vizuri kazi hizo. Mtu huyo hujikuta amechoka kwa kuzimalizia nguvu zake kwenye kazi hizo zisizo na faida kwenye familia au Jumuiya yake. Yafaa mtu aifahamu vizuri kazi yake kabla ya kuanza kuifanya.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kufanya utafiti wa kazi zao kabla hawajaanza kuzifanya. Wakifanya hivyo, wataweza kuzigundua na kuzifanya kazi zile ziwezazo kuwaletea maendeleo na kuziacha zile ambazo haziwezi kuwaletea maendeleo hayo.

Kwa hiyo basi, msemo huo huusema mtu afanyaye kazi isiyo na faida, kama vile kujishugulisha na kazi yoyote ambayo wenzake waliashaiacha kuifanya.

2 Kor 5:17

Wagalatia 5:4.

ENGLISH: EXPENDING ENERGY ON NOTHING WORTHWHILE

The above saying is about people who spend so much energy chasing after what their eyes perceive to be new, yet in reality it is completely worthless, according to those who are aware of it.

A time comes when the truth dawns on the people as they understand how naive they were about their deceptive perception. With this realization, they would say, ‘so we are losing energy on nothing worthwhile’

The saying is likened to a person who performs his/her work without carrying out sufficient research to determine its worth. Such a person wears himself/herself down by focusing all his/her energy on unprofitable tasks in the family or in the community. It is advisable for a person to be adequately familiar with his/her job before attempting it.

The saying teaches people about the need for due diligence before embarking on any assignment. That would not only guarantee profitable engagements that can bring about development in families but also help shun those worthless ones that cannot lead to progress.

Thus, the saying advises people to conduct sufficient research before settling on any job. That helps ensure that they engage in profitable ones for the sake of developing the family and the community.

2 Cor. 5:17

Galatians 5: 4.