Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Muna Danga na muna Ngoso bhali na makoye, bhamilagwa na liyoka. Huna lulu, Ntemi wabho ubhabhilingila lugiko, kulola mhayo gwenuyo na kubhabhuja twite kinahe iki tukamilagwa na liyoka?

Hanuma ya henaho, Ntemi ufumbula gwa kwita, uhaya, “Ulu mlinga ahenaha, bhuli bhene uko mulibhitila, ulu ng’usanja nanhwe umuna Nzoka, bhiya ukung’ogoha. Ulu umubhuja ya kwene kunu kulugiko, mung’wile “Yalemagwa yamalimila mila.”

Aha bhinga aha lugiko, ng’hana bhusanja nu muna nzoka umunzila. Haho na haho Danga ungisha, umuna nzoka, uli mhola nkoyi. Muna nzoka uhaya, “Nalimhola duhu.” Kunu ngosha chula alikumya no. Muna Nzoka nang’hwe ungisha umuna Chula uhaya, nalimhola duhu.

Muna nzoka ubhuja, “Chula ulinga he?” Chula uhaya, “Tulinga kulugiko lo Ntemi.” Ubhuja, “Ng’waluhoyelaga ki? Chula ushosha, “Taluhoyelaga mihayo mingi no. Aliyo guliho mhayo gumo duhu ugutale.yalemagwa iyamalimila mila.”

Kiswahili: Imekataliwa Ya Kumezana Mezana

Chura  na Panya walikuwa na shida kwa sababu ya kumezwa na nyoka. Mwishowe walifanya, mkutano kwa Mtemi wakajadili na Mtemi kuhusu jambo hilo.

Mtemi akawauliza tufanye nini kwa sababu tunamezwa na Nyoka? Chura na Panya walikosa la kufanya. Baadaye Mtemi aliamua la kufanya. Akawaambia, “Mkiondoka hapa,  kila mmoja anakopita, msimwogope huyo nyoka, na tena mkikutana naye njiani msalimieni.”

Walipoondoka kwenye mkutano, kweli walikutana na Nyoka. Chura  akamsalimu, “Hujambo Nyoka?” Nyoka akaitikia, “Sijambo tu.” Nyoka naye akamsalimu Chura,  “Hujambo Chura?” Chura akaitikia, “Sijambo.”

Nyoka akauliza, “Chura umetoka wapi?”

Chura akajibu, “tumetoka kwenye mkutano wa Mtemi.”

Akauliza,  “Mlikuwa mnajadili nini?”

Chura akajibu, “Tulikuwa tunajadili mambo mengi.”

Lakini la muhimu ni moja tu, Imekataliwa ya kumezana mezana.

ENGLISH: WE DON’T WANT TO BE SWALLOWED ANYMORE

The Frog and the Mouse were suffering because they’d been swallowed by the Snake. One day, they went to the King to discuss the matter with him.

The King asked, “What should we do to prevent the Snake from swallowing us again?” The Frog and the Mouse didn’t know what to do. The King decided that something must be done. He said, “When you leave my compound for home, don’t be afraid of the Snake if you meet him on your way home.”

 

Indeed, as they headed back home, they met the Snake. The Frog said, “Hello, Mr Snake, how are you today” The Snake responded, “I’m fine. “How are you, too?” “I’m fine, too,” the Frog said.

The Snake asked, “Where are you coming from, Mr Frog?”

The Frog replied, “We’re coming from the King’s house. We’d gone to discuss something with him.”

“What were you discussing?” He asked.

 

The Frog said, “We discussed various things. For instance, we decided at the meeting that no one should swallow others anymore.”

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Lushiku lumo umuna Shimba agaja aha numba ya ng’wa Lung’wando, usanga alinduhu wajaga (kumilimo) kungese. Wingila umuna Shimba umu kaya yang’wa Lungwando, ung’wibhandila ize annye.

Aho washika ulung’wando ubhona mabhondo ga Shimba gingilaga umu kaya, ushoka hado hado kushika kasegeno. Ukalala kuko.

Kushika wela, uja kumilimo hangi. Aho wamala imilimo wiza pole pole aha numba, usanga mabhondo gigolo galiho, muna Shimba atali ibhandile.

Lung’wando ushoka hangi hado hado kushika kasegeno, wandya kugisha, “Madilo muna numba wane, sele. Ugisha hangi, madilo muna numba wane, sele. Uyomba muna Lung’wando giki hangi, nakagugishaga wazunya, ilelo witaga kinahe utuzunyaga kunigisha. Madilo muna numba wane, nose uzunya muna Shimba, “Madilo bhabha.” Lung’wando useka hii hii! Natinabhona numba yagisha.

KISWAHILI: SUNGURA NA SIMBA
Siku moja Simba alikwenda nyumbani kwa Sungura. Kumbe hakumkuta, kwani alikuwa amekwenda kazini (kwenye palizi). Simba aliingia ndani ya nyumba ya Sungura, akajibanza ili Sungura atakaporudi akija amle.

Sungura aliporudi, aligundua nyayo za Simba zimeelekea ndani ya nyumba yake. Basi akarudi nyuma kwa mwendo wa kasi hadi mbali na kulala huko.

Asubuhi akaenda moja kwa moja kwenye kazi zake. Alipomaliza kazi, alirejea polepole tena nyumbani kwake. Alizikuta nyayo zilezile za Simba kama alivyoziona jana. Hapo Sungura akasalimia, “Umeshindaje nyumba yangu?” Kukawa kimya kitupu kimetawala. Akarudia kusalimia mara ya pili na ya tatu. Akasema “Huwa ninakusalimu unakubali leo umefanyaje umekataa kunisalimu.?” Akarudia “Umeshindaje we nyumba yangu?”
Mwisho Simba akakubali, “Sijambo baba Sungura!” Akacheka hii! hii! “Sijaona nyumba inasalimu!

KISWAHILI: Sungura Na Simba

Siku moja Simba alikwenda nyumbani kwa Sungura. Kumbe hakuwepo, kwani alikuwa amekwenda kazini (kwenye palizi). Simba aliingia ndani ya nyumba ya Sungura, akajificha ili Sungura atakaporudi aje amle.

Sungura aliporudi, aligundua nyayo za Simba zimeelekea ndani ya nyumba yake. Basi akarudi nyuma kwa mwendo wa pole pole hadi umbali wa kutosha na kulala huko.

Asubuhi akaenda moja kwa moja kwenye kazi zake. Alipomaliza kazi, alirejea polepole tena nyumbani kwake. Alizikuta nyayo zilezile za Simba kama alivyoziona jana.

Hapo Sungura akasalimia, “Umeshindaje nyumba yangu?” Kukawa kimya kitupu kimetawala. Akarudia kusalimia mara ya pili na ya tatu. Akasema “Huwa ninakusalimu unakubali leo umefanyaje umekataa kuniitikia?” Akarudia “Umeshindaje we nyumba yangu?”

Mwisho Simba akakubali, “Sijambo baba Sungura!” Akacheka hii! hii! “Sijaona nyumba inasalimu!”

 

ENGLISH: THE HARE AND THE LION

One day the Lion went to the Hare’s house. The Hare was not at home; he had gone to his farm to do some weeding work. The Lion opened the door and entered the Hare’s house and hid there so that he could eat the Hare when he returned.

When the Hare returned, he found the Lion’s footsteps at his house. So, he entered the house quietly and slept a considerable distance from where the Lion was hiding.

In the morning he went to work. After he had finished the work he’d been doing, he returned quietly to his house and saw the Lion’s footsteps he’d seen the previous day.

Then the Hare greeted his house, “How have you been, my house?” He received no response. He repeated the second and third times. He said, “You have always responded to my greetings. What is it that makes you not answer my greetings today?” “How have you been, my house?”

Finally, the Lion answered, “I’m fine, Mr Hare.” He laughed, “Ha ha ha. I’ve never seen a house greet someone!”

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Kale waliho ngosha umo witanagwa Lubana bhadoyi. Aliyo ngosha ng’wenuyo alatogilwe gushiya na bhake bhabhiye. Hanuma yabhaga ngosha ng’wenuyo ulu umona nkima aliza, nulu alibhitila hihi witaga lusona. Wali na namba nhale no ya bhakima.

Sha lushiku lumo ngosha ng’wenuyo untogwa no nkima wa nzenganwa ng’wiye. Wali wagubheja pye inzila jagumpandika nkima ng’wenuyo akaduma. Nguno nkima ng’wenuyo ng’hangala ningi wikalaga alina milimo mingi.

Ni shiku ijingi kilajaga, kalola myatila yabho. Aho wingila umu kaya, ngoshi wikala hisumbi guko chumba. Bhigisha, wandya kung’winha nke manong’ho ayo waliwagakwabha.

Shitakwilile shiku, Lubana bhadoyi, ungwa bhunwani ungoshi wa nkima uyo walina namba nawe. Uyuja ahakaya yeniyo. Na kaya yeniyo ikamanila no.

Lushiku lumo, ng’wenikili kaya akaja lugendo lo kujukobha sabho. Aliyo akashinga shiku ningi no. Aha winga ngosha ng’wenuyo, ukunuma Lubana bhadoyi, akabheja bhuli mbika bhuishiya nu nkima wa nwaniye. Ngosha ng’wenuyo akayulala nu nkima ng’wenuyo ha bhulili bho ngoshi. Aho alita giko gana kadoo wali nago nkima ng’wenuyo. Galinilika lya kuyomba.

Lushiku lumo ngosha ung’wenikili kaya, akashoka hang’wakwe. Washikila makanza ga bhujiku. Aha wahodisha, nke ujimana ishilaka aliyo nu Lubana bhadoyi wali mumo. Nkima akang’wila unshiya, “bhita ng’wizungu.” Na ng’hana wita chene. Nkima wanza shuka siza aha bhulili. Uja ukanugulila ungoshi.

Hikanza ili ngosha uyo alingila ng’wizungu, kanigini gali miso kali kalolile pye imyatila yeniyo. Aho wabhona chene unkima uyega no. Aliyo mmoyo gwakwe ubhiza na igendeji lya shibhi ya bhushiya. Na unsatwa no ungoshi.

Umu kujimangucha imihayo iyo, udaha minzi utwala kulyogelo akoge ngoshi. Yigele ni nzila ya kufuma ngosha ng’wenuyo. Aho wang’wila ngoshi, “Jaga ukoge.” Ngoshi agahaya, “Naguja hanuma.” Nkima ng’wenuyo agamala ulubhango, kunguno ya kubhaja. Moyo gonshitakaga.

Hambunu akana nose, gunkalalila usago. Ninago ukawila, “Ngishage ubhabha wako.” Gufumula sele. Ugawila hangi, “Ngishage ubhabha wako.”

Aha wakawila chene kuseka, kuhaya, “Bhabhaaa!” kaganoga kubhuja, “Mayu abha bhabha bhali bhanga nayi, uyo aling’wizungu bhabha, nuyu uliniwila bhabha” Ikanza lyenilo, iyise wago waladegelikile. Aliyo gakashogeja hangi uguyomba. “Mayu abha dada bhalibhanga nayi. Uyo aling`wizungu bhabha nuyu uliniwila bhabha.”

Haho na haho ngosha umuja nke aliyo akalema. Ngosha uyo akasola jilanga ukundula ung`wizungu, umona mbehi wa byulaga gukilila.

Ngosha ngwenuyo agadaka no gubhitila. Wa kanoga umoyo, kwifulika ubhuja. “Uli nani ubhebhe?” na…na…na lu… ba-lubana bhadoyi. Kunu alidetema. Ngosha uhaya hangi” uluducholaga kucha, lijaga ng`wano.’Lubana bhadoyi akalijang`wano, pye nu nkima. Bhanhu bhagiza bhingi no.

Aha bhashika, ngosha usombola pye umo ya bhitilaga. Aliyo bhanhu bhaga kumya no: Lubana bhadoyi, uliwa bhushiya: na nkima ng`wenuyo agacha soni ulila higulya na kumana hape shibhi shakwe. Aliyo akagayiwa ikaya. Na agakoya no mugi kalile gakwe.

Kiswahili: Mwamume Mzinzi Na Mke Mzinzi

Zamani alikuwepo mwanamume mmoja aliyeitwa Lubana Badoyi. Lakini mwanamume huyo alikuwa anapenda kuzini na wanawake za wenziye.

Mwanamume huyo alikuwa akimuona mwanamke anakuja, au akiwa anapita karibu naye mate yalimtoka mdomoni. Alikuwa na hamu kubwa sana kwa wanawake.

Siku moja mwanamume huyo alimpenda sana mke wa jirani yake. Alijaribu kila njia ya kumpata mwanamke huyo akashindwa. Hii ni kwa sababu yule mwanamke mara nyingi alikuwa na kazi nyingi.

Siku nyingine alikuwa akijilaza kwa lengo la kuangalia mienendo yao. Alipoingia ndani, mume wake alikaa kwenye kiti huko chumbani. Wakasalimiana, akaanza kumpa mke wako kile alichopata.

Hazikupita siku nyingi, Lubana Badoyi, alifanya urafiki na mme wa mwanamke yule aliyemtamani. Akawa anaenda kwenye familia hiyo.  Familia hiyo ilimzoea mno.

Siku moja, mwenye nyumba hiyo alifunga safari ya kwenda kutafuta mali. Alikaa siku nyingi mno. Alipoondoka mwanamume huyo, nyuma yake Lubana Badoyi alifanya kila njia wakaanza kuzini na mke wa rafiki yake.

Mwanamume huyo alianza kulala na mke wa rafiki yake kwenye kitanda cha mme wake. Alipokuwa anafanya hivyo katoto kadogo alikuwa nako yule mwanamke. Kakilia kwa kuongea.

Siku moja mwanamume mwenye nyumba alirudi nyumbani. Alifika wakati wa usiku. Alipobisha hodi mke wake akaifahamu sauti yake, wakati huo huyo Lubana Badoyi alikuwemo ndani.

Mwanamke alimwambia mzinzi, “Pita uvunguni.” Kweli akapita. Mwanamke alitandika shuka vizuri kwenye kitanda. Akaenda kumfungulia mme wake.

Wakati yule mwanamume akiingia uvunguni, katoto kalikuwa macho kakiangalia yote hayo yanayotendeka. Alipoona hivyo, mke alifurahi mno. Lakini moyo wake ukawa na musuto wa dhambi ya uzinzi.  Alimuumiza mno mmewe.

Katika hali ya kupotezea alichukua maji kupeleka sehemu ya kuogea ili akamuoshe mmewe. Alifanya hivyo ili kupata pia njia ya kutoka kwa mwanamume huyo.

Alisema, “Nenda ukaoge.” Mmewe alisema, “Nitaenda baadaye.”  Mwanamke huyo alikosa raha, kwa sababu ya kufikiri. Moyo ulimshitaki kwa sababu ya kosa lake la uzinzi.

Baadaye katoto mwishowe, kakamtazama baba yake. Mama yake akakaambia, “msalimie baba yako.”

Alipokaambia hivyo, kalicheka na kusema, “Baba!”  Kalipochoka kakauliza, “Mama baba zangu wako wangapi kwani, yule aliyeko uvunguni ni baba, na huyu unaniambia baba. Wakati huo baba yake, alikuwa akisikiliza. Lakini kalirudia tena kusema, “Mama baba wako wangapi kwani. Yule aliyeko uvunguni ni baba na huyu unaniambia ni baba.”

Hapo hapo mwanamume alimuuliza mkewe lakini alikataa. Mwanamume huyo alichukua silaha ya kumpiga humo uvunguni. Akamuona jamaa akiwa ametoa macho kupita kiasi.

Mwanamume huyo alikasilika mno kupita kiasi. Baadaye moyo wake ulitulia akauliza. “Wewe ni nani tena?  Na… na…nalu….ba-lubana badoyi. Huku akitetemeka. Kama hutafuti kufa, piga yowe. Lubana Badoyi akapiga yowe. Wote na mwanamke. Watu walikuja wengi mno.

Walipofika mwanamume alieleza yote yalivyopitapita. Lakini watu walishanga mno. Lubana badoyi, umepigwa adhabu ya uzinzi na mwanamke huyo. Aliona aibu sana. Alilia kwa sauti ya juu sana na kufahamu wazi dhambi zake. Lakini alikosa mji. Aliteseka mno na namna yake ya kuishi.

ENGLISH: THE ADULTEROUS HUSBAND AND THE ADULTEROUS WIFE

Once there was a man called Lubana Badoyi. The man engaged in prostitution with various women. He salivated at nearly each and every woman he saw. He liked women so very much.

He loved his neighbour’s wife very much. He once did whatever he could to get her but didn’t succeed. This was because the woman was often very busy.

An idea came to him that he should find out about her behaviour. When he entered their house one day, the woman’s husband was in their bedroom. He exchanged greetings with the woman and then gave the woman what he had brought her.

A few days later, Lubana Badoyi made friends with the woman’s husband. He visited them often. The family got used to his visits.

One day, the man went somewhere to seek money. He stayed away for a long time. Back home, Lubana Badoyi did all he could so that he could commit adultery with his friend’s wife.

He began to sleep with his friend’s wife on his friend’s bed. While he was doing this, the little girl heard her mother talking.

One night, the man returned home. When he called his wife’s name, the woman instantly knew that it was her husband’s voice. Lubana Badoyi was in the house.

The woman said to him, “Hide under the bed.” He did. The woman made the bed very nicely. She then went to open the door for her husband.

When the man was going under the bed, the girl was awake and saw all that was happening. The woman was very happy because she believed that her husband would not know what she had done. But her heart was heavy with the sin of adultery she had committed. The sin hurt her very much.

To rid herself of the pain, she took some water to the bathroom for her husband to wash. She also did it so that the man under the bed could escape.

She said to her husband, “Please, go and have a bath.”

He said, “I’ll do so later.”

The woman became very unhappy, thinking of what else to do. She was seized by a pang of conscience.

Moments later, the child looked at her father. Her mother said, “Greet your father.”

The girl burst out laughing and said, “Dad!” Her father was listening to her. Then she asked, “Mother, how many dads have I got? The man under the bed is my father and you are telling me that this is my father, too.” Her father was listening. Again she asked, “Mother, how many dads have I got? The man under the bed is my father and you are telling me that this is my father, too.”

Then the man asked his wife about what the child was saying, but she said nothing. The man took a wooden spoon and pocked under the bed so that he could feel what was there. He saw a fellow man, whose eyes were wide open.

The man was very angry. He calmed down later and asked, “Who are you? Na…na…nalu…Lubana..Badoyi.  Lubana Badoyi trembled. “Scream if you don’t want to die,” the man said. Lubana Badoyi screamed in terror. The woman did so, too. Many people gathered at the house.

The man told them what had happened. The people were very surprised. “Lubana Badoyi, you’ve been punished because of your adulterous behaviour,” some of them said. The woman felt very embarrassed. She cried loudly, for she knew the sin she had committed. She lost her family and suffered a great deal for the rest of her life.

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Kale walaliho ng’waniki umo, hakaya ya namhala Lyeta. Kaya yeniyo yali Nhale no. Yali na Bhanhu bhingi no. Sha Lushiku lumo agiza ngosha, kulunja (kukobha nkima wa kutola) Akapandika.

Agantola ng’waniki uyo witanagwa wanguzu. Myatila ya witoji ikitwa. Bhitoji bhuja gukaya. Bhukabheja kaya yabho, aliyo mukwikala gwabho, bhigashaga mu mayange no, nguno yombo na widumi wali bhutashilaga hakaya yabho. Na ng’hangala ningi, wanguzu wa shokaga kaya gujubhula. Umo agakoyejiwagwa nu ngoshi.

Aliyo bhabyaji bhakwe ni kaya bhugima bhaga nkolwa no unkwilima wabho nose uyise agabhaja mhayo, gogushosha sabho ijo agafunya ngosha ng’wenuyo.

Mhayo gwenuyo namhala, akilomela ikaya. Nabhakizunilija giki bhose, ulu alashokeje hangi ungosha kuntula nke, mumho ng’wisho go witoji wabho.

Aliyo aha ililungwa lungwa, yeniyo, Wanguzu waladegelekile. Na agatogwa no mung’holo yakwe. Aho wela Wanguzu uja kaya yakwe. Shiku jidakwilile Wanguzu wiza makanza ga limi, akulilaga giki watulagwa no, na nduhu nguno jose jose.

Uyise pye ni kaya ngima bhakasaya no. Gulekela nsumba umo. Namhala agantuma na haho ng’wana wakwe, uyo wali heke heke. Akang’wile unkwelaye, wize idilu atule shikolo shakwe. Nsumba uja ukang’wila.

Aha wela ntoji wiza dilu na nshigeli. Aho washika nsisaye wa nke usaya usola nang’ha antule. Aliyo mbehi, ng’wenuyo agiponeja hanshigeli upelela hangunda gwali hihi.

Pye bhukingila mo, aho ilitwa yeniyo nke wala lolile, akasega no aha wamona ungoshi alipejiwa. Na akasola ndobho, uja na kumongo kujudaha minzi.

Aha bhashiga hagati ya ngunda, nsisaye wanke ung’witana unkwelaye, “Ng’wana omayu, tujage kaya, na dina mhayo gogugutula, aliyo nalichola kumana Nke wako ulwa gutogilwe.”

Pye abhose bhushoka kaya. Aha bhashika hakaya. Nkwilima uchalwa, mumaji ya nkwelaye unsisaye wa nke. Uwilwa” ng’wana omayu ikalaga.

Nsisaye wanke ufuma hanze, udima mbuli wisinza. Wipindya kunpindo ya numba. Ubhinha bhabhagi bhandya kubhaga. Ng’weyi usola lushu lo kimasai, ulu tobha maninga. Uga lutula uko nzila iyi bhakizilaga abhadahi bha minzi.

Lidakulile ikanza nke wa ngosha ng’wenuyo, uyo wapejiwagwa wiza na bhiye bhadatu. Aho bhegela hakaya, nsisaye ukalusola ulushu wandya kuludima dima. Aliyo lo jimaga maninga no.

Aliyo aha bhashika hakaya ilumbuye umona nsisaye, nu lushu lwa maninga. Ahatali kutula ndobho ubhuja, “Ulushu lunulo ng’wasinzilaga ki?” Nsisaye uhaya, “Ambu nansinzaga uyo agagukoyaga.”

Haho na haho wilekela indobho yugwa. Wandya kulila aliyomba. “Ngwanibhulagila ngoshi wane, wamkenyaga ki nayi, nulu agamutulaga ying’we nayi. Mugunitola abhing’we?”

Haho na haho uchoma ng’wano, ali haya, “Anguhagi wabhulagwa munhu nu Sang’udi nsisaye, witanagwa Sang’udi. Ikanza litakulile bhanhu bhokala pa, nkima ulomela pye umo ya bhitilaga.

Bhanhu bhuntula hagati usang’udi giki mulagi. Sang’udi nang’hwe uyomba umo agabhakoyejaga. Nkima ng’wenuyo aha atina mala kuyomba Sang’udi, Wanguzu uhaya, “Iki nakamukoyaga ina muwila mumulage?’

Hambunu Sang’udi ung’hamukila unkwelaye, wiza kufuma mukaya. Ng’wano gujinjimala, gulamula afunye ng’ombe uwanguzu. Ufunya haho na haho. Na Wanguzu ucha soni, atalalile uja kaya na ngoshi.

Aha bhakashika ikaya wanguzu ung’wila ngoshi, “Ngoshi wane noyaga kufuma lelo amasemba.” Kwinga lushiku lwene bhagikala siza no. Yombo igashila. Agoya ukuja ikaya guchala iyanyalomolomo.

Kiswahili: Mwanamke Mwenye Uongo Wa Kichongezi Na Kaka Yake

Zamani alikuwepo msichana mmoja kwenye familia ya Lyeta. Familia hiyo ilikuwa kubwa mno. Ilikuwa na watu wengi. Siku moja alikuja mwanamume kuchumbia au kutafuta mwanamke wa kuoa, alipata.

Alimuoa msichana yule aliyekuwa anaitwa wanguvu. Hatua za uoaji zilifanyika. Wana ndoa walienda nyumbani. Wakaenda kutengeneza mji wao au familia yao.

Lakini katika kuishi kwao walikuwa na mahangaiko mno, kwa sababu ya kelele na kukosana vilikuwa haviishi. Mara nyingi Wanguzu maana yake, wa nguvu, alikuwa anarudi nyumbani kwa wazazi wake kwenda kushitaki, anavyohangaishwa na mmewe.

Lakini wazazi wake na familia nzima walimchukia mkwe wao mwishowe baba yake aliwaza neno la kurudisha mahari alizotoa mwanamume huyo.

Mzee aliiambia familia juu ya wazo hilo. Walikubaliana wote kwamba, akirudia tena yule mwanamume kumpiga mkewe, ajue ndiyo mwisho wa kuoana kwao.

Lakini walipokuwa wakiongea Wanguzu aliwasikiliza. Pia alifurahi mno moyoni mwake. Kesho yake Wanguzu alienda nyumbani kwake. Hazikupita siku nyingi wanguzu akaja wakati wa mchana, akilia kwamba amepigwa mno, na bila sababu yoyote.

Baba yake na familia nzima walikasirika mno isipokuwa kijana mmoja tu. Hapo hapo mzee alimtuma mtoto wake, aliyekuwa na muono tofauti na wao. Akamwambie shemeji yake, aje asubuhi achukue mahali yake. Kijana huyo alienda akamwambia.

Kesho yake muoaji alikuja asubuhi na baiskeli. Alipofika kaka yake na yule msichana alikasirika akachukua fimbo ampige. Jamaa yule alijitupia kwenye baiskeli yake akakimbilia kwenye shamba ambalo lilikuwa karibu.

Wote wakaingia humo. Wakati yanafanyika hayo mke wake alikuwa anaangalia, alicheka mno alipomuona mmewe akifukuzwa. Akachukua ndoo, akaenda mtoni kuchota maji.

Walipofika katikati ya shamba kaka yake na yule mwanamke akamwita shemeji yake, “Shemeji, twende nyumbani, sina neno la kukupiga, lakini natafuta kujua kama mke wako anakupenda.”

Wote wakaenda nyumbani. Walipofika nyumbani, mkwe alipelekwa kwenye nyumba ya kaka yake yule mwanamke. Aliambiwa, “shemeji kaa.

Kaka yake yule mwanamke alitoka nje akashika mbuzi na kumchinja. Akampeleka nyuma ya nyumba. Akawapa wachunaji wakaanza kumchuna. Yeye alichukua kisu cha kimasai, akakipaka damu. Akaenda kukiweka kisu hicho kwenye njia ile wanayopitia wachota maji wakati wa kurudi.

Haukupita muda mrefu mke wa mwanamume huyo, aliyekuwa akifukuzwa akaja na wenzake watatu. Walipokaribia kufika nyumbani kaka yake akaenda kukichukua kile kisu, akaanza kukishika shika hicho kisu lakini kilikuwa kimeenea damu mno.

Lakini walipofika nyumbani dada yake akamuona kaka yake, na kisu chenye damu. kabla ya kuweka ndoo aliuliza, “Na kisu hicho mmechinjia nini?” Kaka yake akasema, “Si nimemchinja yule anayekuhangaisha.”

Hapo hapo akaiachia ile ndoo ikaanguka. Akaanza kulia, akisema, “Mmeniulia mme wangu, kwani amewakosea nini? Amewakosea nini, au anawapiga ninyi kwani, mtanioa ninyi?”

Hapo hapo akapiga yowe, yuko hapa, “Wahini ameua mtu ni huyo Sang’udi kaka yangu, aliitwa Sang’udi. Haukupita muda watu wakajaa pale, mwanamke akaeleza yote ilivyotokea.

Watu walimweka katikati Sang’udi kama muuaji. Sang’udi naye alisema anavyowahangaisha mwanamke huyo. Kabla hajamaliza kusema, Sang’udi, Wanguzu alisema, “Kwa vile nawahangaisha, niliwaambia mmuue?”

Kushitukia Sang’udi alimwita shemeji yake, akaja kutoka ndani. Mkusanyiko ukashangaa, ukaamua atoe ng’ombe Wanguzu. Akatoa hapo hapo. Wanguzu alipata aibu, hakulala alienda na mmewe nyumbani kwao.

Walipofika nyumbani Wanguzu alimwambia mmewe, “Mme wangu nimekoma kutoka leo kufanya matani.” Kutoka siku hiyo walikaa vizuri mno. Kelele ilikwisha. Alikoma kwenda nyumbani kupeleka uongo uongo.

ENGLISH: THE DECEITFUL WOMAN AND HER BROTHER

Once upon a time, there was a woman called Wanguzu (of strength) in the Lyeta family. The family was very big. One day a man went to the house of the Lyeta family to ask for Wanguzu’s hand in marriage; he was successful.

Preparations for the wedding were carried out and finally Wanguzu and the man got married. They started their own family.

But in their life together they were very worried because of the tensions they had. Often Wanguzu returned to her parents’ house and told her family members that her husband had beaten her.

Her parents as well as the other family members developed hatred for Wanguzu’s husband. Her father began thinking of returning the dowry to the man.

The old man shared the idea with the other family members. They all agreed that, if the man beat his wife again, they would end the marriage.

When they were talking to Wanguzu, she listened to them intently. She was very happy. The next day Wanguzu returned to her husband. A few days later she returned to her parents’ house, complaining that she had been severely beaten, and for no reason.

Except for one young man, Wanguzu’s father and the other family members were very angry. Immediately the old man sent one of his sons, who had a different opinion on the matter from the other family members, to his brother-in-law’s house. They young man asked his brother-in-law to go to their house the following morning to collect his dowry.

The following morning Wanguzu’s husband went to his in-laws’ place by bicycle. The woman’s brother was so angry that he took a stick with which to hit him. The man mounted his bicycle and ran to a nearby farm.

Both entered the farm. When all this was happening, his wife was looking on. She laughed when she saw her husband being chased. She took a bucket and went to the river to fetch some water, along with her three friends.

While in the middle of the fields, Wanguzu’s brother called his brother-in-law, “Brother-in-law, let’s go back home. I didn’t intend to hit you, but I only wanted to know if your wife loves you.”

Both went home. When they got home, they went straight to Wanguzu’s brother’s house. “Brother-in-law, please sit down,” he said while offering him a chair. Then he entered his house, in which there were some people.

Wanguzu’s brother walked out of the house and took a goat and killed it. He took the dead goat back into the house and gave it to the people to skin. He took a Maasai knife and put some of the blood of that goat on it. He went and put the knife on the footpath on which those who had gone to the river to fetch water would walk on their way home.

A short while later, the man’s wife and her friends returned from the river. Her brother went to the footpath and picked up the knife. There was much blood on it.

The woman saw her brother holding the knife, which was covered in blood. Before she put down the bucket, she asked, “And what have you killed with that knife?” His brother said, “I’ve killed the man who had been mistreating you.”

Then she let the bucket fall down and began to cry, saying, “You’ve killed my husband. What did he do to you? Had he been beating you? Are you going to marry me? ”She started screaming, “Please help. My brother Sang’udi has killed my husband.”  The brother was called Sang’udi. Presently people started gathering at the man’s house and the woman told them everything that had happened.

The people saw Sang’udi as a murderer. Sang’udi told them how his sister had been troubling them. As Sang’udi was speaking, Wanguzu said, “Yes, I’ve been troubling you, but did I ask you to kill the man?”

Then Sang’udi asked his brother-in-law to come outside. The people were surprised and punished Wanguzu by ordering her to give them a bull. A few days later, she gave it to them. She was so ashamed that she didn’t stay on at her parents’ place. Instead, she and her husband returned to their place.

When they got home, Wanguzu said to her husband, “My husband, I’ll never again make jokes about our marriage.” The quarrel and tensions stopped and she stopped going to her parents’ place to tell lies about her husband. They lived happily ever after.

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs, Sayings and stories)

Waliho muna Subhi walazengile hipande ilebhe, ubhona hambu hambu nasame henaha. Giko wandya kubhuta mazengo, aho waja kukindika nigo gwa mazengo. Aho winga ho, Sayayi nang’hwe utwala nigo gwa mazengo, ntondo Subi usanga miligo ibhili ukumya! Utula gwa kadatu. Aho winga ho Sayayi wenha nigo gungi yushika inne. Bhamanaga bhita giko na kwibhona yaya.

Nose lushika lushiku lwa kusimbila numba, muna Subi usimbila ipande uja. Sayayi nang’hwe wiza usimbila ipande, numba yushila. Wandya kulumba muna Subi ulumba. Sayayi nang’hwe ipande lyakwe. Nose makanza gashiga ga kuikanda inumba.

Lushiku lwa kusamila mo Sayayi utonga kuja mo mu chumba jakwe. Giko wandya kubhacha moto, muna Subi ubhuja, “Nani wapemba moto mu numba yane,” Sayayi nang’hwe, “Nani wapemba moto mu numba yane.” Bhandya lulu kwiduka, aho wasaya umuna Subi, Sayayi ung’wila nke, “Bhalijage abhana.”

Aho bhalila, Sayayi umuja nke, “Bhana bhenabha bhalilijiwa ki?” Aho bhalila, Sayayi ushosha giki, “Bhalililila matima ga Mhuli. Aho wigwa Subi giki bhalihaya kubhulaga Mhuli bhabhenhele bhana bhabho matima wogoha ufumula.

Giko bhulala, ku ntondo hanngi yandya yombo. Sayayi ung’wila nke hangi, “Bhalijage abhana,” aho bhalila, ubhuja usayayi, “Bhana bhalilijiwa ki?” Nkima ushosha, “Bhalililila matima ga Subi.” Sayayi uhaya “Gwenuyu guli nimo ndo, bhabho bhalumu ntondo nakubhabhulagila bhana bhane bhalye matima.”

Bhana Subi bhatalalile bhujiku, aho wela dilu bhusama na kusama. Aho bhalisama bhukamanhya na Nguku. Nguku, ikumujaga giki, “Uyijiwa ki? (kuyila) dilu cheniki.” Nang’hwe alihaya, “Napejiwa mu numba na Sayayi angu bhana bhakwe bhalililila matima ga mhuli, ntondo bhakulya matima ga Subi.

Nguku yung’wila muna Subi giki, “Unene amasala ga ng’wa Sayayi nagamanile. Tujage nakutwale, twilujage (twilunganyage) mikila yise.” Aho bhegela Sayayi ung’wila nke, “Bhalijage abhana,” aho bhalila, Sayayi ubhuja, bhalilila ki?” Nkima uhaya, “bhalililila matima ga Subi.” Sayayi uhaya, “Chuu!! Twalaganaga na muna nguku giki akunenhela, uyo.” Aho wigwa muna subi uhaya, “Bhebhe walunilemba lembaga nakutwale, gashinaga wamalaga kulagana.” Bhuja bhakwidutanjaga wilekela numba yubi ya ng’wa Sayayi.

Kiswahili: Chui Na Sungura

Kulikuwa na chui aliyekuwa anaishi sehemu Fulani, aliona afadhali ahame. Hivyo alianza kukata fito za kujengea. Akaenda kuweka mzigo wa fito.

Alipoondoka pale, sungura naye alipeleka mzigo wa fito pale, kesho yake Chui alikuta mizigo miwili alishangaa! Aliweka wa tatu. Alipoondoka pale Sungura akaleta mwingine ikafika mine. Walikuwa wakifanya hivyo, bila kuonana.

Mwishowe ikafika siku ya kuchimbia nyumba. Chui alichimbia upande akaenda. Sungura naye akaja kuchimbia upande, nyumba ikaisha. Wakaanza kuezeka, chui akaezeka. Sungura naye upande wake. Mwishowe ukafika wa kuziba kwa matope nyumba hiyo.

Siku ya kuhamia humo Sungura alitangulia kwenda kwenye chumba chake. Hivyo akaanza kuwasha moto, chui akauliza, “Nani amewasha moto kwenye nyumba yangu?”

Sungura naye, “Nani amewasha moto kwenye nyumba yangu?” Wakaanza sasa kutukanana, alipokasilika Chui, Sungura alimwambia mkewe, “walize watoto.”

Walipolia watoto, Sungura alimuuliza mkewe, “Watoto wanalizwa na nini?” Walipolia Sungura alijibu hivi, “Wanalilia maini ya Tembo.” Chui aliposikia kwamba wanataka kuua Tembo wawaletee watoto wao maini, aliogoka, akanyamaza.

Hivyo walilala, kesho yake tena kelele ikaanza. Sungura akamwambia mkewe “walize watoto,” walipolia, aliuliza Sungura, “Watoto wanalilia nini?” Mkewe akajibu, “Wanalilia maini ya Chui.” Sungura akasema, “Hii ni kazi ndogo, hao wapo humu, kesho nitawaulia watoto wangu wale maini.”

Chui hawakulala usiku, kulipokucha asubuhi walihama na kuhama. Walipokuwa wanahama walikutana na nyani. Nyani aliuliza hivi, “umetoka jasho kwa sababu gani asubuhi hii?”

Naye Chui alisema, “Nimefukuzwa kwenye nyumba yangu na Sungura, eti watoto wake walililia maini ya Tembo, kesho watakula maini ya Chui.

Nyani alimwambia Chui hivi, “Mimi akili za Sungura nazifahamu. Twende tufungane mikia yetu.” Walipokaribia Sungura alimwambia mkewe, “walize watoto,” walipolia, Sungura alisema, “Aaa!! Tumeagana na nyani kwamba ataniletea huyo.”

Chui aliposikia hivyo, alisema, “Wewe ulikuwa unanidanganya danganya nikupeleke, kumbe umemaliza kuagana.” Wakaenda wakivutana, wakaiacha nyumba ikawa ya Sungura.

ENGLISH: THE LEOPARD AND THE HARE

There was a leopard who lived in a certain place. He decided to move. So he started cutting down the poles for a new house. One day, he went to put a bundle of poles at the building site.

When the leopard left site, the hare took a bundle of poles there. The following day, the leopard found two bundles of poles. He was surprised! He put the third one. When he left, there the hare brought another bundle. As a result, there were four bundles. The two animals were doing all that without seeing each other.

Finally, came the day of setting the house. The leopard set his own side and left. Then the hare came and did his share of setting the other side. Finally, the house was completed. Then came the time of plastering the house.

On the day of moving to the house, it is the hare that went to the house first. He went to his room and made fire. When he arrived, the leopard asked, “Who has set fire to my house?”

The hare also asked,“Who has set fire in my house?” The two animals started insulting each other. As a trick to deal with an angry leopard, the hare told his wife, “Make the children cry.”

When children cried out, the hare asked his wife, “What are the children crying for?” She replied, “They are crying for the liver of the elephant. When the leopard heard that, he thought they wanted to kill an elephant in order to give their livers to the children. He kept quiet.

The following day, the noise began again. The hare told his wife, “Make children cry out.” When they cried, the hare asked, “Why are the children crying?” His wife replied, “They are crying for the leopard’s livers.” Then the hare said, “This is an easy job.  It is easy because the leopards are here. Tomorrow I will kill them for my children.”

The leopard did not sleep that night. When morning came, the leopards decided to quit. While moving, the leopard met the monkey on the way. The monkey asked, “Why have you come out of the house sweating this morning?”

The leopard said, “I was kicked out of my house by the hare.  He said that his children were crying for the livers of the elephant, and then they cried for the livers of the leopard.”

Then the monkey said to the leopard, “I know  the hare’s tricks. I know them. Let us tie each other with our tails.” As they approached the hare’s home, she said to his wife, “Make the children cry.” When they cried, hare said, “Aaa!! I talked with the monkey to bring the leopard to me. ”

When the leopard heard that, he told the monkey, “You were deceiving me in order to take me to the hare.” The two started running, leaving the house in the hands of the hare.