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

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

Kale walaliho munhu, wali ntegi wa nzwabu. Aho alija kujulinga wakabhitila kagoso kigashije ha mahushi. Kang’wila “Ligisha,” nang’hwe walema kuzunya. Nako kang’wila giki, “Nene ndakuyangula bhebhe nu bhutegi wako”.

Huna lushiku lumo ubhita, kung’wi1a hangi, ulema, uja. Wahayushika ha lwabu lwakwe, ulisangaho lishimba lyagwashiwaho. Lyung’wila giki, “Nitaligulilage wanduhaja no no no, bhujiku wa lelo natadimile nulu ndimu imo yaya.” Ulitaligulila.

Lyung’wila giki, “Ninhage ngobho yako nalye natubhaga no.” Ulinha. Lyumala, lyulomba shilalo sha lushu, na hene lyumala. Hangi lyulomba nshipi gwa munkimbili, lyugumila nugwene.

Huna lyunomba nkono gumo alibhutileho, ulila no. Huna kiza lulu akagoso, ako wakabhitilaga. Kuhaya giki, “Ni bhuli ng’wanikungu watubha giki?” Shimba yuhaya, “Natubhiwagwa na lugoye lwa ntegi.” Leka kuhaya chene ng’wanikungu. Ali lulu gemelaga nabhone umo ukizila.

Ntegi uwilwa na ngoso, “Tegaga agemele tulole.” Ugemela nakiza giki, “Chene manyandishi, nupanda aha, chene ng’wanikungu.” Nose ugwashiwa ho hangi.

Ngoso yung’wila ntegi giki, “Dupelage lulu, wizuke nakuwilaga kinahe? Ndakuyangulaga.” Uzunya untegi giki, “Lelo waniyangula gete. Ali lulu naja kaya. Wabhizaga mpija wane mu Shimba. Ulize unigishe na bhiyo bhingi no no no. shose ukusanga nabheja shabhuhondo shingino.”

Huna ngoso yung’wila untegi, “Ali lulu, ulu ndizage mutizita shiliwa shigehu. Abhichane bhali no. uhaya giki, “Bhatudula kushimala.” Huna bhubhuka.

Ngoso ya magana shiku. Jushikila mu mahaka na ha nyango. Shiliwa shulebha, julya ni ndili shaho, nijene jushila. Nose jukalya na ntana. Huna bhusaya abhanhu, bhujitula. Ngoso kufuma henaho juzenga mu bhanhu. Kale jikalaga mu mahushi ng’wagala.

Kiswahili: Panya Na Mtegaji Wa Wanyama Pori Kwa Kamba (Nzwabu)

Zamani aliwepo mtu, aliyekuwa mtegaji wa “Nzwabu” Mwindaji wa wanyama wa porini kwa kutumia Kamba.” Alipokuwa anaenda alimpita panya amekaa kwenye miti iitwayo Magushi. Kalimwambia, “Nisalimie,” naye alikataa kukubali. Nako kalimwambia hivi, “Mimi nitakuamulia wewe na utegaji wako wa wanyama wa porini.”

Basi siku moja alipita, kakamwambia tena, akakataa, akaenda. Alipofika kwenye mtego wake, akakuta pale simba amenaswa. Akamwabia, “Nifungulie hili limenitesa mno, usiku wa leo sijashika hata mmoja wa wanyama wa porini hapa” Akamfungulia.

Simba akamwambia hivi, “Nipe shuka yako nile nina njaa mno. Akampatia. Simba akamaliza, na kumwomba kile kilalio cha kisu nacho, simba akakimaliza. Aliomba tena mshipi wa kiunoni,  simba akaumaliza nao.

Basi, akamuomba mkono mmoja amkatie hapo, alilia mno. Ndipo sasa ka Panya kakaja, kale alikokuwa anakapita bila kukasalimu. Kakasema kwamba, “Kwa nini Mwanikungu umeshikwa njaa hivi?” Simba akasema, “Ninanjaa kwa sababu ya Kamba ya Mtegaji.” Panya akasema, “acha kusema hivyo, mwanikungu, hebu jaribia tuone vile ulivyokuja.”

Mtegaji akaambiwa na Panya, “Tega ajaribie tuangalie.” Simba alijaribia, “Nilikuja hivi, Kweli Manyandishi, nikakanyaga hapa, kweli Mwanikungu.” Mwishowe akakamatwa tena hapo.

Panya akamwambia Mtegaji hivi, “Tukimbie basi, ukumbuke nilikuambiaje? Nitakuokoa.” Akakubali mtegaji kwamba, “Umeniamulia, kwa maana ya kuniokoa kabisa. Hivyo basi, naenda nyumbani. Umekuwa mkombozi wangu kutoka kwenye hali ya kuliwa na Simba. Utakuja unisalimu na wenziyo wengi mno mno mno. Vyote utakuta nimeandaa vya kufurahia vingi sana.”

Panya alimwambia mtegaji, “Basi, nikija msiandae chakula kidogo. Wenzangu wanakula mno. Akasema hivi, “Hawataweza kukimaliza chakula. Ndipo wakaanza safari.

Panya ya mamia siku. Wakafikia kwenye miti iliyoezekewa nyumba yao na mlangoni. Chakula kikapungua, wakala na ngozi zao, nazo zikaisha. Mwishowe wakala na vitu vilivyofichwa. Ndipo watu wakakasirika, wakawafukuza. Kutoka hapo Panya akajenga kwa watu. Zamani waliishi kwenye miti ya mahushi, kule Mwagala.

 

ENGLISH: THE MOUSE AND THE TRAPPER OF WILD ANIMALS

Once upon a time, there was a man who was a trapper of “Nzwabu” wildlife hunter who used to trap with a string.  One day, the trapper passed a mouse sitting on a tree called magushi. The mouse told the trapper, “Greet me.” The trapper refused to do as requested. Then the mouse said to the trapper, “There is something I will tell you about your wild animal trapping.”

One day, the trapper passed as usual. The mouse asked him again to greet him. Again, the trapper refused, and went. When he got to his trap, he found that the lion had trapped. Seeing him, the lion said to trapper, “Open this one to me. This night I have not caught one of the wild animals here.” The trapper released the lion.

Then the lion said to him, “Give me your pieces of cloth as I am very hungry. The trapper gave him the pieces of clothes. The lion ate them and finished them,. Then, the lion asked for a knife, and the lion ate it too. He also asked for a waistband, and he ate and finished it too.

After that, the lion asked for one hand of the trapper to eat. All of a sudden, the   mouse came and saw that it was the same man who used to be passing by without greeting.  The mouse asked the lion, “Why ng’wanikungu are you hungry like this?” Then the lion said, “I am getting all this trouble because of the string of the trapper.” The mouse told the lion, “Stop saying so ng’wanikungu, let us examine the trouble you have been going through.”.

The mouse then told the trapper, “Trap and let us see the trouble the lion has going through.” In response, the lion ignorantly approached the trap.” Then the lion said, “Manyandishi, I am dancing here, really delightedly, ng’wanikungu.” Finally, the lion was caught by the trap again.”

As the lion struggled in the trap, the mouse said to the trapper, “Let us run.  Remember what I told you? I once told you that I will save you.” The trapper said, “You have saved me absolutely. Now I am going home. You have saved me. I could be eaten by the lion. I promise you that I will not only invite you but also your friends o visit me. I will make a big party for you.”

The mouse asked the trapper, “When I come to visit you with my friends, do not prepare little food. My friends and I eat too much.” The trapper replied, “It does not matter how much they eat, they will not be able to finish the food.” Then the mice began the journey to the trapper’s home.

After finishing the food that was given to them, the mice started eating the trees that were in their house and those that were at the door. They ate everything they were able to see. Finally, started eating hidden things. As a result, the people got angry and drove the mice away. From there, mice started building people’s residence but in the far past, they lived in the grove of trees around Mwagala.

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

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

Aho kale waliho nyanda umo na ng’waniki umo. Abhose aha bhali bhati na wikalo wa ng’hana. Lushiku lumo bhuja bhukashiga ha gagikulu, bhulomba jiliwa, bhazugilwe.

Ngikulu ng’wene ubhuja, “Hali mjile mpaga he lulu?” Bhuhaya, “Uise dudi na wikalo wa ng’hana uko dugashiga duhu.” Ngikulu uhaya, “Jagi uko numba iyoo!! Igupunaga, kwene ulu ng’ugashiga mgusanga jiiiho pye ijiliwa aliyo bhiya ugukalalwa nulu ki jingi hoi. Uying’we jiliwa duhu.

Ahenaho aliho mawe malabhu (almas) ulu giki ng’usola gikale ging’we gagukuja sabho na hangi mgwibhulagila. Bhagabhuka bhajile mpaga guko, bhikala shigu ningi hoi.

Lushiku lumo lyunsanga li munhu ung’waniki lyung’wia giki, dukabhanage nagwinhe mnyenda, uninhe amawe ayo alilabha. Ng’waniki uzunya usola. Aho wiza nu nyanda ung’wila giki, “Aliyo iliho mbeho noi nagwinhe nang’ho ung’wenda?” Nyanda ubhuja, ikale dali dudabhonaga imbeho ilelo ditaga ki? Hamo ubhebhe umanile nhaga nahene.

Bhagayujilya ijiliwa jumanushila duhu, bhahayimanila jashila guke. Aho bhamala ijiliwa bhubhuka bhajile uko gagikulu. Aho bhashiga ahagagikulu kubhawila, “Jagi uko mmanile ning’we, aliyo ijiliwa jing’we jabhizaga jamakoye koye. Bhumala kuzung’wa na bhuja sagala.

Kiswahili: Mvulana Na Msichana

Hapo zamani alikuwepo mvulana mmoja na msichana mmoja. Wote wawili hawakuwa na makazi ya kudumu.  Siku moja walienda wakafika kwa Bibi kizee wakaomba kupikiwa chakula.

Bibi kizee huyo aliuliza, “Mnakwenda mpaka wapi basi?” Wakajibu, “Sisi hatuna makao ya kudumu tutakakofika tu.” Bibi kizee alisema, “Nendeni kwenye nyumba hiyo inayoonekana, huko mkifika mtakuta chakula chote kipo, lakini msitamani hata kitu chochote kilichomo humo. Ninyi ni chakula tu.”

Hapo yapo mawe yamelemetayo (almas) kama mkichukua kukaa kwenye hali ya kupenda mali mtajiharibia tena.” Walianza safari kwenda mpaka huko, walikaa siku nyingi hapo.

Siku moja mtu mmoja alimkuta msichana akamwambia hivi, “tubadilishane nikupe nguo, unipe mawe hayo yamelemetayo.” Msichana alikubali akachukua.

Alipokuja na mvulana alimwambia hivi, “Lakini kuna baridi mno nikupe nguo?” Mvulana aliuliza, “Zamani tulikuwa hatuhisi baridi leo imekuwaje? Labda wewe unajua leta basi.”

Wakawa wanakula chakula kinakwisha tu, waliposhitukia kimekwisha chote. Walipomaliza chakula walifunga safari kwenda kwa yule Bibi kizee.

Walipofika pale Bibi kizee akawaambia, “Nendeni mnakojua ninyi, lakini chakula chenu kimekuwa cha kuhangaika yaani kimekuwa cha matatizo matatizo. Walilaniwa wakaenda hovyo hovyo.

 

ENGLISH: A BOY AND A GIRL

Once upon a time, there was one boy and one girl. Both of them had no permanent residence. One day they went to an old woman’s house and asked for food.

The old woman asked them, “Where are you going?” They replied, “We don’t have a permanent shelter.” She then ordered them, “Go to the house you see in front of you. There, you will find all the food that you need. But do not covet anything in it. You should eat food only. ”

The old woman continued, “In the house, there are precious stones called diamond. If you fall in  love with wealth, you will destroy yourselves.” The boy and the girl stayed in the house for many days.

One day, a man found the girl and said to her, “Let us exchange goods.  I give to you clothes and you give to me those precious stones.” The girl agreed to the proposal.

When the boy came home, the girl said him, “But it is so cold here, let me give you clothes” The boy asked, “In the past, we did not feel cold what happened today? Maybe you know why.  Bring the clothes.”

As days went by, the food they were eating kept finishing,   Finally, it was over. When they finished all the food, they went back the old woman.

When they arrived at the old woman’s house, she said, “Go, wherever you wish. The food we gave you has become a nuisance.” They were cursed. They went their way without knowing where they were going.

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

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

Waliho ngosha umo wali na ngunda jigijigi gwa wiza no. Aho ng’waka gwingila wandya gugulima, ubhibhamo bhusiga, mandege, shili na masindi, shose shuponeka, no no no na masindi.

Kuhayimanila shilonga shilili shayugalya masindi, ung’wenekili ngunda wandya kulinda. Bhahayimanila jadula Mhuli jubhandanija kubhalya abha na masindi niyo umbehi wita iyanga gete. Ugugaswagamo umu ngunda gung’ogohya umbehi unyenyeka ajile ku kaya. Ushika ubhitila guja kulinsumba ng’wiye Sayayi, ng’wana Kang’wa. Unsombolela iliyanga lyakwe lyenilo.

Sayayi uhaya giki, “Agaya, wa mayu gashinaga bhana Mhuli duhu, bhana Mhuli duhu, bhobha no kufilimbi lulu tubhasange!” Huna bhitonja bhajile kungunda mu ng’wa noni. Aho bhashikako, bhusanga Mhuli jitimo jajaga, aliyo abha na masindi lwiyugaga kibhi.

Huna ng’wana Kang’wa wilalangijamo isindi itale gete, lyubhejiwa nomo gwa kudula kwingilamo uSayayi. Ng’wana Kang’wa wisokela ng’wisindi ulibhilamo gete nifilimbi yakwe mu nhingo, ung’wila unsumba ng’wiye giki,”lugalagaho lulu aha nyango gwane.” Huna ulibhucha ilisindi ulitula uko bhagizilaga. Ubhebhe usegenele ukalinhe mu linti wilolele ulu bhalize.”

Umbehi wita gitumo walagililwa. Kuhayimanila, bhana Mhuli bhadula uyo walatongelile ulishikila ilisindi ulishona uliponeja mu nomo ulimila.

Aho bhakwilika milomo umo ngunda, filimbi yukana, bhana Mhuli bhimila pye. Filimbi yuhalala hangi, bhana Mhuli bhunyula nhambo bhalolile muli dakama bhukimila. Filimbi yung’ang’ala, Mhuli hangi jusimila jilolile ng’weli, bhukimila. Filimbi hangi yangilija “Felefele” Mhuli jusimila hangi jilollile muli bhukelebhe. Jukimila jandya kwibhuja bhuja jiwila giki. “Aliyo, muli kiya, aho jakimila jandya kwibhuja hangi filimbi ili lilila mu bhise?”

Kuhayimanila munda ya ng’wichabho “Felefele” Mhuli jandya kwiwila twite kinehe lulu?” Ilitale lyabho lyita lubhanza lyuhaya, “Tundimagi tumulage!” Huna uding’wa ubhulagwa na miye.

Huna bhutandula umunda bhulolwa mo, ubhonwa mo ng’wana Kangwa wabhulyaga miso. Ubhujiwa, “Alu bhebhe nang’ho kinehe?” Sayayi ushosha, “Unene nalung’wambilija nsumba ng’wichane kulinda Mhuli jilimala masindi gakwe.” Mhuli juhaya, “Ubhebhe lulu, ung’wambilija wako wa wiza lulu igiko iki nose umo mu bhise wamulaja?

Niyo igete tukubhulage nang’ho.” Ng’wana Kang’wa udaya alihaya giki, “Nu nene nazunyaga ukubhulagwa, nahene mutizunipandagila numho nakugayaho naka nyenye, lunganyagi lugoye lulihu gete lwa kulemlelwa na kwibhona.” Mhuli juzunya.

Jandya kuchenula malugoye miselya, mitinje, milumbaga, mihoja mitulwa ngoye lyulungwa lilugoye limo. Ng’wana kang’wa uludima ulugoye alihaya giki, “Naje nalo ulugoye, ning’we ukunung’wa ludimilaga. Ulu lukakalika nakulija filimbi yane, ning’we mukwandya lulu kuluduta wangu wangu ukubhanga naka kunu nachaga kale kale.

Ng’wana Kang’wa bhumanhya na muna Mbiti. Muna Mbiti aliyungula unung’hya na kunung’hilija kunu na kunu. Sayayi umuja, “Kinehe muna Mbiti, ulichobha ki?” “Ndichobha nyama nishoshe isho nalabhone.” Ng’wana Kang’wa ushosha, “Nyama wajipandikaga lulu, jiti ja kumala.

Ubhebhe lulu nagugukunga ili lugoye lyenili, huna likukuchala mpaga aho nyama jili.” Huna muna Mbiti utungwa lugoye ha kugulu gwa ku numa, huna filimbi yulila, jandya lulu kuduta lugoye, muna Mbiti wandya kuhaya, “Wa mayu, nite kinehe lulu? Yuuu!” ilidutwa duhu, ilibhitiwa mu masanzu na mu malambo sagala sagala, nose ushikaho Mhuli jili.

Mhuli julola, jubhona Mbiti aho lugoye. Alu ng’wana kangwa atiho!! Mhuli jumuja muna Mbiti giki, “Alu bhebhe nang’ho? Unene naluchobha nyama. Huna ng’wana Kang’wa unikunga lugoye, angu lukunenha ku nyama.

Mhuli jumuja, bhebhe muna Mbiti uli ng’waka gete u kunyama. Bhugatu. Huna Mbiti usonelwa mimba gwa mhuli, uwilwa giki, “lyaga lulu mpaga ugumale,” muna Mbiti wandya kulya. Wahayimanila ing’humbi yalema, aliyo aliwilwa lyaga duhu. Nose muna Mbiti utanduka lwahi ucha.

KISWAHILI: SUNGURA, FISI, NA TEMBO

Alikuwepo mwanamume mmoja alikuwa na shamba kubwa na zuri mno. Ulipoingia mwaka akaanza kulilima, aliivisha humo mtama, mahindi, Kunde, na (matikiti pori) mamung’unya “masindi” vyote viliiva vizuri, mamung’unya (matikiti pori) yalipatikana zaidi kuliko mazao mengine.

Kushitukia wameingia wadudu wakaanza kuyala mamung’unya, mwenye shamba akaanza kulinda. Alishitukia wanatokea Tembo wakaanza kuyala mamung’unya,  Bwana wa hilo shamba alipata mahangaiko makubwa kweli.

Kuwafukuza watoke   shambani mwake aliwaogopa, akaamua kwenda nyumbani. Alifika na kupitiliza kwenda kwa rafiki yake Sungura, mwanakang’wa. Akamweleza tatizo lake hilo.

Sungura alisema, “Aaa, mtoto wa mama kumbe ni tembo tu, tembo tu, waoga mno wakisikia filimbi basi twende!” Ndipo wakaongozana kuelekea shambani  sehemu iitwayo, Mwanoni. Walipofika huko walikuta Tembo hawapo wameondoka, lakini mamung’unya (matikiti pori) yamekatwa vibaya.

Ndipo Sungura alitazama na kuona limung’unya kubwa kabisa, akatengeneza mdomo wa kutosha kuingia Sungura ndani yake. Sungura akaingia ndani ya mung’unya akapotelea humo na filimbi yake shingoni, akamwambia rafiki yake kwamba, “Funga basi kwenye mlango wangu.” Ndipo akalibeba limung’unya, na kwenda kuliweka kule wanakoingilia Tembo. Akamwambia, “Wewe uende mbali ukapande kwenye mti uangalie kama watakuja.”

Jamaa alifanya kama alivyoagizwa, Kushitukia, tembo wakaja aliyekuwa ametangulia aliliparamia lile mung’unya na kulitoa maganda yake kwa meno. Akalitupia kwenye mdomo akalimeza.

Walipokuwa wengi shambani wakiendelea kula, filimbi ikapulizwa, tembo wote wakasimama. Filimbi ikapulizwa tena, tembo wakakimbia mbio wakielekea upande wa kusini wakaenda kusimama.

Filimbi ikapulizwa tena, tembo tena wakakimbia kuelekea magharibi, wakaenda kusimama. Filimbi ikapulizwa tena, “Felefele” Tembo wakatimua mbio kuelekea Ukelewe. Wakasimama na kuanza kuulizana wakielezana kwamba, kuna filimbi inapulizwa. “Lakini mashariki, waliposimama wakaanza kuulizana filimbi inapulizwa kwetu.”

Kushitukia ndani ya tumbo la mwenzao “Felefele” tembo wakaanza kuambiana “tufanye nini basi”? Mkubwa wao akafanya kikao akasema, “Tumshike tumuue!” Ndipo akashikwa akauliwa na wenzie.

Ndipo wakachana tumboni wakaangalia humo na kumuona Mwana Kang’wa ametoa macho. Akaulizwa, “Na wewe nawe vipi?” Sungura alijibu, “Mimi nilikuwa namsaidia rafiki yangu kulinda Tembo wanaomaliza mamung’unya yake.  Tembo wakasema, “Wewe basi msaidizi wako ni mzuri hivi mwishowe amesababisha mmoja wetu tumemuua?”

“Hivyo kweli tukuue nawe.” Mwana Kang’wa alisema hivi, “Na mimi nimekubali kuuliwa, hivyo msinikanyage nisije nikosekana hata kipande kidogo. Fungeni kamba ndefu kabisa ya kushindwa hata kuonana.” Tembo walikubali.

Wakaanza kuaandaa kamba kutoka kwenye miti, miselya, mitinje, milumbaga, mihoja, mitulwa kamba ikafungwa moja. Mwana Kang’wa akaishika hiyo kamba akisema hivi, “Niende nayo kamba, nanyi huku nyuma mkiwa mmeishikilia. Kama ikifikia mwisho nitapiga filimbi yangu, nanyi mtaanza basi kuivuta haraka haraka kwa hali hiyo nitakuwa nimekufa zamani.

Mwana Kang’wa wakakutana na Fisi. Fisi alikuwa akizunguka akinusa huko na huko. Sungura akauliza. “Vipi Fisi, unatafuta nini?” “Natafuta nyama chochote kile nitakachoona. Mwana Kang’wa akarudisha. “Nyama umezipata basi. Siyo za kumaliza na kumaliza, siyo za kumaliza.

Wewe basi nitakufunga kamba hii, ndiyo itakupeleka kule ambako nyama ipo.” Ndipo fisi akafungwa kamba mguuni, ule wa nyuma. Filimbi ikapulizwa, wakaanza basi kuvuta kamba.

 Fisi akaanza kusema, “Nifanye nini basi wa mama”? Yuuu!” inavutwa tu. Inapitishwa kwenye miti ya miba vichaka mbalimbali, kwenye madimbwi hovyo hovyo, mwishowe akafika pale ambapo Tembo wapo.

Tembo waliangalia, na kuona fisi kwenye kamba. Lakini Mwana Kan’gwa hayupo!! Tembo walimuuliza fisi kwamba, “Na wewe nawe?” “Mimi nilikuwa natafuta nyama. Mwana Kang’wa akanifunga kamba eti itanileta kwenye nyama.”

Tembo wakamuuliza, “wewe fisi ni mlafi kabisa kwenye nyama? Sawa. Ndiyo fisi akaoneshwa mzoga wa tembo, akaambiwa hivi, “ule mpaka uumalize.” Fisi akaanza kula. Alishitukia tumbo limekataa, lakini anaambiwa “ule tu.” Mwishowe Fisi alipasuka kwa ulafi akafa.

 

THE HARE, HYENA AND THE ELEPHANTS

There was a man who had a big and beautiful farm. At the beginning of the year, he began to cultivate it. He planted it with millet, maize, beans, and wild watermelons.   The farm was well-watered, wild water melons were more plentiful than other crops.

The insects invaded the crops and began to eat the wild watermelons. The owner began to protect the crops. Suddenly, elephants came in numbers and began to eat the watermelons.As the elephants continued eating, the farmer got more concerned.

He could not drive them out of his field as he was afraid of them, and so he decided to go home. He then went to see friend Hare for advice. He told Hare the problem.

Hare wondered, “Ah, son of the mother, only the elephants! Only the elephants! The elephants are cowards. Once they hear the whistle, they run away.  Let us go!” Then the two walked towards the field called, Mwanoni. When they got there, they found elephants to have gone, but the wild watermelons had been badly cut.

Then Hare looked around and picked the giant wild watermelon, made a hole to for Hare to enter through it. The Hare went into the watermelon with his whistle around his neck, and said to his friend,” Close the door”, he said.”You go away and climb the tree and see if they are coming.”

The farmer did as he was instructed, and it happened that the elephants came to the field. The first elephant came and grabbed the giant watermelon with tnot knowing that Hare was in it. He threw it into the mouth and swallowed it.

While many other elephants continued eating the watermelons, the whistle blew. All the elephants stood up. When the whistle blew again, the elephants fled to the south and then stopped for a while.

The whistle blew again, and the elephants fled to the west, and then stopped again. The whistle blew again, “Felefele.” Then elephants ran towards Ukelewe. They stopped and began to ask each other that there was a whistle blowing. They the realized that the whilstle was coming from the stomach of one of the elephants.  “Felefele”, it blew.  The elephants started discussing, “What should we do then?” Finally they reached a consensus and said, “Let’s get him killed!” Then the elephant from whose stomach the whistle was blowing was caught and killed by his colleagues.

They cut his stomach and looked into it and found the Son of Kang’wa (ng’wana kang’wa).  They asked him, “And you, how are you?” The Hare replied, “I was helping my friend to protect against the elephants who were finishing his wild watermelons. The elephants said, “You, your assistance is so good.  But it  has caused one of us to die”

 “So, we shall also kill you.” Ng’wana kang’wa said, “I am ready to be killed. But don’t stamp on me pieces. Instead, make a long string which will make us not able to see each other.” The elephants agreed with his request.

The elephants started to make a string from different trees including miselya, mitinje, cassava, and the rope was tied. Son of Kang’wa held the string, saying, “Let me take the rope, and you remain here. When I get to the end, I will blow my whistle, and you will begin to pull the rope quickly by then I will be dead.”

Kang’wa’s son met the Hyena. Hyena was wandering around. Hare asked “How do do Hyena. What are you looking for?” “I am looking for whatever meat I can see.”, he replied. Then son of Kang’wa said, “You have got the meat you are looking for. It is so plentiful that you cannot finish it.”.

You will then tie this string around you. It is the one which will take you to the place where the meat is.” And the hyena was tied from the foot to the back. The whistle blew. Then the elephants started to pull the string.

 Hyena said, “What should I do, poor me son of my mother?  Yuuu! You are Just pulled. You pulled in around various trees and in the ponds.”  In the end, Hyena reached where it the meat was located.

Elephants looked, and saw the hyena in the string. But Ng’wana Kang’wa is not there!!” The elephants asked him, “And you?” “I was looking for meat. Ng’wana Kang’wa tied the string to bring me to where the meat is.”, he said.

The elephants asked him, “Are you hysterical to meat? Okay.” “Yes”, Hyena said.  Then Hyena was shown the carcass of the elephant. He was ordered, “Eat until you finish it.” Hyena started eating. He then realized that his stomach was full but he was told “Keep eating.” Finally, Hyena burst his stomach and died.

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

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

Ntwe (Kichwa) wali na bhazunaye bhabhili. Aliyo bhazunaye bhali bhatantogagwa nkulu wabho, angu ali mi, ihanga lyakwe. (wapi atabhelaga) aliyo kichwa wabhakubhijaga uko bhajile gwa gwa gwa. Nose bhakayuntoloka ulu bhabhuka kujuyela.

Aliyo uko bhashikaga bhunsanga aliho. Aliyo bhali bhantolokaga, bhujinjimala. Ikabhiza giko shiku ningi. Lushiku lumo bhakabhuka kujulunja bhaniki.

Aliyo bhakagubhisa gete mhayo gwenuyo azitumana Kichwa. Bhakabhuka bhuja mpaka kushika kubhaniki. Aliyo aho bhalitengelwa masumbi, bhumona Kichwa mukaya, ukubhugeni wabho. Bhakakumya no. Aliyo kumpeja bhakaduma bhigasha nang’hwe duhu.

Ikanza lyenilo kaya yubheja shiliwa sha bhageni. Shitadilile shupya, shiliwa jutengwa. Aho bhamala kukalabha, Kichwa umanija giki ung’wikubhi bhaditilijiwagwa bhulogo (bugota) Kichwa ulibhucha ibhakuli lya nyama, ukaliponya hanze.

Ulishosha ulikundikija kitumo yali. Bhazunaye bhandya kunugumbhila bhaliwila. Mbehi ng’wenuyu wita bhuli likubhi, tulile ki lulu. Bhakigasha duhu kuhoya, na jiseme jabho. Nose bhamukaya bhiza kusunda shiseme shinjiwa.

Kiswahili: Kichwa Upande

Kichwa alikuwa na wadogo zake wawili. Lakini wadogo zake walikuwa hawampendi kaka yao. Eti alikuwa mbaya sura yake. Lakini naye Kichwa aliwafuata kule walikokwenda kila wakati.

Mwisho walianza kumtoroka pindi wanapokwenda kutembea. Popote walipokwenda walimkuta yupo. Lakini walikuwa wamemtoroka. Ikawa hivi kwa siku nyingi.

Siku moja walikwenda kuwachumbia wasichana. Kabla ya kwenda huko wale wawili walimficha kabisa Kichwa. Ajabu, walipofika nyumbani kwa wasichana, mara wakamwona Kichwa naye yuko ndani pale.

Walibaki kushangaa tu, na hawakuweza kumfukuza. Chakula cha wageni kiliandaliwa na wenyeji wao. Walikaribishwa kukila. Kabla ya kula Kichwa aligundua kuwa kitoweo kiliwekewa sumu.

Akalibeba lile bakuli na kwenda nalo nje, akamwaga nyama yote. Akarudi akiwa na bakuli tupu. Wadogo zake wakaanza kumnung’unikia,  “Jamaa huyu amemwaga nyama yote nje, sasa tutakulaje bila  kitoweo?” Basi wakawa wamekaa tu wakizungumza bila kula. Mwisho wenye nyumba wakafika kuondoa vile vyombo.

 

ENGLISH: THE SIDE-HEADED

The Side Headed had two younger brothers. But his younger brothers did not love him. They claimed that their brother had a badly shaped head. Despite that, the the Side Headed followed them wherever they went.

Finally, they started to avoid him when they were walking. Surprisingly, wherever they went, they found him. They wondered how that happened because they had escaped him. This happened for many days.

One day, they went to a distant place to to ask for girls’ hand in marriage. Before they went, the two had kept it completely secret to themselves. They did not tell the Side Headed. Surprisingly, when they got to the girls’ home, they immediately saw the Side Headed who was also there.

They were surprised and they wondered how he managed to know. They could not avoid him. Then the visitors’ food was prepared by their hosts. They were invited to eat. Before they started eating, the Sided Headed found that the stew had been poisoned.

He carried the bowl and went out with it. He poured all the stew. He returned with an empty bowl. Unknowing what had happened, his younger brothers started whispering toeach other, “This fellow has taken all the stew out, now how will we eat without stew?” They just stared at each other, talking without eating. Finally, the hosts came to remove the containers.