Collected by: Don Sybertz,

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

Olaliho ngikulu bhulima, lina lyakwe Nyang’wangu. Wikalaga na ng’wana okwe umo, ngosha wikalaga na kalambo ku nsago ha bhulili b’okwe. Kuhayumanila, Nyang’wangu wapandika liganiko lya kuntoja ng’witunja okwe.

Aho ng’winga wagabhuka (kwinga ha kaya na kwiza kwigasha ha ng’wa nina bhuko) na nina bhuko ubhi ali nikub’i ung’winha bhuli dilu ndilo ndoto ilipalagana. Ng’winga agayukumya ulu winhiwa indilo ndoto bhuli dilu ku nguno yalitiho nyanza nulu mongo.

Wibhuja bhuja giki, “uyo wafunya hali ndilo indoto na hangi Nyanza ili kule giko! Lushiku lumo, ngikulu ung’winha ndiko ibhili, ung’winga wandya kukobha hose uko jikafumilaga indilo.

Ulinha ku kano ugayiwa, wingila ng’wifuma ugayiwa, ukundula hiwe lya gushela, ugayiwa, nose ushika ha bhulili. Wahaya ukundula ku nsago, usanga kaliho kalambo. Ndilo jilidamka ningi duhu. Jilib’inab’inila, huna ujishoshaho ijo wali winhagwa, ujisola mhya mo nhale ibhili, ulu alita giko akagikulu kalimana  uku walwa isho alita ukunu kaya.

Ngikulu winga lulu uku walwa. Wiza ushikila kumuja ung’winga okwe, “iki b’uli mayu wanitilaga giko? Nakub’onaga walinhaga kukano yane, nakub’onaga wingila ng’wifuma lyane, nakub’onaga wakundulaga na hiwe lyane na mhayo ndimu gete gete, wadimaga ku nsago gwane? Umu yeniyo nali natali kukwinha shikilo shane, kwinama hiwe lyane lya kushela sha kupinda uku mbele yane bhuli bhuhubhi wingi, iki bhuli wanitilaga giko?” Ng’winga ali sele duhu. uNgikulu gashi okolagwa noi. Atalile shiliwa  isho wazugaga ung’winga.

Nose ubhujiku wila, bhose bhulala. Bhujiku hagati, ngikulu uja hose ha bhulili, ubhucha shikolo shakwe shose, usama guja kulugulu. Ukingila muli shiganga na lishiganga lyenilo lyupilingita kwinga mu lugulu. Liza lyub’itila aha numba ya ng’witunja na ng’winga okwe. Lyubhatobhagula. Bhucha pye. Iwe lyukimila ku mbuga. Na iwe liliho mpaga lelo. Lili hagati ya minzi ku nguno nyanza ikatulwa hagati. Lilitanwa “Nyang’wangu”

Bhubhi bhukafumaga ku bhise bhenekili giko!

KISWAHILI: NYANG’WANGU

Alikuwepo bibi kizee Bulima, jina lake aliitwa Nyang’wangu. Alikuwa na mtoto wake mmoja, mwanamume. Alikuwa na kadimbwi kwenye mto wa kulalia kichwani kwenye kitanda chake. Kushitukia, Nyang’wangu, akapata wazo la kumuoza kijana wake.

Alipoamka mkaa mwana wake (kutoka kwenye familia na kuja kukaa kwa mama mkwe wake) na mama mkwe akawa na huruma ya ukarimu kwa mkaa mwana wake, akawa akimpa kila asubuhi samaki mbichi alirukaruka. Mkaa mwana alishangaa alipopewa samaki wabichi kila asubuhi kwa sababu haikuwepo baharí wala mto karibu nao.

Akajiuliza uliza hivi, “huyu ametoa wapi samaki wabichi na baharí ilikuwa mbali hivyo?” Siku moja, bibi kizee alimpa samaki wawili, mkaa mwana alianza kutafuta pote pale wanapotolewa hao samaki.

Alipanda kwenye dari, akakosa, akaingia sehemu nyingine aliyoidhania kuwepo hao hapo, akakosa, akafungua kwenye jiwe la kusagia, akakosa, mwishowe akafika kwenye kitanda. Alipofungua kwenye mto, akakuta kapo kadimbwi. Samaki wanaruka wengi tu. Wanacheza cheza, ndipo aliwarudisha humo wale samaki wawili, aliokuwa nao, akachukua wale wakubwa wawili. Alipokuwa akifanya hivyo, kabibi kizee kalifahamu kakiwa kule kwenye pombe, alichokuwa anakifanya kule nyumbani.

Basi, bibi kizee aliondoka kutoka kwenye pombe. Akaja kufikia kumuuliza mkaa mwana wake, “kwa nini, mama umenifanyia hivyo? Nimekuona ulipanda kwenye dari yangu, ukaingia kwenye sehemu yangu maalumu, ukafunua kwenye jiwe langu, na neno gumu kabisa kabisa, ukashika kwenye mto wangu?

Kwa hiyo, bado sijakupa maagizo yangu, kuinama kwenye jiwe langu la kusagia, na kupita kwenye sehemu yangu maalumu, ni kukosa kwingi, kwa nini umenifanyia hivyo?” Mkaa mwana alikuwa kimya tu. Kumbe kale ka bibi kizee kalikuwa kamekasilika mno. Hakakula chakula alichopika mkaa mwana wake.

Mwishoni, usiku ulipoingia, wote wakalala. Kwenye usiku wa manane, bibi kizee alienda kwenye kitanda, akabeba vitu vyake vyote, akahama akaenda kwenye milima.

Akaenda kuingia kwenye mwamba na ule mwamba ukavilingika kutoka kwenye miamba mlimani. Ukaja kuipitia ile nyumba ya kijana wake na mkaa mwana wake.

Ukawabonda bonda wakafa wote. Mwamba ukaenda kusimama mbugani. Mwamba huo, bado upo hadi leo. Uko kati kati ya maji kwa sababu, baharí iliwekwe katikati. Unaitwa, “Nyang’wangu.” Hivyo, ubaya huwa unatoka kwetu sisi wenyewe namna hiyo!

 

NYANG’WANGU, THE OLD WOMAN

There was an oldwoman in Bulima. Her name was Nyang’wangu. She had one son, a boy. That old had a small pondunder her pillow placed on her bed. There came a time, Nyang’wangu, got the idea   marrying her son.

There came a time when her daughter-in-law joined her mother-in-law’s family. Her mother-in-law was very kind to her daughter in law. Every morning, she gave her daughter-in-law fresh fish. The daughter-in-law was surprised when she was given fresh fish every morning because there was no water or river around.

She asked herself, “Where did she get the raw fish and the lake is far from here?” One day, the old woman gave her two fish. The daughter-in-law began to search everywhere as she wanted to know where the fish came from.

She climbed to the ceiling but she missed. Then she went to another place she thought she could find the fish source.  She also missed. After that, she opened up the grinding stone. There too, she missed. Finally, she got to the mother-in-law’s bed. When she lifted the pillow, she found a pond. There were many fish moving around. She brought the two fish she had been given back to the newly discovered pond. She then took two big ones from the pond. While she was doing so, the old woman knew everything happening. She could see all that was happening at her home from where she wastaking alcohol.

So the old woman left the alcohol. She came to inquire her daughter in law, “Daughter, why? I saw you climbing on my roof, and then you went to my private room. You lifted my rock and you finally got to my pillow.

I think I have not given you my taboos. Stooping over my grinding stone, and entering my private room are a big mistake. Why have you done all this to me?” The daughter-in-law kept quiet. The old woman became angry. She did not eat the food which her daughter in law had cooked that day.

At the night, they all slept. At midnight, the old woman carried all her things, and moved to the mountains.

She entered one the rocks. The rock rolled all the way from the mountain. It came through the house of his young man and her daughter–in-law.

All those the rock crushed died. The rock, finally, went to settle in the lake where it stands until today. It is in the middle of the water. It is called, “Nyang’wangu.” So, evil comes from us like that!

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

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

Ikale iSub’i yalitamanile ukudima indimu kunhingo, yadimaga sagala, nulu kuligugulu yudima ho. Sha lushigu lumo yudima mbuli. Bha mayu bhalija kujudaha minzi. Huna bhandya kwiwila giki, “mbuli ya ng’wa mbati yadimagwa na Sub’i iligigila.”

Umo o bhamayu uhaya giki, “ambu kako katamanile kudima, ulu nikakadimaga kunhingo niyachaga..” kalidegeleka akasub’i kuhaya, “gashinaga nakahubhaga nashoke kudima munhingo.”

Giko lulu lushiku lungi kuyidima mbuli yingi mnhingo yucha. Bhandya kwiwila abhamayu, “gashi mihayo iyo twahayaga kigwaga.”

Sub’i yalitamanile kudima, ikalangwa na  bha mayu abhalija kujudaha minzi.

KISWAHILI: HADITHI YA CHUI

Zamani chui alikuwa hajui kushika wanyama shingoni, alikuwa akishika hovyo, hata mguuni alishika. Siku moja alishika mbuzi. Akina mama waliokuwa safarini kwenda kuteka maji. Ndipo walianza kuambiana kwamba, “mbuzi wa fulani ameshikwa na chui ndiyo maana anachechemea.”

Mmoja wa wale akina mama alisema hivi, “hako hakajui kushika wanyama, kama kangekuwa kanashika shingoni angekufa…” kachui kalikuwa kamesikiliza kakasema, “kumbe nakosea nirudi nikashike shingoni.

Hivyo basi, siku nyingine kakaishika mbuzi nyingine shingoni ikafa. Wakaanza kuambiana akina mama, “kumbe maneno yale tuliyokuwa tukiyasema, kalikuwa kakisikia.”

Chui alikuwa hajui kushika, akafundishwa na akina mama waliokuwa wakienda kuteka maji.

THE STORY OF THE LEOPARD

In the past, the leopard had no idea how to catch animals of prey in the neck. It was catching any part of the body. It could catch even the foot. One day it caught a goat. Women who were on their way to fetch water began to say that, “Somebody’s goat was caught by the leopard. e It is now limping.”

One of those women said, “The leopard does not know how to catch animals. If it caught it on the neck that goat would die…” The leopard was listening and it heard those words. It then thought, “I am wrong. Let me go back catch by the neck.”

So, one day the leopard caught another goat in the neck and it died. Those women talked to one another, “Oh, the leopard heard what we were saying.”

The leopard had no knowledge of how to properly catch animals of prey. It was taught by women who were going to fetch water.

 

 

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

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

Olaliho  ngosha umo uyo witanagwa Ntungilija kunguno oladalemaga ugub’ambilija b’iye. Lushiku lumo Ntungilija agab’uka gujuyela ng’wipolu. Aho oshika ukwenuko agamanhya na kana kali Shing’weng’we, kung’wila giki, “B’ageshi Ntungilija, unene aho nabyalwa, abhabyaji bhane bhakanileka sagala. Nduhu nulu numba, kulwa yeniyo lulu nalilomba unizengele nulu kakulyandi unitule moyi naguluhaga noi ulunili. Ntungilija wita gitumo kana kali Shing’weng’we kagang’wilila.

Aho kana kalishing’weng’we kikala shigu ng’ehu duhu ung’widulyandi, gumadika, gung’wila hangi, Ntungilija, akazengele iluli pye nung’wene kokala. Aho kokala umunumba kung’wila, “ntungilija namanile giki ulintungilija, nane naduhayaga gugukoya. Nalulu giki bhageshi Ntungilija, jaga kumalugulu uganikob’ele ipilinga ilitale gete. Ung’wenumo lulu nadugukoya.”

Ntungilija agandya lugendo loguja kumapolu gujuchob’a lipilinga ilitale. Mpaga ugalala guko, upandika ilipilinga. Ntondo yene ushoga dilu ukawila akana ka Shing’weng’we giki, “opandikaga ilipilinga.” Nab’ub’uka pye bhajile gujulilola ilipilinga. Aho bhashiga, akana ka Shing’weng’we kingila ung’wipilinga. Kuligemela gwigasha moyi, kigelelwa.

Aho kigelwa kung’wila Ntungilija giki, “Ntungilija, aliyo nalina mhayo gumo uyo nalitogwa naguwile.”  Ntungilija uhaya,  “Niwilage duhu bhageshi.” Kana ka Shing’weng’we kung’wila Ntungilija. “Aliyo lulu bhageshi Ntungilija nalitogwa nagulye, kunguno ukuwelelo kulikuduhu.” Ntungilija nang’hwe agasunduhala sana uhaya, “hali bhuli bhageshi unilye, pye iyose iyo yawiza nagwitilile?”

Nako akana ka Shing’weng’we kushosha, “Ulu uduzunyaga iyo naliguwila jaga nahene ugab’ab’uje ab’aduguyo,  b’asumba b’iyo nu nkima oko ulu giki aliho Ntungilija ukunu kuwelelo. Ujidutoloka uje ilali kunguno nagumanile pye nab’aduguyo ji nammanile.”

Nang’hwe agaja kujub’ab’uja. Aho oshiga nagub’awila, nabho bhakakumya b’uhaya, pye imihayo iyose iyo ong’witilile ung’wana Oshing’weng’we yaya nagugulumba, ii! Gushinaga ukunu kuwelelo adiko Ntungilija.

Nang’hwe agaja kuli nke gujunaga giki, ashoganye aje agaliwe na Lishing’weng’we, ili lidi kana hangi kunguno lyakulile na lyab’izile Lishing’weng’we.

Nang’hwe unke uhaya giki anshindikile agilolele umo agumililagwa. Nabho bhabhili b’andya lugendo loguja kumalugulu. Aho b’ashiga, kana  ka Shing’weng’we bhukasanga kakulile, lyab’izile Lishing’weng’we. Nalyo ligamuja unkima “wizilaga ki ub’eb’e ukunu?” Nang’hwe ushosha. “Nizaga  kung’wilolela ungoshi wane umo ulimilila.” Nang’hwe Shing’weng’we uhaya, “Ingaga aha unene nadaguhayile ub’eb’e shogaga kaya.”

Nang’hwe nkima ushosha, “nadudula ugushoga ugukaya ing’wene kunguno inzila iyo dab’itilile ili na mashinhu mingi noi. Mayoka, Mashimba na angi mingi duhu, galihoi.”

Nang’hwe uShing’weng’we ung’wila giki, agung’winha b’ugota bhogubhashogelegeja na gubhabhulaga abhanashinhu bhenabo. Shing’weng’we ung’wila giki, asole bhugota ulu umanhya na mashinu genayo, ubhutula ubhugota hajiganza na uhaya giki, ukunu alifula, “Muna Nzoka chaga.” Nang’hwe agucha  upandika nzila yagub’itila.

Nulu muna Shimba chaga. Aho nkima winhwa ubhugota, agabhutula hajiganza na kubhufula ukunu alihaya, “Nang’ho muna Shing’weng’we chaga.” Haho na haho Shing’weng’we agacha. Nang’hwe ntungilija bhushoka kung’wabho kihamo na nkima.

KISWAHILI: MKWELI NA MTOTO WA ZIMWI

Alikuwapo mwanamume mmoja aliyeitwa Ntungilija (mkweli) ambaye alikuwa mwaminifu. Huyo  alikuwa na tabia ya kuwasaidia wengine. Siku moja Ntungilija alikwenda porini akakutana na zimwi mtoto. Yule zimwi akamwambia ntugilija, “nilipozaliwa wazazi wangu waliniacha  ovyo. Sikujengewa nyumba, hivyo naomba unijengee nyumba kwani nateseka mno kwa baridi.”

Ntungilija akamjengea nyumba yule zimwi. Baada ya kuishi katika nyumba ile kwa siku chache, akajaa mle. Zimwi akamwendea tena Ntungilija na kumwambia,  aende kumjengea ghala. Ntungilija alifanya hivyo. Zimwi alimsifu Ntungilija  kwa uaminifu wake na moyo wa kupenda kuwasaidia wengine, na mle akajaa.

Siku nyingine akamtaka Ntungilija aende mlimani akamtafutie pango kubwa la kuishi ili asihangaike tena.

Ntungilija akaenda kulitafuta lile pango kubwa, akalipata na akarudi kumwarifu zimwi. Hapo wote wawili walikwenda hadi kwenye pango kuliangalia. Walipowasili kwenye pango, zimwi aliingia ndani na kumwambia Ntungilija, “kwa vile humu duniani sijaona kitu kingine ila wewe njoo hapa nikutafune.” Ntungilija akashikwa na huzuni sana akasema, “kwa nini rafiki yangu unataka kunila, kwani huna shukrani kwa mema yote haya niliyokutendea?”

Zimwi akajibu, “kama hukubali, nenda ukawaulize ndugu zako, rafiki zako na mke wako kama kuna mtu  ye yote mwaminifu huku duniani! Ila usinitoroke. Hata kama utanitoroka ninakujua nyumbani kwako!”

Ntungilija akaenda kuwauliza. Nao walishangaa, wakasema, “Ala! Mbona wewe umemtendea mambo mema mengi hivyo, amekushukuru?” Akamwendea mkewe na kumwambia “Napenda kukuaga nakwenda kuliwa na zimwi.” Mkewe akajibu, “Nitakusindikiza ili nikashuhudie jinsi utakavyomezwa.”

Mume na mke wakaanza safari ya kwenda kwa zimwi. Kwa sauti ya kutisha zimwi akamwuliza mwanamke, “Na wewe umekuja huku kufanya nini?” Mwanamke akajibu, “Nimekuja ili kushuhudia jinsi mume wangu utakavyommeza.”

“Toka hapa! Mimi sikutaki wewe mwanamke! Rudi nyumbani kwako.” Zimwi alimfukuza yule mwanamke. Mwanamke akajibu, “siwezi kurudi nyumbani peke yangu, kwa sababu njia tuliyopita ina wanyama wakali wengi mno. Kuna simba na majoka na wengine wengi.

Shing’weng’we alijibu, “Nitakupa dawa ya kuwafukuza wanyama hao wakali. Utaiweka kwenye kiganja na kuipuliza ukisema, “hata simba, majoka kufa na wewe utapata njia ya kupita.”

Mara alipokabidhiwa ile dawa akaiweka kiganjani,  akaipuiliza na kusema “wewe zimwi kufa!” Palepale zimwi akafa. Ntungilija na mkewe wakarudi salama nyumbani.

 

THE TRULY ONE THE CHILD OF THE THING

There was a man named Ntungilija (which means ‘honest’ in English) who was very faithful. He had the habit of helping others. One day, Ntungilija went to the wilderness and met the young of the ogre. It said to him, “When I was born my parents left me with nothing. I do not have a house. So, I beg you to build me a house because I am suffering from cold.”

Ntungulija built the house for the ogre as requested. After living in the house for a few days, the ogre had become so big that it made the house full. The young ogre came back to Ntungilija and told him to go and build him a bigger houe. Ntungilija did it.The ogre praised him for his loyalty and a willingness to help others. The ogre kept expanding. As a result, this other house was also full.

One day, the ogre asked Ntungilija to go to the mountains and find a great cave for it to live.

He went to look for the big cave as requested.  He found it and came but to inform the ogre. Both the ogre and Ntungilija went up to the cave to examine the cave. When they came to the cave, the ogre came in and told Ntungilija, “Since here on earth I have not seen anything else but you come here so that I eat you” Ntungilija was very sad and said, “Why do you my friend want to eat me? Don’t you have thanks for all this good I have done to you?”

The ogre replied, “If you don’t agree with me, go and ask your relatives, friends and wife if anyone is honest here on the earth! Don’t leave me. Even if you run away I know you in your home!”

Ntungilija went to ask them. And they were marveled, saying, “Aha! Why have you done such good things to it, thank you?” He went to his wife and told her, “I am going to be eaten by the ogre.” His wife replied, “I will accompany you just to witness you being swallowed by the ogre.”

The husband and wife set out the journey to the cave. In a frightening voice, the ogre asked the woman, “And what have you come here for?” The woman replied, “I have come to witness how you will swallow my husband.”

“Get out of here! I didn’t want you woman! Return to your home.” The ogre ordered the woman. The woman replied, “I can’t go home alone because the way we have gone through has many wild animals. There are lions and dragon and many others.”

The ogre replied, “I will give you some medicine to drive those wild animals. You will put it on the palm of your hand and blow it out, saying, “Let the lions die and you will find a way to pass.”

As soon as she was given the medicine and put it in her hand’s palm, she turned to it blew the medicine saying, “You ogre die!” Immediately the ogre died. Ntungilija and his wife went home safely.

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

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

Waliho nkima uyo walina ng’wana umo. Lushiku lumo ng’wana ng’wenuyo akamisha nsati. Nina akanaja ng’wana mu kaya, uja kujukobha bhugota halinzenganwa.

Guko atali kwinhwa bhugota, wahayimanila ubhona numba yakwe ilibhaka moto. Nkima ng’wenuyo upela wangu wangu kuja ko. Aho washika wingila mu kaya na kunsomba ng’wana wakwe. Umandila ha shikubha atizupya moto. Aliyo unina upya pye umili, wita malonda kufumila ku magulu kushika kuntwe.

Aho wapila usaga na malanda mili pye. Ihanga lyakwe lyubhipa no. Ng’wana ng’wenuyo witanagwa Bahati. Aho wakula uyuja kujigusha na bhana bhiye, bhalinseka na bhaling’wila giki, “Limayu lyako libhi no, lilini hanga litilyawiza. Utubhonaga bhamayu bhise umo bhali bhusheku.

Bahati aho wawilwa chene, wandya kundalaha unina. Lushigu lumo akamuja unina, “Iki bhuli mayu uti ni hanga lya wiza? Bhuli mili gwako guli na malanda pye? Kufumila kuntwe kushika kumagulu?” Nina akansombolela umo yali, “Ng’wana wane aho utali ndo, numba ikapya moto. Nu bhebhe walulalile mumo, nakingila mukaya kukusola nukubhandila ha shikubha utizupya moto. Hi chene ulinibhona nalina malanda pye umili. Iki bhebhe nakutogilwe.”

Bahati aho wigwa giko akayegano, akamana giki, mayu wane wa ng’hana. Uyubhawila na bhiye, “Lolagi mayu umo anitogelilwe, abhakilile na bhamayu bhing’we.” Kufumila lushiku lwene, walatalekaga kunumbilija nina. Na akanela chiza no umu bhugikulu wakwe.

Hadithi  Ya Mtoto Bahati

Alikuwepo mama mmoja, aliyekuwa na mtoto mmoja. Siku moja mtoto huyo aliamka mgonjwa. Mama alimlaza mtoto ndani ya nyumba. Alikwenda kutafuta dawa kwa jirani, kabla hajapewa dawa alishitukia akaona nyumba yake inawaka moto. Mwanamke huyo akakimbia haraka haraka kwenda huko. Alipofika akaingia ndani na kumchukua mtoto wake. Alimkumbatia kifuani ili asiungue na moto.

Lakini mama yake aliungua mwili wote, alipata madonda kutoka miguuni hadi kichwani. Alipopona akabaki na makovu mwili wote. Sura yake ikaharibika mno. mtoto huyo alikuwa anaitwa Bahati. Alipokua alikuwa anakwenda kucheza na watoto wenzake. Huku wakimcheka na kumwambia kwamba, “Mama yako ni mbaya mno, ana sura isiyo nzuri, huwaoni mama zetu walivyo laini.”  Bahati alivyoambiwa hivyo, akaanza kumdharau mama yake.

Siku moja akamwuliza mama yake, “Kwa nini  mama huna sura nzuri?, Kwa nini mwili wako una makovu wote? Kutoka kichwani hadi miguuni?”  Mama yake alimweleza jinsi ilivyokuwa. “Mtoto wangu ulipokuwa bado mdogo, nyumba iliungua moto, na wewe ulikuwa umelala humo. Niliingia ndani nikakuchukua nikakukumbatia kifuani. Ndivyo unavyoniona kuwa nina makovu mwili wote. Kwa kuwa wewe ninakupenda mno.”

Bahati aliposikia hivyo alifurahi mno akajua hivi,  Mama yangu ni wa kweli akawa anawaambia na wenzake, “Angalieni  Mama anavyonipenda, anawazidi hata mama zenu.”  Tokea siku hiyo  alikuwa haachi kumshukuru mama yake.  Na alimlea vizuri mno katika uzee wake.

ENGLISH: BAHATI’S STORY

There was one woman who had one child. One day, the child woke up sick. The mother laid her on the bed inside the house. Then she went to her neighbour’s house to ask for a medicine. Before the woman was given the medicine, she saw her house burning.

She hurriedly returned home. When she arrived there, she went inside and took out her baby. She put her in her bosom so that she couldn’t get burnt.

But various parts of the woman’s body got burnt. After the wounds had healed, she had scars all over her body. Her face had been badly damaged.

The child was given the name Bahati. As Bahati was growing up, she used to play with her fellow children. Her friends laughed at her and often said to her, “Your mother is so ugly, she has bad skin, but each of our mothers has smooth skin.” As a result, she began looking down upon her mother.

One day, she asked, “Mother, why don’t you have beautiful skin? Why are there many scars on your body?” Her mother said to her, “When you were still young, the house went up in flames and you were inside, sleeping,” she said. “I went into it and carried you in my chest. Various parts of my body got burnt. That is the source of all the scars you see on my body. I did it because I love you very much.”

After hearing the story, Bahati became very happy. One day, as she was playing with her friends, she said to them, “My mother loves me very much. She loves me more than your mothers do you.” And she took good care of her mother in her old age.

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

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

Oliho munhu umo, mu chalo jilebhe uyo otegaga  ndimu bho gutumila waya. Lushugu lumo uningi ng’wunuyo agasanga yapujiyagwa mhala na yaliyamala gucha.

Aho waitaligulila uwaya ubho bholibhoibhulaga, aha mhelo yaho agagabhona mashi madoto ga mbogo. Uningi ng’wunuyo agaileka imhala yakwe, na wandya gugalondeja amabhondo ga mbogo.

 Ubhulingisilo bhokwe bholi giki, ulu niodula guipandika niwandya guipeja, na ku namna yose iki mbogo nayo umo ili nhali, ni yanondeja na gumpeja.

Uningi ng’wunuyo agiyamini giki agupela lugendo lukali giki mpaga imbogo nidadulile ugumpandika. Huna niobhita ahenaho aha ntego gokwe, ku giki ndimu yiniyo uluyashiga aha ntego gokwe niyapujiwa.

Aho oja lugendo luguhi, ohaimanila otung’wana bhilolile ni mbogo. Imbogo igandya gunkalihila uningi ng’wuniyo. Gashi uningi uyo aladabhejije imipango yakwe jisoga.

Aho obhona giki imbogo yabhunja bho wangu wangu, uningi agapelela mulinti ku giki ugulinhe apandike gupila. Imbogo igapelela wangu wangu na ku bhukali aho olili yugansanga alikoyakoya gulinha mulinti na gunshindika kule, aliyo idamulagile.

Bhasi, imbogo aho inga uningi widuta guja kaya bho nduhu gubhita gujusola untego gokwe, imhala. Aho jabhita shigu idatu, ihali yakwe yubhiza yabhipa noi, ulushugu ulo katano agazumalika musi.

Abha kale bhagahayaga giki, munhu ilinhadikija gurizika nijo uliojipandika, kukila gubhiza na wikumbwa bhutale. Uyo ahaile yose agagaiyagwa yose.

KISWAHILI: TAMAA HUUA

Kulikuwa na mtu mmoja katika kijiji fulani ambaye alikuwa akitega wanyama kwa kutumia nyaya. Siku moja mwindaji huyo alikuta amenasa paa na tayari amekwisha kufa. Baada ya kumfungua waya uliomuua, pembeni aliona kinyesi kibichi cha Nyati. Mwindaji huyo akamwacha paa wake pale na kuanza kufuata nyayo za Nyati.

Lengo lake lilikuwa kama angeweza kumkuta angeanza kumkimbiza, na kwa vyovyote vile naye nyati alivyo mkali angemfuata na kumkimbiza. Mwindaji alijiamini kuwa atakimbia mwendo kasi sana hata Nyati asingeweza kumkuta. Ndipo angepita pale kwenye mtego wake, ili Nyati yule atakapofika kwenye mtego wake ungemnasa.

Baada ya mwendo mfupi, ghafla akakutana na yule Nyati uso kwa uso. Nyati akaanza kumfokea yule mwindaji. Kumbe mwindaji huyo hakusuka mipango yake vizuri. Alipoona Nyati anamkimbiza kwa kasi, mwindaji alikimbilia kwenye mti ili akwee apate usalama. Nyati alikimbia kasi na kwa hasira hadi pale alipokumkuta anatapatapa kuukwea mti na kumsukumiza mbali, lakini hakuuawa. Basi,  Nyati aliondoka, naye mwindaji akajikokota kwenda nyumbani kwake bila hata ya kupita kuchukua windo lake, yaani Paa. Baada ya siku tatu hali yake ikawa mbaya zaidi, siku ya tano alifariki dunia.

Wahenga wanasema kuwa mtu anapaswa kuridhika na kile alichokipata kuliko kuwa na tamaa nyingi. Mtaka yote hukosa yote.

ENGLISH: GREED KILLS

There was a man in a village who was trapping animals by using wires. One day, the hunter found that he had trapped an antelope which was already dead. After unlocking the deadly wire of the trap, he saw fresh stool of the buffalo. The hunter left his antelope there and began to follow the footsteps of the buffalo.

His aim was to make the buffalo run after him while he could be running towards the trap. He thought that the buffalo would eventually be caught in the trap. The trapper was confident that he would run faster than the buffalo.

Within a short distance, he met the buffalo face to face. The buffalo began to chase the hunter. It appears that the hunter underestimated the risk that was ahead of him. When he realized the buffalo ran faster that he estimated, the hunter ran to a tree to save his life. The buffalo reached him trying to climb the tree. The buffalo attacked him but he did not die.

Theafter, the buffalo left and the hunter went to home without even taking his meat of the antelope that he had trapped. After three days his condition worsened, and on the fifth day he died.

The sages have it that one should be satisfied with what he has earned and should not have have much desire. The one who wants all, misses all.