heritage

1428. LYAB’ALEMELILE UGULIB’EJA.

Aho kale bhalihoyi bhanhu abho bhihayaga bhamani bha guzenga numba. Abhanhu bhenabho bhaginhiwa numba ya guzenga muchalo jilebe. Aho bhamala uguizenga inumba yiniyo igab’iza ijile lwande guti giki ili haya gugwa kunguno ya guyizenga shib’i. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayomba giki, “lyab’alemelile ugulib’eja.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agituulaga bhubhani bho gutumama nimo uyo agadagumanile chiza, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agandyaga gutumama milimo bho nduhu ugwikala ni jitumamililo jayo mpaka oduma uguyimala chiza kunguno ya gwigimba bhumani bho sagala umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Uweyi agaikenagulaga salaga imilimo yakwe kunguno ya gwituula bhumani bho guitumama aliyo adayideb’ile chiza umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nabho bhihayaga giki bhamani bha guzenga numba mpaka nose bhuyikenagula inumba iyo bagayizenga, kunguno nuweyi agituulaga bhumani bho gutumama milimo iyo adayidebhile chiza mpaga uyikenagula sagala, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “lyab’alemelile ugulib’eja.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na witegeleja bho guleka gwituula bhumani bho milimo iyo bhadayidebhile chiza, kugiki bhadule guitumama chiza imilimo yabho yiniyo, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Mwanzo 11:1-9.

Mathayo 21:42.

Matendo 4:11.

1 Petro 2:7-10.

KISWAHILI: LIMEWASHINDA KULITENGENEZA.

Hapo zamani walikuwepo watu waliojidai kuwa wanafahamu kujenga nyumba. Watu hao walipewa nyumba ya kujenga kwenye kijiji fulani. Walipomaliza kuijenga nyumba hiyo ilienda upande kama inataka kuanguka kwa sababu ya kujengwa vibaya. Ndiyo maana watu walisema kwamba, “limewashinda kulitengeneza.”

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye hujitia kujua kufanya kazi ambayo haielewi vizuri katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huanza kufanya kazi bila ya kuwa na vitendea kazi vinavyotakiwa mpaka anashindwa kuimaliza vizuri kazi hiyo, kwa sababu ya kujifanya mjuaji kwenye vitu asivyovihamu vizuri, maishani mwake. Yeye huziharibu hovyo kazi zake kwa sababu ya kutia kujua kwake kwa kufanya kazi asizozielewa vizuri, katika maisha yake hayo.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na wale waliojifanya wajuaji wa kujenga nyumba mpaka wakaiharibu nyumba hiyo, kwa sababu naye hujifanya mjuaji wa kufanya kazi asizozielewa vizuri mpaka anaziharibu kazi hizo, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “limewashinda kulitengeneza.”

Msemo huo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na umakini wa kuacha kujifanya wajuaji wa kufanya kazi wasizozielewa vizuri, ili waweze kuyatekeleza vizuri majukumu yao, maishani mwao.

Mwanzo 11:1-9.

Mathayo 21:42.

Matendo 4:11.

1 Petro 2:7-10.

ENGLISH: IT FAILED THEM TO BUILD IT.

In the past, there were people who claimed to know how to build a house. These people were given a house to build in a certain village. When they finished building the house, it looked as if it was about to collapse because it was poorly built. That is why people said that “it failed them to build it.”

This saying is related to a person who pretends to know how to do a job that he does not understand well in his life. This person starts working without having the required tools until he fails to finish the job well, because of pretending to be knowledgeable about things that he does not understand well, in his life. He destroys his works in such a way because of putting his knowledge into doing jobs that he does not understand well, in his life.

This person resembles to those who pretended to know how to build a house until they destroy the house, because he also pretends to be knowledgeable about doing jobs that he does not understand well until he destroys those jobs, in his life. That is why people say to him that, “it failed them to build it.”

This saying teaches people about being careful enough to stop pretending to be experts in tasks which they do not understand well, so that they can properly fulfill their responsibilities in their lives.

Genesis 11:1-9.

Matthew 21:42.

Acts 4:11.

1 Peter 2:7-10.

1418. UMTWE GWALABEDAGA AMAGULU. (BENA).

KISWAHILI: KICHWA KISIDHARAU MIGUU.

ENGLISH: THE HEAD DOES NOT DESPISE THE FEET.

Background, Meaning and Everyday Use

In their culture the Bena People often use riddles, sayings and stories to convey messages to the society and their family members in which they live. The head does not despise the feet is one of the proverbs used by Bena Ethnic Group.

This proverb looks at the life of one person who does not accept advice. He was an old man called Ligoga that means “an angry person.” Ligoga had a wife and three children.

Lusisi Village is located in Njombe region in Tanzania, East Africa, It has a pleasant environment and lots of rain. Because of that, food was available in abundance. One year it rained a lot and everything flourished. Mushrooms also grew in abundance. The people were happy to find mushrooms because they liked them.

However, a problem occurred. Bad mushrooms were also produced and many people died after eating the poisonous mushroom because it was very similar to the good ones. The chief of the village continued to make an announcement and advised people to stop eating mushrooms at that time of heavy rain. But because people liked them so much many did not stop eating them.

Ligoga’s family also continued to eat. However, Ligoga’s wife was very afraid especially for their children.

Numbura Dzelu, which means “white heart” the name of Ligoga’s wife, started a conversation and said to her husband:

Numbura Nzelu: “My Husband!”

Elder Ligoga: “Say my Wife.”

Numbura Nzelu: “What do you think if we stopped eating mushrooms this time?”

Elder Ligoga: “What! No, my wife, do not be afraid, I have enough experience we cannot be abused.”

Numbura Nzelu: “But my husband, the situation is not good at this time, many people are dying.”

Elder Ligoga: “Nonsense” should we die today? How many years have we eaten and even since our ancestors.”

Numbura Nzelu: “There are changes due to heavy rains. I fear for our children.”

Elder Ligoga: “I am the owner of the house, believe me!”

Therefore, Elder Ligoga brought mushrooms as usual and his wife cooked; they all ate. Ligoga also gave them to the cat, and said if there is poison, I will know through the cat. They all went to sleep, bad luck! At midnight, the cat started screaming, running here and there. Elder Ligoga heard it, woke up his wife and children, they all shouted, “we are dying! We are dying!”

The neighbors heard the noise and helped to take them to the hospital. Because of fear, they vomited and had diarrhea; they were all overwhelmed, and Elder Ligoga could not speak at all. Immediately the doctor put drip for all at high speed. Fortunately, after one day they recovered and were allowed to return home.

After arriving home. Haaa! The cat is healthy. Elder Ligoga was shocked!!! “How did it happen?” he said, “Loo! How did you know if you ate bad mushrooms,” the neighbor asked, Ligoga said, “I gave mushrooms to the cat too, because of the fear of dying.” When they entered, they all laughed…Hahahaha!!! Duuuu! The poor cat was crying because she wanted to give birth. Ligoga’s wife, Numbura Nzelu, said bitterly, “my husband Umtuwe gwalabedaga amagulu which means, “The head does not despise the feet.” Elder Ligoga answered, “it is true my wife. Please forgive me and my children forgive me.”

This is how the proverb began and continues to be used today. This proverb is likened to people who think that being bossy is everything and cannot receive any advice from others. Compare to this mother who showed love to her children. She did not care about her life, but put others first. This Bena Proverb teaches and motivates the community to be generous, love and help each other in everyday life.

Biblical Parallels

Matthew 18 10. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angers in heaven always see the face of my father in heaven.”

1 Corinthians 14: 20. “Brothers and Sisters, stop thinking like children. Be like babies as far evil is concerned. But be grown up in your thinking.”

1 Samuel 15: 22. But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hear is better than the fat of rams.”

Ephesians 4: 2. “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

Contemporary Use And Religious Application

This proverb reminds us all to be flexible and to accept the ideas and advice of others. These days there are problems everywhere. Everyone wants to be the leader of others. War and chaos are everywhere. There are many people like Elder Ligoga in families, marriages, in churches, in Small Christian Communities. You only find arguments and quarrels.

These situations show that the Gospel of Jesus has not penetrated into people’s hearts. We need to increase our faith and care and respect the lives of others. To lack a heart of compassion is to miss God Himself who has taken pity on all of us through the suffering and death of his Son. Christians should not stop going to church and to Small Christian Communities so that we get the strength to continue doing good, respecting and listening to each other.

Text and Photos by:

Sister Felisia Mbifile, SCSF

Rome, Italy

Email: felisiajmbifile@gmail.com

1416. IGEMBE NAGEMA NG’WELELE.

Aho kale olihoyi nhimi uyo olimilaga ligembe lya makono. Unhimi ng’wunuyo olialisanije iligembe lyakwe linilo kunguno olilimilaga chiza mpaga lyang’wenhela jiliwa aha kaya yakwe. Uweyi olidimilaga china iligembe linilo guti numo agabhukikaja ng’wana ng’welele, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene agayomba giki, “igembe nagema ng’welele.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alina bhutungilija bho gwihanda gutumama chiza nimo uyo gugang’wenhelaga jiliwa, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agihandaga gugudumama unimo gokwe bho gubhalanga abhanhu bhakwe higulya ya gwigulambija kugugutumama chiza mpaga gobhapandikila jiliwa, kunguno ya bhutungilija bhokwe bhunubho, umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agapandikaga jiliwa ja gulya chiza bhuli ng’waka aha kaya yakwe yiniyo, kunguno ya bhutungilija bhokwe bhunubho ubho gwigulambija gugutumama chiza unimo gokwe gunuyo, umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nu nhimi uyo olilimilaga chiza iligembe lyakwe mpaga lya ng’wenhela jiliwa aha kaya yakwe, kunguno nuweyi agagudimilaga chiza unimo gokwe gunuyo bho gwigulambija gugutumama chiza mpaga opandika jiliwa ja gulya chiza aha kaya yakwe yiniyo, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene agayombaga giki, “igembe nagema ng’welele.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na bhutungilija bho gwigulambija guyitumama chiza imilimo yabho iyo igabhenhelaga jiliwa, kugiki bhadule gupandika sabho ja gutumamila chiza umukaya jabho jinijo, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Mwanzo 3:19.

Mithali 24:27.

KISWAHILI: JEMBE NIMEJARIBU MTOTO MCHANGA

Hapo zamani alikuwepo mkulima aliyelimia jembe la mkono. Mkuliwa huyo alilitegemea jembe lake hilo kwa sababu ya kulilimia vizuri mpaka linamletea chakula kwenye familia yake. Yeye alilishikilia vizuri jembe hilo kama anavyobeba mtoto mchanga, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana alisema kwamba, “jembe nimejaribu mtoto mchanga.”

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye hujikaza kuifanya vizuri kazi ile ambayo humletea chakula, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huishikilia kazi yake hiyo kwa kuwafundisha watu juu ya kujibidisha kuitekeleza vizuri mpaka inawapatia chakula, kwa sababu ya uaminifu wake huo, maishani mwake. Yeye hupata chakula cha kula vizuri kila mwaka kwenye familia yake kwa sababu ya uaminifu wake huo wa kujibidisha kuitekeleza vizuri kazi yake hiyo, katika maisha yake hayo.

Mtu huyo hufanana na yule mkulima aliyelilimia vizuri jembe lake mpaka likamletea chakula kwenye familia yake, kwa sababu naye hujibidisha kuitekeleza vizuri kazi yake hiyo mpaka inamletea chakula cha kula kila mwaka kwenye familia yake, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana yeye husema kwamba, “jembe nimejaribu mtoto mchanga.”

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uaminifu wa kujibidisha kuzitekeleza vizuri kazi zao zinazowaletea chakula, ili waweze kupata mali za kutumia vizuri katika familia zao, maishani mwao.

Mwanzo 3:19.

Mithali 24:27.

ENGLISH: A HOE HAS TESTED A BABY.

Once upon a time, there was a farmer who cultivated farms by using a hand hoe. This farmer relied on his hoe because it worked well until it brought food to his family. He held the hoe tightly like he was carrying a baby, in his life. That is why he said that, “a hoe has tested a baby.”

This saying is equaled to a person who strives to do well the work that brings him food, in his life. Such person holds on to his work by teaching people about working hard enough to do it well until it provides them with food, because of his loyalty, in his life. He gets good food to eat every year for his family because of his loyalty to work hard enough to finish well his work in his life.

This person resembles the farmer who cultivated his farm until it brought food to his family, because he also strives to carry out his work well until it brings food to his family every year, in his life. That is why he says that, “a hoe has tested a baby.”

This proverb teaches people about being honest enough to carry out their work well that brings them food, so that they can obtain wealth for using well in their families, in their lives.

Genesis 3:19.

Proverbs 24:27.

1409. NASUGAMBAGA NASUMBYAGA MAKONO.

Olihoyi munhu uyo wikalaga muchalo ja Wimate. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikenya na ng’wiye uyo bhali bhuzenganwa nanghwe kunguno ya gwishogeja shib’i. Uweyi agiyangula gulomba bhulekejiwa ukuli ng’wiye ng’wunuyo. Hunagwene agayomba giki, “nasugambaga nasumbyaga makono.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alina widohya bho gulomba bhulekejiwa ulu ohubhaga, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agalombaga bhulekejiwa ulu widumaga nabhiye kunguno ya widohya bhokwe bhunubho ubho gwikala chiza nabhiye, umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agayilelaga chiza ikaya yakwe kunguno ya widohya bhokwe ubho gwikala chiza na bhanhu bhakwe bhunubho, umukikalile kakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agalomba bhulekejiwa aho widuma nu nzenganwa okwe, kunguno nuweyi alina widohya bho kulomba bhulekejiwa ukubhiye ulu widumaga nabho, umuwikaji bhobho. Hunagwene agayombaga giki, “nasugambaga nasumbyaga makono.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na widohya bho gwikala na bhanhu chiza na gulomba bhulekejiwa ukubhichabho ulu bhidumaga nabho, kugiki bhadule gujilela chiza ikaya jabho jinijo, umuwikaji bhobho.

Hebabu 14:19.

Zaburi 78:38.

Mathayo 6:12.

Mathayo 6:15.

Luka 15:3-7.

Luka 17:4.

KISWAHILI: NIMEPIGA MAGOTI NAKUFUMBA MIKONO.

Alikuwepo mtu aliyeishi kwenye kijiji cha Wimate. Mtu huyo aligombana na mwenzake aliyekuwa jirani yake kwa sababu ya kujibizana vibaya. Yeye aliamua kuomba msamaha kwa mwenzake huyo. Ndiyo maana alisema kwamba, “nimepiga magoti nakufumba mikono.”

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ana unyeyekevu wa kuomba msamaha anapokosea, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huomba msamaha anapokesana na wenzake kwa sababu ya unyenyekevu wake huo wa kuishi vizuri na wenzake, maishani mwake. Yeye huilea vyema familia yake kwa sababu ya unyenyekevu wake huo wa kuishi vizuri na watu wake, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyeomba msamaha alipokosana na jirani yake, kwa sababu naye ana unyenyekevu wa kuomba msamaha kwa wenzake anakosana nao. Ndiyo maana husema kwamba, “nimepiga magoti nakufumba mikono.”

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na unyenyekevu wa kuishi na watu vizuri na kuomba msamaha kwa wenzao wanakosana, ili waweze kuzilea vyema familia zao, maishani mwao.

Hebabu 14:19.

Zaburi 78:38.

Mathayo 6:12.

Mathayo 6:15.

Luka 15:3-7.

Luka 17:4.

ENGLISH: I HAVE KNELT DOWN AND FOLDED MY HANDS.

There was a man who lived in the village of Wimate. This man had a fight with his neighbor because of evil argument. He decided to apologize to his neighbor. That is why he said that, “I have knelt down and folded my hands.”

This saying is related to a person who has humility to apologize when he makes a mistake in his life. Such person apologizes when he makes a mistake with his friends because of his humility to live well with his friends in his life. He takes virtuous care of his family because of his humility to live well with his people in his life.

This person is like the one who apologized when he made a mistake with his neighbor, because he also has the humility to apologize to his friends with whom he makes a mistake. That is why he says that, “I have knelt down and folded my hands.”

This saying teaches people about being humble by living well with people and asking for forgiveness from their earls who have differences, so that they can raise their families well, in their lives.

Hebrews 14:19.

Psalm 78:38.

Matthew 6:12.

Matthew 6:15.

Luke 15:3-7.

Luke 17:4.

1399. NAJIKANDILE JUMONDA.

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ihoyelile bhukandi bho bhusu bho ngano. Olihoyi munhu uyo okandaga bhusu bho ngano ub’o bhugakandwa mpaga bhomonda na wigelelwa guzugwa mandazi, chapati na migate. Hunagwene umunhu ng’wunuyo agayombaga giki “najikandandilile jumonda.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alindamu ugutumama milimo yakwe, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agigulambijaga gutumama milimo yakwe bho nguvu ningi na bhukamu bhutale kunguno ya bhutungilija bhokwe mpaga onamhala naonaga lulu uguitumama imilimo yiniyo. Uweyi agapandikaga matwajo mingi aha kaya yakwe kunguno ya bhukamu bhunubho ubho gutumama milimo yakwe bho nguvu ningi, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nuyo agakanda bhusu bho ngano mpaga bhumonda bho gwikoma guzugwa mandazi, chapati na migate, kunguno nuweyi agatumamaga milimo yakwe mpaga opandika matwajo mingi, umuwikaji bhokwe. “hunagwene agayombaga giki, “najikandile jumonda.”

Akahahile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na bhutungilija bho gwigulambija gutumama milimo yabho bho nguvu ningi, kugiki bhadule kupandika matwajo gagubhambilija ugujibheja chiza ikaya jabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Yahana 21:18.

KISWAHILI: NIMEUKANDA UKALAINIKA.

Chanzo cha msemo huo huongelea juu ya unga wa ngano. Alikuwepo mtu aliyekuwa akitengeneza unga huo wa ngano kwa kuukanda mpaka ukalainika kiasi cha kutosha kutumika kwa kupikia maandazi, chapati na mikate. Ndiyo maana alisema kwamba, “nimeukanda ukalainika.”

Msemo huo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni mkakamavu wa kufanya kazi katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hujibidisha kufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu nyingi na kwa bidii kubwa kwa sababu ya uaminifu wake huo, mpaga anazeeka ndipo anachoka kuzifanya kazi hizo. Yeye hupata mafanikio mengi katika familia yake kwa sababu ya bidii yake hiyo ya kufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu nyingi, maishani mwake.

Mtu huyo hufanana na yule aliyekanda unga wa ngano mpaga ukalainika kiasi chakutosha kutumika kwa kupikia maandazi, chapati na mikate, kwa sababu naye hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu mpaka anapata mafanikio mengi maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana yeye husema kwamba, “nimeukanda ukalainika.”

Msemo huo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uaminifu wa kujibidisha kuyatekeleza majukumu yao kwa nguvu nyingi, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi ya kuwasaidia katika kuziendeleza vizuri familia zao, maishani mwao.

Yahana 21:18.

ENGLISH: “I KNEADED IT UNTIL IT WAS SOFT.”

The origin of this saying is about wheat flour. There was a person who was making wheat flour by kneading it until it was soft enough to be used for baking buns, and bread. That is why he said that, “I kneaded it until it was soft.”

This saying is matched to a person who is hardworking in his life. This person, exerts himself to do his work with great strength and diligence because of his loyalty, when he gets old he gets tired of doing those jobs. He achieves a lot of success in his family because of his diligence in doing his works with great strength, in his life.

This person resembles the one who kneaded wheat flour until it was soft enough to be used for baking buns, and bread, because he also works hard until he achieves a lot of success in his life. That is why he says that, “I kneaded it until it was soft.”

This saying instills in people a clue of being honest and hard working enough to nicely fulfill their responsibilities, so that they can achieve countless successes which can help them in developing their family lives.

John 21:18.