Joe Healey

PROF. FR. CHARLES NYAMITI INTERVIEW.

REV. PROV. CHARLES NYAMITI

         This is a brilliant interview in English with Marehemu Padri Charles Nyamiti. Please watch it carefully.

       I am writing to ALL my Sukuma friends – bishops, priests, seminarians. And to some theologian friends.

      I am asking: how serious are YOU about inculturation in Sukumaland – both theory and practice. How serious are YOU about African Inculturation Theology and African Narrative Theology.  I am reminded of the words of Nyamiti: “We need to identify the universal values in African proverbs and sayings and reinterpret them in a modern way.”

SUKUMA INCULTURATED PRAYER

       

           During his missionary ministry in Shinyanga Diocese, Tanzania, Marehemu Padri Don Sybertz collected many prayers of the Sukuma people such as this prayer:

        “Look on your child and heal him or her. When? Today. May your child give birth. When? Today. May the rain come. When? Today. May our cows give birth? When? Today. May we have well-being both in body and soul. When? Today. May all that is bad in our lives be thrown into the lake and be eaten by the crocodiles. May we live in peace. And may you God, the “All Powerful One,” please help us.”

A Christian version of this prayer is: “May Jesus Christ our ancestor and healing guest who ‘is able for all time to save those who come to God through him’ (Hebrews 7:25) heal us soul and body. When? Today.” Amen.

SYBERTZ’S VIDEO (BIOGRAPHY OF REVEREND DONALD F. SYBERTZ’, MM 1928-2020).

BIOGRAPHY OF REVEREND DONALD F SYBERTZ, MM. 1928-2020.

  Father Donald F. Sybertz, M.M, died on Sunday, 19 April, 2020 at the Assisted Living Center at Maryknoll, New York, USA.  He was 91 years old and a Maryknoll priest for 64 years.

          Donald Francis Sybertz was born 23 July, 1928, in North Weymouth, Massachusetts, the son of Frank W. and Helen Bronder Sybertz.  He had three sisters and one brother.  He attended Bicknell Elementary School and Weymouth High School (where he played second base on the varsity baseball team) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Boston College before entering Maryknoll in September, 1950.

          After his ordination in 1955, Father Sybertz was assigned to Maswa-Shinyanga, Tanzania, where he served in the Kilulu mission in Shinyanga Diocese, the plains region of northern Tanzania.  Father Sybertz built the first home there to provide shelter and care for aged persons lacking families and housing.  He was later assigned to Gula Parish, a large sprawling parish undergoing expansion geographically as well as in the number of parishioners.  Eventually the parish was divided into several parishes, and Father Sybertz moved from Gula to Mwanahuzi and developed that center into a separate parish.

          Over the years, Father Sybertz was one of the Maryknollers most proficient in the Sukuma language.  His facility in the language, interest in the culture and knowledge of how to inculturate Christianity among the Sukuma people led him into a continuing study of how to relate Scripture and the African wisdom proverbs, sayings, stories and parables of the people. This study resulted in the publication of several books in Swahili, Sukuma and English as evangelization materials for the Tanzanian Church.

          Don Sybertz spent a lifetime (1955 to 2020) researching, writing about and using Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverbs. So far there are 19 Sukuma “African Proverbs of the Month” on our African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories Website (www.afriprov.org). Some of his favorites:

  1. June,1998: I pointed out to you the stars (the moon) and all you saw was the tip of my finger. NOTE: This was our very first proverb on our website.
  2. October, 2003: The hen with baby chicks doesn’t swallow the worm.
  3. February 2014: The hoes of two people cultivating together in a field sometimes clash (hit) against each other.
  4. October, 2018: The salesperson (seller or merchant) does not have only one door.
  5. February, 2019: The medicine for a rising river is to go back.
  6. October, 2019: Even an elephant, that is, an important person, can be sent.

These and many other Sukuma proverbs and stories are published in Joseph Healey and Donald Sybertz, Towards an African Narrative Theology, (Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa, 1996 (1st Reprint 1996, 2nd Reprint 1997, 3rd Reprint 2000, 4th Reprint 2005, 5th Reprint 2012) and Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1997, (many reprints, New Cover 2012). Available as an Ebook on Amazon (for Kindle) and Google.

Orbis Books Website:

https://www.orbisbooks.com/towards-an-african-narrative-theology.htmlPaulines Publications Africa Website

http://e.paulinesafrica.org/index.php/book/bookDetails/223

All this research and writing culminated in the creation of the:

Sukuma Legacy Project Website

https://sukumalegacy.org

The Sukuma Legacy Project promotes the history, culture, oral literature —  Proverbs, Sayings, Riddles, Stories, Myths  and Songs — and visual representations of the Sukuma People in Tanzania in East Africa. There are various examples of SCCs and community values. This website is dedicated to Father Don Sybertz, MM who stayed among the Sukuma people for over 50 years in Shinyanga Diocese. While staying in Ndoleleji Parish he researched the rich folklore and culture of the people. See a short film about Sybertz HERE. The research committee that he created at Ndoleleji Parish (known as the Kamati ya Utafiti) is still working up to today.

Paulines Publications Africa Website
http://e.paulinesafrica.org/index.php/book/bookDetails/223

Amazon Website:
https://www.amazon.com/Towards-African-Narrat…/…/ref=sr_1_1…

Google Books Website:
https://books.google.co.ke/books…

Reflects what traditional African proverbs, sayings, stories and songs used in Christian catechetical, liturgical, and ritual contexts reveal about Tanzania, and about all of Africa. Includes appropriations of, and interpretations of, Christianity in Africa.

Chapter Three on “African Christology” is called “Jesus Chief Diviner-Healer and Eldest Brother-Intercessor” and Chapter Four on “African Ecclesiology” is called “Church as the Extended Family of God.” It includes sections on: “African Metaphors of Church.” “Communion Ecclesiology from An African Perspective.” “Trinitarian Communion Ecclesiology.” “We Are the Church.” “Theology of Small Christian Communities as a New Way of Being Church.” “Ecclesiology of Church-as-Family.” “African Communion Ecclesiology and Pastoral Inculturation.”

          Father Sybertz spent his entire missionary career in Tanzania. He served as Pastor of the Mwanahuzi Catholic Church until it was turned over to a diocesan priest.

          Although Father Sybertz was given Senior Missioner Status in the Africa Region in 2001, he continued to work full time in Maryknoll’s inculturation and evangelization apostolate in Shinyanga, Tanzania.

          In 2015, Father Sybertz was assigned to the Senior Missioner Community and took up residence at Maryknoll, New York. He was appointed to the Mission St. Teresa’s Prayer Partners Team in 2016.

            Don was a huge sports fan – following closely every Boston, Massachusetts, USA team. He was a good winner and a good loser. We had a lot of fun over years talking sports. Sports was second to spirituality in his priorities. Years ago Don and I traveled to Ethiopia, Amsterdam and on to Newark. The first night home we stayed at my brother and sister-in-law’s house in New Vernon, NJ. After arriving at their house, within minutes the first thing we did was start watching the Red Sox – Orioles playoff game on TV! Don never got tired of baseball.

Many stories have grown up around Marehemu Padri Don Sybertz. Here is one: When Maryknoll priest Father Ed Hayes, Maryknoll Lay Missioner Susan Nagele and Maryknoll priest Father Joe Healey were preparing for the 1990 Maryknoll Society General Chapter we distributed a written questionnaire in the Tanzania Region. All answered but two Maryknoll Society Members including Father Don Sybertz who was “notorious” for never answering anything. After a weekend of a Red Sox – Yankee baseball series, I called Don in Ndoleleji Parish, Shinyanga from Musoma on the radio call phone system that we had between parishes.  For all to hear I said, “Don, I will give you the results of the Red Sox games only if you promise to send in your questionnaire.” He answered, “I promise,” for all to hear. Then I gave him the results of the Red Sox winning two games to one.

The next day he sent in his questionnaire! baseball series, I called Don in Ndoleleji Parish, Shinyanga from Musoma on the radio call phone system that we had between parishes. For all to hear I said, “Don, I will give you the results of the Red Sox games only if you promise to send in your questionnaire.” He answered, “I promise,” for all to hear. Then I gave him the results of the Red Sox winning two games to one. The next day he sent in his questionnaire!baseball series, I called Don in Ndoleleji Parish, Shinyanga from Musoma on the radio call phone system that we had between parishes. For all to hear I said, “Don, I will give you the results of the Red Sox games only if you promise to send in your questionnaire.” He answered, “I promise,” for all to hear. Then I gave him the results of the Red Sox winning two games to one. The next day he sent in his questionnaire!

            Father Sybertz was the brother of the late Dolores Hoyt, Loretta Sybertz, Ruth Hyland and Norbert Sybertz.  Father Sybertz is survived by many loving nieces and nephews and his extended family in Tanzania to whom he devoted his life.

          A Funeral Mass (Mass of Christian Burial) was celebrated in Queen of Apostles Chapel at Maryknoll, NY on 23 April, 2020 at 11:15 a.m.  Father Michael Snyder, M.M., was Celebrant. Father Daniel Ohmann was homilist and Father Edward Davis read the biography, Scripture and the Oath.  Burial followed in the Maryknoll Society Cemetery.

In the Memorial Mass for Marehemu Don Sybertz, Mwana Helena, in Nairobi, Kenya on 23 April, 2020 we tried to inculturate some Sukuma values in the liturgy. The “Prayer of the Faithful” ended with:”…in the name of Jesus Christ, our Eldest Brother/Chief Intercessor.” This is the Sukuma people’s name for Jesus Christ. It is the eldest brother, the firstborn male who offers sacrifice to the one God in the Sukuma Ethnic Group tradition. Compare Colossians 1:15: the beloved Son who is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” We used Preface III of Easter on the theme: “Christ living and always interceding for us.” It includes the words: “Christ never ceases to offer himself for us, but defends us and even pleads our cause before God.”

In this Memorial Mass we had a Dialog Homily when the homilist promoted interaction with the congregation participants using questions, invitation to make comments, proverbs and sayings (first and second parts) and open discussion. This was Don Sybertz’s favorite way of preaching. More of a conversational style. Example: Don: “I pointed out to you the stars (the moon)…Congregation: and all you saw was the tip of my finger.”

Some tributes: “We pray for and with our dear Marehemu Padri Don Sybertz, MM. He is now one of our ancestors in Christ, one of our “living dead.” The Sukuma people in Shinyanga Diocese, Tanzania loved him very much and called him the endearing name “Mwana Helena” (‘Child or Son of Helena’) after his mother.” “Padri Don Sybertz’s other Sukuma name was LUKALANGESE that means the one who finishes all the weeds in his field. Meaning: Take away all that is against the will of God in one’s life and put into practice the Lord’s commandments. Don prepared nicely his spiritual life by putting into practice the teachings of Jesus. That is why we consider him as a “Saint.” He also helped others in weeding their fields that spiritually means developing their lives by living according the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. He taught us on how to live a holy life.” “He was a living saint. What a blessing to have known him. Enjoy your heavenly reward.” “Raha ya milele umpe ee Bwana. Na mwanga wa milele umwangazie.” “Pole sana mwanajumuia Ng’wana Helena ametuaga yangu juzi tunatoa mistakes ajili yake Mungu ampokee. Kazi zake njema zimpeleke kwa Baba akayaone yale aliyotamani kuyaona.  Namatumai ikwamba ataiobea kazi yetu ya utafiti. Siku ya mzishi yake nitaongoza misa hapa kwetu.” “May the good Lord rest his soul in heaven. This is yet another African elder who has left us. Fr. Don pumzika kwa amani.”

“His co-edited book on African Narrative Theology was a wonderful resource to tie in

with scripture reflection in Tanzania. Helped bring the readings to everyday life.” I never met Padre Don, but this book was a great tool for me and my friends when we were studying theology at Hekima College. Even now as a communicator this is a great resource to appreciate our ancestors’ practical wisdom.” “Going through the African proverbs work, Father Don Sybertz really liked and invested his time in the proverbs collections and in sharing. A lot of work and enthusiasm in the project is truly seen.” Yes, Don was a great missionary. I remember him from the time that I was working in Shinyanga, and later from the Sukuma research. Accept my condolences  to you and your confreres. May Don rest in peace.” “He was committed to the SCCs Model of Church and promoted SCCs in his ministry of evangelization in Shinyanga Diocese, Tanzania. He integrated Sukuma proverbs and stories into his SCCs ministry as part of inculturation.” “My heart hurt yesterday when I heard this news. I bet I can tell some great Sybertz stories too. He was a faith filled priest. I will miss him.” “We can honor Don by promoting the Sukuma Legacy Project.”

“You and Don had unconditional love and esteem for the African culture and people. Together you compiled African verses. You both spent a life time in East Africa. Don loved what he was doing each day out in the bush. Several year ago, I visited Don and his brother when he was staying with his family in Weymouth, Massachusetts. His niece and family lived next door. It was a wonderful Sybertz compound. His brother also has passed away. Don never forgot his roots namely, New England, Weymouth, Boston College, Red Sox and Patriots. He never lost his enthusiasm for the games. Perhaps these and other aspects of his life made you and Don soulmates and at the same time adversaries in the world of sports. Don witnessed to us all what is the very best of a Maryknoll vocation. Now he has finished the race, may he receive the prize of eternal life and sit at the heavenly table with many friends from Tanzania who went before him.” “We loved Don very much. He will always have a special place in our hearts.”

During his last years Don would listen to St. Therese of Lisieux’s famous book Story of a Soul on his Alexa listening device given to him by his niece. In these sorrowful times we can be consoled by the words of St. Therese of Lisieux on her deathbed: “I am not dying. I am entering into eternal life.” RIP

Complied and edited by:

Rev. Joseph G. Healey, MM
Maryknoll Society
P.O. Box 43058
00100 Nairobi, Kenya

0723-362-993 (Safaricom, Kenya)

973-216-4997 (AT&T, USA)

Email: JGHealey@aol.com

WhatsApp: 1+ 973-216-4997

Skype: joseph-healey

Don SYBERTZ WITH Fr. Daniel

719. LING’WAKA MI, LYANG’WANA NCHEMBE.

“Matondo, Ng’wana Nchembe, oli ningi nkumuku uyo agasekwa kunguno ya bhugokolo bhokwe, na ningi ng’wiye Sengwa, ng’wana Jibishi uyo agimba: “Nagudula ginehe uguhoyela higulya ya ng’waka go nduhu mbula.

Makanza gose gali sawa ukuli weyi unduguone “Ung’wana Nchembe.” Ukuli weyi nduhu ubhuheke ahagati ya mbula ningi ni nduhu mbula. Uweyi adina lubhango, pye ishigu jili ja nduhu mbula.

Iligembe ugalibhonelaga soni ndugu one “Ng’wana Nchembe.” Nulu mpini adamanile ugugudima  inyagosha, ubhugokolo udikumiligijage. Uguleka gulimana ilikanza lya nduhu mbula, udafaile gose gose, ndugu one Ng’wana Nchembe!” Lolaga Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, ukurasa 93.

Ijitabho jinijo jigandikwa na Kamati ya Utafiti wa Utamaduni Bujora, ijojigahaririwa na bhakengeji bha: Padri Donald Sybertz, M.M., na Padri Joseph Healey M.M., na guchapishiwa na Benedictine Pubhications Ndanda – Peramiho, 1993.

“Untaguso Untale go Vaticano ya Kabhili gokomelejaga bhanhu gutumama milimo bho bhukamu: “Bhazunya yigelelilwe bhishugulishe na guyiregebisha idunia yiniyi ibhize ipande liza lya gwikala” (Bhutume bho Bhalei).

Ubhugokolo bhodalahagwa na bhanhu guti Ng’wana Nchembe umo agadarahilwa na ningi ng’wiye Ung’wana Jibishi. Hangi bholemilwe nu Mulungu.

Umu bhupangi bho ng’wa Mulungu yili higulya yakwe bhuli munhu ugutumama milimo kubhukamu kugiki atimije uwajibhu ubho winhiwa gufumila kuli Mulungu. Nimo gose gose uyo duligutumama guli na solobho ya heke ukubhise nu ku miso ga ng’wa Mulungu.” Lolaga Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, ukurasa 94.

Mwanzo 2:15.

Mhubiri 11:4.

Mithali 6:9.

2Wathesalonike 3:10.

KISWAHILI: MWAKA MBAYA WA NG’WANA NCHEMBE.

“Matondo, mwana Nchembe, Manju maarufu alichekwa kwa sababu ya uvivu wake na Mangu mwenzie Sengwa, mwana Jibishi akiimba: “Nitawezaje kujadili juu ya mwaka wa ukame.

Majira yote ni sawa kwake ndugu “Ng’wana Nchembe.” Kwake hakuna tofauti, kati ya neema na ukame. Yeye hakuna Baraka, siku zote ni ukame. Jembe hulionea soni (aibu) ndugu yangu “Ng’wana Nchembe.”

Wala mpini hajui kuushika kianaume, uvivu usijivunie. Kutotambua ukame, hufai kitu chochote, rafiki yangu “Ng’wana Nchembe!” Rejea Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, ukurasa 93.

Kitabu hicho, kiliandikwa na Kamati ya Utafiti wa utamaduni Bujora, kilichohaririwa na watafiti: Padri Donald Sybertz, M.M., na Padri Joseph Healey M.M., na kuchapishwa na Benedictine Pubhications Ndanda – Peramiho, 1993.

“Mtaguso Mkuu wa Vatikano wa Pili umewahimiza watu kufanya kazi kwa bidii: “Waumini hawana budi kujishughulisha na kuirekebisha dunia hii iwe mahali pazuri pa kuishi” (Utume wa Walei).

Uzembe umedharauliwa na watu kama mwana Nchembe alivyodharauliwa na Manju mwenzake mwana Jibishi. Tena umekataliwa na Mungu. Katika mpango wa Mungu ni juu yake kila mtu kufanya kazi kwa bidii ili atimize wajibu aliopewa kutoka kwa Mungu. Kazi yoyote tunayofanya inayo thamani ya pekee kwetu na machoni mwa Mungu.” Rejea Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, ukurasa 94.

Mwanzo 2:15. “BWANA Mungu akamchukua huyo mtu akamweka kwenye Bustani ya Edeni ailime na kuitunza.”

Mhubiri 11:4. “Ye yote atazamaye upepo hatapanda, ye yote aangaliaye mawingu hatavuna.”

Mithali 6:9. “Ewe mvivu, utalala hata lini?  Utaamka lini kutoka katika usingizi wako?”

2Wathesalonike 3:10. “Kwa maana hata tulipokuwa pamoja nanyi, tuliwapa amri ili kwamba: ‘‘Mtu ye yote asiyetaka kufanya kazi, wala asile.””

festival.1

people-

festival.2

festival.4

 

ENGLISH: THE BAD YEAR OF NCHEMBE’S SON.

Nchembe’s son, the famous traditional singer, was laughed at by his fellow traditional singer,  Jibishi’ son, through the song: ” How can I discuss the year of drought?

According to Nchembe’s son, all seasons of the years are the same. To him there is no difference between grace and drought. Also, to him, there is no blessing; the world is full of drought. He feels ashamed of touching a hoe.

Nchembe’s son is futher described as someone who cannot handle well his hoe to demonstrate that he is not masculine enough to dig for his family. Failure to know the seasons of year makes Nchembe’s son appear as someone who doesn’t fit in the society (Refer to Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, which means ‘Discovering the Seed of the Gospel,’ page 93).

This book was written by the Bujora Cultural Research Committee, edited by researchers: Patriarch Donald Sybertz, M.M., and Patriarch Joseph Healey M.M., and published by Benedictine Publications, Ndanda – Peramiho, 1993.

The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican urged people to work hard:” Believers must work to make this world a better place to live ”(Apostolate of the Laity ).

Negligence is despised by people as Nchembe’s son was despised by his fellow Jibishi’s son. It’s In God’s plan for everyone of us to work hard to fulfill our God-given responsibilities. Any work we do has a special value to us and in God’s eyes (See ‘Discovering Gospel Seeds,’ page 94).

Genesis 2:15. Ecclesiastes 11: 4. Proverbs 6: 9. 2Thessalonians 3:10

718. NG’WANA JITALE.

“Ng’wana Jitale oliotolwa na mbehi umo umu kaya nhale yabhana bhadoo bhingi. Igigela giki, Ung’wana Jitale bhuduma ugwitogwa na nina bhukwi okwe. Unina bhukwi agancholela nzila ya gumpegeja. Bhuli ikanza ulubhalitenga ijiliwa, Ung’wana Jitale winhiwagwa wasa bho heke bho gwigasha bihi na nnengelo ya minzi. Ahikanza lya gulya, abhana bhenabho abhadoo abha ha kaya yiniyo inhale bhankoyaga noyi umamu ng’wunuyo, bhogunomba bhuli ikanza, bhaliyomba, “Ng’wana Jitale minzi, ng’wana jitale minzi.”

Giko uweyi adadulile ugupandika uwasa bho gulya mpaga jushila ijiliwa. Yubhiza giko bhuli lushiku. Ung’wana Jitale agazonga nose ukonda. Ungoshi, o ng’wana Jitale, aho obhona giki ihali yanke iligaluka, agabhiza na bhuyangi umumoyo aliyomba, “Ginehe nke one bhuli ihali yako yilimana yubhiza mbi? Ni bhuli ulikonda? Ehe, udigutaga?” Ung’wana Jitale nang’hwe agashosha, “unene nalinhola.”

Kugiki abhupandike ubhunhana bho nke umo bhuli, agapandika masala, agapundula ipundu ahandugu ya numba kugiki apandike gukengela iginhu ijo jigitiyagwa ahikanza lya gulya. Aho jatengwa ijiliwa, ungoshi, o ng’wana Jitale, agibhanda ahahanze ya ndugu, ukungila na gukengela umugati ya numba bho gubhitila ahipundu. Huna ubadija igiki unke oliotulwa bho makala aha bihi ni nengelo ya minzi, kugiki pye ilikanza amane utung’wa na gukoyiya, bho nduhu upandika ilikanza ilya gulya mpaga jashila ijiliwa.

Ungoshi aho omana chene, agapelana. Huna bhiyangula gusama aha kaya na gwizugila. Ukukaya yabho imhya, uweyi kihamo nu nke bhagayulya chiza. Ihali ya nke igagaluka, ubhelela na gugina.” Lolaga Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, ukurasa 83-  84.

Ijitabho jinijo jigandikwa na Kamati ya Utafiti wa Utamaduni Bujora, ijojigahaririwa na bhakengeji bha: Padri Donald Sybertz, M.M., na Padri Joseph Healey M.M., na guchapishiwa na Benedictine Pubhications Ndanda – Peramiho, 1993.

“Umu jigano jise dabhona umu unkoshi o ng’wana Jitale oliantogelilwe unke. Agamonela isungu unke umu likoye lyakwe. Wiyangula gulekana na bhabyaji bhakwe kugiki bhizugile bhinikili.

Hi giko dabhona numo ung’wana Jitale oliodula gwiyumilija umugukoyiwa nu nina bhukwi okwe kunguno ya kuntogwa ungoshi. Agalema gete ugulekana nanghwe. Agabhona ili hambo hambo ugupandikwa ni koye na bhukoyiwa kukila ugubhubhinza uwitoji.

Ijigano jiniji jilidulanga bhutogwa bhushikanu umu witoji. Jilidulanga gutimo abhanhu abhabhili umu witogi bhagadula gwitogwa, idi umubhuyeji duhu, aliyo numu makoye na bhuluhi.

Hangi ijigano jiniji jilidulanga higulya ya bhulumani wise nu Yesu, “Bhuliho bhunhana ubhowibhisile umu mihayo yiniyi, nane alibhona giki yilinola Kristo ni kelesia lyakwe (Waefeso 5:32).

Mulungu B’ab’a agadulumanya ayise bhose abho dabhatijiwa mugati yakwe uYesu Kristo. Yadudakila gwikala mubhutogwa bhokwe bho nduhu ugwilekanya nanghwe nulu mulikanza lya gugeng’wa.

Umu kaya jise abhatoji na bhatolwa bhabhize bhanhu bha gwivumilia na gwitogwa no no ahi kanza ilya makoye guti ga bha Ng’wana Jitale nu ngoshi.” Lolaga Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, ukurasa 84-85.

Mwanzo 2:23.

Marko 10:6-9.

Waefeso 5:25, 31-33.

Waroma 8:35-37.

KISWAHILI: BINTI JITALE.

“Binti Jitale aliolewa na bwana mmoja katika jamii kubwa yenye watoto wagodo wengi. Ikatokea Binti Jitale hawakupendana na mama mkwe wake. Mama mkwe akatafuta njia ya kumfukuza. Kila walipoandalia chakula, Binti Jitale  alipewa nafasi maalum ya kukaa karibu na mtungi wa maji. Wakati wa kula, watoto hao wadogo wa jamii hiyo kubwa walimsumbua sana mama huyu, wakimwomba kila mara, wakisema, “Binti Jitale maji, Binti Jitale maji.”

Hivyo yeye hakuweza kupata nafasi ya kula hadi mwisho wa chakula. Ikawa hivyo kila siku. Binti Jitale akawa akisononeka na hatimaye kukonda. Mumewe, Binti Jitale, alipoona hali ya mkewe inazidi kubadilika, akapatwa na wasiwasi moyoni akisema, “Vipi mke wangu, hali yako inazidi kuwa mbaya? Mbona unakonda? Je, hushibi?” Binti Jitale naye akajibu aksisema, “Mimi sijambo.”

Ili kupata ukweli wa hali halisi, akapata maarifa, akatoboa ufa ukuta wa nyumba ili apate kuchunguza mambo yaliyokuwa yakitendeka wakati wa kula. Pindi chakula kilipoandaliwa, mumewe, Binti Jitale, akawa anabana nje ukutani, akivizia na kuchungulia ndani ya nyumba kwa tundu la ufa. Ndipo alipong’amua kwamba mkewe aliwekwa makusudi karibu na mtungi wa maji, ili daima apate kutumwatumwa na kusumbuliwa, bila kupata muda wa kula hadi mwisho wa chakula.

Mumewe alipokwisha fahamu vile, akakasirika. Ndipo walipoamua kuhama nyumbani na kujitegemea. Huko katika maskani yao mapya, yeye pamoja na mkewe walianza kula vizuri. Hali ya mkewe ikabadilika, akanawiri na kunenepa.” Rejea Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, ukurasa 83 – 84.

Kitabu hicho, kiliandikwa na Kamati ya Utafiti wa utamaduni Bujora, kilichohaririwa na watafiti: Padri Donald Sybertz, M.M., na Padri Joseph Healey M.M., na kuchapishwa na Benedictine Pubhications Ndanda – Peramiho, 1993.

“Katika hadithi yetu tunaona jinsi mumewe Binti Jitale alivyompenda mkewe. Akamwonea huruma mkewe katika shida yake. Akaamua kutengana na wazazi wake ili wajitegemee wenyewe.

Kadhalika tunaona jinsi Binti Jitale alivyoweza kuvumilia katika kusumbuliwa na mama mkwe wake kwa sababu ya kumpenda mumewe. Akakataa kabisa kuachana naye. Akaona ni afadhali kupatwa na shida na usumbufu kuliko kuvunja ndoa.

Hadithi hii inatufundisha upendo kamili katika ndoa. Inatufundisha kama watu wawili katika ndoa waliweza kupendana, siyo katika furaha tu, bali katika shida na usumbufu.

Tena hadithi hii inatufundisha juu ya ushusiano wetu na Yesu, “Kuna ukweli uliofichika katika maneno haya, nami naona kwamba yamhusu Kristo na kanisa lake (Waefeso 5:32).”

Mungu Baba alituunganisha sisi sote tuliobatizwa ndani yake Yesu kristo. Yatupasa kukaa katika upendo wake bila kujitenga naye hata wakati wa majaribio.

Katika familia zetu mabwana na mabibi arusi wawe watu wa kuvumiliana na kupendana hasa wakati wa shida kama walivyofanya Binti Jitale na mumewe.” Rejea Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, ukurasa 84-85.

Mwanzo 2:23. “Huyo mwanaume akasema, “Huyu sasa ni mfupa wa mifupa yangu na nyama ya nyama yangu, ataitwa ‘mwanamke,’ kwa kuwa alitolewa katika mwanaume.’”

Marko 10:6-9. “Lakini tangu mwanzo wa uumbaji, ‘Mungu aliwaumba mume na mke. Kwa sababu hii mwanaume atamwacha baba yake na mama yake na kuambatana na mkewe na hao wawili, watakuwa mwili mmoja.’ Kwa hiyo hawatakuwa wawili tena bali mwili mmoja. Basi, alichokiunganisha Mungu, mwanadamu asikitenganishe.””

Waefeso 5:25, 31-33. “Ninyi waume, wapendeni wake zenu, kama vile Kristo alivyolipenda Kanisa akajitoa kwa ajili yake. Siri hii ni kubwa, bali mimi nanena kuhusu Kristo na Kanisa. Hata hivyo, kila mmoja wenu ampende mkewe kama anavyoipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, naye mke lazima amheshimu mumewe.”

Waroma 8:35-37. “Ni nani atakayetutenga na upendo wa Kristo? Je, ni shida au taabu au mateso au njaa au uchi au hatari au upanga?  Kama ilivyoandikwa: “Kwa ajili yako tunauawa mchana kutwa, tumehesabiwa kama kondoo wa kuchinjwa.” Lakini katika mambo haya yote tunashinda, naam na zaidi ya kushinda, kwa Yeye aliyetupenda.”

stone woman

kwando family

marriage1

 

ENGLISH: JITALE’S DAUGHTER.

Once upon a time, there was a woman known by the name of Jitale’s daughter. This woman got married to a man whose family had a lot of siblings. Since by that time marriage meant taking a woman straight from her family and making her live with the husband’s family together with the husband’s siblings, Jitale’s daughter also was to join her husband’s family.

The family of her husband did not like Jitale’s daughter. They were struggling to make sure that Jitale’s daughter is chased away by her husband. To do so, everyday during eating time, Jitale’s daughter was forced to sit near the drinking water pot so that she can be serving water to her husband’s siblings. Every time, during meal, children could shout: “Jitale’s daughter water, Jitale’s daughter water.” Jitale’s daughter spent much of the time serving water without eating food as a result she emaciated to the extent of making her husband begin asking her: “How are you my wife, your condition is getting worse? What do you like to eat? Are you not satisfied? ” Jitale’s daughter replied, “I’m fine.”

The husband was not satisfied with his wife’s answer. To seek for more information, one day when they were eating, he stood outside the house unnoticedly and peeped through a wall crack to see what is happening inside the house when eating. He got the truth on why his wife is uncomfortable. The troubles his siblings were causing to his wife made him angry and decided to leave the house with his wife and build a separate home for his new family.

 At their new home, he and his wife began to eat well. His wife’s condition changed, and she became more healthier than before (Refer to Kugundua Mbegu za Injili, which means ‘Discovering Seeds of the Gospel,’ pages 83 – 84). This book was written by the Bujora Cultural Research Committee, edited by researchers: Fr. Donald Sybertz, M.M., and Fr. Joseph Healey M.M., and published by Benedictine Publications, Ndanda – Peramiho, 1993.

In our story we see how the husband loves his wife. He felt sorry for his wife in her plight. He decided to separate from his parents to build his home for the seek of his wife.

We also see how Jitale’s daughter was able to endure the suffering of her mother-in-law because of her love for her husband. She refused to give up. She found it much easier to suffer the pain and discomfort than breaking up her marriage.

This story teaches us perfect love in marriage. It teaches us that marriage is accomplished through love and happiness.

Again this story teaches us about our relationship with Jesus: “There is truth hidden in these words, and I perceive that they are in regard to Christ and His church” (Ephesians 5:32).

God the Father has united us all who have been baptized in Jesus Christ’s name. We must abide by His love without forsaking Him even during trials.

In our families, husbands and wives have to be tolerant and loving, especially in times of difficulty like what Jitale’s daughter and her husband did (See ‘Discovering Gospel Seeds,’ pages 84-85).

Genesis 2:23. Mark 10: 6-9. Ephesians 5:25, 31-33. Romans 8: 35-37.