Imbuki ya kahayile kajisuguma kenako, ifumilile kuwikaji bho muchalo umo igiti ja bhujiku mara hingi, jigenhaga bhobha, na wibhakizu ukubhanhu bhenebho. Giko lulu, ulu ligela lisana nulu lya ng’weji nulu lya moto ligenhaga bhuholele na bhupanga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “lisana lyagwaga mugiti.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alinikujo lya gwenha wisagiji, na bhunhana ukubhanhu bhakwe ahikanza lya maluho, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agabhenhelaga nhulu ja wiza abhanhu bhakwe abho bhalina makoye, kunguno ya likujo lyakwe linilo umukikalile kakwe kenako. Uweyi agabhizaga lisana lya kubhatimila chiza abhanhu bha ha kaya yakwe kunguno ya likujo lyakwe ilyagubhatongela chiza umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nilisana ilo ligabhatimila abhanhu abho bhalimugiti mpaka bhuyega, kunguno nuweyi agabhatongelaga bho likujo abhanhu abho bhalina makoye mpaga bhayega umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu abhenabho bhagang’witanaga lisana bho guyomba giki, “lisana lyagwaga mugiti.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na nikujo lya gubhinha nhulu jawiza ijagubhatongela chiza abhanhu bhabho, kugiki bhadule gwenha lisana ukubhichabho abho bhalimugiti umukaya jabho, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Yohana 8:12.

Yohana 3:19-21.

Luka 8:16.

Mathayo 4:15-16.

KISWAHILI: MWANGA UMEANGUKA GIZANI

Msemo huu wa Kisukuma unatokana na maisha ya kitamaduni ya kijijini, ambapo giza usiku mara nyingi huleta hofu, kutokuwa na uhakika, na hatari. Katika nyakati kama hizo, kuonekana ghafla kwa mwanga iwe kutoka mwezini, motoni, au taa kulileta utulivu, usalama, na uwazi. Kifungu “mwanga umeanguka” kinaelezea wazo kwamba mwanga umeingia bila kutarajia mahali ambapo hapo awali palikuwa na giza, na kubadilisha hali hiyo kabisa. Ndiyo maana watu walisema kwamba “mwanga umeanguka gizani.”

Msemo huu hulinganishwa kwa mtu anayeleta matumaini, ukweli, au suluhisho katika wakati wa mkanganyiko, mateso, au ujinga katika maisha yake. Mtu kama huyo huonekana wakati mambo yanaonekana kuwa hayaeleweki au magumu na huwasaidia wengine kuona njia sahihi kwa kuwaletea wema wanajamii wake kwa sababu ya hekima yake kwa watu wake. Yeye huwa mwanga kwa wanafamilia wake kwa sababu ya hekima yake ya kuwaongoza vizuri inayomfanya aishi kwa busara katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyu hufanana ule mwanga ulioleta usalama gizani kwa sababu pia naye huleta habari njema kwa wanafamilia wake kwa kuwaongoza kwa busara katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana wanafamilia wake hao husema juu yake kwamba, “mwanga umeanguka gizani.”

Msemo huu huwafundisha watu kuhusu umuhimu wa kuleta ukweli ambapo kuna mkanganyiko ili waweze kufikia malengo yao katika maisha yao. Hiyo ndiyo kusema kwamba, maarifa, hekima, na wema vinaweza kushinda giza katika familia.

Yohana 8:12.

Yohana 3:19-21.

Luka 8:16.

Mathayo 4:15-16.

Yohana 1:5 “Nuru hung’aa gizani, wala giza halikuishinda.”

Isaya 9:2 “Watu wanaotembea gizani wameona nuru kuu.”

Mathayo 5:14 “Ninyi ni nuru ya ulimwengu.”

Waefeso 5:8 “Kwa maana hapo awali mlikuwa giza, lakini sasa mmekuwa nuru katika Bwana.”

Mistari hii inaonyesha ujumbe ule ule: nuru inayoashiria ukweli, uwepo wa Mungu, na haki ambayo hushinda giza na kuleta uzima, mwelekeo, na tumaini.

ENGLISH: LIGHT HAS FALLEN IN THE DARKNESS

This Sukuma saying comes from traditional village life, where darkness at night often brought fear, uncertainty, and danger. In such moments, the sudden appearance of light whether from the moon, fire, or a lamp brought relief, safety, and clarity. The phrase “light has fallen” expresses the idea that illumination has unexpectedly entered a place that was once covered in darkness, transforming the situation completely. That is why people say “light has fallen in the darkness.”

This saying is compared to a person who brings hope, truth, or solutions in a time of confusion, suffering, or ignorance in his life. Such a person appears when things seem unclear or difficult and helps others to see the right path by bringing goodness to his societal members because of his wisdom to his people. He becomes the light to his family members because of his wisdom which make him live wisely in his life.

This person resembles the light which brought safety in the darkness because he also brings good news to his family members by guiding them wiselly in his life. That is why his family members say about him, “light has fallen in the darkness.”

This saying teaches people about an importance of bringing truth where is confusion so that, they can actualize their goals in their lives. That is to say, knowledge, wisdom, and goodness can overcome darkness in families.

John 8:12.

John 3:19-21.

Luke 8:16.

Matthew 4:15-16.

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.”

Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”

These verses reflect the same message: that light symbolizing truth, God’s presence, and righteousness which overcomes darkness and brings life, direction, and hope.

Akahayile ka jisuguma kenako kingilile kuwikaji bho mujijiji umo abha namhala na abhagikulu, bhalomelaga jigano bho jilihu umumakanza ga wikumingi. Ningi iki abhakakuji bhenabho bhakujiwe kulwa likujo lyabho, lyalihoyi likanza lingi ilo bhayombaga mihayo mingi mpaka yabhanoja abhadegeleki bhabho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayomba giki, “ngikulu uyu odunojije, alina mihayo mingi.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agayombaga mihayo mingi bho nduhu ugubhiza na witegeleja bho ugubhiganika abhadegeleji bhakwe umuwikaji bhokwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo adalidebhile ilikanza ilya guleka uguyomba iki agashokelaga mihayo mingi umumahoya gakwe kunguno ya gugayiwa witegeleja umukikalile kakwe kenako. Uweyi agabhanojaga abhanhu bha ha kaya yakwe kunguno ya guyomba mihayo mingi bho nduhu witegeleja bho gubhadegeleka abhanhu bhakwe bhenabho, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nuyo oyambaga mihayo mingi mpaka obhanoja abhadegeleki bhakwe, kunguno nuweyi agayombaga mihayo mingi bho nduhu agubhadegeleka abhanhu bhakwe mpaga obhanoja umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhakwe bhenabho bhagayombaga giki, “ngikulu uyu odunojije, alina mihayo mingi.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na witegeleja bho gubhadegeleka abhanhu bhabho umumahoya gabho kugiki bhadule gujilela chiza ikaya jabho umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Kutoka 20:12.

Mithali 23:22.

KISWAHILI: AJUZA HUYU AMETUCHOSHA; ANA MANENO MENGI.

Msemo huu wa Kisukuma unatokana na maisha ya kitamaduni ya kijijini ambapo wazee, hasa wanawake wazee, walijulikana kwa kusimulia hadithi, kushauri, na wakati mwingine kuzungumza kwa muda mrefu wakati wa mikusanyiko. Ingawa wazee wanaheshimiwa kwa hekima yao, kulikuwa na nyakati ambapo kuzungumza sana hasa maneno yanayojirudia au yasiyo ya lazima kuliwachosha wasikilizaji. Jamii iliona kwamba maneno mengi, hata kama yakitoka kwa mtu anayeheshimiwa, yanaweza kuwa mzigo wa kuwachosha wasikilizaji wake. Ndiyo maana walisema, “ajuza huyu ametuchosha; ana maneno mengi.”

Msemo huu hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huzungumza sana bila kuwafikiria wasikilizaji wake katika maisha yake. Mtu huyu hajui wakati wa kuacha kuzungumza katika maongezi yake kwa vile hurudia mambo yaleyale mara kwa mara kwa sababu ya kutokuwa mwangalifu sana katika maisha yake.  Yeye huwawachosha wanafamilia wake kwa sababu ya kuzungumza sana bila ya kuwasikiliza wao katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyu hufanana na yule aliyetawala mazungumzo kwa kuzungumza bila kuwasikiliza wengine mpaka akawachosha, kwa sababu naye pia huongea sana hadi kufikia hatua ya kuwachosha wanafamilia wake katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana wanafamilia hao aliowachoka husema kwamba “ajuza huyu ametuchosha; ana maneno mengi.”

Msemo huu huwafundisha watu kuhusu umuhimu wa kuwa na kiasi katika maongezi yao kwa kuwa na hekima ya kuzungumza kwa ufupi na kwa maana ili waweze kuwaheshimu wasikilizaji wao vya kutosha kuzingatia umakini wao na muda wao katika maisha yao. Huwakumbusha watu kwamba maneno yanapaswa kujenga, kuongoza, na kutia moyo, yasichoshe au kuwalemea wengine.

Kutoka 20:12.

Mithali 23:22.

Mithali 10:19 “Maneno yakiwa mengi, dhambi haikosekani; bali yeye azuiaye midomo yake ana hekima.”

Mhubiri 5:2 “Usiwe mwepesi wa kusema… maneno yako na yawe machache.”

Yakobo 1:19 “Kila mtu na awe mwepesi wa kusikia, si mwepesi wa kusema, si mwepesi wa kukasirika.”

Mafundisho haya ya kibiblia husisitiza kwamba hekima haioneshwi kwa maneno mengi, bali kwa maneno ya kufikiri, makini, na yenye kujizuia.

ENGLISH: THIS OLD LADY HAS TIRED US OUT; SHE HAS A LOT OF WORDS.

This Sukuma saying comes from traditional village life where elders, especially old women, were known for storytelling, advising, and sometimes speaking at length during gatherings. While elders are respected for their wisdom, there were moments when too much talking especially repetitive or unnecessary words would tire listeners. The community observed that excessive speech, even from a respected person, could become burdensome. That is why they said, “this old lady has tired us out; she has a lot of words.”

This saying is compared to a person who talks too much without considering the listeners in his life. This person does not know when to stop speaking. He repeats the same things over and over because of not being so careful in his life. He bored his family members because of talking too much without listening to them in his life.

This person resembles the one who dominated conversations by speaking without listening to others, because he also speaks too much to the point of boring his family members in his life. That is why his exhausted family members by him say “this old lady has tired us out; she has a lot of words.”

This saying teaches people about an importance of moderation in speech by having wisdom of speaking briefly and meaningfully so that they can respect listeners enough to be mindful of their attention and time in their lives. It reminds people that words should build, guide, and encourage not tire or overwhelm others.

Exodus 20:12.

Proverbs 23:22.

Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, sin is not absent, but whoever restrains his lips is wise.”

Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Do not be quick with your mouth… let your words be few.”

James 1:19 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

These biblical teachings emphasize that wisdom is shown not in many words, but in thoughtful, careful, and restrained speech.

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ihoyelile munhu uyo agaleka gudilila nimo gokwe kunguno ya gudilila gungi. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agaja ukunimo gokwe ugatumama nimo gungi uyo gudina solobho ukuweyi kunguno ya guduma gwitegeleja chiza. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wila giki, “aha nimo goko guliho nimo.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo adinawitegeleja bho gutumama milimo yakwe chiza, umuwikaji bhokwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agajaga ukumilimo yakwe ogalijimija ilikanza bho gudilila milimo iyo idinasolobho kunguno ya gugawila witegeleja umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Uweyi agikalaga ukoya na nzala aha kaya yakwe kunguno ya kugayiwa witegeleja bho gutumama milimo yakwe umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nuyo agaguleka unimo gokwe bho gudilila milimo yingi mpaka uduma ugugumala, kunguno nuweyi agajaga ukumilimo yakwe ogadilila milimo iyo idina solobho mpaga opandika makoye ga gugayiwa jiliwa ahakaya yakwe umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “aha nimo goko guliho nimo.”

Akakayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na witegeleja bho gudilila milimo yabho ijinaguitumama chiza kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi umumilimo yabho ya bhuli lushigu yiniyo.

Mathayo 22:1-4.

Luka 14:15-17.

Ufunuyo 19:9.

KISWAHILI: KUNA KAZI KAZINI KWAKO.

Msemo huu wa Kisukuma unatokana na maisha ya kitamaduni ya jamii ambapo kila mtu alikuwa na jukumu wazi iwe katika kilimo, ufugaji ng’ombe, ujenzi, au majukumu ya kifamilia. Unawakumbusha watu kwamba kila sehemu ya jukumu ina majukumu yake.

Hapo zamani, alikuwepo mtu aliyetarajiwa kuzingatia kazi aliyopewa, kwa bahati mbaya alitangatanga kwa kuingilia kazi za watu wengine. Ndiyo maana wengine walisisitiza ufahamu wa uwajibikaji na kujitolea katika kulitekeleza jukumu lake mwenyewe, kwa kusema “kuna kazi kazini kwako.”

Msemo huu hulinganishwa na mtu anayepewa jukumu lakini analipuuza, ama kwa kuwa mvivu, kuvurugwa, au kujishughulisha na mambo ambayo hayahusiani nalo maishani mwake. Mtu huyo hupuuza kazi zake kwa kufanya kazi zisizo za lazima kwa sababu ya kutokuwa makini maishani mwake. Yeye hukabiliwa na matatizo ya upungufu wa chakula katika familia yake kwa sababu ya kupuuza kazi zake maishani mwake.

Mtu huyo hufanana na yule aliyetangatanga kwa kuingilia kazi za watu wengine hadi kufikia hatua ya kushindwa kufikia lengo lake. Kwa njia hiyo, pia yeye hupuuza kazi zake hadi kufikia hatua ya kukabiliana na matatizo ya upungufu wa chakula katika familia yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “kuna kazi kazini kwako.”

Msemo huu huwafundisha watu kuhusu kuwa makini vya kutosha kutimiza wajibu wao na uwajibikaji katika majukumu yao ili waweze kufanikiwa katika kazi zao za kila siku.

Mathayo 22:1-4.

Luka 14:15-17.

Ufunuyo 19:9.

Mhubiri 9:10 “Lolote mkono wako utakalolipata kulifanya, lifanye kwa nguvu zako zote.”

Wakolosai 3:23 “Lolote ufanyalo, lifanye kwa moyo wako wote, kama kwa ajili ya Bwana.”

1 Wathesalonike 4:11 “Fanya azma yako kuishi maisha ya utulivu: Unapaswa kuzingatia mambo yako mwenyewe na kufanya kazi kwa mikono yako.”

Luka 16:10 “Yeyote anayeweza kuaminiwa katika mambo madogo sana anaweza pia kuaminiwa katika mengi.”

Methali hii ya Kisukuma huwataka watu kuwa na umakini katika majukumu yao. Hufundisha kwamba kila mtu ana “mahali pa kazi” maishani, na kutimiza wajibu wake kwa uaminifu huleta utulivu, uaminifu, na baraka katika jamii na mbele za Mungu.

 

ENGLISH: THERE IS A WORK AT YOUR WORK.

This Sukuma saying comes from traditional community life where every person had a clear role whether in farming, cattle keeping, building, or family responsibilities. It reminds people that every place of responsibility has its own duties.

There as person was expected to focus on the work which was assigned to him, unfortunately he wandered by interfering in other people’s tasks. That is why other emphasized awareness of responsibility and commitment to one’s own role, by saying “there a work at your work.”

This saying is compared to a person who is given a responsibility but neglects it, either by being idle, distracted, or busying with matters that do not concern it in his life. This person neglects his works by doing unnessary works because of not being serious in his life. He faces food shortage problems in his family because neglecting his works in his life.

This person resembles the one who wandered by interfering in other people’s works to the point of failing to attain his goal. In the way, he also neglectes his works to the point of faceing food shortage problems at his family. That why people tell him, “there a work at your work.”

This saying teaches people about being serious enough to fulfil their responsibility and accountability in their duties so that they can be successifully in their daily works.

Matthew 22:1-4.

Luke 14:15-17.

Revelation 19:9.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 4:11 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands.”

Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

This Sukuma proverb calls people to seriousness in their responsibilities. It teaches that each person has a “workplace” in life, and fulfilling one’s duty faithfully brings order, trust, and blessing both in the community and before God.