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1419. ILELO IB’INZA MALUNDI.

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ihoyelile bhanhu abho bhagasiminza lugendo mpaga gunoga amagulu gabho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhali nalugengo lulihu gete ulogusimzina mpaga bhunoga shiniko alugushiga ndubu kunguno ya bhulihu bho lugendo lunulo. Hunagwene bhagayiwila giki, “ilelo ib’inza malundi.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kubhazunya abho bhagiyumilijaga gusiminza lugendo lulihu ulo guja ng’wigulu, umukakile kabho. Abhazunya bhenabho bhagiyumilijaga gusiminza lugendo lulihu ulo guja ng’wigulu bho gugikalana chiza amalagilo ga ng’wa Sebha, kunguno ya bhutungulija bhobho bhunubho, umuwikaji bhobho. Abhoyi bhagasiminzaga na bhuyeji umulugendo lobho lunulo kunguno ya gwikala kimoja na Yesu bho gugikalana chiza amalagilo gakwe, umukikalile kabho kenako.

Abhazunya bhenabho bhagikolaga nabho bhagasiminza lugendo lulihu bho gwiyumilija mpaka bhunoga, kunguno nabhoyi bhagiyumilijaga gusiminza lugendo lulihu lo guja ng’wigulu Kihamo na Yesu, umuwikaji bhobho. Hunagwene bhagayombaga giki, “ilelo ib’inza malundi.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhazunya higulya ya gubhiza na wiyumilija bho gusiminza kimoja na Yesu bho gugikalana chiza amalagilo ga ng’wa Sebha, kugiki bhadule gushiga ng’wigulu.

Yoshua 9:13.

1 Wafalme 19:7.

KISWAHILI: LEO IVUNJA MIGUU.

Chanzo cha msemo huo huongelea watu waliokuwa waliotembea safarini mpaka miguu yao ikachoka. Watu hao walikuwa na safari ya mwendo mlefu wa kutembea mpaka wakachoka hivyo bila ya kufika kwa sababu ya urefu wa safari hiyo. Ndiyo maana walisema kwamba, “leo ivunja miguu.”

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa waumini wale ambao huvumilia kutembea safari ya kwenda mbinguni, katika maisha yao. Waumini hao, huvumilia kusafiri mwendo mrefu wa kwenda mbinguni kwa kuyaishi maagizo ya Bwana, kwa sababu ya uaminifu wao huo, maishani mwao. Wao hutembea kwa furaha katika safari yao hiyo hiyo kwa sababu ya kuishi pamoja na Yesu kwa kuyaishi vizuri maagizo yake, katika maisha yao.

Waumini hao hufanana na wale waliotembea safari ndefu kwa kuvumilia mpaka wakachoka, kwa sababu nao huvumilia kutembea safari ndefu ya kwenda mbinguni pamoja na Yesu, maishani mwao. Ndiyo maana wao husema kwamba, “leo ivunja miguu.”

Msemo huo, hufundisha waumini juu ya kuwa na uvumilivu kwa kutembea pamoja na Yesu kwa kuyaishi vizuri maagizo yake, ili waweze kufika mbinguni.

Yoshua 9:13.

1 Wafalme 19:7.

ENGLISH: TODAY IS BREAKING LEGS.

The origin of this saying refers to people who walked on a journey until their legs got tired. These people had a long trip to walk until they got tired without arriving. That is why they said that, “today is breaking legs.”

The saying is paralleled to believers who endure their journey to heaven, in their lives. These believers endure long trip to heaven by living the Lord’s instructions, because of their faithfulness, in their lives. They walk happily on their same journey because of living with Jesus by putting into practice his instructions, in their lives.

These believers are like those who walked a long trip by enduring until they got tired, because they also endure long trip to heaven with Jesus, in their lives. That is why they say that, “today is breaking legs.”

This saying imparts in believers an idea of being patient in walking with Jesus by living his instructions, so that they can reach heaven.

Joshua 9:13.

1 Kings 19:7.

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

1417. NIBHUKILE.

Aho kale olihoyi munhu uyo oli na bhatumami bhokwe. Abhatumami bhakwe bhenabho bhalibhadantokigishaga umubhutumami bhobho bhunubho kunguno bhatumamaga chayachaya. Hunagwene agayomba giki, “nibhukile.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agaitumamaga chiza imilimo yakwe bho nduhu gulagija bhangi, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agigulambijaga gutumama milimo yakwe mpaka oyimala chiza bho nduhu gulagija bhanhu bhangi kunguno ya gutogwa guidilila chiza imilimo yakwe yiniyo umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agikalaga na sabho ningi noyi akaya yakwe kunguno ya guidilila bho guitumama chiza imilimo yakwe yiniyo mpaga oyimala chiza umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nuyo agibhukila guitumama chiza imilimo yakwe aho bhayitumama sagala abhatumami bhakwe, kunguno nuweyi agaitumamaga mpaga oyimala chiza imilimo yakwe bho nduhu gubhalagija bhanhu bhangi, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene agayombaga giki, “nibhukile.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya guyidilila imilimo yabho bho gwigulambija guyitumama mpaga bhayimala chiza, kugiki bhadule gupandika sabho ja gutumamila umukaya jabho jinijo, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Ezekieli 34:10-15.

Yohana 10:11-15.

KISWAHILI: NIENDE MWENYEWE.

Hapo zamani alikuwepo mtu aliyekuwa na wafanyakazi wake. Wafanyakazi hao wahakumfurahisha katika utendaji wao wa kazi kwa sababu walifanya kazi hovyo. Ndiyo maana alisema kwamba, “niende mwenyewe.”

Msemo huo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huyatekeleza vizuri majukumu yake bila ya kuwaagiza watu wengine, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hujibidisha kufanya kazi zake mpaga anazimaliza vizuri bila ya kuwaachia watu wengine kwa sababu ya kuzijali vizuri kazi zake hizo, maishani mwake. Yeye hupata mali nyingi sana katika familia yake hiyo kwa sababu ya kuzijali kazi zake hizo kwa kuzitekeleza vizuri mpaga anazimaliza, katika maisha yake hayo.

Mtu huyo hufanana na yule aliyeenda mwenyewe kuitekeleza vizuri kazi iliyofanywa hovyo na wafanyakazi wake, kwa sababu naye huzitekeleza kazi zake mpaka anazimaliza vizuri bila kuwaagiza watu wengine, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana yeye husema kwamba, “niende mwenyewe.”

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuzijali kazi zao kwa kujibidisha kuzitekeleza vizuri mpaka mwisho ili waweze kupata mali za kutumia vizuri katika familia zao, maishani mwao.

Ezekieli 34:10-15.

Yohana 10:11-15.

ENGLISH: LET ME GO MYSELF.

Once upon a time there was a man who had his employees. The employees did not please him in their work performance because they did not work well. That is why he said that, “let me go myself.”

This saying is equaled to the person who performs his duties well without ordering other people, in his life. This persons struggles enough to finish his works well without leaving them to other people because of taking decent care of his work in his life. He earns a lot of wealth in his family because of taking care of his work by performing it well, in his life.

This person is similar to the one who went himself to perform the work well done by his employees, because he also performs his works until he nicely completes them without ordering other people, in his life. That is why he says that, “let me go myself.”

This adage teaches people enough to take care about their works by striving to finish them well so that they can obtain decent wealth enough to use in their family lives.

Ezekiel 34:10-15.

John 10:11-15.

1415. UGUPONDAGA NG’WITUMBI NUB’UTA UDINAB’O.

Aho kale olihoyi munhu uyo agaluta liwe ng’witumbi aliyo oliadina b’uta umumakono gakwe. Ilitumbi linilo lilipilinga ilo ligikalaga na shinu giti mbiti, nzoka, sub’i, na jingi ijo jigikalaga jilendile moyi.

Abhanhu bhagankumya noyi kunguno umub’upondi bhokwe bhunubho, adulile gujibhulucha ishinu jinijo ija mbika na mbika ahikanza adina b’uta nulu jilanga ja gwigunanila. Hunagwene abhanhu bhenabho bhagang’wila giki, “ugupondaga ng’witumbi nub’uta udinab’o.”

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agandyaga gutumama milimo iyo adina nguzu ja guimalila umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agandyaga gutumama milimo mitale iyi ijikilile inguzu jakwe kunguno ya gukija gwitegeleja chiza, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Uweyi agakoyiyagwa na bhuhabhi bhuli ng’waka aha kaya yakwe kunguno ya gukija gwitegeleja chiza haho atali ugandya uguitumama imilimo yakwe yiniyo, umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agaponda ng’witumbu bho nduhu gwikala na b’uta umumakono gakwe, kunguno nuweyi agandyaga gutumama milimo iyo adina nguzu ja guimalila, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “ugupondaga ng’witumbi nub’uta udinab’o.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na witegeleja bho gwandya gutumama milimo iyo bhali nguzu ja guimalila chiza, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Hesabu 32:30.

Hesabu 32:17.

KISWAHILI: UNAPONDA KWENYE PANGO NA UPINDE HUNA.

Hapo zamani alikuwepo mtu aliyetupa jiwe kwenye pango bila ya kuwa na upinde mikononi mwake. Pango hilo ni jiwe ambamo ndani yake huishi wanyama wakali kama vile fisi, nyoka, chui na vingine vinavyoishi humo.

Watu walimshangaa sana kwa sababu utupaji huo wa jiwe bila ya yeye kuwa na upinge au siraha unaweza kuwasababisha wanyama hao kutoka na kumjeruhi. Ndiyo maana watu hao walimwambia kwamba, “unaponda kwenye pando na upinde huna.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huanzisha kazi ambazo hana uwezo wa kuzimaliza, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huanzisha kazi kubwa kushinda nguvu zake mpaka anashindwa kuzimaliza, kwa sababu ya kushindwa kufikiri vizuri maishani mwake. Yeye husumbuliwa na tatizo la umaskini kwenye familia yake kila mwaka, kwa sababu ya kuanzisha kazi bila kufikiria vizuri, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyeponda kwenye pango bila ya kuwa na upinde, kwa sababu naye huanzisha kazi zinashinda uwezo wake bila kufikiria vizuri mpaka anashinda kuzimaliza, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “unaponda kwenye pango na upinde huna.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na umakini wa kuanzisha kazi wanazoweza kuzimaliza, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi, maishani mwao.

Hesabu 32:30.

Hesabu 32:17.

ENGLISH: YOU ARE THROWING A STONE IN A CAVE WHILE YOU HAVE NO BOW.

Once upon a time there was a man who threw a stone into a cave without having a bow in his hands. The cave is a hole in stone in which wild animals such as hyenas, snakes, leopards and others live.

People were very surprised at him because of throwing a stone without having any resistance or armor could cause animals to come out and injure him. That is why people told him that, “you are throwing a stone in a cave while you have no bow.”

This proverb is matched to a person who starts tasks that he does not have ability to finish, in his life. Such person starts a task that is too big for him to finish, because of his inability to think clearly in his life. He is troubled by problem of poverty in his family every year, because of starting a task without thinking clearly, in his life.

This person resembles the one who trampled in a cave without a bow, because he also starts tasks that are beyond his ability without thinking carefully until he manages to finish them, in his life. That is why people say to him that, “you are throwing a stone in a cave while you have no bow.”

This proverb teaches people about being careful enough to start tasks that they can finish, so that they can achieve great success, in their lives.

Numbers 32:30.

Numbers 32:17.

1413. AGALYAGA JAGUKANDIWA.

Olihoyi munhu uyo olyaga jiliwa bho nduhu ugutumama imilimo. Umunhu ng’wunuyo oliadajaga gujutumama umilimo kunguno ya gwikalila ha kaya ahikanza ilya milimo yiniyo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wila giki, “agalyaga jagukandiwa.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alingokolo o milimo umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikalaga wigashije ahikanza lya gutumama imilimo mpaga lyashila ilikanza linilo kunguno ya bhugokolo bhokwe bhunubho umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agagayiyagwa ijiliwa aha kaya yakwe bhuli ng’waka kunguno ya bhugokolo bhokwe bhunubho ubho gwikala wigashije ahikanza lya guitumama imilimo yiniyo, umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nuyo olyaga jiliwa bho nduhu ugutumama imilimo, kunguno nuweyi agikalaga wigashije bho nduhu gutumama imilimo mpaga lyashila ilikanza lya milimo yiniyo, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “agalyaga jagukandiwa.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza bhakamu bha gutumama milimo yabho bho gwigulambija guitumama chiza, kugiki bhadule gupandika sabho ja gutumamila umukaya jabho.

Mwanzo 50:21.

Zaburi 81:16.

Mithali 11:21.

Ezekieli 34:23.

KISWAHILI: ANAKULA CHA MASIMANGO.

Alikuwepo mtu ambaye alikuwa akila chakula bila kufanya kazi. Mtu huyo, alikuwa haendi kufanya kazi kwa sababu alikuwa akikaa nyumbani wakati wa kufanya kazi. Ndiyo maana watu walimwambia kwamba, “anakula cha masimango.”

Msemo huo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni mvivu wa kazi katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huutumia muda wake kwa kukaa nyumbani wakati wa kufanya kazi mpaka muda huo unapita, kwa sababu ya uvivu wake huo maishani mwake. Yeye hukosa chakula kwenye familia yake kila mwaka kwa sababu ya uvivu wake huo wa kukaa nyumbani bila kufanya kazi, katika maisha yake hayo.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyekula chakula bila kufanya kazi, kwa sababu naye hushinda akiwa amekaa nyumbani bila kufanya kazi mpaka wakati huo wa kazi unapita, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “anakula cha masimango.”

Msemo huo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na bidii ya kufanya kazi, kwa kujibidisha kuyatekeleza majukumu yao vizuri, ili waweze kupata mali za kutumia katika familia zao.

Mwanzo 50:21.

Zaburi 81:16.

Mithali 11:21.

Ezekieli 34:23.

ENGLISH: HE EATS THE FOOD OF INSULTS.

There was a man who ate food without working. Such man did not go to work because he was staying at home during working hours. That is why people said to him that, “he eats the food of insults.”

This saying is equaled to a person who is lazy in his life. Such man spends his time by staying at home during working hours until that time passes, because of his laziness in his life. He lacks food for his family every year because of his laziness in staying at home without working in his life.

This man resembles the one who ate food without working, because he also wins while staying at home without working until such time of work passes, in his life. That is why people said to him that “he eats the food of insults.”

This saying imparts in people an idea being diligent in working, by working hard enough to fulfill their duties well, so that they can earn wealth for their families.

Genesis 50:21.

Psalm 81:16.

Proverbs 11:21.

Ezekiel 34:23.