proverbs

136. UGWICHUBHULA MAGULU

Research sponsored by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Mbuki ya lusumo lwenunu ilolile magulu, ayo gagatumamaga milimo ya guziminza gwinga halebhe mpaga halebhe. Umunhu hung’wene uyo agasiminzaga bho gugatumila amagulu genayo. Ulu usiminza bho witegeleja gagubhila mhola. Aliyo, ulu uluusiminza bho nduhu witegeleja, amagulu gakwe gagulabhuka.

Ulusumo lwenulo lugalinganijiyagwa na Munhu uyo agubhejaga nimo, nulu agwitaga mhayo uyo gudulile gumwenhela nhabhala, nulu makoye ukushigu ijabhutongi, nulu ukushigu ijiliza.

Abhanhu abhangi abho bhalimhona igiki umo alitumamila unimo gunuyo, nulu umo alihayile umhayo gunuyo, adulile gupandika makoye ukugushigu ijakubhutongi, bhanghugulaga, bho gung’ila giki, “ugwichubhula magulu.” Igiko humo lugandija, ulusumo lwenulo umumahoya aga bhanhu.

Ulusumo lwenulo, lulilanga bhanhu higulya ya gwitegeleja tamu bhuli nimo haho bhatali ugugutumama. Ilichiza ugwitegeleja tamu haho munhu atali uguguyomba nulu ugugugwita umhayo gosegose.

Igelelilwe gwibhuja, nulu gwiganika tamu, haho munhu atali ugugwita umhayo gosegose. Ijina gwita cheniko, munhu adulile gupila ugwingila umumakoye, ayo adulile gugapandika kulwa gwita mihayo nulu milimo bho nduhu ugwitegeleja chiza.

Mithali 29:3.

Waefeso 2:1-3.

Luka 15:13-19.

KISWAHILI: UTAJICHUBUA MIGUU

Chanzo cha methali hii, huangalia miguu ambayo hufanya kazi ya kutembea kutoka sehemu moja hadi nyingine. Mwanadamu ndiye ambaye hutembea kwa kutumia miguu hiyo. Akitembea kwa umakini itakuwa salama. Lakini akitembea bila kuwa na umakini, miguu yake itaumia.

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa na mtu ambaye hufanya kazi fulani, au mtu ambaye asema neno fulani ambalo laweza kumletea matatizo kwenye siku za usoni, au siku zijazo.

Watu wengine ambao humuona mtu huyo jinsi afanyavyo kazi yake, au jinsi asemavyo maneno yake, na kutambua kuwa, ataweza kupata matatizo, humuonya kwa kumwambia hivi, “Utajichubua miguu.” Hivyo, ndivyo methali hiyo ilivyoanza kutumika katika maongezi ya watu.

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na umakini kwa kufikiria vizuri kwanza, kabla ya kufanya jambo fulani, au neno fulani. Ni vizuri kuwa makini kwa kufikiria vizuri kabla ya kufanya kazi yoyote au kusema neno lolote.

Inatakiwa kujiuliza au kufikiria kwamza, kabla mtu hajafanya jambo fulani, au kabla hajasema neno lolote. Kwa kufanya hivyo, mwanadamu, ataweza kuepuka kuingia kwenye matatizo ambayo angeweza kuyapata kwa sababu ya kufanya jambo fulani, au kusema neno fulani, kabla ya kulifikiria vizuri kwanza.

“Mtu apendaye hekima huleta furaha kwa baba yake, bali aambatanaye na malaya hutapanya mali yake.

Kwa haki mfalme huipa nchi uthabiti, bali mfalme aliye na tamaa ya rushwa huiangamiza.

Ye yote amsifuye jirani yake isivyostahili, anautandaza wavu kuitega miguu yake.” (Mithali 29:3-5).

“Kwa habari zenu, mlikuwa wafu katika makosa na dhambi zenu, ambazo mlizitenda mlipofuatisha namna ya ulimwengu huu na za yule mtawala wa ufalme wa anga, yule roho atendaye kazi ndani ya wale wasiotii. Sisi sote pia tuliishi katikati yao hapo zamani, tukifuata tamaa za mwili na mawazo yake. Nasi kwa asili tulikuwa wana wa ghadhabu, kama mtu mwingine ye yote.” (Waefeso 2:1-3).

“Yesu alipomwekea mikono Yake, mara akasimama wima akaanza kumtukuza Mungu. Lakini mkuu wa sinagogi, akakasirika kwa sababu Yesu alikuwa ameponya mtu siku ya Sabato. Kwa hiyo mkuu wa sinagogi akaendelea kuuambia ule umati wa watu, “Kuna siku sita ambazo watu wanapaswa kufanya kazi, katika siku hizo, njoni mponywe, lakini si kuja kuponywa siku ya Sabato.” Lakini Bwana akamjibu, “Enyi wanafiki! Je, kila mmoja wenu hamfungulii ng’ombe wake au punda wake kutoka zizini akampeleka kumnywesha maji siku ya Sabato? Je, huyu mwanamke, ambaye ni binti wa Abrahamu, aliyeteswa na Shetani akiwa amemfunga kwa miaka yote hii kumi na minane, hakustahili kufunguliwa kutoka katika kifungo hicho siku ya Sabato?” Aliposema haya, wapinzani Wake wakaaibika, lakini watu wakafurahi kwa ajili ya mambo ya ajabu aliyoyafanya.

Kisha Yesu akauliza, “Ufalme wa Mungu unafanana na nini? Nitaufananisha na nini? Umefanana na punje ya haradali ambayo ni ndogo sana, ambayo mtu aliichukua na kuipanda katika shamba lake. Nayo ikakua, ikawa mti na ndege wa angani wakatengeneza viota vyao kwenye matawi yake.”” (Luka 15:13-19).

african-women-walking-along-road

ENGLISH: YOU WILL HURT YOUR FEET

The source of this proverb looks at the feet that move around from one place to another. A person is the one who walks through his or her feet. Walking carefully will be safe. But while he or she was walking without being careful, his or her feet were injured. This proverb is likened to a person who performs a certain task or someone who says something that might cause problems in the future.

Some people who see the person doing his or her job, or how he or she says his or her words, and realize that he or she will get problems, warns him or her by saying, “You will hurt your feet.” That was how the proverb started to be used in conversation.

Such a proverb teaches people to be careful in doing saying or doing something. They should first think carefully before doing or saying something. It is good to be careful by thinking well before doing any work or saying any word. One must ask himself or herself or think about the matter before doing or saying it. By so doing a human being will be able to avoid getting into trouble that he or she could get into because of doing something, or saying something, before having first thought carefully about it first.

Proverbs 29: 3.

Ephesians 2: 1-3.

Luke 15 13-19.

135. UYO AGULIMAGA NG’WILAGO AGUMANYIKILA KULYOCHI

Research sponsored by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Mbuki ya lusumo lwenulu lulilola bhalimi abho bhadahaile igiki, ungunda gobho gumanyike ukubhanhu. Giko lulu, bhagalimaga bho gwibhisabhisa, kugiki abhanhu abhangi bhakije ugudebha uko bhagalimilaga. Bhagiitaga imilimo yabho bho mbisila.

Aliyo ululyushiga ilikanza lya gufega na gupemba amasaga, ilyochi ligulolelwa duhu na bhanhu. Ahenaho igubhiza giki, imbisila yabho, abhanhu bhenabho, yamanyikaga ukubhanhu abho bhalibhadahaile igiki bhadebhe uko bhagalimilaga imigunda yabho.

Hukwene guhaya giki, uyo agulimaga ng’wilago agumanyikila kulyochi. Ichiniko humo ulusumo lwenulo lugandija uguhayiwa na bhanhu. Huna giko umo lugigelela lulu ulusumo lwenulo.

Ulusumo lwenulo, lugalenganijiwagwa na munhu uyo atogilwe gubhisa mhayo uyo gudadulile ugubhiswa ikanza ilihu, ulu gugigela gugukumuka na gubhitilija noi, kunguno, bhanhu bhingi bhagugudebha.

Lulilanga kubhanhu kuleka gwita iyabhubhi, kunguno uyo agwitaga yabhubhi, agumanyika duhu, ulugalashige amakanza ga guidebha abhanhu imihayo yiniyo. Idichiza ugwita nimo bho mbisila uyo gudadulile gubhiswa kubhanhu.

Mathayo 28:11-15.

Marko 4:22-23.

KISWAHILI: YULE ALIMAYE KWENYE BONDE ATAJULIKANA PALE MOSHI UTAKAPOJITOKEZA

Chanzo cha methali hii huwaangalia wakulima ambao hawataki kwamba, shamba lao lijulikane kwa watu. Hivyo basi, watu hao huwa wanalima kwa kujifichaficha ili watu wengine, wasijue, kule walimiyapo. Hufanya hivyo kwa siri. Hufanya kazi zao kwa kujicha.

Lakini ukifika wakati wa kufyeka na kuchoma vichaka moto, moshi utawawezesha watu kuona utakapoanza kutoka. Hapo itakuwa hivi, siri yao watu hao imejulikana kwa watu ambao, wao hawakutaka wafahamu kule wanakolimia mashamba yao.

Ndiyo kusema kwamba, ‘Yule alimaye kwenye bonde atajulikana pale moshi utakapojitokeza. Hivyo basi ndivyo methali hiyo ilivyoanza kusemwa na watu. Hivyo ndivyo methali hiyo ilivyopatikana, na kuanza kutumiwa na watu mbali mbali.

Methali hii, hulinganishwa na watu ambao hupenda kufika neno ambalo haliwezi kufichwa kwa muda mrefu. Litakapojulikana litaenea mpaka kupitiliza sana, kwa sababu, watu wengi watalifahamu.

Methali hii, hufundisha watu kuacha kufanya mabaya, kwa sababu afanyaye mabaya, atajulikana tu, utakapofika wakati wa watu kuyafahamu maneno hayo. Siyo vizuri kufanya kazi kwa siri, ambayo huwezi kuwaficha watu kwa muda mrefu.

“Wakati wale wanawake wakiwa njiani wakienda, baadhi ya wale askari waliokuwa wakilinda kaburi walienda mjini na kuwaeleza viongozi wa makuhani kila kitu kilichokuwa kimetukia. Baada ya viongozi wa makuhani kukutana na wazee na kutunga hila, waliwapa wale askari kiasi kikubwa cha fedha wakiwaambia, “Inawapasa mseme, ‘Wanafunzi Wake walikuja wakati wa usiku na kumwiba sisi tulipokuwa tumelala.’ Kama habari hizi zikimfikia mtawala, sisi tutamwondolea mashaka nanyi hamtapata tatizo lo lote. Kwa hiyo wale askari wakazipokea hizo fedha nao wakafanya kama walivyoelekezwa. Habari hii imeenea miongoni mwa Wayahudi mpaka leo.” (Mathayo 28:11-15).

“Kwa kuwa hakuna kilichofichika ambacho hakitafunuliwa, wala hakuna jambo lo lote la siri ambalo halitaletwa nuruni. Mwenye masikio ya kusikia na asikie.”” (Marko 4:22-23).

ENGLISH: HE WHO CULTIVATES IN THE VALLEY IS IDENTIFIED BY SMOKE

The source of this proverb looks at farmers who do not want their field to be known to other people. So, these farmers hide in secret so that other people would not know it. They do their job secretly though in vain. When the time of preparing their field which is done by burning hot shrubs, the smoke will enable other people to see them as well as their fields. In the meantime, their secrets will become known to people whom they did not want to know where they are farming their fields. That is, ‘The farmer in the valley will be known when the smoke is coming.” So that is exactly what the proverb was saying to people. That is how the proverb was found and started to be used by different people. This proverb is likened to people who like to hide something that cannot be hidden for a long time. When it is known, it is going to be spread widely, because many people will know it. This proverb teaches people to stop doing evil because the wrongdoer sooner or later will be known by other people. It is also not good to work secretly, a work that one cannot hide for a long time.

“While those women were on their way, some of the guards who were guarding the tomb went to the city and told the priests of all the things that had happened. After the priests met the elders and made a trick, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money saying, “It should be said, ‘His disciples came at night and stole us while we were asleep.'” If these news come to the ruler, we will remove him from doubt and you will never get any problem. So the soldiers received the money and did as they were instructed. This news has spread among the Jews until now.” (Matthew 28: 11-15).

“Since there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, neither is there any secret that will not be brought to light. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. “(Mark 4: 22-23).

african farming

134. LEKAGA KWISHINA BHUBHABHU BHO BHEZE

Research Sponsored by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Imbuki ya lusumo lwenulu ihaiye giki: ikale ibheze jaliningi noi umukaya ga bhanhu. Jikalaga jiguyelaga umunumba yabho. Nose jigayubhaluma ahikanza lya bhujiku na jabalekelaga bhubhabu bhoguyikala bhagwisinaga bhuli makanza.

Nose bhagaiwila giki, bhaleke ugwishina ubhubhabhu bhunubho, nguno bholekwa na bheze duhu. Ijinaguhaya chene, lugabhiza lusumo uluhaile giki, “Lekaga kwishina bhubhabhu bho bheze.”

Lusumo lunulo, lugalinganijiyagwa na makoye ayo gabhita ukubhanhu. Ukwene huguhaya giki, idichiza umunhu ugwikala alizuka imihayo iyoyabhita. Nulu idichiza ugwikala aligizuka amakoye ayo gabhita.

Ubhulangwa bho lusumo lwenunu, bhuli higulya ya kuleka gugwishiwa ngholo na makoye ayo gabhita, nulu mihayo imibhi iyoyabhita. Ilichiza ukulimunhu ugwandya bhupya, uluopandikaga makoye.

Ayubu 3:1-4.

KISWAHILI: ACHA KUJIKUNA MUWASHO WA MENDE

Chanzo cha methali hii husema kwamba, zamani mende walikuwa wengi mno katika familia za watu. Walikuwa wakitembea ndani ya nyumba zao.

Mwishowe wakaanza kuwa wanawauma watu hasa wakati wa usiku, na kuwaachia muwasho. Wakawa wakijikuna kila wakati.

Mwishowe wakawa wakiambiana kwamba, waache kujikuna muwasho huo, kwa sababu uliachwa na mende tu. Kwa kusema hivyo ikapatikana methali isemayo, “Acha kujikuna muwasho wa mende.”

Methali hiyo, hufananishwa na matatizo yaliyopita. Ndiyo kusema kwamba, siyo vizuri kwa mwanadamu kuwa anayakumbuka maneno yaliyopita. Au siyo vizuri kuwa anayakumbuka matatizo yaliyopita.

Fundisho la methali hii, ni juu ya kutokuvunjwa moyo au kukatishwa tamaa na matatizo yaliyopita, au maneno mabaya yaliyopita. Ni vizuri kwa mwanadamu kuanza upya akipata tatizo badala ya kukata tamaa.

“Baada ya jambo hili, Ayubu akafumbua kinywa chake na kuilaani siku ya kuzaliwa kwake. “Siku ya kuzaliwa kwangu na ipotelee mbali, nao usiku ule iliposemekana, ‘Mtoto wa kiume amezaliwa!’ Siku ile na iwe giza, Mungu juu na asiiangalie nayo nuru isiiangazie.” (Ayubu 3:1-4.)

ENGLISH: STOP ITCHING AN ITCH OF BUGS

The source of this proverb says that a long time ago bugs were too many in the families of the people. They were walking in their homes. Eventually they began to bite people at night. People were constantly thinking about the itch of those bugs.

Finally, they were telling each other that they would have to get rid of them because their lives were being controlled by bugs. There was no point of continuing itching an itch of the bugs. In so saying a proverb was found: “Stop itching an itch of bugs.” This proverb is likened to past problems. That is, it is not good for people to continue recalling their previous problems or bad words to the point of losing hope in their lives. It is not good to lose hope because of their past problems. The teaching of this proverb is not to be discouraged by past problems or past bad words. It is good for a person to start regaining new strength positively in his or her life.

“After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed his birthday. “My birthday and go away, and that night it was fitting, ‘The boy is born!’ Let that day be darkness, and let God not look upon it with light to shine.” (Job 3: 1-4.)

monkeys-

133. OGWIZUKA JILATU JANTEMI HUWAGUJIBHUCHA.

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Mbuki ya lusumo lwenulu lulilola Ntemi. Ikale yali giki, Untemi ulu ubhuka lugendo lo gubhayelela abhazengi bhakwe, ojaga na bhanhu bhagunshindilila. Abhanhu bhenabho habho bhabhuchaga imiligo yakwe.

Uwei untemi oladadililaga igiki aguzwala ki. Ulu miligo yukija ugubhuchiwa, yali giki, uogwiizuka nuyo alaibhuche.

Ichene igahaiyagwa nukubhanhu abhatogilwe nulu abhabhamanilile gubhidika bhangi miligo, abhoyi nulu gugema ugwikumya, yaya.

KISWAHILI: WAKUKUMBUKA VIATU VYA MFALME NDIYE WA KUVIVAA.

Chanzo cha methali hii kinamwangalia Mfalme (mtemi). Hapo zamani Mfalme/Mtemi kama akifunga safari ya kuwatembelea wananchi wake, alienda na watu wakumsindikiza. Watu hao, ndio waliokuwa wakibeba mizigo yake.

Yeye Mfalme alikuwa hajali kwamba atavaa nini. Kama mizigo ikiachwa kubebwa, atakayeikumbuka, ndiye atakayeibeja.

Hali hiyo husemwa pia kwa watu wapendao au waliozoea kuwabebesha wengine mizigo, ambayo wao hawajaribu hata kuigusa.

Luka 11:46“Yesu akamjibu, “Nanyi wataalam wa sheria, ole wenu, kwa sababu mnawatwika watu mizigo mizito ambayo hawawezi kubeba, wala ninyi wenyewe hamwinui hata kidole kimoja kuwasaidia.”

jesus-of-nazareth

ENGLISH: THE ONE WHO REMEMBERS THE SHOES OF THE KING IS THE ONE WHO HAS TO WEAR THEM

The source of that proverb looks at the King. A long time ago the King/Emperor was traveling on a journey to visit his people. He went with some people who wanted to impress him. They were the ones carrying his cargo. The King did not care of what he would wear. If the cargo was left, like shoes, then the person who remembered them was the one who had to wear them. The situation is also said to people who are used to burden others with burdens that they did not even try to touch.

“Jesus answered them, ”You experts of the law, woe to you, because you lay down heavy burdens that you cannot bear, and you yourselves have not even one finger to help.” (Luke 11:46).

132. MONGO NA MBULA

Collected by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Aho kale umongo ni mbula jigihalalika. Umongo gugigimba na gundalaha umuna Mbula, na gung’wila, “Lolaga umo nalinabhudula. Nokalaga minzi hangi nalizwilila na guhuuma bho nguzu mpaga abhanhu bhaliduuma ugunikila.”

Imbula igashosha, “Idishene, ubho nduhu nene ubhebhe udiginhu.” Umongo gukashosha, “Yaya unene gwandija kale nabhiza giki, nokala minzi na nguzu hangi bhanhu bhalongeja gunikumilija noi gufumila miaka igana mpaka igana. Iki bhaliza kulinene bhuli lushiku gudaha minzi. Ehe, ubhebhe ulinabhudula ki?”

Giko lulu, imbula igakolwa na gwiyombela munholo yayo, “ung’wunuyu dubhone na nguzu jakwe!”

Imbula igoya ugutula umongo guuma gete. Umongo gugaiwa ugogwita gupinihala na guhagigisha guliyomba, ugoyi ubhonduhu mbula gudi ginhu.

KISWAHILI: MTO NA MVUA

Hapo zamani siku moja mto na mvua walibishana. Mto ulijivuna na kumdharau mvua na kumwambia, “Tazama nilivyo na uwezo. Nimejaa maji tena ninabubujika na kuporomoka kwa nguvu hata watu wanashindwa kunivuka.”

Mvua akamjibu, “sivyo bila mimi wewe si kitu.” Mto ukajibu “hapa

na mimi tangu zamani nimekuwa hivihivi, nimejaa maji na nguvu tena watu wameendelea kunisifu sana kutoka karne hadi karne. Maana wanakuja kwangu kila siku kuteka maji. Wewe je, una uwezo gani?”

Basi mvua ikakasirika na kujisemea moyoni mwache, “huyu tuone na nguvu zake!” Mvua ikaacha kunyesha mto ukakauka kabisa. Mto ukakosa la kufanya ukasikitika na kuhakikisha ukisema, wenyewe bila mvua si kitu.

ENGLISH: THE STORY OF THE RIVER AND THE RAIN

In the past, one day, the river and the rain disputed. The river boasted and despised the rain and said to it, “Behold how powerful I am. I am full of water and I am flowing and I prevent people from crossing. ”

The rain answered, “Without me you are nothing.” The river replied, “I have always been there in the past. I have been full of water and power. People have continued to praise me from centuries to centuries. For they come to me every day to fetch water. What can you to do?”

Then the rain became angry and said in its heart, “Let us see who has power!” It stopped raining for years. The river had nothing to do. It dried up. It proved by itself the saying that the river without the rain is nothing.