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

Olihoi ng’walimu o dini ya kanisa katoliki, katekista, o Sanungu, ilina lyakwe Sebastiani. Aho adinabhatijiwa oliadazunije igiki bhulihoi bhupanga bho bhulunga kele. Oliazunije giki duhui bhulihoi bhupanga bho mili duhui. Ulufu lulingelelo ya wikaji. Jilinduhui ginhu jinghi aha baada lufu.

Ighinhu ija dini jili ja bhuhala duhui, gitumo Maduhu, agayombela, “Ighinhu ijasolobho jili ng’ombe, bhutale, walwa, gupona bhusiga, gubyala bhana.”

 Bhanoga abha badri bhuzenga jigango umu chalo ijo wikalaga uSebastiani na bhuntuma ng’walimu o dini, katekista moi. Nalulu aho ukatekista agulangaga higulya ya dini, USebastiani adamanile nulu hadoo, aliyo ubhulingisilo bhokwe yali gwilanga gusoma duhui.

 Mieji mingi igabhita, umhayo go ng’wa Mulungu gugandya gwingila mumoyo gokwe. Uwiza bho ng’wa Mulungu, isungu lwakwe, nu bhutengeke bhokwe, agandya gubhudebha.

Huna USebastiani agandya gumana iki bhulihoi bhupanga bhunghi ubho bhudashilaga, ubho bhudina nhalikilo. Ubhupanga bhunubho alidinha Mulungu ku nzila ya ng’wa Sebha wise Yesu Kristo.

Ubhulangwa bhunubhu bhuganyeja noi. Bhugingila mugati ya moyo gokwe gete. Ubhulondeja kubhulingisilo bhumo ubhushikanile, mpaga ubhiza ng’walimu o dini, nulu Katekista.

 KISWAHILI: KATEKISTA SEBASTIANI

Alikuwepo katekista mmoja wa Sanungu, jina lake Sebastiani. Kabla ya kubatizwa hakuwa na uhakika hata kidogo kwamba kuna uzima wa milele. Aliamini kuwa kuna uzima wa mwili tu, na kifo ni mwisho wa maisha. Hakuna kitu kingine baada ya kifo.

Mambo ya dini ni upuuzi tu, kama alivyosema Maduhu, “mambo ya maana ni ng’ombe, cheo madaraka, pombe, kupona busiga kubyala bana.”

Baadaye, mapadri walijenga kigango katika kijiji alichoishi Sebastiani na wakamtuma katekista. Basi katekista alipokuwa  akifundisha mambo ya dini, Sebastiani hakuelewa hata kidogo, ila akawa na nia ya kujifunza kusoma tu.

Miezi mingi ilipopita, Neno la Mungu lilianza kuingia moyoni  mwake, akauelewa wema wa Mungu, huruma yake, na haki yake.

Ndipo Sebastiani akaanza kufahamu kwamba kuna uzima mwingine ambao hauishi (haumaliziki, hauna mwisho, hauna kikomo.) Anatupa Mungu kwa njia ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.

Mafundisho haya yalimfurahisha mno, yakaingia ndani ya moyo wake kabisa. Akayafuata kwa nia moja thabiti, hata akawa katekista.

 

ENGLISH: SEBASTIAN, THE CATECHIST

There was one of the Sanungu catechists, named Sebastian. Before he was baptized, he did not believe that there was eternal life. He believed that there was only a physical life, and that death was the end of life. There was nothing else after death.

Religious things for him were just nonsense, as Maduhu once said, ” Things that are important are  power, position, alcohol, and bearing children.”

Later, the priests built an outstation of the church in the village where Sebastian lived. The church sent a catechist there. So, when the catechist taught religious matters, Sebastian did not understand at all, but he was only interested in learning how to read and write.

As months passed, the word of God began to enter the heart of Sebastian. He understood the goodness of God, His mercy, and His grace.

Then, Sebastian slowly began to realize that there is life that does not get finished (the endless life, eternal life). Moreover, he realized that God gives it to us through our Lord Jesus Christ.

These teachings made him so happy. They entered his heart and mind. He followed them whole heartedly. He even became a catechist.

 

 

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

Olihoi munhu umo ilina lyakwe Matayo uyowikalaga Bhulaya. Olina miaka ikumi ni bhili. Agandya gutumama nimo ng’widuka go gujinja walwa. Ahenaho agilanga gung’wa walwa haho adinashisha imiaka ikumi ni tandatu.

Agabhiza ng’wi nkomezu o walwa. Makanza gose agaigela alinanota ya gung’wa walwa. Giko bhuli makanza agabhiza agucholaga gubhiza na hela. Agajijinja ijilatu jakwe kugiki apandike hela ja gung’wela walwa. Uwikaji bhokwe bhugabhiza walwa duhu.

Ginhu jimo jigilonga aho olinamiaka makumi abhili na nhinane. Agabhiza adina sentí nulu ndoo. Agayulindila hanze ya jilabhu agwilombelejaga hela kubhanwani bhakwe bhangulile walwa.

Aliyohei, bhagalema na gunsega. Agajinjimala. Ginhu jinijo jigaminya noi bhiganika umung’holo, “gashi unene nadinabhanwani. Unwani one ali Mulungu duhu, atiho ungi.”

Gwandija lushugu lunulo agiyangula kumshokela Mulungu na gulumbwa ishibhi yakwe aliyomba, “Mulungu one, Mulungu unene nina shibhi, uludanambilijije nadudula uguleka ugung’wa uwalwa, ehe b’ab’a unambilije umubhulebhu bhone unikulilwe.”

Kunguzu ja ng’wa Mulungu umatayo agadula ugubhuleka uwalwa gete. Aliyo umhayo gunuyo goligudigunogu ukuliwei. Bholi bhulugu bhokwe uwei nuuguileka inhumbu ya gung’wa walwa. Agatumila makanza agusalilaga habhutongi ya nsalabha bho nduhu ugulala.

UMatayo adishokelile ihali yakwe ya kale, nulu adabhukumije hangi uwalwa. Ahoozumalika umusi, olina miaka makumi atandatu na kenda. Bhanhu bhingi bhagajiyelela ijigila jakwe kunguno bhagamana igiki ali Ntagatifu.

KISWAHILI: HADITHI YA MATAYO MUUZA POMBE

Alikuwapo mtu mmoja jina lake Matayo ambaye aliishi Ulaya. Alipokuwa na umri wa miaka kumi na mbili alianza kufanya kazi katika duka la kuuza pombe.

Hapo alijifunza kunywa pombe hata kabla  hajafikisha umri wa miaka kumi na sita. Alikuwa hodari sana wa kunywa pombe. Daima alionekana kuwa na kiu ya kunywa pombe, hivyo kila wakati alihitaji kuwa na pesa. Aliuza viatu vyake ili apate pesa ya kununulia pombe. Kwa ujumla maisha yake yakawa ni pombe tu.

Jambo moja lilitokea alipokuwa na umri wa miaka ishirini na nane. Alikuwa hana senti hata kidogo. Alingoja nje ya kilabu akiwaomba marafiki  zake wamnunulie pombe.

Lakini wapi walikataa na kumcheka. Akapigwa  na butwaa. Jambo hilo lilimchoma sana akawaza moyoni, “kumbe mimi sina marafiki. Rafiki yangu ni Mungu tu hakuna mwingine.”

Tangu siku ile aliamua kumrudia Mungu kwa kukiri makosa yake akisema, “Mungu wangu, “Mungu mimi ni mwenye dhambi, bila msaada kutoka kwako siwezi kuacha kunywa pombe, Ee Baba unisaidie katika udhaifu wangu unihurumie.”

Kwa nguvu ya Mungu Matayo alifaulu kuacha kunywa pombe kabisa. Lakini jambo hilo halikuwa rahisi kwake. Ilikuwa ni vita kati yake na hamu ya kwenda kunywa pombe.  Alitumia muda  mwingi bila ya kulala akisali mbele ya msalaba.

Matayo kamwe hakurudia hali yake ya hapo awali, wala hakugusa pombe tena. Alipofariki dunia, akiwa na umri wa miaka sitini na tisa, watu wengi walilitembelea kaburi lake kwani walimtambua kuwa ni mtakatifu.

ENGLISH: THE STORY OF MATHEW, THE BEEN SELLER

There was a man named Matthew who lived in Europe. When he was twelve years old, he started working at a beer shop.

There, he learned to drink beer even before he was sixteen years old. He was a very addicted drinker. He always seemed to be thirsty and eager to drink. So every time, he was supposed to have money with which to drink. He sold his belongings to earn money for buying beer. All his life became the life of nothing else but beer.

One thing happened when he was twenty-eight years old. One day, he had no cents at all. He waited outside the club; asking his friends to buy him beer.

To his surprise, all of the friends refused to give him money. Instead, they laughed at him. Seeing that, he was shocked. He became very angry and in his mind, he thought, “I don’t have friends. My only friend is God and no one else.”

Since that day, he made a resolution to return to God by confessing his sins and saying, “My God, my God, I am a sinner, without your help I cannot stop drinking beer, my heavenly father, help me in my weakness.”

By God’s power and grace, Matthew was able to stop drinking alcohol altogether. But that was not easy for him. It was a war between him and his desire to drink. He spent a lot of time without sleeping praying to  God in front of the cross.

Matthew never returned to his previous state, nor did he touch the alcohol again. When he died, at the age of sixty-nine, many people could visit his tomb because they recognized him as a saint.

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

Ahuli! Nyuli! Olihoi Badri Wenge o parokia ya Sumve. U Badri Wenge olinkali noi. Ijina gumela, ulu hamo unkristo utola mhali, U Badri Wenge agushiga okalihaga bho higulya. Agusola pigipigi yakwe na guja gukaya ya nkima ng’wunuyo na gujunpeja ahalingosha ng’wunuyo.

Hangi, unke o nkristo ulu adajile ukukanisa ulushigu ulonfungo, onsangaga na guntula ngumhi.

Ahanuma yaho, agiza Badri Jola, umuparokia yiniyo. U Badri Jola agabhalomela abhazunya bhakwe, giki, “imihayo ya dini iliyabhuyanguji bho ng’wa munhu. Nulu ubhuzunya bhudadulile gukula bho gwihadikija.

Imihayo iyadini iliyabhutogwa bho ng’holo. Iyagwita mito gawiza, nulu mabhi, bhulibhuyanguji bho munhu wei, giki, bhulibhutogwa bho ng’holo yakwe.” Gutumo bhanhu bha kale umobhayombela, “Ya ng’holo ya ng’wa Jola.”  Ing’holo uluyutogwa umunhu ulya nyama mbisi.

UJola agalanga, “Ulu munhu alichagula lufu ubhuleka ubhupanga, wimana weyi. Ulu munhu alihaya gusaga na shibhi jakwe nduhu ugujileka dudinagogwita, wimana weyi na bhuyanguji bhokwe.”

KISWAHILI: PADRI WENGE

Paukwa! Pakawa! Alikuwapo Padri Wenge wa parokia ya Sumve. Padri Wenge alikuwa katili sana. Kwa mfano,  kama mkristo akioa mitara, Padri Wenge hufika juu kwa hasira. Atachukua pikipiki yake na kwenda nyumbani kwa mwanamke yule na kumfukuza kwa bwana wake.

Mke mkristo kama hakwenda kanisani siku ya jumapili  alimwendea na kumpiga ngumi.

Baadaye alifika Padri Jola katika parokia ile. Padri Jola aliwaeleza waumini wake, “mambo ya dini ni utashi wa mtu mwenyewe, wala ukristo hauwezi kustawi kwa kulazimishana. Mambo ya dini ni upedo wa Roho. Masuala ya kutenda mema au mabaya ni uamuzi wa kila mtu binafsi yaani upendo wa Roho.”  Kama wahenga walivyosema,  “Ya ng’holo ya ng’wa jola.”  Roho ikipenda mtu hula nyama mbichi.

Jola alifundisha, “Ikiwa mtu anachagua mauti badala ya uzima ni shauri lake. Ikiwa mtu anataka kubaki na dhambi zake bila ya kuziacha hatuna la kufanya, ni shauri lake ni uamzi  wake.”

 

 

ENGLISH: WENGE, THE PRIEST

Once upon a time, there was a priest by the name Wenge of Sumve parish. Father Wenge was very harsh. For example, if a Christian happened to have a polygamous marriage, Father Wenge could with anger and punish him. He would take his motorcycle and go to the woman’s home and dismiss her from her master.

If a Christian did not go to church on Sunday, he would go and punish him.

Later on came Father Jola to the parish. Father Jola explained to his believers, “Religious matters are the will of a person.” He added, “Christianity cannot flourish by forcing each other. Religious matters are a matter of love of the Spirit. Doing good or evil is the decision of each individual, that is, the love of the Spirit.”

Father Jola taught, “If a person chooses death instead of life, it is his/her own counsel. If  he/she wants to remain with his/her sins instead of leaving them, it is his/her own counsel as well as his decision.”

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

Olihoi mayu umo uyo alinabhana bhabhili, Bhonde na Shuma. Umu bhana bhanabho uShuma oli ng’wana okwe, alu Bhonde oli ng’wana o ngoshiokwe.

Umayu ng’wunuyo aganzugila UBhonde masangi ayogaligadatwililwe nulu josejose (masangu mahulu). Aliyo aganzugila ushuma masangu ayogaligatwililwe shili na mhande (masangu gawiza gatwilile shili na mhande).

Ubhonde olinginu na hangi olinihanga lya gutogisha. UShuma olinzaifu na nkondu, ningekhi oliaguzugilagwa masangu ayogatwililwe shili na mhande kugiki gang’winhe afya yawiza. Ikiuweyi uling’witogwi ong’wa mayu okwe, olanghanagwa chiza gulebha uBhonde.

Lushiku lumo umayu ng’winuyo agasumba lugendo kihamo na bhana bhakwe abhabhili, UBhonde nu Shuma. Aho alimulugendo agatung’wana na bhanhu ubhabhuja, “Bhabehi umubhana bhane abhabhili abha, aliginehe uyo alinsoga kukila?” Abhanhu bhenabho bhaganshokeja kulyimbo:

Pye bhalibhasoga, pye bhalibhasoga, Aliyo UBhonde alinginu nginu, Aliyo UShuma aling’wumu guti lukwi.”

Aho wigwa imihayo yiniyo umayu ng’wunuyo agapelana noi. Wiyangula gushoka kaya. Aho oshika ikaya agasimba lishimo. Huna umponeja UBhonde umugati yalishimo linilo. Agang’witiila minze masebhu na gunfukila haho atali mpanga.

Aho lyakula ikanza UShuma agashoka ugufumila ukumongo gujudaya minzi. Agamuja unina, “Mayu, UBhonde ojaga hei?”

Unina aganshokeja, “Unene nadamanile ukoojaga! Ni bhuli ulinibhuja?” UShuma ahoongaiwa uilumbu lyakwe, agokalilwa na bhupina bhutale noi. UShuma adammonelile wilu UBhonde ukuwiza bhokwe, uninabho huuyo olinawilu. UShuma agandya gwimba:

Nke o ng’wa bhabha uling’wanishi one, Nke o ng’wa bhabha uling’wanishi one, Nibhuli omulagaga uilumbu lyane untale! Umu makubhi dalibhabhili, Umu minzi dalibhabhili, Umu malima dalibhabhili, Inzila yako mayu yaliidinzila ya Mulungu, Amiganiko gako galigadiga ng’wa Mulungu.”

Umayu ng’winuyo agabhulilwa ni jililo ja moyo aho oligwa ilyimbo ilo olyimbaga uShuma. Ubhabha okwe aho oshoka, UShuma aganomela pye iyoyaiilonga. Ubhabha ng’wunuyo agampeja ahakaya umayu uowilu na mulaagi ng’wunuyo.

KISWAHILI: WIVU WA MAMA

 Alikuwapo mama mmoja aliyekuwa na watoto wawili, Bhonde na Shuma. Kati ya watoto hao, Shuma  alikuwa mtoto wake, na Bhonde alikuwa mtoto wa mumewe.

Mama huyo alimpikia Bhonde kande zisizochanganywa na kitu kingine chochote (masangu mahulu). Lakini Shuma alimpikia mama yake kande zilizokuwa zimechanganywa na kunde na njugu mawe (masangu gawiza gatwilile shili na mhande). Bhonde alikuwa mnene sana. Pia alikuwa na sura ya kupendeza.

Shuma alikuwa dhaifu na mwembamba, ingawa alikuwa anapikiwa kande zilizokuwa na mseto wa kumpatia afya nzuri. Aidha, kwa vile alikuwa kipenzi cha mama, alitunzwa vizuri kuliko Bhonde.

Siku moja mama huyo alisafiri pamoja na watoto wake wote wawili, Bhonde na Shuma. Akiwa safarini, alikutana na watu akawauliza, “jamani kati ya wanangu hawa wawili ni yupi ambaye ni mrembo  zaidi? Watu walimjibu kwa wimbo

Wote ni wazuri, wote ni wazuri, Lakini Bhonde ni mnene mnene, Lakini Shuma ni mkavu kama kuni.”

Baada ya kusikia maneno hayo, yule mama alikasirika sana. Akaamua kurudi nyumbani. Alipofika nyumbani, alichimba shimo. Halafu akamtumbukiza Bhonde ndani ya lile shimo. Akamwagia maji ya moto na kumfukia akiwa bado hai.

Baada ya muda Shuma alirudi kutoka mtoni kuteka maji. Akamwuliza mama yake, “Mama, Bhonde amekwenda wapi?”

Mama akamjibu, “Mimi sijui alikokwenda! Kwa nini unaniuliza?” Shuma alipomkosa dada yake alijawa huzuni kubwa sana. Shuma hakumwonea wivu Bhonde kwa sura yake, bali wivu alikuwa nao mama yao. Shuma akaanza kuimba:

 Mke wa baba ni adui wangu, Mke wa baba ni adui wangu, Mbona umemwua dadagu mkubwa!

Kwenye mboga tulikuwa wawili, kwenye maji tulikuwa wawili, Kilimo tulikuwa  wawili. Njia yako mama haikuwa njia ya Mungu, Mawazo yako hayakuwa ya Mungu.

 Yule mama alisutwa na kilio cha moyo baada ya kuusikia wimbo aliouimba Shuma. Baba yake aliporudi, Shuma alimweleza yote yaliyotokea. Baba alimfukuza nyumbani yule mama mwenye wivu na mwuaji.

ENGLISH: THE JEALOUS MOTHER

There was a mother of two children, Bhonde and Shuma. Of these two children, Shuma was her real daughter, and Bhonde was her stepdaughter.

The mother used to cook a mixture of food known as kande (cooked maize grain) with nothing else (kande without beans) for Bhonde.  But for Shuma she cooked kande with a mixture of cowpeas and peanuts. Bhonde was a plump girl. She also had a beautiful attractive shape.

Shuma was weak and thin, although she was getting good food. In addition, Shuma was well cared for more than Bhonde.

One day, the mother traveled with her two daughters, Bhonde and Shuma. On the way, she met people and asked, “Which of these two daughters is the more beautiful?” People answered her in a song:

“They are both beautiful. But Bhonde is plump and well built. Shuma is as dry as wood.”

After hearing those words, the mother was got very angry. She decided to go back home with her daughters. When she got home, she dug a hole. Then she dropped Bhonde into that hole. Then, she poured hot water onto her while she was still alive. That is how she killed Bhonde.

After a while, Shuma came back home from the river where she had gone to fetch water. She asked her mother, “Mama, where has Bhonde gone?”

The mother replied, “I don’t know where she went! Why do you ask me?” Shuma missed her sister a lot and she was very sad. She had not been jealous of Bhonde for her good appearance and shape.It is the mother who was jealous. Then Shuma started singing:

 The wife of  my father is my enemy. The wife of my father is my enemy. Why have you killed my great sister? At the vegetables we were two. At the water well, we were two. At the farm, we were two. Your way your mother was not God’s way. Your thoughts were not thoughts of God.”

 The mother was shocked. She got heart attack after hearing the song that Shuma sang. When her father came back home, Shuma told him all that had happened. The father chased that woman away from that home.