proverbs

1394. AGASIMIZAGA NA MASHIGA GU NOMO.

Amashiga gali mazugilo ayo gagikalaga mawe nulu madifali adatu. Amashiga genayo gagaibhuchaga inungu nulu fulila. Abhanhu bhagabhachaga moto uyo gugikalaga aha gati yago amashiga genayo kunguno ya guzugila jiliwa. Unzugi agafulaga moto bho gutumila nomo gokwe nago gobhaka uyo gugabishaga ijiliwa. Hunagwene abhanhu bhang’wilaga unzugi ng’wunuyo giki, “agasiminzaga na mashiga gu nomo.”

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agabehaga shigala umukakilile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agajibehaga ishigala jinijo mpaga ofunya lyochi umunomo gokwe guti giki alina mashiga umunomo gunuyo, kunguno ya gukija gugudililaga chiza umili gokwe. Uweyi agajikenagulaga imbazu jakwe bho gubeha shigala jinijo, kunguno ya gugija gugudilila chiza umili gokwe gunuyo, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nuyo ofulaga moto bho nomo gobhaka mpaga lyafuma lyochi, kunguno nuweyi agabehaga shigala mpaga ofunya lyochi umunomo gokwe gunuyo, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “agasiminzaga na mashiga gu nomo.”

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guilanhana chiza imimili yabho bho guleka gubeha shigala, kugiki bhadule gwikala mhola, umukaya jabho.

Mwanzo 19:24-25.

Kutoka 9:23-24.

Waamuzi 15:14.

1Wafalme 1:1.

KISWAHILI: HUTEMBEA NA MAFIGA MDOMONI.

Mafiga ni aina ya jiko la kupikia lenye mawe au matofali matatu. Mafiga hayo hubeba chombo cha kupikia kama vile chungu au sufulia. Watu huwasha moto katikati ya mafiga hayo matatu kwa sababu ya kupika chakula. Mpishi gupuliza moto kwa kutumia mdomo wake ndipo moto huo unawaka ambao hukipika chakula hicho mpaka kukiivisha. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia mpishi huyo kwamba, “hutembea na mafiga mdomoni.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huvuta sigala katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huvuta sigala hizo mpaka anatoa moshi mdomoni mwake hali ambayo huonekana kama anamafiga mdomoni mwake, kwa sababu ya kutokuujali vizuri mwili mwake. Yeye huyaharibu mapafu yake kwa kuvuta sigala hizo, kwa sababu ya kukosa umakini huo wa kuijali vizuri afya yake, maishani mwake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule awashaye moto kwenye mafiga kwa kupuliza akitumia mdomo wake mpaka unatoka moshi, kwa sababu naye huvuta sigala mpaka anatoa moshi mdomoni mwake, katika maisha yake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “hutembea na mafiga mdomoni.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuzitunza vizuri afya za miili yao kwa kuacha kuvuta sigala, ili waweze kuwa salama, katika familia zao.

Mwanzo 19:24-25.

Kutoka 9:23-24.

Waamuzi 15:14.

1Wafalme 1:1.

ENGLISH: HE WALKS WITH KITCHEN IN THE MOUTH.

A kitchen is a type of cooking stove which has three stones or bricks. These stones or bricks carry a cooking vessel such as pot or saucepan. People light a fire in the middle of these three stones or bricks for cooking food. The cook blows the fire by using his mouth and the fire burns which cooks the food well. That is why people say to the cook that, “he walks with kitchen in the mouth.”

This proverb is equaled to a person who smokes cigarettes in his life. Such person, smokes those cigarettes until he exhales smoke in his mouth, which seems like he exhales it in his mouth, because of not taking respectable care of his body. He damages his lungs by smoking those cigarettes, because of not paying attention enough to take decent care of his health, in his life.

This person is like the one who lights the fire in the three cooking stones or bricks by blowing fire using his mouth until smoke comes out, because he also smokes cigarettes until smoke comes out in his mouth. That is why people say to him that, “He walks with kitchen in the mouth.”

This proverb instills in people an idea of taking virtuous care of their physical health by quitting smoking, so that they can be safe, in their families.

Genesis 19:24-25.

Exodus 9:23-24.

Judges 15:14.

1 Kings 1:1.

1387. OBHINHAGA ABHANHU BHUPILIPILI.

Olihoyi munhu uyo wikalaga muchalo jilebhe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, otulaga bhupilipili umujiliwa jakwe mpaga bhaduma abhangi ujilya kunguno ya gukaliha guti bhalyaga bhupilili wenikili. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wila giki, “abhinhaga abhanhu bhupilipili.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu nchilu uyo agabhakalihilaga sagala abhanhu bhakwe, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikalaga ubhadukagula sagala abhanhu bhakwe ulu okenyiyagwa nulu hadoo duhu, kunguno ya bhukali bhokwe ubho sagala bhunubho. Uweyi obhadukagulaga abhanhu bha ha kaya yakwe mpaga bhasatya umu ng’holo jabho gitumumo bhugasatijaga ubhupilipili kunguno ya bhukali bho mihayo iyo abhawilaga yiniyo. Abhanhu bhakwe bhenabho bhangigaga aha ng’wakwe osaga bhung’wene kunguno ya bhukali bhokwe bhunubho, umuwikaji bhokwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agatuula bhupilipili umujiliwa jakwe mpaga bhuduma ugujilwa ijiliwa jinijo abhiye, kunguno nuweyi agabhawilaga mihayo mikali abhanhu bhakwe mpaga bhasatya umu ng’holo jabho guti bhalyaga bhupilipili. Hunagwene abhanhu bhaganhayaga giki, “abhinhaga abhanhu bhupilipili.”

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka gubhawila mihayo ya gubhaminya abhanhu bhabho, kugiki bhadule gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho.

Yoshua Bin Sira 7:8.

Yoshua Bin Sira 8:15.

KISWAHILI: AMEWAPA WATU PILIPILI.

Alikuwepo mtu aliyeishi kwenye kijiji fulani. Mtu huyo, alikuwa alikiweka pilipili kwenye chakula chake mpaka watu wengine wanashindwa kukila kwa sababu ya kuwaumiza kama wanakula pilipili wanapokila chakula hicho. Ndiyo maana watu walimwambia kwamba, “amewapa watu pilipili.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule aliye na hasira ya kuwafokea watu hovyo, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huwatukana hovyo watu wake anakosewa kidogo kwa sababu ya hasira yake hiyo ya hovyo, maishani mwake. Yeye huwaumiza watu waishio kwenye familia yake kwa kuwakaripia kupitia maneno ambayo huwaumiza mpaga wanaondoka nyumbani kwake hapo na kumuacha pekee yake kwa sababu ya hasira zake hizo za hovyo, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo hufanana na yule aliyeweka pilipili kwenye chakula chake mpaka wengine wakashindwa kukila, kwa sababu naye huwatukana watu wake kwa kutumia maneno makali mpaka wanaondoka nyumbani kwake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “amewapa watu pilipili.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha tabia ya kuwaambia watu wao maneno ya kuumiza mioyo yao, ili waweze kuzilea vyema familia zao, maishani mwao.

Yoshua Bin Sira 7:8.

Yoshua Bin Sira 8:15.

ENGLISH: HE GAVE PEOPLE PEPPER.

There was a man who lived in a certain village. Such man used to put pepper in his food until other people could not eat it because it hurt them if they ate pepper when eating that food. That is why people told him that, “he gave people pepper.”

This proverb is related to a person who is angry and shouts at people in his life. This man insults his people in this way when he is offended even a little because of his anger in his life. He hurts people who live in his family by scolding them through words that hurt them so much that they leave his house by letting him remain alone because of his anger in his life.

This man resembles the one who put pepper in his food until others could not eat it, because he also insults his people by using harsh words until they leave his house. That is why people told him that, “he gave people pepper.”

This proverb instills in people an idea of stopping habit of saying hurtful words to their family members, so that they can raise their families well in their lives.

Joshua 7:8.

Joshua 8:15.

1384. OLU IDABHINZIKILE UZIDEBHEGELEJA.

April 2025 African Proverb of the Month If it is not broken don’t fix it. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb

Olu idabhenzekile uzidebhageleja. (Sukuma)
Ikiwa haijavunjika usirekebishe. (Swahili)
Si ce n’est pas cassé, ne le réparez pas. (French)
If it is not broken don’t fix it. (English)

Sukuma(Tanzania) Proverb

Background, Meaning and Everyday Use

The Sukuma people are found in northern part of Tanzania. The regions where they are found are: Shinyanga, Simiyu, Mwanza, Geita, Katavi and Tabora. Sukuma is the biggest ethnic group in the country. It estimated to reach 10 million people that represents 16% of the inhabitants of Tanzania. The word “Wasukuma” means “Northern People.” Because the Sukuma stayed in the north they decided to call themselves Sukuma.

These people work as farmers and pastoralists. They are tolerant, peaceful, calm and have jokes for anybody. They teach each other by using proverbs, riddles, wise sayings and drumming in order to mediate, educate, criticize, console, entertain and also encourage people as the proverb says: If it is not broken don’t fix it. When you recognize that something is in a satisfactory state, there is no reason to change it.

There was a woman who was working in a pottery factory. She started to fix strong pots by remolding them. She damaged them even more until they broke. When the buyers came, they rejected them because they were bad. That’s why the Sukuma people say If it is not broken don’t fix it. This saying is compared to the person who likes to negatively judge innocent people and criticize them. The woman’s act of remaking the pots makes her lose her peace of mind after destroying all the pots. This person is similar to people who consider themselves as good and end up looking at the mistakes of others. They can also up miss the Kingdom of God. But the good ones who were judged as sinners see the Kingdom of God.

Biblical Parallels

Mark 9:40: “Anyone who is not against us is for us.”

Matthew 19:2: “Then Peter answered and said, ‘look we have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?’”

Genesis 4:8: “Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘let us go out’ and while they were in the open country, Cain set on his brother Abel and killed him.”

Mark 10:47-48: “When heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and cry out, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet.”

2 Corinthians 13:11: “To end then, brothers we wish you joy try to grow perfect, encourage one another, have a common mind and live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Contemporary Use And Religious Application

This Sukuma proverb encourages people to get rid of the habit of negatively judging everything by not seeing the good in others. Especially if they realize that those people are not flawed, they should not continue to insist on correcting their behavior. This proverb helps Christians to encourage themselves in their daily worries. It helps them to find enough strength to confess their mistakes once they realize that they have failed in order to stand up and move forward again.

This proverb warns Christians that they should love and help each other in their daily lives and stop pointing fingers and judging each other but rather consult and admonish each other with love. This proverb makes people understand the consequences of following the lives of others and forgetting to reflect on their own lives. So, with that attention they can save their lives.

Therefore, we are in a period of globalization. Let’s encourage our children to participate in Small Christian Communities so that they can learn good values of Christian virtues, so they can be strong in faith enough to set goals in their lives and especially to have the fear of God. So that when they meet with temptations, they can overcome them with the armor of faith.

Text by:

Sister Lucia Deus Shelembi

Collegine Sisters of the Holy Family

Nairobi, Kenya

luciashelembi@gmail.com

Smartphone No: +254703201330 (also WhatsApp)

Photographs by:

Rev. Zakaria Kashinje, OSA
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Cellphones:
+255-756-887787 Vodacom
+255-717-3337787 Tigo
+255-786-337787 Airtel
Email: zkashinje@gmail.com
zkashinje@yahoo.co.uk

1383. NG’HASHA YAB’AKULUGENJI YALEMA GUTELA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile ng’hasha ya walwa. Ing’hasha yiniyo jili jisanjo ijo ulu giki bhanhu bhuhaya gusiza walwa b’agandijaga guyib’eja iyagwiza gubhusanja uwalwa wenubho kunguno ya gubhukalihya. Iyoyi ilolile na mihayo ya b’akulugenji iyakale iyo mpaga na lelo dugwitumamilaga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayiyombaga giki, “Ng’hasha ya b’akulugenji yalema gutela.”

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agalikalanaga chiza ililange lya bhatale bhakwe umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agalikanaga ililange lya bhatale bhakwe bhenabho bho gubhalanga abhanhu bhakwe nhungwa ja gwikala na bhanhu chiza, kunguno ya witegeleja bhokwe bhunubho umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agikalaga na bhuyegi bhutale aha kaya yakwe kunguno ya witegeleja bhokwe bhunubho ubho gubhalanga abhanhu bhakwe nhungwa ja gwikala na bhanhu chiza, umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nhi ng’hasha ya bhakulugenji iyo igabhukalihyaga uwalwa, kunguno nuweyi agalikanaga chiza ililange lya bhabyaji bhakwe bho gubhalanga abhanhu bhakwe nhungwa ja gwikala na bhanhu chiza umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhaganyombaga giki “Ng’hasha ya b’akulugenji yalema gutela.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gulikalana chiza ililange lya bhatale bhabho bho gubhalanga abhanhu bhabho nhungwa ja gwikala na bhichabho chiza, kugiki bhadule gwikala na bhuyegi bhutale, umukaya jabho.

Mathayo 24:35.

Luka 21:32.

1Wakorintho 7:31.

KISWAHILI: CHACHU YA WAKUU IMEKATAA KUFIFIA.

Chanzo na maana ya methali hii inaangalia chachu ya pombe. Chachu hiyo ni kikolezo ambacho watu wakitaka kupiga pombe huanza kukitengeneza kinachokuja kuchanganywa na pombe ili kuikoleza. Chachu hiyo pia ni maneno ya wakuu yaliyo ya zamani ambayo bado tunayatumia hadi leo. Ndiyo maana watu huisema kwamba, “chachu ya wakuu imekataa kufifia.”

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huyaishi vizuri malezi ya wakubwa wake katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huyaishi malezi hayo ya wakubwa wake kwa kuwafundisha watu wake maadili ya kuishi na watu vizuri, kwa sababu ya umakini wake huo, maishani mwake. Yeye hupata furaha kubwa katika familia yake kwa sababu ya umakini wake huo wa kuwafundisha watu wake maadili ya kuishi vizuri na watu, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo hufanana na ile chachu ya wakuu iliyokoleza pombe, kwa sababu naye huyaishi vizuri maadili ya wakuu wake kwa kuwafundisha watu wake maadili ya kuishi na watu vizuri, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu humfananisha na chachu kwa kusema kwamba, “chachu ya wakuu imekataa kufifia.”

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuyaishi malezi ya wakubwa wao kwa kuwafundisha watu wao maadili ya kuishi vizuri na wenzao, ili waweze kuishi kwa furaha kubwa, katika familia zao.

Mathayo 24:35.

Luka 21:32.

1Wakorintho 7:31.

ENGLISH: THE YEAST OF THE ELDERS HAS REFUSED TO FADE.

The origin of meaning of this proverb looks at the yeast of alcohol. This yeast is a flavoring that people who want to prepare alcohol begin to make which is then mixed with alcohol to flavor it. It is also an old saying of the elders that we still use up to this day. That is why people say that, “The yeast of the elders has refused to fade.”

This proverb is related to a person who lives well the upbringings of his elders in his life. This person lives these upbringings of his elders by teaching his people about values of living well with their fellows, because of his attention, in his life. He finds great happiness in his family because of his attention of teaching his people the values of living well with others, in his life.

This person is like the yeast of the elders that fermented alcohol, because he also lives well the values of his elders by teaching his people about the values of living well with others, in his life. That is why people compare it to this yeast by saying that, “the yeast of the elders has refused to fade.”

This proverb teaches people about living the upbringing of their elders by teaching their people about the values of living well with their nobles, so that they can live with great happiness, in their families.

Matthew 24:35.

Luke 21:32.

1 Corinthians 7:31.

1373. JIDASHIMEJIJE ING’HINGI.

Olihoyi munhu uyo aginhiwa nimo go gusimbila ng’hingi ja gusengela numba. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agajisimbila ing’hingi jinijo ugabhigwilija abho bhang’winha unimo gunuyo igiki omalaga ugugutumama. Aho bhiza ugugulingula unimo gokwe bhubhona giki jidashimejiwe ugusimbilwa ing’hingi jinijo kunguno bhajidimaga jayugwa duhu. Hunagwene abhagayomba giki, “jidashimejije ing’hingi.”

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alingokolo ugutumama imilimo ya aha kaya yakwe, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo atogilwe gwikala wigashaga duhu nulu lyashigaga ilikanza ilya gutumama milimo yakwe kunguno ya bhugokolo bhokwe bhunubho umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi aligikala ukoyiwa ni koye lya bhuhab’i bho gubhiza na nduhu jikolo aha kaya yakwe yiniyo, kunguno ya bhugokolo bhokwe bhunubho ubho gwikala wigashije ahikanza lya gutumama milimo yakwe, umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nuyo adajishimejije ing’hingi ugujisimbila, kunguno nuwei alingokolo ugutumama imilimo ya kaya yakwe, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’witanaga giki, “jidashimejije ing’hingi.”

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gwihanda gutumama milimo yabho chiza bho bhuleka bhugokolo bho gutumama milimo kugiki bhadule gupandika sabho jagubhambilija ugujibheja chiza ikaya jabho, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Mithali 10:4.

Mithali 13:7-8.

Mithali 19:4.

KISWAHILI: NGUZO HAZIKUCHIMBIWA KWA KINA KIREFU.

Alikuwepo mtu aliyepewa kazi ya kuchimbia nzuzo za kujengea nyumba. Mtu huyo, alizichimbia nguzo hizo akaenda kuwataarifu wale waliompatia kazi hiyo kuwa ameimaliza. Walipofika kuikagua kazi yake wale waliompatia kazi hiyo waligundua kuwa nguzo hizo hazikuchimbiwa vizuri kwa sababu kila walipozigusa kidogo zilianguka. Ndiyo maana walisema kwamba, “nguzo hazikuchimbiwa kwa kina kirefu.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye ni mvivu wa kufanya kazi kwenye familia yake, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo hushinda akiwa amekaa tu hata wakati wa kufanya kazi kwa sababu ya uvivu wake huo, maishani mwake. Yeye husumbulia na tatizo la umakini wa kutokuwa na kitu katika familia yake kwa sababu ya uvivu wake huo wa kushinda amekaa hata wakati wa kufanya kazi, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyeshindwa kuitekeleza vizuri kazi ya kuchimbia nguzo aliyopewa, kwa sababu naye ana uvivu wa kutokufanya kazi zake mpaga anasumbuliwa na tatizo la umaskini wa kutokuwa na kitu katika familia yake, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba “nguzo hazikuchimbiwa kwa kina kirefu.”

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kujibidisha kufanya kazi zao bila ya kuzembea katika kuyatekeleza majukumu yao, ili waweze kupata mali za kuwasaidia katika kuziendelea vizuri familia zao, maishani mwao.

Mithali 10:4.

Mithali 13:7-8.

Mithali 19:4.

ENGLISH: THE PILLARS WERE NOT DUG DEEP.

There was a man who was given a task of digging foundations for a house. Such man dug pillars and went to inform those who had given him that task that he had finished. When they arrived to inspect his work, those who had given him the task discovered that those pillars were not dug properly because every time they fell after touching them. That is why they said, “The pillars were not dug deep.”

This proverb is equaled to a person who is lazy to work in his family, in his life. Such person wins by just sitting down even when working because of his laziness, in his life. He suffers from the difficult of not having anything in his family because of his laziness of sitting down without working in his life.

This person is like the one who failed to properly carry out the task of digging a pillar given to him, because he is also lazy in doing his work until he is troubled by the problem of poverty of having nothing in his family, in his life. That is why people say to him that “the pillars were not dug deep.”

This proverb teaches people about working hard enough to do their jobs without being lazy in carrying out their responsibilities, so that they can obtain much wealth enough to help them in decent development of their families in their lives.

Proverbs 10:4.

Proverbs 13:7-8.

Proverbs 19:4.