proverbs

280. SHIMBA IGALYAGA MAGUZU GAYO.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile kalile ka shimba. Ishimba ilindimu iyo idalyaga ndimu iyo ichile. Iyoyi igalyaga indimu iyo yib’ulagaga yoyi njinikili. Kuyiniyo lulu, ishimba igatumilaga nguzu ningi ijaguipeja indimu yiniyo mpaga yib’ulage kugiki ipandike jiliwa. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘shimba igalyaga maguzu gayo.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagalyaga jiliwa ijo bhajipandika bho gutumila nguzu jabho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagatumama milimo yabho, bho bhukamu bhutale mpaga bhajipandika isabho ijobhagajilyaga umuwikaji bhobho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagabhakomelejaga abhichabho gwikomeja gutumama milimo bho guyomba giki, ‘shimba igalyaga maguzu gayo.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu gwikomeja gutumama milimo, kugiki bhadule gujipandika isabho ijaguyulya jiliwa ja maguzu gabho.

(1 Wathesalonike 4:11 – 12)

KISWAHILI: SIMBA HULA NGUVUZE.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia ulaji wa simba. Simba ni myamapori ambaye hali mzoga. Yeye hula mnyama ambaye amemuua yeye mwenyewe kwa nguvu zake. Kwa hiyo, mnyama huyo hutumia nguvu nyingi katika kumfukuza mnyama yule aliyemlenga, mpaka ampate na kumuua, ili apate chakula chake. Ndiyo maana watu husema, ‘Simba hula nguvuze.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale ambao hula chakula walichokipata wao kwa kutumia nguvu zao wenyewe. Watu hao hufanya kazi zao kwa bidii kubwa, mpaka kufikia hatua ya kupata mali wailayo maishani mwao. Watu hao huwahimiza pia wenzao kuongeza bidii ya kufanya kazi zao, kwa kusema kwamba, ‘Simba hula nguzuze.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu  kuongeza bidii katika kufanya kazi ili waweze kupata mali ya kula chakula kitokanacho na jasho lao. Bidii hiyo itawaletea maendeleo katika familia zao.

(1 Wathesalonike 4:11 – 12).

lion

ENGLISH: THE LION EATS ITS STRENGTHS.

The origin of this proverb looks at the lions’ eating habits. A lion is a wild animal that does not eat a corpse. It eats an animal that it has killed with its own efforts and strenghts. Thus, the animal spends most of its energy on chasing the targeted prey, until it finds and kills it, in order to get its well deserved food. That is why people say, ‘A lion eats its strengths’.

The proverb is used comparatively to refer to those people who eat food from their own sweat as a result of using their own strengths. These people work very hard, to the point where they get the wealth they need in their lives. The same people also encourage their peers to work hard, saying, ‘The lion eats its strengths.’

The proverb teaches people to increase their effort in working hard so that they can earn a living from their sweat. The effort will bring prosperity to their families.

(1 Thessalonians 4:11 – 12)

279. GULYA NA NG’WIMBI.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile bhuli bho jiliwa na ng’wimbi. Ubhuli bhunubho b’uli bho bhanhu bhabhili, uungi ng’wimbi. Ung’wimbi aling’wanishi o ng’wa munhu uyo bhalilya nang’hwe. Gashinaga lulu, ugulya na ng’wimbi, ili gulya kihamo na ng’wanishi oko.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagabhayangulaga bhichacho abho bhikenya, bho nzila ya mahoya ga mholele. Abhanhu bhenabho, bhagatumilaga nzila niza ija kubhalumanya abho bhiduma, kugiki bhadule ugwikala kihamo bho mholele, umuwikaji bhobho.

Imholele yiniyo ilinasolobho ningi, ijo jilikihamo na gubhambilija abhoyi ijinagutumama milimo yabho iyagubhenhela matwajo mingi. Gashinaga, yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho, bhatogwe ‘gulya na ng’wimbi.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu  guchola mholele bho nzila ya mahoya, kugiki abhanhu bhabho bhasage mhola, na bhadule gubhulang’hana chiza ubhupanga bhobho, nu bhobhichab’o.

(Yohane 13:10-11; Marko 14:17-20)

KISWAHILI: KULA NA MWIMBAJI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia ulaji wa chakula na mtu ambaye ni mwimbaji. Ulaji huo ni wa watu wawili, mmoja ni mwimbaji. Mwimbaji huyo ni adui wa yule wanayekula naye. Kumbe basi, kula na mwimbaji, ni kula na adui yako.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale wawaamuao wenzao waliogombana, kwa kutumia njia za maongezi ya amani.  Watu hao hutafuta njia mbalimbali ambazo ni nzuri katika kuwapatanisha watu kama hao, kwa njia ya amani, ili waweze kuishi pamoja na kwa amani maishani mwao.  Amani hiyo ina faida nyingi, zikiwa ni pamoja na kuwasaidia watu hao, katika kufanya kazi zao za kuwaletea mafanikio mengi. Kumbe yafaa kuwahimiza watu wapende ‘kula na mwimbaji.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu  kutafuta amani kwa kutumia njia za maongezi ya amani, ili wafuasi wao wabaki salama, na waweze kuulinda vizuri uhai wao na ule wa wenzao.

(Yohane 13:10-11; Marko 14:17-20)

 

handshake

ENGLISH: EATING WITH A SINGER.

The origin of this proverb is food intake by someone who was a singer. The meal was for two people, one of whom was a singer. The singer was the enemy to someone they were eating with. Then, to eat with a singer, is to eat with one’s enemy.

The proverb is used comparatively to refer to people who mediate conflicting counterparts by using peaceful negotiations. Such people seek different ways that are good for reconciling them, in a peaceful way, so that they can live together in peace in their lives. This peace has many benefits, including assisting individuals in their efforts to bring them great success. As such, also is useful to encourage people to ‘eat with the singer.’

The proverb teaches people to seek peace through peaceful negotiations, so that their followers can stay safe, and be in a better position protect themselves and their neighbors.

(John 13: 10-11; Mark 14: 17-20).

278. NYAMA YA NGINO IGALILAGWA MUGITI.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile kalile ka nyama, iyo ilina ngino. Inyama yiniyo idiyawiza ugwiilolela, kunguno ingino jigikalaga muginhu ijojibholile. Ulu munhu alimgiti adujibhona ingino jinijo, aguilya inyama yiniyo, kunguno ya giti jinijo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki ‘nyama ya ngino igalilagwa mgiti.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uomiito ga bhubhi, kunguno amiito genayo gagitilagwa mugiti, gitumo igalilagwa inyama yiniyo iya ngino.  Umunhu ng’wunuyo agaitilaga iyabhubhi mtigi, kugiki adizubhonwa na bhanhu bhangi. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘nyama ya ngino igalilagwa mgiti.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu  kutogwa gwita ya wiza, umuwikaji bhobho. Uwiiti bho miito gawiza bhunubho, bhugub’inha wiyabhi bho gutumama milimo chiza, abhanhu bhenabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

(Yohane 3:19 – 20).

KISWAHILI: NYAMA YENYE FUNZA HULIWA GIZANI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia ulaji wa nyama yenye funza. Nyama hiyo haipendezi kuingalia kwa macho, kwa sababu funza huishi kwenye kitu kilichooza. Lakini, mtu akiwa gizani hawezi kuwaona funza walioko kwenye nyama hiyo, hivyo ataila nyama hiyo kwa vile hawaoni funza hao kwa sababu ya giza. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘nyama yenye funza huliwa gizani.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wenye matendo maovu, kwa sababu matendo hayo nayo hutendwa gizani, kama iliwavyo nyama hiyo yenye funza. Watu hao hutenda maovu hayo gizani kusudi watu wengine wasiweze kuwaona watendapo matendo hayo. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘nyama yenye funza huliwa gizani.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu  kutenda matendo mema maishani mwao. Matendo hayo yatawapatia watu hao uhuru wa kufanya kazi vizuri maishani mwao, kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya familia zao.

(Yohane 3:19 – 20).

 

insect meat

ENGLISH: MEAT WITH MAGGOTS IS BEST EATEN IN THE DARK.

The origin of this proverb is intake of meat infested with maggots. Such meat does not please the eyes, because the larvae eat the decomposing organic matter. However, if someone is in the dark, they cannot see the maggots in the meat and can, therefore, eat the meat. That is why people say, ‘Meat with maggots is best eaten in the dark.’

The proverb is comparatively used to people who do evil deeds, because the deeds are practiced in the dark, just like how the meat infested with maggots is eaten in the dark. Such people practice such deeds in the dark so that others will not be able to see them when they do such deeds. That is why people say, ‘Meat with maggots is best eaten in the dark.’

This proverb teaches people about doing good deeds in their lives. Those deeds will give them freedom to work better in their lives, for the betterment of their families.

(John 3:19 – 20).

277. NYAMA YA MBOKU UDILYA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile nyama ya ng’wa munhu uyo alimboku. Inyama ya ng’wa munhu ng’wunuyo, igikalaga na mapalala mingi, kunguno uwei adabhonaga. Kuyiniyo lulu, inyama yiniyo igazuganijiyagwa na mapalala gayo genayo, ayogagib’ipyaga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘nyama ya mboku udilya.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhali na miito gabhubhi. Amiito genayo gagigaluchaga ni mihayo yabho yab’iza mib’i. Amiito genayo amabhi, gikolile nu mboku. Imihayo imibhi ikolile ni nyama iyo ili na mapalala. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagabhawilaga abha miito gabhubhi bhenabho giki, ‘nyama ya mboku udilya.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu kuleka gwita miito ga bhubhi, kunguno amiito genayo gagaib’ipyaga ni mihayo yabho. Gashinaga lulu, yigelelilwe gwita miito ga wiza, ayo gagayib’ejaga ni mihayo yabho, kugiki bhadule gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho abhanhu bhenabho.’

(Mathayo 23:26).

KISWAHILI: NYAMA YA KIPOFU HUTAWEZA KUILA.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia nyama iliyoandaliwa na mtu ambaye ni kipofu. Nyama hiyo huwa na takataka nyingi, kwa sababu ya yeye kuwa na hali ya kutoona. Hivyo, yeye huwa hawezi kukiandaa vizuri chakula chake. Ndiyo maana chakula hicho huwa na takataka nyingi. Kwa sababu hiyo, watu husema, ‘Nyama ya kipofu hutaweza kuila.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wenye matendo mabaya. Matendo hayo husababisha watu hao pia kuwa na maneno mabaya. Matendo mabaya hayo hufanana na kipofu. Maneno mabaya hufanana na nyama hiyo ya kipofu, yenye takataka nyingi. Ndiyo maana, watu huwaambia watu wengine kwa kuwarejelea watu hao wenye matendo mabaya kwamba, ‘Nyama ya kipofu hutaweza kuila’ wakiwa na maana kwamba hawatayaweza yale matendo maovu na maneno ya ovyo.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu  kuacha kutenda matendo maovu, kwa sababu matendo hayo maovu husababisha pia wawe na maneno mabaya.  Kumbe basi, yafaa kutenda matendo mema ambayo huzaa maneno mazuri yatakiwayo kwa ajili ya kuishi vizuri katika jamii na kuleta maendeleo kwa familia zao.

(Mathayo 23:26).

 

meat food

ENGLISH: YOU CANNOT EAT THE MEAT OF A BLIND PERSON.

The origin of the proverb is meat that is prepared by a blind man. Such meat has a lot of trash, because of the person’s blindness. It is assumed that such a person can’t prepare food in a proper manner, which is why it contains a lot of garbage. That is why people also say, ‘you cannot eat the meat of a blind person.’

The proverb is used to liken people whose deeds are evil to blind persons. Such actions lead to use of inappropriate words by those people. Such evil acts are like the meat prepared by a blind person. The inappropriate words are like the trash which soil the meat during preparation. That is why people tell others with reference the evil doers that ‘you cannot eat the meat of a blind person.’

This proverb teaches people to refrain from doing evils, because those evils also lead them to inappropriate diction. It is necessary, therefore, to do good deeds that yield appropriate diction that is cherished by the societal moral guardians and that may have positive contribution to family welfare and development.

(Matthew 23:26).

276. NTIMBA NGONGO DALYA JA NG’WAKA.

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile b’ulub’iji b’o matwajo mapya ga ng’waka. Abhanhu ulubhulima jiliwa, bhagikalaga na ng’humbu nhale ya gubisha, na gujilya ijiliwa jinijo. Ulu bhandya ugulub’ila bhagitimbaga ngongo na guyomba giki, ‘ntimba nyongo dalya ja ng’waka.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagatumamaga milimo yabho kubhukamu bhutale.  Hangi bhagalumbaga noyi ulu bhajipandika isabho ja matwajo ga milimo yabho yiniyo.

Abhanhu bhenabho bhagayegaga noyi ulu bhagapandika amatwajo genayo, kunguno bhagizukaga umo bhakoyelega ugujilima bho bhukamu bhatale ijikolo jinijo. Hunagwene ulu bhajilya bhagayombaga giki, ‘timba ngongo dalya ja ng’waka.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu gutumama milimo bho bhukamu bhutale, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi umuwikaji bhobho. Amatwayo genayo, gagubhambilija ijinagujibheja chiza ikaya jabho.

(Zaburi 65:9 – 13).

KISWAHILI: LIMBA MGONGO TUMEKULA VYA MWAKA.

Chanzo cha methali hii chaangalia ulaji wa mara ya kwanza wa malimbuko, yaani mavuno mapya ya mwaka. Watu wakilima mazao ya chakula huwa na hamu kubwa ya kupata mavuno mengi na kuyatumia kwa kuyala. Wakianza kula kwa mara ya kwanza, hujipiga mgongo kwa ngumi wakisema, ‘Limba mgongo tumekula vya mwaka.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wale wafanyao kazi zao kwa bidii kubwa. Wao hushukuru sana wakipata mali za mavuno ya kilimo chao. Watu hao hufurahi sana wakipata mavuno hayo, kwa sababu ya kukumbuka walivyohangaika katika kulima kwa bidii kubwa. Ndiyo maana wakianza kuyaonja malimbuko husema, ‘Limba mgongo tumekula vya mwaka.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu kufanya kazi kwa bidii kubwa ili waweze kupata mavuno mengi maishani mwao. Mavuno hayo yatawasaidia katika kuzijenga vizuri familia zao.

(Zaburi 65:9 – 13).

 

 

maize food

ENGLISH: LET US PUNCH THE BACKS; WE HAVE EATEN THE YEAR’S FRUITS.

The origin of this proverb is eating for the first time of the new fruits of crops in the year. People who grow food crops have a strong desire to get more harvests and to use it for their meals. When they start eating the fruits for the first time, they hit their back with a fist saying, ‘Let’s punch the backs, we have eaten the year’s new fruits.’

The proverb is used comparatively with reference to those who work hard. Such people are also very grateful when they receive the fruits of their agricultural harvest. These people are very happy when they get the harvest, because they remember their hard work and effort they put during farming season. That is why when they start eating the the first fruits of their crops say, ‘Let’s punch the backs we have eaten the year’s new fruits.’

The proverb teaches people to work hard so that they can get the most out of their lives. The fruits of their hard work will help them to build their families better.

(Psalm 65: 9-13).