Riddles

213. BHULILI BHOLALILWA NGENI BHULI YIYENE

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile bhulili ubho bholalilagwa na ngeni. Umunhu uyo ogenihagwa agang’wanukulaga ungeni uyo ongenihaga bho bhuyegi. Adulile nulu gung’wingila aha bhulili ubho agalalilaga uwei, kunguno agamanaga igiki ungeni ng’wunuyo agumala amakanza agabhugeni bhokwe, ushoka gukaya yakwe. Gwingila henaho, umunhu uyo ogenihagwa agushoka ahabhulili bhokwe.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhalinabhutogwa bhogub’akaribhusha abhanhu abhageni ahakaya jab’o. Gub’itila nzila yiniyo abhanhu bhenabho bhagapandikaga mbango. B’agab’ambilijaga abhageni bhab’o bho gub’inha b’ulalo umukaya jabho, kunguno ubhulili ubho bholalilwa na ngeni bhali yiyene.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na witogwi bhogub’agunana abhanhu abho bhalina makoye. Abhanhu bhenabho bhalikihamo na bhageni abho balib’ageniha ahakaya jabho. Uwitogwi bhunubho bhugub’enhela mbango ja gwikala bho bhuyegi na mholele umukaya jabho.

Mathayo 25:43.

Luka 2:7.

KISWAHILI: KITANDA KILICHOLALIWA NA MGENI NI CHA PEKEE

Chango cha methali hiyo huangalia kitanda kilicholaliwa na mgeni. Mtu aliyefikiwa na mgeni huyo humkaribisha kwa furaha. Aweza hata kumuachia kitanda atumiacho yeye kwa sababu hufahamu kwamba, mgeni huyo atamaliza muda wa kuwatembelea na kurudi kwenye familia yake. Kuanzia hapo, mtu huyo aliyefikiwa na mgeni hurudi kwenye kitanda chake.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu wenye upendo wa kuwakaribisha watu kwenye familia zao. Kupitia njia hiyo watu hao hupata baraka maishani mwao. Huwasaidia wageni wao kwa kuwapatia malazi kwenye familia zao, kwa sababu kitanda kilicholaliwa na mgeni ni cha pekee.

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na upendo wa kuwasaidia watu walio na matatizo. Watu hao ni pamoja  na wageni wawafikiao kwenye familia zao. Upendo huo utawaletea baraka za kuishi kwa furaha na amani kwenye familia zao.

Mathayo 25:43.

Luka 2:7.

vintage2

ENGLISH: THE BED IN WHICH THE GUEST SLEEPS IS SPECIAL

The above proverb looks at the relationship between the visitor and the bed that he/she is given by the host to sleep in. Usually, the host warmly and happily welcomes the guest, and would even offer the newcomer his/her (host’s) own bed. The visitor won’t stay too long, after all; he/she would in due course return to his/her family. The host is confident in the knowledge that, once the guest leaves, he/she can comfortably get back to his/her bed.

The proverb is comparable to people who find pleasure in welcoming and entertaining others in their families. Since it is believed that visitors bring blessings, such generous families experience these blessings in their lives, as they help the visitors by providing them with accommodation. This is because the bed in which the guest sleeps is special.

The proverb teaches people about the virtue of helping those that are in trouble. Such may include visitors who come calling in the family. This loving and accommodating spirit will yield blessings which would create an environment of happy and peaceful co-existence among families.

Matthew 25:43.

Luke 2: 7.

212. GULWILA MUFUGO

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile bhanhu abho bhalilya jiliwa guti bhugali. Ubhugali bhugazugilagwa mufugo iyo igatengagwa nabho ukubhanhu abho bhalilya ijiliwa jinijo. Ubhugali bhunubho ulu bhutengwa b’ulingwene ahayile abhahuge ab’iye. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, abhanhu bhenabho bhalilwila mufugo.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kulimunhu uyo alinaku ojiliwa. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agiiganigaka weli ng’winikili duhu, ulu alilya, kugiki abhahuge abhiye. Atogilwe gulila jiliwa kubhiye, aliyo ahakaya yakwe alemile kunguno aling’wimi ng’holo. Adabhakaribhushaga abhiye ahajiliwa jakwe.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kujileka inhungwa ja bhulaku bho jiliwa. Abhanhu bhoye uguimana bhoyi bhinikili duhu ulu bhalilya ijilwa. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhab’ize bhizanholo umujiliwa jabho. Uwizang’holo bhunubho bhugub’ambilija ugubhinha ijiliwa jinijo nabhichibho abho bhalilya nabho.

2 Petro 2:18.

Waroma 1:29.

KISWAHILI: KUGOMBANIA KWENYE CHOMBO CHA KULIA CHAKULA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo huangalia watu wanaokula chakula kama ugali. Ugali hupikiwa kwenye chombo ambacho huwa kinapelekwa pamoja na chakula hicho pale wanapolia watu hao.

Ugali huo ukipelekwa pale wanapolia watu, kila mmoja wao hutaka kuwapunja wenzake kwa kuchukua kiasi kingi kutoka kwenye chombo hicho na kula kwa haraka haraka. Ndiyo maana watu husema kuwa, watu hao wanagombania kwenye chombo cha kulia chakula.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye ni mlafi wa kula chakula. Mtu huyo hujifikilia yeye mwenyewe tu, wakati akiwa anakula chakula, ili awapunje wenzake. Hupenda kula chakula cha wenzake, lakini kwenye familia yake hataki wengine wale chakula chake, kwa sababu ya uchoyo wake aliyo nao. Huwa hawakaribishi wenzake kwenye chakula chake.

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuachana na tabia za ulafi wa kula chakula. Watu waache kujifikiria wenyewe tu wakati wa kula chakula. Yafaa watu hao wawe wakarimu wa kula chakula chao na wenzao. Ukarimu huo utawasaidia katika kugawana chakula chao vizuri na wenzao wakati wa kula chakula hicho pamoja nao.

2 Petro 2:18.

Waroma 1:29.

toast

 

ENGLISH: TO FIGHT IN THE COOKING POT

The above proverb looks at people who eat food such like ugali. Ugali is normally carried in the same cooking utensil. It is sent in the same utensil for people to eat.

When the cooking pot is sent to the eating place, each one wants to take a big amount of food from the utensil and eats quickly. That is why people say these people are fighting in the cooking pot.

This proverb is used to refer to a person who is a glutton in eating food. This person only thinks about himself while eating food. He/she never thinks of others. He/she likes to eat all the food out of greed.

This proverb teaches people about abandoning bad food habits. People should stop thinking about themselves while eating food. 2 Peter 2:18.

Romans 1:29.

 

 

 

211. GULALA SHINGAWILE

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile kalalile ka ng’wa munhu uyo alinawisagiji bho bhugeji. Akalalile kenako kagab’izaga ka tulo miso, ukulimunhu ng’wunuyo, kunguno ya bhuyegi bho nhumbu ya kupandika ginhu jilebhe, nulu gwingile mulilika lilebhe lya habhukuji bhokwe, guti kubhiza na winga, bhubhatijiwa, bhujamiwa, bhupadrisho na jingi ningi.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agikalaga na witegeleja bho gutumama milimo yakwe na bhuyegi. Agabhizaga alimiso umubhutimija bho milimo yakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo alinawisagiji bho bhuyegi igiki, ubhutumami bhokwe bhugung’wenhela matwajo mingi ahashigu ja habhutongi. Kuyiniyo lulu, amunhu guti ng’wunuyo agahayiyagwa giki, agalalaga shingawile.

Akahayie kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na witegeleja bho guitumama imilimo yabho, na wisagiji bho gupandika matwajo mingi ayo gadulile gubhenhela bhuyegi umuwikaji bhob’o. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhikale na bhichabho bho bhugegi na witogwi ubho gudula gwikala kihamo, umubhulamu bhobho.

Luka 2:8-14.

Luka 2:25.

KISWAHILI: KULALA UKIWA NA MATUMAINI YA FURAHA

Chanzo cha msemo huo huangalia namna ya kulala kwa mtu aliye na matumaini ya furaha. Mtu huyo hulala nulu macho kwa sababu ya furaha yake ya kupata kitu fulani, au kufikia hatua fulani kama kufunga ndoa, kubatizwa, kupata kipaimara, upadrisho na kadhalika.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huishi kwa umakini wa kufanya kazi zake kwa furaha. Mtu huyo huwa yuko macho katika utekelezaji wa kazi zake. Ana matumaini ya kupata mafanikio mengi katika kazi zake hizo. Kwa hiyo basi, mtu kama huyo, husemwa kwamba, hulala kwa matumaini ya furaha.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na umakini wa kufanya kazi zao kwa furaha ya kupata mafanikio mengi, yawezayo kuwaletea maendeleo zaidi katika maisha yao. Yafaa watu hao waishi na wenzao kwa furaha na upendo, wa kuwawezesha kuishi kwa pamoja maishani mwao.

Luka 2:8-14.

Luka 2:25.

sleep

 

ENGLISH: TO SLEEP WITH JOY AND HOPE

The above saying looks at the way someone sleeps when that person has hope and joy. Such a person sleeps awake because of his/her pleasure to have found something he/she was looking for, for example; getting married, getting baptized, getting confirmation, a priesthood and so on.

The saying is used to refer to a person who lives a careful life. Such a person is alert in the execution of his/her duties. He/she hopes to achieve a lot of success in his/her career. So, such a person is said to sleep in hope and joy.

The saying teaches people about being focused on doing their work with the hope of achieving many of their goals. That sense of joy and hope will spread to their entire life as they live with their friends.Luke 2: 8-14.

Luke 2:25.

210. ITONGO LIDAKUMAGA

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile si na bhanhu abho bhazengile hoi. Isi yiniyo idalemaga uguzengelwa na munhu oseose kunguno iyoyi, igabhabokelaga pye, abhize munhu omito gabhub’i, nulu gawiza, aguzenga duhu. Aliyo abhanhu abho bhazengile hoyi ahasi yiniyo, habhene abho bhagalemaga. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘itongo lidakumaga.’

Akahayile kenako kalolile bhanhu abho bhalihaya kumbokela munhu ngeni umuchalo jabho, abho bhagagisilijaga tamu kugiki bhajimane inhungwa ja ng’wa munhu ng’wunuyo, uyo alihaya gusamila umuchalo jabho jinijo. Ulu bhugisilija na kumana giki akajile kakwe kadikawiza, bhagwiyangula gung’wila bho masala, igiki olemejiyagwa uguzenga moyi.

Abhanhu bhenabho, bhagung’wila umunhu ng’wunuyo giki, isi idalemile uweyi uguzenga moyi, aliyo abhoyi, bhalemile, kunguno umunhu ng’wunuyo adamanile ugwikala chiza na bhanhu. Inhungwa jakwe jigakenagulaga kaya ja bhanhu. Kuyiniyo lulu, bhagung’wila giki, ‘itongo lidakumaga,’ aliyo abhoyi bhalemaga uweyi uguzenga umusi yiniyo. Igelelilwe umunhu ung’wunuyo agachole kungi, nulu agaluche, akajile kakwe, kab’ize kawiza, hunabhagunzunilija uguzenga umuchalo jabho.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na kajile kawiza ako kadulile gub’ambilija ugwikala na bhichabho bho mholele. Akikalile kenako kagabhambilijaga abhanhu bhenabho ujibheja chiza ikaya jabho. Hangi abhanhu bhenabho b’agubokelwa na bhananzengo bha chalo ijo bhalahaye gusamila. Kuyiniyo lulu, yigelelilwe abhanhu abhize na nhungwa ja wiza, kunguno, isi idalemaga uguzengelwa, abhab’agalemaga bhanhu.

Matendo 10:34-35.

Kumbukumbu 10:7.

1 Samweli 16:7.

Warumi 2:11.

KISWAHILI: ARDHI HAIKATAI

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia ardhi na watu waishio pale. Ardhi haikatai mtu yeyote kuishi, kwa sababu yenyewe huwapokea wote, wawe wenye matendo maovu, au mema, wataishi tu. Lakini watu wale waishio kwenye ardhi hiyo, ndio wale wakataao. Ndiyo maana watu husema hivi, ‘ardhi haikatai.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa watu watakao kumpokea mtu kwenye kijiji chao, ambao huchunguza kwanza, ili waweze kufahamu tabia ya mtu huyo atakaye kuhamia kwenye kijiji chao hicho. Wakipeleleza na kuelewa kwamba tabia ya mtu huyo siyo nzuri, hutumia akili kumwambia mtu huyo kwamba amekataliwa kuishi humo.

Watu hao, humwambia mtu huyo kwamba, ardhi haikatai yeye kuishi humo, lakini wao, wakataa, kwa sababu mtu huyo haelewi kuishi vizuri na watu. Tabia yake huharibu familia za watu. Kwa hiyo basi, wao humwambia kwamba, ‘ardhi haikatai’ lakini wao wamekataa yeye kuishi kwenye kijiji chao. Yafaa mtu huyo atafute kwingine, au abadili tabia yake iwe njema, ndipo wamkubalie kuishi kwenye kijiji chao hicho.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na tabia njema iwezayo kuwasaidia katika kuishi kwa amani na wenzao. Tabia hiyo huwasaidia watu hao katika kuzijenga vizuri familia zao. Tena watu hao watapokelewa na wenyeji wa kijiji kile watakachotaka kuhamia. Kwa hiyo, yafaa watu wajijengee tabia hiyo njema, kwa sababu ardhi haikatai, watu hukataa.

Matendo 10:34-35.

Kumbukumbu 10:7.

1 Samweli 16:7.

Warumi 2:11.

african-3

 

ENGLISH: THE LAND DOES NOT REFUSE INHABITANTS

The above saying looks at the land and people who live on it. The land does not refuse anyone to live on it. It receives all people, evil doers, or good ones. They will all be accommodated. But it is the people who live on that land who refuse someone to live on that land. That is why people say that, the land does not refuse inhabitants.

The saying is used refer to people who will receive a stranger in their village. They will first investigate so that they can understand the character of that person who will be coming to their village. If they discover that the conduct of such person is not good, they this saying to tell him that they are the ones who denied him to live there because the land does not refuse inhabitants.

They tell such a person that the land does not forbid him/her to live in it, but they, themselves  have refused, because that person does not have sound moral life for living well with them.. It is necessary for such a person to look for another village or to change his/her behaviour by behaving, and then they will be to allow him/her to live in their own village.

Such saying teaches people about having good behaviour that will help them to live in peace with others. This practice helps people to behave well. When they behave, they will be received by the villagers of wherever they want to stay. Therefore, it is important for people to behave.

Acts 10: 34-35.

Deuteronomy 10: 7.

1 Samuel 16: 7.

Romans 2:11.

209. JA NG’HAB’I JIDAKWILAGA

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile sab’o ja ng’wa munhu uyo aling’hab’i. Isab’o ja ng’wa munhu ng’wunuyo jigab’izagutwalwa gujugulila jiliwa. Kuyiniyo lulu, isab’o jinijo jidakwilaga, kunguno ulu jigela nulu ngehu, jatwalwa kujusumila nulu gujupilila nzala, nonze jushila.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhadamanile ugujilanghana chiza ijikolo jabho. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagamanaga bhujikenagula sagara ijikolo jinijo ulubhajipandika. Kuyiniyo lulu, ijikolo jabho jidakwilaga, kunguno bhagamanaga bhujikenagula duhu, ulubhajikwabha. Jili sawa naja ng’wa munhu ung’hab’i, kunguno nanghwe agamanaga ujikalila gujujigulila jiliwa uluojipandika.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gumana ugujilanghana chiza ijikolo jabho ijo bhalijipandika. Ubhulanghani bhunubho bhugudula ugubhambilija abhanhu bhenabho, ugugaleka matumiji agasagara na gugadilila ayo galina solobho. Kuyiniyo lulu, isabho jinijo jigukwila na gudula gubhambilija abhanhu bhenabho  ijinagubhingija amakoye umubhulamu bhobho.

2Samweli 12:4.

Mathayo 25:28-29.

Marko 4:25.

KISWAHILI: ZA MASKINI HAZIWI NYINGI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia mali za mtu ambaye ni maskini. Mali za mtu huyo zikipatikana huwa nizinatumika kununulia chakula. Kwa hiyo basi, mali hizo huwa haziongezeki kwa sababu kila zinapopatikana hupelekwa kwenda kununulia chakula, mwishowe zinaisha.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa watu ambao hawafahamu kuzilinda mali zao. Kwa hiyo basi, mali zao haziwi nyingi kwa sababu huwa wanazichezea hovyo. Ziko sawa na zile za maskini kwa sababu naye huwa anazipeleka kwenda kununulia chakula kila anapozipata.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuelewa vizuri namna ya kuzilinda mali zao. Mafundisho hayo huweza kuwasadia watu katika kuyaacha matumizi yaliyo ya hovyo na badala yake wayafuatilie yale yaliyo ya maana. Kwa hiyo, mali hizo zitakuwa nyingi na zitaweza kuwasaidia watu hao katika kuwaondolea matatizo mbalimbali waliyonayo maishani mwao.

2Samweli 12:4.

Mathayo 25:28-29.

Marko 4:25.

man arm

 

ENGLISH: WEALTH OF THE POOR DOES NOT BECOME ABUNDANT

The above proverb looks at the wealth of a poor person. Whenever the wealth of such a person becomes available, it will be used for buying food. Therefore the poor will have no surplus because each time he gets wealth, it will be used to buy food. It eventually comes and goes.

This proverb is used to refer to people who do not know how to protect their property. So, their wealth never becomes abundant because they it is used to buy means of survival like food. That is the life of the poor because the  poor are always struggle with basic means of survival like food whenever they find wealth.

This proverb teaches people how to use their wealth beyond buying food. Such teaching can help them to abandon misuse of property. These people should remember there is always tomorrow. Therefore, they should learn to invest if they are to be properous.

2 Samuel 12: 4.

Matthew 25: 28-29.

Mark 4:25.