Riddles

208. NGOKO YALEKWA IHILILE IGUHIMBULAGA MILO MULUZUMBA

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile namgi uyo alihakaya yakwe. Ulu ucha unamgi ng’wunuyo uneka ng’witunja ntale alihoi ahakaya yiniyo, huyo aguilang’hana yose iyahakaya, kunguno olekwagwa amanile uguitumama imilimo ya hakaya yiniyo.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo olangwa chiza na bhabhyaji bhakwe uguitumama imilimo. Umunhu ng’wunuyo adebhile ugubhalanja abhiye uguitumama imilimo iyo idulile gubhingija makoye abhanhu. Hangi amanille nugubhalanghana chiza abhanhu bhakwe. Kuyiniyo lulu, umunhu ng’wunuyo alenganilile ni ngoko iyo yalekwa ihilile.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhalanga chiza abhanhu bhabho ugujilanghana ikaya nu guitumama imilimo yabho, haho bhadininga ukuwelelo. Ubhulangwa bhunubho bhugubhambilija abhanhu bhenabho ugujilabhila chiza ikaya jabho, na guitumama chiza imilimo iyo idulile gujib’eja chiza ikaya jinijo. Hangi bhugubhambilija uguikala chiza na bhichabho umuwikaji bhobho.

2Timotheo 1:6-7.

Yohane 21:17-19.

KISWAHILI: KUKU ALIYEACHWA AKIWA ANAFAHAMU KUWIKA ATOAYE SAUTI KUBWA KWENYE KIJUMBA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia mzee aliyeko kwenye familia yake. Mzee huyo akifa na kuacha kijana mkubwa yupo pale nyumbani, huyo ndiye atakayelinda yote yaliyopo pale nyumbani, kwa sababu aliachwa akiwa anazifahamu kazi zilizopo kwenye familia hiyo.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu aliyefundishwa vizuri na wazazi wake namna ya kuzifanya vizuri kazi za pale nyumbani. Mtu huyo afahamu kuwafundisha watu namna ya kuzitekeleza vizuri kazi hizo ziwezazo kuwasaidia watu hao katika kuondoka kwenye matatizo. Zaidi ya hayo, mtu huyo afahamu kuwatunza vizuri watu wake. Kwa hiyo basi, mtu huyo afanana na kuku aliyeachwa akiwa anafahamu kuwika.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwafundisha vizuri watu wao namna ya kuzijali vizuri familia zao, kabla hawajaaga dunia. Mafundisho hayo yatawasaidia watu hao katika kuzilea vizuri familia zao, na kuwalinda itakiwavyo wale waishio nao katika maisha yao.

2Timotheo 1:6-7.

Yohane 21:17-19.

cock

ENGLISH: THE COCK LEFT BEHIND WHILE KNOWING TO CROW GIVES A STRONG BASE IN THE HUT

This proverb talks about the old man in his family. When the old man dies and leaves the old son in the house, the one left behind will protect the home because he know how to work in the family.

This proverb is used to refer to a man who has been taught well by his parents how to lead a home well. That person knows how to teach other members of the family how to do the best they can in solving problems. In addition, the person should know how to take good care of his people. So, that person is like a cock that was left after already knowing how to crow.

This proverb teaches people about how to properly teach their children how to take care of their families, before they die. This teaching will help these people better care for their families, and protect them after the parents die.

2 Timothy 1: 6-7.

John 21: 17-19.

207. GULALA NA IBHUDU

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile bhanhu ab’ob’atogilwe gukeleja ugumisha. Abhanhu bhenabho b’agalalaga imo mpaga bhab’ilitija ilikanza ilya gumisha. Ubhukeleja bho gumisha bhunubho, hubho bhugitanagwa bho ‘gulala na ibudu.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agakelejaga ugushiga ukumilimo yakwe bhuli makanza. Umunhu ng’wunuyo adadimilaga chiza iratibha yakwe iyoidulile gung’wambilija ugupandika solobho bhuli lushigu umuwikaji bhokwe. Ubhukeleja bhunubho bhugenhaga makoye ukuli munhu ng’wunuyo gagugaiwa imilimo na gub’iza na nzala ahakaya yakwe.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gwanguha uguja ukumilimo yabho. Uwanguhi bhunubho ubhogushika ukimilimo yabho, bhugub’enhela solobho na wasa bho gujib’eja chiza ikaya jabho. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhikomeje uguitumama chiza imilimo yabho yiniyo kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi ayo gadulile gujikaja chiza ikaya jabho.

Ijinagongeja, akahayile kenako, kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gujileka inhungwa ija bhukeleja ubhoguja ukumilimo yabho, kunguno ubhukeleja bhunubho bhudulile gub’enheleja gupandika makoye gagupejiwa umumilimo yabho.

Mathayo 24:42.

Mathayo 25:11-13.

KISWAHILI: KULALA KWA KUCHELEWA KUAMUKA

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia watu wale wapendao kuchelewa kuamuka. Watu hao hulala kimoja mpaka kupitiliza muda wa kuamuka. Uchelewaji huo wa kuamuka, ndio huo uitwao ‘kulala kwa kuchelewa kuamuka.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huchelewa kufika kwenye kazi zake kila wakati. Mtu huyo huwa hatunzi ratiba yake ile iwezayo kumsaidia katika kupata mafanikio yatakiwayo kila siku katika maisha yake. Uchelewaji huo huleta matatizo kwa mtu huyo, yakiwemo yale ya kukosa chakula katika familia yake na hata kupelekea hatari ya kufukuzwa kazi na waajiri wake.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwahi kufika kwenye kazi zao. Kuwahi kwenda kazini huwaletea watu faida za kuzijenga vizuri familia zao. Yafaa watu waendeleze uwajibikaji mzuri wa kuyatekeleza majukumu yao ya kila siku.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo huwafundisha watu juu ya huziacha tabia za kuchelewa kwenda kazini, kwa sababu uchelewaji huo huwarudisha watu nyuma kimaendeleo kutokana na kupelekea kwao kushinda kutimiza malengo yao, na hata kupoteza kazi maishani mwao.

Mathayo 24:42.

Mathayo 25:11-13.

black-man

ENGLISH: OVERSLEEPING LEADS TO BEING LATE

The above saying looks at those people who oversleep and delay to wake up as a result. These people sleep until late in the morning. As a result, they get late to wherever they are going. Such a saying is used to refer to a person who goes to work late. Such a person does not manage his/her schedules well, which could help him achieve success in his every day life. Lack of punctuality causes problems to the person including lack of food in one’s family and even the risk of being fired by one’s employers.

The saying teaches people about being punctual to their work. Punctuality gives people the benefit of building their families well. It is important for people in carrying out their daily responsibilities.

Additionally, the saying teaches people about abandoning the tendency of delaying to the workplace because such delays delay progress. Matthew 24:42.

Matthew 25: 11-13.

206. ULU MUNHU ALIHISUMBI LAMALAMA, LELO NZU INGEHOI WASUKAGA

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile ntongeji obhanhu na abho alib’atongela. Abhanhu bhenabho abho alib’atongela untongeji ng’wunuyo, b’agikalaga bhung’wikumbilija iki bhali hasilili yakwe. Aliyo lulu, ulu winga ahisumbi lya bhutale untongeji ng’wunuyo, agasukaga, kunguno abhanhu bhenabho b’agandyaga guyuyizuka imib’i iyo obhitilaga aho olihisumbi lya b’utale. Gashinaga guligonhana igiki, ‘ulu munhu alihisumbi lamalama, lelo nzu ingehoi wasukaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agab’itiliaga ya bhubhi abhanhu abho bhalihasilili yakwe umuwikaji bhokwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo adab’adililaga chiza abhanhu bhakwe. Abhanhu bhenabho bhagang’wikumbilijaga untale obho ng’wunuyo, kunguno bhali hasilili yakwe duhu, ulu winga ahisumbi ilya bhutale bhokwe agusuka. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, ‘ulu munhu alihisumbi lama lama, lelo nzu inge hoyi osukaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’itila yawiza abhanhu abho bhali hasilili yabho, kunguno nabho bhali bhanhu abho bhalisawa na bhoi. Gashinaga lulu, yigelelilwe abhanhu bhilange chiza ugwikala bho mholele na abhanhu bhabho bhenabho abho bhali hasilili yabho, kugiki, bhadule uguyega nabho shigu jose.

Kutoka 13:9.

Mathayo 6:1-6.

Luka 14:7-9.

KISWAHILI: MTU AKIWA KWENYE CHEO NDIYO NDIYO, AKIONDOKA PALE HUONEKANA HANA FAIDA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia kiongozi wa watu na wale awaongozao. Watu hao awaongozao kiongozi huyo, huwa wanambembeleza kwa vile wako chini yake. Lakini basi, akiondoka kwenye kiti chake cha ukubwa kiongozi huyo, huonekana kama hana faida kwao, kwa sababu watu hao huanza kuyakumbuka maovu yale aliyowatendea wakati akiwa kwenye cheo hicho. Kumbe, ni kweli kwamba, ‘mtu akiwa kwenye cheo ndiyo ndiyo, akiondoka huonekana hana faida.’

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huwafanyia maovu watu ambao wako chini yake katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo huwa hawajali vizuri watu wake. Watu hao humbembeleza mkubwa wao huyo kwa sababu tu watu chini yake, akiondoka kwenye cheo cha ukubwa wake hatakuwa na maana au faida kwao. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘mtu akiwa kwenye cheo ndiyo ndiyo, akiondoka huonekana hana faida.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwatendea mema watu walioko chini yao, kwa sababu hao nao ni watu waliosawa nao. Kumbe basi, yafaa watu wajifunze kuishi kwa amani vizuri na watu hao, ili waweze kufurahi pamoja nao hata wakati ule watapoacha vyeo vyao.

Kutoka 13:9.

Mathayo 6:1-6.

Luka 14:7-9.

king-

ENGLISH: WHILE A PERSON IN POWER, PEOPLE SAY YES YES, WHEN OUT OF POWER, HE SEEMS TO BE USELESS

This proverb looks at the relation between the leader and those he leads. The people normally say yes, yes to their leader when they are asking him for something because they are under him. But then, upon leaving the throne, he/she seems to be useless and unimportant to them because these people begin to remember the evils that he/she did when he/she was in that position. When a person is in power, people will always say yes to everything that the leader says but when he/she is out, he/she becomes useless.

This proverb is used to talk about a person who does evil to people who are under him/her in life. Such a person should remember that there will come a time when he/she will be out of power. That is why people say that, ‘If a man is in power, people will say yes, yes but when he is out he will be useless.

This proverb teaches people to do good to the people who are under them because they too are a people who are human beings. This will make those in leadership rejoice with them even when they leave their positions.

Exodus 13: 9.

Matthew 6: 1-6.

Luke 14: 7-9.

205. GUNAMLA NDUGUYO GWIDIMA MUNDA

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile b’ulamuji bho bhanhu abho bhalibhudugu. Igabhizaga nimo gogwiyumilija umubhulamuji bhunubho kunguno unamuji ng’wunuyo aganolaga unduguye ocha soni, nulu minara.

Kuyiniyo lulu, umunhu ng’wunuyo agidimaga munda ijinagubhuhaya ubhunghana hape. Gunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki ‘gunamla nduguyo gwidima munda.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agabhuyombaga ubhunghana hape, ulu alibhalamula abhaduguye. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agiyumilijaga bho gukengela chiza imihayo yiniyo haho adinafunya ubhulamuji bhokwe. Ulu obhupandika ubhunghana bhunub’o agabhuhaga hape.

Adachaga soni nulu minara, ugubhuyomba ubhunghana bhunub’o, ulu alibhalamula abhaduguye. Kuyiniyo lulu, umunhu ng’wunuyo adeb’ile ugubhufunya ubhulamuji ubho nghana ukubhaduguye, kunguno amanile igiki, ‘ugunamla nduguyo gwidima munda.’

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gumana chiza ugubhalamla abhanhu bhogubhuhaya ubhunghana hape. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhite bhukengeji bho kuimana chiza imihayo, kugiki bhabhudebhe ubhunghana ubho gudula gubhambilija uguyihaya hape inhana, ulu bhalibhalamla abhanhu bhabho.

Luka 23:14-`5.

Yohana 8:7.

KISWAHILI: KUMHUKUMU NDUGU YAKO KUJISHIKA TUMBONI.

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia hukumu ya watu ambao ni ndugu. Huwa kuna kazi ngumu ya kuvumilia kwa sababu mwamuzi au hakimu huyo humwangalia ndugu yake na kumuonea aibu.

Kwa hiyo basi, mtu huyo hujishika tumboni katika kuusema wazi ukweli. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, ‘kumhukumu ndugu yako, kujishika tumboni,’ kwa sababu ya ugumu wa kazi hiyo.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huusema wazi ukweli ahukumupo watu wakiwemo ndugu zake. Mtu huyo huvumilia kwa kufanya utafiti wa maneno hayo vizuri, kabla hajatoa hukumu yake.

Akiupata ukweli huo huusema wasi. Haoni aibu katika kuusema ukweli huo ahukumupo ndugu zake. Kwa hiyo basi, mtu huyo afahamu kutoa hukumu ya haki kwa ndugu zake, kwa sababu aelewa kuwa, ‘kumhukumu ndugu yako kujishika tumboni.’

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuelewa vizuri juu ya kutoa hukumu za haki kwa watu kwa kuusema ukweli wasi wasi. Yafaa watu hao wafanye utafiti wa kuwawezesha kuuelewa ukweli wa maneno ili wautumie ukweli huo katika kutoa hukumu iliyo ya haki kwa watu wawamuao kwa kuusema wasi ukweli huo.

Luka 23:14-`5.

Yohana 8:7.

lawyer

ENGLISH: JUDGING YOUR RELATIVE IS LIKE HOLDING STOMACH

The source of the saying is the difficulty in judging the people who are one’s relatives. There is a hard time because one is likely to favour the relative.

The person finds it to be difficult to tell the truth. That is why people say that, to judge your relative is like touching your own stomach because of of the close attachment with relatives.

The proverb can be applied to someone who clearly tells the truth and does justice to people including his/her relatives. Such a person is consonance with the words in the proverb.

The saying teaches people about a better understanding of the proper way of judging fellows by following justice and truth. Truth and justice should be the basis of the right judgement.

Luke 23: 14-55.

John 8: 7.

204. UDAKUNG’HUNHAGE NYA KUNG’HUNI

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ilolile ng’hung’huni. Ing’hung’huni yiniyo igalumaga na gwib’isa, kunguno ya gogoha gubhonwa nuyo yanumaga. Umunhu uyo yanumaga agumanauyichola oyigaiwa. Ulu wiyib’a umunhu ng’wunuyo yanuma na gwib’isa hangi. Nose abhanhu bhuyiwila giki, ‘udakung’hung’hunage nya kung’huni,’ ulu umunhu ng’wunuyo wikolaga chene.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agikalaga ab’isile mhayo uyo agumanile. Umhayo uyo agub’isile gunuyo gugab’aminyaga abhiye abho agikalaga nabho. Abhiye bhenabho bhagang’wilaga giki, adakung’hunage nya kung’huni.’ Hichene agalenganijiyagwa na ng’hung’huni, kunguno najo jigalumaga na gwibhisa.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya guleka inhungwa ija bhub’i umukajile kabho, kunguno ijinijo jigab’aminyaga abhichabho abho bhagikalaga nabho. Gashinaga lulu, yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhadilile shitwa sha wiza ijojidulile gubhambilija ugujib’eja chiza ikaya jabho.

KISWAHILI: USIKIMBIE KI KUNGUNI

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia kunguni. Kunguni huyo ni mdudu ambaye huuma na kujificha kwa sababu ya kuogopa kuonwa na yule aliyemuuma. Mtu huyo aliyemuuma humtafuta na kumkosa. Akijisahamu tu mtu huyo, kunguni huyo humuuma na kujificha tena. Mwishowe watu wakawa wakiambiana kwamba, ‘usikimbie ki kunguni,’ ndiyo ukawa msemo wa kuwaonya watu waache tabia hiyo.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huficha jambo analolifahamu. Jambo hilo alifichalo huwaumiza wenzake aishio nao. Wenzake hao humwambia kwamba, asikimbie ki kunguni. Hivyo ndivyo mtu huyo afananishwavyo na kunguni kwa sababu naye huuma kama kunguni aumavyo na kujicha.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuachana na tabia zilizombaya maishani mwao, kwa sababu tabia hizo huwa zinawaumiza wenzao waishio nao. Kumbe basi, yafaa watu hao wafuatilie matendo yaliyo mema yawezayo kuwasaidia katika kuzijenga vizuri familia zao.

1 Samweli 3:17.

Matendo 5:7-9.

man-woman

ENGLISH: DO NOT RUN LIKE A BEDBUG

The source of the above saying looks is an insect called bedbug. Such a bedbug is an insect that bites and hides thereafter because of the fear of being seen by the bitten person. The bitten person seeks and misses it. Whenever be the person loses attention, the the bedbug bites and hides again. Then, people started talking to one another, “Don’t run in a bedbug style.’ It became a warning for people to stop that habit; the habit of pretending to be good. But they turn against people they pretended to befriend.

The proverb is comparable to someone who hides what he knows. But the thing he/she hides harms his/her neighbors. When the recognize such a fellow, his/her colleagues will tell the him/her that he/she should not behave like a bedbug. That is how the person is likened to the the bedbug because he/she bites and hides.

The proverb teaches people to abandon destructive habits in their lives because these habits are harm those with whom they live. Rather, people are warned that it is better for them to follow the good ways which can help them in building their families for better.

1 Samuel 3:17.

Acts 5: 7-9.