Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Waliho ngosha umo walatolile, ubyala bhana bhagosha bhike ikumi na bhabhili. Huna lulu nkima kubhazugila bhana bhingi cheniki wapandikaga makoye.

Makoye kizilaga hikubhi, lyanguhaga kushila. Bhandya lulu bhana kuiimba (kutaya) nduhu ukwiguta. Likubhi lya shilaga mayu. Twamalaga ikubhi. Ngikulu ubhashogeja, “Twite ki lulu?”

Huna lushiku lumo kizaho kageni. Ngeni umuja, “Bhanhu bhako bhakumanaga bhulomba (bhutaya) ikubhi bhuli?” Uhaya, Nite kinehe?” Mhuli itabhunagwa nkondo gwayo nakwiyumilija duhu.

Natigelile kuleka kubhazugila.” Ngeni ung’wila giki, ulu ulitogwa bhana bhako bhoye kumana bhulomba makubhi, nakulange isala. Ulu wazuga ikubhi, watula fugo, walileka ikubhi lingi hishiga likale lilipogoma, kushiga kubisha bhugali moto kwikale gulibhaka ho. Gemaga nzila yeniyo hamo ikukwambilija.”

Aho wabhatwalila bhugali, ikubhi lyali isebu. Aho bhandya kulya lulu, ulu wagema kulija ikubhi lingi wapya waduma kulija ikubhi lingi. Bhose bhita chene, nabhuduma kwinja ikubhi lingi. Bhuyinenela (kwinja kakubhi kado kado. Nose bhugali bhushila ikubhi litali lilimo mu nungu.

Ngeni ung’wila, wabhona isala lyenilo tumamilaga giko shiku jose. Iki mhuli itabhunagwa nkondo gwayo. Utudula kubhapeja bhana iki kugayiwa ikubhi iyumilijage duhu.

Kiswahili: Tembo Hazidiwi Na Mkonga Wake

Hapo kale aliishi mwanamume mmoja ambaye alikuwa ameoa. Walibahatika kuwa na watoto wa kiume kumi na wawili. Kwa hiyo, mama alipata shida sana kuwapikia chakula watoto wengi hivi. Shida kubwa ilikuwa kuhusu upatikanaji wa mboga. Daima mboga katika familia hiyo ilimalizika haraka  haraka.

Watoto wale wakianza kulalamika, ulikuwa ni wimbo wao wa kila siku, “Mboga imekwisha mama! Tumemaliza mboga mama!”

“Sasa nifanye nini wanangu?”

Siku moja alifika mgeni. Mgeni yule akamuuliza yule mama.

“Kwa nini watoto wako kila siku wanalalamika kuwa hawana mboga?”

“Sasa nifanyeje?  Tembo huwa hazidiwi na mkonga wake. (Tembo hashindwi na mkonga wake). Nitajitahidi  tu kuwapikia, kamwe sitaacha.”

Mgeni akamwambia,  “Iwapo unapenda watoto wako waache tabia ya kuomba mboga, nitakufundisha mbinu.”

“Mbinu gani?” Mama aliuza.

Mgeni akajibu, “Unapopika mboga na kuiweka kando ili kupika ugali, uwe unaiacha mboga nyingi figani.  Ikae pale ikichemka hadi unapokuwa umesonga ugali. Moto uwe pale ukiendelea kuwaka.

Alipowapelekea ugali mboga ilikuwa bado ina moto. Na yeyote atakayeanza kuchota mboga nyingi, itamchoma na kumwunguza kooni. Mazoea yana taabu.

Siku hiyo, mama yao akawaandalia mboga kama alivyoelekezwa na yule mgeni. Wote wakanawa. Basi, wakawa wanachota mboga kidogo kidogo na hawakuathirika.

Mwishowe ugali ukaisha na huku mboga ikawa bado chunguni. Mgeni akamwambia yule mama, “Umeiona akili hiyo? Fanya hivyo kila siku.”

“Sawa kabisa! Kwa vile Tembo hazidiwi na mkonga wake. Huwezi kuwafukuza watoto kwa kuwa umekosa mboga. Vumilia tu.”

 

ENGLISH: AN ELEPHANT IS NOT OVERWHELMED BY ITS TRUNK

Once in Tanzania there was a Sukuma mother who had 12 sons who were a constant concern for her. Try as she may, she never was able to cook enough food to satisfy them. She would prepare a bowl of “ugali” (stiff, cooked corn meal) together with more than enough “mboga” (meat, fish, or vegetables
in gravy).

In no time the 12 boys would finish the mboga and say: “Mother, the mboga is finished. Give us some more to eat with our ugali.” The same thing happened day after day until the mother was at a loss as to what to do. Then one day an elderly woman came to visit.

When the food was prepared, the guest was amazed how quickly the ten young men devoured the mboga and then said: “Mother, the mboga is finished. Give us some more.” After the meal the elderly woman said to the mother of the ten boys: “My dear friend, I am amazed how quickly your sons eat the mboga.

The mother replied, “What can I do? An elephant is not overly burdened by its trunk.” The guest replied, “What you say is true. But let me tell you something. The next time you cook mboga don’t give it to them all at once. Leave some of it in the pot on the stove until it becomes very hot.”

The next day when the boys asked for more mboga, the mother gave it to  them sizzling hot right from the fire. In fact, the mboga was so hot that they could eat the ugali with only a little bit of mboga for fear of burning their tongues. In this way the elderly guest was able to help the mother of the ten boys in her predicament. Truly an elephant is not overly burdened by its trunk.

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Kale ya makale, muna Shimba akabhabhulaga pye abhanmhala bha ng’wigunguli. Namhala umo duhu atabhulagilwe. Nang’hwe witanagwa namhala Sayayi. Nguno wali wibhisa kihamo na bhana bhakwe. Muna Shimba akabhona giki, abhanamhala bhatina solobho kuliwei. Na bhakasaga bhayanda duhu.

Lushiku lumo muna Shimba wali alalile. Aliyo ukunu waliasamile, liza liyoka lingila munomo gwakwe. Likanza lyenilo yutabhanya muna Shimba akakoya no. Akagayiwa ugogwita. Wakanoga ubhabhilinga pye abhayanda ubhawila, “Bhabehi ningililagwa Nzoka, mdulile kunambilija?”

Bhayanda bhunshokeja, “Ayise tutuduja umhayo gweneyu. Alinguno twakulile haha no, tukukumana kinahe umhayo gwenuyo?” Ng’wana kang’wa Lung’wando, ung’wila muna Shimba, “Aliho ubhabha, hamo akuhebya ukukupija. Aliyo ngilo umulage, nguno ubhebhe ukabhabhulagaga abhanamhala.” Muna Shimba akayomba, “Nduhu unene natumulaga.”

Ng’wana wa Lung’wando akaja kuli yise ukang’wila. Namhala Lung’wando akaja aliyo ukunu alina Ngoso. Aha wegela wimila kule nguno ya kung’ogoha muna Shimba. Namhala ubhuja, “Ulu nalakupije andi nunene ukunibhulaga alinguno ubhadalahile abhanamhala.”

Hambunu muna Shimba uhaya, “Nduhu gete natukwita kinhu.” Haho Lung’wando ung’wegela umuna Shimba, kunu alina Ngoso. Uyugakanda akagoso, nose kuyulila, Twi! Twi! Twi! Kagoso aho kalila muna Nzoka wigwa, ufuma uyomba, “Lelo nyama.”

Haho na haho muna Nzoka wandya kumpeja umuna Ngoso. Akashika mpaga kule no. Muna Shimba aha wapila, akafunya bhulumbi kuli namhala Lung’wando.

Kwinga lushiku lwenulo, muna Shimba oya kubhadalaha nu kubhabhulaga abhanamhala. Uyomba, “Gashina abhanamhala bhalina masala. Bhayanda bhatubhashigila abhanamhala.

Kiswahili: Simba Na Mzee Sungura

Zamani ya kale, Simba aliwaua wazee wote wa kijijini. Ni mzee mmoja tu hakuuawa, naye alikuwa ni Sungura maana alijificha na mtoto wake. Simba aliona kuwa wazee hawakuwa na maana kwake.

Walibaki vijana tu. Siku moja Simba alikuwa amelala huku akiwa ameachama. Likaja Joka likaingia mdomoni mwake. Ikawa hali ngumu na ikamfanya Simba ahangaike mno. Akakosa la kufanya.

Mwishowe, aliwaalika vijana, akawaambia, “Jamani, nimeingiliwa na Nyoka, mnaweza kunisaidia?” Vijana wakamjibu, Sisi hatuliwezi jambo hilo. Tumekua leo tu, tutalifahamuje jambo hilo?”

Mtoto wa Sungura akamwambia Simba,  “Yupo baba, labda anaweza kukuponya, lakini usimuuwe. Maana wewe huwaua wazee!” Simba alikataa, “Mimi sitamwua.”

Mtoto wa Sungura akamwendea baba yake na umweleza. Sungura alikwenda akiwa pamoja na Panya, na kusimama mbali kwa maana alimwogopa Simba.

Sungura akamwuliza Simba, “Nikikuponyesha si nami utanimaliza kwa vile unawadharau wazee?” “Hakuna kabisa. Sitakufanya kitu,” Simba alijibu.

Ndipo Sungura  akamsogelea Simba akiwa na Panya. Akawa anambonyeza yule Panya. Mwisho Panya akalia Twi! Twi! Twi! Panya alipolia, Nyoka akasikia akatoka na kusema, “Leo nyama kumbe (Leo nimepata nyama). Alipotoka Nyoka, akaanza kumkimbiza Panya. Alimkimbiza hadi mbali, Simba akawa amepona.

Akamshukuru Panya. Toka hapo Simba akaacha kuwadharau na kuwaua wazee. Akasema, “Kumbe wazee wana busara, vijana hawana busara kama wazee.”

ENGLISH: THE LION AND THE ELDERLY HARE

Once upon a time, the Lion killed all the elders in a certain village, except one. The lucky old man was the Hare. He was not killed because at the time of the event he had been hiding somewhere, along with his son. The Lion believed that the elders were useless.

Mainly, only young people remained in the village. One day, the Lion was sleeping; his mouth was open. A dragon entered his mouth. This made the Lion suffer a great deal. He didn’t know what to do.

Finally, he called some young men and said to them, “Fellow men, I’ve been attacked by the Serpent.Can you help me?” The young men replied, “We can’t. We’ve just grown. How do you expect us to help you??”

The Hare’s child said to the Lion, “Maybe my father can heal you; but don’t kill him. For you kill the elders!” The Lion said, “I won’t kill him.”

The Hare’s child went to his father and told him what had happened to the Lion. The Hare and the Rat went to where the Lion was. They stood some distance from the Lion because they feared him.

The Hare asked the Lion, “Won’t you kill me if I heal you? I know you despise the elders?” “Not at all. I won’t do that,” the Lion said.

Then the Hare and the Rat moved closer to the Lion. He was pressing the Rat. The Rat cried, “Twi! Twi! Twi!” When the Rat cried, the dragon heard and came out of the Lion’s body and said, “I’ve got the meat.”After the dragon had come out of the Lion, it began to chase the Rat. He chased him for some distance and became well again.

The Lion thanked both the Rat and the Hare. He stopped despising and killing the elderly. He said, “The elders are wise, but the young are not as wise as them.”

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Waliho nkima uyo walina ng’wana umo. Lushiku lumo ng’wana ng’wenuyo akamisha nsati. Nina akanaja ng’wana mu kaya, uja kujukobha bhugota halinzenganwa.

Guko atali kwinhwa bhugota, wahayimanila ubhona numba yakwe ilibhaka moto. Nkima ng’wenuyo upela wangu wangu kuja ko. Aho washika wingila mu kaya na kunsomba ng’wana wakwe. Umandila ha shikubha atizupya moto. Aliyo unina upya pye umili, wita malonda kufumila ku magulu kushika kuntwe.

Aho wapila usaga na malanda mili pye. Ihanga lyakwe lyubhipa no. Ng’wana ng’wenuyo witanagwa Bahati. Aho wakula uyuja kujigusha na bhana bhiye, bhalinseka na bhaling’wila giki, “Limayu lyako libhi no, lilini hanga litilyawiza. Utubhonaga bhamayu bhise umo bhali bhusheku.

Bahati aho wawilwa chene, wandya kundalaha unina. Lushigu lumo akamuja unina, “Iki bhuli mayu uti ni hanga lya wiza? Bhuli mili gwako guli na malanda pye? Kufumila kuntwe kushika kumagulu?” Nina akansombolela umo yali, “Ng’wana wane aho utali ndo, numba ikapya moto. Nu bhebhe walulalile mumo, nakingila mukaya kukusola nukubhandila ha shikubha utizupya moto. Hi chene ulinibhona nalina malanda pye umili. Iki bhebhe nakutogilwe.”

Bahati aho wigwa giko akayegano, akamana giki, mayu wane wa ng’hana. Uyubhawila na bhiye, “Lolagi mayu umo anitogelilwe, abhakilile na bhamayu bhing’we.” Kufumila lushiku lwene, walatalekaga kunumbilija nina. Na akanela chiza no umu bhugikulu wakwe.

 Kiswahili: Hadithi Ya Mtoto Bahati

Alikuwepo mama mmoja, aliyekuwa na mtoto mmoja. Siku moja mtoto huyo aliamka mgonjwa. Mama alimlaza mtoto ndani ya nyumba. Alikwenda kutafuta dawa kwa jirani, kabla hajapewa dawa alishitukia akaona nyumba yake inawaka moto.

Mwanamke huyo akakimbia haraka haraka kwenda huko. Alipofika akaingia ndani na kumchukua mtoto wake. Alimkumbatia kifuani ili asiungue na moto.

Lakini mama yake aliungua mwili wote, alipata madonda kutoka miguuni hadi kichwani. Alipopona akabaki na makovu mwili wote. Sura yake ikaharibika mno.

Mtoto huyo alikuwa anaitwa Bahati. Alipokua alikuwa anakwenda kucheza na watoto wenzake. Huku wakimcheka na kumwambia kwamba, “Mama yako ni mbaya mno, ana sura isiyo nzuri, huwaoni mama zetu walivyo laini.”  Bahati alivyoambiwa hivyo, akaanza kumdharau mama yake.

Siku moja akamwuliza mama yake, “Kwa nini  mama huna sura nzuri? Kwa nini mwili wako una makovu wote? Kutoka kichwani hadi miguuni?”  Mama yake alimweleza jinsi ilivyokuwa. “Mtoto wangu ulipokuwa bado mdogo, nyumba iliungua moto, na wewe ulikuwa umelala humo. Niliingia ndani nikakuchukua nikakukumbatia kifuani. Ndivyo unavyoniona kuwa nina makovu mwili wote. Kwa kuwa wewe ninakupenda mno.”

Bahati aliposikia hivyo alifurahi mno akajua hivi, Mama yangu ni wa kweli akawa anawaambia na wenzake, “Angalieni  Mama anavyonipenda, anawazidi hata mama zenu.”  Tokea siku hiyo  alikuwa haachi kumshukuru mama yake.  Na alimlea vizuri mno katika uzee wake.

ENGLISH: BAHATI’S STORY

There was one woman who had one child. One day, the child woke up sick. The mother laid her on the bed inside the house. Then she went to her neighbour’s house to ask for a medicine. Before the woman was given the medicine, she saw her house burning.

She hurriedly returned home. When she arrived there, she went inside and took out her baby. She put her in her bosom so that she couldn’t get burnt.

But various parts of the woman’s body got burnt. After the wounds had healed, she had scars all over her body. Her face had been badly damaged.

The child was given the name Bahati. As Bahati was growing up, she used to play with her fellow children. Her friends laughed at her and often said to her, “Your mother is so ugly, she has bad skin, but each of our mothers has smooth skin.” As a result, she began looking down upon her mother.

One day, she asked, “Mother, why don’t you have beautiful skin? Why are there many scars on your body?” Her mother said to her, “When you were still young, the house went up in flames and you were inside, sleeping,” she said. “I went into it and carried you in my chest. Various parts of my body got burnt. That is the source of all the scars you see on my body. I did it because I love you very much.”

After hearing the story, Bahati became very happy. One day, as she was playing with her friends, she said to them, “My mother loves me very much. She loves me more than your mothers do you.” And she took good care of her mother in her old age.

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Muna Danga na muna Ngoso bhali na makoye, bhamilagwa na liyoka. Huna lulu, Ntemi wabho ubhabhilingila lugiko, kulola mhayo gwenuyo na kubhabhuja twite kinahe iki tukamilagwa na liyoka?

Hanuma ya henaho, Ntemi ufumbula gwa kwita, uhaya, “Ulu mlinga ahenaha, bhuli bhene uko mulibhitila, ulu ng’usanja nanhwe umuna Nzoka, bhiya ukung’ogoha. Ulu umubhuja ya kwene kunu kulugiko, mung’wile “Yalemagwa yamalimila mila.”

Aha bhinga aha lugiko, ng’hana bhusanja nu muna nzoka umunzila. Haho na haho Danga ungisha, umuna nzoka, uli mhola nkoyi. Muna nzoka uhaya, “Nalimhola duhu.” Kunu ngosha chula alikumya no. Muna Nzoka nang’hwe ungisha umuna Chula uhaya, nalimhola duhu.

Muna nzoka ubhuja, “Chula ulinga he?” Chula uhaya, “Tulinga kulugiko lo Ntemi.” Ubhuja, “Ng’waluhoyelaga ki? Chula ushosha, “Taluhoyelaga mihayo mingi no. Aliyo guliho mhayo gumo duhu ugutale.yalemagwa iyamalimila mila.”

Kiswahili: Imekataliwa Ya Kumezana Mezana

Chura  na Panya walikuwa na shida kwa sababu ya kumezwa na nyoka. Mwishowe walifanya, mkutano kwa Mtemi wakajadili na Mtemi kuhusu jambo hilo.

Mtemi akawauliza tufanye nini kwa sababu tunamezwa na Nyoka? Chura na Panya walikosa la kufanya. Baadaye Mtemi aliamua la kufanya. Akawaambia, “Mkiondoka hapa,  kila mmoja anakopita, msimwogope huyo nyoka, na tena mkikutana naye njiani msalimieni.”

Walipoondoka kwenye mkutano, kweli walikutana na Nyoka. Chura  akamsalimu, “Hujambo Nyoka?” Nyoka akaitikia, “Sijambo tu.” Nyoka naye akamsalimu Chura,  “Hujambo Chura?” Chura akaitikia, “Sijambo.”

Nyoka akauliza, “Chura umetoka wapi?”

Chura akajibu, “tumetoka kwenye mkutano wa Mtemi.”

Akauliza,  “Mlikuwa mnajadili nini?”

Chura akajibu, “Tulikuwa tunajadili mambo mengi.”

Lakini la muhimu ni moja tu, Imekataliwa ya kumezana mezana.

ENGLISH: WE DON’T WANT TO BE SWALLOWED ANYMORE

The Frog and the Mouse were suffering because they’d been swallowed by the Snake. One day, they went to the King to discuss the matter with him.

The King asked, “What should we do to prevent the Snake from swallowing us again?” The Frog and the Mouse didn’t know what to do. The King decided that something must be done. He said, “When you leave my compound for home, don’t be afraid of the Snake if you meet him on your way home.”

 

Indeed, as they headed back home, they met the Snake. The Frog said, “Hello, Mr Snake, how are you today” The Snake responded, “I’m fine. “How are you, too?” “I’m fine, too,” the Frog said.

The Snake asked, “Where are you coming from, Mr Frog?”

The Frog replied, “We’re coming from the King’s house. We’d gone to discuss something with him.”

“What were you discussing?” He asked.

 

The Frog said, “We discussed various things. For instance, we decided at the meeting that no one should swallow others anymore.”

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Lushiku lumo umuna Shimba agaja aha numba ya ng’wa Lung’wando, usanga alinduhu wajaga (kumilimo) kungese. Wingila umuna Shimba umu kaya yang’wa Lungwando, ung’wibhandila ize annye.

Aho washika ulung’wando ubhona mabhondo ga Shimba gingilaga umu kaya, ushoka hado hado kushika kasegeno. Ukalala kuko.

Kushika wela, uja kumilimo hangi. Aho wamala imilimo wiza pole pole aha numba, usanga mabhondo gigolo galiho, muna Shimba atali ibhandile.

Lung’wando ushoka hangi hado hado kushika kasegeno, wandya kugisha, “Madilo muna numba wane, sele. Ugisha hangi, madilo muna numba wane, sele. Uyomba muna Lung’wando giki hangi, nakagugishaga wazunya, ilelo witaga kinahe utuzunyaga kunigisha. Madilo muna numba wane, nose uzunya muna Shimba, “Madilo bhabha.” Lung’wando useka hii hii! Natinabhona numba yagisha.

KISWAHILI: SUNGURA NA SIMBA
Siku moja Simba alikwenda nyumbani kwa Sungura. Kumbe hakumkuta, kwani alikuwa amekwenda kazini (kwenye palizi). Simba aliingia ndani ya nyumba ya Sungura, akajibanza ili Sungura atakaporudi akija amle.

Sungura aliporudi, aligundua nyayo za Simba zimeelekea ndani ya nyumba yake. Basi akarudi nyuma kwa mwendo wa kasi hadi mbali na kulala huko.

Asubuhi akaenda moja kwa moja kwenye kazi zake. Alipomaliza kazi, alirejea polepole tena nyumbani kwake. Alizikuta nyayo zilezile za Simba kama alivyoziona jana. Hapo Sungura akasalimia, “Umeshindaje nyumba yangu?” Kukawa kimya kitupu kimetawala. Akarudia kusalimia mara ya pili na ya tatu. Akasema “Huwa ninakusalimu unakubali leo umefanyaje umekataa kunisalimu.?” Akarudia “Umeshindaje we nyumba yangu?”
Mwisho Simba akakubali, “Sijambo baba Sungura!” Akacheka hii! hii! “Sijaona nyumba inasalimu!

KISWAHILI: Sungura Na Simba

Siku moja Simba alikwenda nyumbani kwa Sungura. Kumbe hakuwepo, kwani alikuwa amekwenda kazini (kwenye palizi). Simba aliingia ndani ya nyumba ya Sungura, akajificha ili Sungura atakaporudi aje amle.

Sungura aliporudi, aligundua nyayo za Simba zimeelekea ndani ya nyumba yake. Basi akarudi nyuma kwa mwendo wa pole pole hadi umbali wa kutosha na kulala huko.

Asubuhi akaenda moja kwa moja kwenye kazi zake. Alipomaliza kazi, alirejea polepole tena nyumbani kwake. Alizikuta nyayo zilezile za Simba kama alivyoziona jana.

Hapo Sungura akasalimia, “Umeshindaje nyumba yangu?” Kukawa kimya kitupu kimetawala. Akarudia kusalimia mara ya pili na ya tatu. Akasema “Huwa ninakusalimu unakubali leo umefanyaje umekataa kuniitikia?” Akarudia “Umeshindaje we nyumba yangu?”

Mwisho Simba akakubali, “Sijambo baba Sungura!” Akacheka hii! hii! “Sijaona nyumba inasalimu!”

 

ENGLISH: THE HARE AND THE LION

One day the Lion went to the Hare’s house. The Hare was not at home; he had gone to his farm to do some weeding work. The Lion opened the door and entered the Hare’s house and hid there so that he could eat the Hare when he returned.

When the Hare returned, he found the Lion’s footsteps at his house. So, he entered the house quietly and slept a considerable distance from where the Lion was hiding.

In the morning he went to work. After he had finished the work he’d been doing, he returned quietly to his house and saw the Lion’s footsteps he’d seen the previous day.

Then the Hare greeted his house, “How have you been, my house?” He received no response. He repeated the second and third times. He said, “You have always responded to my greetings. What is it that makes you not answer my greetings today?” “How have you been, my house?”

Finally, the Lion answered, “I’m fine, Mr Hare.” He laughed, “Ha ha ha. I’ve never seen a house greet someone!”