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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola shinu ijijigikalaga mng’obho giti: Mbiti, Naga, Nzoka na jingi ningi. Ishinu jinijo jigib’isaga munywobho yajo kunguno ya gogoha guding’wa na bhanishi b’ajo.

Ulu giki jifuma umu ng’ob’o ili jinogu nulu gunyamanijiwa na b’anisha bhajo bhenabho abho bhadulile nulu gujib’ulaga. Abhanishi bhenabho bhagayombaga ulu bhumona umo oshinu jinijo alihanze ya ng’ob’o gokwe, giki, ‘ilelo ogwingilaga ung’ob’o.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kulimunhu uyo agingaga ahakaya yakwe bho nduhu gub’iza witegeleja bhutale. Agisangaga opandikaga makoye nulu ga guding’wa na bhanishi wakwe abho bhadulile kumulaga.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gwikala bihi ni kaya jabho. Kabhalemeja ugugusenengela ung’wingi nulu ung’ob’o gobho kunguno ugunuyo hu b’uli b’upililo bhobho.

Ijinagongeja, akahayile kenako kabhalanga abhanhu giki: ug’wingi (ng’ob’o) gob’o ali Yesu. Ili yaya ugugusenengela kunguno bhadulile gunyamanijiwa na ng’wanishi obho ushetani.

LEO OMEONDOKA KWENYE PANGO (SHIMO)

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia wanyama waishio kwenye mashimo, kama vile: Fisi, Mhanga, Nyoka na wengine wengi. Wanyama hao hujificha kwenye mapango au mashimo yao kwa sababu ya kuogopa kukamatwa na maadui zao.’

Endapo watatoka kwenye mapango au mashimo hayo itakuwa rahisi kukamatwa na adui zao hao ambao waweza kuwaua. Imaana kwamba, kama wakitoka shimoni itakuwa rahisi hata kuzingilwa na maadui zao ambao waweza hata kuuawa. Maadui hao husema endapo watamuona mmoja wao akiwa nje ya pango au shimo lake, kwamba, ‘leo omeondoka kwenye pango (shimo).

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huondoka kwenye makazi yake bila kuwa na umakini mkubwa. Hujikuta amepata matatizo yahatarishayo usalama wake, yakiwemo ya kukamatwa na adui zake.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuishi karibu na makazi yao yawezayo kulinda usalama wao. Huwakataza kuishi mbali na familia zao ambazo ndizo makazi yao yenye usalama. Watu wanasisitiziwa kutokukaa mbali na pango au shimo lao, maana hapo ni mahala pa usalama wao.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kubakia kwenye makazi yao yenye usalama ambayo ni Yesu mwenyewe. Watakiwa kutokukaa mbali na Yeye kwa sababu adui yao shetani huwawinda ili awaangamize. Kwa hiyo, msemo huo wawafundisha watu kuwa: pango (shimo) lao ni Yesu Kristo. Wasikae mbali naye wasije wakazingilwa na adui yao shetani.

Zaburi 23:1-4.

Zaburi 140:1-4.

Yohana 12:26.

Yohana 15:5-10.

ENGLISH: TODAY ONE HAS LEFT THE HOLE (CAVE)

The above proverb relates to animals that live in holes or caves such as hyenas, snakes, among many others. These animals hibernate in the caves because of fear of being caught by their enemies.

If they come out of their hide-outs, they become vulnerable. That situation makes it easy to be attacked by their enemies, who can even kill them. Whenever the enemies behold them out of the cave or hole, they would say, ‘today one has left the cave (hole).’

Such proverb is likened to a person who leaves his/her abode without being cautious. Such a person finds himself/herself in problems that compromise his/her security, including the risk of being kidnapped by the enemy.

The proverb is used to urge people to live in close proximity to each other as a family so that they are secure. People are encouraged not to stay away from their cave or hole.

In essence, the proverb teaches people about staying in the most secure home, i.e. in Jesus Christ. They should not stay away from Him in case their enemy – Satan – ensnares them and destroys them. Thus, the proverb teaches people that their cave is Jesus Christ. They should stay as close as possible to Him to keep Satan at bay.

Psalm 23: 1-4.

Psalm 140: 1-4.

John 12:26.

John 15: 5-10.

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

Imbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola bhanhu abho bhagukoyelaga ginhu, nulu nimo uyo gub’izile guti gupya ijigugulola. Aliyo ubhunghana bhogo ukubhanhu abho bhagudeb’ile guligukulukulu.

Ligashigaga ikanza ilya gubhudeb’a ubhunghana bho nimo, nulu ginhu jinijo ukubhanhu bhenebho abho b’agujikoyelaga kulwa nguno ya bhoyi gub’iza bhalibhageni ukuginhu jinijo. Ulu bhumana chena, bhagayombaga giki ‘gashi dugukoyelaga ishalekwa.’

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agatumamaga milimo yakwe bho nduhu ugub’iza na bhukengeji bho guimana chiza imilimo yiniyo. Agisangaga onogaga sagara, kulwa gujimara inguzu jakwe kumilimo iyo idina solobho ya kub’eja kaya, nulu jumuiya yakwe. Ilichiza umunhu agudeb’e chiza unimo gokwe, hayo adinagwandya ugugutumama.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gwita bhukengeji bho gudula guideb’a chiza imilimo yabho, hayo bhatali ugwandya uguitumama. Ulub’ita chene, bhagudula uguitumama imilimo iyagubhenhela solobho, umuwikaji bhobho, na guileka iyo itina solobho.

Kuyiniyo lulu, akahayile kenako agayombaga munhu uyo alitumama nimo uyo gudinayo isolobho. Guti gugwita nimo gosegose uyogoiwa ugudililwa na bhiye.

KISWAHILI: KUMBE TWAHANGAIKIA KILICHOACHWA

 Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia watu wahangaikiao kitu ambacho kwa macho huonekana kama kipya. Lakini ukweli wa kitu hicho kwa wale wakifahamuo ni kikuukuu.

Hufika wakati wa kuufahamu ukweli wa kitu hicho ambacho watu hao hukihangaikia kwa sababu ya ugeni wao kwenye kitu hicho. Wakisha fahamu hivyo, watu hao husema hivi ‘kumbe twahangaikia kilichoachwa.’

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu afanyaye kazi zake bila kufanya utafiti wa kutosha kuzifahamu vizuri kazi hizo. Mtu huyo hujikuta amechoka kwa kuzimalizia nguvu zake kwenye kazi hizo zisizo na faida kwenye familia au Jumuiya yake. Yafaa mtu aifahamu vizuri kazi yake kabla ya kuanza kuifanya.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kufanya utafiti wa kazi zao kabla hawajaanza kuzifanya. Wakifanya hivyo, wataweza kuzigundua na kuzifanya kazi zile ziwezazo kuwaletea maendeleo na kuziacha zile ambazo haziwezi kuwaletea maendeleo hayo.

Kwa hiyo basi, msemo huo huusema mtu afanyaye kazi isiyo na faida, kama vile kujishugulisha na kazi yoyote ambayo wenzake waliashaiacha kuifanya.

2 Kor 5:17

Wagalatia 5:4.

ENGLISH: EXPENDING ENERGY ON NOTHING WORTHWHILE

The above saying is about people who spend so much energy chasing after what their eyes perceive to be new, yet in reality it is completely worthless, according to those who are aware of it.

A time comes when the truth dawns on the people as they understand how naive they were about their deceptive perception. With this realization, they would say, ‘so we are losing energy on nothing worthwhile’

The saying is likened to a person who performs his/her work without carrying out sufficient research to determine its worth. Such a person wears himself/herself down by focusing all his/her energy on unprofitable tasks in the family or in the community. It is advisable for a person to be adequately familiar with his/her job before attempting it.

The saying teaches people about the need for due diligence before embarking on any assignment. That would not only guarantee profitable engagements that can bring about development in families but also help shun those worthless ones that cannot lead to progress.

Thus, the saying advises people to conduct sufficient research before settling on any job. That helps ensure that they engage in profitable ones for the sake of developing the family and the community.

2 Cor. 5:17

Galatians 5: 4.

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

Mbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola milimo yose iyo ilimidimu, kulwa nguno ligikalaga liliho likanza idimu ilyagukoyakoya, aliyo uluugushisha unimo gunuyo ugwasha hela kulwa wiyumilija wenubho.

Akahayike kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kulimunhu uyo agiyumilijaga umuguitumama imilimo yakwe imidimu yiniyo mpaka oimala na opandika matwajo mingi na miza umuwikaji bhokwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agayegaga noi uluogapandika amatwajo ga milimo yakwe.

Ijinagongeja, akayayile kenako, kagalenganijiyagwa kubhanhu abho bhagamanaga bhusega ulubhaligusha. Aliyo umuligusha linilo, umo obho adulile guminyika na gwandya gulila. Abhanhu bhaguyomba giki, sega sega igabyalaga lila lila, hi midimu iyiniyo.

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na wiyumilija umu milimo imidimu, nguno igenhaga solobho ahabhutongi. Ilichiza uguitumama imilimo yiniyo na wiyumilija bhutale, kulwa nguno idulile gwenha bhuyegi bhutale ahabhutongi yaho.

Akahayile kenako hangi kalanga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka ilishinya ilya sagara. Kunguno, lishinya linilo lidulile gwenha bhusunduhazu bho gulabhuka munhu ose ose. Ilichiza ugwigusha bho masala.

KISWAHILI: CHEKA CHEKA, HUZAA MAGUMU, MAGUMU HUZAA CHEKA CHEKA

Chanzo cha msemo huo chaangalia kazi yoyote ambayo ni ngumu, kwa maana kuna wakati mgumu wa kuhangaka, hata hivyo ukisha imaliza kazi hiyo unapata faida kwa kuvumilia huko.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu avumiliaye katika kufanya kazi zake ambazo ni ngumu mpaka kuzimaliza na kupata matokeo mazuri kwa uvumilivu wake. Mtu huyo hufurahi mno apatapo matunda ya kazi zake.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa watu wachezao huku wakicheka kwa maana ya kufurahia. Lakini katika mchezo huo, mmoja wao huumia na kuanza kulia. Watu husema, cheka cheka huzaa kilio, hiyo ndiyo migumu kwa watu hao.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uvumilivu katika kufanya kazi zao zilizongumu, kwa sababu kazi hizo huleta faida maishani mwao. Ni vizuri kuzifanya kazi hizo zilizo ngumu kwa uvumilivu mkubwa, kwa sababu hizo zaweza kuleta furaha kubwa wakati ujao.

Zaidi kwa hayo, msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha michezo iliyo ya hovyo, kwa sababu michezo hiyo, huweza kuleta huzuni itokanayo na kuumia kwa mtu yeyote. Ni vizuri kucheza kwa kutumia akili za kutosha kuepuka kupata matokeo mabaya.

Yohana 4:35-36.

Yakobo 5:7-10.

Zaburi 126:5-6.

2Timotheo 2:6.

ENGLISH: LAUGHTER GIVES BIRTH TO DIFFICULTIES; DIFFICULTIES GIVE BIRTH TO LAUGHTER

The above proverb relates to tasks that are considered difficult and which are daunting to perform. However, once accomplished, one reaps the benefits of one’s endurance.

The overhead proverb is compared to a person who undertakes his/her work with diligence and endurance, resulting to effective completion of the exercise. That situation brings a satisfaction to the person as he/she reaps the fruits of his/her labour.

In addition, the proverb is likened to people who enjoy playing and reveling in excitement. However, in the same game, someone can get sick and start grieving. Thus, it said that, ‘laughter gives birth to difficulties; difficulties give birth to laughter.’

The proverb teaches people to exercise patience in doing their work. Hard work guarantees value in life. So, it is good to undertake those hard tasks with a lot of patience; that is a surety for a happy future.

In addition, such proverb cautions against engaging in dangerous games, because some games can bring about grief. It is advisable to play safe to avoid poor outcomes.

John 4: 35-36.

James 5: 7-10.

Psalm 126: 5-6.

2 Timothy 2: 6.

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

Mbuki ya kahayile kenako ililola munhu uyo ali ng’wi owalwa. Ung’wi ng’wunuyo agamanaga uyomba mamihayo ga sagala guti: nabhung’waga bhukomile ng’ombe.

Aliyo bhaliho bhanhu bhangi abho bhatungilwe bhatina wiyabhi bho guja gujung’wa uwalwa bhunubho. Abhanhu bhenabho niyo bhagakalalagwa ulu bhamona munhu uyo ong’waga walwa bhab’iza na nzala nh’ale ya gubhung’wa.

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo atogilwa gwita mihayo ya sagara iyo idina solobho uko kaya yakwe. Imihayo yiniyo igakenagulaga sabho ya hakaya yakwe.

Akahayile kenako kulangaga bhanhu higulya ya kuleka ugwita imihayo ya sagala umuwikaji bhobho. Ilichiza abhanhu ugoya ugwikumilija mugwita yabhubhi kunguno iyiniyo igakenagulaga kaya na chalo jabho.

Hangi akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya goya gwikumva ya musi iyo ikomile gulisanya kaya, na nulu bhananzengo. Ilichiza abhanhu bhakalalile mihayo iyo iliya wiza ijinagubheja kaya na chalo jabho.

KISWAHILI: KUSHIBA KWA MLEVI NJAA KWA ALIYEFUNGWA

Chanzo cha msemo huo kinaangalia mtu anayekunywa pombe. Mtu huyo huzungumumza maneno ya hovyo hovyo mfano: nimekunywa yenye kipimo sawa na ng’ombe.

Hata hivyo kuna watu wengine ambao wamefungwa ambao hawana uhuru wa kwenda kunywa pombe. Watu hao hupata hamu ya kunywa pombe wanapomuona mtu aliyekunywa pombe hiyo. Huwa wanakuwa na njaa kubwa ya kuinywa.

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye hupenda kufanya matendo ya hovyo hovyo ambayo hayana maana katika ujenzi wa familia yake. Matendo hayo hubaribu familia yake.

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuacha kufanya matendo yasiyofaa katika ujenzi wa familia zao maishani mwao. Huwataka watu hao kuacha kutenda matendo yaliyomabaya kwa sababu matendo hayo huharibu familia na vijiji vyao.

Zaidi ya hayo, msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kukoma kutamani mabaya yaliyomo duniani, kwa sababu hayo husambalatisha familia na vijiji vyao. Watu hao hutakiwa kutamani yale yaliyo mema kwa ajili ya kuwawezesha kuzijenga vizuri  familia na vijiji vyao.

Mathayo 7:13-14.

Mathayo 24:37-44.

Luka 13:22-24.

Waebrania 10:24-25.

ENGLISH: A SATISFIED DRUNK; A HUNGRY OF A PRISONER

The above proverb talks about the attitude and behavior of a drunkard. Such a person speaks carelessly, for example he/she would boast: I have drunk the same quantity as that of a cow.

On the other hand, people who are incarcerated do not have the freedom to drink, despite the craving for it whenever they see someone who has taken alcohol. They develop great desire for the drink.

Such proverb is likened to the irresponsible character in some people, for example those who behave in a careless manner. Such sloppy conduct destroys families.

The same principle is used to teach people against engaging in destructive activities that can wreck their families and the community.

In addition, the proverb discourages people against craving worldly things because they destroy families and communities. They are instead encouraged to crave pleasant things that can help bring about development in their societies.

Matthew 7: 13-14.

Matthew 24: 37-44.

Luke 13: 22-24.

Hebrews 10: 24-25.