Collected by: Don Sybertz,  

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

Ng’walimu Julius Nyerere, aho oliatali ali Rais o Tanzania. Lushigu lumo agabhilingwa gujulugula Zahanati munkoa gumo. Agashika Jumamos mhindi, agikala na bhatongeji bha hibala linilo.

Agalomba asome latibha ya bhuluguji. Ubhutaratibhu bholi giki:

Gubokela bhageni.

Lwimbo lwa Taifa.

Kwaya, michezo, n.k.

Hotubha ya ntale o mkoa n.k.

Agisoma pye ilatibha aliyo adabhonile moyi mhayo higulwa ya gunkuja Mulungu. Agabhalola kubhupelanu na guitantula ilatibha habhutongi yabho, agahaya, “Ying’we mmanile igiki unene nali nkristo Gatoliki, nalisoma misa bhuli lo jumapili. Nahanaha bhaliho bhakristo bhingi abho bhagasalilaga, nibhuli umulatibha ying’we bhutiho wasa bho gunkuja Mulungu, nulu gunhumbilija?

 Kiswahili: Uzinduzi Wa Zahanati

Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, alipokuwa bado Rais wa Tanzania. Siku moja alialikwa kufungua Zahanati katika mkoa fulani. Alifika Jumamosi jioni, akakaa na viongozi wa mahali hapo. Akaomba asome ratiba ya ufunguzi.

Utaratibu ulikuwa hivi:

Kupokea wageni.

Wimbo wa Taifa.

Kwaya, Michezo, n.k.

Hotuba ya mkuu wa mkoa n.k.

Akasoma ratiba yote lakini hakuona neno juu ya kumtukuza Mungu. Akawaangalia kwa hasira na kuichana ratiba mbele yao, akasema, “Ninyi mnajua kwamba mimi ni mkristu Mkatoliki, huwa nasali Misa kila Jumapili. Na hapa kuna wakristu wengi ambao wanasali, kwa nini katika ratiba yenu haipo nafasi ya kumtukuza Mungu, au kumshukuru?

English: Launching Of A Dispensary.

ENGLISH: THE LAUNCHING OF A DISPENSARY

When MwalimuJulius Nyerere was still the President of Tanzania, he was one day invited to launch a dispensary in a particular region. He arrived there on Saturday evening.He stayed with the local leaders of that place. He asked to be given the opening schedule.

The schedule read as follows:

Receiving visitors.

The National Anthem.

Choir, sports and games, etc.

The speech of the regional commissioner etc.

He read the whole schedule but he did not see anything about glorifying God. As reaction, he looked at them with anger and tore the schedule in front of them saying, “You know that I am a Catholic, I normally attend Mass every Sunday. And here there are many Christians who pray.Why is it that in your schedule there is no space for glorifying God, or for thanking Him?

Collected by: Don Sybertz,  

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

Ikanza lwa kale oliho Nsumba umo nzunya nhabhi. Wikalaga uzwala madaso na oliadina jilatu umumagulu. Abhiye bhalibhandalaha na gunseka noi. Hangi bhangemaga nyahala bhalihaya, “Bhebhe ulinzunya, ulu Mulungu agutogilwe, nibhuli adagulanghanaga na gukulinda? Adadulile gung’wila nulu munhu umo agwinhe ng’wenda nulu jilatu?”

Unsumba ng’wenuyo agayanga noi ukunu agwitaga jisoji alihaya, “Naliganika uMulungu agubhawilaga abhanhu, aliyo bhadandegelekaga.”

Kiswahili: Kijana Fukara

Enzi hizo alikuwapo kijana mmoja mkristu  fukara. Alikuwa anavaa matambara (yaani nguo chakavu) na hakuwa na viatu miguuni. Wenzake walimdharau na kumcheka sana.

Pia walimdhihaki wakisema, “wewe ni mkristu, kama Mungu anakupenda, kwa nini hakulindi na kukutunza? Hawezi kumwambia hata mtu mmoja akupe nguo au viatu? Kijana alihangaika mno na huku akitokwa na machozi akasema, “Nafikiri Mungu anawaambia watu, lakini hawamsikilizi.”

ENGLISH: A POOR BOY

There was a poor young man who was Christian. He used to wear rags (tatters). He had no shoes either.  His friends despised him and laughed at him.

They also mocked him, saying, “You are a Christian.If God loves you, why does He not guard you and take care of you?  He can’t He even tell someone to give you clothes or shoes?” The boy was very grieved and he cried saying, “I think God tells people, but they don’t listen to him.”

Collected by: Don Sybertz,  

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

Aho Kale, jaliho ndimu ningi. Imo yajo yali Lung’wando. Bhasi, bhagiigwa gusimba lwinzi la minzi. Aho bhandya ugusimba ulwinzi, Ulung’wando uhaya, “Bhabehi, igwigelelwa dulombe giki mbula ipandike gutula. Ulu idishena igubhiza bhule.” Ibhujiku Ulung’wando wiza agwimbaga;

“Oo ndemle bhamayu ndemle,” “Oo ndemle Lung’wando Lung’wando aliza.” Agahodisha aho lwinzi, alihaya, “Hodii.”

Lidakulile ikanza Ulung’wando wingila umuminzi, wandya goga. Aho omala, unya mashi mumo. Uja lokwe. Intondo yaho bhagasanga mashi umu lwinzi.

Bhiyangula guntuula mnambiti ubhiza nindi o lwinzi lwobho. Ubhujiku Ulung’wando agashika hangi na kunu alimba lwimbo lwakwe lwenilo. Agahodisha, Mbiti agatima tochi na kubhuja, “Bhebhe uli nani?” “Nene aha!”

“Bhebhe uli lung’wando idishene?” “Ehee, jiliho ki?” “Bhebhe lung’wando huna uyo agubhipyaga a minzi gise, enh?”

Ulung’wando agashosha, “Iiii! Unene nadagamanile aminzi ging’we. Unene ninaminzi gane ayo galimasoga noi. Dujage nagagwinhe!”

Imbiti yuhaya, “Haya dujage.” Bhasi, ulung’wando na mbiti bhuja.

Aho bhashika aha lwande fulani ulung’wando ung’wila umnambiti, “Nahene, ubhebhe ikalaga aha si, unene nalinhe ng’wigulwa.”

Ulung’wando agandya kung’wikija. Inhalikilo, mbiti agiyibha, wandya kuntunga lugoye. Aho omala ugwita chiniko, Ulung’wando agiponeja mugati ya lwinzi lwobho, wandya goga. Aho omala goga, unya mashi, na kuja lokwe. Intondo yaho diyu, bhagibhuja, “Ng’wigisu ojaga hei?”

Imbiti yushosha, “Naliho kunu bhabehi, natungagwa lugoye na lung’wando!” Ulushigu ulo lugafuada, bhuntuula grumati giki alinde ulwinzi lwobho.

Bhung’winha bhulangeti na tochi. Bhujiku ulung’wando agashiga na gatolo/gajisabho ako kina bhuki na kunu aliimba lyimbo lwakwe linilo. Aho omala ugupiga ihodi, grumati agikala sele.

Ulung’wando agingila na gwigasha hahigula ya ng’wa grumati. Aho grumati wibhakila, agabhuja, “Ulinani ubhebhe? “Nali nene Lung’wando!” “Ahaa! Gashanaga nu bhebhe lung’wando!”

Aheneho grumati ufula mhembe. Ndimu pye jiza na mapanga. Uluwang’wando agabhawila, “Unene nadadulile gubhulagwa na mapanga.” Bhasi ndimu jigantunga lugoye umnalung’wando na guntuma gujila moto.

Aho lidakulile ikanza, ingoye ijo bhalibhantungila jutinika, na lung’wando agatoloka na gwandya gupela ukunu aliimba.

Lung’wando kanyama kadoo, aliyo kanyama kabhalaganu,

Ulung’wando kanyama kadoo, aliyo kanyaga kabhalaganu.

 Kiswahili: Uchimbaji Wa Kisima-Sungura Na Wanyama

Hapo zamani, kulikuwa na wanyama wengi. Mmoja wa wanyama hao alikuwa Sungura. Basi walikubaliana kuchimba kisima cha maji. Walipoanza kuchimba kisima, Sungura akasema, “Jamani, itafaa tuombe ili mvua ipate kunyesha. Vinginevyo itakuwa ni bure.” Usiku Sungura akaja akiimba;

“Oo ndemle wakina mama ndemle,

“Oo ndemle Sungura Sungura anakuja.”

Akapiga hodi pale kisimani, akisema, “Hodii!”

Mara Sungura akaingia katika kisima, akaanza kuoga, alipomaliza, akanya mavi humo humo. Akaenda zake. Kesho yake walikuta mavi katika kisima. Wakaamua kumweka Fisi kuwa mlinzi wa kisima chao. Usiku Sungura alifika tena na huku akiimba wimbo wake ule ule. Alipobisha hodi, Fisi akamulika tochi na kuuliza, “Wewe ni nani?”

“Mimi hapa!”

“Wewe ni Sungura sivyo?”

“Ndiyo, kulikoni?”

“Wewe Sungura ndiye unayechafua maji yetu, enh?”

Sungura akajibu, “Iiii! Mimi sichezei maji yenu. Mimi nina maji yangu ambayo ni safi sana. Twende nikakupe!”

Fisi akasema, “Haya twende.” Basi, Sungura na Fisi wakaenda. Walipofika mahali fulani Sungura akamwambia Fisi,  “Haya, wewe kaa chini na mimi nipande juu.”  Sungura akaanza kumdondoshea.

Mwisho, Fisi akajisahau, akaanza kumfunga kamba. Alipomaliza kufanya hayo, Sungura alijitumbukiza ndani ya kisima chao, akaanza kuoga. Kisha kuoga, akanya mavi, na akaenda zake. Kesho yake asubuhi, walijiuliza, “Mwenzetu amekwenda wapi?”

Fisi akajibu, “Niko huku jamani, nimefungwa kamba na Sungura!”  Siku iliyofuata, wakamweka Kobe ili alinde kisima chao. Walimkabidhi blanketi na tochi.

 Usiku Sungura akaja na kibuyu chenye asali na huku akiimba wimbo wake uleule. Baada ya kupiga hodi, Kobe akakaa kimya. Sungura akaingia na kukaa juu ya gamba la Kobe. Hapo Kobe akastuka, akauliza,  “Nani wewe?”

“Ni mimi Sungura!”

“Ahaa! Kumbe ni wewe Sungura!”

Hapo Kobe akapiga filimbi. Wanyama wote wakaja na mapanga. Sungura akawaambia, “Mimi siwezi kuuawa kwa mapanga.” Basi wanyama wakamfunga kamba Sungura na kumtupa kwenye moto. Mara kamba  walizomfunga zikakatika, na Sungura alichupa na kuanza kukimbia huku akiimba;

        “Sungura kanyama kadogo, lakini kanyama kajanja,

        “Sungura kanyama kadogo, lakini kanyama kajanja.

ENGLISH: THE WELLS  OF ANIMALS

In the past, there were many animals. One of these animals was Hare. Then all the animals agreed to dig a water well. When they started digging a well, Hare said, “Colleagues, we would have to ask for rain instead of digging a well. Otherwise it will be useless.” At night,Hare maliciously came to the well singing:

“Oo ndemle wakina mama ndemle,” (ooh ndemle mothers ndemle),

“Oo ndemle Sungura Sungura anakuja.”(Ooh ndemle Hare is coming).

He asked for permission of entrance to  the well, saying, “Hodi!” (a word used when asking people for permission to enter).

When the Hare got into the well, he began to wash his body.When he finished drinking and washing, he defecated  in it. Then, he went away. The following day,the  animals found the stool in the well. They decided to make Hyena  the guard of their well. At night,Hare came again and sang his same song. When he approached the well, Hyena switched on his torch and asked, “Who are you?”

“Here I am!”

“You are a Hare,are’nt you?”

“Yes, what is the matter?”

“You Hare is the one who spoils our water, right?”

The Harere plied, “Oh! I don’t spoil your water. I have my water which is very clean. Let us go so that I can give you the water!”

Hyena agreed, “Let’s go.” So, Hare and Hyena went. After a short while, the hare said to Hyena, “Well, you sit down and I will give you the water.” The Hare started to drop water at Hyena.

Finally, Hyena relaxed and Hare began to tie him with a string. When he finished doing that, the Hare plunged himself into the well and began to wash himself in it. After finishing this, he defecated in it, and went away. The following morning, they asked, “Where did our fellow go?”

Hyena answered, “I am here, I am tied with a rope by Hare!”

The next day, they made tortoise the new guard of their well. They handed him a blanket and a torch.

At night,Hare came with a honey calabash singing his own song. As he got closer to the well, Tortoise remained silent. Then Tortoise asked, “Who are you?”

“I am the Hare!”

“Ah! That is you Hare! ”

Then Tortoise immediately blew the whistle. All the animals came with swords. The Hare said to them, “I can’t be killed with the swords.” So the animals tied the rope to the Hare and threw him into the fire. In the blink of the eye, the string got loose and Hare escaped and started running while singing;

        “Harea small animal, but crafty,

        “Harea small, but very crafty.

 

Collected by: Don Sybertz,  

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

Waliho ngosha, akatojiwa na Ise. Aliyo walatantongilwe  unke. Akahadikijiwa Nuse, wiyumilija kwikala nang’hwe unkima ng’weji ngima.  Aho gwashila ung’weji uja kujudima ng’ombe  ha  ng’wabho bhuko wiza watungaga maswa.

Aho wiza lulu unke uhaya kung’wanukula  kanigo kenako. Ung’wila,  “Lekaga  kunanukula,  shilimo shikolo shitale.”   “Shikolo ki?”  “Ilimo mbuki  yane.”  Maswa aya gukatulwa  ha lugutu.

Aho wandya kushema,  unkima  nang’hwe uhaya,  “Nilole mbuki iyo yaluhayiwagwa.” Aho wadima maswa, alole ishilimo umugati,  ungosha walushemaga  wiponya  inhunda  ya mabhele ulila ng’hungu, “Wadima ha mbuki yane.”  Wandya lulu kuntula unke.  Ngosha uneka  unke, ushoka ku ng’wawe. Yubhiza lulu mbuki yabhulaga kaya.

Kiswahili: Kisa Kilichovunja Nyumba

Alikuwepo kijana mmoja aliozeshwa na baba yake. Lakini hakumpenda mke wake kwa vile alilazimishwa. Alivumilia kuishi na mke wake kwa muda wa mwezi mmoja. Lakini ulipomalizika muda huo, alikwenda kuchunga ng’ombe wa mkwewe.

Aliporudi kutoka huko, alifunga mzigo wa nyasi. Alipowasili nao pale nyumbani, mkewe alitaka kumpokea mzigo ule. Lakini alikataliwa, “Acha kunipokea kwani kuna kitu ndani.”  “Kuna kitu gani ndani?” mkewe aliuliza.

“Kuna mana.” Nyasi zile zikawekwa kando ya kizizi. Alipoanza kukamua, mwanamke naye akasema, “Ngoja niangalie mana ambayo imo ndani ya nyasi hizi.”

Alipoushika mzigo ili aangalie kilichomo ndani, mume aliyekuwa anakamua, chombo cha maziwa alikitupa, akalia kwa sauti kubwa na kusema, “Umeshika mana yangu.”  Hapo akaanza kumpiga mke wake na kumrudisha nyumbani kwa wazazi wake. Hicho ndicho kisa kilichovunja mji.

ENGLISH: AN INCIDENT THAT BROKE THE MARRIAGE

There was a young man whose father married him a wife. But he did not love his wife because he was married by force. He endured living with his wife for a month. But thereafter, he went to take care of his father-in-law’s cattle.

When he came back from there, he came with a load of grasses. When he arrived at his house, his wife wanted to  receive the load. But the husband rejected, “Do notcarryit  because there is something valuable inside.” “What is it that is inside?” His wife asked.

“There is manna.” Then that tuft of grasses was put near the cowshed. The husband was busy milking a cow.The woman wanted to use that opportunity and she said, “Let me look at the manna that is in this grass.”

When she was trying to do that, the man who was holding a milking container threw it and loudly shouted, “You are touching my manna.” He immediately began to beat his wife and that became the justification for sending his wifeback to her parents. That is the incident that broke the marriage.