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

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

Ngoso jali jogoha jangu kibhi niyo. Jalijitugima kubhuluka hape limi nulu bhujiku nahene yaya, nguno jali jogoha kubhulagwa. Jubhona jikucha duhu na nzala.

Nose jibhilinga kulomana jite kinehe, aho jitali jukobha umu jite, nsumba wa ngoso wimila, uhaya giki, “Bashi lulu, nene napandika umhayo gwa wiza, guli giki, tuyitunge jangu ikinda mu nhingo, tubhize tuyigwe hose uko ujilila.”

Bhana ngoso bhuyega niyo no, bhunkumilija no unsumba wa ngoso uyo wabhalanga masala genaya.

Aliho namhala wa ngoso walahumulile du, ubhuka uhaya giki, “Hene mhayo gwenuyu gwa wiza bhuli, aluyo alagantunge u jangu ikinda nani?” Ngoso ki uyo ugima kuja kuntunga jangu ikinda? Henaho lulu yubhalemela, na kushishana haha.

Kiswahili: Panya Na Paka

Panya walikuwa wanamuogopa sana paka. Hawathubutu kutoka mchana wala usiku wakiogopa kuuawa. Wakaona watakufa na njaa.

Mwishowe wakafanya kikao wakitafuta la kufanya. Wakiwa bado hawajakaa, kijana wa panya akasimama, akisema hivi, “Jamani mimi nimepata wazo zuri, liko hivi, tumfunge paka kengele shingoni, ili tuwe tunaisikia wote kule anakoenda.

Panya wakafurahi tena mno. Wakamsifu mno kijana huyo wa panya aliyewafundisha akili hizo.

Lakini mzee mmoja wa panya alikuwa amenyamaza tu. Akauliza akisema, “Lakini wazo hili ni zuri, lakini atakayemfunga paka kengele ni nani?” Panya yupi atakayethubutu kuja kumfunga paka kengele?” Hapo basi ikawashinda na mpaka sasa.

ENGLISH: THE MICE AND THE CAT

Mice were very much afraid of the cat. They did not dare going out during the day or night as they were afraid of being killed. After a long time, they thought they would die of hunger.

Finally they convened a meeting to discuss what to do. As they were thinking, one of the mice stood up and said “Brothers and sisters, I have got an idea. Let us tie a bell around the cat’s neck so that we can hear it wherever it is going.

The mice were very happy with the idea. They praised the young mouse who brought that idea.

But one old mouse was quiet all the time. He then asked, “This is brilliant idea, but who will bell the cat?” Which mouse is going to dare   bell the cat?”  The whole project failed until today.

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

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

Walaliho namhala umo, akang’wila ng’wana wakwe, “Ihaha uli munhu ntale gete. Kobhaga nkima utole.” Ng’wana ung’wila ise. “Ng’hana nakutola, aliyo tame nite kwibhegeleja haho natali kutola na kutunga ndoa.” Hangi uhaya, “Nazenge numba tame, nulu nalitola nikale chiza na nke wane.”

Aho wamala kuzenga numba, jingila kidiku. Nyanda ng’wenuyo uhaya hangi giki, “Nalime tame, nguno ulu nalatole, unene nu nke wane tulayulya chiza.” Aliyo aha wamala kulima, lyubhiza ikanza lya ngese. Uhaya, “Nalimile ngese jane, shiliwa jane jizidukenaguka. Ulu numala nutola.”

Aliyo aha wamala ukulimila migunda yakwe, lyushika ikanza lya mavuno. Uyomba, “nakume tame ishiliwa jane nanalatole.” Wakamala ukukuminga ishiliwa jakwe. Uyomba hangi, “Natule chiza shiliwa jane ng’wibhelele nanatole.” Aho wamala kulima. Gukumiga na kutula shiliwa jakwe ng’wibhelele, usata wangu. Na shitabhitile shiku ningi ucha. Akacha adatolile.

Kiswahili: Mmaliza Kazi Alikufa Bila Kuoa

Kulikuwa na mzee mmoja alimwambia mwanae, “Sasa wewe ni mtu mzima kabisa. Tafuta mwanamke uoe.” Mtoto alimwambia baba yake, “kweli nioe, lakini nijiandae kabla ya kuoa na kufunga ndoa.” Tena alisema, “Nijenge nyumba kwanza, ndipo nioe ili nikae vizuri na mke wangu.”

Alipomaliza kujenga nyumba yakaingia masika. Kijana huyo akasema tena kwamba, “Nilime kwanza, sababu nikioa, mimi na mke wangu tutakuwa tunakula vizuri.” Lakini alipomaliza kulima ukawa wakati wa palizi. Akasema, “Nipalilie palizi yangu, chakula changu kisiharibike. Nikimaliza nitaoa.”

Lakini alipomaliza kupalilia mashamba yake, ukafika wakati wa mavuno. Alisema, “Nikusanye kwanza chakula changu ndipo nioe.” Alipomaliza kukusanya chakula chake, alisema tena, “Niweke vizuri chakula changu kwenye gala ndipo nioe.”

Alipomaliza kulima, kukusanya na kuweka chakula chake kwenye gala, aliugua haraka. Hazikupita siku nyingi akafa. Alikufa bila kuoa.

ENGLISH: THE WORK FINISHER WHO DIED WITHOUT MARRYING

There was an old man who said to his son, “Now you are an adult. Find a woman to get married to.”The child told his father,“ I really want to get married, but let me prepare myself before I get married.”He also said, I should build a house first, then I will live comfortably with my wife.

When he had finished building the house, the rain season came in. Again, the young man said, “Let me  first cultivate because when I get married, my wife and I will be eating well.” But when he finished ploughing, the weeding time came. Then, he said, “Let me finish my weeding as I don’t want my farm to be destroyed by weeds. I shall marry after finishing weeding.

But when he had finished his weeding, there came time for harvesting. At that time, he said, “Let me first store my food.” When he finished collecting and putting the crops into his stores, he suddenly fell ill. After a few days, he passed away. That means he died without marrying.

 

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

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

Mu shiku ja kale waliho ngosha umo mu si ya Bhulima ya Ng`wanza. Mushiku ja ng`wa Ntemi Lunyalula, ngosha ng`wenuyo lina lyakwe witanagwa Matambo (kupela nhambo) Walabhahebhile bhose bhupeji, hangi wali nkali wabhulugu.

Basi wajaga alipela kubhanishi kujubhabhulaga. Ntemi walantogilwe no. Hangi ng’wenumo kaliho ka munhu kajishegena, kakushimizila madako. Nang’hwe walatogilwe kwesa isolo nu Ntemi hangi walantogilwe no iki wanungujaga.

Lushiku lumo Matambo wiza hikulu wamalaga kubhabhulaga bhanishi bhatandatu kubhulugu. Wandya lulu kwihaya bhupeji hali Ntemi na kundalahija Jishegena. Jishegena bhebhe utadulile kupela nulu hado nimo gwako kwigasha na kwesa isolo.

Basi huna lulu Jishegena ulema uhaya, “Bhebhe matambo nakukilile bhupeji, bhose abhali hikulu bhandya kunseka Jishegena. Huna lulu Jishegena upelana na uhaya tupele lulu ulu ukunishiga.

Tupelage ng’ombe. Jishegena upiga ng’ombe ibhili. Matambo ng`ombe inne. Huna lulu ngoma ubhahamila, chuu kako (kako lulu) Matambo winga haho na haho Wandya kupela.

Jishegena upela kuja ku magulu ga ng’wa Ntemi kunu aling’wila Matambo, “Bhebhe ulimpela ntemi bhuli, ulu bhose tukampela Ntemi akusaga na nani.” Basi bhanhu bhandya kuseka na kunyegela Jishegena iki Wampelelaga Ntemi. Ntemi nang’hwe ung’winha jishegena wanangwa na ng’ombe. Wa masala atabhunagwa nigo.

Kiswahili: Mwenye akili hazidiwi Mzigo

Siku za zamani alikuwepo mwanamume mmoja katika kijiji cha Bulima Mwanza. Zilikuwa siku za utawala wa mfalme Lunyalula, mwanamume huyo jina lake aliitwa matambo (kukimbia mbio). Alikuwa anawazidi wote ukimbiaji, tena alikuwa mkali wa vita.

Alienda kwa kukimbia kwa maadui kwenda kuwaua. Mfalme alikuwa anampenda mno. Tena humo kulikwa na mtu kiwete, wa kutembelea matako. Naye alikuwa anapenda kucheza bao na mfalme, tena mfalme alikuwa anampenda mno kwa vile alikuwa anamfariji.

Siku moja Matambo alifika Ikulu akiwa amemaliza kuwaua maadui sita kwenye vita. Alianza kujitamba ukimbiaji kwa mfalme, na kumdharau Jishegena, ambaye ni mtu atembeae kwa matako. “Jishegena wewe huwezi kukimbia hata kidogo kazi yako ni kukaa na kucheza bao.”

Basi Jishegena alikataa akisema, “Wewe Matambo nakupita mbio, wote waliokuwepo pale Ikulu walianza kumcheka Jishegena. Ndipo jishegena alikasilika akasema “tukimbie basi kama utaniacha.”

Tupatie ng’ombe. Jishegena aliahidi ng’ombe mbili. Matambo ng’ombe nne. Ndipo basi ngoma ikapigwa, akawaambia, “Chuu hako (hako basi), Matambo aliondoka hapo hapo akaanza kukimbia.

Jishegena alikimbilia kwenye miguu ya mfalme huku akimwambia, Matambo, “Wewe kwa nini unamkimbia Mfalme, kama wote tutamkimbia, atabaki na nani?” Basi watu walianza kucheka na kumfurahia Jishegena kwa

vile amemkimbilia mfalme. Mfalme naye alimpa Jishegena, viongozi “wanangwa” na ng’ombe. Mwenye akili azidiwi mzigo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENGLISH: THE INTELLIGENT ONE IS NOT OVERLOADED BY THE CARGO

In the past, there was a man in Bulima village, Mwanza. It was during the reign of King Lunyalula.The man’s name was Matambo. He was a leading runner. He was also a great warrior.

He run fast enough to catch  the enemies. He could easily  kill them. Because of that, the king loved him very much. Again, there was a man with disability.He walked using his buttocks. The man with disability liked to play with the king.The king loved him so much because he was comforting him.

One day, Matambo arrived at the palace after he had killed six enemies in the battle. He began to boast beforethe king. As he boasted, he expressed contempt to Jishegena, the man who walked by using buttocks. “You, Jishegena cannot run even a little.The only work you can do play traditional games (bao).

So Jishegena refused and said, “Let you, Matambo and I run the race and see who will win.” All those who were present at the palace started to laugh at Jishegena. Then Jishegena became furious and said, “Let us run and I will show you.”

The two decided to bet. Jishegena promised two cows. Matambo promised four cows. Then the drum was beaten to allow them run.   Matambo started to run.

Surprisingly, Jishegena ran towards the king’s feet. As he did that, he said, “Why do you run away from the king. If all of us run away from him, who will stay with him to give him company? Seeing how caring he was, the king gave Jishegena a title as an award. He made him ‘mwanangwa’, the “leader” and gave him cows. This shows that an intelligent person cannot fail to carry the load and therefore, he is never overburdened.

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

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

Zunzu ili noni ndololo gete alu nomo gwayo nihu no. Iki mili gwayo guli ndo, nu nomo nihu itadugije kwigombagula nulu kwinuna.

Umu shiku ja kale kushika na lelo bhanhu bhatumamilagwa kununwa ulu usata. Kwene kuhaya bhatemagwa lusalago na kutulwa ho jinuno, (ipembe lya ng`ombe) mininga gabhubhi gafume kubhununilo wa jinuno jutulwa ho jigondo nulu lubhubhi. Huna lulu ulu Manga wandya kuliduta lipembe na lubhubhi, jinuno jikala ho nulu dakika itano.

Iki masala ga bhanhu ng`hangala ningi gajililile ku limela ulu yubhonwa ngoko iligombagula mu nhingo, angu ilinuna. Nulu noni yose yose, aliyo Zunzu itudula kwigombagula umu nhingo kulwa nomo bhulihu nu mili gwayo guli ndo, kushika agombagulwe na ng’wiye.

Kiswahili: Zungu Hajitibu (Hajidonowi)

Zunzu ni ndege mdogo kabisa lakini mgomo wake ni mrefu mno. Kwa vile mwili wake ni mdogo na mdomo wake ni mrefu hivyo, hawezi kujidonoa au kujitibu.

Siku za zamani hadi kufikia leo watu walikuwa wakihudumiwa kwa kuvutwa kwa mdomo katika kupatiwa matibabu akiugua.

Ndipo kusema, amekatwa chale na kuwekewa pembe ya ng’ombe au kivuta damu chafu, ili itoke kwenye kivutio yaani kwenye ncha ya pembe. Hapo iliwekwa aina fulani ya gundi iwezayo kushikilia pembe.

Ndipo mganga huanza kulivuta lile pembe na ile gundi, kile kivuta damu chafu hukaa pale kwa muda kama wa dakika tano hivi.

Kwa vile na akili za watu, mara nyingi huelekea kwenye kutaniana kama akionwa kuku akijidonoa shingoni, eti anajivuta damu chafu, au anajitibu.

Hali hiyo, huweza kuongelewa pia kwa ndege yoyote, lakini Zunzu hawezi kujidonoa donoa shingoni, kwa sababu ya mdomo wake kuwa mrefu na mwili wake ni mdogo, mpaka adonolewe na mwenzake.

ENGLISH: ZUNZU (A SMALL BIRD) DOES NOT CURE ITSELF

A mumming bird is a very small bird but its beak is very long. Since its body is small and its beak is so long, it cannot cure itself.

From the past to this day, people were treated by means of a mouth.

That was done by incising some parts of the body and using the horn of the bull  to suck out the dirty blood  and make it come out through the tip of the horn. There was some kind of glue that could hold the horn.

Then, the healer could suck the horn and the glue which drew the dirty blood. It could stay there for about five minutes.

The minds of people  often make jokes when they see a chicken biting itself into the neck.They say the chicken is pulling out dirty blood, or she is curing herself.

That practice is also observed among birds. As for Zunzu, that  cannotbe done. She cannot bite her neck because its mouth is long and its body is small. She can only do that when assisted by a partner.

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

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

Namhala wali na bhana bhadatu. Namhala ng’wenuyo wali ni bhonde lya maguwa. Akayubhawila kujugalinda abhana bhakwe kunguno galiwagwa shinu. Usabho agabhawila giki, ulu bhalilinda bhiya ukulya amagua. Bhagita giko shiku ningi, nduhu ukulya amagua.

Lushiku na lushiku, ung’waniki uumo ubhihindanya abhiye ukabhinza wandya kulya. Aha wamala ukulya ugabhisa amafefa mumafa. Aha washoka, bhumuja abhiye wali waja he? Uyomba inakagalola amashinu uko magua ulu kadulyaga.

Ntondo yaho unamhala uja ukwibhonde lyakwe ukasanga amagua gabhinzile. Ubhabhuja abhalindi, “Nani walile amagua gane?” Bhalindi bhuyomba, “lmalulu” ubhawiia, “Yombagi ya ng’hana, nalihaya kusumba.” Aliyo bhatayombile uyo walile.

Namhala ushoka kaya, ukiza ni sumbi lya jisukuma lya nzule. Wiza ulitula ung’wibhonde, bhuyigasha umo umo ahi sumbi. Wandya kwimba, Nani wayilya mitumbi tumbi Nene nailile mitumbi tumbi. Ulu wamala ukwimba wabhuka.

Nu wakabhili, wigasha wandya ukwimba nigiko umu wimbilaga ung’wiye. Nu wa kadatu wigasha nang’hwe, aho wandya ukwimba, ili sumbi lyuyulibhila hasi, ulwalimalija ukwimba ulibhila hasi, ulibhila pye nilisumbi, lisi lilugala.

Namhala umana lulu uyo walyaga amagua gakwe. Ku mhindi abhaniki bhiyie abhabhili aha bhaja ikaya ukabhabhuja umayu wabho, “Ung’wiching’wi ali hali?” Nabho bhuyomba, “Ima lulu uko wajaga, twangayiwagwa.”

Aha gwashila ung’waka gwenuyo umujidiku unamhala ulima ngunda bihi nuko kwibhonde. Kuyubhita ka Jiji kajile ukwibhonde lyakwe. Kangisha, “Madilo bhabha” wazunya, “Madilo Jiji.” Bhigisha bhamala kang’wila giki, “Nabhite kunu nano” wakabhuja, “Ujile he? “Kuyomba, najile kunu duhu.” Kajiji kenako guja.

Gashi akanoni kenako gajaga kagadaha minzi, kandya kumumba ung`waniki aho walibhilila. Kagashada shiku idatu kagubhitaga. Nose unamhala ukabhuja, “Gwa ukubhitaga ukujaga heshi igete Jiji?” kuhaya, “Nagujaga kunu duhu.” Bhulekana, kukandya kumumba.

Aha kamala kuchimika loya logo aha ntwe gati ya bhulolo. Ng’waniki nsumba no. kajiji kung’wila ung`waniki ng`wenuyo “Nakutole lulu.” Ng’waniki uzunya. Kubhiza kansola kunchala kung’wago.

Aho kaganshisha ikaya kubokelwa na bhabyaji bhago. Bhigasha nu ng’waniki ng`wenuyo. Kikalile gakwe kagabhiza kawiza no. Kungulila myenda misoga, bhudodi wa mumagulu, jilatu jisoga.

Bhagigasha bhumala ng’waka kushila. Aha bhamala ng’waka ng’waniki ung’wila ungoshi Jiji, bhakagishe kung’wawe wa ng’waniki. Jiji uzunya bhuja ukujugisha ukubhukwiye.

Aha bhashika ukubhukwiye wa Jiji bhusumbilwa. Ngikulu utogwa no, ugumona ng’wana wakwe. Wina makanza malihu atumonaga. Aha bhigasha shiku ningi Jiji agankomiga unke bhashoke kaya.

Ng’waniki ulemejiwa nu Nina. Aho walemejiwa, nang’hwe ung’wila jiji giki, “Jaga duhu ubhebhe, nene natujaga.” Aha wawilwa giko Jiji wifukula uja, aha wakashika uko ng’wawe, ubhujiwa nu Nina, “Wakaneka he ung’winga wane? Jiji uyomba walemile atizaga ukunu.”

Aho wawilwa chene, ngikulu usatwa uhaya, “Jilaga imyenda yako ugantaje.” Ntondo diyu wipuna ujiji ajile, ukansanga unke alisha. Jiji wapelanaga ugagwa halugutu duhu wandya kwimba.

Mnangala yii! Mnangala,
Ninhe myenda yane mnangala,
Naje kaya yise mnangala

Ng’waniki ubhuka witunganya pye imyenda ifulushi lidi gete, umponegeja uyomba, “Gaya amamyenda gako.” Jiji ubhucha ilifulushi lya myenda uja akugwaga gwaga lyamunaga. Ntondo hangi unyamuka ujiji ugwa hangi aha lugutu wandya kwimba;

Mnangala yii! Munangala,
Ninhe bhudodi wane munangala.

Ng’waniki uyomba, “Mabhudodi duhu gayo.”
Jiji ubhucha bhudodi wakwe ajile kaya. Ntondo hangi ujiji ubhuka izile, ukashika naha akashigilaga wandya kwimba hangi;

Munangala yii! Munangala,
Ninhe loya lone munangala,
Naje kaya yise munangala.

Ngikulu wandya kumuja ng’wana wakwe giki, “Uloya hangi lulihe!” ng’waniki wihimangija wandya gusha duhu lulu bhufu. Jiji akishogela ukwimba hangi nduhu atinhagwa uloya lokwe. Jiji nose upelana gete wakalala Jiji ugankwala ung’waniki hagati ya ntwe. Jiji uludubula uloya lokwe. Ng’waniki usesaguka.

Kiswahili: Mnangala

Mzee alikuwa na watoto watatu. Mzee huyo pia alikuwa na shamba la miwa. Akawaambia watoto wake kwenda kulinda miwa iliyokuwa inaliwa na wadudu. Baba yao aliwaambia hivi, wakiwa wanalinda wasile miwa. Walifanya hivyo kwa muda wa siku nyingi, bila kula miwa.

Siku moja msichana mmoja aliwazunguka akaenda kuvunja miwa akaanza kula. Alipomaliza kula aliyafika maganda ya miwa kwenye majani. Aliporudi, walimuuliza wenzake “ulikuwa umeenda wapi?” Alisema, “nilienda kuyaangalia madudu kwenye miwa kama hayali.”

Kesho yake mzee alienda kwenye bustani yake akakuta miwa imevunjwa. Akawauliza walinzi, “Nani alikuja kuvunja miwa yangu.? Walinzi walisema, “Hatujui.” Akawaambia, “Semeni ya ukweli, nataka kutega dawa.” Lakini hawakusema yule aliyekula.

Mzee alirudi nyumbani, akaja na kiti cha kisukuma cha Nzule. Akaja akakiweka kwenye bustani, wakawa wanakaa mmoja mmoja kwenye kiti hicho. Akaanza kuimba, “Nani alikula pingili pingili Mimi nilikula pingili pingili.” Akimaliza kuimba anasimama.

Na wapili alikaa akaanza kuimba hivyo alivyoimba mwenzake. Na watatu alikaa naye, alipoanza kuimba kile kiti kikaanza kudidimia aridhini, alipomaliza kuimba alididimia ardhini, alididimia pamoja na kiti, ardhi ilijifunga.

Basi mzee akajua yule aliyekula miwa yake. Jioni walipoenda wale wasichana wenzake wawili nyumbani, mama yao akawauliza, “Mwenzenu yuko wapi?” Nao walisema, “Hatujui alikoenda, tumemkosa.”

Ulipoisha mwaka huo, mzee alilima shamba karibu na kwenye bustani yake. Kakawa kanapita ka Jiji (Jina la ndege) kanaenda kwenye bustani yake. Kanamsalimu, “Habari za jioni baba” anakubali, “Habari za jioni Jiji.”  Wanamaliza kusalimiana, kanamwambia hivi, “Nipite huku kwenye unafuu” anauliza, “Unaenda wapi?’ Kanasema, “naenda huku tu.” Kajiji hako kakaenda.

Kumbe kandege hako kalikuwa kanaenda kumuumba msichana pale alipodidimia. Kalitumia siku chache kakiwa kanapita. Mwishowe mzee akauliza, “Kila siku unapita ukienda wapi kweli Jiji? Kakasema, “Naenda huku tu. Wakaachana, kakaenda kuanza kumuumba.

Kalipomaliza kuchomeka unyoya wa kenyewe kwenye utosi wa kichwa cha udongo. Msichana mzuri mno akatokea. Kajiji kalimwambia msichana huyo “nikuoe basi.” Msichana alikubali. Kakawa kamemuoa kakampeleka nyumbani kaliko.

 Kalimfikisha nyumbani kakapokelewa na wazazi wa kenyewe. Wakakaa na yule msichana. Kuishi kwake kulikuwa kuzuri mno. Kakamnunulia nguo nzuri, ya mapambo na mabangili mazuri ya miguuni, na viatu vizuri.

Walikaa wakamaliza mwaka. Walipomaliza mwaka msichana alimwambia mumewe Jiji, wakawasalimie kwa wazazi wake msichana, Jiji alikubali, wakaenda kusalimia, kwa wakwe zake.

Walipofika kwa wakwe zake Jiji, walipokelewa. Mama mkwe alifurahi mno, kumuona mwanae. Alikuwa na muda mrefu bila kumuuona. Walipokaa siku nyingi Jiji alimwambia mke wake, warudi nyumbani.

Msichana alikatazwa na mama yake. Alikatazwa, naye akamwambia Jiji hivi, “Nenda tu wewe, mimi siendi.” Alipoambiwa hivyo, jiji alizila akaenda. Alipofika nyumbani kwao, aliulizwa na mama yake, “Umeenda kumuacha wapi mkamwana wangu” Jiji alisema, “Amekataa kurudi huku.”

Alipoambiwa hivyo, mama yake, aliumia akasema,  “Fuata nguo zako ukamnyang’anye.” Kesho yake asubuhi, Jiji alijihimu akaenda, akamkuta mke wake anasaga. Jiji akiwa amekasilika alienda kuanguka zizini tu, akaanza kuimba.

Mnangala Yii! Mnangala,

Nipe nguo zangu Mnangala,

Nienda nyumbani kwetu Mnangala.

Msichana akasimama akazifunga nguo zote kwenye furushi kubwa kabisa, akamtupia akisema, “Haya manguo yako.” Jiji alibeba lile furushi la nguo akaenda huku akianguka anguka na furushi likiwa limemzidi. Kesho yake tena Jili alirudi akaanguka kwenye zizi akaanza kuimba:

Mnangala yii! Mnangala,

Nipe udodi wangu Mnangala.

Msichana akasema, “Mabudodi (bangili za shanga) tu hayo hapo.” Jiji akabeba budodi wake akaenda nyumbani. Kesho yake tena Jiji alianza safari akirudi, akafika pale anapofikia akaanza kuimba tena:

Mnangala yii! Mnangala,

Nipe unyoya wangu mnangala,

Niende nyumbani kwetu Mnangala.

Mama yake akaanza kuuliza mtoto wake hivi, “Unyoya tena uko wapi!” Msichana, akajifanya hasikii, akaanza kusaga unga tu. Jiji alirudia kuimba lakini hapana, hakupewa unyoya wake. Mwishowe Jiji alikasilika akaruka na kwenda kumkwaluza msichana utosini kwa kucha zake. Jiji aliung’oa unyoya wake kwa kucha zake. Msichana akasambaa.

ENGLISH: MNANGALA

There was an old man who had three children. He also had a sugarcane farm. He told his children to guard the sugar cane that was being eaten by animals. Their father told them, to guard the farm. He told them not to eat sugarcane. For many days, they guarded the farm without eating sugarcane.

One day,one girl went to cut the sugarcane and began to eat. When she finished eating, she hid the pods of the sugarcane in the grass. When she joined others, her fellows asked her, “Where did you go?” She said, “I went to check if the animals were not eating sugar cane.”

The next day, the old man went to his garden and found sugarcanes which had been eaten. He asked the guards, “Who came to cut my sugarcane? The guards said, “We do not know.” He said to them, “Tell the truth, I want to put some potion.” But they did not say the one who had eaten the sugar cane.

The old man came home, and came with the Sukuma stool called Nzule. He came and put it in the garden.Then they were asked to sit on the stool, one after the other. He guided each of the children to sing, “Who ate parts of the sugar cane? I ate portions.” Whenever one finished singing, one had to  stand. The first daughter sang the song and stood up.

And the second one began to sing as the first one did.Then the third one sat with on the stool.When she started to sing, the stool began to sink into the ground. By the time she finished singing, she fell to the ground, she sankwith the stool. Then, the earth closed.

So the old man knew who had eaten his sugarcane. When the evening came, the two girls came to their house, and their mother asked them, “Where is your fellow?” They said, “We do not know where she went.”

When that year ended, the old man planted a farm near his garden. The bird called Jiji started passing (the name of the bird) going to the garden. It greeted, “Good evening father.” The old man responded, “Good evening Jiji.” After they had greeted each other, Jiji said to him, “Let me go over here where it is easier.” He asked, “Where are you going?” Jiji answered ‘I am just going there.’ It went.

The bird was going to create a girl when she sank. It spent a few days passing. Finally the old man asked, “I see you passing every day, where do you really go, Jiji?” He said, “I just go there. When they left it started to reform her.

At the end, it put its fur on the surface centre of the head. A very beautiful girl came out. Jiji then asked  the girl  “Will you marry me?” The girl agreed. She got  marriedto Jiji.

Jiji brought her to its home. Her husband bought her beautiful clothes, well-decorated and beautiful dresses, and good shoes.

They spent a year together. When they finished the year the girl told her husband Jiji, they should go to greet her parents. Jiji agreed. They went to greet his parents–in-law.

When they came to Jiji’sparents-in-law, they were cordially received. The mother-in-law was very happy to see her son-in-law. It had been a long time without her seeing him. After they had stayed for many days, Jiji told his wife that it was high time they went back home.

Unfortunately, the girl’s mother forbade her to go. After having been forbidden, she told Jiji, “You just go, I will not go.” When he was told this, Jiji lamented and went. When he got home, he was asked by his mother, “Where did you leave my daughter-in-law?” Jiji said, “She has refused to come back here.”

When he narrated that story, Jiji’smother was hurt. She said, “Go and take your clothes from her by force.” The next early morning, Jiji went to his wife’s home. He found his wife grinding. Jiji fell on cowshed, and started to sing.

Mnangala Yii! Mnangala,

Give me my clothes Mnangala,

Let me go to my home Mnangala.

The girl stood up and put all the clothes in a big suitcase, and threw them to him, saying, “These are your clothes.” Jiji carried that luggage of clothes and went home. He felt to be very overloaded. As a result, he was repeatedly falling and rising on his way. The next day Jiji returned and fell on the cowshed and started singing:

Mnangala yii! Mnangala,

Give me my docoration Mnangala.

The girl said, “Only the jewels (bracelets of beads) those are there.” Jiji carried her beads and went home. The next day Jiji began his way back. He arrived there and  againstartedt o sing:

Mnangala yii! Mnangala,

Give me my feather,

Let me go to our home Mnangala.

Her mother began to ask her child, “Where again is the feather?” The girl, pretending to be deaf, began to grind the meal. Jiji repeated to sing but now, it was not given its fur. At last Jiji, became furious and jumped and went to the girl’s head with its nails pulled its fur from her. Jiji pushed its fur with its nails. The girl disintegrated.