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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile mhinda. Imhinda gulinfuko gogutulila hela. Umunhu ulu upandika hela, agajitulaga mumhinda yakwe. Imhinda yiniyo, iyo yatulilagwa ihela jinijo, igagololokaga. Aliyo lulu, imhinda yiniyo ulu idinajo imhiya, igigondaga. Gashinaga lulu, ugulala mhinda b’ugonde, mumho gugwisha limibu mpaga ugalala umunhu ng’wunuyo adapandikile ihela ja gutuula umumhinda yakwe.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo olalaga adalile ijiliwa. Ing’humbi igalenganijiyagwa na mhinda, kunguno umunhu ulutuub’a umunda agigondaga, gitumo igigondelaga imhinda yiniyo, ulu itina ginhu jose jose. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga ukubhanhu abho bhalalaga bhadalile, giki, bhalala mhinda b’ugonde. Abhanhu bhenabho bhalina nzala ahakaya yabho.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na bhukamu bho gutumama milimo yabho chiza, kugiki bhadule ugupandika ijiliwa ja gulya mpaka makanza malihu. Ubhukamu bho gutumama milimo bhunubho b’ugubhambilija  abhanhu bhenabho umugupona jiliwa ja guipeja inzara yiniyo umukaya jabho.

Ijinagongeja, ulusumo lunuyo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza ni sungu lya gubhakuliwa bho gub’inha jiliwa abho bhadinabho ub’udula ubho gutumama milimo umuchalo jabho. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhab’ize ni sungu lya gubhambilija abho bhadadulile ugutumama imilimo, kugiki nabho bhadule gwinga umulikoye lya nzara, bhadizu lala mhinda bhugonde.

1Wafalme 17:11-12.

Luka 15:17-18.

KISWAHILI: KULALA MFUKO UMEJIKUNJA

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia mfuko wa kutunzia hela. Mfuko huo ni kitu cha kuwekea pesa. Mtu akipata pesa huziweka kwenye mfuko wake. Mfuko huo ni tunzio la pesa hizo ambazo huunyosha zikiwekwa ndani yake.

Lakini basi, mfuko huo ukikosa pesa hujikunja. Kumbe basi, kulala mfuko umejikunja, maana yake ni hali ya mtu kupitisha siku nzima hadi kwenda kulala bila kupata pesa za kuweka kwenye mfuko wake huo.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye amelala bila kula chakula. Tumbo hulinganishwa na mfuko, kwa sababu mtu akijisikia njaa tumboni hujikunja, kama ujikunjavyo mfuko huo wakati hauna kitu chochote.

Ndiyo maana watu husema kwa watu ambao wamelala bila kula chakula, kwamba, watu hao wamelala mfuko ukiwa umejikunja. Watu hao hawana chakula, yaani, wana njaa katika familia yao.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na bidii ya kufanya kazi zao kwa ajili ya kuwawezesha kupata chakula cha kutosha kula katika familiya zao kwa muda mrefu. Bidii hiyo ya kufanya kazi, itawasaidia watu hao katika kupata chakula kingi kiwezacho kuifukuza njaa hiyo katika familia zao.

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na huruma ya kuwapatia chakula watu wasiojiweza maishani mwao ndani ya vijiji vyao. Yafaa watu wawe na huruma hiyo ya kuwasaidia watu hao wasiojiweza kufanya kazi, kwa ajili ya kuwawezesha nao kutoka kwenye tatizo la njaa, wasije wakalala mifuko ikiwa imejikunja.

1Wafalme 17:11-12.

Luka 15:17-18.

ENGLISH: SLEEPING WITH A FOLDED POCKET

The above proverb is about a pocket that is used to keep money. Usually, the pocket gets stretched due to this function. Conversely, the pocket would fold up when it is devoid of money. ‘Sleeping with a folded pocket’ therefore means spending the entire day and night without getting any money to put in the pocket.

The proverb is likened to person who goes to bed without food. The stomach is compared to a pocket, which, like a pouch, folds up when it is empty. This is why it would be said about those going hungry: ‘they are sleeping with a folded pocket’, meaning they are hungry or they lack food in the family.

Such proverb is used to encourage people to work hard so that they may have sufficient and long lasting food supply in their families. The great effort would help them obtain enough food and keep hunger at bay.

In addition, the proverb teaches people to be compassionate enough to share their food with the poor. It is important for people to care for those who may be disadvantaged to save them from hunger or from ‘sleeping with folded pockets.’

1 Kings 17: 11-12.

Luke 15: 17-18.

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile winghi bho milimo na bho mihayo umumakaya. Imilimo ni mihayo igab’izaga ilihoi duhu umuwikaji bho bhanhu, kunguno ya kilahalile kabho akagwipandikila jiliwa, jizwalo na bhulalo, guti numba.

Kuyiniyo lulu, akamalile kayo kagab’izaga kalinduhu. Hunagwene ulu munhu uhaya nulu gugeniha agayombaga giki, ‘yakwila idashilaga,’ huna wiyangula guyileka imilimo ni mihayo yakwe, ogeniha.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agikalaga chiza na bhanhu umubhukamu bho bhutumami bho milimo nu bhulenganija bho mihayo yakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo alinabhukamu bhutale ubho gubhambilija chiza ab’iye umumilimo yakwe. Agab’izaga adulile uguilenganija imihayo ya bhazenganwa bhakwe, kihamo ni milimo yakwe yiniyo, pye nu winghi bhoyo.  Uwei adeb’ile igiki ‘iyakwila idashilaga.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gwikala chiza na bhichab’o ubhukamanu bho bhutumami bho milimo yabho, mumo igakwilila. Gashinaga lulu, yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhab’ize na wiyambilija umumakoye gabho, kihamo nu winghi ubho milimo yabho yiniyo.

Ijinagongeja, ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na wiyumilija bho gulenganija mihayo yabho umukaya jabho, ni jab’azenganwa bhab’o.  Gashinaga yigelelilwe abhanhu bhenabho bhaleke ugugwa ng’holo, ijinagub’alumanya abhanhu, kihamo nu winghi ubho mihayo yabho iyo bhalinayo, umukaya jabho, kunguno iyakwila idashilaga.

Luka 9:59-62.

KISWAHILI: ZILIZOKUWA NYINGI HAZIISHI/YALIYOKUWA MENGI HAYAISHI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia wingi wa kazi na maneno katika familia. Kazi hizo na maneno hayo huwa yapo tu katika maisha ya watu, kwa sababu ya kuwa na mahitaji muhimu, yakiwemo yale ya kupata chakula, mavazi na malazi, maishani mwao.

Kwa hiyo, namna ya kuzimaliza kazi hizo, na kuyamaliza maneno hayo, ni hakuna. Ndiyo maana, kwa mfano, mtu akitaka kwenda ugenini kwa lengo la kuwatembelea wenzake, husema kwamba, ‘zilizokuwa nyingi haziishi/yaliyokuwa mengi hayaishi,’ ndipo huamua kuacha kazi na maneno yake, na kufunga safari ya kwenda ugenini.

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu aishiye vizuri na watu katika bidii ya utekelezaji wa kazi zake na utatuzi wa matatizo yake na ya wenzake, katika kijiji chake, mwanajamii huyo.

Mtu huyo anayo bidii kubwa ya kuwasaidia vizuri wenzake katika kazi zake. Huweza kuwapatanisha watu waliotoleana maneno yasiyofaa, pamoja na wingi wa kazi zake afanyazo. Yeye afahamu kwamba, ‘yaliyokuwa mengi hayaishi.’

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuishi vizuri na wenzao katika bidii za utekelezaji wa kazi zao, hata kama watakuwa na kazi nyingi kiasi gani. Kumbe yafaa watu wawe na uvumilivu katika utatuzi wa matatizo yao, pamoja na wingi wa kazi zao hizo.

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uvumilivu wa kuwapatanisha watu, kwa kuyatatua matatizo yao, kwenye familia zao, na ya majirani zao. Yafaa watu wasivunjike moyo katika kuwasaidia wenzao, pamoja na wingi wa matatizo waliyonayo, wao kwenye familia zao, kwa sababu ‘yaliyokuwa mengi hayaishi.’

Luka 9:59-62.

ENGLISH: WHAT IS ABUNDANT IS NEVER EXHAUSTED

The above proverb relates to the multiplicity of issues that abound in families. People encounter various challenges regarding access to important needs in their lives such as food, clothing and shelter.

Indeed it is impossible for anyone to surmount all the obstacles. That is why, for instance, if  someone wants to go visiting friends abroad, he/she would say, “what is abundant is never exhausted,” as he/she decides to leave behind his/her problems to go on the journey.

That proverb is likened to a situation whereby a caring, hardworking person takes the responsibility of helping others solve their problems in the community. Such a person makes great effort to help people resolve their disputes, despite the huge amount of work on his/her hands. He/she understands that “what is abundant is never exhausted.”

The proverb teaches people about fruitful coexistence with their colleagues even if they may have too much work to do. It is a worthwhile thing to be patient and solve issues, despite the abundant responsibilities.

In addition, the proverb encourages patience in the quest to reconcile people through helping solve their problems in their families and among their neighbours. People ought not to lose heart in trying to help their colleagues out of the many problems bedeviling their families, because “what is abundant is never exhausted.”

Luke 9: 59-62.

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile munhu ntale uyo adulile gub’iza namhala, nulu ngikulu. Umunhu ng’wunuyo alinanzwi ukuntwe gokwe, ijo jigolechaga igiki alintale. Kunguyo yiniyo, abhanhu bhagolecha ikujo kuli wei, bho gumilinga kuja gujulenganija mihayo umunzengo gokwe.

Aho oshiga hoi, agolecha mito ga nyanigini, mpaga abhanhu bhumkumya, na guyomba giki, ‘bhukulu ku ntwe.’ Hukwene huguhaya giki, umunhu ng’wunuyo alintale kuntwe duhu, gashinaga atali nigini umumito gakwe.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alintale ubho gunola, aliyo amito gakwe gali ganyanigini. Umunhu ng’wunuyo alinhamhala, nulu ngikulu ubhogunola ukuntwe gokwe, kunguno alinanzwi. Aliyo lulu, amito gakwe, galiganyanigini. Gashinaga lulu, umunhu ng’wunuyo, adadulile ugubhatongela abhananzengo, umugwiita iya nghana. Ali bhukulu ku ntwe, kunguno alintale ku ntwe duhu.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gub’iza na nhungwa ja kajile kawiza ako kadulile gubhalanga abhanhu bhamunzengo, mihayo ya gwikala chiza. Akajile kenako kagabhambilijaga abhanhu ugwikala bho mholele, na b’ichabho, umunzengo gunuyo. Yigelelilwe abhanhu bhab’ize na mito ga gubhalanga abhamunzengo gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho. Akajile kenako, kagabhambilijaga abhanhu ugujenhela maendeleo ikaya jabho.

Waefeso 4:18-19.

1 Kor 13:11.

Waefeso 3:16.

KISWAHILI: UKUBWA KICHWANI

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia mtu mkubwa kwa maana ya mzee. Mtu huyo ana mvi kichwani mwake zioneshazo kuwa yeye ameishi siku nyingi, pia ni mtu asitahiriye heshima fulani. Kwa sababu hiyo, watu walionesha heshima yao kwake kwa kumwalika kwenda kutatua tatizo fulani kijijini mwao.

Alipofika pale, alionesha matendo ya kitoto, mpaka watu wakamshagaa na kusema, kumbe ni ‘ukubwa kichwani’ kwa mtu huyo. Ndiyo kusema kwamba, mtu huyo ni mkubwa kichwani tu, hajakomaa, kwa sababu bado ana matendo ya kitoto.

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye ni mkubwa kwa kumwangalia, lakini matendo yake ni ya kitoto. Mtu huyo ni mzee kwa kumwangalia kichwani mwake, kwa vile ana mvi.

Lakini kumbe, matendo yake ni ya kitoto. Mtu huyo hawezi kuwaongoza watu katika kutendo yale yaliyo ya kweli kijijini mwake, kwa sababu yeye ni mkubwa kichwani tu, kimatendo hajakomaa bado.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na tabia zenye mwenendo mzuri, uwezao kuwafundisha watu namna ya kuishi kwa amani na wenzao, kijijini mwao. Hivyo basi, yafaa watu wawe na matendo yawafundishayo watu namna ya kuzijenga vizuri familia zao. Matendo hayo, yatawasaidia watu hao kuziletea maendeleo familia zao.

Waefeso 4:18-19.

1 Kor 13:11.

Waefeso 3:16.

ENGLISH: MATURITY IN THE HEAD

That proverb relates to the wisdom associated with old people. Usually, an old person sported white hair on the head, signifying that he/she had lived for long, and that he/she was a person of honour. It was for that reason that people showed respect for such a person, often inviting him/her to help them solve certain problems in the village.

Unfortunately, once at the invited place, the person would act childishly, making people feel ashamed and say, so it is just “the great size of the head”. That would mean that the person merely owned a big head, but he/she was not mature, as depicted through the childish behavior.

The above proverb is likened to someone whose physical appearance is that of a grown up, but whose character is that of a child. It is easy to tell from the presence of gray hair on his/her head that the person is a grown up. However, his/her actions betray the age – he/she behaves like a small kid. Such a person cannot be entrusted with the responsibility of providing sound leadership in his/her village because he merely owns a big head but lacks mental maturity.

The proverb teaches about decorum, a quality that guarantees harmony among the people in their families and in society. It is important for people to engage in activities that encourage development and prosperity, because this helps make better families.

Ephesians 4: 18-19.

1 Cor. 13:11.

Ephesians 3:16.