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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ililola Ngoso. Ingoso jilisumbwa ijo jilidololo gete. Aliyo lulu, ingogo yiniyo yajaga gwagwagwa gujubebena, nulu gujulya ndili ya mhuli, iyo ili ndimu noi na hangi ilinhale gete. Iki ingoso yiniyo bhuligwa ikalaga igujaga yagabebena, nose igimala yose ndili yiniyo kihamo nubhudimu, nu bhutale bhoyo bhunubho.

Ulusulo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agatumamaga nimo ntale na ndimu bho gumana uja bhuli lushigu ogagutumama. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agadulaga ugugumala unimo gokwe gunuyo, kimamo na bhutale bhogo, kunguno ya gumana uja ogagutumama bhuli lushigu.

Gashinaga yigelelilwe umunhu agudilile chiza unimo gokwe bhogumana uja bhuli lushugu ogagutumama, nose agugumala duhu, ahashigu ijahabhutongi, mumo gugakulila, nulu mumo gugadamila unimo gunuyo.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na bhukamu bho guyuja gujuitumama chiza imilimo yabho bhuli lushuku. Ubhukamu bhunubho bhugubhambilija chiza uguimala pye iyose imilimo yabho, na gupandika matwajo mingi ayogadulile gujibheja chiza ikaya ni jumuiya jabho.

Ijinagonja, ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na wiyumilija bhoguitumama chiza imilimo yabho gosegose, iyo ilimitale guti gulimila ngese ingitu nulu inhale gete. Uwiyumilija bhunubho bhugubhambilija uguitumama bhuli lushigu mpaga bhuimala imilimo yabho yiniyo.

KISWAHILI: TAFUNA TAFUNA KILAKUKICHA  KILA SIKU, PANYA ALIMAZA NGOZI YA TEMBO.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia Panya. Panya ni kiumbe kidogo kabisa. Lakini basi, Panya huyo alikuwa akienda kila siku kutafuna au kula ngozi ya Tembo ambayo ni ngumu sana, tena ni kubwa kabisa. Kwa vile panya huyo alikuwa akienda kila siku kuitafuna au kuila, mwishowe, aliimalima ngozi hiyo, pamoja na ugumu pia ukubwa wake huo.

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye hufanya kazi kubwa na ngumu kwa kuendelea kwenda kuifanya kila siku. Mtu huyo huweza kufaulu kuimaliza kazi hiyo yote, pamoja na ukubwa au ugumu wa kazi hiyo, kwa sabahu ya kuendelea kwake kwenda kuifanya kila siku.

Kumbe yafaa mtu aijali kazi yake kwa kwenda kuifanya kila siku, mwishowe ataimaliza tu katika siku za mbeleni, hata kama kazi hiyo itakuwa kubwa au ngumu kiasi gani.

Methali hiyo yafundisha watu juu ya kuwa na bidii ya kwenda kufanya kazi kila siku. Bidii hiyo itawasaidia katika kuzimaliza kazi zao na kupata mavuno mengi yawezayo kutumika katika kuziletea maendeleo familia na jumuiya zao.

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uvumilivu  katika kuyatimiza majukumu yao, yakiwemo yale ya kufanya kazi ngumu za kupalilia palizi zenye nyasi kubwa au zile zilizoshonana kabisa. Uvumilivu huo utawasaidia katika kuzifanya kazi hizo kila siku mpaka watazimaliza.

Luka 9:62.

Wagalatia 6:9.

Waebrania 10:38.

Wafilipi 3:12.

ENGLISH: NIBBLE NIBBLE DAY IN DAY OUT, THE RAT ATE UP THE WHOLE ELEPHANT’S HIDE

The above proverb relates to one of the activities of a mouse, which is a very tiny creature. The proverb states that when the rat chews repeatedly on the elephant hide, which is quite big and very hard, it eventually finishes it off. And that is in spite of the scoundrel’s small size. It is the rat’s consistency – of biting away and eating the hide day in day out – that pays off.

The proverb is likened to someone who does great and difficult work through every day effort. Such a person succeeds in completing the task, despite its difficulty or magnitude, because of his/her continuous attempts at it.

It is fundamental for a person to care about his/her work by doing it consistently, for he/she is bound to complete it eventually, be it overwhelming or difficult in nature.

The adage teaches people on how to work hard every day. That is because such zeal will enable them complete their work and obtain bounty harvest for the benefit of their families and communities.

In addition, the truism imparts in people the virtue of patience in carrying out their responsibilities, which may include the difficult exercise of weeding tough grassy areas. Such patience will help them in performing those tasks until they complete them.

Luke 9:62.

Galatians 6: 9.

Hebrews 10:38.

Philippians 3:12.

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ililola nyama ja munda giti: itima, nholo, ihela, na mg’higo. Inyama jinijo jidakomelagwa kunguno jigab’izaga jilijangu ugub’ipa na jidazunije ugutandwa. Jigazugagwa  wangu wangu haho jitali ugub’ipa.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo aganguhaga uguitumama imilimo yakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agab’izaga adeb’ile ugujib’igeja milimo  ijikolo jakwe haho jitali ugub’ipa. Igelelilwe abhanhu bhaitumame wangu wangu imilimo yabho kugiki bhadule uguimala bho nduhu ugukeleja.

Ijinagongeja, igelelilwe bhuli munhu agadeb’e amakanza agagujitumamila chiza ijikolo jakwe haho jidinamipila, kunguno bhuli jikolo jigabhizaga na makanza gajo agajitumila.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gwanguha ugujutumama imilimo yabho na kuitumama chiza, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi agagudula gub’apandikila jiliwa, myenda na numba.

Igelelilwe abhanhu bhajilanije chiza na makanza guti gulima gwandya b’ogwanguha haho amaswa gatali uguzwa. Aliyo uyo alalindile, agub’iza okelejaga ugulima na akalimile kakwe kagub’iza kamakoye.

Ijinagongeja, ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gudebha ugujitumila chiza ijikolo ijo bhalijipandika, haho gadinashiga amakanza agagub’ipa gojo. Igelelilwe gujib’egeja milimo bho gujitumila gwandya ijo jigabholaga wangu, haho jitali ugwandya ugubhola.

KISWAHILI: NYAMA ZA TUMBONI HAZIBANIKWI.

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia nyama za ndani kama vile: maini, bandama, moyo na figo. Nyama hizo huwa hazibanikwi kwa sababu huharibika mapema. Pia ni laini mno kuzikata kwa mstali utakiwao katika kuzibanika. Huwa zinaliwa mapema baada ya mnyama kuchinjwa.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu ambaye huwahi kuzifanya kazi zake na kuzimaliza ndani ya wakati unaotakiwa kufanyika kwake. Mtu huyo huwa na ufahamu juu ya kuzifanyia kazi pia mali zake au vitu vyake mapema kabla havijaharibika. Yafaa watu wazifanye kazi zao mapema ili waweze kuzimaliza mapema itakiwavyo.

Zaidi ya hayo, yafaa kila mtu afahamu muda wa kuvitumia vizuri vitu vyake na avitumie kabla hazijaharibika, kwa sababu kila kitu kina muda wake maalumu wa kutumika.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwahi kuzifanya kazi zao vizuri ili ziweze kuwapatia mahitaji yao ya kutosha yakiwemo yale ya: kupata chakula, nguo na malazi.

Yafaa watu waendane na muda unaotakiwa katika kuifanya kazi fulani, kama vile kuwahi kulima kabla majani hayajaanza kuota. Lakini mtu akichelewa kufanya hivyo, kazi itakuwa ngumu kiasi cha kumpatia shida mkulima huyo wakati aanzapo kulima.

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kufahamu kuzifanyia kazi vizuri mali zao walizozipata kabla ya muda wake wa kutumika kupita. Yafaa kuvifanyia kazi vitu hivyo kabla hazijaanza kuoza.

2Wakoritho 6:2.

Wagalatia 6:9.

Luka 12:54-56.

Waroma 12:11.

ENGLISH: INNER MEAT IS NEVER DRIED

The overhead proverb relates to the meat that is constituted by the inner parts of an animal, such as liver, heart and kidneys. Those meats are usually not dried because they go bad fast. They are also too tender to allow for effective preparation to dry. They get rotten almost soon after the animal is slaughtered.

The proverb is likened to a time-conscious person who is able to accomplish his/her duties within set timelines. Such a person possesses the capacity to determine the stock of his/her assets and is able to tell their expiry or use-by date. People need to discharge their duties in good time in order to complete them early enough.

In addition, it is good for everyone to understand how to utilize their property well before they get damaged. This is because everything has its usability period.

Such proverb teaches people on the importance of working diligently so that they can be self-sufficient in terms of basic needs like food, shelter and clothing.

It is imperative for people to move according to proper time schedules in undertaking their duties, for instance cultivation before germination. In case of delay, the farmer finds it rough having to deal with weeds.

Furthermore, the proverb instills in people the value of good work ethics – like how to exploit their assets before they are time-barred. Such assets ought to be exploited before they start to rot.

2 Corinthians 6: 2.

Galatians 6: 9.

Luke 12: 54-56.

Romans 12:11.

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ililola munhu uyo ali na bhana bhakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agachola nzila ya kujidebhe inhungwa ja bhana bhakwe kugiki adule ugundebha uyo adulile ugunhabhila na gujilanghana chiza isabho yakwe.

 Unamugi ohakaya yiniyo, agabhenghela abhana bhakwe jikolo guti pipi, na agabhagab’anghya bhuli ng’wene, jilenganilile, kugiki adule ugundebha uyo alajilye wangu wangu na gujimala gandya, munho ung’winuyo adadulile ugujilanghana chiza isabho. Uyo agajilya wangu wangu na gujimala, agandebha igiki gashinaga ung’wunuyo, alinkenaguji ojikolo. Adadulile ugunhabhila ahashigu ijahabhutongi.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo adadebhile ugujilanghana chiza isabho jakwe. Agamanaga ujikenagula bho gujigulila ginhu ijo jidinasolobho. Ijinghi agabhinhaga bhanhu abho bhadadulile ugujilanghana chiza.

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na bhumani bho gujitumamila chiza isabho. Igelelilwe abhanhu bhajilabhile chiza isabho jabho. Bhadizujilekanija sagara nulu gujikenagula bho bhugujigulila maginhu ayo gadinasolobho umuwikaji bhobho.

Ijinagongeja, ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gufunya bhulangwa bhusoga ukubhana bhabho, nulu ukubhana jumuiya bhabho. Ubhulangwa bhunubho bhugubhinha nhungwa jawiza umubhulabhiji bho jikolo jabho ni jabhangi. Bhugubhambilija ugubhadebha abhakenaguji bhajikolo, na kuleka ugubhinha isabho jinijo.

Kuyiniyo lulu, ulu ulinamuzi ahaka yako, igelelilwe gubhenhela ginhu guti jinijo abhana bhako, na kub’inha jilenganilile bhuli ng’wene. Uyo alajilwe wangu wangu na kujimara, umane igiki, ung’wunuyo adalajilanghana ijikolo.

KISWAHILI: MTOTO YUPI ANA TABIA NJEMA?

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia mtu ambaye ana watoto wake. Mtu huyo alitafuta njia ya kufahamu tabia za watoto wake ili aweze kumwelewa yule awezaye kumtunza na kuzitunza vizuri mali zake.

Mzee huyo wa familia hiyo aliwagawia watoto wake vitu kama pipi, vikiwa sawa kwa kila mmoja, ili aweze kumfahamu yule atakayekula haraka na kuwa wa kwanza kuzimaliza. Alifahamu kwamba, atakayekuwa wa kwanza kuzimaliza maana yake, huyo hataweza kumtunza yeye katika siku za mbeleni, wala mali zake hatazitunza vizuri.

Mzee huyo pia alifahamu kwamba, yule atakayekula haraka na kuzimaliza huyo atakuwa anaziharibu mali zake na za wenzake. Mtoto huyo hataweza kuwapatia wengine mali zake, kwa sababu ya tabia yake ya kutokuwajali wengine. Anatabia ya uchoyo moyoni mwake. Mzee huyo alifaulu kufahamu tabia za watoto wake kupitia njia hiyo.

Methali hiyo hulinganishwa kwa mtu asiyefahamu namna ya kuzitunza mali zake. Huziharibu mali hizo kwa kuzitumia kwenye mambo yasiyo na faida. Mali zingine huwapatia wale wasioweza kuzitunza vizuri.

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na ufahamu wa kuzitumia vizuri mali zao. Yafaa watu wazitunze mali zao hizo kwa kuzitumia kwenye mambo yanayojenga familia zao, badala ya kuzimaliza hovyo. Hivyo wanatakiwa kuzitumia mali zao kwenye mambo yaliyo na faida kwao.

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kutoa malezi mema kwa watoto wao, wanajumuiya wao, na wananchi wao, juu ya utumzaji mzuri wa mali zao na  za wenzao. Malezi hayo, yatawasaidia kuwafahamu wale wanaoharibu mali zao, kabla hawajawakabidhi mali hizo.

Kwa hiyo basi, kama wewe ni mzee nyumbani kwako inafaa kuwaletea watoto wako vitu kama hivyo au vitu vingine na kuwapatia idadi iliyosawa wote. Atakayekula haraka haraka na kuwa wa kwanza kuzimaliza, utaelewa kuwa, huyo hatatunza kitu.

2Wathesalonike 2:1-2.

Zaburi 25:27-28.

ENGLISH: WHO IS THE CHILD OF GOOD CHARACTER?

The above proverb relates to an old man who had children, and who sought to understand who among them exhibited good behavior so he/she could be entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of the man and his wealth.

To find out, he gave each of his children an equal share of candy. He knew that whoever was the fastest and therefore the first to finish eating the candy would neither be able to take care of him in future nor to care for his property.

The man discerned that the child who ate and finished fast was greedy and destructive. Such a fellow would destroy the man’s property as well as that of his siblings. And because of greed and lack of care, such a child would not share with his siblings their father’s inheritance. In essence, the old man succeeded in recognizing the character of his children using this approach.

That proverb is likened to a situation whereby someone knows not how to take good care of valuable possessions. For instance, he/she would either use such possessions wastefully, or bequeath them to people who equally cannot preserve them with care.

The proverb teaches people on the need to use their property responsibly. It is necessary for people to take good care of their possessions for the sake of their families’ growth, instead of wasting them mindlessly. Thus, they need to utilize their resources prudently for their benefit.

In addition, the proverb instills in people the need for good training for their children, their communities and the citizens regarding prudent care of their property and that of their compatriots. Such a quality will help people to be sufficiently discerning so they can identify those who are irresponsible and destructive, before entrusting them with custody of any property.

Therefore, if you are the head of the family, you can employ such a mechanism (of giving some gifts to children) to determine who among them can be entrusted with important responsibilities. He/she who consumes the gift fast will definitely be the kind who cannot take good care of anything.

2 Thessalonians 2: 1-2.

Psalm 25: 27-28.

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

Imbuki ya lusumo lunulo ilolile munhu gumana mihayo ya ng’hana gukila guimana iyo iliya sagala. Ulusumo lunulo agawilagwa munhu uyo adaitumamaga imilimo, nguno atogilwe guyunga. Ubhuyungi bhunub’o bhuli guti bhub’ini bho mbina, kunguno abhab’ini bhambina bhagamanaga bhuyunga bhagucholaga mbina.

Abho bhadebhile i solobho ya milimo, bhagabhakomelejaga abhichab’o giki bhamane milimo, bhadizumana mbina, kunguno imbina jigenhaga bhukokolo, ahakaya ya bhanhu bhenobho. Ubhukolo bhunubho bhugwenha makoye ga nzala ahakaya yiniyo, kunguno ya bhanhu bhenobho gugatumile amakanza gabho imingi bho bhub’ina mbina, gukila uguitumama imilimo yabho.

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo atogilwe kukubhija mbina, umuwikaji bhokwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo akailekaga imilimo yakwe kunguno ya kub’ina mbina. Igelelilwe umunhu adebhe milimo iyo idulile gunmegeja kaya yakwe. Hichene guhaya giki, ‘Managa milimo udizumana mbina.’

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu hugulya ya gubhiza bhakamu uguitumama imilimo yabho, kugiki bhadule gujibheja chiza ikaya jabho. Ubhukamu bho gutumama milimo, bhugabhenhelaga sabho umukaya jabho na jiliwa, jizwalo na numba. Igelelilwe abhanhu bhaitumame imilimo yabho na bhukamu ubho bhukomile gubhasabhya umuwikaji bhobho.

Ijinagongeja, ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu hugulya ya kuleka gujimija makanza gabho kumihayo iyo iliyasagara. Imihayo yiniyo, igalenganijiyagwa na bhumani bho gub’ina mbina. Igelelilwe umunhu, alekane ni mihayo iyo itinasolobho ukuwikaji bhokwe.

KISWAHILI: FAHAMU KAZI USIFAHAMU MICHEZO

Chanzo cha methali hiyo chaangalia mtu kufahamu maneno ya maana badala ya yale ambayo ni ya hovyo.  Methali hiyo huambiwa mtu ambaye huwa hafanyi kazi kwa sababu ya kupenda kwake kutembea akifuata michezo ya ngoma. Utembeaji huo hujumuisha uchezaji wa ngoma, kwa sababu wacheza ngoma huwa na kawaida hiyo ya kutembea akitafuta kucheza michezo hiyo.

Wale wafahamuo hasara za kupenda kucheza michezo hiyo ya ngoma badala ya kufanya kazi, huwaambia wenzao kwamba, wapende kufanya kazi, kuliko kucheza michezo, kwa sababu, michezo kama hiyo huleta uvivu katika kufanya kazi kwenye familia za wapenda michezo hao. Uvivu huo hupelekea kuwepo kwa matatizo ya njaa katika familia hiyo, kwa sababu ya watu wake kuutumia muda wao zaidi kwenye maswala ya kucheza ngoma badala ya kufanya kazi.

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule apendaye kutembea kwa sababu ya kutafuta michezo hiyo ya ngoma badala ya kazi ambazo zaweza kumletea maendeleo yeye na familia yake. Ndiyo, kusema kwamba, ‘Fahamu kazi usifahamu michezo.’

Methali hiyo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na bidii ya kufanya kazi zao, ili waweze kujiletea maendeleo kwenye familia zao. Bidii hiyo, huwapatia nafasi ya kujipatia mahitaji yao ya kila siku, yakiwemo yale ya: chakula, mavazi na malazi, mpaka kufikia hatua ya kuwa matajiri. Yafaa watu wafanye kazi kwa bidii iwezayo kuwatajirisha maishani mwao.

Zaidi ya hayo, methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuachana na tabia ya kupenda kufuata michezo ya ngoma, ambayo ni sawa na kufuata maneno ya hovyo. Maneno hayo, hufananishwa na kucheza michezo hiyo ya ngoma. Yafaa watu waachane na yote ambayo hayana faida maishani mwake.

Mithali 6:6-9.

2Wathesalonike 3:10.

ENGLISH: HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF WORK NOT OF PLAY

The overhead proverb talks about the need for someone to take into serious consideration meaningful isues rather than useless ones. The proverb is usually directed at a person who roams about seeking fun and enjoyment at dancing festivals, instead of working. Dancers have a habit of moving from place to place to stage their sport.

Those who understand the damage caused by the love of play and dance usually tell those hooked on it to love work instead, since such vain activities breed nothing but laziness in the family. Laziness leads to hunger and starvation because people spend more time engaging in fun and games at the expense of working.

The proverb can be used to refer to someone who revels in fun – wandering in search of the pleasures of music and dance – instead of engaging in productive work that can guarantee progress in the family. That is why such a person will be told, ‘Have knowledge of work, not games.’

That truism imparts in people the spirit of hard work so that they may bring progress in their families. That way, they create an opportunity to provide themselves with their daily basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter, and they can even get to a point of attaining richness. Indeed, it is important for people to work hard so that they can acquire richness in their lives.

In addition, the epigram teaches people about the vanity of engaging in dance and games, just like it is useless focusing on meaningless ideas. Such ideas are likened to dancing games. In essence, people are advised to shun those things that are worthless in their lives.

Proverbs 6: 6-9.

2 Thessalonians 3:10.