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

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

1. Bhudugu bhukabhulagwa na nyama ya kudaswa. Bhalilya nyama kihamo namhala adugije kundasa, kung’ongeja nyama. Kwidasa nimo gwa bhose, nulu nyama adugije kundasa ngw’iye lulilumeng’ho lwa kwitogwa.

2. Ng’ombe yucha ha bhuzenganwa, bhitambulila, tubhinhe bhazenganwa nyama bhakazuge bhalye. Hukudaswa, lumeng’ho lwa kwitogwa, kutuma bhaha kaya bhabhatwalile bhazenganwa nyama.

Bhadugu bhaha kaya iyo yadasagwa, bhigwa giki bhadasagwa aliyo bhalema kubhinha bhalihaya giki tadasagwa kado itigelile bhise duhu tutudula kung’winha.

Bhinga ho bhasayaga, bhudugu ki wakutugopa nyama, lyacha na libhudugu. Bhudugu bhukabhulagwa na nyama ya kudaswa.

• Kuganganikwa kwinhwa nyama ningi.
• Kujimva kwinhwa nyama ndo ngabhuji njimbani.

Kiswahili: Umeoneshwa Matako Na Mgawaji

1. Uhusiano wa damu huvunjwa na nyama ya kuongezewa. Hali kama hiyo ilitokea wakati wa kula. Mzee na wazee wenzake waliweza kuongeza nyama kwa moja kwao na kuwagawia wengine. Kugawana nyama ni kazi ya wote, mtu anaweza kuongeza nyama nyingine. Kitendo hicho huchukuliwa kama ishara ya upendo.
2. Kama ng’ombe akichinjwa kwenye familia fulani watu wa pale waliambiana, “Hebu tuwapelekee majirani zetu kwa ajili ya kupika na kula.” Kuongeza nyama kwa mtu mwingine, ni ishara ya upendo, “hebu tutume watu kutoka nyumbani kwetu wawapelekee nyama majirani.

Ndugu wa familia ambayo nyama imeongezwa walifurahi kama nyama hiyo ilikuwa kubwa sana kwao kuigawana. Lakini kama nyama hiyo iliyoongezwa kwao ilikuwa kidogo, walikataa kuhudhuria mwaliko mwingine wa kutoka kwenye familia hiyo. Hali kama hiyo imesababisha kufunjika kwa uhusiano wa hao ndugu.

Wale ambao walifikiria kuwa hawakutendewa vyema kwenye jambo hilo, waliamua kuacha kuitembelea familia hiyo, wakisema, “Ni undugu wa aina gani huo wa kupunjana. Undugu huo umevunjwa na nyama ndogo iliyoongezwa kwao.”

Kulazimishwa kupewa nyama nyingi.

Kugawiwa nyama ndogo – mgawaji ni mchoyo.

Kwa hiyo, kuoneshwa matako na mgawaji, maana yake ni kupewa nyama kidogo na mgawaji.

 

ENGLISH: YOU HAVE BEEN SHOWN BUTTOCKS BY A MEAT DISTRIBUTOR

1. Blood relations are broken by meat given by someone else. Such a situation usually occurs during eating. An elder and his fellow elders could share meat with one another by distributing pieces of meat to themselves. Sharing meat is the responsibility of all. Sharing meat was considered to be a sign of love.

2. Whenever a cow was slaughtered in the neighborhood, the people said to one another, “Let us give the meat to our neighbors so that they may cook and eat.” Giving meat to one another, is a sign of love, “Let us send people from our home to take meat to the neighbors.”

The relatives of the family to which meat has been given felt happy if such meat was big enough for them to share. However, if the meat given to them was little, the benefactors promised never to attend other invitations from the family that had given a small quantity of meat. Such a situation led to the disintegration of the relationship of relatives.

Those who considered they had been mistreated  left that place angrily saying, “What kind of relatives are they we have cut it off. The comradeship is broken by the little meat given to them.

     Being forced to be given a lot of meat.

     To be deprived of small meat, the supplier is a stingy.

Therefore, having been given the buttocks by the distributor means, having been given little meat by the distributor.

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 lukabhiho lubhanza lwa ndimu. Hibhanza lyenilo bhana ndimu bhibhuja itabhelile tikale tusalang’hanile, ili chiza tupandike Ntemi tubhize bhumo.

Huna bhandya kwibhuja nani akubhiza ntemi wise? Umo wabho uhaya Ntemi wise akubhiza shimba. Kungunoki shimba akubhiza Ntemi? Nang’hwe ushosha, shimba hu ng’wenikili ikungu.

Ungi hangi uhaya giki ntale wise akubhiza muna mhela, kunguno ki? Iki alikifutumo sha bhukali.

Ungi uhaya Ntemi wise akubhiza mbogo, kunguno ki? Iki alinkali gete nu ntwe gwakwe ntale, nu mili gwakwe ntale, akapamaga mamiti gagwa.

Ungi uhaya gete Ntemi wise muna mhuli kunguno ki? Iki ng’wene atukilile pye nguzu nu mili. Basi bhizunilija halubhanza lwenulu.

Sayayi walatiho, aho bhasalang’hana, bhangi bhumang’hya na sayayi ubhabhuja giki, kinahe bhagosha ngaliko kulubhanza lwise? Taliko, ng’wantemya ntemi?

Bhuzunya, tatemya. Watema nani? Watema muna mhuli, aliyo walaliho wa magulu abhili? Magulu abhili walatiho, ahuu watemyaga aliyo mtatemije.

Shiku jitakwilile bhigwa muna mhuli wabhulagagwa na magulu abhili, ng’wana kang’wa uhaya namuwilaga watemyaga aliyo mtatemije. Kushika haha bhatina Ntemi, bhatemilwe na magulu abhili.

Bhana ndimu pye bhubhona magulu abhili aliyela ng’wipolu alina ngong’ho. Bhana ndimu bhuja kuli Ntemi wabho muna mhuli bhukang’wila, jaga ukamulage magulu abhili, ntondo dilu muna mhuli uja kuli magulu abhili kulwa bhugimu ung’wila, nene nali Ntemi nadugije kukubhulaga ng’hana, nang’hwe unshokeja gemaga, bhana ndimu pye bhalilolela nani akubhulagwa.

Aho mhuli yegela magulu abhili uyipiga isasi (munduji), bhana ndimu pye bhakabhona lyochi, bhana ndimu bhose bhogoha bhuhaya Ntemi wise magulu abhili.

Aho washika ku bhiye ubhawila natambaga mhuli. Aho kwigwa shilaka shitale Ntemi wabho ugwa hasi ucha na kucha.
Mw. 5:28

Kiswahili: Mkutano Wa Wanyama Pori Wote.

Siku za zamani kulikuwa na mkutano wa wanyama pori wote. Katika mkutano huo, wanyama pori waliulizana, haipendezi kukaa katika hali ya mgawanyiko hivi, ni vizuri tuwe na mfalme ili tuweze kuwa wamoja.

Ndipo wakaanza kuulizana, “Nani awe mfalme wetu?” Mmoja wao alisema, “Mfalme wetu awe, Simba.” Kwa sababu gani? Naye alijibu, “Simba ndiye mwenye nchi.”

Mwingine alisema, “mkubwa wetu awe, Falu.” Kwa sababu gani? Kwa sababu yeye ndiye mwenye hali ya Ukali.

Mwingine alisema, “Mfalme wetu awe Nyati.” Kwa sababu gani? Kwa sababu yeye ni mkali kabisa, na kichwa chake ni kikubwa, pia mwili wake ni mkubwa, husukuma miti mpaka ikaanguka.

Mwingine alisema, “Mfalme wetu awe Tembo, kwa sababu gani? Yeye katupita wote nguvu na mwili.” Basi wakakubaliana kwenye mkutano hivyo.

Sungura hakuwepo. Walipotawanyika, wengine walikutana na Sungura, akawauliza, “Vipi wanaume mmeafikianaje kwenye mkutano wetu? Mmemtawadha nani kuwa mfalme?”

Wakakubali, “tumetawadha.” “Ametawala nani?” “Ametawala  Tembo.” “Lakini wa miguu miwili alikuwepo?” “Miguu miwili hakuwepo.” Huyo mmetawadha, lakini hamkutawadha.

Hazikupita siku nyingi wakasikia Tembo ameuawa na wa miguu miwili. Mwanakang’wa (Sungura) alisema, “niliwaambia mmetawadha lakini hamkutawadha.” Mpaka sasa hawana mfalme, wametawaliwa na wa miguu miwili (miguu miwili).

Wanyama pori wote wakamuona miguu miwili akitembea porini na bunduki. Wanyama pori hao walienda kwa mfalme wao Tembo wakamwambia, “nenda ukamuue miguu miwili.” Kesho yake asubuhi Tembo alienda kwa wa miguu miwili, na kwa kutokuogopa kwake, akamwambia, “mimi ni mfalme naweza kukuua kweli.” Naye alimwambia, “jaribu.” Wanyama pori wote wakiwa wameangalia ili kuona nani atauawa.

Tembo alipokaribia, miguu miwili alimpiga risasi (bunduki), wanyama pori wote wakaona moshi. Wanyama pori wote wakaogopa, wakasema, “mfalme wetu ni miguu miwili.”

Alipofika kwa wenzie aliwaambia, “nimeua Tembo.” Aliposikia sauti kubwa, mfalme wao alianguka chini, akafa na kufa.

Genesis. 5:28.

English: The Meeting of all wild animals

THE GATHERING OF ALL WILDLIFE ANIMALS

In the past, there was a gathering of all wild animals. At that meeting, wild animals asked each other, to live in harmony and not division. They said, “We should have a king so that we could be united.”

Then they began to ask each other, “Who shall we choose as our king?” One of them said, “Let our king be, the Lion.” Why?”, they asked.  He answered, “The Lion is the owner of the land.”

Another one said, “Let our king be the Rhino.” “Why?”, they asked. He replied, “Because he is fierce.”

Another animal said, “Let our king be the Buffalo.” “Why?”, others asked.  “Because he is a very fierce one, and his head is big, and his body is also big. It pushes down trees.”

Another animal proposed, “Let our king be Elephant.” As usual, others asked, “Why?” He answered, “He is the biggest of all of us.He has power and big body size.” They finally agreed that Elephant would be their king.

Hare did not attend the meeting. When the animals had dispersed, some of them met with the Hare on the way and he asked them, “Gentlemen coming from the meeting, whom have you made the king?”

They said, “We have made Elephant the king.” Then, he asked “Was the two legged animal there?” They replied, “The two legged animal was not there.”

A few days later, it was heard that Elephant had been killed by two legged animal. Then Hare said, “I told you that you were wrong for not making him king.” Since then, they have no king. They are ruled by two legged animal.

It was narrated that it was like this. All wild animals had seen the two legged animal walking in the field with a gun. The wild animals then went to their king Elephant and told him, “Go and kill the two legged animal.”  King Elephant confronted the two legged one.King Elephant then said, “I am the king. I can kill you.” the two legged animal   said, “Try and you will see” All the wild animals were watching to see who would be killed.

As Elephant approached, the two legged animal shot him.  All the wild animals witnessed the smoke produced during the firing exercise. All the wild animals were frightened and said, “Now our king will be the two legged animal.”

When the two legged animal came to his friends he told them, “I killed Elephant.” He continued, “When I fired, the animals were shocked by the loud voice. Elephant their king, fell to the ground, and died.”

Genesis. 5:28.

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.