Tanzania

1418. UMTWE GWALABEDAGA AMAGULU. (BENA).

KISWAHILI: KICHWA KISIDHARAU MIGUU.

ENGLISH: THE HEAD DOES NOT DESPISE THE FEET.

Background, Meaning and Everyday Use

In their culture the Bena People often use riddles, sayings and stories to convey messages to the society and their family members in which they live. The head does not despise the feet is  one of the proverbs used by Bena Ethnic Group.

This proverb looks at the life of one person who does not accept advice. He was an old man called Ligoga that means “an angry person.” Ligoga had a wife and three children.

Lusisi Village is located in Njombe region in Tanzania, East Africa, It has a pleasant environment and lots of rain. Because of that, food was available in abundance. One year it rained a lot and everything flourished. Mushrooms also grew in abundance. The people were happy to find mushrooms because they liked them.

However, a problem occurred. Bad mushrooms were also produced and many people died after eating the poisonous mushroom because it was very similar to the good ones. The chief of the village continued to make an announcement and advised people to stop eating mushrooms at that time of heavy rain. But because people liked them so much many did not stop eating them.

Ligoga’s family also continued to eat. However, Ligoga’s wife was very afraid especially for their children.

Numbura Dzelu, which means “white heart” the name of Ligoga’s wife, started a conversation and said to her husband:

Numbura Nzelu: “My Husband!”

Elder Ligoga: “Say my Wife.”

Numbura Nzelu: “What do you think if we stopped eating mushrooms this time?”

Elder Ligoga: “What! No, my wife, do not be afraid, I have enough experience we cannot be abused.”

Numbura Nzelu: “But my husband, the situation is not good at this time, many people are dying.”

Elder Ligoga: “Nonsense” should we die today? How many years have we eaten and even since our ancestors.”

Numbura Nzelu: “There are changes due to heavy rains. I fear for our children.”

Elder Ligoga: “I am the owner of the house, believe me!”

Therefore, Elder Ligoga brought mushrooms as usual and his wife cooked; they all ate. Ligoga also gave them to the cat, and said if there is poison, I will know through the cat. They all went to sleep, bad luck! At midnight, the cat started screaming, running here and there. Elder Ligoga heard it, woke up his wife and children, they all shouted, “we are dying! We are dying!”

The neighbors heard the noise and helped to take them to the hospital. Because of fear, they vomited and had diarrhea; they were all overwhelmed, and Elder Ligoga could not speak at all. Immediately the doctor put drip for all at high speed. Fortunately, after one day they recovered and were allowed to return home.

After arriving home. Haaa! The cat is healthy. Elder Ligoga was shocked!!! “How did it happen?” he said, “Loo! How did you know if you ate bad mushrooms,” the neighbor asked, Ligoga said, “I gave mushrooms to the cat too, because of the fear of dying.” When they entered, they all laughed…Hahahaha!!! Duuuu! The poor cat was crying because she wanted to give birth. Ligoga’s wife, Numbura Nzelu, said bitterly, “my husband Umtuwe gwalabedaga amagulu which means, “The head does not despise the feet.” Elder Ligoga answered, “it is true my wife. Please forgive me and my children forgive me.”

This is how the proverb began and continues to be used today. This proverb is likened to people who think that being bossy is everything and cannot receive any advice from others.  Compare to this mother who showed love to her children. She did not care about her life, but put others first. This Bena Proverb teaches and motivates the community to be generous, love and help each other in everyday life.

Biblical Parallels

Matthew 18 10. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angers in heaven always see the face of my father in heaven.”

1 Corinthians 14: 20. “Brothers and Sisters, stop thinking like children. Be like babies as far evil is concerned. But be grown up in your thinking.”

1 Samuel 15: 22. But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD?  To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hear is better than the fat of rams.”

Ephesians 4: 2. “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

Contemporary Use And Religious Application

This proverb reminds us all to be flexible and to accept the ideas and advice of others. These days there are problems everywhere. Everyone wants to be the leader of others. War and chaos are everywhere. There are many people like Elder Ligoga in families, marriages, in churches, in Small Christian Communities. You only find arguments and quarrels.

These situations show that the Gospel of Jesus has not penetrated into people’s hearts. We need to increase our faith and care and respect the lives of others. To lack a heart of compassion is to miss God Himself who has taken pity on all of us through the suffering and death of his Son. Christians should not stop going to church and to Small Christian Communities so that we get the strength to continue doing good, respecting and listening to each other.

Text and Photos by:

Sister Felisia Mbifile, SCSF

Rome, Italy

Email: felisiajmbifile@gmail.com

1417. NIBHUKILE.

Aho kale olihoyi munhu uyo oli na bhatumami bhokwe. Abhatumami bhakwe bhenabho bhalibhadantokigishaga umubhutumami bhobho bhunubho kunguno bhatumamaga chayachaya. Hunagwene agayomba giki, “nibhukile.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agaitumamaga chiza imilimo yakwe bho nduhu gulagija bhangi, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agigulambijaga gutumama milimo yakwe mpaka oyimala chiza bho nduhu gulagija bhanhu bhangi kunguno ya gutogwa guidilila chiza imilimo yakwe yiniyo umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agikalaga na sabho ningi noyi akaya yakwe kunguno ya guidilila bho guitumama chiza imilimo yakwe yiniyo mpaga oyimala chiza umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nuyo agibhukila guitumama chiza imilimo yakwe aho bhayitumama sagala abhatumami bhakwe, kunguno nuweyi agaitumamaga mpaga oyimala chiza imilimo yakwe bho nduhu gubhalagija bhanhu bhangi, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene agayombaga giki, “nibhukile.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya guyidilila imilimo yabho bho gwigulambija guyitumama mpaga bhayimala chiza, kugiki bhadule gupandika sabho ja gutumamila umukaya jabho jinijo, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Ezekieli 34:10-15.

Yohana 10:11-15.

KISWAHILI: NIENDE MWENYEWE.

Hapo zamani alikuwepo mtu aliyekuwa na wafanyakazi wake. Wafanyakazi hao wahakumfurahisha katika utendaji wao wa kazi kwa sababu walifanya kazi hovyo. Ndiyo maana alisema kwamba, “niende mwenyewe.”

Msemo huo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huyatekeleza vizuri majukumu yake bila ya kuwaagiza watu wengine, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, hujibidisha kufanya kazi zake mpaga anazimaliza vizuri bila ya kuwaachia watu wengine kwa sababu ya kuzijali vizuri kazi zake hizo, maishani mwake. Yeye hupata mali nyingi sana katika familia yake hiyo kwa sababu ya kuzijali kazi zake hizo kwa kuzitekeleza vizuri mpaga anazimaliza, katika maisha yake hayo.

Mtu huyo hufanana na yule aliyeenda mwenyewe kuitekeleza vizuri kazi iliyofanywa hovyo na wafanyakazi wake, kwa sababu naye huzitekeleza kazi zake mpaka anazimaliza vizuri bila kuwaagiza watu wengine, maishani mwake.  Ndiyo maana yeye husema kwamba, “niende mwenyewe.”

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuzijali kazi zao kwa kujibidisha kuzitekeleza vizuri mpaka mwisho ili waweze kupata mali za kutumia vizuri katika familia zao, maishani mwao.

Ezekieli 34:10-15.

Yohana 10:11-15.

ENGLISH: LET ME GO MYSELF.

Once upon a time there was a man who had his employees. The employees did not please him in their work performance because they did not work well. That is why he said that, “let me go myself.”

This saying is equaled to the person who performs his duties well without ordering other people, in his life. This persons struggles enough to finish his works well without leaving them to other people because of taking decent care of his work in his life. He earns a lot of wealth in his family because of taking care of his work by performing it well, in his life.

This person is similar to the one who went himself to perform the work well done by his employees, because he also performs his works until he nicely completes them without ordering other people, in his life. That is why he says that, “let me go myself.”

This adage teaches people enough to take care about their works by striving to finish them well so that they can obtain decent wealth enough to use in their family lives.

Ezekiel 34:10-15.

John 10:11-15.

1416. IGEMBE NAGEMA NG’WELELE.

Aho kale olihoyi nhimi uyo olimilaga ligembe lya makono. Unhimi ng’wunuyo olialisanije iligembe lyakwe linilo kunguno olilimilaga chiza mpaga lyang’wenhela jiliwa aha kaya yakwe. Uweyi olidimilaga china iligembe linilo guti numo agabhukikaja ng’wana ng’welele, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene agayomba giki, “igembe nagema ng’welele.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo alina bhutungilija bho gwihanda gutumama chiza nimo uyo gugang’wenhelaga jiliwa, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agihandaga gugudumama unimo gokwe bho gubhalanga abhanhu bhakwe higulya ya gwigulambija kugugutumama chiza mpaga gobhapandikila jiliwa, kunguno ya bhutungilija bhokwe bhunubho, umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agapandikaga jiliwa ja gulya chiza bhuli ng’waka aha kaya yakwe yiniyo, kunguno ya bhutungilija bhokwe bhunubho ubho gwigulambija gugutumama chiza unimo gokwe gunuyo, umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nu nhimi uyo olilimilaga chiza iligembe lyakwe mpaga lya ng’wenhela jiliwa aha kaya yakwe, kunguno nuweyi agagudimilaga chiza unimo gokwe gunuyo bho gwigulambija gugutumama chiza mpaga opandika jiliwa ja gulya chiza aha kaya yakwe yiniyo, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Hunagwene agayombaga giki, “igembe nagema ng’welele.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na bhutungilija bho gwigulambija guyitumama chiza imilimo yabho iyo igabhenhelaga jiliwa, kugiki bhadule gupandika sabho ja gutumamila chiza umukaya jabho jinijo, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Mwanzo 3:19.

Mithali 24:27.

KISWAHILI: JEMBE NIMEJARIBU MTOTO MCHANGA

Hapo zamani alikuwepo mkulima aliyelimia jembe la mkono. Mkuliwa huyo alilitegemea jembe lake hilo kwa sababu ya kulilimia vizuri mpaka linamletea chakula kwenye familia yake. Yeye alilishikilia vizuri jembe hilo kama anavyobeba mtoto mchanga, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana alisema kwamba, “jembe nimejaribu mtoto mchanga.”

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye hujikaza kuifanya vizuri kazi ile ambayo humletea chakula, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huishikilia kazi yake hiyo kwa kuwafundisha watu juu ya kujibidisha kuitekeleza vizuri mpaka inawapatia chakula, kwa sababu ya uaminifu wake huo, maishani mwake. Yeye hupata chakula cha kula vizuri kila mwaka kwenye familia yake kwa sababu ya uaminifu wake huo wa kujibidisha kuitekeleza vizuri kazi yake hiyo, katika maisha yake hayo.

Mtu huyo hufanana na yule mkulima aliyelilimia vizuri jembe lake mpaka likamletea chakula kwenye familia yake, kwa sababu naye hujibidisha kuitekeleza vizuri kazi yake hiyo mpaka inamletea chakula cha kula kila mwaka kwenye familia yake, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana yeye husema kwamba, “jembe nimejaribu mtoto mchanga.”

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na uaminifu wa kujibidisha kuzitekeleza vizuri kazi zao zinazowaletea chakula, ili waweze kupata mali za kutumia vizuri katika familia zao, maishani mwao.

Mwanzo 3:19.

Mithali 24:27.

ENGLISH: A HOE HAS TESTED A BABY.

Once upon a time, there was a farmer who cultivated farms by using a hand hoe. This farmer relied on his hoe because it worked well until it brought food to his family. He held the hoe tightly like he was carrying a baby, in his life. That is why he said that, “a hoe has tested a baby.”

This saying is equaled to a person who strives to do well the work that brings him food, in his life. Such person holds on to his work by teaching people about working hard enough to do it well until it provides them with food, because of his loyalty, in his life. He gets good food to eat every year for his family because of his loyalty to work hard enough to finish well his work in his life.

This person resembles the farmer who cultivated his farm until it brought food to his family, because he also strives to carry out his work well until it brings food to his family every year, in his life. That is why he says that, “a hoe has tested a baby.”

This proverb teaches people about being honest enough to carry out their work well that brings them food, so that they can obtain wealth for using well in their families, in their lives.

Genesis 3:19.

Proverbs 24:27.

1415. UGUPONDAGA NG’WITUMBI NUB’UTA UDINAB’O.

Aho kale olihoyi munhu uyo agaluta liwe ng’witumbi aliyo oliadina b’uta umumakono gakwe. Ilitumbi linilo lilipilinga ilo ligikalaga na shinu giti mbiti, nzoka, sub’i, na jingi ijo jigikalaga jilendile moyi.

Abhanhu bhagankumya noyi kunguno umub’upondi bhokwe bhunubho, adulile gujibhulucha ishinu jinijo ija mbika na mbika ahikanza adina b’uta nulu jilanga ja gwigunanila. Hunagwene abhanhu bhenabho bhagang’wila giki, “ugupondaga ng’witumbi nub’uta udinab’o.”

Ulusumo lunulo lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agandyaga gutumama milimo iyo adina nguzu ja guimalila umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo agandyaga gutumama milimo mitale iyi ijikilile inguzu jakwe kunguno ya gukija gwitegeleja chiza, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Uweyi agakoyiyagwa na bhuhabhi bhuli ng’waka aha kaya yakwe kunguno ya gukija gwitegeleja chiza haho atali ugandya uguitumama imilimo yakwe yiniyo, umukikalile kakwe kenako.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agaponda ng’witumbu bho nduhu gwikala na b’uta umumakono gakwe, kunguno nuweyi agandyaga gutumama milimo iyo adina nguzu ja guimalila, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagang’wilaga giki, “ugupondaga ng’witumbi nub’uta udinab’o.”

Ulusumo lunulo, lolanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na witegeleja bho gwandya gutumama milimo iyo bhali nguzu ja guimalila chiza, kugiki bhadule gupandika matwajo mingi, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Hesabu 32:30.

Hesabu 32:17.

KISWAHILI: UNAPONDA KWENYE PANGO NA UPINDE HUNA.

Hapo zamani alikuwepo mtu aliyetupa jiwe kwenye pango bila ya kuwa na upinde mikononi mwake. Pango hilo ni jiwe ambamo ndani yake huishi wanyama wakali kama vile fisi, nyoka, chui na vingine vinavyoishi humo.

Watu walimshangaa sana kwa sababu utupaji huo wa jiwe bila ya yeye kuwa na upinge au siraha unaweza kuwasababisha wanyama hao kutoka na kumjeruhi. Ndiyo maana watu hao walimwambia kwamba, “unaponda kwenye pando na upinde huna.”

Methali hiyo, hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye huanzisha kazi ambazo hana uwezo wa kuzimaliza, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huanzisha kazi kubwa kushinda nguvu zake mpaka anashindwa kuzimaliza, kwa sababu ya kushindwa kufikiri vizuri maishani mwake. Yeye husumbuliwa na tatizo la umaskini kwenye familia yake kila mwaka, kwa sababu ya kuanzisha kazi bila kufikiria vizuri, katika maisha yake.

Mtu huyo, hufanana na yule aliyeponda kwenye pango bila ya kuwa na upinde, kwa sababu naye huanzisha kazi zinashinda uwezo wake bila kufikiria vizuri mpaka anashinda kuzimaliza, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana watu humwambia kwamba, “unaponda kwenye pango na upinde huna.”

Methali hiyo, hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na umakini wa kuanzisha kazi wanazoweza kuzimaliza, ili waweze kupata mafanikio mengi, maishani mwao.

Hesabu 32:30.

Hesabu 32:17.

ENGLISH: YOU ARE THROWING A STONE IN A CAVE WHILE YOU HAVE NO BOW.

Once upon a time there was a man who threw a stone into a cave without having a bow in his hands. The cave is a hole in stone in which wild animals such as hyenas, snakes, leopards and others live.

People were very surprised at him because of throwing a stone without having any resistance or armor could cause animals to come out and injure him. That is why people told him that, “you are throwing a stone in a cave while you have no bow.”

This proverb is matched to a person who starts tasks that he does not have ability to finish, in his life. Such person starts a task that is too big for him to finish, because of his inability to think clearly in his life. He is troubled by problem of poverty in his family every year, because of starting a task without thinking clearly, in his life.

This person resembles the one who trampled in a cave without a bow, because he also starts tasks that are beyond his ability without thinking carefully until he manages to finish them, in his life. That is why people say to him that, “you are throwing a stone in a cave while you have no bow.”

This proverb teaches people about being careful enough to start tasks that they can finish, so that they can achieve great success, in their lives.

Numbers 32:30.

Numbers 32:17.

1414. UGENIHA B’UGENI UGULONJIWA NDUHU.

Akahayile kenako kahoyelile jisumva ijo jigingilaga mukaya bho nduhu ugulongiwa na bhinikili kaya yiniyo.  Ijisumva jinijo jili guti jilungu mifa, danga, nole, nulu jigona ijijigingilaga umukaya ijo jidalongiyagwa. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayombaga giki, “ugeniha b’ugeni ugulonjiwa nduhu.”

Akahayile kenako kagalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo adabhadililaga abhageni ulu bhizaga aha kaya yakwe, umukikalile kakwe. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, adabhadililaga abhageni abho bhagangenihaga bho nduhu agubhazugila ijiliwa aha kaya yakwe, kunguno ya wiminholo bhokwe bhunubho umuwikaji bhokwe. Uweyi agagayiyagwa imbango ja gwikala na bhuyegi aha kaya yakwe, kunguno ya gukija ugubhalonja abhageni abho bhangenihaga, umukikalile kakwe.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo agikolaga nuyo adajilonjaga ijisumva ijo jingilaga umukaya yakwe, kunguno nuweyi adabhalonjaga abhageni abho bhagangenihaga aha kaya yakwe, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene abhageni bhenabho bhagayombaga giki, “ugeniha b’ugeni ugulonjiwa nduhu.”

Akahayile kenako kalanga bhanhu higulya ya gubhiza na wizanholo bho gubhalonja abhageni abho abha bhagabhagenihaga, kugiki bhadule gupandika mbango ja gwikala na bhuyegi umukaya jabho, umuwikaji bhobho.

Mathayo 25:35-41.

Matendo 10:28.

Warumi 12:13.

1Thimotheo 5:10.

KISWAHILI: UMEENDA UGENINI LAKINI HAWAKUJALI.

Msemo huo huongelea viumbe wanaoingia nyumbani bila mwenye nyumba kuwajali. Viumbe hayo ni kama vile kilungu yeye, chura, mijusi, na wengine ambayo ni jamii ya hao ambao huingia kwenye nyumba ya mtu bila ya yeye kuwajali. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “umeenda ugenini lakini hawakujali.”

Msemo huo hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule ambaye hawajali wageni wanaomtembelea kwenye familia yake, katika maisha yake. Mtu huyo, huwa hawajali bhageni ambao humtembelea kuwaacha bila kuwapikia chakula kwenye familia yake, kwa sababu ya uchoyo wake huo maishani mwake. Yeye hukosa baraka za kuishi kwa furaha kwenye familia yake hiyo kwa sababu ya uchoyo wake huo wa kutowajali wageni wanaomtembelea, katika maisha yake hayo.

Mtu huyo hufanana na yule ambaye hakuwajali viumbe walioingia nyumbani kwake, kwa sababu naye hawajali wageni wanaomtembelea kwenye familia yake, maishani mwake. Ndiyo maana wageni hao husema kwamba, “umeenda ugenini lakini hawakujali.”

Msemo huo hufundisha watu juu ya kuwa na ukarimu wa kuwajali wageni wanaowatembelea nyumbani mwao, ili waweze kupata baraka za kuishi kwa furaha katika familia zao, maishani mwao.

Mathayo 25:35-41.

Matendo 10:28.

Warumi 12:13.

1Thimotheo 5:10.

 

ENGLISH: YOU HAVE BEEN A STRANGER BUT THEY DO NOT CARE YOU.

This saying refers to creatures which enter a house without the owner paying attention to them. These creatures are like deer, frogs, lizards, and others which are a type of those that enter a person’s house without him paying attention to them. That is why people say that, “you have been a stranger but they do not care you.”

This saying is equated to a person who does not care about guests who visit his family, in his life. Such person does not take care about visitors who visit him by leaving them without cooking food for them, because of his greed in his life. He misses blessings of living happily in his family because of his greed of not taking care about visitants who visit him in his life.

This person is like the one who did not care about the creatures that entered his house, because he also does not take care about guests who visit his family, in his life. That is why those guests say that, “you have been a stranger but they do not care you.”

This saying imparts in people an idea of being hospitable and considerate of strangers who visit their homes, so that they can experience blessings of living happily in their family lives.

Matthew 25:35-41.

Acts 10:28.

Romans 12:13.

1 Timothy 5:10.