Proverbs in Zambia ∴ deep proverbs from Chibale 2

Proverbs in Zambia: deep proverbs in Chibale 2
Of the two articles on proverbs that the people in Chibale consider deep, this is the one that presents proverbs about what to expect and how things inevitably work. They can also be found in the third part of the digital book Amano Mambulwa, see here.

Other articles in this series

The proverbs about how to behave and what to do when problems arise considered simple in Chibale.
The proverbs about what to expect and how things work considered simple in Chibale.

The proverbs about how to behave and what to do when problems arise considered more demanding in Chibale.
The proverbs about what to expect and how things work considered more demanding in Chibale.

The proverbs about how to behave and what to do when problems arise considered deep in Chibale.

Proverb 227

Mwaume, kasembe

Efilandwa pa fintu ifyendela pamo.
Ukwitwa ati mwaume mu bumi bwakwe kano ali na kasembe lyonse, icilanga ukuti wamilimo.
Ukwikala kwesu fwe balala ne mitundu imbi, umuntu pakuya mu kupa kano asenda isembe ico iciba Icilangililo cakuti uyu muntu ali kaaba wa milimo, talipo umunang’ani.
Isembe lilanga ukuti kuti amupususha ulo mwaba mu bwafya bwakusanswa ne ciswango!

A man, an axe

This is said of two things that are supposed or required to be closely connected.
A man in real life needs his axe very much as he uses it for all kind of purposes. Therefore, “to be regarded as a man” one must always carry an axe, a symbol of being laborious, able to work.
The way we live as Lala people, and in other regions: when a man goes out to marry, he should carry an axe, as a symbol for being energetic in doing work and not being lazy. Also, a weapon, the axe shows that you will save or take care of others when confronted by a wild animal trying to attack.

Proverb 228

Tabatana mucele munama, ngokalonga kwisa?

Kwaliba ifintu ifyaikatana, cimo cifwaikwa mu cinakwe.
Ilyo mwanakashi aipika inama mu nongo, pakuti iyi nama yumfwike bwino, kano babikamo umucele. Nomba kati taulungile ngu mucele wakulunga mwisa? Efyo umunani uuli onse ufwaya pakuti umuntu ukosa kulya omfwike bwino.

Why not add salt to the meat, for what else will you use it?

There are certain things that form perfect combinations and can not be separated.
When a woman is cooking meat in a pot, for it to taste well salt has to be added to it. Then if you have no salt, what are you going to do? It is what all relishes require so that when a person comes to eat it, it tastes well. There’s no meat without salt.

Proverb 229

Icikolokolo cikubepa, cufi munobe mukwanu

Umwana wabene mutaupilapo pamo angakubepa ukucila uo mwaikatana mu cupo.
Ulo waupila mu nanda, umunobe nao aisa kupilamo mweko mo, mwe nomba babili mwaba abanankanshi mu cupo. Ifyo angomfwa kubuko bakolabila pali we, akesa kukucenjeshako.

An outsider may cheat you, while a brother in marriage is your brother

An outsider who is not connected to you in any way may cheat you while the ones you are connected to in marriage will not.
Suppose you marry in a home and another one will also marry in the same family. Now you two are brothers in marriage. When one hears what the in-laws say about the other, he will warn/inform him accordingly.

Proverb 230

Abakulu babwene ulukasa lwa nkalamo kabashikapo

Ukuba ngo mukulu uwa mano, kukwata amano aku shinshintila ifintu ifingaleta ulupato, nangu umwenso ku baice.
Umukulu ali nabaice mu mpanga elyo abwene apapitile ulukasa lwa nkalamo. Atontonkenye ukushikapo ukuteba abaice ico abona. Atinine ati nganabeba ninshi bonse balakwata umwenso, tatwaendepo bwino.

The elder saw the lion’s paw print on the sand and wiped it out

A wise person always tries to avoid bringing out things to the public that may cause confusion or fear.
An older man went hunting with young people. Then he spotted a lion’s footprint on the ground. He rubbed off the print and did not inform the young ones about it. He feared that if he told them, everyone would become even more afraid, and the hunt would not go well.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 1328):
Umukulu walibwene ulukasa lwa nkalamu, kashikapo ∵ The grown man saw the footprint of a lion, and he covered it over.
The wisdom of the adult, who, when he saw a lion’s spoor near the village, obliterated it, lest the villagers should get a fright.

Proverb 231

Amano mambulwa

Amano twakwata afuma ku mano acifyalilwa ku benji. Tulapandashanya amano na banensu umo twaikala. Takwabapo umuntu ufyalwa namano, pantu amano twisa muku asanga panwe sonde.
Ilingi line ngatatwishibe ifyakucita ne cintu cimo, twalinga twaipusha pakuti abacishibile batwebako ifyakucita. Yaliisa amasukulu umo tuya mukunonka amano, ayo nafwe tungapelako abanensu abateshibilepo ayo bakofwaya.
Ukukwata amano ayo utakobomfyapo ninshi na pindu tapapo, cimo nokutayakwatapo. Awayabomfya, nabanobe kuti bakutasha nokusambililako.

Wisdom is acquired

The wisdom we have is the product and heritage of many. We share ideas and knowledge with the ones we know. No one is born with knowledge: we come to find it here on earth.
When we don’t know how to go about with an issue, we must ask so that those with the know-how can tell us how to go about with it. And at school we learn knowledge which we can pass on to those in need.
To be knowledgeable and not using this knowledge means there is no justification for you to have acquired it. When you use it for others you are likely to be praised by your friends and at the same time they learn from you.

The same proverb and a longer version of it were recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverbs 88 and 1688), with different explanation:
Amano kubulwa / Amano mambulwa ∵ Wisdom consists in being told.
A word of correction to the self-satisfied, who considers that he knows everything.

Bumano ndilikwatile tebo, amano mambulwa ∵ It is not ‘wisdom I have of myself’, wisdom is being-told.

Proverb 232

Akana kabubele bunkumbwa

Icakubalilapo cila tentembwa sana. Ubwafya bonse buleta ubulanda ku bafyashi.
Umwana ibeli alatentembwa sana ukucila bambi, elyo ngakwacitike cibipile kuli ngu, cilaleta ubulanda sana.

The first-born is sorrow

The first-born is adored more than the ones following. Every trouble that this child has is felt like sorrow by the parents.
With the first-born child utmost care is taken and should something bad happen to him/her this brings more sorrow.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 25):
Akana ka bubele bunkumbwa ∵ A first-born child means sorrow.
He is always treasured more than the others: and any misfortune to him causes keener sorrow and anxiety

Proverb 233

Aka kubulile mfwa yaba noko, limo kalabile

Ilyashi libipile lilendesha kwenda; sumina ico wabalilapo ukupokelela.
Umuntu uuli pa lwendo, ngabamutuma ukutwala ilyashi. Lyakuti bacite nabacite mukabebe ati banyinenwe balifwile. Ifyo alabila pamuku umo mulingile ukufikonka.

Who ever informs you of your mother’s death, will have only one thing to say

Bad news travels fast; accept what you get first.
Imagine a person on a journey is asked to pass the message to you that your mother has passed away. He will not know more than this, so it is useless for you to start asking questions. So, you must take what he says as it is.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 7):
Aka kubulile imfwa ya noko, limo kalabile ∵ The little thing that told you of your mother’s death, it is once that it spoke.
Bad news travels fast. A traveller passing through a certain village is commissioned to tell So-and-so at another village that his mother is dead. Not being certain of having heard everything, he gives the message. ‘Perhaps your mother is dead.’ His news, nevertheless, must be believed.

Proverb 234

Akabwelelo kalalya

Ukubwelela inuma kula twala mu mafya.
Abantu abaupana, ilingi balapusana mu mikalile batampa noku tosha nangu ukulwa.
Pa miku iinji lyonse kulwa, icishele balalekana, pakuti baya ikalila umo umo.
Umuye nshiku limbi umwaume nangu umwanakashi atemwa ukubwelela nakambi mu cupo.
Icikonkapo balya bantu kutampa nakambi ukushupana limbi mwaisa fuma nemfwa ya umo.
Epa fuma nanji nsoselo.

Retracing your footsteps may be risky

U-turning sometimes is dangerous.
Married couples at times differ in their homes, resulting in quarrelling or even fighting. If this continues, they decide to separate to live lives alone. As days pass, they may decide to live together again. But eventually they go back to fights which may result one of them loosing life. This proverb is based upon this.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 2), with different explanation:
Akabwelela kalalya ∵ The little thing that returns eats.
Said to a man who has been away from his wife and home for a long time. When he is about to return, his friends will warn him that he will have a big law case to ‘eat’, for having neglected the work at the village, if he goes back, so he had better remain.

Proverb 235

Ku mbonshi takuya ubwela

Fimbi ifyo mwalwile tafibwelelapo ifyo fyali. Mube nokwishiba ulo mukosuminisha pa lwakwalula.
Mu buntunse bwesu, abantu abafwa balabashika ku mbonshi ya mishi uko amatontonkanyo esu atupela ukulanguluka ati tabakabwele nakambi. Ku mbonshi kuba ukwatikama eco ne manda shabafwa eko babika.

From the west no one returns

Certain changes are irreversible. Therefore, take care when making big decisions.
In our Lalaland the west is regarded to be not good for living, people who die are buried at the western side of the villages. To the west it’s thick and that’s why cemeteries of the dead are placed in the west.

The same proverb is mentioned for the Lala region in 1942 and 1946.¹Munday (1942b:8) and Lambo (1946:46). A related fact is that drums have to be played in eastern direction in ritual music. Similar and comparable proverbs were recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverbs 599, 1653 & 1747), with different explanation:
Ku mbonshi takuya ubwela, uwa yako alelilila ∵ To the west he does not go who returns again; he who goes, goes for good.
A native superstition that one who goes west never returns. Thus if a man is delayed from returning on a journey, they say that he has gone west. The natives also believe that if a man is buried looking west, his spirit will never return; but if he is buried looking east, the spirit will return, and be born again into some babe. Cf. Lenge: Ku mbo to waluka: From the west one does not turn again.

Webo uli imbonshi, tawalululwa ∵ You are the west, you won’t be turned round.
You are obstinate. Regarding the native superstition about the west, see 599.

Ikanga ilyaile imbonshi talyabwelele ∵ The guinea-fowl that went west did not return.
Don’t travel westwards.

Proverb 236

Ubucilanshila tabwafya

Mubwikashi bwesu tamwafya amafya umo twikala.
Ulo twafyalwa tulasanga amafya ayo tuli nokupitamo. Mu calo mwaba naba tupata kanshi ubwafya bwalikwisa palifwe.

Crossing roads is inevitable

In the way we live, we will not be free from problems we have to go through.
When we are born, we find problems through which we must go. In this world there are some people who hate you, so be prepared for problems befalling you.

Proverb 237

Abapalu tabendela mwiyamba limo

Abantu bakwata imilimo imo ine tabafwaya ukubombela pamo.
Abapalu banama ilingi tabafwayapo ukwendela pamo pantu imisango babomfya pakwipaya inama yalipusana. Eico tekuti afwaye umunabo ukwishiba.

Master hunters will not go together on a hunting trip

People with similar special skills do not like to work together.
Master hunters do not like to go hunting together because their methods of hunting animals are different. They do not want others to know how they do it.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 154), with different translation:
Abapalu tabendela mwiyamba limo ∵ Hunters do not walk in the same forest.
Persons of one trade do not live together: each has his own domain.

Proverb 238

Ikanga ililele insala kumutwi mupupulo

Ngawa pusa icilefwaikwa cimo, nafyonse fimbi filakosa.
Ikanga litalile bushiku bwafumapo talilalapo ukufikapo pantu mutwi uba uwaipekanya ngakwa citikapo cimo ubushiku.
Umo twaikalila panshita imo, tukumanya amafya ngo afwaya ukuya bombelapo lwenkolo. Mpakafye yabombelwepo, tatwaikalile. Yakula tupela bwafya bwakulanguluka. Mpaka ubwasuko buboneke epakuti amano ekalile.

A hungry guinea fowl may sleep but its head is always on guard

When you miss one relevant thing, everything else is harder.
A guinea fowl that had no food the previous day will not sleep fully as the head will always be alert in case something strikes at night.
In our daily dealings at one point, we will encounter a problem that needs an urgent solution. But until that solution is found, we shall not be at ease. It will give us headaches. Only when a solution is found will our minds be free again.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 380), with different explanation:
Ikanga ililele nsala kumutwi mupupulo ∵ The guinea-fowl that slept hungry, his head is a stick for dewdrying.
A stranger to whom the villagers have refused food, after a night of hunger, will start off early in the morning, before the sun is hot, and the dew dried. The guinea-fowl, after a hungry night, leaves the trees early and uses his head for knocking off the dew on the grass, as he looks for food.

Proverb 239

Abapushi taba fwayanapo

Ukuitemwa ekulenga abantu uku kana fwaya ukuba pamo ukutontonkanya ati nakalimo tafyatukumane.
Abantu abanang’ani abaikalila fye ukulomba lomba tabafwaya bantu bambi nabena ukulomba pa ncende bekalila kano nibofye beka.

Beggars do not like each other

Selfishness draws people away from loving each other, thinking that there will be not enough for all of them.
Lazy people who only want to live an easy life, would not like other lazy ones in their village since that might expose them.

Proverb 240

Mwimbona mamba mu numa nine nafyele imbeka

Wikwata ubupingushi pafyo ubwene kunse.
Nangu ningaboneka uwafiko, lelo ifyo nabomba teti musumine ati nine nafibombele.
Kwaliba bana abanansungu abaweme sana icakwebati awabona banyinabo, tekuti usuminepo ati ebabafyele. Kanshi twilasula ifyo abantu bamoneka. Nibani beshiba ati uyu namayo akafyala kateka wa calo? Takwabapo.

Don’t look at the dirt on my back, it is me who has produced the beautiful one

Don’t base your judgement on outward appearances.
I look dirty, so you can’t believe that I was the one who did this.
There are beautiful girls and when you happen to see their mothers, you might be amazed. So let us not make conclusions based on the way people look. Who can know which woman is or will be the mother of a president governing a country? There is no one.

Proverb 241

Umukulu nga awa tafya kabepesho

Ulo twapanga icilubo, tususha abaibelele ukuba ne cilubo. Fimbi fintu fipona bwaka nomba cilatukosela ngafya citika kuli ifwe.
Twalinga ukubomfya amano ambi nokusumina ati tungafilwa. Tepakuletela lyashi limbi ukufilwa kumfwisha ifikomo.

When adults fall down/fail, they will look for excuses

Whenever we make a mistake, we try to blame someone or something else. Certain things just happen but we find it challenging when they happen to us.
We need to change our mindset and accept that sometimes we’ll fail. Don’t make up stories or ignore the facts.

Proverb 242

Akanama wingishe ku bwimba, takakatashapo kwimba

Icicetekelo ne subilo filangusha imilimo.
Tatusakamana ukuti apa ndeimba akanama palikosa pantu tuleshiba ukuti ako tukoimba kali panshi apa, kanshi epa kukosa sana mpaka tukembe. Nci cilatupela ukukosa muku kutaibwelamo.
Ulo twimba imbeba, shilafuma nokubutukila mu kwaingila ku memba ambi. Pantu wasakushibona ku menso obe, epa kukwata icicetekelo nokutaibwelamo?

The little animal that entered its hole while you were chasing it, will not be difficult to dig out

It’s easier to work when you have hope and expectations.
We do not mind even if the ground is very hard to dig. We continue to do that because we know the little animal is there underground. This gives us determination and prevents us to despair.
When you go out to dig mice, they will come out running fast and enter other holes. Just because you saw them with your own eyes, you will have more determination and despair less easily.

A similar proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 27):
Akanama wingishe takakatasha ukwimba ∵ The little animal that you have sent in (to its burrow) is not difficult to dig.
Hope and expectancy make all the difference to work. One does not mind how hard the ground is round the burrow, if one knows that the quarry is within.

Proverb 243

Ulushaba lumo lwaimishe mfumu pa cipuna

Akantu nelyo kacepe shani, imbi inshita kalakwata umucinshi wakuka konkela. Indupwa shilakwata inshita yakulilamo icakulya.
Nomba palaba limbi ilyo mukolya, pakulya penka mwaponyapo cimo ico muli nokubomfya, tamwaikale fye, mwalaima mukubula cilya cintu pakuti mukonkanyepo ukulya.
Ngefyo nji nsoselo ikolabila, imfumu yalikulya kapansha nomba lumo ulubalala kalupona, elyo imfumu yaimine mukutola ndulya lubalala.

One peanut forced the chief to leave his throne

How small a thing may be, at one time you will be forced to go and do something with it. Small cases can have big consequences.
There are times when you are eating and something drops on the ground. You will not let it, you will stand to pick it so that you continue eating.
The chief was eating some peanuts. One dropped and the chief had to leave his throne just to pick it up.

Proverb 244

Ameno mafupa

Mu bwikashi bwesu, telyonse ungatetekela ukweba ati abanandi balintemwa ku fintu ubona.
Ulo pakati kenu nabanobe kwalubana, nabakupata nabo bakulaisa pa nanda yobe nokulanga ukuseka sana. Nawe pakubona ameno abo ulo bakoseka, ukeba ati balintemwa libe balikupata. Ifili mukati kabo fimbi.

Teeth are just bones

Even though a person may laugh at you, you can not know what’s inside him/her.
When there are differences with your friends, even those who hate you will be visiting your home and enjoy laughing with you. When you see their teeth as they laugh, never conclude that there is mutual friendship when there is hatred. You never know what’s inside of them.

Proverb 245

Nafwe nsonso, lelo balokwisa abalwendo

Uku neng’ena kwa ncende imo iya mubili kulangapo fimo.
Kulaba inshita imo ilyo icipeni cisunkana libililibili kwati kututuma, nangu mu minwe nangu mukati ka lukasa mwaneng’ena ninshi mwishibe ati twalapokelapo fimo nangu kwalacitikapo cimo.

I have this tingling in the sole of my foot, visitors are coming today

The tingling of any part of the body indicates something to happen.
There are times when for instance the eyelids behave differently by shaking automatically. The tingling means something will happen at your place or somewhere else. This may be the coming of visitors or another event taking place.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 822), with different explanation:
Nafwa insonso, lelo balukwisa abensu ∵ I am dead with tingling (in the sole of the foot), visitors are coming today.
Tingling in the foot is believed to be a sign of coming visitors.

Proverb 246

Pacaabu, betapo uwo wishi

Ukubombela muli cilupwa nangu ifibusa pakubala.
Akashita nenshita, ifingi tufwaya ukubombela indupwa ne fibusa. Calyanguka ukupele cilangililo ca muntu waishiba ngokososa kwi bumba, ukucila umuntu umbi utakwishiba.
Nowabusha abantu pa caabu (apo abantu babukila inika) mwakusanga’ti aitapo abo eshibile ngale ukubabusha ilyo atangatampa ukwabusha bambi.

At the ferrying point they start first with friends and relatives

Consideration of family and close friends before others is normal.
Priority is given to close friends and relatives before others. This is mostly seen at a ferrying point in the river. The ferryman will start with relatives/friends before others are given the service of being ferried.
It is easier to give a close friend’s name as an example when addressing a public meeting, rather than that of the unknown people.

Proverb 247

Bangoshe tabalala culu cimo / lupako lumo

Taufwayapo kwakana nabambi. Napo niwe ngoshe nomba?
Insoka ishikali tashilala mu culu cimo nangu ulupako lumo pantu shonse shila yumfwa ukuwata amaka no bukali.
Naku bantu bene, ba fundi tabafwaya ukwendela pamo pantu kwalibako fimo fimo ifyo batangafwaya umunabo ukwishiba. Fyonse ifi ni bukaitemwe, tabafwaya ukupelako amano abo kunabo, kano beka ebaishibikwa.

Two black mambas will never share one anthill / one hole in a tree

You do not want to share with others. Are you a black mamba then?
Two big poisonous snakes will not share one anthill/one hole in a tree. They need their own territory in which they can show their strength.
This also applies to human beings. Hunters do not want to go out hunting in big numbers because they do not want others to know their methods of hunting. They do not want to share ideas.

Proverb 248

Ni lambwe mu nongo, mu mpanga mulume munobe

Ulo utushita twapusana, nafimbi mo filakwata ukwalulwa muku wamya.
Inama mpanga lintu tailafwa, kulaba ukuitina sana pantu ciswango lelo ilyo yaipaiwa nokwipikwa mu nongo, tapaba icaku itina pantu nomba munani.
Umuntu uwatemwa ukucusha abanankwe mu misango iyalekana lekana pantu alikwatisha amaka, inshita ikesa ilyo ayo maka akapwa icakuti nomwaice akakume.

Stew in the pot, a fierce animal in the wild

When the circumstances change, things can change for the better.
In the wild we have so many animals which we can eat but they are fierce. One needs to be bold/brave to hunt it. But once killed the fierce one becomes relish.
A person who likes to trouble others for no apparent reasons, a bully, at one time will change when he has no power, for instance because of being injured or growing old.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 616), with different explanation:
‘Lambwe’ mu nongo, mu kabanda mulume mubyo ∵ ‘Buffalo’ when in the pot, but on the veld he is your rival.
Words of respect for the fierceness of the buffalo. One may call buffalo meat ‘lambwe’, but to meet a live buffalo on the veld is like meeting the real husband of the woman you have taken to wife, your rival and deadly enemy.

Proverb 249

Abenda ebaleta makasa a nkalamo

Abenda na makasa ebo bakapela mulandu kumulandu wakuba ne fitala uku tomfwapo.
Ngatawenda nangu ukutandala, ilingi line teti twishibe ifikocitika muncende shimbi. Pantu mukwendauka emo twisa mukubela mu malyashi ashilingile we muntu ngatawaba bwino mu misango.
We muntu abantu ngabalikwishiba ku misango iibi, ifikacitika kumbi nimwe bakatunganya, tabakalole kumbi iyo. Kanshi twiluke ukuti twalinga ukuba abantu abenenene.

Travellers bring the footprints of the lion

Travellers will be blamed more easily, especially when they are rude or vague.
If you don’t go out visiting other people, you will not know what goes on around you. But if you travel very much, in the end this traveling might make you the suspect for any wrongdoing.
If you are known to be a bad person, whatever happens somewhere else, it is you they will suspect, they will not suspect others. So, we should be really well-mannered people.

Proverb 250²Photo 163.

Abo ndoka ndabebelapo limo

Fyonse fitupela ukwiluka pa fikoisa ku ntanshi.
Pa kubomfya mfi ifilangililo, tulekala abaiteyanya.
Mfi filandwa ne Mfula yangula naba Lesa kupitila muli bambi. Ngawapanga icilubo pa kupapa imfula, kutampa kubomfya ifilangililo fyakweba ati imfula ikoisa ngo kucinkulwako.

I rain upon those whom I have warned already

Everything gives us a glimpse of what’s to come.
By using these signs, we’re better prepared.
This proverbial line is said by the rain or by Lesa. Once you have made the mistake of being surprised by the rain, you start using the signs of rain coming as a warning.

A comparable proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 156), with different explanation:
Abo ndoka ndababula ∵ Those I rain upon I tell.
The thunder is God’s warning of coming rain.

Proverb 251

Icupo nimpwa, nangu shalula twalikulyako

Mu cintu conse tukofwaya ukucita, mwaliba amafya ayo twingasangamo.
Mu cupo mwaliba amafya abaupana basangamo, telyonse muba insansa iyoo. Kanshi tulingile ukushipa sana pakuya cimfya.

Marriage is like an eggplant, though bitter we shall continue eating

With anything we get involved in, we will encounter difficulties to overcome.
It is not always that married couples are happy, there are problems encountered there. We must stay strong to overcome them.

Proverb 252

Uluse lwalile nkwale

Ukukwata uluse ku bantu abashitontonkanya bwino kulaletelela.
Kulaba limbi wakongwesha umunobe ka ngwee pantu ali mubwafya ubukulu. Nomba inshita mwapangene ukuti abweshe yapita. Nomba we mwine ukuti uyeko mukwipusha, kusanga ifyo akoasuka tafilolelemo, nokwebati: kwati pali kandalama kabo! Nkakupa nganakabona.

Mercy may bring hatred

Being merciful to people may turn against you in the end.
Imagine a friend borrows money from you because she is in difficult times. And when time comes to repay, she begins to make a fool of you, by saying: “Are you coming for that little money? I shall pay back when I have it.” You may lose your friend … and your money.

Proverb 253

Amano afuma mwifwesa aya muculu

Tekwebapo ati bakulu beka bakwata amano akufunda. Angafuma kuli bonse.
Nomwaice kuti abafunda pantu amano mambulwa pambi efyo umwaice aumfwile ifyo mwe mwebakulu muteshipo.
Umwaice ilyo ali ku sukulu, kulaba ifintu fimo ifyo abakulu bataishibapo ena aya fisambilila nowise fundako abakulu.

Knowledge comes from the small plain anthill and goes to the big anthill

It is not true that elders have all the knowledge. It can come from everybody.
A young child may also teach the elders from what he/she was taught by others. Maybe the child heard something the elders didn’t know.
When at school, a child learns all kinds of knowledge which it can pass on to the elders.

Proverb 254

Insoka kusuma bwimba kupela

Kusumwa ku nsoka ninshi ubwimba bwapela. Ukucita icintu ngatapali fimbi ifyakucita.
Pamo nge nsoka lintu yabutukila ku bwimba, ifwaya ukupusuka! Nomba ngawakonkanyapo ukwimba naena amano alapwa ngo bwimba bwapela.
We muntu ngawa pelelwa amano, taukwete cimbi icakucita kulaba nomba kucita ico tawacilafwaya kucita mukupusuka.

A snake will only bite when it comes to the end of its lair

When people feel that there is no alternative, they need to act instantly without much further consideration.
When a snake flees into its ground hole, the whole idea is to be saved from the intruder. But when the intruder persists, it will turn round to defend itself by biting.
Whenever someone is in trouble and there’s no other way out, they’ll do what they feel will save them.

Proverb 255

Mwana pabo tabifya masha

Abantu bafwaya ukulolesha sana kuli mbo bataishiba (bwino).
Ukutali kwenu teti usubile ukutashiwa nangu ucite ciweme shani.
Mwe ngomba sha fila ngamwaile kukumanina kumbi, balya abapali incende bakatasha fye ingomba shabo epela. ¢The same theme is found in the following song: Umweni tawamiya – Nga nikwesu nga nawamiya / nashana / nacinda

Your own people do not spoil the dancing

People tend to be more critical towards the ones they do not know (well).
Do not expect to be praised when you visit other places, even if you do the right things.
When dancers from different areas meet at a given place, those from that same area will be praised in comparison to the visiting dancers.
The same theme is found in the following song: A stranger can never do good – When he’s at home it is good / it is dancing / it is dancing.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 789):
Mwana pabo tabifya masha ∵ The person at home does not spoil the dances.
When gathered from far and near to one village to dance, people will criticise the dancing of visitors, but never that of one from the host’s village. This proverb is quoted, when the evil deeds of a favoured one are passed for good.

Proverb 256

Akanwa ka milandu keene kaitubulula

Ngoli no mulandu uulingile ukutekanya, ukuteka mutima pantu kuti wailetelela mufyo ukososa, nabantu baishiba ati niwe wacitile. Ukukana teka umutima kuti wailetelela.
Icintu icabipa nga nacicitika pancende imo, we wacitile ngawatemwa utwakulabila labila, abantu bakeshiba’ti ewa citile, pantu tasungilepo akanwa kakwe.

The guilt of the mouth will be known from what comes out of it

Things may get worse when you are talkative on issues related to what you are accused of. Never become too loose in such issues.
When something bad has happened in a locality, never be in the forefront taking a leading role in discussing over it. People will suspect you to be involved because you have not kept your mouth.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 37), with different translation and explanation:
Akamwa ka mulandu kene kalituba /kalibala ∵ The mouth that accuses makes itself known / starts quarrelling with itself.
When a man goes to another village to make an accusation or lodge a claim for compensation: after sitting and talking for a respectable time. He himself makes known his errand, beginning with the above phrase: otherwise the people might think that he had just come to gossip.

Proverb 257

Ishuko lya munobe tabalilalila panse

Enco bebela ati cila muntu alapelwa ishuko, tekwebati bonse nomba mwalikuli nama shuko.
Kwaliba inshita imo iyo tunukulamo ubowa. Ubowa buntu bwayafya ukunukula nga cakuti tamulipo neshuko bulya bushiku. Kuti mwaenda imilundu iingi ukwabula ukunukulapo. Boneni, abanenu ukwisa kupita umo mwasa mukwenda, bo baisa kunukula, pantu mwe mwasa mukupishapo bwaka amenso.

Your friend’s luck is not yours as well

All people have some luck … but not all at the same time.
There is a time when we pluck mushroom. And you will see that it is difficult to do this when that day is not yours. See what happens! In the same area where you are going through, others have got these mushrooms. Now they are all gone!

A similar proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 475) with a different explanation:
Ishuko lya mubyo talilalilwa posonde ∵ The good luck of your mate is not laid outside.
Everyone does not have good luck. Because your mate sleeps comfortably outside, do not think that you can do the same a lion might snatch you up, and you may not have his good luck.

Proverb 258

Icilonda cilonde nshiku

Mukupusana kwamilandile nomunobe ngakwali ukubi, kulasungwa mu mutima na munshiku shakuntanshi ishikoisa.
Umunobe nga akulufyanya caliba icishupile ukulabukilako, kanshi ciba ukwenda naco mpaka yangula akese kupapata.

A wound will haunt you for days

When you differ with a friend in words, the anger is kept also in the days to come.
When a friend wrongs you, it is difficult to forget about it until he/she comes to apologise.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 294), with different translation:
Icilonda cilalonde nshiku ∵ A wound follows the days.
A wound takes time to heal: it keeps pace with the days.

Proverb 259

Umwana wa munobe, mukulu munobe

Tekuti wishibe ifyo umwana wamunobe akesa kuba nga akula kuntanshi.
Mubwikashi bwesu, twaliba nefibusa ifyaba nabana.
Aba bana besa mukukula, limbi filya fine basela apo pancende nokuya ikala kumbi. Ulo papita imya iyingi, balya bana pambi balyupa nokufyala abana. Pali mbalya bana paisa kufuma umo nokupila mu nanda yobe. Ninshi ulya mwana wa munobe asanguka umukulu munobe, mwebafyashi babili mwalenga abana babo ukupana.

Your friend’s child may become very close to you

Even when you know a person or a case well, it is still difficult to predict what will happen in the future.
For instance, you are not able to know what your friend’s children will become in future.
In the way we live, we have friends who have children. Some of these children when growing up may have shifted to other places. Many years later, those same children might have married and have children who could come marry in your family! That friend’s child will become very close to you because of that marriage.

Proverb 260

Icikwanka bacibwena kumampalanya

Ku fintu ifyo umuntu acita mu bwikashi bwakwe emo bamumwena ifyo aba.
We muntu nga uli kape kape kuti abantu baishiba ati uyu muntu waluse, pantu taifinya iyoo.

The help you get is based on what they saw you do

People will judge a person based on what they have witnessed him do in his life.
If you are fond of giving gifts, people will know you as that type of person, even if this is a simplification of your personality.

Proverb 261

Icikupempula ecikulya

Ukucenjela nefibusa ifitupempula.
Abantu balipusana mumano. Bambi bafwaya ukonaula ifyupo nangu bucibusa pakati kenu. Umunobe kuti akokutandalila libili libili ukwabula iwe ukuti wishibe amano akwe. Bambi batampa nokufwaya umukashi wamunabo, mukasanga ifyupo fyaonaika. Limbi mukutandala kwabo bali namano akwiba icipe cimo icabasekesha pananda yobe.

Who visits you regularly, may break your marriage

Be careful with people who visit you regularly.
People have different motives. There are those who want to disturb marriages or friendships. You may receive regular visitors without knowing their intentions. One of them may propose to your wife which may lead to a disbanded marriage. Others may plan to steal something good from your house during their visit.

Proverb 262

Mwenka muli buno buno nemfwi nefishamena

Fyonse fintu fyalikwata munshila fipita. Kwaba mu fitentekwa ifya kukonka.
Cilangililo cakuti ngokofwaya ifibusa fimbi fingilemo muku kwafwa kupwisha bwafya. Muku pwishisha bonse bwafya, kano twaumfwa na malangulushi abo.

As the days pass one by one, grey hair also grows

All things have a trajectory. There are certain steps you have to take.
For example, we may need to involve outside friends in problem solving. This is a step on our way to a lasting solution: we need their views.

¢The same proverb was recorded for the Lala region at the beginning of the last century, see Anonymous (1937abc, proverb 37): ∵
AZ

Proverb 263

Ukucenjela kwa nkoko, pungwa tasakamana

Icintu nga ukocifwaisha, nangu bambi bafwaye ukufisa, iwe kano ukacikwate pantu inshita tailafika iya kucikwata.
Inkoko ilyo yakwata utwana utunono, kwaliba icuni pungwa icifwaya ukusenda utwana no kulya. Inkoko ileeshako ukufukatila bwino utwana. Nomba kulaba inshita ilyo yalabako, elintu pungwa apona nokwisa ikatapo kano nangu tubili ngana twikala apepi sana. Kanshi pungwa alindila fye inshita yonse.

No matter how clever the hen, the scavenger-eagle is never worried

Even if others or circumstances prevent you from getting something you want, when the time is right, you’ll get it.
When mother hen has little ones, there is a bird that always want to get one of the chicks as food. The mother hen tries all means to keep the number intact, but there is a time when it forgets that the bird is there, and she loses one or two. The bird always waits to pounce.

Proverb 264

Ubwalwa ninsokolola twebo

Ukulabila pamuntu ukolelwe, alalabila ifingi ifyo atanga labila ngata nwenepo, ukushipa kubafye akashita akanono.
Shimbi inshita, ifyo mulabila kati mukolelwe fingamubika mu bwafya pantu limbi kuti fyacena abo abakumineko mu lyashi mukolabila.

Beer is the revealer of cases

Said of people who under the influence of beer, reveal more than they would normally dare to do, being brave for only a short time.
What you reveal when you’re drunk, could lead to problems because you may provoke people who are worried about the case.

Proverb 265

Ako usulile, ekopa noko

Twilakwata ukusula pantu tatwishiba ifyakuntanshi.
Tacalingapo ukusula ilyo icintu tacilapwa, pantu ifyo tumona ku menso limbi filatubepa. Nelingi umo twaikala kuti wasanga ukuti ilyo banoko balifwilwa, teti wishibe abangabopa, namailo waisa mukubeta ukuti eba wiso, abo wasulile.

The one whom you underrate, may marry your mother

We shouldn’t ignore or underrate others, since we don’t know what comes ahead.
Judging merely based on your own criteria may lead you to be the loser. In our way of traditional living a father may die, and the mother then may marry again at a later time. So, your stepfather might be one of those men you always see.

Proverb 266

Tabasuula kalonde kakale

Ifya kale angula abakulu tababa ifinangwana no kusulwa.
Ukubomfya nangu ukusala ico waishibapo kale ukucila icabwangu.
Mukusala ifibombelo ifyo bakuletela, walinga ukusala ico wabomfyapo kale pantu walicishiba nefyo cibomba, pantu limbi ngawasenda icabwangu ngatacaishibila ilya ncito, tapali ico ukacita. Nangu naukwatapo umulimo uko kabilwa ukubombekwa pabantu abalofwaya ukubomba, walinga wasendapo umo nangu abo ababombapo kale pantu uyu mulimo baliwishiba kale.

Do not shun to use an old hoe

Old things or older people are not worthless.
Pick from the two or more items the one you are used to/or the one you had used previously.
Among equipment in front of you it is better to pick those you once used because you already know how they operate. Because if you pick a new one not accustomed to that work, you will fail.
Or if you have some work to be done, it is better to pick among the job seekers those who have the know-how about that work.

A comparable proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 1093), with different explanation: ∵
Tabapufya kalonde, ngo kabona ilya mulilo ∵ Don’t despise a little hoe, even though you should see one of fire (i. e. a large strong one).
(1) Half a loaf is better than no bread.  (2) A little hoe that has done good work should not be despised, even if one gets a better.

Proverb 267

Akanwa kamo takomfwa bwalwa

Mu bwingi emuli amano. Umo teti asuminishe ukuti fili bwino.
Ifyakulya nefyakunwa fimo fimo fyalinga abengi basoonda pakuti mukwate icishinka ukuti nafiwama pamo ngo bwalwa. Ukuwama kwa bwalwa bwingalenga abantu ukusansamuka kano utunwa utwingi twasoonda.

One mouth doesn’t taste the beer

Wisdom is the product of many. The opinion of more people is needed to declare how good or bad something is.
Certain foods and drinks need more than one person to have foretastes before concluding that the stuff is fit –enough alcoholic contents as for drinks and palatable for foods– or bad.
It’s to make sure what visitors want is worth their money. Good beer will make them happy and enjoyable.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 36):
Akanwa kamo takomfwa bwalwa ∵ One mouth doesn’t taste the beer.
It must be passed round for all to pronounce the verdict as to whether it is ready to drink. In multitude of counsellors there is wisdom. Lenje: Akanwa komwi takanyamfwa shibotu. One mouth does not taste nice things.

Proverb 268

Kalubula ukuswa nipa lulembo

Conse icintu caliba ne ntulo. Icishininkisho ci kankala sana.
Nangu uko cafuma kwati ngefyo amwabona kalubula ninshi mwishibe ati nipa kalonda nangu pa lulembo afuma.
Nelyashi licitika mu mishi, nganiwe bakolumbula ati ewa sendele ninshi balikubwene, tekuti bakulumbule bwaka iyoo.

Blood oozing is from an inoculation

Everything has a source where it comes from. Evidence is important.
Now when you would see blood flowing on a person’s arm, it is coming from the inoculation that has just been set.
This also goes to news in villages. When people accuse you of having stolen things, it means you were seen stealing. They couldn’t mention you for nothing.
If there is an indication for something, it is not unlikely that it is true but to be sure it is better to first see the evidence.

Proverb 269

Uteka atekela bonse

Ukwakana caliba bwino. Ukusunga ifyakwakanya ciweme.
Ngawasunga ifintu, twebe ati icakulya, kwishibila limo ati nabambi bakafwaya ukubapako. Neci ngalenga ukuti besungapo icili conse nico tabaikwitepo.
Mubulimi bwa fyakulya, abali nefingi balakanyako nambo abakwete utunono. Tulokwibukile ati twalinga twayafwako nabambi. Ici cikumine naku masambililo, uulingile ukwafwa bambi abatakwete bwafwilisho bwakuya pa ntanshi mu masambililo.

Your keeping is the keeping for all

Sharing is normal. Keeping for sharing is good.
When you keep something, for instance food, just know that also others will want to take part. The simple reason for them to have not kept something is that they did not get satisfied, while you got satisfied.
In farming food, those with abundant food share with those who have too little. We keep in mind that we must support others. This also is connected to educational standards; you will try to help others who have no support for further education.

Proverb 270

Akasha kalala apali mutima

Ukucita icintu ico ukofwaya nomo ukofwaila.
Umuntu alikwata kampingu wakucita ico akofwaya, ngafilya tubona utuni ukwikala pa misambo apo tukofwaya utwine.
No muntu nao engila incito iili ku mano ukwabula ukumupatikisha iyoo.

The little duiker sleeps where its heart is

Do what you feel is good according to yourself.
A person has his/her own feelings about what to do, just like birds sitting on tree branches of their choice after a flight.
A person also decides on what profession to take without forcing him/her.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 63), with different explanation:
Akasha kalalala apali umutima ∵ The little duiker sleeps where his heart is.
A man marries the woman his heart is set on.

Proverb 271

Akalyo kamo takatoba citenge, icitobe citenge kanwa

Akalyo akanini kaba lukoso, ukulaka kulonawula.
Icitenge ni nsaka umo abantu bakumana pakulya inshima, nomba kati umo acelwa kufika nokusanga akashima akanini, tasakamanapo iyoo. Nomba ngacakuti palya paba ukulaka, ecingalenga ukutoba icitenge.

Little food does not break a company, what breaks the company is the mouth

The amount of food doesn’t matter but what comes out of the mouth matters.
The communal eating place is meant for all to have their meals there. And when one comes in late and finds a little share of food, he will not mind: the company will remain intact. But where there is quarrelling or backbiting the company will break.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 21):
Akalyo kamo ta ka toba citenge, icitobe citenge kanwa ∵ One little morsel of food does not break a company, what breaks a company is the mouth.
The citenge is a gathering of persons who always eat together. If one of the number is late, and finds but little of the food left, he would not break with his companions: what would break up the gathering is quarrelling.

Proverb 272

Uwapupa nyina wapulila bonse abafwa

Ukwakana kwali cindama.
Ulo abantu bafwa baya babikwa pa ncende imo mukutusha. Kati waya muku pupila ku manda, amapepo enu onse alakwana kuli bonse abalele mpalya. Enshila yakwa kaninamo. Mu nshila imo ine ngo uwasunga icakulya ca mucungulo, asungila bonse mu kacelo pantu nabo bakafwaya ukulya nabo. Ekwebati: ngo uwasunga cakulya, asungila bonse.

Who spiritually prays for the dead mother also prays for the rest of the dead

Sharing is important.
When people die, they are all put to rest in one place, the graveyard. So, when you do your ritual at that place, the prayers will be delivered to all those lying there. It is a form of sharing. In the same way, a person who reserves food in the evening does so for everyone in the morning, as many will ask for a share: the one who reserves food, reserves it for all.

Proverb 273

Nibana kali mwitobo

Abatotela lwenka ndulya wabapa ubupe.
Ilingi line ngawapela umunobe icabupe, balatotela sana ukushimika nakuli bambi ati ulya muntu muweme, nangula icakulya inshita bakolya ukutotela sana. Nomba ngacapwa balalabukilako.

Those who thank you are still busy eating what you offered them

Those who thank you will soon forget about it.
In most cases, when you offer someone a gift, you will be praised, and he will tell others that you are a good person. And also, when they eat your food, they will praise you. After that, they forget about it.

Proverb 274

Iminwe taikata tufi

Mwilokulolesha ku milimo iya fiko.
Ilyashi lyonse liweme lyaimekwe ku minwe. Iminwe efibombelo fyakuku twala pantanshi. Ukunina nokufika pa mulu wa lupili kutampila panshita. Tekwesha ukuituntumba muku kana kubomfya maboko pantu paku lekekesha mukaipakisha pa milimo mwabombele. Kufuma mukubomba milimo yafiko emu keshila imbale nefyakulya fiweme.

Hands do not touch faeces

Don’t look down on dirty work.
Every success story builds on hands. Hands are tools for advancement. To reach the top of a hill one has to start from the bottom. Don’t be too boastful not to use your hands because at the end of the road, you will be enjoying the fruits of your labour. From dirty work comes a silver plate full of food.

Proverb 275

Munshipaya alatola

Ishuko lishila munshila ishipusenepusene!
Telyonse ati abaya mukulunga ebepaya inama, iyo. Limbi kuti waima ati kanyendepo mpa pa mpanga mukunukula ubowa, ku ceshuko kusanga bwaka inama ili fwile iyo bambi abantu balashile. Nabendauka cabe mu mpanga kuti batola inama iyo inkalamo yashileko.

Non-hunters can come back with meat

With a little luck people can do things you would not expect from them.
It’s not just hunters who come back with “the red thing”. One may think of going into the wild to pick mushrooms but end up picking game meat because an animal died at the place where you seek the mushrooms. And those who go into the wild looking for masuku fruits can be lucky to find a left-over piece of meat left by a lion.

Proverb 276

Abang’o tabatulanapo

Takwabapo ukulabila pa fintu umunobe acita kati nawe efyo ucita.
Incito itafwaikwa ku bantu abenji ilingi line icitwa ubushiku pamo ngo kwibila abantu nangu ukwipaya. Abacita ifi tabafwaya ukutula abanenu.

Thieves do not expose each other

There is no reason to say what others do wrong, when you yourself do the same type of things.
Activities that need not to be known by others usually are done during dark hours especially stealing and committing murder. And those who do these acts do not reveal each others’ bad activities.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 153), with different explanation:
Abang’o ta ba tulana ∵ Thieves do not tell on one another.
They know too much of one another’s secrets to risk letting any out. Honour among thieves.

Proverb 277

Umukulu mupundu, ulatwalila mwi luba

Abantu abengi balikwata ubupe na mano afisama mukubweneka abaicefya, mubupina yangula ubukote.
Amafya esa pali ifwe, caisa sangwa aba bantu ebesa mukwafwa pali nga mafya. Lelo nangu bwafya bungeshila mu nshila ishupile, umukulu angesapo nenshila yakubomfya ubungo nangu amano abakulu bambi pakupwisa mbulya bwafya.
Insoselo imo yeka kuti yabomfiwa mu nshila abaice batanga fwaya kwakana naba byabo Kano ukubafwa bo ngacali bawamine.

An elder is like the mupundu tree which bears fruits under its flowers

Many people have talents and knowledge hidden underneath their simple, poor or old appearances.
Problems come to us, and then these people turn out to be the ones to help solve them. However problematic a situation may be, an elderly person could come up with a solution using his brains or the knowledge of other elders.
The proverb can also be used in a situation in which young people do not want to share anything but do want to be helped if necessary.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 720), with different explanation:
Mukulu mupundu u lekatila mwiluba ∵ An elder is a Pundu tree that bears fruit in the flower.
Though one sees only flowers on the tree, the fruit is there hidden; it will come to view in time. Said to anyone who says he hasn’t an article, when asked for it.

Proverb 278

Mukutu ali enka, taikutula

Ngoli weka tapali ifyo wingafunguluka mu mano.
Ifingi ifyo tutwala pa nsaka abanensu balafiwamya. Nga walyupa elo munanda mueshupana naba kashi, ili lyashi ngawalitwala pansaka banobe kuti bamona umo bengakwafwilisha pakuti mwaikala bwino.

Self-reliance will not solve all problems

When you decide to do everything on your own, there is no way you will advance in wisdom.
Whatever affair we take to our family or friends, they help us solve it. If you are married and have marital problems, once this issue is taken to them, they will try to help solve so that you restore your love.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 721):
Mukutu ali enka talikutulula ∵ Wisdom by itself does not unfold itself.
A chief, who dispenses with his wise advisers, and depends only on young men, will find that he alone has not wisdom to meet an emergency when it comes.

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