Proverbs in Zambia ∴ simple proverbs from Chibale 2

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

Proverb 34

Akabangile takanwene nkundwa

Ukubangila kuti wasanga ifiweme.
Kwalibako inshita shimo shimo ilyo amenshi yamu nika akama. Kanshi mu ncende musangwa amenshi kuba ukukumaninapo ne nama. Eico abantunse balabangila lintu takalatula sana ukuya tapapo amenshi ilyo ubwinanama tabulayapo.
Namu kusambala, ababalilapo eba pinta ifiweme, mwebalekelesha mwapintapo ifitaweme.

The early one never drank dirty water

Being the first you get the best.
At times in certain areas water becomes very scarce in the rivers. So, wherever there’s water, even animals come to drink. People then will go there before the animal kingdom goes there.
Also in business, those who first visit the shops often get the best.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 66):
Akabangile ta ka nwa nkundwa ∵ The little one that goes ahead won’t drink muddy water.
First come first served. They who are late come to drink when the mud is stirred up. In the Lenje region: Uwa katanguna tonwa matipa: he who goes first does not drink mud.

Proverb 35

Akanwa ka mwefu takabepa

Ukukokola pano calo kulenga umuntu ukubona ifintu ifingi ifyapusana pusana, ifibi ne fiweme.
Ulo umuntu akokula, kumubili wakwe kulamena imyefu iyiisa apapita imyaka iyingi. Kanshi mukukula kwakwe, alabona ifintu ifipusene pusene, kanshi ici ciba masambililo nokwishiba ifyo ifi fintu fileta kutanshi! Nolo akasosa ku bana kukula, aleshiba icikatumbukamo pakuti baishibila limo. Umwana kuti bakomukanya ukulungana naba lalume nangu abanansungu pantu icifuma muu lifumo.

A mouth with a moustache will never tell lies

Older people often are wiser. Having lived many years has made them experience so many different things, bad and good.
When a person continues to grow, some hair starts growing after a long period. During his period of life, he sees a lot of events and they are lessons to him knowing what would be seen ahead. And when he narrates to the children, he already knows what came out of this. A child may be advised not to be too loose with sex because pregnancy comes second.

Proverb 36

Ulubilo lwa mwipi kubangila

Ngatawakwatisha amaka akwenda, calinga wabangilako ukucila ukutampila pamo nabanobe. Ukucita ico caishibikwa icalinga tacinga citwa ku muntu onse.
Ukwenda kwalipusana pa bantu abepi naba tali. We mwipi walinga ukubangilako ulwendo pantu ungesa kushalila inuma.

The speed of the short person makes him start off earlier

You must do it with the faculties that you have, not with those that people in general have.
To do what is generally regarded to be favourable might not apply to every person.
Walking is quite different according to people’s heights. When you are short, it is better to start earlier because you have short strides.

Proverb 37

Umwana kasembe, kakukoma wabwela wakobeka

Fimbi ifintu fyalikatana sana, tekuti mufilekanyepo iyoo.
Akasembe no mwana fintu fyalingana mumibomfeshe. Boneni, umwana limbi alakwata ukukalifya mwe bafyashi icakuti mwe bafyashi mwafilwa ifyakucita. Apo mwana wenu ngali nemilandu, nimwe mulingile ukumwafwa nangu acaba shani.
Ecimo na kasembe ilyo wile mukutema, kanga kukoma ku lukasa, tawaebepo ati nkokaposa akasembe! Kubula bwaka kokobeka watampa nokuya ku mushi.

A child is like an axe: it may cut you, but you keep on carrying it

Some things are too important: you can not leave them out.
An axe and a child are the same in certain ways. You can see, your own child may at times wrong you and you wouldn’t know what to do. And when your child is in trouble, you are the one who should be responsible to bail him/her out.
It is the same way when you go out to cut trees, the same axe may cut you and you will not think of throwing or abandoning it, no! You will pick and hang on your shoulder as you go home.

Proverb 38

Umulandu taubolapo

Imisango iibi tailabwapo, nangu apapita imyaka iyinji, bonse bakebukisha. Kanshi calinga mwaupwisha bwangu no kusulako.
Fwe bantu tuli bena kuluba umo twaikala. Ulo twapusana naba byesu twalinga twaikala panshi nokupitulukamo mu mulandu pakuti tusange inshila yakuwamyamo. Nomba nga wafyuka ukuya kumbi, umulandu wacitile ulashala uko kupembela. Elo nobushiku ukabwela cikesa kuboneka kubati pambi elo waucita.

A case does not waste away

Acts done in bad faith will never be forgotten, though many years may pass, everybody will be remembering. So, it is better to sit and discuss over it and clear it out.
As human beings, we are subjected to making mistakes. And when we differ with friends, we are supposed to sit down and go over the difference and see the way forward to clear it out. But if you decide to sneak out that area, the case will remain still fresh waiting for you. And the day when you will come back, it will be as though you have just committed it!

Proverb 39

Ubufi bulaya no kubwela

Ubufi bwali shupa ukufisa.
Nangu mungatontonkanyati mukaba neshuko lyakupusukilamo, ico mutenekele cikesa kumubika apaswetele kwebati nimwe mwabepele.
Ukusabankanya bufi kukesa kumwalukila ulo iciine cikesa palwalwa; nabonse mbo abamupele umucinshi, bakaleka ukumucetekela.

Lies say goodbye and then come back

Lies are difficult to conceal.
Although you may think you have a lucky escape, something unexpected will eventually expose you as a fraud.
Spreading lies may backfire when truth comes to light: all those who respected you will no longer trust you.

A comparable proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 1461):
Ubufi bulabwela ∵ Lies return.
Honesty is the best policy.

Proverb 40

Icikalilwa pa nsaka ni nshima

Fintu fyaba umo fyabela.
Insaka nincende imo umo abantu abalalume bekala nokutusha yangula ukulabilapo utwa malyashi utwa mu mushi bekala. Nakambi encende aba mu mushi abalalume naba baice balila icakulya. Abanakashi batwala inshima ku nsaka ekwakulila. Nomba ulo ico bakonkele capwa kufumamo.
Takwabapo uko abekala calo bangabomba umulimo utakwetepo ubuyo ngabakofwaya ubuyantanshi. Ukubako, benji bakakomailapo pali nji nsoselo yangula pa fintu umo fyabela. Enco pakucita icili conse kano mwabonapo ifyo cakumubombela.

Men in the resting shelter means food will be brought in

Things are as they are.
A village shelter is a place where the men of the village go to rest and go through issues pertaining to the village. It is also a place where men plus young boys eat communally. Women take plates of food to the resting shelter. And after that, men leave because they have had what they needed.
The local community will only do new things once it is clear that they will bring fruitful results. Otherwise, they will react with this proverb or with ‘Things are as they are’. So, before embarking on a project, people should be aware of what it will bring to them.

Proverb 41

Bwaca fimbi lelo

Ifintu fyonse fyalikwata akashita cila bushiku.
Ishuko ku muntu lisa lintu tenekele ukuti kuti lyabako. Ciba kwati ebushiku apelwe. Abaluse kuti baisa mupela ico akofwaisha nge ndalama shakubomfya pa nganda, pamo nge cakulya.

It is dawn, today other things may happen

Each day has time passing from dawn to sunset in another way.
Luck comes to a person when one is not aware! It is seen as “a given day” to him/her. Maybe sympathisers will come and give her/him some money that could be used at home to buy the much-needed food.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 161), with different explanation:
Bwaca fimbi lelo ∵ It has dawned differently today.
A phrase used if trouble appears when one starts the day, e. g. a mishap on the journey, or a death in the village. In the Lenje region: Bwaca bubi sunu ∵ It has dawned badly today.

Proverb 42

Icifu ca baice, imbeba ya bakulu

Abaice nangu babombe shani, abakulu ebesa mukusekelamo mufyo abaice babombele.
Kulaba ukuya mumpanga mukwimba imbeba nabaice. Palaba imbeba ishikulu ne shinini. Ngababwelela ku mushi, abakulu balasalapo ishikulu no kulya, bashila abaice utunini.

The trap is for children, the mouse is for the elders

The fruit of the children’s hard work is often seized by one or more elders.
Children go out in the wild to dig out mice which are in different sizes. When the children return home, the elders pick the biggest leaving the small ones for the children.

Proverb 43

Umulandu mume

Mu mume no mulandu mwaliba ifyapalana.
Ngawa sangwa no mulandu, ulalambata kuli iwe kubati mume ku cani mu kacelo.
Umume ulekata kuli onse uwapitama mu cani. Munshila imo ine, uuli onse angasangwa mu mulandu.
Umulandu waba kubati mume uwikata ku molu onse mu kacelo. Ukaba naimwe muntampulo shonse ukwenda. Mu mulandu mwaba ifiteyo fingi umo ungawila.
Nomba nshita ya kasuba yalilepa ukucila akacelo: umume ukoma penkapo ukomfwako na bwino.

A case is like dew

There are similarities between dew and a case.
When you are involved in a case, it sticks on you like dew on the grass in the morning.
A case is like the dew you get on your legs. It will get on you with every step you make. In a case, there are so many pitfalls into which you can fall.
The dew will cling to anyone who walks through that field. In the same way, anyone can become involved in a case.
But the day is longer than a morning, the dew will disappear. You will feel better once the case is over.

Proverb 44

Kwapa tacila kubeya

Umuli monse mungaba, palaba umo uwakukwata maka ayenji kupitila mufyo aishibisha nokongola banankwe. Aba bambi bashala bena kukonka ifyo alabila.
Ibumba lya mupila wakumakasa lili mu cibansa, kalisha wa pintu ewupingula fyonse, teba kateya iyoo.
Kuli abo intungulushi, ebali namaka akutungulula nokupingula icikofwaikwa.

The armpit is not above the shoulder

In every situation, there is someone with more authority based on experience and influence. The others should follow her advice.
When a football team goes into the field of play, the referee takes charge and not the players.
For those who are leaders, it is their duty to instruct and make decisions for the benefit of all. They are not of a different order than the others.

Proverb 45

Ubushiku insofu ifwile nelyashi liba pa nsofu

Ulo kwacitika icintu icikulu, bonse bala labilapo.
Insofu ni nama ikulu sana elyo yalishibikwa, ngayafwa bonse basosa pali ngulya mulandu.
Intungulushi sha calo makamaka ba kateka ngabafwa, onse umuntu uwamulya mu calo alaba nobulanda sana. Kanshi isho nshiku ilyashi abantu basosapo nipali kateka wabo uwafwa.

When an elephant has died, everybody talks about the elephant

When something important happens, everybody is talking about it.
An elephant is a well known and big animal. When it is killed everybody talks about it.
The loss of a country’s leader, especially the president, is felt by everyone in that country. During that period the main topic of discussion is on that great leader.

Proverb 46

Mwe baice, imiti ili pamo eikwesana

Mu bwaice ilingi kulaba ukupusana.
Imiti imenena mupepi pamo, yalikukwesana.
Ilyo abaice bakokulila pamo, balapusana sana pantu emikulile yabo tapali uwakusula ifyo mubyakwe asosa. Inshita inini nakambi batampa kwangalila pamo.

Youngsters, trees close together rub against each other

When children grow up together, they sometimes disagree.
When trees grow close to each other, they will often rub against each other.
It is normal for children during their growing-up to disagree and to ignore what the other one says. Soon after, they begin playing together again.

A similar proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 801):
Mwe banice, imiti ili pamo e ilwenkokomena ∵ Youngsters, trees that are together are the ones that fight rubbing one against the other.
Youngsters together are like trees touching one another, they continually ‘rub one another the wrong way’.

Proverb 47

Mu bantu abengi balakoselamo

Mu bwinji nga mukoumfwana incito ilanaka.
Umuntu nga imaka inanda, icishalako kufimba. Ala pekanyapo utwa musunga utwa kufimbila. No bushiku bwakufimba abantu abenji balesako mukwafwa mu kashita akanini ne nanda ninshi yapwa ukufimba.
Na mubulimi cimo ceka abantu balesako mukulima icakwebati pakashita akanini impanga balimapo ikulu sana.

Many together make strong

Many hands make light work. When you are many with good co-operation work becomes easier.
After a person has built a house what remains is roofing! He prepares some beer for this work. And the day of roofing many people come to help and in no time the house is completely roofed.
The same goes in farming where people go to hoe and within a short time a big land is hoed.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 780):
Mu bantu abenji balakoselamo ∵ In the midst of many people one becomes strong.
Union is strength.

Proverb 48

Munshenda alifyele mwana kaenda

Umuntu tekuti eshibepo ifyakucita icintu cimo nomba tacilolelemo kwebati angafilwa ukubomba na fimbi.
Ngata twishibe intulo yabo, tatulingile ukubapingula mu nshila bekalilamo. Napo mungalabila ifyo mwana uwo banyina balema no kwenda tabenda? Nani angeshiba pambi akabe shing’anga angula Kateka!

The cripple gave birth to a child who could walk

A person may not be capable to do one thing but that does not mean he is incapable to do other things!
If we don’t understand people’s backgrounds, we shouldn’t judge them for how they live. Can you predict the future condition of a child whose mother is cripple and never walks? Who knows, he will be a doctor or a president!

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 755), with different explanation:
Munshenda walifyele umwana, kaenda ∵ Mr. I-don’t-travel bore a son, and he (the son) travelled.
Said to anyone who refuses hospitality to strangers by saying: ‘I don’t travel, so why should I give to you? Since I can never get return from you!’.

Proverb 49

Taipaya wamina mate

Nangu kangaba kanono teti ufwe ku nsala.
Kulaba inshita shimo ilyo ubwikashi bushupa sana icakuti mwafilwa kusanga icakulya imiku ibili akasuba kamo. Ku ceshuko aba luse kuti bamupako tunono uto mwingalalya panono ukucila ukulala insala.

Hunger does not kill who has swallowed saliva

In times of hunger something is better than nothing.
There are times when better living is not within reach, and you cannot find food for a day. Now should someone give you a little, you will work on the supply to at least have something for each meal instead of going without anything.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 1063):
Taipaya wamina mate ∵ (Hunger) does not kill one who has swallowed saliva.
The one who has swallowed saliva has evidently had a little to eat, so he will not hurt. A little goes a long way.

Proverb 50

Ukuli uwobe, takwitika muto

Ukuba ne fibusa ifiweme.
Umuto tekuti witike calola ukwebati: tapali icingalubana.
Umunobe mumfwana nankwe kuti akucinkulako kufyo abantu ababi bakokupingila pakuti waikala uwailuka.

Where you have a close friend/relative, soup can never be spilt

It is important to have faithful friends.
Soup can never be spilt means: nothing can go wrong.
When your friend hears of a threat by your enemies, he will notify you so that you are aware.

A similar proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 1181), with different explanation:
Ukuli abakulu ta kwitika muto ∵ Where there are grown-ups, the soup does not get spilt.
If adults are present, the children’s quarrels do not go far.

Proverb 51

Amenshi akonko mufolo

Tekweshapo ukupatikisha ifintu ifitangalulwa.
Cacine amenshi tekutipo aninike umulundu, ku konka ukuli umufolo pantu kwasulama. Pa lupwa kati pacitika umulandu, niba lupwa ebabalilapo ukwishiba nokubona ukwingafuma ubwafwilisho. Mwana mwalalume nga aimisha ifumo ku mwanansungu, ba lupwa ebeshiba pakuti bafwilishe ngulya mwana. Abena buko uloba mwita, ulupwa eluyako mukumfwa ubupingushi. Ngakulipila indalama, balupwa ebasonka pakuti bakumaninshe nokulipila. Ndi lyashi likonka ba lupwa epela, efili na menshi ukukonka umufolo.
Ecimo cenka ukulabilati ukushita ifipe ukulingana ne ndalama mukwete.

Water follows the furrow

Do not force things in trying to evade the inevitable.
It is evident that water can not go just anywhere, for instance upwards. It only follows where there is a furrow. In a family when there is an issue, family members should know about it and look for possible solutions. A young boy may impregnate a girl, family members must be informed about this issue. When the girl’s family summons them, nearby family members gather to hear the fine imposed. They will then contribute towards it. This issue is shared among the family, so goes the saying: water follows the furrow.
The proverb can also be used to express that you must buy goods worth the amount you have.

Proverb 52¹

Akeshibilo ka kuloke mfula makumbi ili abako

Kufyo mwabona, eko mwakwishibila. Icintu conse caliba necishibilo cakwebati cikocitika.
Icimuti umukunyu ulatwala amaluba ninshi bonse bakoshibila ati imfula ili mupepi.
Namu mainsa mwine, kumulu akutapo makumbi ninshi imfula takupo.

The sign that rain is coming is the gathering of clouds

From what you see, you will know what comes thereafter. Everything has symptoms/signs that something is going to take place.
When the mukuyu tree starts flowering, everyone knows that the rainy season is nearby.
Also, during the rainy season, if in the sky there are no clouds, it means there will not be rains.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 77):
Akeshibilo ka kuloke mfula makumbi ili abako ∵ A sign of rain is the gathering of the clouds.

Proverb 53

Uuleta pansaka tonaula

Twashininkisha ukuti amano tupelana fye napalinga ukutwala nipa nsaka apo abalalume bekala nokwambaula mu malyashi apusenepusene.
Ilyashi ukulyangusha kano walitwala pa cintu bwingi bakwafwako umwakutwalila, pantu amano twaakana fye. Uuleta pa nsaka tonaula, umulandu wakuti apo umwine ashumfwile bwino abanabo kuti bamupindululako.
Umwana nganalwala, ili lyashi nga lyafika pa nsaka, ku ceshuko kuti paba umo uwaishhiba umuti.

To take issues to the resting shelter is not a waste of time

We know that knowledge must be shared and the place where this happens is the resting shelter in a village. To find possible solutions, it is advisable to take any issue where sober people gather to chat. There you could be enlightened on parts that were not clear to you.
In case of a sick child, one of the persons at the shelter may know what herbs could treat the kind of illness the child has.

Proverb 54

Munyena pa citenge tabula kubweleshapo

Umuntu uwabelela ukucita icintu cimo cine alabwekeshapo.
Umuntu ngani kabwalala calishupa ukuleka pantu umwine encito asanga inakile ukucila iyakupibe libe. Nga bulimi bufwaya ukubombesha sana pakuti ifyakulya fisanguke! Kuli ukulima, ukubyala, ukusekwila nokusombola.

He who excretes on clothes will not fail to do it again

People who do bad things will keep doing them.
If a person is a thief, it is very difficult to stop because he finds it to be easier than doing something that would make him sweat like in farming for which you need to be working hard until you have crops: ploughing, planting, weeding and harvesting.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 758), with different explanation:
Munyena pa citenge tabula kubweleshapo ∵ He who excretes at the meeting-place does not fail to do it again.
A youngster so misbehaving, repeats it and so is detected.

Proverb 55

Imputi isula, taibula kubwekeshapo

Ukukwata imisango imo imo iibi, ilingi line kulaba ukubwekeshapo.
We muntu ngawalitemwa nokwishibikwa ukuti uleba ifipe fyabene, nelintu ifipe fimo fikaluba, tabakatwishike abebile, bakebafye ati iyo lindileni tukamwishiba uwiba, mpaka naiwe pantu efyo ucita basuka bakusanga ukoiba pantu bakaipekanya abene bafipe.

The anus that emits gas will do it again

Once you are used to doing something, usually bad, people will know you for that and in every case will assume that you were the one who did it.
Imagine you love stealing and you are known for that. Now, when something is missing, people will not hesitate assuming who stole it! They might set up a trap that you will not know until you are caught red-handed.

Proverb 56

Mwalombela mwishamo, fyashila kale

Nga tenshita yobe, teti upelwe.
Ilyo twapelebela muli fimo twebe ati, tatukwete umucele. Elo pancende twikala pali bamo abo twashimpamo amano ukuti bena bangatwafwa. Ifyo ukolanguluka efyo nabambi bakolanguluka ukuteshibati eko nabo baciya mukufwayako umucele.
Ulo wafika ukulomba, kuti baebati mwaendela mwishamo ulipwile.

You have begged in misfortune: everything is already gone

If it is not your day, you can not be assisted.
When you run short of certain essentials such as salt, you may have a person you always think can help. Not knowing that what you are planning is what others had planned also, to beg some salt, you go there to ask. Now, that person will only say you have come at the wrong time because all what she had is finished.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 786):
Mwalombela mwishamo, fyashila kale ∵ You have begged in misfortune, they are finished already.
You have come just too late.

Proverb 57

Ukulu wolwele umunobe, eko bakupantilako

Tulokubala katu tontonkanya bwino ulo tatulacita icintu! Twilokusaikwapo, tulokulanguluka nefya kunuma.
Umuntu nga afunika ukulu, we munankwe kulaba ukumfwa ubulanda elyo waya mukumutensha, ukualacina kulya kulu mpaka apola.
Ku ceshamo ngawa mulufyanyako panono waisa sanga akupantila nakukulu walikumucina.
Abo twafwilisha pakubala, panuma ebesa mukutulufyanya.

The friend’s leg you nursed may be the one kicking you in the end

Before doing or acting on something we must think more. We should think of the past and not be in a hurry.
People we help/support may turn against us at a moment later in time.
When your friend is hurt or has a fractured leg, you as a friend, feel sad and take care of him through nursing the leg until it is healed. After some time, you may hurt him through talking after which he will kick you using the same leg you were nursing.

Proverb 58

Akobe kaweme, balalya nekabishi

Waliba nensambu ukucita pafintu fyobe ukofwaya.
Twaliba ne nsambu ukubomba ifyo tukofwaya cikulu imilimo yesu taipulungenye bambi.
Ilyo tuya mu mpanga mukutola ifinsabwansabwa, kwati masuku, tutola ayapya nomba we mwine ngawafwaya kuti watola nayabishi, tapapo uwinga kwipusha ico watolela alya.

Your little bit of food is good, you may eat it raw as well

You have the right to decide what to do with your own things.
We have this right bearing in mind that this will not disturb other people.
When we go out in the bush to pick fruits, like masuku fruits, we only pick ripe ones but when you pick a raw one, no-one should question why you did that.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 81):
Akobe kaweme balalya nekabishi ∵ Your little bit (of food) is good, one eats it raw as well.
You can do as you like with your own; noon will question your picking your own fruit, even if it be unripe.

Proverb 59

Amenso tayalya

Ukucita ekufwaikwa. Ukulolesha fye teti kusende ifili fyonse.
Ulo waya mukutandala ku mashitolo, twilako fye mukubona ifipe nokutampa ukupekanya ifyakuya mukufishita ulo twakukwata indalama. Nomba muli nji nshila, tatwakalyepo mfi fipe; kubonako cabe.

Eyes do not eat

Action is needed. Looking at something alone does not fill your belly.
When we visit the shops for window shopping, we merely see goods and plan to buy them when financially okay. But by that way, you will not be able to eat the goods; you are merely looking at them.

Proverb 60

Tafilya wenda

Ambi amashuko esa fye ukwabula ukuyenekela. Ako walya ni ako kene.
Ilyo tuli palwendo, kwaliba inshita tusanga abantu bakolya mu mishi tupita. Ngabatwita ukuya lya nabo, ninshi nifilya fine, lishuko lyesu. Tatusubila ukuti batunaile nabumbi pantu tuli mulupita.

When on a journey, do not expect to eat full meals

Some chances come unexpectedly. Accept and be thankful for what is given to you.
There are times when we are on a journey, when by chance we find people eating in one of the villages we pass through who invite us to join them. It is our chance, and we should not expect them to cook more food for us since we are only passing.

Proverb 61

Akafumbe kunona katampile mwabo kunona

Ifyo abakulu baboneka mu misango itampila ku bwaice bobe.
Akafumbe ka beba akanona sana, noku kunona kwatampile ku bwaice bwakako.
Na fwe bantu imisango yesu ngacakuti abafyashi besu balitukushishe bwino itampila ku bunya nwesu, emo twakulila.

The little mouse started from an early age to get fat

The behaviour of adults can be traced back to their childhood.
The kafumbe is a little mouse that has a lot of fat and therefore tastes good. To have that fat, it started from its infancy.
This is the same with us as human beings as to our behaviour. If our parents took care of us well, starting from our childhood, we grow up to good behaviour.

A comparable proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 400), with different explanation:
Imfumbe iyanonene yalibangile/ tatikileko AND Bamwansakala abaebele ati takanona pantangile tabanonene ∵ The Fumbe mouse that got fat started at the creation/ made a beginning AND The Mwansakala mouse who said, ‘I shall get fat later’ did not get fat.
Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

Proverb 62

Umulilo ucingilile abakulu taoca

Ukukonka amafunde ciweme sana.
Abakulu balikala muno calo nokubona ificitika, kanshi kuti bapandako amano abaice pakutu nabo baikala aba mutende.

A fire surrounded by the elders will not burn you

Taking advice from more experienced people is essential.
Elders have lived in the world for quite some time and so have vast experience to advise the young how to lead a good life.

Proverb 63

Mwe baice, ni kafyalweni te kapalaneni!

Mukufyalwa tekutipo ati mwakupalana.
Nangu ni mulupwa lumo lwine, abana bafyalwa balikwatapo icibapusanyana ku mu nankwe.

Youngsters, it is being born in the same family, not resembling one another!

Being born in the same family does not mean that you resemble one another.
It is normal for the children in one family to have different features.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 802):
Mwe banice, ni kafyalweni te kapalaneni ∵ Youngsters, it is ‘be born’, it is not ‘resemble one another.’
Children of the same family may be markedly different in feature.

Proverb 64

Tafilya ulima

Upekanya umo elyo nabambi baponenamo. Nomba, twilalubako kubatasha.
Ngani mu bulimi, umo alima nokusanga ati abesa mukulyako bengi. Eico ecintu tulingile ukwibukisha. Ukulolesha ku lubali lumbi, tekuti alime ifyakwe eka kati alafwaya ukukwata abana, bafyashi abakote, ifibusa naba lwendo bambi.

Farmers do not eat everything they cultivate

Only a few persons take care of the food with the rest benefiting from this. So, we should not forget to thank them.
In farming, one does the ploughing, but many people help in the consuming and we must remember this. From the other side, you cannot only cultivate for yourself if you would like to have children and take care of older parents, friends and other visitors.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 1058), with different explanation:
Tafidya ulima ∵ He does not eat who cultivates.
He alone does not eat. If you have food you must expect visitors to help you eat it.

Proverb 65

Mayo mpapa, naine nkakupapa

Ungafweko nduno – nandi nkakwafwako kuntanshi.
Ilyo tufyalwa, tatubako elyo tatwishibapo nefikocitika mpaka twakula twaba namano epakutampa ukwishiba tumo tumo. Kanshi ulo twaishiba ifyali kunuma, tufwile nafwe twalipila pamafya abafyashi batwafwile. Ilyo umufyashi akula, fwe balinga nomba ukumu tentemba nifwe, mukumu fwaila icakulya, ukumufwika nokumusunga bwino.

Mother, carry me on your back, I shall also carry you

You help me now – I shall help you later.
When we are born, we are not yet really there. We don’t know what is going on until at a stage when we start reasoning, knowing something. So, at a given moment we realise what has been done by our parents earlier on. Then we feel compelled to “pay” back on what they went through. Therefore, when our parents grow old, we will take care of them by providing food and clothing.

A similar proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 658):
Mama mpape, nane mailo nkakupape ∵ Mother carry me, and I tomorrow shall carry you.
(1) The child needs his mother’s care, when he is young; when he grows up, and the mother grows feeble, it will be his turn to take care of her. (2) Said generally, when asking for help. Help me now, and tomorrow I’ll repay you.

Proverb 66

Uumfwa uko impundu shikopona, untu ali mu mupundu

Kati niwe fikumine ifintu niwe waba na matontonkanyo apusene nabo fitakumine. Ukulanguluka kobe ekukwete ubuleme sana.
Icililo ngacapona, abomfwa ubulanda sana bantu bafwilwa ukucila abantu lukoso. Nangu umuntu alya impilipili, uumfwa sana ukubaba ningu asa kulya, tebaibelele iyoo.

Only the one under the mupundu tree knows how many fruits have fallen

When you are closely connected to something you have different feelings for it than the ones less connected. In that case, your opinion should be given more weight.
When a funeral occurs, family members feel more sadness compared to outsiders. Hot chilli is only felt by the one who eats it.

Proverb 67

Amenso tepaya

Itontonkanyo takuli ekucita.
Ba cibinda mumpanga ebakwata ukulanguluka mfi. Cibinda nga aya mumpanga afwaya ukwipaya inama sha kutobela. Ilabako nshita imbi ulo asanga inama ishingi mwi lungi shikolya angula shili minine! Apa epo atonntonkanya ati amenso ngeyali kwipaya inama lelo shonse nshi, nga munani wanji. Inama nasho sheba ati nga menso yepaya fwense ngatwalipwa ukufwa.

Eyes don’t kill

Wishes are not actions.
Hunters in the forests always have this wish that their eyes could kill. When a hunter goes out hunting, his mission is to kill animals. At one time he finds a lot of animals in the plains eating grass or just standing! Here now he thinks that if eyes could kill, today I could have killed all these animals as my relish! Maybe animals have the same feeling: if eyes were killers, we all would have been killed and none of us could have lived.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 105):
Amenso tepaya ∵ Eyes don’t kill.
Said by one who has seen a herd of buck make off. If eyes killed, I should have had plenty of meat today. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

Proverb 68

Mu butala emuli amano

Abantu ababona nefya kuntanshi kucila pakashita kenka nko kuti basangwa mu mafya anini.
Ukukwata ubutala cilanga amano. Twalishiba ati ifya kuntanshi tefya kwenekela. Calinga ukupekanishisha libela ukutesa kubutukila ulo nshita ilipwile.

There is wisdom in a granary

People who look beyond the present may experience fewer problems.
To have a granary shows wisdom. We all know the future is uncertain. One needs to prepare in advance, not to rush when it’s too late.

Proverb 69

Ukupeshe lungu, kwendamo

Tekutipo mulabile pa cintu, kano mwali cipitamo mwe mwebene.
Ukwishiba bwino ifyo ilungu lyakula kano waendamo lyonse.
Ukuba kambone wa cine mu mulandu kano waishiba intampilo yelyashi pantu eko wali.

To explore a plain, you need to walk in it

You cannot speak about something unless you’ve experienced it yourself.
When you want to know how big the plain is, you need to go round it.
When you claim to be a witness in a case, you should know it from the start.

Proverb 70

Naposa mu menshi

Nalusa bwaka. Tapapo isubilo lyakuti mungacipoka.
Kuti wayafwa umuntu ku cakufwala pantu takwete, nomba waisa sanga ukuti cilia cintu aile cikabusha no bwalwa ukucila ukuti alokufwala.

I have thrown it into the water

I have wasted it all. There is no chance that I can get it back.
You can help a person with some clothing because he had none, but then you find that the same clothing was bartered for beer instead of that person putting it on.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 846):
Naposa mu menda ∵ I have thrown it into the water.
I have made a bad bargain, and there is no chance of retrieving it. In the Lenje region: Ndasowa mu manshi. Kaonde: Nataya mu mema.

Proverb 71

Umukulu tapusa kebo, apusa kabwe

Ulo mukofwailisha amaka ayo muntu akwata, kwateni mu mano imyaka ne mibele yangulya muntu.
Umuntu ilyo afyalwa, alapita nangu alabona ifintu ifingi. Kanshi ndu ulo akososa, fyakacine pantu alifibwene. Ifyo angapusa nimfi ifyakuposa kati mabwe, pantu limbi takwatapo amalunga.
Mu citemi mwaliba imisango yakwanshilamo ifiti iyo yatampile akale sana. Kwaliba kulakula ne myunda. Muli nji misango amale alabamo sana, kanshi ukufika nalelo bacili bakoibomfya.

An elderly person is good with words but less good with throwing stones

When assessing a person’s abilities, bear in mind the age and other qualities of that person.
When a person is born, he experiences so many things. When an elderly person narrates, take it as being true because he witnessed it. But he may not be good in some work for which you need the abilities of young people.
In our agriculture there are several ways of laying cut branches for instance in narrow stretches and in circles. This started long time ago and through these methods up to now the yield of finger millet has always been quite high and the methods are still being used, as told by elders.

Proverb 72

Ukuboko bapota kwakosa

Ukumfwana kuweme ngamwapusana.
Ilingi line mu buntu bwesu mu mikalile tamubula ukupusana. Nomba ici tecingalenga ukuti mwi ikala panshi nokwesha ukubona apo mwapusanine. Nga niwe uli mu cilubo, calinga wasumina nokulomba ubwelelo ku nobe ukucila ukutalika pantu ififuma umu kuti fyabipila umo.

They twist your arm only if you resist

We must settle disputes peacefully when we differ.
It is normal for people living in one community to differ over certain issues from time to time. This doesn’t mean the end of everything! You must sit down and see where one went wrong. If you were wrong, it is better to accept this and ask for forgiveness than to keep on resisting.

A comparable proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 1216):
Ukuboko balapota ukumine ∵ The arm one twists when dry.
Don’t use force unless resistance is offered. If he admits his guilt, give him time to redeem himself; but if he is stubborn in refusing, then use force.

Proverb 73

Niba cumbu munshololwa

Umuntu ushifwaya ukumuloshako pakuti acite iciweme.
Ukupandashanya amano umo twikele cintu ici weme sana. Nomba bambi tabafwayapo kanofye icili ku mano akwe epela, nomba ulo asangwa mu bwafya elo ailuka ati kanshi nganasa kukonka ifyo basa kumbulako.

He’s like a sweet potato: he can not be bent

This is said of a person who doesn’t listen to advice.
Where we live, sharing ideas is regarded to be a part of being full-grown. Still there are people who do not want to get any advice from friends. Now, when in problems, that is the time they have to think of what they failed to accept: the advice of family and friends.

Proverb 74

Umwana ashenda atota banyina ukunaya

Ukutasha fye ifintu umona pa ncende waikala tacawama.
Ukutandalila incende ishalekana lekana kulapela amano enji nokwishiba ifintu ifingi. Ificitwa pa ncende waikala ukebati efyapelako kanshi eko bali nabambi abaishibisha ukucila ifyo ubona.

Who never visits other places praises his mother as the best cook

Praising what you only see at your residential area as the best is naive.
Visiting different areas will give you wider knowledge and experience. Concluding that what happens around you is the best shows lack of experience. There are many others who know better.

Proverb 75

Umweni tabamulolesha pa mpumi, bamulolesha pa mala

Bombeleni pa fintu ifikulu.
Umulwendo wenu mubakeni bwino, tekumulolesha pa mpumi iyo, boneni pa mala.
Ico mulingile ukwisha ulo umulwendo wenu afika pa mushi wenu, cakwebati kale emine kwabo elyo apa ali nensala. Munailepo akashima elyo pa numa mwise mubandike ukwipusha ifyo endele.

Do not look at your visitor’s forehead, look at the belly

Concentrate on what is important.
To treat your visitor well, don’t just look at the forehead, think of the belly.
What you should know about your visitor when he arrives at your home, is that he left his home sometime ago and for sure he is hungry. Cook him food first and then have a nice time to chat on his mission.

A similar proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 1386):
Umubyobe tabamuceba pa mpumi, balamuceba pa kapafu ∵ Your friend, one doesn’t stare at his forehead, one stares at his stomach.
When your friend arrives, see after his material welfare (the state of his stomach), and don’t just look at his face.

Proverb 76²

Umunwe umo tautola nda

Ukuba wekafye tapapo ico wingacita. Incito mu bwinji taikosapo pantu muli benji.
Umuntu kuti apwa ukwimaka icimbusu nokubangila akamutenge panshi elo kwashala ukukabika pamulu. Iyi ncito tekuicitapo weka kano nabambi bakwafwako uku kemya pa kubika pa mulu.
Ne mililmo iba pa cililo, bengi baya mukwimbe manda, napakutwala mbokoshi napo pene ukuba ukwafwana ukupinta.

One finger cannot pick lice

Being alone you can not succeed. It’s easier to do work when you’re many.
A person can easily construct a toilet building and prepare the roof on the ground. But then remains the task of taking it up on the toilet building. This needs a lot of people to help him.
Another example is that of a funeral, many people go to dig the grave and help in carrying the corpse. Alone this would be impossible.

The same proverb was recorded for the Lamba region at the beginning of the last century, see Doke (1927, proverb 1356):
Umunwe umo tautola nda ∵ One finger does not pick up a louse.
It takes two people to carry out a job satisfactorily.

The proverb also occurs in the Bisa region east of the Lala region, see Marks (2020, 47):
Munwe umo tausala nda ∵ One finger will not pinch a louse. He adds: The proverb summarily emphasizes the importance of human integration as a group, rather than individually, to accomplish goals. The proverb can also be read variously as “A person never stands alone,” “One person never knows everything,” or “A single person alone is incapable of doing anything.’

Proverb 77

Uuli ukufwa, tomfwapo

Ube uwakumfwikisha, pantu limbi niwe wemwine ukasangwa necilubo.
Ngacakuti inama taitampile kubutuka penkapo aya umfwa uko imbwa ishilungi uko shikoisa ikepaiwa.
Tawakokolapo mu bwikashi, eico umfwila sana ifyo bakokusopesha namaka abakokola mubwikashi nokupitamo pantu ukasangwa mumpela umubi. Aba bantu abako kusopesha pafyo babona kunuma nku.

The one who is going to die, does not hear

Be attentive, otherwise you only have yourself to blame.
If an animal does not start running as soon as it hears the hunting dogs, it will be killed.
If you are not that experienced in life, take warnings from people with experience seriously or you may end up in a bad situation. These people are warning you based on their past experiences.

Proverb 78

Icifinya cumfwo mwine

Nga uli mu bwafya ubukulu, abantu bambi abaibelele balafwaya ukuti ulabeko.
Kwaliba abang’o abakuti bena ngabainjila munanda mukwiba, basenda tonse utupe ukubikapo notwakufimbana. Ulo we mwine waisa kusanga ificitikwe, umutima ulakalipa sana, icakwebati kufwaya noku ikulika! Nomba balya abesa mukuku nasha ati: iyo wisakamana, efyo caba, natumbipo, tabeshiba ndalama waposele pali fyo fibilwe. We mwine nacikukalipa sana pantu niwe cacitikila.

The pain is felt by the one affected

When you find yourself in big trouble, outsiders do not feel likewise and often will like you to forget about it!
Imagine that thieves would sweep your house with all households, including beddings, leaving completely nothing. When you find this, you become so enraged that you even consider committing suicide. Now those who come to comfort you will say: “Don’t worry, that is how it is, it happened” and so forth. They don’t realise how much effort it took for you to gather the money to buy those items. You alone are the one feeling the impact of this theft.

To continue with the proverbs considered more demanding in Chibale, click £here.

To download the whole proverbs book Amano Mambulwa as a pdf, click here.

Footnotes

1
Photo 171.
2
Photo 161.

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