Text repertoires in Zambia: proverbs

Text repertoires in Zambia: proverbs. The term used for sayings and proverbs is nsoselo, derived from the verb -sosa: to speak, -sosela: to speak about.

It is common to use them in everyday conversation. Their form is not entirely carved in stone: small variations continue to be made.
There are many nsoselo. In the first part of the 20th century, Doke collected more than 2000 proverbs in the Lamba region¹Published in Doke (1927).. He states: “The importance of the proverbs in Lamba life can not be over-estimated.”²Doke (1934: 360f).

The proverbs aim at transferring wisdom (mano). A central proverb in this respect is: ‘Amano mambulwa – Wisdom is acquired.’ It is up to the whole community to transfer and acquire wisdom, and, once acquired, it should be used for the benefit of others. See also the article about wisdom and heart.

Proverb 233

Ni we fulwe amano ulibikile mu cikwambulwa
It is you, the tortoise, who has stored the wisdom within your shell 

The wisdom may be transferable, but it is hard to crack and not given lightly.

For other interpretations see Proverb 233 in the book Mu Zambia Amano Mambulwa (In Zambia Wisdom Is Acquired).

Proverbial and secret language

Text repertoires in Zambia: proverbs. In Chibale, it can be a challenge to follow what people are talking about, not only for an outsider. Besides proverbs, ordinary language includes onomatopoeic words with a wide range of meanings, as well as unreferenced quotations. In addition, there are words and constructions specific to a family, clan, or other group that the speaker belongs to.
The term for proverbial language is mu mapinda and for secret language -nkama. Mu mapinda means with obstacles/dead ends and -kama means squeeze. This naming suggests that obstacles are being placed purposefully. Mu mapinda (proverbial language) does not only contain proverbs; the term refers to the fact that it is hard to interpret.

Song 131

An ilimbalakata accompanied by the set of three ciwaya, Sitifini Nunda and the people from Milombwe, 1981.

Text of Song 131 ∵ Wisdom is in my blood

Abena buko ndabapela/ ndabanaila
Kabalya kabalya malyambepa
Sombi baka bwesheko
Mumbona buluya ndicikuku
Mano mano ilelile mano alimunshingo
Mano – buluya

My in-laws, I give to them/ I provide for their cooking
They only let me eat the left-overs
But I expect something in return
Do not regard me as a fool for being quiet
Wisdom, wisdom, ilelile, wisdom is in my blood
Wisdom – madness

Opposition against the system by the son-in-law who lives with his in-laws the first years after the marriage.

Of course, this ‘system’ has an ideological undertone. The access to the correct interpretation of the text can be restricted to ‘those with mano’, mostly the initiated: hunters, spirit-possessed, initiatrices, and certain elders.
In addition, families and clans could use certain words in songs with other than the usual meaning.

Only those who knew could follow and thus partake in the conversation. Not all the elders could do this. Songs could even be sung about people present who didn’t understand but sang along merrily.
There was a clear relation between knowledge of nkama (secrets), mano (wisdom, including proverbs) and maka (strength).
BanaNshimbi ∵ personal communication, 1987.

Today, it is less prevalent than it used to be, but it is certainly still around.

Kufunda and kufundwa are the words for the process of teaching resp. learning nsoselo and nkama, gradually obtaining mano.³Kufunda: teach, kufundwa: being taught.

Song 132

A Cisungu song about teaching (kufunda) sung by Malanke Mwape, 1981.

Text of Song 132 ∵ The hard work of building up mano

Ukufunda tulafunda
Pantu mutwala ku nika amano akoya ne nika

Teaching is what we do continuously
But you take the wisdom to the river to let it flow away

Amano mambulwa – A digital book to pass on wisdom

Text repertoires in Zambia: proverbs. Basil Chisonta and Jan IJzermans have compiled a digital book entitled Mu Zambia Amano Mambulwa, 350 nsoselo sha mu cilala na mu cisungu – In Zambia Wisdom Is Acquired, 350 proverbs in Lala and English to help in the passing on of sayings and proverbs for all.

It contains 284 sayings and proverbs from the Lala region with explanations in ciLala and in English. The book gives insight in the wisdom available in the proverbs of the Lala region (Mkushi and Serenje Districts, Zambia and the area at the other side of the border in Congo). The proverbs are in the Lala language but can be understood in a far wider area than the Lala region only. For instance, variants of 44% of them can be found in the adjacent Lamba region, see Clement Doke’s Lamba Folklore (1927). For examples click here and here.
It also contains 66 sayings and proverbs that are often used in Europe, with explanations in English and in ciLala. These proverbs are applied to normal situations in the Lala region for people to assess their usefulness. For an example click here.

The book consists of three parts, each containing 116 or 117 sayings and proverbs. The first part contains the proverbs that people in Chibale generally consider to be easily understandable (suitable for grades 5 and 6). Then, the second part contains proverbs that are a bit more challenging (grades 7 and 8). And, the third part contains the deeper proverbs (grades 9 and 10).

As all sayings and proverbs from the Lala region, the sayings and proverbs in the book

• tell us what to expect in certain circumstances,
• provide insight into how things work,
• teach us how to behave in order to avoid problems, and
• help us figure out how to solve problems once they arise.

This division⁴Compare with the purposes of stories and myths. is used to organise the sayings and proverbs.

Another way to group the proverbs is to examine their themes and subjects. Five main themes then emerge, each comprising two to seven subthemes. These main themes revolve around being active, sharing and collaborating, fostering social relationships, constructing knowledge, and the various attitudes people may hold. You can review all of this in more detail  in the Icakubwenako pa kufwaya (in ciLala) and the Index of themes (in English); both provide the opportunity to to view all proverbs within a specific theme one after another.

The whole book can be downloaded here.
All the proverbs from the book are also present on this site, see the next paragraph.

All the proverbs in Mu Zambia Amano Mambulwa

Here we present links to the 284 proverbs in the 6 parts of the book Mu Zambia Amano Mambulwa – In Zambia Wisdom Is Acquired⁵For the 66 European proverbs with explanation in ciLala, download the pdf of the whole book here..

Introduction: Ubulondoloshi (in ciLala); Introduction (in English).

Colophon: Kolofoni/Colofon.

Part I ∴ Nsoselo ishipubile – Simple proverbs

Ifya kusunga mibele ne fyakucita – How to behave and what to do
Ifyakucetekela nefyo fibomba – What to expect and how things work

Part II ∴ Nsoselo ishikofwaikwa – More demanding proverbs

Ifya kusunga mibele ne fyakucita – How to behave and what to do
Ifyakucetekela nefyo fibomba – What to expect and how things work

Part III ∴ Nsoselo ishilemene – Deep proverbs

Ifya kusunga mibele ne fyakucita – How to behave and what to do
Ifyakucetekela nefyo fibomba – What to expect and how things work

Index: Icakubwenako pa kufwaya (in ciLala) and the Index of themes (in English).