DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49272#0340
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HARVARD AFRICAN STUDIES
20. Wawilile galausya mbani!
He was “ let in ” badly over the fish-sticks!
A man had put a lot of fish on spits to roast round the fire. While he went to get some
more firewood, a thief came and took all the fish. A stranger then approached and was
examining one of the sticks, saying, “There must have been a very nice fat fish on this
stick,” when the owner returned and immediately accused the innocent stranger of stealing
his fish. A native coming across a corpse will run away, using the above expression; for if
he reports the matter, he may be the first to be accused.
21. Sungula wa wdechde (mwanache) mu uwilo!
The impotent man had born to him a child in a joke!
A native man who is impotent is very much looked down on and he is the laughing
stock of the village. He is constantly made fun of by the women. The story goes that such
a man when being chaffed, said, “All right, let me have the prettiest girl in the village,”
and they said, “ All right, old sungula, you can do her no harm.” But it came to pass that
she became pregnant and the women were disgraced. The meaning of the expression is:
what is done as a joke may become a reality.
22. Mowa winji ng’omba sya nyama unandi!
Days many, hairs of an animal few!
There are more days than there are hairs in an animal’s coat! If A has done a good
turn to B, and B behaves badly to A, A will remonstrate, using the above expression, mean-
ing, “ You may want my help again some day, but I shall then refuse and you will suffer.”
23. Chilambo changalinga makono!
The (country) earth cannot (be) measured in cubits!
Meaning, “You never know when you may want return for your good deeds.
24. Kusowela kusalasya, kusuka kulijimiya! or kuponya pa moto!
To be generous (is) to save up, to be stingy (is) to deny oneself! or to throw in the fire!
Kindness returns to the doer.
25. Uwili ukoto, ujika wangalikunda kunyuma!
Two-ness (is) good, oneness he cannot rub the back!
Ku-kunda = to rub the back of another person while bathing, a thing a native appre-
ciates very much. An expression often used with the meaning, “ There is safety in num-
bers,” ( winji iskoto!)
26. Kulagaga ukusiulitawilila!
Being in a state of poverty, one must not hang (oneself)!
Ku-laga = to be poor, to be in trouble. Do not give up hope.
27. Kusichilaga kajangalile kwiwogo!
Having become rich one must jump for joy in the dark corner of the house.
HARVARD AFRICAN STUDIES
20. Wawilile galausya mbani!
He was “ let in ” badly over the fish-sticks!
A man had put a lot of fish on spits to roast round the fire. While he went to get some
more firewood, a thief came and took all the fish. A stranger then approached and was
examining one of the sticks, saying, “There must have been a very nice fat fish on this
stick,” when the owner returned and immediately accused the innocent stranger of stealing
his fish. A native coming across a corpse will run away, using the above expression; for if
he reports the matter, he may be the first to be accused.
21. Sungula wa wdechde (mwanache) mu uwilo!
The impotent man had born to him a child in a joke!
A native man who is impotent is very much looked down on and he is the laughing
stock of the village. He is constantly made fun of by the women. The story goes that such
a man when being chaffed, said, “All right, let me have the prettiest girl in the village,”
and they said, “ All right, old sungula, you can do her no harm.” But it came to pass that
she became pregnant and the women were disgraced. The meaning of the expression is:
what is done as a joke may become a reality.
22. Mowa winji ng’omba sya nyama unandi!
Days many, hairs of an animal few!
There are more days than there are hairs in an animal’s coat! If A has done a good
turn to B, and B behaves badly to A, A will remonstrate, using the above expression, mean-
ing, “ You may want my help again some day, but I shall then refuse and you will suffer.”
23. Chilambo changalinga makono!
The (country) earth cannot (be) measured in cubits!
Meaning, “You never know when you may want return for your good deeds.
24. Kusowela kusalasya, kusuka kulijimiya! or kuponya pa moto!
To be generous (is) to save up, to be stingy (is) to deny oneself! or to throw in the fire!
Kindness returns to the doer.
25. Uwili ukoto, ujika wangalikunda kunyuma!
Two-ness (is) good, oneness he cannot rub the back!
Ku-kunda = to rub the back of another person while bathing, a thing a native appre-
ciates very much. An expression often used with the meaning, “ There is safety in num-
bers,” ( winji iskoto!)
26. Kulagaga ukusiulitawilila!
Being in a state of poverty, one must not hang (oneself)!
Ku-laga = to be poor, to be in trouble. Do not give up hope.
27. Kusichilaga kajangalile kwiwogo!
Having become rich one must jump for joy in the dark corner of the house.