OTETELA PROVERBS

by

E. B. Stiltz

Congo Belge, June 24, 1939

 OTETELA PROVERBS
1.) Kanga yenda, ku muna ndjuku? The
guineas are looking, and you plant ground peas?
(That is, they will come and scratch them up).
Wait until the others go away, so that I can talk
to you privately.
2.) Kusha koko, ku ndu ukanga a lodi? I give
you a chicken, and you want a charm to keep
the hawk away? You want more instead of
being grateful for what you get.
3.) Kete ya difuku (of diumbu, grave)
hedimaka. The dirt of a hole (filled up) does
not come to the level.
4.) Tuku lu luwu kulandi. The palm tree
grows in the tall grass. Let the child alone, let it
play and get dirty, it will grow up.
5.) Nduku untu lahatshoka laka um'a nyangu.
There is no one who does not go to the home of
his mother's husband. That is, there is
no one who will not sooner or later visit another
place, then we will get even with him if he has
done us wrong.
6.) Kandji le hyanda kalanandi. Pain in a
grown-up does not last, he does not cry.
7.) La wedi a difusa diombo dieko. After the
turning over of the ground is the weeding. That
is, you have done me wrong. I will get even
with you later. The affair is not finished.
8.) Ukunda kudiotoka hene akanda (or taweki
akanda). As you enter the forest the tight places
do not appear (or one does not know the tight
places). We do not know what is ahead of us.
9.) Otombo luwane kawuka sulu, ku
wukumbula la kongo. The one who puts out
the soaked manioc smells the bad smell, but
others long for it from a distance. The faults of
those near-by are more in evidence. "Distance
lends enchantment."
10.) Wadi lak'untu kendi ashu wema (or dendi
duanda). The wife at another's house has the
pretty eyes (or is superior to others). "There are
greener pastures further on."
11.) Djeli kotetshi ukunda ku akina muna
mangi. The simpleton clears the woods and
others plant the manioc. He works and does
not get the credit. (This is beaten on the drum).
12.) Kanga tshungu ntongonaka langa.
Kongolo ntongonaka ekomi. The blind
person picks up a guinea fowl. The milleped
picks up the 'ekomi' fruit. This is said when one
goes to a person to ask for a favor and is refused.
He will do the impossible and see to it himself.
13.) Mvula ukunda hashili apopo. Mboka
akenda hashili enungu. The rain in the woods
does not cease dripping. In listening to children
there is no end of trouble. That is, there is
always quarreling among children, do not fight
because they are fighting. (Children are
expected to be bad.)
14.) Lambuka mbulu lungu. I have thrown a
hoe at the jackal. This is said when one gives a
debt or lends something that is not returned.
The jackal may run off with some thing thrown
at him.
15.) Lakungela henyi edja. The one who waits
does not think of the length of time (lit. does not
find it long). He is thinking of the things he is to
receive.
16.) Mpakata diutu, kutumbula diheka mindu?
I carry a satchel under my arm, and you ask
why my shoulder is dirty? That is, the kind of
work one does shows on him. (The dirt would
come from the strap over the shoulder).
17.) Yunundu akulaka daku, wati, Nkendaki
l'unyimba. The elder makes you a promise,
and you say, I will go (that is, die) a batchelor.
This is said of one who asks for help (financial)
in getting married, but the one asked does not
fulfil his promise.
18.) Epuli kema wela. Unya k'unt'aweya
(nduku untu aweya). The toad has no tail.
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The sun no one knows. That is, no one knows
the future.
19.) Dikondo halongolaka uhundu laka kanga
unyishi. The plantain does not bud sparingly at
the stingy person's place, he keeps them to
himself.
20.) Kumuta Shenga kina yeli ledia Emungu.
Tell us of another Shenga (a village) on the other
side of Emungu (a village). That is, tell us
something else to do, we have done what you
told us to do.
21.) Shisi yame mbasambiya anyandi woi.
One little fish makes the others smell bad.
Hita yame mbasambiya anyandi dikila. One
(bloody) finger will bloody the others. That is,
one with a bad reputation gives those connected
with him a bad reputation. Or better one is
known by the company he keeps.
22.) Wadi kokenda, ewelu hashili. The wife is
gone, but the talk about her does not cease. (lit.
the looking back at her).
23.) Hanyutshu ukunda, nyimu kunanyu. You
refuse to go to the woods (to get poles or other
things) you are hunting for an excuse (as if some
one has spoken to you and you think it will
cause bad luck). (Nyimu from dimula, excuse,
forgive.).
24.) Diahasa ku mbetu udihi? Will we always
have to sleep on the floor? Will we always have
a hard time.
25.) Ambudja lumu l'uluki a dikondo. Puts his
life in the center of a plantain. Ambudja lumu
l'uhundi. Puts his life in a gourd. That is he
risks his life.
26.) Kanga atama ahi halungulaka dja. One
with two cheeks does not get burned (with hot
food). That is he can change it from one cheek
to another. So friends help in case of need.
27.) Dianga ulungu kete hadieyi. The things
which have their beginning in heaven the earth
does not know. We do not know the future.
28.) Soi y'ulungu tshue ku lu tulu. Tears of
heaven come to the breast. Each one bears his
own burden, receives his sufferings and joys.
29.) Ayokomama utamba waki ona mbudi.
He does not want to be hit with the stick meant
for the little goat.
Ndi hayuvwela an w'Omoi. He does not
want to die for the children of Omoi. That is, he
does not want to suffer for the evils of others.
30.) Yoto nonga, enters the generations. This
is said of one who is youthful in spite of the
years.
31.) On'a kana we mbosongwela pitu, ku esindi
ka shi la nyangu. The child of another, you
sharpen the arrows for him, but the mouse (that
he kills with it) belongs to the father and mother.
You do not get credit for what you do, only the
family.
32.) Lolengo kasha djeli nyama. Poison gives
the simpleton meat. Even an evil person can get
things if he has riches. (Animals are often killed
with poisoned arrows or stakes.
33.) Funda nyama handjaka undishi.
Dikeledu dia mvula lu mbuka kukundeta. A
piece of meat does not fail to find an eater.
Rain water will run down the path. That is,
every cause will have a result. One will reap
what he sows.
34.) Utema w'untu tawudji anya. You cannot
put your hands in the heart of a person. You
do not know what is in his heart.
35.) Nyama l'atei a fo l'eshinga. The animal
between the dog and the net. (Between a rock
and a hard place.)
36.) Dimi kenge lavo la winyi, lavo l'ekotelo. I
the axe die in the handle, die in the axe-head. I
have a hard time from all sides, everyone speaks
ill of me.
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37.) Ushasha aha lukinu. A gift is not to be
refused as not good enough. "Beggars are not
choosers."
38.) Mbu yakundja udiu, okonyi hatukundjaka.
The things which a corpse receives, the sick
person does not receive. The corpse is treated
better than the person who is sick.
39.) Utema w'ulandu ndjuku mbaudjakawo. If
one is sick the ground peas will bring it out.
Don't be afraid to ask if you need something,
you will find out whether you can get. "Nothing
lost by asking." (Ground peas are considered
hard to digest.)
40.) Untu hatshoka la dia kana. A person does
not go with the things of another. Each one is
responsible for his own deeds.
41.) Wadi, ekuhu ka yeli, kahawadjase antu ahi.
A wife is like the skin of a ground squirrel, on
which two people cannot sit. "Can't pin her
down."
42.) Lulimi pi. Tongue (cut) in two. This is
said when one has no more to say, as when
witnesses come and he can no longer deny the
charges.
43.) Mbukumbweka ndjadi kah'ashi ketu. He
longs for the lightning to strike him (another),
even when there is no rain. This is said of one
who wishes evil of his enemies.
44.) Udu havoka ku kema weko. A person
does not die but what there is a reason for his
death, some one caused it.
45.) Udu w'unyimba wa lekama etuli. The
corpse of a bachelor rests against a mortar. He
hasn't many helpers.
46.) Diaha kuku hayaka etali. Where there is
no shouting (in denial of guilt), the case does not
last long. Settle it quickly.
47.) Ona hawele lukulu la tangi. Or, Ona
hoko lukulu la tangi. A child does not break or
get its leg out of joint on a bed. So if the father
is present the children are safe.
48.) La wedi hawutshaka mbudi. Or,
hawutshaka mbudi la wedi. One does not
chase the goats on the other side (of the stream).
A stranger does not know local affairs.
49.) Hawotendaka luwulu, shindje l'ote.
Atenga su di'okoko, ku dia mudi akenda. They
do not speak ill of iron who have a needle in the
head. (stuck in the hair). The one who insults
the eye of the sheep, the eye of the goat is
looking at you. The pot calls the kettle black.
50.) Kanga kashi leteka mbuka l'ukidi. The
liar takes the back path (valley path). He avoids
others.
51.) Ta di'ekusekuse. A fight kneeling down,
said of one who uses underhand methods, as
poisoning.
52.) Ulimu a dieka a khundju kandji. Learning
a work is a pain in the stomach. That is, a new
kind of work is hard. (Is is not, "Breaking
palm nuts will give you a sore belly.")
53.) Eli djo keli ntokokala. (or mpohela)
Even a nap is sleep. So steeling is steeling.
54.) Utshumu hadja kela le kadiyo. The
bundle does not go often to the sister. The
sister complains that she is neglected by her
brother, he is partial to his wife.
55.) Etoi dikhuwa ku mbuka l'usingi? Only
one arrow and you shoot at the "usingi" tree.
56.) Haykama onge (or longe). You do not get
tired of doing the same thing all the time. "We
hayuka dikalu onge?" Do you not get tired of
riding the bicycle all the time?
57.) Ongendangenda henaka ma asami. A
visitor does not see the millet bread as millet.
He is not owner of the bin, so he puts some
aside from that given to him.
58.) Onanyo (or luto laye) asesa nyama,
 5
k'utema angenangena. Your bother carves the
meat, your heart is glad. That is, he is
well-to-do.
59.) Ukunda we kuwena nyama ku mbitsha
l'utshu? Ashi we kuwoka olo, ku no ndu
lokongo? You see animals in the forest and
you hunt them even at night? You quench your
thirst with the water, and then you drink the
sand? You go to extremes.
60.) Lak'untu nyama, ku lak'e ukuya? At the
other's place meat, but at yours property? You
want to have the other divide up with you while
you keep your own things.
61.) Ntana wala ku mbuka lusaka? You come
on to people palavering and you clap your
hands? That is, you make a demon-stration
when you know nothing of the matter.
62.) We kudja delu, ku hatang'e utanda? You
weep, won't you look before entering the funeral
celebration? This is said of one "who butts in
on others affairs.
63.) Di'untu ku nkinda la sese, di'e kumama
l'eheli? Another's (fault) goes about in the
street, and yours is stuck to the wall. (The mote
and the beam).
64.) Lakahumo ului kalawoka okodi. One
bitten by a snake runs from a vine. "A burnt
child fears the fire."
65.) Okodi a wodu kadiakaka lukuwa. A weak
vine kills the knife. One who speaks softly has
the power, not the one with the loud talk. A
soft answer turns away wrath.
66.) Okombekombe lulula sendji. The reed
(with which it is repaired) brings the basket to
life. (This is drummed or whistled in praise of a
doctor.)
67.) Takuyela kotshi udu. Do not follow the
back of the neck of the corpse. That is, do not
keep on thinking of the dead. Do not cry over
spilt milk.
68.) Tutumba tahedima nsakanaka?
Tukumba tahedima mamanaka ehimbu? Do
the two winnowing baskets which are unequal
shake together? Do the two unequal baskets
have the edges together? That is, a child should
not get into the affairs of older people.
69.) Ali dikolo mbulela. The squirrel cries in
the evening (to get home). So the child may
run around in the day time, but come home at
night.
70.) Eli unyimba kena udiu a fumbi. A
bachelor looks at the corpse of the slave. He
should have had her. The owner did not love
her. This may be applied to other cases, in
which one longs to have something which is
abused in the hands of others.
71.) Ndjuhoka ukanga a kongolo anyu
ambushila?
Ndjudaka kuku poi ambotoka ukunda?
You remember the medicine for toothache
after all the teeth are gone? You cry out after
the robber has entered the forest? (Equivalent
to our 'locking the stable after the horse is
stolen).
72.) Sh'ahi lulima hendaka ulungu. Sh'ahi
epuli udiu, lomena udiu. We are like the
vampire bat, which does not look up. (It has
eternal hatred for the sun, because the sun kept
on telling him to put off burying his mother,
until night came on.) We two are like the toad
and the chicken snake, which fight until both are
corpses. That is, we have eternal hatred for
each other.
73.) Kutamendji ku ndu l'udiku? You come to
see me and you even look in the attic? That is,
I give you one thing and you want other things
or privileges. I give you an inch and you take a
mile.
74.) Mboka senge komena. He sows millet
flour and it comes up. That is, everything he
does prospers. He has a green thumb.
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75.) Senge ya tekeke. Millet flour of the ants,
that is, it belongs to another, not ours.
76.) Ekomo hakungi dikolo. A fault does not
wait for the evening, that is, it will soon be in
evidence. Your sins will find you out.
77.) Nshi hyi ku komo pindi. Two days two
faults. That is, one is not long seeing the faults
of a visitor, in two days he will see all of them.
78.) Unyo akole lutunu l'utema, or Tola l'unyo
lutunu l'utema. A smile on the lips (lit. mouth)
and hatred in the heart.
79.) Utshim'edji etuku etu. The one who digs
up the mouse only gets dirty hands. That is,
you treat others better than those who are close
to you or work for you.
80.) Fumbi hanyaka otombo. A slave does not
take the manioc from the water (that he put in to
soak in order to make bread). That is, he is
subject to be sent to other places at the will of his
master, he cannot attend to his own things.
81.) Mambu kalakala, wati, Kandji. Fruit thick
on the ground, you say, there is something the
matter with them (lit. sick).
82.) Ongendangenda lanaka kunyi lu diumbu.
A stranger gathers wood on a grave. This is
spoken to excuse one who has done something
which he did not know was wrong.
83.) Difumba halambi kema kodi. The driver
ant cannot crawl if there is no vine (as in crossing
a stream). This is said by one asking a favor,
the one asking being the 'difumba', and implying
that his is not going to others to ask favors of
them. You can't get blood out of a turnip.
84.) Ekina kolwe mvula ku dikeledu
lak'olombo? The rain falls in another place
and the water runs to the home of the 'olombo
(a kind of bird)? That is, some one else is
guilty, and you lay blame on me?
85.) Ushasha ku lukinu? A free gift, and it
brings scorn? I give you something, and you
refuse it as not enough or good enough?
Beggers can't be choosers.
86.) Udumbi lutsha kendo huki untu sonyi?
The rain, when one is going on a journey, is not
ashamed by the person. That is it will rain on
all alike, even on a big chief. If you get wet,
don't feel bad about it, it's not a dishonor.
87.) Kenge y'untu ntushil'ulimu. Some one
else's axe does not finish the work. That is, he
has to return it.
88.) Mbudi hali ongombe a lulesha. The goat
does not eat the smartweed that is put in his
mouth.
Fo haleka usuku a lenya.
The dog does not eat the palm chop that
you show him.
89.) Mbu yena ashu ndeka yale unyo efula.
The things which the eyes see more than those
which the mouth eats. One can eat so much
and no more.
90.) Mumbula wetshi aha lutshundja. To ask
the doctor is not to worry him. That is, it is all
right to ask questions if you do not know.
Mumbula kema osendji. You are not a
heathen for asking a question. "It's ok to ask
questions."
91.) Ku (nduku) dia nshimba unya mputo.
Nothing can prevent the sun rising, even the
death of a chief or other great event. This is
said by one who is determined to do some-thing,
that is, "Nothing can prevent me!"
92.) Ndjovu hahondaka lushi otoi. An
elephant does not rot in one day. This may be
said to a visitor to get him to stay another day.
Everything will not fall apart on account of the
extra day, it is thought.
93.) Utema a kanga luudu, nyama eli lawo (or
lu luudu), akukatela djese. It is the custom of
the owner of the house, he has meat inside, but
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cooks manioc greens for you. That is, he keeps
the best for himself, and hands out the worst.
"Looking out for number one."
94.) Dihamvu hakendeka emeta, emeta utu
katokendeka dihamvu. The sapota fruit
(representing wife) does not visit the owner of
the child (representing husband), the owner of
the child visits the sapota fruit. That is, the man
should seek the wife, and not the wife the
husband. (Read Paul's Epistles).
95.) Nyu nyambole ondjo okombwami. You
eat the locusts which have been trimmed up
(they remove the legs and wings). That is others
work for you, we are all debtors to others.
96.) We lukuki ena l'andja, ena l'etei. You the
door, you see outside, you see inside. This is
said of an intermediary.
97.) Lumu nkungaka Ngandu? Will life await.
This is said when one is hungry, or when in dire
need of something, and does not want to wait.
98.) Lambunyudjela wutsha. I put in the fish
poison for you. That is, all get the benefit of the
work that we do.
99.) Ka sho, nshimba on'a sho? The property
of your father, can you keep it from his child?
100.) Mbuluku akashili ekulu la wema. The
legs of jackle went to nothing from standing.
One that has to stand a long time may say this.
101.) Mbedinyaka nkate la nfumba? Do you
make cooking and roasting the same?
(Cooking is considered best. This is said of two
people, one of whom is good and the other bad.
Do not say they are the same.
102.) Ona umuntu lukuno la mangi mbendi.
A daughter is like a manioc sprout. Even if she
is not pretty, she will bring profit later on.
103.) On'ongenyi kalanya ongenyi. The child
of the friend ruins the friendship (as by reporting
that he did not treat him well).
104.) Wembopepo awangela asaka lukumba.
Mr. Hasty is shaking with eagerness to get
something that one has in mind to give him.
This is said of one who is eager to get things.
105.) Kombela nshila edju l'omo omo. The
'kombela' (bird) eats up the caterpillars one at a
time until they are all gone. This may be
applied to firing employees and in other ways.
106.) Ambutuyaosela dianga la pombo. You
go and get for yourself the palm branch and the
biting ants. This is said when one accuses
another and is put in jail himself instead of the
other, or in similar situations.
107.) Lambena nshila ku djeli. I see them
finishing and they give them more. This is said
of one who has work to do and other work is
pilled on, or when one has had enough to eat
and is forced to eat more.
108.) Uyuku hatshi ondjo, ati, Akilili? The
manioc bread which does not praise the
lo-custs (cooked with it), will it praise the crickets
which are not plentiful)? This is said of one
who has a hard time, but was better off before.
109.) Atunyi atu, kema asambudi. They are
enemies, not judges. This is said of a partial
judge.
110.) Kenge amboto l'atei a pakahaka. (a tight
place, as between branches) The axe gets stuck.
This is said of one who is in perplexity,
not knowing what to do.
111.) Ukundi olo l'unyo a kana? How can it
taste good in the mouth of another? You do
not get the benefit of something given to
another.
112.) Kitu? An inheritance? Will the things
that you eat cup come back to me? You keep
on getting things and I do not get any.
113.) Koko hakomolaka kuleke olomo. The
chicken does not pick up something bigger
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than its mouth. (Don't bite off more than
you can chew.)
114.) Kele ya hyusu y'ukeli. The anger of an
eggshell. This is said of one easily angered, as
an eggshell is easily crushed.
115.) Kenda nna l'etinyi. Walk a step and a
half. It is well to be areful how we walk or how
we do. Do not be proud.
116.) Kotwe l'unyo kutumbi l'ehembe. What
enters the mouth comes out the nose. What is
done to one member of the family is done to
others. "Love me, love my dog."
117.) Ukama a ntundu, ku shekuseku? The
first piece (of bread) and you hiccough? If a big
arguement is mad over the first point in a
conference, this proverb is used, or in similar
situations.
118.) Lukumbi hotoka l'unyo a unyandi. The
drum (flat wooden kind) will not enter the
mouth of another drum. (The mouth is about
2 inches wide). Each should be good, and not
depend upon the goodness of the other.
119.) Koi haleka ututu. The leopard does not
eat the navel. "Blood is thicker than water."
120.) Ehambi kakahuki utema. The hairy
worm, the heart kneaded it. One keeps on
loving the wayward child whatever it does. (The
hairy worm represents the wayward child.)
121.) Unya hatela untu ushimu. The sun does
not tell tales, that is it does not tell us what is
coming.
122.) Edjedja a unya nyukulaka ehekeli. Time
brings down the stump. This is said of one who
laughs at another, he will be in the same
difficulty in time.
123.) Ona engeno katshikalaka la nyangu. The
ugly child stays with the mother. "The good die
young."
124.) Ukunda kudiotoka hene akanda. In
entering the woods for the first time, the tight
places are not seen. One does not know what is
in the future.
125.) Ongendagenda kanaka kunyi la diumbu.
A visitor gathers wood on a grave. He is
excusable because he does not know.
126.) Edimu hemale lahandi. A ghost does not
stand facing one who is not his. One does not
go to an outsider to ask for favors, but to his
fellow helpers.
127.) Wetshi haleka ma di'edimu. A doctor
does not eat the food of a ghost. He knows
better. So one who is wise avoids evil.
128.) Lowo utu kashaka unyo, unyo hashaka
lowo? Does the hand only give to the mouth,
and the mouth not give to the hand? We
should give to each other.
129.) Ambumbe ku mbuka tshitshi? You
plunge into the water, and then feel cold? You
felt cold beforehand, and should not have
plunged in. You know that stealing (or other
sin) is bad, and you go and steal.
130.) Unya a kashi hemala a mputo. The sun
of a lie does not delay in rising. You lie will
come out.
131.) Puki ambulungula, kudjaka diso, hashili
ulungulungu. The pot (of food) which is
scorched, though you put in palm oil, the smell
remains. If one steals, he will continue to do so,
even if you tell him not to.
132.) Ahawo l'edia antu kendi. The one they
give to is on the other side of the people. He
treats others better than his own people. Or
some are fortunate, others are not.
133.) Mbuka hate untu ushimu. The path does
give information to a person. One cannot tell
what is at the end of the journey. The one to be
visited may not be at home.
134.) Akolo, akolo, dimo dikolo ma la djese,
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dimo dikolo emambi. There are evenings, and
evenings, one there is millet food and manioc
greens, one there is meat.
135.) On'osenge de, eti on'a wadi. The son of
the husband of the wives is a dunce, the it is the
son of the wife (not his own). This is said of one
who puts the blame on others.
136.) Vudi mo ehetsha edika. One little goat
the palm nuts have it in for (are thrown at him).
This is said when one is punished while others
escape, or of one who is unfortunate in other
ways.
137.) Dikungula la pindju hasambi dipopo.
Thunder in the morning it is sure to rain.
138.) Unya a nyoi taweyi ukanga. There is no
charm to tell the time of death.
139.) Yanyi y'ukunda, l'unduwaleka kendi.
Sunlight in the woods, where it will shine it
shines. Things are as they are, we cannot help
it.
140.) Lushi kukundokelaka, kakelandi. The
stream flows where it will. Things are as they
are, we cannot help matter.
141.) Udu ambuvo haseke mponda. The dead
corpse does not refuse to rot. One who has
done wrong will have to suffer for it. One will
reap whatever he sows.
142.) Olo a wudi, nyangu pami unyishi. Your
throat is in fortunate circumstance (plenty to
eat), but you have a stingy uncle. (you are
stingy.)
143.) Evudu Shakuti, lakatasumbe ngomo, ku
akina wutahumi. The turtle carried the drum,
but others beat it. One works, others get the
benefit of his labors.
144.) Untu hadimula nyoi keti djeli. One who
does not count on dying is a fool.
145.) Untu hamo untu, kanga wata mbalendi.
One does not cease to be a person even if he
eats husks.
146.) Utshumu wukime djeli mbakumbula
tungingili mbutula. The bundle that the
ordinary person carries, the elders would
like to unwrap (or long to unwrap).
147.) L'udihi, l'udihi, ku ndu la tangi. On the
floor, on the floor, then finally on the bed. This
is said of one who was poor, and is not in better
circumstances.
148.) Al'a kotshi ku al'a fumu. Eat with the
back of the head and also with the forehead.
Don't neglect your own people.
149.) Tshitshe aha nemo, onene katewo asulu.
They do not honor the small one, they are stiff
with fright of the big one.
150.) Ona lutshi djeli, mbakumbula enene.
The child which the ordinary person give birth
to, the big ones long for (not having a child.)
151.) Na emenamena huleki losoi? What
things are eaten more than saliva? Own and
use your own things, you will have more than if
you borrow from others.
152.) Tutshikaki dikata, lunyunyu wusu
mbuyendi. Do not leave the grasshopper, the
green locus comes only for a little while. Do
not neglect your people and friends on account
of chance acquaintances.
153.) Wembo akenda ku tana ukina Wembo.
So-and-so goes, and we get another. (So with
the chief, wife, things. They may be replaced).
No one is indispensible
154.) Unyo hati usambu waki lui. The mouth
does not speak of the stunt of yesterday. (It
does not say, 'We ate yesterday, so will not eat
today.
155.) Konde, konde ku mpetsha wohi? I have
just married you and you insult me? You have
eaten only a little, and you belsh? You are a
 10
newcomer, and you take up all the time talking?
156.) Atandi ku ata l'ukina. What he says he is
speaking to another. (as when one is not
listening, or when he is not truthful and one has
to ask another).
157.) Wedi a lushi ku shambi? Across the
stream, and you ask me to play with you? This
is said when one does not want to get into a
palaver as a witness.
158.) Ulwi aha lumanyu mbamana an'a koko.
The snake without any noise is the one that
finishes up the chickens. Silent evils are the
most deadly.
159.) Untu udingami kati, "Hanyinganyi." The
person involved in palavers say he is not
involved. This is said of a liar.
160.) Luudu laha nyama ku nshimba fo? No
meat in the house and you keep the dog away?
One who is not guilty is not scared, he has no
palaver to be found out.
161.) L'edi a difusa dinela dieko. After the
digging up of the ground there is the hoeing.
Your turn will come. This is said of one who
laughs at another's plight, or who has wronged
another.
162.) Diayayi ndeka dia l'ekongo. What is to
come is more than what is behind. We may
hope for better circumstances.
163.) Wokoko wa kanga sumbo. The
entreat-ing attitude of a beggar. This is said of
one who entreats and then does not pay back.
164.) Tu shumulaki onanyo, wadi
kahandaweyi. Do not fuss with your brother
who has not obtained a wife. He has no one to
cook food for him.
165.) Lukanyi keli kashi, leta keli somete.
Thinking is a liar, a call is the real thing (as to
eat).
166.) Onyendangenda djombo eti kanga ngelu
diuha. The visitor begs, that means the owner
of the house is forgetful. Otherwise he would
not have to ask for things.
167.) Sha sho uma le nyo kamondi. (Give to
your father, 'that came from the mother.' The
child does not think of things unless told.
168.) Memakana ku mena ekana. The
kindhearted will see his grand children. What
is, they live longer.
169.) Um'a nyama, "ku nyama lu puki". You
boast that you are an animal, then you are meat
in the pot. It is better not to boast too much.
170.) Atadianyi, ku "Dimi Wembo." Before
seeing the palaver he says I am brave." This is
said of one who boasted, but the other person
got the best of him.
171.) Untu l'ekodi ati, "laha pami a sawu. "The
person tied up with the vine says, 'I am not a
man to fool with (to chat with). That is, I am
not a softy. This is said of a boaster.
172.) Untu la wudja kendi, djele lakandi. A
person out among the tribe a tiny cricket, at
home a giant cricket. He can do as he pleases
at home.
173.) Umbetshi a mboka kukana untu. One
thinks well of a passerby. That is, he does not
see him enough to know his faults.
174.) Olo l'onyo a kana? Am I fortunate from
what goes into the mouth of another? (implying
that he is not)
175.) Tshumba luwu keli kenyi tshuka. Burn
the tall grass and you will see the ant hills. He
that seeks will find.
176.) Leteteka la mi kahankungi kati, "Laya
la wedi." The one going with me does not wait
for us, saying I am not on the other side of the
valley. This is said of one who is passing the
buck.
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177.) One lakunga ambuleka lakate keke. The
one who sits becomes more angry than the one
who cooks.
178.) Hawambaka wetshi mpaku eki lu ta. Do
not speak of how marvelous the doctor is when
you are still in the fight. That is wait and see if
his charm works.
179.) Ekina kolwo mvula, ku dikeledu
ambuyukama laka elombe. The rain falls
elsewhere and the water runs to the home of the
(elombe).
180.) Nduku diahakadimo. There is nothing
lasting, all things change.
181.) Kesekese anoka ditshe, kati, wadi ambuta
diasa. Dance because this wife has born twins.
He is happy on account of good fortune.
182.) Tolaki on'untu. Do not laugh at the son
of a person. He might become better.
183.) Okongo hangana la tangi kati, "Utsha
l'sumbu." The back does not move from the
bed so you say "On the way to the spirits."
184.) Uwala lenya omondja wenyi, ku hasha
tshina. The luwala tree treats the grass well, but
does not bive to the base. This is said of one
who treats others well and neglects his family
and friends. (The uwala tree has beans which
pop and scatter the seeds some distance from
the base.)
185.) Elimbo a unya, ku untu hulimbe. The
heat of the sun, no one who does not wear it.
Troubles will come sooner or later.
186.) Kanga tshungu ntongonaka langa. The
blind person picks up the guinea fowl. You
refuse to help me, so I will do the
impossible and do it myself.
187.) Leho latshumba utema, hene dinga. The
salt that is burned in the heart does not show any
smoke. One cannot see what is in the heart of a
person. (Salt is made by burning certain plants,
and smoke comes from it.)
188.) Hawenaka untu mundu udjashi. They
do not see the short person sitting. That is they
can not tell whether he is short or tall.
189.) Ta huti on'ololo. A fight does not bear
good fruit.
190.) Okongo a shokandi untu, we usula ku
ndi asula on'andi. The back of some one's
uncle, you wash it and he washes the back
of his son. You give to a person and he gives to
his son instead of you.
191.) Ekundja akundja lutui hedi la kakundja
anya. The riches which the hearing gains are
not on a level with what the hands gain. That is,
one does not get all that is promised him. A
bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
192.) Fuki nye dinga, fuki nye dinga, 'ku
ntshikala utuku utu.' This wood is smoky, this
wood is smoky, so there remains only the
ashes (the wood is thrown away). This is said of
one who finds fault with people, as for example
employes, and gets rid of them. Soon he is left
alone.
193.) Tola la unyo ku lutunu l'utema.
Laughing with the mouth, but hatred in the
heart. Said of one who is double faced.
194.) Ona kanga nyangu adja okama, on'etshiki
nkunga sho. The child who has a mother, she
gives him food, the orphan child is told to wait
for his father.
195.) Katshi kula unyadi katshi. Ololo katunga
ololo. The leaf goes to receive its fellow leaf.
Good creates good.
196.) Minginga hadiaki nyama, udiakaki
on'andi. The hunter does not kill the animal,
will kill its mother. If something asked for is
not noble, will get it another day.
197.) Hyotehotokshama m'elembele kukung'e.
 12
A whisper will become a shout as you wait.
"What you have spoken in the car shall be
proclaimed upon the house tops."
199.) Uweli hasha unganga tsho. The uweli
tree does not give the unganga tree any thing.
This is said of one who is stingy.
200.) Mvula khungulaka wati, "oloki". It
thunders, as you say it will rain. One who keeps
on saying he will do a certain thing will do
it.
201.) Kana khungula eti ndo? If it thunders
does that mean it will rain? Loud words does
not always mean action.
202.) Shungu khungula ya pukupuku kaladiake
usumbi udima. The post hard to pull up
causes the old man to sleep without fire. This is
said in regart to one who promises but puts off
doing.
203.) Kanga diese kateketa la lahatasumbo. It
is a lucky one who talks only with one not
bewitched. He's lucky if he has not done
something to cause him of his accused the death
of someone.
204.) Eli djo keli ntokokala. "Stealing is
stealing."
205.) Djinindi kuku shi wati, "Dimi on'a
luhuma." The martin bore you and you say,
"Iam the child of the popping sparrow."
(you are pretending that you are
something that you are not.)
206.) Utamba wemadi tolaki okaka. The tree
that is standing should not laugh at the one lying
on the ground. Do not laught at the plight of
another. You may be in the same condition
some day.
207.) Djinindi ku diefu lu ulundu? You are
only a martin and you have a next in the ulundu
tree? (large tree) You are trying to be bigger
than you are.
208.) Utshumu diheka, utshumu diheka,
hangone memba. A bundle on each shoulder,
does one does not succeed in carrying them.
Too many irons in the fire.
209.) Ale ondjo okombwami. Eats the locus
that has been stripped. One sets the benefit of
the labors of others.
210.) Di'ekmane l'sheli di'untu kukinda sese.
Your fault is stuck on the wall, that of another
goes about in the streets of the village.
211.) Ashu sukana l'ohembe, ehomani ohambe
fundu. The eyes are close to the nose, but are
not well acquainted with it. One sees the faults
of others rather than his own.
212.) Asaka wkekumba, ku safu dia waki. Big
baskets for big poles. (for dipping water out in
order to catch fish.)
213.) Ntshika dji lukundu, ku tatshu la sulu
elingi. You leave the mice in the place to the
side, and go to the place where it smells. (from
urinating). You do not do the important things,
but the lesser things.
214.) Untu kolongola nshinga dingoi, tukutanda
la mbuka lushi. A person should be slow about
tying on the fish hook, let him look at the path
to the stream. Don't count the chickens before
they hatch.
215.) Akuki watambatsmba mbutshaka atuki
saki. The perch jumping about give zest to the
fishers. (Dipping water out of a pool.) Hope
of a reward gives zest to work.
216.) Elundji ka lumindja ha'kundja utshumu
wakawukanyi. A frowing face does not obtain
the bundle intended for it. It does not pay to be
cross.
217.) Naka we hatshimi difuku etali la handja
songo sodi, ku ndjumbula nyama ntumba? If
you do not dig deep and sharpen the stakes,
then do you ask how it is the animal escapes?
 13
218.) Kanga woma hasembola edu. A coward
does not avenge the dead. He accepts the law.
219.) Lungudi nsukana la ashi, ku hale elundji.
The 'lungudi (fish) is close to the water, but his
face does not become white.
220.) Untu hayangi utamba l'utuku. One
doesn't look for a stick in the ashes. One
cannot squeeze blood from a turnip.
221.) Utema a kanga luudu, nyama luudu, ku
kakukatela djese. As the owner of the house
wants, meat in the house, and he cooks manioc
greens for you. He keeps the best things for
himself.
222.) Lohesene havu dinga, untu havu aui wa
kandji. The roach does not die on account of
the smoke. A person does not die from painful
words.
223.) Woma hashimbi nyoi. Fear does not
prevent death.
224.) Tetaki l'asa leho l'iso. Do not pass
between the salt and the palm oil. Do not
meddle in the affairs of husband/wife.
225.) Okoke ku onone. Slow then fast. One
may have a slow start and a good end.
226.) Akanga a wadi kanyimbamana alimba.
The suspicions of those with a wife exhausts
their bodies.
227.) Unya a mboya, kongenongeno. The day
you are given things is a day of joy. (It is more
blessed to receive than to give.)
228.) Lakumba nonge koli skalu. Where one
covers the flying termites (to catch them to eat)
there are the soldier termites which bite.
229.) Esafu usui tshitshi keti mvula atalo. The
pool in the plain is cold, that indicates that it has
not rained. (One who is ill said is not counted.)
230.) Untu towela mvula la diwutu, keti wadi
kavendi ntabodia. If one leaves in the rain
from his father-in-law's (as in anger), he will 'die'
clicking his throat at his wife.
231.) Utamba a lumkadu akungela ngondo,
tshukunyu kunga mvula. The stick on which
the 'lumkandu' mushrooms waits for the new
moon, the tshukunyu mushrooms wait for the
rain. (Each one to his own desires).
232.) Ahungu lu mbika atende, lu nkate ululu.
In gathering the egg plants there are thorns, in
cooking them they are bitter. (Said of one who
is altogether bad).
233.) Luhundi kutsho diku, ekelele ka ngele.
Through the 'luhundi' fish go upstream, it will
come down.
234.) Osongo Udinga ambu ambukalula laka
Edia Mbulu. Osongo Udinga returns to Edia
Mbulu (his wife).
235.) "Hali kamba ya Shanga, "ku nojole kamba
ya Shenga." You say you do not eat the eels
Shanga, then you eat the eels of
Shanga.
236.) On'a kanga nyangu useka hahumbi. The
child of the husband of the young mother does
not lack a man. (He will be named by
succeeding stepfathers).
237.) Tende kandji, ku lumbu tshitshi. K'e
kandji, k'untu ngandji. The thorn hurts, but the
palm-bloom salt is savory. Yours painful to give
but you have desire for that of another.
238.) Omonomono a kanga lukesu. The smile
of the deceiver.
239.) Ana w'atuku mboto mba. The little palm
trees bear nuts.
240.) Nyangonya mbafusanu. You succeed in
raising thieves, so you cultivate them again.
241.) Kema kambeya lusambe hahumo
luwandji. The monkey which knows the tree
trails cannot be wounded by the arrow.