Tonga.Online has obtained permission
from Isaac Mumpande for uploading of Tonga proverbs from his collection onto
the website.

The second part will be added in the
near future. We are grateful that authority to upload the book on the website
was solicited for and granted by the writer - twalumba. We tried to look for
the soft copy of the book from the publisher but all in vain. In this regard,
we had to re-type the whole book.

Best regards, Pottar Muzamba

A

1. Aabantu taatiki musinza (see
498).

(Where there are people no soup is
spilled.)

Be open with your problem(s).Share
it /them with many people as their wide experience and wisdom will help solve
your problem. It encourages problem sharing/ solving.

2. Aabbwe mpwakkede takunyigwi mazyu
(see 291).

(Do not mess the stone where you
were seated.)

When you are about to leave a place
/ people you were staying / working with, do not quarrel with them just because
you are going away. You may need their help in future. It warns people not to
be over excited and have an ‘I will not come again attitude’ when they are
about to leave people.

3. Aafwa muntu takubuliki bulozi.

(When a person dies, the death is
always attributed to witchcraft.)

People always accuse somebody as the
one responsible for the death of a deceased/any bad event. Used in consoling accused
people.

4. Aalayilwa mwana muzyale
mpaalayilwa muzike (see 280).

(Any orphan gets advice when the
parents of a child advice their child.)

Whenever you hear words of wisdom/
advice being given to somebody, take them also even though they are not directed
to you, for they will benefit in future.

5. Aalibuchi taatemwi twiingi.

(Where the is honey you do not cut
many times.)

Where you are to succeed/ achieve,
you make only very little effort then things go
well.

6. Aamena muchila taababi.

(Where a tail develops it does not
itch.)

When a crime/ omen is about to
befall you, it does not give a warning signal but simply happens. In this way,
there is no way one can prevent it.

7. Atika maanzi aatakwe buyoleke.

(Once water spills you can not
gather it again.)

Something bad has happened and is
not reversible.

8. Awumwi ulanzembelo yakwe.

(Each and everyone has a different
war dance.)

People do things/view things
/interpret things differently and they must not be blamed for being different
from each other .

It encourages people to accept
diversity of ideas, methodologies etc.

B

9. Bana basyabumba balida mulukaye.

(Children of a clay pot
moulder  eat from a broken clay pot.)

People are good at doing things for
others but usually fail to do things  for themselves.

10. Bakayenzene bakajeyanina mutwe
wasulwe.

(Best friends killed each other over
a hare’s head.)

Best friends can separate/ kill each
other over very small conflicts/ clashes regardless of how many years they have
been together. It’s common.

11. Bakamujonga mukkwelebende
mukumupeda mumwi abana.

(An elder was underrated and grouped
together with children.)

Never underrate/ despise somebody
before you discover his/her potential.

12. Basimunyewu tabanyampuli boonse
(see 244).

(Not all ants harvest when they go
hunting.)

Whenever a group of people set out
to do something, not all of them achieve/ succeed.

13. Basokwe bakaabana ziyu (see 14).

(Baboons shared the chaff.)

Share everything with others, no
matter how small it is.

14 .Bazike bakabaana busenga (see
13).

(Slaves shared the bran.)

15. Bbamwanu mukondo uzimaane.

(Steal from your mother so that the
track is lost.)

It is better to wrong your relatives
because the issue is solved internally and does not attract a lot of people’s
attention. But if you wrong non-relatives the crime goes very far.

16. Bbonga uulidwa akale.

(A tuber plant that is eaten on the
spot.)

The item / issue in question is/ was
very small and did not need the attention of a lot of people.

17. Bbwalo lyakawumya
mukamulombe mukamunene kaseka.

(Relaxing led to the suffering of a
new bride while an old woman got away with it.)

Never be cheated by old employees at
work/ other people in any place. If you see them working slowly / relaxing do
not emulate them because they know all the tricks they use in evading/ tricking
the boss.

18. Bucheda aamwi (see 189).

(It dawns at the same time.)

Even if people differ in terms of
wealth, intelligence, level of education, skin  colour, etc, they are all
people and enjoy similar favours from God.

19. Buchenjezu bulagola(see 21, 24)

(Cleverness ends.)

A person who ignores advice and
claims to be clever ends up in a trouble.

20. Buchete nkuyanda.

(People choose to be poor.)

Everyone has the potential to be
rich as long as they think and work very hard.

21. Bufubafuba mukondo wabo bupampu
buyookupampuuza (see 19).

(The foolish are always safe and the
clever end up in trouble.)

22. Bukande tabukwe ndido mbotu.

(Excessive beer drinking influences
bad behaviour.)

People who do not drink in
moderation end up in problems.

23. Bulaama chaacha (see 32).

(Days bring different things.)

Days are different or things change.
if you are lucky today, tomorrow you may not be lucky.

24. Bulemalema mweenzule buchenjezu
nkamwi (see 19).

(Stupidity is a shade while
cleverness passes.)

A person who doesn’t listen to
counsel/ advice is likely to get into trouble.

25. Bulwazi bulabila bukkazika moyo.

(A patient who eats gives people
hope of survival.)

People who are ill but are able to
eat and are active, give others hope for their survival. But if they stop
eating, people tend to panic and think that the patients may die at any time.

26. Bulya nkuyu buliinzizyania (see
390).

(Birds that eat fig fruits give each
other chances.)

If you are demoted from a leadership
position, do not be worried/ angry because you be giving another person a
chance. That is how nature operates.

27. Bulyebulye tabulyeeti bweta
aawuputa (see 58).

(Good things come from hard work.)

People must work hard to get the
good things  they want.

28. Bupati tabulizigilwi ngoma (see
29).

(You do not to sound a drum to mark
the stage of your adulthood.)

People must not wait to be told that
they are adults but must see it for themselves and change their behaviour
according to their age.

29. Bupati tabumenwi meja (see 28).

(One need not to grow horns as a
symbol of adulthood.)

30. Busangu ndigande tabulabilwi
(see 337).

(Promiscuity is as nice as a
bullfrog; once tasted it’s difficult to abstain from it.)

Do not indulge in promiscuity/
prostitution because it’s difficult to desist from it once you start indulging
in it.

31. Busiko bwangomwa nkujana
da.

(An impotent man is lucky when his
wife is impregnated.)

If somebody does something for you
when you know that you are not able to do it yourself, you tend to thank him/
her.

32. Busiku ngunamasandu (see 23).

(There are many changes that happen
at night.)

33. Butala ngabuye kukalya.

(Let the granary be taken to the
chief.)

One is satisfied and needs no more
food.

34. Buumi bwafulwe nkutamubona.

(A tortoise survives if not seen by
the people.)

People who are powerless/
financially crippled get into misery the day they encounter problems they will
not be in a position to defend themselves.

35. Buunsi bwakabi mbumwi (see 70 ).

(It takes only a day for things to
get spoilt.)

Habitual criminals may seem always
to get away with it but they could be caught in a single day.

36. Buuya bulanenga (see 200)

(Generosity cuts.)

People who like assisting others
tend to assist other people who are not grateful. Instead of appreciating the
good done for them, they cause trouble.

37. Buyani bunona aamunyo.

(A relish taste good because of the
salt.)

A story/ discussion becomes
interesting when people exaggerate things or flavour it.

38. Buzuba bumwi tabubozeki nyama.

(One day does not make meat go bad.)

A wrong thing done once to help
somebody in difficulties is not bad and you may not be caught as long as it is
not repeated.

39. Bwaami mbusiilwana (see 373,
103).

(Chieftainship is passed from one to
another.)

Wealth is never permanent.
Prosperous people today are supposed to share with the poor because tomorrow
those who were poor yesterday may be rich and will also assist them.

40. Bwaato tabulindi muntu
bulindilwa aachito.

(A canoe does not wait for a
passenger but a passenger should wait for it at the ford.)

Be punctual. A bus / train cannot
wait for you. If you are delaying you will be left behind.

41. Bwaawo bwanswi buligwa
kunyanyamene.

(A relish comprising fish is eaten
with great care.)

Treat/ handle dangerous people/
items/ chemicals with great precaution otherwise they may harm/ kill you.

42. Bweenzu bulimbya mabwe.

(Being a stranger, you are likely to
be hurt by falling stones.)

If one is a stranger in an area one
must be very alert and careful not to fall into danger.

43. Bwiinga chebuka aankuya chebuka
(see 357).

(Bride look back and also look
forward to where you are going.)

A married woman should neither ill
treat/ neglect her biological parents / relatives nor the parents/ relatives of
her husband.

44. Chaakanza mulonga musena.

(What created a river is a rivulet.)

Things start small and end up big.

45. Chakaanza musena muzoochibona .

(You will see what created a
rivulet.)

If a man indulges in adultery, one
day the husbands of the women he sleeps with  will catch him.

46. Chakawumya sidangilizya.

(A stray weapon struck a spectator.)

One who loves watching a fight will
one day be hurt∕ killed by a stray weapon from the people fighting.
Therefore keep away from people fighting.

47. Chako tachikuumyi musako.

(Nobody will bother you with your
staff.)

People must buy their own
possessions instead of depending on borrowing. When using your own tool∕
item, you tend to use it any how without any fear of breaking∕ losing it.

48. Chakupegwa tachitengwi ( see
359.)

(Do not complain about the size of
the gift you are given by somebody.)

Give thanks if you are given
something no matter how small it is.

49. Chamulengalenga zungula kulaloka
nduwe muntondo (see 432)

(Azungula swings as if it will fall
but a ntondo that appears secure falls first.)

Do not wish other people to be hurt/
die, for you are not God. Instead, it’s you who will die and leave them alive.

50. Chamulama tabuli mpayaama.

(A climber plant will never fail to
get another to climb up.)

Even somebody is a stranger in an
area they will always get a person who will accommodate them for a night or
more.

51. Chamusambazi chakanunka tombe.

(Wares of a dedicated vendor/ hawker
smell dirty.)

A dedicated vendor/ hawker must
allow potential customers (regardless of their appearance) to look at / touch their
wares because by so  doing people get to know more about the wares and
then buy.

52. Chamwini mubila mufwi.

(If you wrong yourself you do not
complain much.)

If people hurt/ wrong themselves
they do not complain much as compared to when they are wronged by another
person.

53. Chanyaanye chiyoowe minwe.

(Touch- touch it so that it fears
fingers.)

Completely avoiding a problem does
not make any progress but if you try to work on it, you will realize some
slight/ big changes.

54. Cheebela ngwankoli ( see 46).

(A spectator is hurt by a
knobkerrie.)

55. Cheene chilumya suntwe.

(A promise causes one to be
attacked/ eaten by a hyena.)

A promise is a credit. Some people
will always try their best to fulfil it regardless of dangers that they may
encounter in a bid to honour the promise.

56. Chibi chizibwa aabula/ mulomo.

(Bad food is detected by the
stomach/ mouth.)

One must not judge bad food by
merely looking at it. You must eat it and only by tasting/ vomiting it can you
say it’s bad.

57. Chibila lyakamweena gonta (see
156).

(A rock rabbit was deceived by a
short period of overcast.)

If a nice thing you are enjoying is
short lived, do not be engrossed in that but try to better yourself so that
even if the good thing passes you will still be in a position to survive well.

58. Chibotu chizywa kumitukuta (see
27).

(Good things come from sweat.)

59. Chibize wakabula meja akulya
(see 386).

(A zebra failed to get horns because
of loving food.)

Do your work yourself. Do not always
send others to do it. A person who does not do things  for him/herself
tends to get his/ her things done badly or not done at all.

60. Chibizwa akusosela pepe ankoto
zyameso (see 141).

(Food being cooked will ripen by
constant poking of the fire.)

61. Chigoto wakajeya ntale.

(A squeaker fish killed a
crocodile.)

Do not underrate your enemies
regardless of their size. Every enemy has the potential to harm/ kill you.

62. Chikandikandi wakabona simulinda
zuba wakabula.

(One who plays/ likes mud gets a
bumper harvest while the other one who hates mud gets nothing.)

A person who hates working in mud
usually gets low yields.

63. Chikkede ndibbwe (see 138).

(Only a stone is permanent.)

A person can die any time.

64. Chikoye kovuna liso kukkala amwi
mbunyina (see 168).

(The eyelid should rescue the for
being together means they are friends.)

Neighbours should always assist each
other in time of need.

65. Chikoolochikoolo mwanaansya
watakozya kwanu nkukwawuso.

(The appearance of a young buck is
inherited from either it’s mother or father.)

The behaviour/ physiology of a child
resembles either that of the mother or the father. Like mother, like daughter
or like father, like son.

66. Chikulana / Chanike ndilaye.

(Brother / young brother advise me.)

Receive advice from both old and
young people.

67. Chikukuchikuku wonawona.

(Chicken- chicken sleep- sleep.)

A person is pretending to be
assisting you while he / she has a hidden agenda of either harming/ killing
you.

68. Chikulile chikulaye.

(Take care of her so that she can
give you wisdom.)

If you take care of people they will
also give lots of good advice.

69. Chikuta chawumwi tacheenzyi
bulimo (see 78).

(Somebody’s worn out hoe does not
weed a bigger place.)

Never rely much on borrowed items
because they will not allow you to work freely and your work will not be
completed in time as the owner can reclaim his / her thing at any time

70. Chilya mbulu moyo.

(What eats a lizard is the heart.)

If you admire something, no matter
how bad it appears, you will take/ eat it.

71. Chilyeeta chilalweza (see 27).

(That which comes alone is a bad
omen.)

72. Chipaapa nkupana.

(People are giving each other gifts
/ possessions / things / goods.)

People who usually give each other
items will always share things.

73. Chitamani chilalweza.

(That which does not end is a bad
omen.)

Everything has an end.

74. Chito nchuzibide chilumya ntale
(see35).

(A ford that you are used to can
still cause you to be eaten by a crocodile).

Be always cautious in danger zones
even if you are very familiar with those places.

75. Chiyowelelwa chiliinda chitiindi
chilalweza.

(Everything passes ).

No matter how difficult a problem
you face, one day it will pass.

76. Chizyede nyina nchiingi.

(There are a lot of youngsters.)

There are many young men/ ladies not
yet married. Therefore, if you are not in good books with your lover do not
hesitate to leave him/ her and look for another one.

77. Chizyula nkumba mayoba.

(Rain clouds bring snails out.)

Everything that happens has its
causes.

78. Choolobwe baachako (see 69).

(Choolobwe have your own.)

79. Choolwe chawumwi tachoonenwi
aanze.

(Somebody else’ s
fortune/opportunity is not worth sleeping out for.)

Opportunities differ from one person
to another. If somebody is lucky and gets something it does not mean that you
will also get it even if that person is your friend/spouse. So never crack your
head about how you can also get it.

80. Choonza mponono udundiizya
mpalala.

(A poor fellow praises his / her
sleeping place.)

Everyone praises their home place
even if it’s bad because they know no other place.)

81. Chuulu chibomba aakudinkiilwa
(see 60).

(An anthill gets soft by repeated
crushing.)

82. Chuungwe wuluka chamana
nchwakkalilide.

(Crow, fly away because what you
have been here for is over.)

Leave a place if your business there
is finished.

83. Dambwa talibuli chulwa.

(It’s rare  for a pool of water
not to have a frog in it.)

In any discussion there are bound to
be some people who have divergent views. This is normal.

84. Dombe kkumbila kubi kwadombe
nkubba.

(A gentleman must ask for, rather
than steal, something.)

If you admire something, better ask
for it from the owner rather than steal it.

85. Dombe libija libija aatwalo.

(Should a gentleman be said to be
bad his items should also be bad.)

Hate a person together with his
possessions. Do not hate a person and continue to use their money/assistance/or
whatever they have.

86. Dongo lifwida kumubumbi walyo.

(A clay pot must be destroyed by its
maker.)

If people invite you to eat their
food (especially beverages), make sure you let them be the one who finish that
food.

87. Dongo lizula bana bako ayebo
nubanyina lizookumena.

(A pot that fills with your children
will end up swallowing you also.)

A person or disease that is killing
your children will end up killing you unless you take precautions before it’s
to late.

88. Dyamusule lyoombelwa ngoma (see
157).

(The last person to eat is praised
by drums.)

The last person to perform receives
more attention or performs better than others. Those who eat last are envied by
those who will have eaten first.

89. Gama kubabi kubabotu lisya
malindi.

(Ugly people are cheeky towards
handsome/beautiful ones.)

An ugly person like criticizing
beautiful/handsome people. Such people are also very short tempered.

90. Goloondo ndakkala ndaliigwa.

(Mr Goloondo, I will sit after being
paid.)

I will only do what you want after
you have done what I want.

91. Gombola baleya bachimba bakwela
dongo.

(The baleya scoop food but the
bachimba pulls the pot.)

A greedy person is not content with
scooping just enough out, but would rather take the whole pot even though it is
too much.

92. Ibbende talilali mumwi antanga.

(A rat and pumpkin seeds cannot
sleep together.)

A predator and a pray can hardly
stay together without the pray being eaten/destroyed/victimised.

93. Ibbukela talyeeli.

(Mourning for the dead does not
end.)

The period for mourning the dead does
not cease, therefore, never hurry to the funeral.

94. Ikkulu talisembelwi aabantu.

(Tripe is not exposed in public.)

Never discuss embarrassing issues in
presence of many people. Better move to a secretive  place.

95. Indangilzye iyetela kalikule.

(Unnecessary delay in attending to
an issue/problem leads to more problems.)

Attend to an issue while it is still
budding. If you delay you will fail to overcome/contain it.

96. Inkanga ijata ulaaluno.

(A guinea fowl is caught by a faster runner.)

A person who performs the best gets
the award. Those who want awards need to excel in whatever they are doing.

97. Inkoli yamunsamu nguzi
ilaambibede.

(A knobkerrie from a tree you
know is better.)

Get married to a man/women whose
background you know well to avoid problems in your marriage.

98. Inkondo yamwaalu ikonda
kukweenda kukulya ilatentuusya.

(A large regiment is good for
defense but rather expensive to maintain.)

Having many children is advantageous
for defense but providing them with the daily needs is very difficult.

99. Insimba itanakabona kayumya
munkanwa.

(A civet cat that has not yet
seen what makes saliva in the mouth go dry.)

A person who has not yet experienced
a certain problem usually takes it lightly.

100. Insya nchenjezu njiichija kichebuuka.

(A clever buck is the one that runs
away and looks back at the same time.)

Always give yourself time to
evaluate and reflect on whatever you are doing so that you recognize your
mistakes and see how you can overcome them.

101. Inswangaano ifwa asilukobo.

(A meeting is made to fail by the
squirrel.)

A journey must be
cancelled/postponed if a squirrel crosses in front of you while you are on that
journey.

102. Inswi itangunia mutwe kukubola.

(A fish starts to rot at the
head.)

The collapsing of an
organization/company/committee is usually preceded by the decaying of the
management/leader(s).

103. Inyama mweenzu.

(Meat is a visitor.)

Wealth is temporary. Good things are
sometimes temporary. Therefore, do not boast about them.

104. Inyati ileelwa aamunsamu.

(One can survive a buffalo attack by
quickly turning round a tree.)

A person successfully defends
him/herself with a minor detail when everybody was already convinced that
he/she is guilty.

105. Inyota mpati itolwa aachikala.

(A big thirsty is taken to a well.)

Take a big problem to those people
or authorities who will give a final and long-lasting solution, not to people
who will refer you to others after they have failed to make a final decisions/
to give a lasting solution.

106. Inzi ikukkala njiikuswini.

(A fly that lands on you is the one
that persist.)

A person a who frequently wish you
bad luck directly/indirectly is the one who bewitches you.

107. Inzi ikuzengelela njiikubwene.

(A fly that frequently flies around
you is the one that sees you.)

A person who frequently visits you
loves you. Treat them nicely also.

108. Isyaalila musule njadonga.

(A goat that trails behind is eaten
by the animals of the donga.)

A person who comes last/ delays gets
little/ nothing/ bad things because the good thing will have been taken by
those who come early. It encourages punctuality.

109. Iwa mibundu isyaala imibundu.

(What falls are ridges (mibundu) and
what remains are ridges (mibundu).)

Even if a woman ditches a man she is
still going to be married by a man. Even if a man ditches a woman that man will
still marry a woman. Be content with the partner you have.

110. Iyuba bbi talikwe mwami.

(A bad day has no chief.)

Anybody, regardless of their
leadership position or status can die any day when his or her time has come.

111. Izuba talikwe chiindi chimwi
inyika yoonse.

(The sun does not raise at the same
time in the whole world.)

New ideas/technology/civilization
never reach all the people at the same time. Even the way they are accepted
within a society will defer from one person to another. Some people are
pro-change while others are conservative.

112. Jata kalula katontola ulabile.

(Hold something bitter and taste
anything sweet.)

Use things /tool/ machines / weapons
with which you are well versed and do not tamper with things that you do not
know because they may hurt /kill you.

113. Jata kamonse kalaboya nkatani.

(Catch a bird whose feathers have
already been removed and leave the one with feathers.)

Go for already done /easy things and
leave those that will require you to labour first before you get them .

114. Juunza aajilo (see32).

(tomorrow is yesterday.)

115. Jongolo telyakabula kweenda
akuulu kumwi kutawo.

(A millipede can not fail to move
because of one leg missing.)

The absence of one
committee/organization member does not bring the operation of that body to a
standstill. Even if one is absent things still move .Never think that your
absence will make everything come to a standstill. It warns people who think
they are so important that their absence means everything will not move
smoothly or collapse without them

116. Kaambo takaboli.

(A crime does not rot ).

Even if you run away from a crime,
by the time you come back after a long period you will still be prosecuted.

117. Kabayunga bakali bakawaale.

(Deceive the brave so that they can
attack.)

Never be easily deceived by other
people to be at the forefront in doing bad things while they remain in the
background .You will be caught /get into trouble while they survive.

118. Kabucha buleta tunji.

(Every day that comes brings new
things.)

Each and every day has its own
unexpected events .

119. Kabwa kakuwa nzovu.

(A dog that barks at an elephant.)

A useless person who heavily
criticizes other people in their absence but when they are present he fears
them and pretends everything is normal .

120. Kalonga kayibeme nkikatola.

(A river with still water on the
surface is the one with a very strong current beneath.)

Never trust quiet people because
most of them are respectable-looking crooks.

121. Kalungununa tajayi mukowa.

(A frank talk does not kill a
relationship.)

Be open with your friend/ other
people and never fear to tell them the truth even if it will disappoint them.
The truth is painful but is constructive.

122. Kasima kamwi kaswini makoswe
kulya.

(One piece of sadza that is
frequently eaten by many rats.)

A person has evaded death many times
. It is therefore not a surprise that he/she has died today .

123. Katanga kalula kakaluzya
matanga nyina.

(A bitter pumpkin made other
pumpkins bitter.)

The whole group /tribe is said to be
bad because of one person who commits a crime or
has
bad behaviour.

124. Kawulu kabumbwidwe nkikamena
ndyu (see120)

(A smooth anthill is the one that
grows mushrooms.)

125. Kaziba muluwa zilaabulombozeke.

(Let the bumper harvest be within
the locality.)

Even if one harvests nothing ,one
will survive through borrowing from local people .It’s a different story when
none from the area harvest anything ;then all people suffer.

126. Kazila kasumbukide
kalaankukaya.

(A seeming busy path leads
somewhere.)

Continued bad behavior coupled by
ignoring advice ,leads somebody to injury or death.

127. Komwiima nyama chifuwa kumupa.

(Deny them the meat but at least
give them bones.)

You can dislike and ill-treat a
child but never deny them wisdom or advice.

128. Koochilema kunyigwa maanzi.

(One can drink water at a disabled
person’s home.)

Better a person be disabled than for
them to die because disabled people can contribute something to the society.

129. Koonsole nchisi (see 165).

(Try and people will respond.)

Better at least to try than to fail
completely.

130. Kozya muntu uyindilile.

(Imitate somebody and even
perform better than him /her.)

Do not aim at exactly achieving what
your role model has achieved aim even higher.

131. Kubelekela kanio kania maanzi.

(Working for an anus that excretes
water.)

Labouring  for little or no
reward.

132. Kubota milimba yakaya
kulilukumba.

(How beautiful the feathers that
went to the nightjar.)

What somebody possess does not suit
him / her. Usually it refers to a beautiful wife married to an ugly husband or
a handsome man married to an ugly wife.

133. Kubote mpali nawakiibumba abije
(see 431).

(Is the clay pot better its the
maker.)

When you love/marry somebody then
whole heartedly accept their parents/relatives too. Never marry somebody and
hate his/her parents/ relatives.

134. Kubuzigwa malimo zyaambo
tazimani.

(Enquire about farming land and
never about the social problems of the area where one intends to go.)

There is no place without social
problems.

135. Kuchenjela uujeya nujeegwa
tuchenjeli.

(The victim never knows when the
killer will act.)

It’s not possible to be ever alert.
The person with the intention to do bad knows exactly when the victim can be
caught unaware.

136. Kufwa dobola liti mulamu
talimani.

(The marriage can collapse but the
established relationship continues.)

The collapse of marriage does not
bring to an end to the established relations between the two people/families.

137. Kufwa muntu zina talibundi.

(A person dies but the name
remains.)

The death of a person does not stop
people from using the of the deceased in their discussions.

138. Kufwa nkoona (see 63).

(Dying is sleeping.)

139. Kujeya mpali mbutezi.

(Destroying a clay pot is only due
to a slippery place.)

No matter how careful/alert one is,
one is bound to commit a crime one day unintentionally.

140. Kujeya nzoka kunyongola mutwe.

(To be one has killed a snake, cut
off it’s head.)

One ought to accomplish set
objectives before deserting a task. Usually this applies to courting a lady;
make sure she clarifies her position before you let her go.

141. Kukobboka kwanzila
nkukwichindiila  (see 60).

(A path becomes a path if people
frequently use it.)

You achieve what you want by
persevering.

142. Kukomena takuzwigwi meja (see
28).

(Adulthood is not indicated by
developing horns.)

143. Kukwila ilimukakole ilimudiba
tiwambuli.

(An animal caught by a snare makes a
noise but the one trapped does not speak.)

A person facing a small problem manages
to it with others but somebody with immense problems usually feels powerless.

144. Kula ubone.

(Grow and see.)

The older you get, the more
challenges you experience.

145. Kulaabanyoko babi kabakujata
kumutwe.

(It’s better to have an ugly mother;
she touches your head.)

A child with a mother, even if she
is disabled, is much better than a motherless child.

146. Kulabila nkulya.

(Tasting is eating.)

An offence is an offence. A person
who commits a small offence is as liable to prosecution as somebody who commits
a bigger offence.

147. kule kwamwaaba nkukutakwe
mbunia (see 248)

( A far place for a jackal is where
there are no favourate fruits.)

No matter how far a place is, if
somebody has something important at that place, they will always get there
without any hesitation.

148. Kulela mujwa nkulela silwani.

( Staying with your nephew is
keeping any enemy.)

Do not stay with your nephew because
he will expedite your death in the event that you die. Your nephew is the one
who takes over your family and property.

149. Kulelwa muntu moyo tuulelwi (
see 190)

(You can keep the body the body of a
person but not his/her heart.)

No one will ever know what the
person next to him/her is thinking. It’s impossible to get into the mind of an
individual and know what they are thinking and feeling.

150. Kulila kwamaanzi nkukwaalyata.

(Water makes noise when step over
it.)

Some people only fight when
provoked. They do not provoke others and do not like conflicts.

151. Kulila kwangoma ndubambo (see
141).

(A drum makes sound because of the
covering top skin.)

152. Kulila mpiye nkukumulyango.

(The sound of a mpiye is coming from
where the door is found.)

Never bother yourself much about a
rumour you do not understand properly because you will get to really  know
it with time.

153 .Kulila nchili nkuku muunzi.

(Where you here the sound of a
pestle and mortar that is where the home is.)

A good home is where there is plenty
of food.

154. Kuli uulila takuswiilizigwi.

(A cry from a mourning person must
be ignored.)

Never take seriously any bad talk /
insult / from a bereaved / sick person or anybody in difficulties.

155. Kuluba  mwaambi mwambilwa
talubi.

(A wrong doer easily forget but the
wronged does not forget.)

People who wrong others easily
forget their mistakes while the wronged people hold grudges and wait for
opportunities for revenge.

156. Kulya kuyeeya (see 57).

(Eat and think.)

Enjoy and at the same time have
foresight. Never be engrossed in the present good and temporary life and forget
about your future.

157. Kulya kwadanzi kwamusule
koombelwa ngoma (see 88).

(The last performer is praised by
drums.)

158. Kumeelelezyo nkukulinsuwo
mpati.

(Last minutes have big bucketfuls.)

Last minutes are dangerous.

159. Kumulomo nkukulikavuna.

(The mouth rescues people.)

People will only assist you if
disclose your problems. If you keep quiet nobody will know what you need.

160. Kunadadilwa kulakaatongo.

(Better be fired while you have a
ruin.)

Never be entirely dependant on your
employer / person keeping you but also have a small piece of land/home where
you can go when you are retrenched.

161. Kunakkala amalozi simbuzi ujeya
chisi.

(Better stay with a witch because a
gossiping person kills lots of people.)

A witch is better than a person who
gossips .A witch only kills one person at a time while a person who gossips
involves lots of people at a time ,who ,when they fight ,may kill each other.

162. Kunamyongwa nkuyu kukkwisi.

(Better have stomach pains after
eating figs than continuing on a hungry stomach.)

People are advised to eat whatever
is edible just to keep them going when food is scarce.

163. Kunina mutekwa.

(Defecating in a source of drinking
water ).

It’s bad to mess around with a
person / organization from whom you get assistance.

164. Kunkombokombo nkukwanu.

(where you buried your umbilical
cord will always be your home.)

Even if you vow not to come back
home and disappear for years ,you will go back home one day for one reason or
the other .

165. Kunsole kulibantu (see129)

(Try and people will respond.)

166. Kununka kwambula nkumwi.

(The mbula fruits smell the same)

Men are the same and so are women
.Even if you ditch your wife /husband the one you will marry will be more or
less the same as your former spouse. Therefore be patient with your partner .

167. Kupa nkwanzika.

(Giving is reserving for future
use.)

If you are a generous person ,the
people to whom you give items will also reciprocate by giving you similar or
better items in future .

168. Kupya aabambene (mabibi)
(see64).

(If one heap of grass catches fire
the near one will also catch fire.)

Your neighbour’s problem is also
your problem ,therefore ,assist each other when the need arises.

169. Kusanina mweenzu nchikwelete
(see216).

(Feeding a visitor is a credit on
behalf of the visitor.)

If you treat a visitor well ,they
will also treat you well in future when you meet them somewhere else.

170. Kusanina sumu likulya.

(Feeding a spear that eats you.)

Assisting somebody who has bad
motives against you.

171. Kutaziba kweelene aakufwa.

(Not knowing is similar to death.)

No one can predict the future.

172. Kuti yakomena nga yanyonka
kumwana.

(If a cow gets old it feeds on milk
from its offspring.)

When a person is old they entirely
depend on their children for all forms of assistance including food.

173. Kuulu ngunansowa.

(legs mislead people ).

Never ill-treat people / visitors
because one day you will find your yourself at their place and in dire need of
assistance from them .

174. Kuya meja aan’ombe nkumwi.

(All cattle horns go in the same
direction.)

People who are related will always
come together in times of difficulties even if they were enemies before .

175. Kuyoka kwamwana kuzima mulilo
(see 401)

(The way a child roasts meat
destroys fire.)

An inexperienced person will always
mess things.

176. Kuzwa kwazimwi nkukweelela.

(The removal of some ,means the
fitting of other.)

It’s normal for some people to leave
jobs / positions / houses so as to create space for others.

177. Kuzyala kwachembele
nkumwi.

(Somebody’s child is also your
child.)

Treat other children the way you
treat yours.

178. Kuzyala kwawumwi nkuzyala
kwaako (see 117)

(Somebody’s child is also your
child).

179. Kuzyala nkukwiimika.

(Bearing children is good when all
are growing up well.)

A people with lots of children gets
assistance in many ways from the many children .

180. Kuzyalwa babili mbwaami.

(Born being two is good.)

It is an advantage to be many
because you assist each other in times of need.

181. Kwaduma maziki mabyale akaka.

(Transplants are doing better than
the germinated plants.)

The second or third wife is being
loved more than the first wife.

182. Kwakafwa munyama kulibonia
makubi.

(The place where an animal died is
noted by the presence of vultures.)

You see where there is something
happening by the crowd streaming towards that place .

183. Kwakawa mvula kulibonia
malambwa.

(One notices where it rained by the
presence of pools of water.)

A place where something good
happened is obvious by its prosperity / abundance.

184. Kwakiinda jamba takubuliki
kalanga.

(Where a plough was used you cannot
fail to see a maize stalk.)

As long as puts some effort into
whatever one is doing , one will be rewarded ,even if the reward is small.

185. Kwafwimpa kuyigwa kwalampa
kwakazwigwa.

(The destination is nearer than
where one came from.)

People of old age have fewer years
remaining for them to die. Or a process is nearing completion.

186. Kwale kkala amusako.

(partridge, stay with your staff.)

Somebody is being alerted about
something that may happen ,especially a conflict or something dangerous in the
area .

187. kweebelelwa kwadiba nkukucha.

(A trap that frequently kills keeps
its owner on his / her toes.)

People tend to do activities that
are likely to reward them.

188. Kwiinda chuulu muunzi wamuntu
ulasoolwa.

(One can by-pass an anthill without
talking to it but not somebody’s home.)

Never by-pass a person/ people
without greeting them.

189. Libbilila aamwi (see18).

(The sun sets at the same time.)

190. Lingu-lingu kumuunda muchaamba
tamulingulwi (see149)

(One can check what is going on the
fields but you cannot check what is going on in somebody ’s heart /mind.)

191. Liso ndifuba .

(An eye is a fool.)

We cannot trust the way we see
patients because sometimes a patient may appear to be recovering when in fact
they will be about to die.

192. Lubula luya muunzi (see424).

(Those who lose also go home).

Do not be embarrassed if you lose in
a game or in whatever you are doing because it’s normal . In any game expect to
lose or win.

193. Lufu ncheenzule.

(Death is a shadow.)

Death is everywhere.

194. Lukolo lwanyoko talulubwi.

(Never forget your mother’s breast.)

Never neglect your parents .Assist
them in any way possible.

195. Lukuni lumwi talubizyi chilongo
(see 212).

(one firewood cannot make a pot boil
).

Two heads are better than one.

196. Lulimi kuvuna bako kakokola
ulaabakwe (see 235).

(Tongue rescue your people ,the
elbow has its own people. )

Usually people with little physical
power are gifted in verbal defense while those gifted with power never waste
time peacefully resolving conflicts .They tend to use force in settling
disputes.

197. Lumano tendulubweza makala.

(The tong is not the one that picks
up the embers.)

Usually a person sent to do
something is not the one who is guilty ,but the person who instructs / send
that person is the guilty one .

198. Luuwo luza atunji.

(wind comes with a lot of things.)

There are a lot of unexpected things
that occur each day.

199. Luzubo talukwe chikuta.

(Relation has no old and
dysfunctional hoe).

Even if a person is very old he /
she is still needed by his / her relatives .

On person is discarded by his / her
relatives because of old age.

200. Luzyalo lwakwale
lwakajezya  (see 36).

(The generosity of a partridge led
to its death.)

201. Lyafwa kkaye.

(A clay pot has broken.)

A bad thing happens and then people
run away .Something wrong happens that is beyond repair / solution.

202. Lyakaamba chibamba ndilyo (see
296).

(What was said by chibamba is the
word to be taken. )

What is said first usually carries
more weight than what is said later.

203. Lyakalibbotu kubwiinga.

(She was nice during the wedding .)

A new person pretended to be nice
during the days but tended to reveal his/ her true colours later.

204. Lyakali fuba malungo bakalilaya
benziina.

(Malungo was a fool but was advised
by his friends. )

A person ,easy to cheat in the past
,is now very clever.

205. Lyaluma lichili pangwa.

(It is biting at its formation
stage.)

Thing are becoming bad right from
the beginning.

M

206. Maala ajisi nsimba tabuli
kununka.

( Fingernails that held a civet cat
will smell)

A person who assisted you in doing
something must be rewarded in whatever way to show gratitude.

207. Maambo mabbigwa.

(News is stolen.)

The ear usually listens to issues
not meant for it.

208. Maambuulwa tajeyi pesi
abakoonia bubi.

(Gossiping and bad talk do not kill
but only cause you not to sleep well.)

People ’s bad talk does not kill .
Even if people gossip about you, continue with what you are doing as long as
you know that it will benefit you .

209. Maande atembo asyzaala kaabwa.
(see 503)

(Frogs of  the tembo remain
splashing water.)

Leave a function ,as nice as it is
,if you have something else to do; otherwise ,if you wait up to the end ,you
will be distracted .

210. Maande ajatilwa aamwi.

(Bull frogs are caught at the same
time.)

If you are many in numbers ,when you
start doing something together you tend to proceed very well and finish up at
the same time.

211. Maanzi atobelezya kalonga.

(water follows a river channel .)

People tend to provoke somebody they
know is powerless ,or do things they know are easy to accomplish rather than
going for something difficult .

212. Maanu taazwi mumutwe
uumwi  (see195).

(Wisdom does not come from one
head.)

213. Maanzi naayuminina aboola
aamwi.

(When a pool of water is drying up
,water moves towards the centre.)

When people are in problems they
tend to come together to discuss the problems in a bid to come up with lasting
solutions.

214. Mali mwanakazi tisiilanwi.

(Money is like a woman; you cannot
entrust it to anyone.)

It is difficult to keep somebody ’s
money because , if crippling problems arise ,one is bound to use the money.

215. Malo aamweenzu
mayalulwa .

(A visitor does not make a permanent
bed.)

A visitor cannot finish your
resources ,therefore ,just share with him /her whatever little resources you
have.

216. Malo aamweenzu nchikwelete
(see169).

(A visitor’s temporary bed is a
credit on their part.)

217. Malowa ngutazwi abaanga maanzi.

(The blood that does not ooze from
you is like flowing water.)

You never really feel the pain/
gravity of a problem unless it’s yours.

218. Malweza ulabona atungana
mulongo kaaya kumulonga.

(bad omens may make a single file
going to the river ).

When things happen out of the
ordinary ,it is a warning of looming disaster.

219. Malweza ampisyo muungo
ulaabupalike.

(Bad omens are like food crumbs on a
churning stick which is not as easy to clean as a cooking stick.)

What would have happened is
extremely surprising, out of the ordinary.

220. Manyika manyika julu ndilimwi.

(There are many countries but under
one heaven.)

The cultures of people differ from
one place to another. Never think that your culture is superior.

221. Masamu aatenteene mbibantu.

(Scattered trees are the people.)

If relatives stay in different
places they remain more united but if they stay together they can easily fight
and create enmity.

222. Maatako aakkede aamwi taabuli
kusundana.

(Buttocks that are together push
each other.)

People staying together /friends
sometimes do get involved in a conflict .It’s normal.

223. Matako aamweenzu makkazikwa.

(You can request a visitor to stay
longer.)

A visitor should not refuse to
extend his / her stay at the request of the host.

224. Matanda ngakusunzulusya (see
355).

(You have to try to push logs.)

Try and you may succeed .Do not fear
from afar but always try to do /tackle what you are contemplating.

225. Matanga azyalila batakwe
tulongo .

(Pumpkins tend to be many to those
without pots.)

Luck sometimes goes to people who do
not know how to use it.

226 .Mateyo mbantu.

(Shrubs are people.)

No matter how secretly something is
done,people will get to know .

227. Matongo masilanwa (see 26).

(Ruins are left for the successors.)

228. Mayoba akamweena sikubba.

(Dark rain clouds deceived a
thief.)

Do not start a conflict because you
think your friends /relatives present will rescue /assist you .They may not
intervene, then you will be thoroughly beaten/killed.

229. Mazikuka zikuka mpuwo
zilaabambi (see 343).

(People are busy but the rumour of
their success goes to another person .)

The success of a group of people is
usually attributed to their leader rather than to the people on the ground .
For example ,the success of the army is attributed to the commander , not the
soldiers ;the success of the company is attributed to the manager ,not the
workers.

230. Mbavwe yakajeye mwali muunzi .

(A person who was assist killed the
owner of the home.)

When you assist somebody ,when he
/she is assisted /settled and enjoying the help you gave them ,they sometimes
kill or do harm to you .So not all people are grateful.

231 .Mbeba izyeede tinonyi bula.

(A mouse with young ones does not
eat to get satisfied.)

Parents put the plight of their
children first before they think of they own welfare ,especially in terms of
food. If parents get food they would rather take the food to their children
before they eat themselves.

232. Mbeba ntande tiisali bulyango.

(A mouse running away from danger
gets into any hole.)

A person running away from danger
seeks refuge anywhere. It could be in deep waters, somebody’s house
,thorns,etc.

233. Mbizi tiibili museli wayo .

(A zebra cannot fail to have
friend.)

Every person ,regardless of his /
her character ,has a friend .

234. Mbonena aamwi  nintani
(see 12).

(It’s rare for two people to
simultaneously see something.)

235. Mbubu livune kubuye ntumbula
banyina balaamamvwa (See 196).

(Mbubu fruit rescue yourself by
being bitter because ntumbula fruit has thorns.)

236. Mbula bwamunkala
bwakulisembela.

(It’s dog ‘s stomach.)

One is doing everything on one’s own
without any assistance.

237. Mbuungumane bwatumba
zilimumoyo nzinji .

(An owl appears passive but knows a
lot.)

Never mistake a quiet person for a
fool and useless one .You never know what they are capable and incapable of
doing.

238. Mbuyaanzi kutanda nzi anyama
yamubwa.

(What surprising generosity to chase
files from a dog’s meat.)

Never appreciate anything good from
your enemy .It can be a trap / bait meant to capture you.

239. Menyo taayimanwi.

(One cannot fail to smile.)

Never be deceived by a smile from
your enemy .It will never be a genuine one .

240. Meso aakabwenene taayindani
lumwi.

(Eyes that once saw each other will
see each other again.)

People who once met will meet again
.Usually used be people bidding farewell to each other .

241. Meso kubona nkukulya .

(Seeing something is eating it.)

Just seeing your lover /somebody one
longs to meet /see ,even if you do not speak to them ,is better than totally
missing them.

242. Meso dikumbilile mulomo wayoowa.

(Eyes ask on my behalf since the
mouth has feared .)

A person is shy to verbally ask for
something that they need ,so they indicate that they need it by the way they
look at it.

243. Milomo yabantu tiiwidi aansi
(see 274).

(People’s mouths do not fail down.)

If you ignore the advice you get
from people ,you will find yourself in the difficulties which people were
warning you against.

244. Minwe tiyelani (see 12)

(Fingers will never be the same in
length.)

245. Moyo mulamfu .

(A long heart.)

Having patience even under intensive
provocation /difficulties.

246. Moyo wamwaami tuyubunuki ndaba
nkuku ntimbule mutwe .

( The heart of a chief does not
reveal defeat . I am a chicken whose head has been cut.)

A junior tends to give in to the
needs of his / her superior because of fear of victimization even if the junior
has a good point to make.

247. Moomba wakati muntu ,muntu
susu.

(A moomba bird said a person is a
person because of hair.)

A human being is a very complicated
animal ; you cannot say you really know a person because any time they can do
the unexpected.

248. Moofu wakati takongwi kuliliso.
(see 147)

(A blind person will always go
wherever there are eyes.)

249. Mpiisungwa mpiizyala bapwizi.

(Where it is tethered that’s where
there it bears more she –goats.)

Where a married woman is ill –treated
she stays longer than in a marriage where she is well treated.

250. Mpongo nguya njiichinchaanisya
kukuzyala.

(A generous goat is the one that
alternates he /she kids.)

A good wife is one who bears both
boys and girls, not only girls or only boys.

251. Mpongo yalumwa siluwe ndidya
busyolooka.

(A goat killed by a leopard is eaten
while one is complaining.)

A person may complain about using
something but they do not stop using it because they have no other option.

252. Mpongo yazyalilwa mwako
njiyako.

(A kid born in your kraal becomes
yours.)

If your wife bears a child while
still yours, that child is said to be yours even if a different man fathered
that child.

253. Mubi ,mubi  alike

(A bad person is bad alone.)

Do not revenge by doing a bad thing
if somebody wrongs you . Leave a bad person alone.

254. Mubili mubi uzi mwalaawo.

(A bad body is better known by its
owner.)

A person knows him / herself, what
they can afford and what they cannot afford in life  and also what disease
/ handicap they have in life.

255. Mubotu tafwi bunone. (see 257)

(A nice person does not die in a
good way.)

256. Mubotu takkali .

(A nice person does not live
longer.)

A generous good person tends to die
earlier than people expect.

257. Mubuto uyoofwa kabaseka (see
255).

(A nice person will die while people
laugh at him.)

A nice person dies miserable death.

258. Mubwa tavubi mubwa nyina.

(A dog does not keep another
dog.)

A poor person cannot support another
poor fellow.

259. Mukayintu mbulindana mudima.

(A wife helps a husband go through a
night.)

By marrying ,a man gets a helper in
life.

260. Mukkala chiindi usiya katongo.

(A person who stays long at a place
leaves a ruin.)

A person who stayed in an area for a
long period is never forgotten by the people of that area . Even if he / she
dies or moves to another area ,residents of his /her former area will continue
referring to him / her.

261. Mukwaansa mukwasi nyokwe.

(A son- in-law is a fellow
son-in-law.)

A son -in -law must not be ill
treated or made to labour much by the father -in -law.

262. Mukwansa mwana.

(Your son-in-law is also your son.)

A son-in-law is usually absorbed
into the family of his in-laws and treated like their biological son.

263. Mukwansa ndoozi.

(A son-in-law is fibre.)

In a marriage a son-in-law ties /
brings together his family and the wife’s family in such a way that a
strong  relationship is created between the two families.

264. Mukwe mutaanzi musanyokwe.

(A first son-in-law is your
colleague man.)

You r first  son-in-law must be
respected more than those that come later .

265. Mulandu tuyetwi wakafwa (see
266).

(A crime is not committed by a dead
person.)

Never laugh at somebody who commits
a crime because ,you never know ,it may be you tomorrow.

266. Mulandu uyetwa awuputa (see
265).

(A crime is committed by a live
person).

267. Mulida kufwa mbooma (see 277).

(A python eats to die).

Never eat all your food in one day,
forgetting that you will need to eat again tomorrow.

268. Mulide mbubu asike.

(Eat his / her mbubu fruits so that
he /she comes.)

If you give up waiting for someone
who is delayed ,he /she will arrive immediately after you depart .In other
words ,be patient if you are waiting for somebody to come.

269. Mulililo wawo muyuni tuwuleki.

(A bird never changes the way it
cries.)

A thief / badly behaved person will
remain a thief / bad even if put among the well behaved people .Some people do
not stop their bad behaviour / habits even when put among good people.

270. Mulisa wanzala ninyota.

(A helper of hunger is thirst.)

Usually people of bad behaviour have
the same interests.

271. Muloba tatundi masi aabili .

(A man does not rule in two
territories.)

A boss is only a boss in his / her
own territory but outside their area they are as simple /ordinary as anybody
else .

272. Muloba tazembi ngoma zibili
(see 271).

(A man does not perform a war dance
in two different cultural dance.)

273. Muloba wakalya chakusola (see
129).

(A man ate something from trying.)

274. Mulomo mulozi (see 243).

(A mouth is a witch.)

275. Mulonga uzula aabuyoboyobo.

(A river is filled by many
tributaries.)

Everything comprises tiny things
brought together . Never underrate those tiny things that when brought together
make big things.

276. Mulongo ulaanyokozyala tuwaalwi
kabwe.

(Do not throw a stone at a single
file of women where your mother-in-law is present.)

Never throw a weapon to kill
somebody who is in a crowed of people where your relative is .Instead of
killing your target, your weapon will stray and kill your relative.

277. Mulya choompa utazi kuti
bulacha (see 267.)

(A person who eats as if it will not
dawn tomorrow.)

278. Mumudima takwaabanwi nyama.

(Never share meat in the darkness.)

Never do /discuss anything in darkness
because you never know whether you are going it properly/ who is listening to
you.

279. Munsamu umena mpuuyanda.

(A tree grows where it wants.)

A person must be given the right to
choose the person to marry rather than having a partner chosen for them.

280. Munsuma wawida aansi nchoolwe
chamunkala (see 4).

(A morsel that falls down is the
luck of a dog.)

281. Muntu mulemu ninyama yamunkala.

(A very close female /male relative
is a dog ’s meat.)

Never be rigid with your sisters
about love affairs because you will not marry them . Leave them to choose who
they want to go out with.

282. Muntu ngulyaawe ngukujeya.

(A person whom you eat with is the
one who kills you.)

Your closest friend /relative is the
one who can easily kill you because they know how you live ,what you like most
and how best to kill you.

283. Munwe uumwi tupwayi njina (see
195).

(One finger cannot kill a lice.)

Working together as a team produces
better results than working as an individual .

184. Mupati ndumano.

(A mature person is a tong.)

An old person is the one who is put
at the forefront on behalf of their group /relative when things are tough . Old
people have vast wisdom and experiences which they can utilize to negotiate and
resolve problems.

185. Mupati usuluzya kumakosi .

(A mature person hides their anger
/disappointment .)

Mature people never give an
offensive answer .If they are not interested in a thing they simple hide behind
a finger instead of directly refusing .

286. Mupati uwuminwa aalimuzimbwa.

(A respected person is beaten when
you are trying to kill a tsetse fly biting him /her.)

It’s not easy to take revenge as an
adult ,therefore ,one tends to exploit a situation which arises to cover up the
revenge process.

287. Musa tesyandabile,
ngumfundumane.

(Marriage is not something you can
taste but requires committed.)

People who get into marriage must be
prepared to face a lot of hardships otherwise their marriage may not last long.

288. Musako ngujisi nguukuvuna.

(A staff in hands is your defence.)

Use whatever you have at that time
to shield yourself (pay a fine) from the crime you will have committed.

289. Musangu tapedi mujaanza.

(The god does not give directly).

A positive response from the
ancestral spirits does not come directly but they give through somebody or open
more avenues /opportunities for one to exploit and get what one wants.

290. Musangu upeda aakasolo (see
350).

(The god only give one chance.)

291. Musasa ngwalede tusiigwi
waninwa mazyu (see 2).

(Never mess the mat on which you
slept.)

292. Musimbi uzwa aaluzubo.

(A girl comes from the people you
know.)

A good wife comes from the people
whose background you know well.

293. Musinzo nguzi uyendelwa
akankuli kaanzi.

(The distance you know well must be
traveled with a gallon of water.)

A person who knows the possible
difficulties found at a certain place /in a certain process will certainly arm
him / herself with all the required things before going there.

294. Mutandwa kabili jongolo.

(You are chased away like a
millipede.)

Persist where you want to get
something. Even if you are turned

down or chased away ,just go back
again until the people you are

dealing with sympathise with you.

295. Mute kamwi.

(Hinge on one problem.)

If you accuse someone , be focused
in your accusation instead of

just piling a lot of tiny
unnecessary complaints against them.

296. Mutonga umvwa lumwi.(see 202)

(A Tonga person understands once.)

297. Mutwe wanzoka nchiyoosyo.

(A snake’s head is a frightening
measure.)

A man on a journey must carry a
defensive weapon , however small ,

rather than travel empty handed . In
any place where security is needed , install something to scare people /
animals rather than leave the place unsecured

298. Muunzi nkaleba (see 369).

(A home is an axe.)

An old person in a home is the
source of all wisdom.

299. Muzileke zilalyeepa.

(Leave them alone, they will sieve
themselves.)

Leave complex issues alone , they
will sort themselves out.

300. Muzipe malanzyo milomo isumike.

(Just look at the issues and shut
the mouth.)

Do not say anything about the issue
in question but just be silent and observe.

301. Muzuka ulya bwendeenda (see
455).

(A snake eats by moving around.)

Mobile people learn/ get different
things as they move around .

302. Mvula tiyeti bulimo .

(Rain does not assist weeding).

Continuous drizzle makes weeding a
problem .

303. Mwaalumi munyati .

(A man is a buffalo.)

Never underrate a man when fighting
,regardless of his size . He may kill you.

304. Mwaami bakamwiinzya nkuyu
kaziyanda.

(A chief was denied figs while he
needed them.)

Never assume that somebody is
special to eat something .Give them whatever you have and they may like it.

305. Mwaami nkalemena balikule
balaafwiifwii nchuuubawuba.

(A chief is feared most by his
subordinates but his family members do not fear him.)

Bosses /presidents and other people
in leadership positions are highly respected / feared by their subordinate but
are not similarly respected by their family members.

306. mwaami wakiikumbila
mpande aamulanda.

(A chief asked for a badge from his
servant.)

Nobody has everything . Even the
very rich people lack some things and have to get them from poor people.

307. Mwana mulombe ndipwayila
musenye.

(A man is useless in increasing
members of his relatives.)

A man does not contribute to the
increase of his relatives since he only bears children for his wife’s
relatives. In Tonga culture children belong to the maternal family.

308. Mwana aamuntu takomezegelwi
nsuma.

(Do not give another’s child a big
morsel.)

Never care for another’s child
better than yours because when children grow up ,they tend to go back to their
parents while your child will remain with you and look after you.

309. Mwana mwaalumi mbaangwa, kufwa
kwanondo nkulila kwachileba.

(That’s how a boy child is arrested
;the death of a tortoise is the striking of an axe.)

Never worry about a man being
arrested .He is not going to be killed .

310. Mwana nchikumbizyo.

(A child is used when asking for
something.)

Usually a mother hides behind the
child when requesting something.

They always say the child wants this
and that when in fact they are the ones who want it.

311. Mwana nguufwa  banyina
banywa maanzi.

(A child dies and the mother drinks
water.)

Even if your child /relative dies do
not be very concerned but give yourself time to relax because death is not new
.That way you will recover faster.

312. Mwana wanzoka ninzoka alakwe.

(A young one of a snake is a snake
also.)

Never underrate a dangerous thing
regardless of its size because it can harm /kill you.

313. Mwana ulililanyeele yabbonobono
mumuleke imunyanine mujaanza .

(A child crying for a castor bean
plant should be left alone for it to wilt in his / her hand.)

A youngster who ignores his /her
parents in what they are saying about his / her lover ends up facing the
problems they were being warned against .It’s usually too late for them to
change .

314. Mwana wamulimi tatundwi popwe
pati .

(It is no surprise for a child of a
farmer to be holding a very big mealie cob.)

If it’s known that you have such and
such a thing in abundance at your place ,no one will be surprised when you are
seen carrying it. But if it’s known that you do not have that thing and you are
seen carrying it ,it will raise a lot of suspicion .

315. Mwana wamwaami mulanda kuliimwi
nyika (see 271).

(A son of a chief becomes a servant
in an area outside his father’s chiefdom.)

316. Mwana wansya talilwidi mizimu
njiimulwida .

(A young one of a buck does not
fight but its ancestors fight for it.)

An innocent person is usually
defended by his /her ancestors when accused of a certain crime.

317. Mwalidilwe ulimvwisya
kukwiilisya .

(The owner of the funeral is easily
identified by crying loudest.)

The organizer /owner of a function
is easily identified by the way he /she runs around to attend to all necessary
things while non-involved people relax.

318. Mweembezi nguuzi mpongo zyakwe
nkuzichelela.

(The goats’ herder knows where his
goats  are.)

The father at home ,bosses at work
,know exactly where their subordinates will be at any given time.

319. Mweembo ulizigwa nilyasika
dilwe .

(A trumpet is sounded when the
corpse arrives.)

Never rush to blame /kill yourself
before you are really sure how bad things are. Wait and analyse the situation
and act only when you have confirmed that things are bad.

320. Mweenzu usiya chisisi.

(A visitor leaves firewood .)

Sometimes a visitor helps the people
he would have visited in a very special way. A visitor may buy his /her hosts
something they cannot afford or do something great for them.

321. Mweenzu wafulwe ulalila bowa .

(A tortoise’s visitor eats
mushrooms.)

A visitor must not be selective in
terms of food .Just eat what your host eats and try your best not to cause
problems.

322. Mwiminine kabati ngwaamujeya .

(Stand beside the dead animal so
that you appear as if you are the killer.)

Never attach /align yourself to
great achievements if you are the contribute to their accomplishment.

N

323. Nakweenda tamani ntombo (see
389).

(A passer-by cannot finish your
granary).

324. Nchwaalya nchwaziba (see 338).

(What you have eaten is what you
know ).

Never pin your hopes on something
you not yet seen .Accept whatever you have been given instead of refusing on
offer based on what you think you will get.

325. Ndachija lyamukwiyo ndaakunjila
lyangoba.

(I moved from a plain spear to a
rough spear.)

One has changed from bad to worse .

326. Ndajeya ndeende muzimu ndabula
.

(I have killed my father but did not
get the ancestral spirits badge.)

Never kill somebody where you are
not going to gain anything from his / her death .

327. Ndakaalazika aanzala makubi
kaaswini tulakkuta.

(I made vultures starve while they
thought they would get satisfied.)

Someone who narrowly escapes his
enemies when they had concluded already that they have cornered him.

328. Ndalibonena aanio meso abonena
kule.

(I have seen it with my vagina
/penis for eyes see from afar.)

One would have proved beyond doubt
that what has been said /alleged is correct about somebody /something.

329. Ndokwatwa / ta nkubatandizi
buyangwe.

(I will be married where they do not
know about my promiscuity.)

One will be get a marriage partner
even if one is promiscuous.

330. N’anza fwa balyiibe bantu .

(N’anza must die so that people
become free.)

People wish a certain individual to
die so that they can be free in an area .That person can be a habitual rapist ,
murderer ,thief ,etc and he/she will have become a social out cast and a threat
to the community.

331. N’ombe ifwa tibulikupwaya
kalongo.

(A dying cow always destroys a clay
pot.)

A person never helplessly dies
/admits defeat but tends to fight back and dies /agrees after he/ she has put
up some form of resistance.

332. N’ombe ntaka itakania muchila
wayo.

(A careless cow is careless with its
own tail.)

A person reckless with his / her
property is left alone because they will be destroying their own property.

333. N’ombe ntaanzi njiinywa maanzi
anzinyeme (see 402).

(The first cow drinks clean water.)

Punctual people always get the best
.Those who come last /delay tend to get the worst or nothing at all.

334. N’ombe tibuli kabata.

(A cow of one colour tends to have a
small spot of a different colour somewhere.)

No matter how good somebody is ,they
will have a negative aspect to their character .Nobody is completely perfect .

335. N’ombe tyoka tukuzibe
nkwaakazwa.

(Cow ,let your leg break so that we
know where you come from.)

The background of a stranger becomes
known if they get seriously ill or are involved in an accident.

336. N’unun’unu ngwaababili.

(Verbal noise is made by two
people.)

Loneliness is reduced if you are two
or more.

337. Ngusintomwi ntunta mbuuli gande
(see 30).

(Never taste a piece of a bullfrog.)

338. Ngwajisi ngwali sulwe (see 324)

(What you had caught was the hare.)

339. Nikacheya kaya n’anga .

(Be it small it must be taken to
taken the n’anga.)

Whenever people are ill /sick they
must always contact a doctor /traditional healer . Never underrate any illness
, it may develop into a serious disease later .

340. Niibbwa ibwene mulungwe.

(As the fish splashes water
and surfaces it sees deep water.)

A person deliberately provokes
people because he/ she has a dangerous weapon or somebody strong enough to lean
on /rescues him /her when things are tough.

341. Niilila tililili uumwi.

(As a rattle makes a noise it does
not make a noise for one person.)

A woman never knows who will marry
her .Any man from anywhere can marry her.

342. Nilituba mbaanyoko .

(Even if she is white she is still
your mother.)

Never shun your parents even if you
become an influential person .Your parents will always be your parents.

343. Nindaka jeya munyama mpuwo
zyababambi (see 229).

(I killed the animal but somebody
else gets the fame.)

344. Nkabwe kawida mukusu.

(A stone that lands on an
unfortunate person.)

A crime comes unexpectedly.

345. Nkalanga syuuka tunkalanga
nyokwe twakasyuuka .

(The combretum tree must shoot new
leaves since other combretums have new shoots.)

If you are left behind , try to
catch up by doing what others have done.

346. Nkondo iswini mweenzu.

(The conflict is against a visitor.)

A stranger in an area has higher
chance of being involved in accidents, misfortunes or anything  as
compared  to the area who are already well –versed with the area.

347. Nkondo ngusulwe .

(A conflict is like a hare.)

Be always armed because a conflict can
occur at any time anywhere .

348. Nkufwa chakokabwata (see 349).

(Dying like kabwata’s mother. )

Being overwhelmed by duties /work
while nobody assists you.

349.Nfwa chamubwa utakwe ugwala (see
348)

(Dying like a dog that has no one to
look after it.)

350. Nkujata nkanka maanza muzimu
tuupi tubili (see 290)

(Have a firm grip because the
ancestral spirit  give once only.)

Whenever a chance / fortune arises
make maximum use of it .You never know, maybe you will not have another chance
again.

351. Nkuku ilidwa aamweenzu .

(A chicken is usually killed when
there are visitors.)

A special /good thing is usually
done when there are visitors so as to impress them However ,non-visitors so as
to favour done for the visitors.

352. Nkulamwene mbibantu .

(People who grew up in your eyes are
the genuine people.)

Take great care of people who grow
up under you for they will also look after you in future.

353. Nkule kwameso matwi
alimvwide  (see 461).

(Eyes may not see but the ears hear
what is happening.)

People get to know (through other
sources) what is happening far away from them .It warns people not to cheat
their friends / lovers because they think they are alone and far from they
partners. Even if they are far they will still come to know what is happening .

354. Nkumba zibili maanu .

(Two waist belts are better than
one.)

Never pin your hope on one thing
.Better pin your hope  on many things so that if one of them fails then
you will lean on the other.

355. Nkusalala biyo moomba tuuli
mulilo (see 224).

(It’s only a red colour for moomber
bird; it’s not fire.)

Never fear something from afar
before you try it. It could be lees dangerous /difficult than you are thinking
.

356. Nkuyakamvwa mweemvwe tikuleki
(see 410).

(A goat will always go where it saw
good pastures.)

A person will always go to a place /
person where he /she satisfactorily gets assisted in whatever way.

357. Nkuzwa kakusalala ankuya
kunoosalala (see 43).

(Clean up behind you then where you
are going will be clear.)

358. Nkaambila ulayigwa naakuboola.

(A person who does not take advice
is advised when he/she comes back.)

One who does not take advice is
better advised when he /she has had a bad experience.

359. Nootenga kanyama kalange kano
katimba (see 48)

(He who belittle small meat must go
and look at the foot prints of a buck)

360. Nsikaki kutumwa tabuli kulya.

(The on who accepts being sent
anywhere does not fail to get food.)

A person who is very helpful tends
to receive a lot of thanks in various ways.

361. Ntombo yaakkuko tinyiinyimwi.

(The granary on the shoulders is not
something to go far.)

Never entirely depend on handouts
from other people but produce your own food.

362. Ntwiingi tuzinga nio

(There a lot of things that besiege
vagina/ penis.)

There are many issues that affect,
delay or disturb somebody so that they fail to follow their programme/ fulfill
their programme.

363. Nyama yamwana tiikwe mafuta.

(Meat from a young one has no fats.)

Never belittle or complain about
something you receive from your child, however small, but appreciate it.

364. Nyeele mpya njibambula (see
422).

(A new trumpet is the one that
creates wounds on the bottom lip.)

New possession/ friends tend to
receive more attention than the old ones.

365. Inyika ilaamatwi (see 226).

(The earth has ears)

366. Nzala ilimumenyo.

(Hunger is in the teeth.)

Once you eat food, hunger
disappears.

367. Nzala nkalonga.

(Hunger is like a steam or flowing
water.)

Hunger/starvation may be severe but
it is always a temporary thing.

368. Nzala izwa twasika aabantu (see
1).

(Hunger goes away in the presence of
the people.)

A problem brought before people is
always solved.

369. Nyengule ngumwali muunzi (see
298).

(A big axe is the owner people of
the home.)

370. Nzoka ngenzenzi tizibi
nkwiyoofwida.

(A provocative snake will not know
where it will die.)

An adulterous man can be killed by
any of owners of the wives with whom he sleeps.

371. Nzovu tilemenwi musinga wayo.

(An elephant is never burdened by
its trunk.)

An individual is never burdened by a
load he/ she voluntarily puts on him/ herself. The load referred to can be
dependants to be supported or work to be done.

P

372. Pakala  mvube  maanzi
naachiliwo.

(Delight you tadpoles when the water
is still available.)

A person must enjoy him /himself
while still alive.

373. Pakala mvube uzoochiba
azookumanina maanzi (see 39)

(Delight you tadpoles but you when
the water is still available.)

Never be stubborn /boastful with
what you have (especially a temporary thing ) because people will laugh at you
when that thing is no more.

374. Pongo lilikule talivuni nkondo.

(A distant goat does not help rescue
one from a conflict.)

Whatever item you possess that is
not immediately available cannot be used to solve your urgent /pressing problem
. What you have on the spot is the important thing.

S

375. Salazya moyo nsengele.

(Have a clear heart ,you tick .)

Be persevering .

376. Seka bulema nuwafwa (see 447).

(Laugh at disability only when you
are dead.)

Never laugh at the disabled /one in
problems because you may have similar or more severe disability /problems in
the future yourself .

377. Sibbende wakasola butale .

(A rat tried to break metal.)

Even if something is difficult it’s
worth trying .

378 . Sibbuzya nzila wakabuzya nzila
kayizi.

(Somebody asked for a path they knew
already.)

Never fear asking about anything you
are not clear about . No one will harass /beat you for enquiring about
something as long as you do it politely.

379. Sibulyata mabwe ngusimagwede.

(One who steps on stones tells
lies.)

A talkative person is usually a liar
.

380 .Sibwaato banda muntu .

(A canoe peddler must shout out the
name of the person .)

If you are looking for somebody in a
new place, better state his /her name so that it becomes easier for people to
direct you to that person.

381. Sibwaato kubezela munzila
bakulaye beenda.

(A canoe carver must carve his canoe
near a path so that the passers –by advise him.)

If you have an idea /
initiative make it known to other people so that they may help you develop it
into a successful thing .By keeping it to yourself you may produce a poorly
done thing /fail to accomplish it altogether.

382. Sikabotu takabuli abula
buyangwe nkubba.

(A handsome/ beautiful person is
usually either promiscuous or a thief.)

Never trust beautiful or handsome
people for they are rarely well behaved .All that glitters is not gold .Even
items/ situations that appear good may be bad.

383. Sikanyenyeene wakatuma nzovu.

(A ant sent an elephant .)

A young person can request a senior
person to do something for him /her .It’s normal.

384. Sikati talikwe buumba wajana
mwana aamuntu watuma.

(Daytime has no sorrow because there
are many youngsters one can send.)

A couple /somebody without children
is blessed during the day as there will be plenty of youngsters /people to
assist them but at night there will be no one to assist except themselves doing
all the work.

385. Sikkoswe ufwida twiingi.

(A rat dies for many things.)

A person who commits many crimes is
usually prosecuted for all crimes the day when he /she is caught .They even be
accused of being responsible for crimes they did not commit.

386. Sikulinda kusunzilwa wakiilala
(see 59).

(One who waits for others to bring
them food slept on a hungry stomach).

387. Sikwiinda tamani ntombo (see
323) .

(A passer –by does not finish a
granary.)

388. Siluwe ntwalya tumuntansya
mujulu.

(A leopard climbs up  trees
because of what he eats.)

A person’s bad behaviour leads him
/her into problems .

389. Sikweenda takwe nzila .

(A passer –by has no path .)

Assist a passer –by in whatever form
they request assistance.

390 .Simukkala guno tenuka
ubiinzizye bachiza (see 26).

(Leave your position and give way to
the young people.)

Never cling to a position of
leadership but be prepared to give way to the young blood with new ideas .

391. Simulela mwana nkulya .

(Keep a child by giving it food .)

A person can only remain healthy
if  they get adequate food where they are staying .

392. Simulizya ngoma
talikambilili .

(A drum player does not clap hands
for himself.)

A good person does not praise him/herself
but should leave that to other people to do it.

393. Simuluula donda uluula donda
lyakamukkede .

(A person who talks about a wound
talks about a wound that she /he had before .)

People who talk convincingly about
something are those who experienced it before .

394. Simulya taanzi talide (see 91).

(One who eats first did not eat.)

395. Simutakamwi wakaboozya .

(One who insisted on a rigid price
did not sell their wares.)

Sellers /hawkers /vendors must be
flexible enough to reduce their prices if their wares are to be bought in some
cases.

396. Simoonza manego kuswiilila
nkwaawida (see 430)

(He who beats the snot–apple tree
must listen to where the apples fall.)

Whenever you are speaking ill of
someone in his/ her absence you must check whether there is anybody who might
tell that person and get you into trouble.

397. Simwaamba bbola ankwaya
kulibaamba.

(One who promises to return quickly
but , where he /she goes , there are people who entertain him /her .)

If somebody promises to return quickly
,never take it seriously because he/ she does not know what form of
disturbances await them where they are going .

398. Simweenda aalikke kakamutola
kalonga (see 399)

(One who travels alone was taken by
a river .)

There is more security travelling in
a group than in travelling alone.

399. Simweenda aalike nchilwi
chamafuwa (see 398).

(One who travels alone ends up a
pile of bones.)

400. Simweenda lweendo tabuli
kankulu kamaanzi .

(One travelling a long distance does
not fail to carry a ground of water.)

Never embark on a journey without
food /money because you will die from hunger .Always carry something that will
assist you ,no matter how small , when you are on a journey .

401. Simwiiya kusunsa musinza,
musinza usika kukakokola (see 175).

(One who eats soup for the first
time is seen by letting it run down the arm to the elbow.)

One who is a learner in doing
something is seen by the poor way they handle /do it.

402. Sinembo tanywi maanzi mabi (see
333).

(One who comes first drinks clean
water.)

403. Sinkazi takonwi ukonwa kazwa
kubukwe.

(An argumentative person is only
humbled by a word from his in -laws.)

No man opposes a word from his
in-laws /boss.

404. Sokola kasanzo usweele
mulisimutakasakwida.

(Throw a small branch to the place
of a person who will not be able to cultivate around it.)

Blame a crime on somebody whom you
know cannot successful defend himself/ herself.

405. Sokwe kakamuleya katabi (see
505).

(A baboon missed a branch.)

A person who claims to know everything
is stuck /has proved the opposite.

406. Sokwe utondeezya bulowa bwakwe
.

(A baboon shows its blood.)

If one is required to pay a fine
/lobola and one does not have the means to do so ,one must show whatever small
items /money one has as an indication of commitment.

407. Sonsoolo mukali aamulyango
wakwe .

(Sonsoolo is brave at his /her
door.)

Never provoke somebody while at
their home because they will fight to the death and use whatever weapon is in
their house .

408. Sulwe usiya bukunku.

(A hare leaves fur .)

A person who dies leaves behind the
property he/she possessed .

409. Suntwe moowa nguwongola .

(A coward hyena lives longer .)

One who avoids conflicts /fights
also avoids unnecessary injuries and even death . Such people tend to live
longer.

410. Suntwe mpaakalya chifuwa
taalubi (see 356).

(A hyena does not forget where it
ate a bone.)

411. Syatamulanga tukoyoomujana
bbonga munono  .

(Syatamulonga , you will never get a
nice bbonga.)

Anything good is obtained after hard
work.

412. Syabona mweenzu muninzi wanunka
mazyu.

(One who ,when seeing strangers
,thinks that old relatives friends smell like faeces.)

Never shun your old friend /lover in
favour of a new one because you do not fully know the character of your new
friend /lover who may disappoint you.

413. Syabufuma bwaami bulalweza
bwaami mbuyusukilwa .

(Getting rich while still young is a
bad omen.)

Getting rich while still young is
not good because by the time you are old that wealthy will have evaporated
.Better get rich while in the middle /later age when one has mature brain to
maintain the wealthy .

414. Syabwaami pakala (see 373).

(Let a wealthy person boast about
what they have.)

415. Syachibi kubantu kulibanyoko mbuchi
(see 493).

(A child may be bad to other people
but not to the mother.)

No parent forsakes his /her child or
no relatives throw away one of their members regardless of the nature of crime
they have committed .

416. Syachindya njimilimu mukwe
mubotu taligwi .

(What I eat is good work because a
good son-in-law is not eaten.)

A good son-in-law is the one who
works very hard for his in-laws not the one who is only smart and lazy.

417. Syafumbwa kulabila ulaacho
nguchikkuta .

(As long as one tastes, the owner is
the one who gets a larger share.)

In sharing food ,if you are given a
small piece that is enough .The owner is the one who gets the largest piece.

418. Syafumba muunyu nkukumujana
ulalya .

(For you to say one is stingy you
will have found them eating and they did not give you food.)

One should only accuse somebody of a
certain bad behaviour if one has enough evidence to support that claim ,such as
having caught the accused red-handed.

419. Syafwamba kuboola nkukujana
mbwayinkilide .

(For one to return early one will
have found the people one had gone for.)

If one goes to a certain place for
something one is likely to come back early if one finds it readily available .

420. Syajika kkando kujika chiindi
kachichiliwo.

(The one who cooks meat of an old
animal must cook while there is still time.)

Start tackling issues that need lots
of time /doing difficult things while there is still time.

421. Syakana kania katukizya nyina .

(For a child who messes something ,
it is the mother who is insulted.)

For anything bad done by a child ,it
is the parent who bears the consequences.

422. Syakapya kalimunsemunse kwiinda
kakulukulu  (see 364).

(A new thing is better than an old
one.)

423. Syakubula matwi meso
kulilangila .

(Better not to have ears but to have
eyes.)

A person without ears but with eyes
is better than the one with ears but without eyes .

424. Syakubula nyama mwiindi kuboola
(see 192).

(One who fails to kill anything when
hunting must bring his leg home.)

Even if you fail to achieve /get
what you want from a certain venture ,do not be shy to come back home ; they
will not laugh at you.

425. Syakulanga chaala abasiluzubo
nkubalanga .

(Where your toe points is also where
your relatives will tend to look.)

In polygamy the wife favoured by the
husband is also the one who tends to be liked by the relatives of the husband .

426. Syakule kulaboolwa kutaboolwi
nkuulufu.

(Even at a farthest place one will
come back unless they die.)

No matter how far somebody goes but
they will always come back home regardless of the duration of the period they
were away.

427. Syakulekanwa buluzi kumaanzi
kamupana .

(Divorce properly so that you give
each other water in future.)

Never kill / ill-treat your partner
at divorce but better divorce properly in a peaceful manner .

428. Syakulombwa nkuunya upa
uliitila.

(One who waits until somebody asks
for food is stingy but a generous person simply invites people to join him/
her.)

Never delay in inviting people to
the dining table .If they have to ask you to give them food you will be
perceived as a stingy person.

429. Syakulwa kumuchilano kunkondo
kamuvunana.

(Be rivals at home but defend each
other when attacked by an outsider.)

Never ally with an outsider against
your family member /work mate .If you are rivals in a family / company
/organisation, let it be an internal issue only and unite against an outsider
when such a need arises.

430. Syakusya kusinka bulakusiya
butele (see 396).

(You who dig ,dig carefully or else
the rats will come out and run away.)

431. Syakwela  Katanga alunyina
kukwelezya  (see 133).

(You who pull a pumpkin also pull
its mother .)

432. Syalakamina zungula kulaloka
nduwe nuntondo (see 49).

(You who long for a zungula to fall
,it is you Ntondo who will fall first.)

433. Syalubi lwakuya ndibbotu
nibaboola .

(It was bad going there but was
pleasant when coming back.)

People who go hunting /do something
,tend to go reluctantly but will be happy if they succeed when they have killed
/obtained /achieved something .

434. Syamasende abota kumucheche
kumupati ulaachankila.

(Veiled talk to a mature person does
work because they will easily deduce the meaning.)

Never try to convey a message to an
adult in a veiled manner because they will easily deduce the meaning .Do that
to a young person .

435. Syamansuma nkulivuna wajeya
muntu ngumubi .

(People with big morsels rescue
themselves but one who kills a person is a bad person.)

Eating a lot does not constitute a
crime but killing somebody does .

436. Syandabile mulimu nkukachilwa
mfundumane nguuzwidilila.

(Tasting a job is failing but hard
work leads to success.)

If people embark on doing something
they must do it with all their  strength so that they succeed.

437. Syanjila muunzi kulanga kumeso
abantu .

(One who gets into a home must look
at the face of the owner of the home.)

You can tell whether your visit is
welcome or not from the face of the person you are visiting or the way they
welcome you.

438. Syanjima ulaankonda utentuusya
nguupa.

(A stingy person is fascinating but
a generous person makes people worry.)

Better be visited by a stingy person
because you will not bother yourself to prepare them something to eat.

439. Syankalibonene kulwiidwa
nkutani.

(Let me see it for myself ,not hear
it from somebody.)

A person who never believes in what
they are told /advised but prefers to see it for themselves.

440. Syakambila mwana ukambila nduwe
nubanyina.

(One who praises a child praises the
mother.)

If people are praising the good
behaviour of your child they will be indirectly praising you because a parent
is largely responsible for the nature of the character of the child .

441. Syankozya kwaambuula nkukubona
bakulimbila .

(A convincing person is the one with
witnesses.)

A person wins a case if she / he has
people to support him /her . Those without supporters /witnesses tend to lose
cases .

442. Syankumulibeje kubantu
kulindinywe nkaala ketwe .

(He speaks well of himself but there
is a pile of ash at his home.)

Never boast about things that you do
not have .

443. Syankwatabede takuluulwi nkanka
.

(Do not talk about a peg found where
you have never been.)

Never talk about a place you have
never been to as if you once went there .You never know ,the person you are
talking to might have full knowledge about that place .Don’t try to deceive
others.

444. Syankwaazwa takuwaalwi kabwe
(see 2).

(Never throw a stone where you came
from ).

445. Syansole talili lyakwe.

(A person trying to do something
does not mourn his thing.)

A person who fails while trying to
do his or her thing has nobody to blame but him or herself.

446. Syaseka buchembele bulema buza
busekaseka (see 376).

(Laugh at old people but disability
comes jokingly.)

447. Syabatobela baalu balokupa
chifuwa.

(One who follows hunters will be
given a bone.)

Always assist people where you can
.It does not matter if you do not know how to do it . Your desire to assist
others may encourage the people you are assisting to reward you .

448. Syatobela munyama akumatako
kakusuumana.

(One who follows an animals must
have stiff buttocks.)

Endurance /perseverance. One who
initiates something must be prepared to follow through with it regardless of
difficulties.

449. Syatundila musonga tubwene
musonga ntwiingi .

(Do not boast of a bumper harvest by
seeing germinated maize /millet /sorghum plants.)

Never boast about things that are
not ripe /final . Something may disturb the success of your thing on the way.

450. Syatulye tumwiime uzookajanayi
(see 39).

(Let’s eat and do not give
him/her  for he /she will not get anything to give us.)

451. Syula mweenzu ukkute .

(Wish a visitor to come and you will
be satisfied.)

Wish a visitor to come so that you
can get good things or be assisted .

T

452. Tachikwe muyuni mubi nutakwe
cheeye nkubbukula .

(There is no bad bird ; even without
a tail one must scratch for food.)

Whatever shortcomings you have
,never despise yourself in front of others.

453. Tachizibikani chakanenesya
ngulube .

(It’s not known what made a pig fat.)

Consider whatever luck /thing that
comes your way as that which will make you successful.

454. Tako tapi kuulu nguupa (see
301).

(A buttock does not give , a leg
gives.)

By moving around you get lots of
things /knowledge as compared to a person stationed at one place .

455. Takulizyaligwi.

(One  cannot bear themselves.)

In many cases parents do not bear
children with characteristics that are the same as theirs . A pastor bears a
murderer /drunkard. A murderer /drunkard bears a pastor.

456. Takusekanwi juunza nduwe (see
376).

(Do not laugh at each other
,tomorrow it will be you.)

457. Takwelanwi mbuuli mazwi (see
12).

(People cannot be as level as
knees.)

458. Taluteyi mulenga (see 141.)

(It’s not snared by a lazy person ).

459. Tatukombi mutumbu nazyala
mayanga tukomba bula bwaloka.

(We do not worship a mother of twins
but worship a mother who has miscarried.)

If you have to choose , it is better
to help the person in more difficulty than the one in less.

460. Tazilali aakabo.

(They do not sleep at their mother’s
place ).

The news of whatever happens usually
quickly spreads to many people within a short period of time .

461. Tazilyi balima / bajika .

(They are not eaten by the farmers
or cooks.)

Whatever one produces is not finally
used /eaten by one alone but is used /eaten by other people also who will not
have contributed to its production.

462. Tazinjilili bayalila .

(A passer-by must not interfere.)

In a talk between / among relatives
/workmates /friends, an outsider must not interfere lest they spoil things.

463. Tembo leka-leka.

(Tembo leave, leave.)

Never directly communicate to your
wife /husband that you no longer love them but show it by your behaviour .It’s
more powerful that way.

464. Titoli uulabila .

(It does not kill one who tastes
food.)

In a situation of starvation people
who get little food usually survive compared to nothing at all.

465. Tongola kamwi mugala twiingi
tubuzya n’onzi.

(Concentrate on one item at a time
because many items do not make you sleep.)

Always deal with one problem /issues
at a time so that you are not confused .Tackling many /problems / issues at a
time will confuse you .

466. Tukayuni mutengwe ususula
kulikwezya.

(I’m a fork-tailed drongo who eats
scratching myself.)

One is complaining about one’s
condition of poverty.

467. Tulibache kulileza kukulya
tulibanji .

(We are few before God but too many
when we come to feeding.)

Never be wasteful in terms of food ,
but conserve food for tomorrow.

468. Tunacha kkole lyangu tubone
mbubaaba.

(My snare, do not catch an animal so
that we see how other hunters share the spoils.)

Be patient .Always wait for others
to demonstrate their skills before you display yours. If you rush to displaying
yours they may be so outdated that you will be laughed at.

U

469. Ulaampeyo tayitilwi mulilo (see
481).

(One feeling cold cannot wait to be
called to the fire.)

One who needs help is the one who
looks for it.

470. Ulachibona chakasalazya kwale
kumeso .

(You will see what made a partridge
red in the face.)

One is vowing to punish somebody
thoroughly .

471. Ulafwa matanga kaazyede .

(One will die while pumpkins are in
abundance.)

A person who is very selective tends
to starve amidst plenty of food /whatever available things he / she needs .

472. Utawulukili mumwi anziba .

(Never fly in the same group with
doves.)

Never join a group /class of people
in the society in which you do not fit . Narrow down to what you are.

473. Utenga mpukkuta .

(One belittles where one can feed
and get satisfied.)

Never belittle something /somebody
before you really prove that you cannot be content with it / them . Never
belittle your enemy in a fight . They can be small but strong enough to overpower
/kill you.

474. Uubanda syaanza akumulyango
kajala .

(One who shouts at a lion must close
their door.)

If you start trouble you must be
prepared to defend yourself or to contain that trouble .

475. Uubba tayindi lumwi.

(A thief never strikes once.)

When somebody steals from /wrongs
you ,do not worry but just be alert because you will catch him / her
red-handed next time when he/she tries to strike again .

476. Uufwaba ufwabila aamuntu nyina.

(A poor person is assisted by
another person.)

If somebody asks for assistance
render him /her that help if you are in a position to assist.

477. Uujatila maande tayoowi sinzi .

(One who catches bullfrogs in water
does not fear a black mamba.)

One who aims to achieve their
objective must not be discouraged by the disturbances /difficulties they
encounter during the process until they achieve their goal.

478. Uukuluma kutwi nguwako .

(One who bites your ear is yours.)

One who alerts you before danger strikes
you must be thanked so that tomorrow they alert you again.

479. Uukupa fuwa / tuli ayebo mupe
fuwa /tuli .

(One who gives bones /meat must be
given bones /meat.)

Treat others the way they treat you
.

480. Uulamwida nguulwa tendele (see
470).

(The one suffering  from
diarrhoea is the one who fights with the door.)

481. Uulomba tayaswi mujaanza .

(Never prick the hand of a beggar.)

Never insult /beat up somebody who
politely asks for help . if you are not in a position to assist just leave them
alone .

482. Uulya chakwe tafundumikilwi
mulomo .

(Never feel jealous of people eating
their own food.)

Never  feel jealous of somebody
eating /using his /her own things . Instead look for yours too.

483. Uulya tamvwi mvula / nzala.

(One who eats does not feel the rain
/hunger.)

Those who aim at a bumper harvest
must be prepared to work harder.

484. Uusungwa nguukwiila (see 470).

(The one who is tied is the one who
cries.)

485. Uutalumbi mulozi.

(One who does not thank is a witch.)

Thank you very much.

486. Uuti nsela takasyi mwana .

(One who demands lobola is not
prohibiting you from marrying his daughter.)

No matter how high the payment for
lobola is ,it does not prohibit you from marrying your girl fried ;just pay it
wholeheartedly .

487. Uuyenda nguubimba.

(One travelling must tremble.)

If you are travelling you must make
necessary preparation in time so that you are not left behind by the bus
/train.

488. Uuzyala tazyalili uumwi.

(A child is never born for one
person.)

A child assists many people
including those who are not his/ her parents /relatives .

489. Uuvwima tavwimi kamwi .

(A hunter does not hunt
for one thing.)

People on a journey never
concentrate on one thing but tend to lay hands on whatever they think will be
helpful in life.

490. Uyoofwa kalikwezya kunio.

(You will die scratching your
private parts.)

A person will die poor or get into
severe problems which will lead to his /her death.

V

491. Vuna silumambo sinzala udada bubi.

(Rescue one involved in a conflict
because a hungry person easily forgets the assistance rendered to him /her.)

It is better to assist somebody who
is about to be killed than to assist somebody who is hungry .A hungry person
quickly boasts after getting satisfied.

W

492. Wako nabisya mbuchi  (see
415).

(Even if your child /relative
commits an offence you still like him /her.)

493. Walombozya mulimba kumukuku
wakaliwakwe.

(A person is admiring a feather from
a cock that was his.)

Somebody will be admiring an
ex-lover who after divorce will have completely transformed into a nice /smart
person .

494. Wapilinania masimbi mufuzi
katana kumubona .

(One is carrying iron bars before
they see the black –smith.)

A very ambitious person who talks
about a second stage before they pass through the first stage yet they do not
have means /resources/ tools to go through the first stage.

Y

495. Yakakataazya wakiibona .

(It troubled one who saw it.)

The one who marries is the one who
experiences problems in looking for lobola .

496. Yakamweena sikubba (see 228).

(A thief was cheated by the black
clouds.)

Z

497. Zibikke abantu zyuube
(see 1).

(Put your problems before many
people so that they are light.)

498. Zifwamba kunjila kukuzwa
nzitani .

(A disease easily affects a person
but is difficult to cure.)

A disease easily affects somebody
but takes time to respond to treatment.

499. Zikubuleni chipembele masumu
banonema nduwe.

(Be alert you black rhino ,they are
carrying spears for you).

Be alert because people want to kill
you.

500. Ziliikubuzigwa zilimasungu.

(The person who is leaking the
gossip confirms that the gossip about you was very biting)

The gossip about you was very bad.

501. Zilya bapoota (see 455).

(They are  eaten by people who
move around).

502. Zisiigwa amunse-munse (see
209).

(They are left as they are.)

503. Zyakabba mwaange .

(They stole a prisoner).

Sleep will overtake you ,no matter
how big your problem is.

504. Zyakamuleya nsimvuulule (see
405).

(A careful harvester left them).

505. Zyawida mulusuwo zyakubwezelela
nzitani.

(Fruits have fallen into a dish
;those that need to be picked are a problem.)

Better to take something already
done /prepared than to initiate something ,because its time consuming

506. Zyayimikila abana n’ombe.

(The cows have stood with their
calves.)

Things have gone wrong or something
very important one wanted to get has already been taken by another

507. Zyeembela beeline / Zyabinga
beeline .

(The cattle are being looked after
by same-aged shepherds.)

The people in question are equals so
that no one can command the other.