ことわざ招待席　2

このコーナーでは、ことわざ研究会会員以外の方の論文やエッセー、インタビューなどを掲載しています。第2回は、 ジョン・キアンゴ氏(タンザニア・ダスエスサラーム大学スワヒリ研究所上級講師)による2000年1月の例会報告の要旨です。

John Kiango　　

Institute of Kiswahili Research,University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania　　

1.0. Introduction

　 Joyce O. Herzler (1965) defines a proverb as 'a short sentence drawn from long experience' (p.284). Hertzler constructed this definition based on a known fact that a proverb is a fixed and rather poetic construction that communicates an important moral or practical truth which has been observed over a period of time.
　 Our forefathers in Africa and in other parts of the world, who lived in preliterate and pre-scientific societies, did not use proverbs alone to perpetuate their values and goals. They used also other devices such as myths, legends, stories, songs, sayings, admonitions, mottoes and aphorisms.
　 I came across Swahili proverbs as a young boy in 1950's. I learned them informally by listening to my parents, grandparents and other folks and formally in primary schools, secondary schools and at the University. Nowadays, as a grown up man, and a Swahili language specialist, I participate in the teaching of Swahili proverbs to the younger generation. But, what I have discovered is that I am teaching and doing research on the same proverbs which were passed on to people of my generation in those days. I have never come across new proverbs. This shows that nowadays, proverbs have been largely superseded by other communicative devices of the modern societies. Although that is the case, they are by no means extinct or useless.

2.0. The main features of Swahili proverbs.

　 Since many Swahili proverbs were formed in preliterate era, and were meant to be passed on to the younger generation through verbal communication, they assumed three main features.
　 BREVITY: Swahili proverbs are condensed language forms, as their messages are presented in short sentences. This form assists memorization and easy processing of information.
　 POETIC: Most proverbs assume a poetic form: Basically, this form facilitates short and long term memory.
　 FIGURATIVE: Proverbs are interpreted figuratively. This makes their temporal status timeless, hence be able to be recontextualized in our present now and in different contexts of situation.
MONOLOGIC: Proverbs describe moral or practical truth widely shared in the society.
　In order to fulfill this role, they assume a monologic character, which is believed to be more authoritative. Proverbs do not allow dialogic or conflicting voices since one of their main functions is to quell divergent opinions and actions.

3.0. Cultural aspects in Swahili proverbs.

　 Proverbs are mostly used in a conversation. A speaker uses a proverb when s/he finds a context in which its message seems relevant and its abbreviated form seems to sum up the situation.
　 The mastery of proverbs is associated with the mastery of the language. Proverb formation is taken as a language art and proverb using is taken as a conversational style. The use of proverbs makes a conversation more lovely, more interesting and down to earth. The form is the one which makes a conversation more interesting and the message is the one which makes a conversation down to earth. That's why the form is also a focus of attention in its own right, independent of meaning.
　 Since proverbs reflect experiences of a specific language community accrued over a period of time in their environment, they are by nature cultural bound. It goes without saying then that Swahili proverbs reflect experiences and thinking of the Swahili. One can explore some of their experiences, their thinking and the way they conceptualize both the abstract and the objective world by examining a few of their proverbs.
　 Swahili proverbs, like proverbs of other societies, function as a channel for moral and practical truth, tendencies, generalities, and assumed regularities. They describe and reflect values, attitudes, feelings, opinions, explanations and interpretations which have been formed and crystallized in the society. To illustrate a point, a few Swahili proverbs are examined below:

PRACTICAL TRUTH:
Akili ni mali 'Wits are like wealth'.
　 Intelligence and wisdom are equated with wealth. They believe that if you are intelligent and wise, you'll have a clear thinking that will enable you make good judgements and lead yourself in the right direction.

Akili ni nywele kila mtu ana zake 'Wits are like hair, everyone has his'
　 This means everybody has his or her own wit. Therefore, wits differ from one person to another.

Bora afya kuliko mali 'Health is better than riches'
　This proverb warns the people not to concentrate very much on searching for wealth at the expense of their health.

Elimu ni bahari 'Education is like a sea'
　This proverb tells the people that knowledge is vast. This means in life, there is no way you would finish it. Therefore, people are advised to be modest.

Heri jirani karibu kuliko ndugu wa mbali 'A nearby neighbour is better than a far off relative'
　This proverb advises the people to live in harmony with their neighbours, as they are the ones who will assist them when in trouble.

Liwike lisiwike, kutakucha 'Weather the cock crows or not, the dawn will come'
　This proverb tells the people that there are certain things in life that should happen whether you like it or not. So you have to accept the situation.

Lila na fila hazitengamani 'Perhaps and actuality are not compatible'
　 This proverb advises the people to search for the truth as hearsay is not the same as seeing for yourself.

TENDENCIES:
Kimya kingi kina mshindo mkuu 'Much silence brings a mighty noise'
　 This proverb tells the people that if you don't receive news for a long period of time from someone whom you should, you might hear bad news.

VALUES:
Ahadi ni deni 'A promise is like a debt'
　 This proverb advises the people to be reliable'

Kiburi si maungwana 'Arrogance is not civilization'
　 This proverb advises the people to be modest and live in harmony with other people. It's not good to be arrogant or rude in a society. Arrogance and rudeness are associated with uncivilized people or people of bad breeding

Wema hauozi 'Good deeds never get rotten'
　 This proverb encourages the people not to be nasty to others, but helpful and cooperative. They believe that someday people might reciprocate for the good things they have done.

Mwana umleavyo ndivyo akuavyo 'As you bring up a child, so he grows up'
　 This proverb advises parents not to spoil their children. If a child does something wrong in a society and you cherish what he does, he might grow up arrogant, rude or become a public outcast.

Radhi ni kubwa kuliko mali 'A parent's blessing is better than wealth'
　Swahili people and other African people believe in parent's blessing. They believe that in order to succeed in life, your money won't do any better than the blessing of your parent. This means your parents should always approve your life style and conduct.

OPINIONS:
Dua la kuku halimpati mwewe 'A chicken curse or spell cannot affect a kite/hawk'
　 This means a weak person (in any respect) cannot win over a strong person'

Mgema akisifiwa tembo hulitia maji 'If the palm-wine taper is praised because of his good, he dilutes it with water'
　 This discourages people from praising people too much, as they might become arrogant and that might affect their performance.

Juzi na jana si kama leo ' The past events are not the same as today's events'
　This means everyday, the world keeps on changing. So don't be astonished to see what and how we are doing things today is different from what used to be in the past.

WISDOM:
Mafahali wawili hawakai zizi moja 'Two bulls cannot live in the same farmyard'
This means rivals in any walks of life cannot get alone.

Adui mpende 'Love the enemy'
　It is believed that if you love your enemy, you can neutralize his bad feelings and make him change his behaviour. This approach is better than hating him or running away from him.

Akiba haiozi 'A saving/reserve never get rotten'
　This proverb advises the people to make savings, as it will help them tomorrow.
But, this is not limited to money or food only.

Hamadi kibindoni, silaha iliyo mkononi 'Something in your pocket is your safeguard or security and something in your hand is your weapon'
　This means in case of emergency, people, things etc. which are nearby will be more helpful than those which are far away.

Heri kufa macho kuliko moyo 'It is better to be blind than to despair'
　 This proverb advises the people not to lose hope in whatever they are doing'

Mgagaa na upwa hali wali mtupu 'He who haunts the shore does not eat plain rice'
　 This proverb advises the people not to stay idle at home.

Haba na haba hujaza kibaba 'Little by little fills the measure'
　 Knowledge, wealth, property etc. is cumulative. So, people are advised to accumulate little by little and in the end they will have plenty.

Haraka haraka hanina baraka 'Hurry, hurry, has no blessing'
　 People are advised to be patient and orderly in whatever they are doing.

4.0. Summary

　 Swahili people are very friendly, polite, good speakers and sociable. There are a lot of things which have shaped their thinking and their lifestyle. One can argue that the basic things that have shaped their lifestyle is poverty and security. These two factors, forced the Swahili people to join forces. In this way, they had to depend on one another in many respects. In order to perpetuate the lifestyle, they had to live in harmony, be modest and help each other in case of trouble or difficulties and in social events like wedding or burial ceremonies. Although nowadays things have changed a little bit, some practices could still be observed amongst friends, relatives and neighbours

REFERENCES

Brown Roger (1958) Words and Things. New York: The Free Press.
Hertzler O. Joyce (1965) A Sociology of Language. New York: Radom House.
Lyons John (1968) Introduction to Theoretical Linguistics. London, New York: Cambridge University Press.
William A. Foley (1997) Anthropological Linguistics: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.

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