The language of a Kaffir is adorned with figurative expressions, some
of which are readily understood by an Englishman, but others, when
literally interpreted, are to us meaningless. Such expressions,
however, are found upon inquiry to refer to some circumstance in their
mode of living, or some event in their traditional history, which makes
the meaning very clear. A few of their commonest proverbs and
figurative expressions are here given:—
Isikuni sinyuka nomkwezeli.
A brand burns him who stirs it up.
This proverb is an exact equivalent to our English one, Let sleeping
dogs lie.
Njengo mdudo ka Mapassa.
Like the marriage feast of Mapassa.
This saying is used to denote anything unusually grand. The marriage
festivities of one of the ancients, Mapassa by name, are said to have
been carried on for a whole year.
Ishwa lomhluzi wamanqina.
Misfortune of soup made of shanks and feet.
Applied to any person who never does well, but is always getting into
scrapes. The kind of soup spoken of is very lightly esteemed by the
Kaffirs.
Akuko mpukane inqakulela enye.
One fly does not provide for another.
A saying of the industrious to the idle, meaning that each should work
for himself as the flies do.
Kude e-Bakuba, akuyiwanga mntu.
Bakuba is far away, no person ever reached it.
Bakuba is an ideal country. This proverb is used as a warning against
undue ambition, or as advice to be content with that which is within
reach. It is equivalent to our English saying, It is no use building
castles in the air.
Kuxeliwe e-Xukwane apo kumaqasho makulu.
They have slaughtered at Kukwane where much meat is obtainable.
According to tradition, there was once a very rich chief who lived at
Kukwane (near King William’s Town), and who was in the habit of
entertaining strangers in a more liberal manner than any who went
before or who came after him. This proverb is used to such as ask too
much from others, as if to say, It was only at Kukwane that such
expectations were realized.
Qabu Unoqolomba efile.