Category: Mwinika Language and Culture

“Maari apwiri anattela munikhomani.” (Goat droppings accumulate in its pen.) Doing a little bit of something each day can add up to quite a bit over a long time.

“Oyariwa khiya wuunuwa.” (To be born is not the same as to grow.) I heard this proverb from a young person who was complaining that an older person was telling him what to do. The idea is that just because a person is born does not mean he will grow, he might be old but […]

“Weetta wiili osa ori omodha.” (Two journeys share the same morning.) This is a way of saying it is possible to do two things at once. It would like us saying “ to kill two birds with one stone.”

“Mwana onupuwela aadhiye.” (The child thinks/ponders after he is burned.) It isn’t until after the child is burned that he learns his lesson. Application: We used this illustration talking about Esau. Esau sold his birthright in a moment of hunger and afterwards regretted it and sought to kill his younger brother Jacob over Jacob’s efforts […]

“Murahi khonrukunuwa ora okakhala nivara.” (A branch cannot turn itself into the trunk.) Something that is unimportant cannot make itself into something that is important.

“Wuunkha” or ” wuunkhela?” Does it stink or does it smell good? Some things are very culture-driven and this is one of them. For many Mwinika the smell of fish is a good smell. It is their staple food. I have seen people walk up to an area where someone is selling fish and say: […]

There are lots of folk stories around the world on the origin of the races and Africa is no exception. Each story provides some reason for why things are the way they are in relation to race. In Nigeria they tell of a god who was making humans and baking them. He got drunk and […]

Mooro khonthaala. (Fire cannot be reversed.) When something is burned it is burned. It cannot be UN-burned. It is similar to us saying that someone “burned his bridges.” Application: We used this in the lessons this week to teach that the effects of sin cannot be undone. Once Adam and Eve sinned and were kicked […]

“Oshirikha onnikhwaranya emwidhi.” (To be friends is better than to be family.) In a society that places so much emphasis on family ties this is a profound statement. It recognizes that one treats family members a certain way because one is obligated to. You have to do it even if you don’t want to. A […]

“Mooro ohinaphiye nlimele mampa.” (Clean the brush around the houses before the wildfire arrives.) It is better to prepare for all eventualities beforehand. We used this proverb in discussing the need to build a shelter before it rains.