Undeniably, among the people of Mulembe, the Bukusu have among the most wholesome annotation of their culture and history. The descendants of Mwambu (the inventor) and Sela like their brothers the Maragoli trace their ancestry to Misri. Here are popular Bukusu proverbs and sayings for your everyday use.
Use jump links for quick access to our growing list of Bukusu proverbs and sayings On..
About the Bukusu
Closer home to their current domicile of the lands at the foot of Mt. Elgon (Masaba), the umbilical cord of Bukusu clans terminates in modern day Eastern Uganda among the Masaba people. The Bukusu proverbs and sayings that follow have featured in our blog posts either as standalone stories that reveal the beauty behind their origin, or as necessary linguistic spice to the stories you love from Mulembe Nation. Therefore, it is expected that this list will continue to grow. Our hope is that you will Bookmark this page to get new additions of Bukusu proverbs and sayings; and for future reference.
Beyond Bukusu proverbs and sayings, Babukusu have a rich culture. Here is a snap shot: The Bukusu traditional wedding Khuboa Chinyinja, Bukusu marriage traditions, Bukusu naming traditions, Bukusu death rituals and Bukusu traditional circumcision. Do you want to know more about the culture of Babukusu?
Bukusu Proverbs and Sayings
On Work Ethic
Embako sebea ta!
Literally means: The jembe does not lie. Hard work pays. We use this proverb in context in our article about the tribulations of the modern Bukusu small scale farmer.
On Luck
Winyokhele kumukhono kumukhasi
You woke up with the unlucky hand. In our tribute to freedom fighter Wakoli khwa Mukisu, we hailed the military prowess in leading the Bukusu resistance against colonial rule. This Bukusu proverb gives meaning to the circumstances around the defeat faced by Wakoli and other heroes at Lumboka war.
kukhoya kwabirira emukali
It should pass by another route.
Learn the meaning of Bukusu proverb kukhoya kwabirira emukali; a proverb of great comfort when life deals us bad luck. The wisdom of finding the silver lining.
On Power
Eunwa efwichanga ne lunyasi mukhunwa
A bull dies with grass in his mouth. A saying used to praise the exploits of a man with many wives, concubines or girlfriends. More aptly though, this saying plays on the likely alpha male traits of such an individual. It’s in awe of the refusal of such individuals to go down with a fight. And a proper one at that. This Bukusu proverb has found use in Luhya politics given its praise on the all conquering traits of a revered leader. A case in point is found in our article on Ford Kenya leader Moses Masika Wetangula.
Khutila lichabungwe esibuno
A great editor once said: “To determine the true rulers of any society, all you must do is ask yourself this question: Who is it that I am not permitted to criticize?” Learn the meaning and find examples on how to use this Bukusu proverb on sacred cows and their masters
Namunyu kabolela libale ali wakhasila waulile.
This Bukusu proverb isn’t one on power per se, but its most famous use was when it was used to speak truth to power. Translated to English it says: the hyena told a stone that however much you remain silent you have heard. At a period of high national tensions following the assassination of J.M Kariuki, a son of the soil from Matili village, Kimilili perfectly and succinctly gave a notation of the times. Find out how in our post on Elijah Wasike Mwanagale and a proverb he made famous.
Sio omwimani osilia nali mwibo
You can take advantage of a mean woman and eat her portion when she is nursing a baby. This Bukusu proverb can have multiple meaning including highlighting the place of women in Bukusu society and the delicate health status of a woman in puerperium (mwibo) – thus the need to protect and care for them.
However, we find its deepest meaning as canny advice on the strategy to adopt while dealing with a tough opponent: await until they are at their weakest. Their weakest could be the unlikely moment when they have just delivered a significant project that has consumed most of their resources. Or it could be that moment when they are embarking on a pet project that they value and must see through at all costs.
On People
kumwoyo kwe lisa
Kumwoyo kwe lisa translated as dark heart of lisa. This Bukusu saying is used to describe someone who has a very black heart. One who can unleash evil in toxic doses. For context on the use of this saying, our post on the politics of Nabutundu is an apt choice. And if you are wondering which lisa, caterpillar, this is my firm belief that it is lisabulukhwe that gave the caterpillar clan this unfortunate association among my people.
Kumukhuyu kwasinya enjusi
Kumukhuyu, the sycamore tree, is tree of immense cultural significance among the Luhya. Enjusi (fox) is an animal that features in many western fables, stories and sayings. The Bukusu have this saying that talks of the special relationship between the fox and the Sycamore tree. Find out why the fox hates the Sycamore tree when it clearly shouldn’t in our post on the cultural significance of Kumukhuyu tree.
Khukhwepitisia oli chumbe mumaengele
This cheeky Bukusu figure of speech found meaning in our hilarious take of emojis in Bukusu. Translated it means: You are throwing yourself about with an elevated sense of importance just a salt would when tossed onto boiled maize. To understand its meaning, make sure you read our rib-craking post on the meaning of 40+ of your favorite emojis in Bukusu.
Luno kanyolile nga kakanyola embichi musipwoni
Today, he has been caught red handed as a pig in a sweet potato plantation. Check out this curious story of Manyonge and on taking chances that leads us to the meaning of the Bukusu proverb: Lelo nyo kanyolile kakanyola embichi musipwoni.
Kimikiyo oli kutete khwikongwe
The emoji says it all. For full meaning of this Bukusu saying, read our post on 40+ emojis in Bukusu
Omubukusu akhwima busuma lakini sakhwima elomo ta!
I have boasted here time and again about how rich the Bukusu language is. It is only in Lubukusu that one can casually say ‘embwa ya wele‘, dogs of god, and not stroke sentiments of blasphemy. More than any other language I speak, I find Lubukusu to have a word for each action, complete with adjectives to emphasize and exaggerate sounds and feelings. My people are blessed with words. Thus, we say that “A Bukusu can even deny you food but can’t afford to deny you the latest gossip“. For instance, take it that we have more than 10 ways of greeting someone. Imagine that, more than a dozen ways just to say hi.
Kwa ndaa okworera atayi
This is a deep Bukusu saying known only to elderly men and women who have eaten enough salt. This saying is used to warn people not to rejoice in other people’s misery. Kwa ndaa is a big ball of fire. Okworera atayi is translated as you warm yourself with it from far.
I once heard two ladies snitch about a third woman whose daughter had joined the university but had dropped out under unclear circumstances. Since none of them knew what exactly was wrong with the young lad in the school. One of the ladies used this saying to exonerate herself from rejoicing in the predicament of the third lady.
Ne katikhe kakhoya okhunywela
When beer has burst, kamalwa kakatikhe, you need someone with a kind heart who can drink it for you and take away the shame. Four things. Omusinde; a proud father; kamalwa khuyusia and kamalwa kakatikhe equals nothing but trouble. Find meaning and lesson of a Bukusu proverb.
On Courtship, Relationships and Marriage
Kumwikule Kukwoo, Kumwikale Kwabene
Luhya culture permits men to have sexual relations with any unmarried women. The phrase used to explain express sexual freedom for both sexes. It prescribes that an unmarried woman doors are considered “open”. This includes widows but excludes relatives. On the other hand, married women are perceived to have closed doors. Thus this bukusu saying translated means: the open door is yours, the closed doors belong to the owner. For a contextual feel of its use in traditional Bukusu life, indulge in our post on Silukhi: The culture of fines and luhya myths on infidelity.
Sonywa munyngu chibili ta!
A man shouldn’t drink from more than one pot. It’s said that the reason is that it is easier to find the culprit in the event of poisoning. But as we saw in the story of Makunja who was caught in the act eating rats, the meaning of this bukusu saying extends to other spheres of life.
Embalikha yarafua nga ekhilakhima.
Polygamy (polygyny) is as painful as a cobra bite, it can uproot tree stumps. As I equivocally stated before, we the people of mulembe are a people of love. The spirit of mulembe is that of warmth. That of love. Of companionship. That of a man loving his woman. And of women finding joy in keeping their beds warm; making sure her man is tethered to her sheets. Therefore, inasmuch as polygamy is an accepted way of life among my people, the Babukusu, discover why we still say this proverb in our post on the roots, pains and joys of polygamy among the Bukusu.
Kamafuki sokafula ta!
Translated as ‘you cannot cook for blood’, this most succinct and pungent of Bukusu proverbs and sayings illustrates my people’s thoughts on the practicability of celibacy. Again, our post on the roots, pains and joys of polygamy among the Bukusu provides context and meaning of this Bukusu saying.
On Friendship
Kunamuningie kwabolela efurusi kuli koo khulichanga alala. Wumbolele nochakhulia.
The vulture said to the eagle: We always eat together. Please let me know the next time you are eating.
Engokho netima nekamala ke yasie euka eli yosi seli nako ta
Whenever a living chicken gets a chance to run with insides of a chicken that’s been slaughtered, it does so as fast as it can, not knowing that it too has insides.
In using everything in our toolkit to stem the spread of the new coronavirus and COVID-19, I am reminded of this Bukusu proverb on the danger of self centeredness.
Nakhubea wikisa mumaito
“If you think I am lying, you will hide yourself in a groundnut plantation.”
This figurative Bukusu idiom is used between good friends when telling a story that sounds unbelievable. The one who says it promises their friend that if they are lying, then the friend will be able to hide in a groundnut plantation, which is quite the impossible.
ne katikhe kakhoya okhunywela
“When beer bursts, you need someone to drink [it] for you.”
Fake or real? Your ride or die girl? Fair weather friend, bro for life? When it comes to relationships let’s admit that we all battle with these questions every once in a while. And there’s nothing wrong with that, assessing if a relationship is a drain or mutual; but it does strain a relationship if worry to much of where you stand with the other person. Worry no more, the Bukusu proverb ne katikhe kakhoya okhunywela, has lessons to help.
On Investment, Entrepreneurship and Risk Management
Kumutambo kukhunyoa buyinda bukhakhunyoa
Better to be born into poverty than wealth.
This saying professes that being born into wealth is no guarantee for anything. In fact, the judgement is harsher if you are born in wealth and die a pauper. Seemingly, your god fortune may turn to be your biggest handicap. More on this proverb in our post on why you should get your hustle going no matter what hand luck deals you.
Nobaya likhanga obayilamo chingokho
When you raise a guinea fowl, raise it among chicken.
This proverb introduces a concept of risk management: that of measured diversification of assets. Thus, the Bukusu consider it wise to raise a guinea fowl among the chickens. In our cheeky post on a mulembe Easter we explain the meaning of this saying through the Easter story.
“The success of Jesus (the likhanga -guinea fowl) when compared to the nondescript lives of his siblings lends credence to the wisdom of our forefathers here. Indeed, taken the other way, his siblings (the chingokho – chicken) must have been spared the indignity that Jesus suffered. That of an early death as a bachelor and with no children. ”
Mulembe Nation
Omubayi abechanga ne kumubano
One who farms animals walks with a sharp knife.
Learn the meaning of a Bukusu proverb ‘omubayi abechanga ne kumubano’ via a story of a misfortune that befell my friend Musa and how It taught me about resilience. My Musa is employed as a farm hand in one of my friend’s farms. Once, he suffered a misfortune and how he handled it introduced me to this Bukusu proverb on picking up the pieces.
Engila sebolela okenda
The road does not tell the traveler what lies ahead.
This Bukusu proverb is about the uncertainties of life and the importance of being adequately prepared for any eventuality. Truth is only arrived at by walking the journey to its full conclusion. Just like walking down a path that your enemies might have traveled on just before you did, and now they wait to waylay you, so is life. In similar vein, the opportunity of your life is just ahead only if you kept on walking. Nonethelesss, in spite of what lies in the road ahead, preparation is key. See meaning, translation and daily use of the Bukusu proverb engila sebolela okenda.
On Charity
Oonia we likonjo okhaonia we enjala tawe
Translated, the saying means “heal a person with a wound but not one who is starving”. This is because the person with a wound will always look at the scar and remember how bad the situation had been. The starving person, on the other hand, will forget as soon as he/she is satisfied.
On Personhood
Enyama yo mundu eli nga yemboko, okinyolela khusibumba
The spirit of mulembe is many things and a bounty of feelings. It is a greeting; it’s peace. A people and their warmth; salams over the radio, nights filled with isukuti and kamabeka. It’s enjoying and sharing good soulful food. The spirit of mulembe is green. A quality embodied by a sacred tree, Kumurembe. Moreover, being green is also about caring for the environment as part of or cultural heritage. Our search today for the spirit of mulembe leads us to a Bukusu saying: enyama yo mundu eli nga yemboko, okinyolela khusibumba.
Nololelela nisyo engokho elia sokilia ta!
If you look at what chicken eat, you’ll never eat chicken.
The saying simply cautions us that when you meet someone, they may have big flaws. One is encouraged not to focus on flaws but the sweet positive side of their character. For more on the origin a roots of this saying, read our post: ‘Nololelela nisyo engokho elia sokila ta!’Oh, what can separate a Luhya from his chicken?
All Things Death, Legacy and Remembrance
Afwile ebikele ne emurwe babana baliyo
It means, he/she has died in his/her legs, but at his head his children thrive. This Bukusu saying honors a man or woman who has toiled to raise fine men and women. Shujaas like omwami Joseph Pascal Nabwana who even after their demise, shine on through their legacy as only their feet die. Because their head, their children, carry on their legacy. So where can you find real life use of this Bukusu saying? Trust us to unpack it in this uncanny yet inspiring story of Kwa Dina junction in Webuye.
Omwami kafwile namwe engwe yasalile
The king/big man/ respected person is dead the leopard has given birth.
In the Bukusu saying, omwami kafwile engwe yasalile, the death of an important person is said to be marked by the gods by occasioning a leopard in the wild to give birth. This is a saying through which Mbukusu mourns the death of an important person in society. Learn meaning of this Luhya saying, it links to a rare whether event in our article: The meaning of, omwami kafwile engwe yasalile, a Bukusu saying.
On Health
For meaning of the following Bukusu proverbs on health, read our post: Mulembe Nation’s Ultimate List of Bukusu Proverbs on Health that pack a punch of Wisdom on Good Living and Wellness.
Omukhasi omukara anania khukwhibusia
Of all the Bukusu proverbs on health in this ultimate list, this proverb bears the most consequences beyond its primary target. It warns expectant women for falling into the trap of laziness that comes with the territory
Kumwikule kukwoo, kumwikale kwabene
Sex education is the focus of this popular Bukusu saying on health that means an open door is yours and a closed one belongs to some one else
Sie munda sisuta sie khumurwe
What is contained in the stomach is what carries the one in the head.
A certain Stanford commencement speech will forever be a bible chapter for rebels of certain type. It was at the end of this emotional, inspiring speech that Steve Jobs urged the class of 2005 to ‘stay hungry, stay foolish’. But what if Jobs had been Luhya, speaking to a Luhya class in a language from one of the houses of mulembe? In the off possibility of such a scenario, the Bukusu proverb ‘sie munda sisuta sie khumurwe’ would have been Job’s saving grace. But what exactly did Mbukusu mean by this proverb? Find out here.
Sikhaya wanambwa silulu
What the dog can’t eat is bitter.
Namukhokhome kafucha lisa
The gecko spitted caterpillar.
Kamema kera emboko
This Bukusu proverb on health translates to: too much standing killed the buffalo.
Omulayi akhuloba enjala ekhakhulia ta
A good person denies you so that you may not die of hunger.
Omusale akhila omulebe, sisiakhaya omusale bubolo
A friend is better than a relative, but what a friend cannot withstand is bad smell.
Sibi sienda lifumo
The enemy of the stomach is a spear.
Bukusu proverbs and sayings on weather
Eyita ebiranga
Heavy cloud assembly does not necessarily lead to heavy downpour.
This saying is usually used to caution that furious anger may not always lead to dire consequences. For context, check out our blog on describing the day’s weather in Bukusu.
Kumuumu kwakila sisuche sielusia enjusi
Too much sunshine made the fox mate with the mongoose.
A saying that describes the harshness of weather. It was so hot that the fox couldn’t make out the difference between a fox and a mongoose leading it to mate with a mongoose.
Bukusu sayings and proverbs on parenting
Khukololosia embulu
Khukololosia embulu is a Bukusu saying that simply means straightening the alligator. In everyday speak it means correcting a wayward child or individual. I first heard of this saying when my aunt came visiting in the aftermath of my little brother getting into trouble with mum. More on that story for meaning and context on this Bukusu saying: Khukololosia embulu: The conspiracy between our mothers and their sisters, our aunts, to straighten alligators