Linyonyi lia kukwimba, a bird has sang (about) you, is a Maragoli saying that’s the perfect quip, clincher or savory figure of speech for those moments when caught out.
The Maragoli or Mulogoli is a Bantu tribe that’s one of the larger houses of the Luhya supra-community that’s presently mainly domiciled in Western Kenya. Maragoli language or Lulogooli, Logoli is the tongue of Maragoli. Join us and learn how to speak Maragoli language. Start of with our free lessons in Maragoli language. Build your vocabulary with our stories from Maragoli culture whose narrative harnesses the richness of L’logoli in telling our origin, beliefs and way of life. Hop on our continuous search for the meaning of different Maragoli proverbs and sayings. Test yourself with our dalliance at the intersections, such as in our ongoing Kinyarwanda-Lulogooli and Lingala- Luhya discourse. Let’s get you started with Kimaragoli, with our mega post: Learn Maragoli Online: The Mulembe Nation list of 60+ common Maragoli words, their translation and meaning.
Do you wish to speak kimaragoli like a true Maragoli? Sayings and proverbs are a sure way to get you speaking Lulogooli not only fluently but with finesse and guile. Join us as we unpack the Maragoli saying linyoni la kukwimba.
First, let’s learn new Maragoli words
For synonyms, fuller meaning, related words, variations and context of Maragoli words, make use of our growing free resource: The Mulembe Nation Luhya-English Dictionary and Thesaurus
Linyonyi
Nyonyi is bird. ‘Li’ denotes singular form.
Lia
It has
Kukwimba
Verb. The act of singing about someone.
Meaning of linyonyi lia kukwimba
Nyasaye gifted the descendants of Andimi warning systems from nature to alert them about things that were about to happen. For example, among my people, the hooting of an owl was an ominous sign indicative of impending death within the vicinity.
In the Maragoli saying linyonyi lia kukwimba, we find another example of how Mulogoli explained the world around them using nature. Literally this saying translates to a bird has sang you. A young me remembers vividly grazing cows with my older cousins in the grounds by the river. On occasion, they would hear a characteristic chirp from birds and all the big boys will spring into action. On alert we all would be as the message from the bird to us was: “Hey there, just saw a snake slither by. Be on the look out!”
Therefore, when a bird ‘sings’ you, it means that someone has rated you out. Busted you are. Caught pants down. Caught with your hand in the honeypot. Basically your intentions, despite your best efforts to conceal them, have been let out either by a third party or by your own unconscious tell-tell behavior.
When to use this saying
This saying will be perfect when you burst someone right in the act of an activity that they wish had remained hush hush. Like when when a child is on a stealth mission to steal a piece of meat from the pot and it accidentally knocks over a pan that clatters to the ground with a noise.
Or when you huddled together deep in gossip and just in the nick of time, you notice someone within earshot. You can say ‘linyonyi lia ku kwimba’ to your gossip-mate as a prompt for them to swiftly change topic.
Other times, it could be that you say had wished to pleasantly surprise a loved one, but your good plans have fallen on their face for one reason or another, as they have come to know about the surprise. They can say to you ‘linyonyi lia kukwimba’ as a way to console you for disappointment
You can also use this Maragoli saying as the English idiom a little birdie told me. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines this idiom as:
- used to say that you have heard a piece of information about someone from someone else; or
- said if you know who gave you the information being discussed but do not want to say who it was
Maragoli Proverbs and Sayings
Mulembe Nation is home to the Internet’s largest collection of Maragoli proverbs and sayings; including tit bits on their use and meaning. Plus links to delightful and insightful stories on our heritage and culture.
Other Luhya sayings that go well with linyonyi lia kukwimba
- The Bukusu saying Lelo nyo kanyolile kakanyola embichi musipwoni.
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