Use these jump links for quick access to modern contemporary Luhya proverbs and sayings on: Kinship / Contemporary times / People / Relationships and Love
The beauty of life in the 21st century is captured in these contemporary Luhya proverbs and sayings. The proverbs and saying featured here offer nuggets of wisdom on modern love, happiness and all facets of life inspired by contemporary interpretations of the spirit of mulembe.
Contemporary Luhya sayings on kinship and relations
Shienyu ni shienyu khali shihunye
Used to implore pride in ones culture and demand loyalty to family and friends irrespective of their state or your state. Directly translates to: Yours is yours even if it smells. Find an example of this maxim that’s central to the concept of mulembe in this post about the battle for luhya votes and politics of nabutundu.
On the TIMES
Vindu Vichenjanga
Also vintu vichenjanga or bintu/bindu vichenjanga depending on the dialect of luhya that one speaks. This contemporary luhya saying directly translates to: things change. We have this luhya pop song “Bindu vichenjanga” by Amos Baraza that came into prominence during the run up to the twenty seventeen Kenya general elections.
On people
Jaza gorogoro
In a world where appearances matter more than mass; a world where snake oil salesmen thrive, a healthy dose of cynicism is imperative. Thus this contemporary Luhya saying that implores on us not to believe everything we see/read, but rather make the effort to inquire: Ana jaza gorogoro?
This is a contemporary Luhya saying combines Swahili (anajaza, meaning does he/she fit or fill) and Kiluhya (gorogoro). It’s a saying that is used to judge the worth of an individual in any exploit. For instance, a woman or lad, who ‘anajaza gorogoro’ is considered a worthy date or exploit. In politics, it can be used to as a query to judge the popularity of a candidate. Is their popularity backed by a record, organizational skills, networks, charisma and finances to launch a formidable campaign? So you ask: Anajaza gorogoro?
CONTEMPORARY LUHYA PROVERBS ON RELATIONSHIPS
Eating Chimbeba
Eating rats. Not the rodent type, but the type that wears trousers and walks upright. Yes you guessed it right, chimbeba are also known as sponyo and BYW. For more on eating chimbeba, check out our twelve part series on luhya myths on infidelity, particularly this article on how to get away with eating chimbeba.
