USE JUMP LINKS FOR QUICK ACCESS TO MARAGOLI PROVERBS AN SAYINGS ON: Luck / Love, courtship and marriage / Health, medicine and health sciences / Greed / Self improvement / Communication and speech
We are building a freely accessible repository of the oral traditions of the Maragoli sub-tribe of the Luhya tribe of Western Kenya. Learn the meaning of Maragoli proverbs and sayings by following links to stories that reveal their meaning and everyday use.
About the Maragoli: Origin, clans and culture
Mulogoli is the progeny of Andimi (patriarch) and Mwanzu (matriarch). Mulogoli’s wife was called Khaliyesa. She had four male children – the fathers of the four major clans: Musaali; Kizungu; Kilima and M’mavi. These clans inhabit the region around Maragoli Hills in Vihiga county, western Kenya.
Major Maragoli clans include: Vakilima, Vasaali, Vasaniaga, Vagonda, Vasalia,
Beyond Maragoli proverbs and sayings, Mulogoli has a rich culture. Here is a snap shot: legends on leopard keepers, Banondi and Mahiili myths, naming of children, night runners, uvusuula, ivikoko, uvuhiindii, oloovo, kuluminda, weapons, hides and skins of cultural value, amadongolo, ikivunguya, itsinyingu (pot making), amalere na amang’alara, herbal plants, traditional Maragoli culinary delights. Do you want to know more about the culture of Mulogooli?
Maragoli Proverbs and Sayings
On Luck
Imburi yu mudaka yivura amalongo dave
What’s a poor man’s luck like? This Maragoli proverb reckons that the answer lies in his goats. The Maragoli say a poor man’s goats does not twin at birth. But what has that got to do with poverty, richness or wealth? Find out in this informative piece on a popular Maragoli proverb.
On Health, Medicine & The Science of Health
Inyundu Erondera Keheregete
Smallpox (inyundu) comes alongside measles (keheregete). What year was that when smallpox got eradicated? Often, the caregiver would be acting safe in the knowledge that they are dealing with the milder of the diseases, measles, only to learn, fatally, that indeed what they had been dealing with the deadly smallpox. Learn more about this cautionary proverb inyundu erondera keheregete from the Maragoli .
Maragoli Proverbs and Sayings On Courtship, Relationships And Marriage
Ukudiginya noseka niyie arakukora inda
This one must have been popular among senges, as they warned their nieces to be weary of the of overtures of Wephukulu, Ambani or Okoba who waylay them on the way to the river. As this thorough review of Bukusu marriage customs reminds us, courtship was not always a mushy affair. What starts as a playful peak down at the river as you take a bath may be solemnized as khuboa chinyinja years later. Thus the warning: The one who tickles you to a laugh is the one who will make you be with child.
Utarora nya vukana, avora baba yasyuva tsing’ombe
We’ve all come across that embarrassing photo of mum or dad in their younger days slaying and being all daddy cool. This naughty Maragoli proverb cautions us against taking issues at face value because: Those who didn’t take their mum’s beauty in her youth, might be mistaken for thinking dad might as well thrown away the cows that he paid as bride price.
Greed
Kuria ku ariza magaraba
Eating like he/she is feasting on magaraba
Makhalaba (Isukha) or magaraba (Lulogooli) is a Luhya traditional vegetable that is the leaves of the bean plant. The Bukusu call it Likanda. It is a vegetable shrouded in taboos and sayings, making it a reluctant choice for a meal. Primary school biology informs us that leaves are the food factory of plants. Thus, if one desires a healthy bean harvest, it’s quite foolhardy to strip the bean plant of its leaves because where else will the bean get energy to gift us fruits in the form of pods full of healthy beans?
I tell you my sister this is one vegetable that is eaten fast. Peel, mold ugali, throw in the mouth, speak wisdom. That way and it’s gone. Can’t tell if its because the adults didn’t want to be caught like embichi musipwoni eating eggs while they have a broody hen. Whatever the reason, this fast browsing if the green is the inspiration for a cheeky Maragoli saying.
When someone is devouring something in much haste – such as a spendthrift ploughing through a windfall – such a person is said to be eating (kuria), the money in this case, ku ariza magaraba.
Self improvement
Mbe mwiga muturi
I’m apprentice blacksmith.
This few words passed down from our forefathers come true when one is experiencing self doubt. Be it when undertaking a new project or when you find yourselves undergoing a new life experience. As we wrote in this article: Feeling out of your depth? This Maragoli saying ‘mbe mwiga muturi’ is the perfect comfort, helping you regain control an confidence; vivtory in such situations are all about owning the moment.
Communication and speech
Linyonyi lia kukwimba
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. Among its common uses is as the English idiom a little birdie said. Learn the meaning and use of the Maragoli saying linyonyi lia kukwimba.
Subscribe to Mulembe Weekly
Get culture, language, stories and discussions in your inbox every Friday 5 PM East Africa Time
