Proverbs - Amaqhalo

[Makhosimvelo]

Hey, if anyone has good ones, to add, or comments, just do it.

Iqaqa aliziva kunuka
Literally: A polecat does not smell itself
Figuratively: You never recognize your own faults

Ooxam bayaphaxulana
Literally: The iguanas are hitting each other in a clumsy manner
Figuratively: There is no difference between them ?Çô the one is as useless as the other

Zingasuzela zityebile
Literally: When they (the bees) sting they are rich
Figuratively: A person will react violently when something is mentioned that pricks the conscience.

[Makhosimvelo]

XHOSA PROVERBS

(These are taken from) a book called Xhosa Proverbs by Zolile Calana, published by Kwela Books.

Usana olungakhaliyo lufel' embelekweni.
A baby that does not cry out, dies on its mother's back.
(If you don't complain, nothing will happen and the problem will persist).


Akukho nkwali iphandel' enye.
No partridge scratches the ground in search of food for another.
(Do not expect others to do for you what you should do for yourself.)

Inkqayi ingena ngenlontlo.
The baldness of a head begins at the temples.
(A big thing may result from a seemingly small matter. This is said in defence of small beginnings. Equivalent to "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.")

[nomnganga]

Makhosi

I stand for correction still but the saying, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." and the one that says "Inkqayi ingena ngentloko" do not equate at all when you translate them... the first one is a kind of encouragement that bit by bit, one will get there and the second one is a form of a warning that don't do this thinking that it's a small thing as it will turn out to be a huge thing as you will get used to it.

As already said, I stand for correction.
==========================

Originally Posted by Makhosimvelo

XHOSA PROVERBS

(These are taken from) a book called Xhosa Proverbs by Zolile Calana, published by Kwela Books.

Usana olungakhaliyo lufel' embelekweni.
A baby that does not cry out, dies on its mother's back.
(If you don't complain, nothing will happen and the problem will persist).


Akukho nkwali iphandel' enye.
No partridge scratches the ground in search of food for another.
(Do not expect others to do for you what you should do for yourself.)

Inkqayi ingena ngenlontlo.
The baldness of a head begins at the temples.
(A big thing may result from a seemingly small matter. This is said in defence of small beginnings. Equivalent to "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.")

[Makhosimvelo]

Hi Nomnganga
You certainly wont be corrected by me at this time. I took those straight out of that book, so Zolile is the one to speak too. What you say sounds like it could well be a distinct difference in meaning and by no means a translation. I guess it shows the many possibilites for mis-interpretation that exist between all languages.

Siyabulela futhi.
We are grateful again.

[nomnganga]

Hey Makhosi,

I fully agree and concur with you when you say it's an interpretation problem.

[XhantilomziwaMatolo]

Umlisela nomthinjane "Gens and Ladies"
NDIYABh'OTISA "I greet you"
"Kudala sipakuza mh'a'khes' tice" "For long we have been sucking smoke from this pipe , let's spit now"

The correct proverb says “Inkqayi ingena ngentlontlo” translating to “ a bolded head starts from the hair line”

Meaning: A habit (which is a permanent behaviour of an individual, which is NOT necessary for survival but yet preformed due to preference) “is then represented by the complete cutting of hair, which is also not necessary for survival but yet people do it because they prefer it” Further, it means the habit then stars small as a petty invent but ends up a permanent thing.

It is usually used to reprimand bad conduct with a view that the doer can be given cognisance of what he does not want, which will result from his doing.

HOWEVER!!!!
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Meaning: When pursuing a huge , amazing and cumbersome achievements you must not be overwhelmed by the task ahead as they are comprised of small actions which you are confident about and are generally easily achievable ; Being equaled to a single step which you can do effortlessly.

I am not standing for correction; however contradicting or concurring views and comments are invited

Thank you

[Mqoqobeli]

Originally Posted by XhantilomziwaMatolo

Meaning: A habit (which is a permanent behaviour of an individual, which is NOT necessary for survival but yet preformed due to preference) “is then represented by the complete cutting of hair, which is also not necessary for survival but yet people do it because they prefer it” Further, it means the habit then stars small as a petty invent but ends up a permanent thing.

Makes me think of the iqhalo (proverb):

"isiqhelo siyoyisa ingqondo" - which means: 'habit defeats the mind', i.e. sometimes if you become so used to doing something, you don't even think about what you are doing.

[george.mikal]

ok
can i give my views here?? i mean i am new here

[Makhosimvelo]

Ewe, George. Uphi wena?
Yes, George, where are you?