Archives: Tsumo

Definitions dziva: fend off musendo: a plane; a tool used for smoothing wood Translation A child who tries to fend off a plane with his … Read more

Definitions Mukarirano: Evading responsibility or shifting blame to others instead of taking action. Translation Shifting responsibility led to the house burning down. Application When people … Read more

Definitions Mukarirano: Evading responsibility or shifting blame to others instead of taking action. Translation Shifting responsibility led to the mother-in-law’s death during a time of … Read more

Definitions nhopi: mash prepared from cattle melon or pumpkin Translation The disabled, laughing at each other while eating mash. Application People often notice and criticise … Read more

Definitions guma (plural: makuma): projecting forehead Translation Baboons laugh at each other’s foreheads. Application People often notice and criticise faults in others while overlooking their … Read more

Definitions pfunye: Go-away bird: Grey Lourie hoto: Hornbill Translation Those in the forest ridicule each other; when a go-away bird sees a hornbill it laughs. … Read more

Definitions chivendekete: person who has lost some teeth Translation The one with a gap laughs at the one with a broken tooth. Application People often … Read more

Translation The crow laughs at the owl (the owl’s beak),  yet its beak is like a calabash. Application People often notice and criticise faults in … Read more

Definitions ruzambu: Heart-leaved vine. A climbing plant used in basketry nyemba: Cow peas. Certain species of cowpeas are climbers and trailers. Translation The heart-leaved vine … Read more

Definitions hwiza: grasshopper Translation Do not go after grasshoppers when hares might still show up. Application When faced with competing demands, one should consider where … Read more