A few Kaffär Proverbs and Figurative Expressions. (WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES BY GEO. M. THEAL) Isikuni siny uka nomkwezeli. A brand burns him who stirs it up. This proverb is an exact equivalent to our English one, Let sleeping dogs lie. Njengo mdudo ka Mapassa. This proverb is used to denote anything unusually grand. The marriage festivities of one of the ancients, Mapassa by name, are said to have been carried on for a whole year. Ishwa lomhluzi wamanqina. Applied to any person who never does well, but is always getting into scrapes. The kind of soup spoken of is very lightly esteemed by the Kaffirs. Sibayeni sonke, Kenkebe. Kenkebe is the personification of greed in Kaffir folklore, as may be seen in the story of him published by me in the Cape Monthiy Magazine a few years ago. This proverb is used to a stingy person, who is not inclined to be hospitable to others. It significs, as a man who is being married and his attendants partake jointly of the feast, so you should share with us. Kukuza kuka Nxele. The coming of Nxele. This proverb implies anything long expected, but which never occurs. For an account of Nxele, or Makana, see my history of the Cape Colony. For half a century after his death the Kaffirs on this side of the Kei confidently looked forward to his return to lead them to victory. They have only recently abandoned that hope, and hence the proverb, though now in general use, is one of only a few years standing. Ubukulu abubangwa. The Poet's Work. From the full street of Human life, I hurry up heaven's viewless stairs, Behind me swing the doors again, The forest arches intertwine, I drink in all with greedy ear, I listen with a childish fear, My joy wells over with a tear. Each in his place there seems to stand It is a face I once loved well ! As onward rolls the flood of song, A hand unvails the primal laws, The world's vast history near me lies Yet soft looks all around me smile, Voices of love float down each aisle : “ Thou must begone a little while ; “ Meanwhile be brave, and take with thee Au carnest of life's victory, A light across the grave's dark sea.” They placed a crown upon my head “ This wand of truth to thee I lend; “ Wreath the rich vintage of the mind Around home-truths, till, free and kind, Love on the universal wind “ Sweep scorn and bitterness away ; And as old party creeds decay, Dawn forth a wiser, nobler day, “When Truth, in robes of beauty drest, Shall seek all homes, a welcome guest, The bride of every honest breast. “ And as weird shells beneath lone sea “ Chant, star.ding on this azure height, Of the dread voice beyond yon light, Like many waters in its might. i Speak for the weak against the strong, Be boldly good thy peers among, Stainless in conscience, pure thy tongue. “ Be kind to all, and proud to none, “And wheresoe'er thy footsteps roam, In lordly halls, or poor man's home, Thou'lt hear along the heav'nly dome “ Heaven's songs sink down into thy soul, And, as earth's clouds around thee roll, We will care's dreariest storm control. “Faith, Hope, and Love, on deathless wing “Pass like the mists of morn away, “ Then lay thee down in well spent days, Around thy brows the crown of bays ; They need no other earthly praise. “ Thou hast God's message from the skies, TITAN ALAN. I few Kafür Proverbs and figurative Expressions. (WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES BY GEO. M. THEAL ) Isikuni siny uka nomkwezeli. A brand burns him who stirs it up. This proverb is an exact equivalent to our English one, Let sleeping dogs lie. Njengo mdudo ka Mapassa. This proverb is used to denote anything unusually grand. The marriage festivities of one of the ancients, Mapassa by name, are said to have been carried on for a whole year. Ishwa lomhluzi wamanqina. Applied to any person who never does well, but is always getting into scrapes. The kind of soup spoken of is very lightly esteemed by the Kaffirs. Sibayeni sonke, Kenkebe. Kenkebe is the personification of greed in Kaffir folklore, as may be seen in the story of him published by me in the Cape Monthiy Magazine a few years ago. This proverb is used to a stingy person, who is not inclined to be hospitable to others. It significs, as a man who is being married and his attendants partake jointly of the feast, so you should share with us. Kukuza kuka Nxele. The coming of Nxele. This proverb implies anything long expected, but which never occurs. For an account of Nxele, or Makana, see my history of the Cape Colony. For half a century after his death the Kaffirs on this side of the Kei confidently looked forward to his return to lead them to victory. They have only recently abandoned that hope, and hence the proverb, though now in general use, is one of only a few years standing. Ubukulu abubangwa. |