Kalewenaik chebo sobeet komuguul

PROVERBS ON LIFE IN GENERAL

Makikerchin kirukik aeng' eng biy akenge.

Two bulls cannot stay in the same cowshed.
This is a comment on rivalry, for example, if two people's enmity can be traced to their having similar economic success.

Ng'wan eng’ kut sise eng’ moo.

Even if it is bitter in the mouth, by the time it gets to the stomach the bitterness will have disappeared.
This is a general comment advising peope not to be too choosy with food. For example, if a person comments that the food he was offered was tasteless, this proverb is used to dilute his complaint.

Mo ekyin kerati.

It is never late for the bush.
It is never too late to go and work in the farm. However late one may do to a task, if he really means to work he can do something worthwile. This proverb is equivalent to "better late than never".

Chepya kobo chi.

However bad it may be, it belongs to someone.
An article or some property may not appear valuable in the eyes of the public, but to the Owner it is valuable.

Ngobo kipng'ulya kobo, ngobo boisio kobo.

When it is play, it is play; but when it is business it is business.
Every aspect of life has its own time and place.

Kerkei kiyaki ak kororibo met.

Livestock is like hair.
Livestock can be swept like all hair can be shaved from one's head. Since livestock is so important to the Kalenjin, it is a big blow when one's livestock die in large numbers. This proverb is a philosophical way Of coping with the possibility of losing a whole herd.

Kerichotab mat ko mat.

The medicine of fire is fire.
If a person commits an abominable crime, he needs to be given a punishment of equal weight in order to teach him a lesson and also to warn those who may be tempted to follow his footsteps.

Kalewenaik chebo biikab kokweet

PROVERBS ON COMMUNAL LIFE

Mokiyumen soruriet ye moen keetil.

We do not shelter under the sosuriet* plant and then cut it.
This proverb warns people against abusing or misusing a person whom they have benefited. It is equivalent to the proverb 'do not cut hand that feeds you'.
* sosuriet is a plant of the banana family which has broad leaves. It is very refreshing to sheher from the hot sun orfrom the rain under sosuriet.

Mo kinyeren chorua kotakesikisie.

We do not annoy a midwife while we are still bearing children.
This proverb is some what similar to the one above. It means that one should not spoil relations with those on whom it is inevitable depend.

Kergei lagoi ak kiyak.

Children are like cattle.
This proverb is uttered in mitigation for children who have erred. For example, a neighbour who complains that another person's children have destroyed some of his property is reminded that just as his cattle can wander into his neighbour's farm and cause havoc, so should he expect of children because they do not fully understand their limitations.

Tinye bich kelat amotiche tugul tugun.

All people have teeth but not all have property.
This proverb refers to the obvious fact that we all have needs, but not all of us are fortunate enough to have the means for satisfying these needs. It may be used, for example, to comment on or to address a rich person who is insensitive to the plight of those who are not as rich as himself.

Menemugei chi met.

A person cannot shave his own hair.
We are all dependent on one another and we should co-exist with that situation in mind.

Makirorie kelat chebo chi.

Nobody can use another person's teeth to smile.
Although we co-exist either in a family unit or a community, there are affairs which are so private to us that we cannot expect others to mind them for us.

Makimwoitoi sogon.

A leaf should not be disclosed
This proverb advises people on the importance of guarding delicate matters with utmost secrecy.

O teekatet/konyit te tany ak muren.

Respect is as big as a cow and a warrior..
For communal life to be harmonious there must be respect between people. The full implication of the proverb can only be understood by noting the importance of cattle to the Kalenjin. Cattle are not just important as economic assets, they are also regarded as a source of life.

Bo chi tany kosobei.

A cow belongs to one person only while it is alive.
Sharing of resources is a very important aspect of communal life.
Here the cow is used metaphorically as in the proverb above.

Mewong'unegei sekem bok.

Bees cannot get finished from a bee-hive.
We cannot expect everybody in a community to be perfect, it is inevitable to have undesirable elements.

Kakile iyestoi kaita ki rarat kilewo.

It is said gossip can destroy a united family
Petty gossip can destroy not only family unity but the solidarity of a whole community·

Eun che chang kikelenyei tulwo.

Many hands can uproot a mountain.
Many hands make work lighter.

Amechuchukchi chi ngor.

Do not slip off stealthily leaving your companion wearing the garment you both used.
Do not abandon your companion in a difficult situation to which both of you contributed.

lyoktoi kiplekwa belion.

A hare can send an elephant.
This is a respectable way of asking for help from one's seniors.

Keigei keetgoi.

It is best for us to be like a tall tree.
A great deal can be achieved through unity.

Meterertoi boisio ngomami mestowo ak cheplakwa.

No work can be accomplished without a shepherd and a child-minder.
The co-operation of all is important in every endevour.

Tangeamei keyaei.

While we eat we should also work.
This proverb ridicules people who co-operate with others only while reaping fruits of hard work but never contribute in the production.

Ya mising chepuchan.

Whatever is obtained free is bad.
This is an emphasis on the importance of co-operation in work if expects to enjoy life. It is similar to the proverb above.

Murchechang mobole kering.

Too many rats cannot dig a hole.
Although contributions from many people make work lighter there must be organisation. A project, for example, can be destroyed by having too many leaders.

Maborei siyeet agenge kisiria.

One nail cannot kill a louse
Co-operation with others is inevitable if one wants to succeed.

Kalewenaik chebo biikab oret ak tupchosiek

PROVERBS ON KINSHIP BOND

Ngo samis murian kobo kot ne bo.
A rat stinks but it has its own home.
Even if a person is bad in the eyes of the society he has a home where he finds love and comfort from members of his family.

Mabarei kuinet ab teta moitanyi.
A cow's horn does not kill its calf.
This proverb emphasizes the bond between a mother and her child. It can be used in various situations. For example, it may be used to comment on apparently harsh punishment of one person by another with whom he shares a bond. However harsh the punishment may appear, the bond between them is enough to show that this punish- ment cannot but have been meant to be corrective rather than destructive.

O chi kaitang'ung.
One's house is great.
This proverb refers to the importance of the home in providing, for example comfort and solace for every individual, regardless of their situation in the outside world.

Tupcho werit ak kwanda kounoto chepto ak kam.
Son and father are like brothers, just like daughter and mother are like sisters.
This proverb emphasizes the intimacy expected of members of the same family unit, and of members of one sex within that same unit.

• Kurkeet kirusin ak ichut.
The door that hits you but you still enter through it.
This proverb refers to the unavoidable relationship between an individual and his kinsfolk. Even if we quarrel or fight with our kin, the bond between us will always make us relate to each other and not entertain a complete rupture of relations.

Ingen tarit konyin.
A bird knows its house. (For the Tugen "tarit" means something very different)
This proverb emphasizes the importance of homes just like the ones above.

Kalewenaik chebo chametab ge

PROVERBS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING HUMANE

Iputi tany ako bo kelien ang'wan kotmane chi nebo kelyen aeng’.

A cow falls although it has four legs so what of a man with two legs.
Since a cow has four legs it is expected to be very well balanced; yet it is not unheard of for a cow to fall down. Similarly, human beings cannot be expected to be faultless. Even the best of human being makes mistakes, therefore we should be ready to forgive. This proverb can also be used to caution against pride. For example a teacher who disregards the contributions of those under him can be reminded by the use of this proverb that even the greatest of men depends on the existence and co-operation of others.

Ameparenan rotwet nemi eut ago mi nemi choge.

Do not kill me with the sword in the hand but use the one in the sheath.
Do not be hasty in meting out a punishment; reflect for a moment and this way you can avoid being too harsh.

Amat ibeel cheringis.

Do not burn the lizards.
If you burn someone's house you may burn even the lizards which live there and are not guilty of the crime the owner may have committed. Punishment should be meted out sparingly to avoid jeopardizing 1 lives of innocent people who may have some relationship with offender.

Bo eren chi sobei.

There is shame for everyone who is alive.
To err is human.

Iyei ng'etuny lel.

A lion may give birth to a jackal.
Even a successful person can give birth to a misfit. We should Be accommodating and not expect too much from people.

Kieli tany kong yon kicharei.

We blindfold a cow when obtaining blood from it.
Blood of cattle is a very nutritious contribution to the traditional diet of the Kalenjin. When blood is being obtained from a cow, the animal is blindfolded to prevent it from seeing its own blood and getting frightened to death by the whole experience. This is a way of avoiding exploiting a cow in a cruel manner. In the same way, the proverb advises, if we have to interact with someone in a manner which may be hurting to them, we should do it as gently as possible and avoid using beastly means. For example, in our dependence on people, we should avoid exploiting them to the point of forgetting that they are human beings who have feelings hence need understanding.

Kituchi mwaimiat.

We spare the life of a death witness.
Mwaimiat or death witness is the term used for the sole survivor to battle troop. During inter-ethnic wars, it was customary for the Kalenjin to spare the life of one individual from an enemy troop that he could then take the information about the defeat and the defeat of his comrades back to his people.

Mokibounen ga mugulel, kibounen buon.

We do not build a house with the heart but with the lungs.
The Kalenjin believe the heart to be hard and the lung; soft. This is used metaphorically to refer to rigidity and flexibility respectively, managing home affairs. By this analogy, if a home is organised with the heart it can be destroyed by the emotional nature of the heart. On the other hand, if the home is built by the lungs it is bound to grow since the softness of this organ accommodates ration and understanding, which are necessary in human relations.

Makibarei kiyogiin.

We do not kill a messenger.
A person who brings bad news should never be punished since he is only doing a duty and he has not necessarily had a hand in creating the situation on which he is reporting.

Kiwegu kiiyak chemi ole toror.

The herd grazing on a cliff should be driven away first.
A dangerous situation should be rectified first before asking questions about who caused it.

Ngoriir lakwa komache rotwo kikochin keet.

If a child cries for a knife give him a stick.
If you notice a person leading himself into destruction, try ways of diverting his attention by getting him engaged in something that is harmless.
This proverb can also be used in a situation where it is inevitable to relate to someone in a manner that is hurting to him. In such a case the proverb advises one to remember that the other person is a human being and therefore whatever one does, one should be as gentle (or humane) as possible.

Wekse urwon bo ket.

What goes around comes around.
Do unto others what you expect to be done unto you.

Kalewenaik chebo ng'omnotet

PROVERBS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING RATIONAL

Kitestoi ng'amnot ng'ulatyo.

We add wisdom to knowledge
Knowledge is not enough on its own. It must be applied wisely or In a rational manner.

Mesas kap kasam amaiwe iro.

Do not believe what you hear before you see it.
We should not judge situations simply from what we hear; we observe for ourselves and then make our own judgment.

Matikuren chi bonin komabanin.

Do not call a person a witch before he has bewitched you
Do not get prejudiced about someone just from what you hear at Evaluate their behaviour for yourself first and then make conclusion about them.

Kakile banan iit.

We say that the ear is a poor fellow.
The ear receives everything,hich is uttered, bad and good as w truth and lies. The mind is therefore necessary to sieve the inf and retain only what is valid.

Mokisasei sasan keruiyo kaita.

We should not hate the hated until we sleep in their home
Do not hate someone just because others say he is bad; wait prove it for yourself. Do not follow the current but make assessment of other people.

Meeng'uchin kei chelelei somis.

A jackal cannot know that it stinks.
A person cannot evaluate himself objectively; a badly behaved person needs to listen to the public's assessment of his character.

Makitestoi chepotany bei.

It is not wise to mix milk with water.
Milk and water are used metaphorically to symbolize truth and lies respectively. Mixing truth and lies causes confusion. People cannot get to the root of a problem if there is such confusion.

Makiminei sundet goi.

We cannot graft fat into liver.
To endow a stupid person who is unwilling to learn with wisdom is impossible.

Kigilei kot koimen.

Wisdom grows everyday.
There is no end to learning. Life is a continuous learning process. A healthy mind is the one which is always ready for acquisition of new knowledge and wisdom.

Kiile kimaget yebo kipsitia kobo; yebo kipng'ulia kobo.

The hyena said the day set for doing something is the day for doing it without turning back; it has got to be done.
Think before you act; avoid being one-track minded like the hyena.

Kalewenaik chebo ribeetab ge

CAUTIONARY PROVERBS

Ui keel belion.

Move like an elephant.
Do not hurry unnecessarily. Do not act rashly without thinking. An elephant is a big animal but it moves slowly. Therefore, slowness or taking one's time does not mean that one will belittle oneself.

Mokimulenge chamastab kipyomet.

Know or be aware of your limits. Do not try to copy other people.
'Chamasta'- is a Kalenjin, traditional garment made of hide. It is used for adornment.
'Kipyomet' is a big well-built person.

Mokisuute soteet komoi teta.

Do not prepare the calabash before the cow has had a calf.
Do not count your chicks before they are hatched.

Ngotebi ak chorin kotatun ichorsei.

If you live with a thief you also become a thief.
This is a warning against exposing oneself to bad influences.

Mautye moset katwalet.

A monkey never forgets how to jump.
Once a habit is formed it is hard to discontinue. It is better to avoid getting into a bad habit than to try and correct it later when it has been formed.

Makiboorchin kimakeet kowo.

Do not show a bone to a hyena.
Avoid courting trouble. Once you court trouble you have to face the consequences.

Makikanye so turgut.

Never wait for a buffalo while on the ground.
You should seek ways of averting a problem before it becomes insurmountable.

Makibirecini bei togoson.

Water can never be forced uphill.
You should arrest a difficult situation before it becomes impossible to deal with it.

Makimetoi logoiyat ne mi ngweny ak kelabatyi ne mi barak.

Do not leave the fruit which is on the ground and choose the one up on the tree.
Do not harbour such high expectations that you abandon what you have already. The little you have in reality is worth much more than the great things you have only in fantasy.

Makitetoi go Iuloot.

Do not build a house which is tilted on one side.
Do not start a project on the wrong footing and expect to improve on it later because it will fail. You have greater chances of success if you take the trouble to lay a solid foundation then when you lay a mediocre one and hope to be more committed later.

Kibaregei kotenyi.

He killed himself with his own arrow.
This is a warning for people to guard against self-destructive folly.

Kibirei ma kota komining.

We should put out fire while it is still small.
It is a warning against delaying saving a problem.

Mokisup chi na kakomwei.

Do not follow a person who is running away.
Avoid being misled.

Mokitesyin beek teret ago bo beek.

We do not add water into the pot while we have only a little finger- millet flour obtained from begging.
We should not bring more problems to ourselves while we have many others we haven't managed to solve.

Metukyigei sabulbul.

Do not cover a cartepillar under the clothes you are wearing.
Do not try to prevent evil from being detected; it may destroy you.

Kikiuny Jemuge maung'ak.

We cannot hide Jemuge forever.
We cannot prevent evil from being detected. Lies are short-lived.

Kile kimakeet kimangen susut kotum kiineta.

The hyena said that he did not know how to bite until he was taught.
The person who initiates destructive elements cannot escape being destroyed. He may be the first to suffer the consequences. Involve- ment in evil is suicidal on the part of the culprit.

Mokiribei bai komaam cherere.

We do not look after our crops until they have been eaten by monkeys.
This is a warning against the common tendency to delay attending to problems until they reach unmanageable proportions.

Makibeelchindos kirogon aeng.

We do not burn two sticks at once.
Avoid committing yourself to too many things at a time. You may end up accomplishing nothing as a result.

Ng'om chorin kotabne kinindet?

If a thief is clever, what about the investigator.
However cunning a thief is, he is bound to be caught one day.

Mang'uchinge kimageet somisyo.

A hyena cannot smell its own stench.
This is a warning against people whose behaviour stinks. They may not want to admit their faults but they cannot fool the public.

Kas ako mewalu.

Hear but do not respond.
There are times when it is better to maintain silence than to make a fool of oneself through talking. An example of this is communicating on a situation of which one is completely ignorant.

Yeimache iwe am kapchii maat ikoiwoji weto.

Do not shit in someone's home when you are leaving.
Do not abuse hospitality. Avoid getting into bad terms with people because you never know when you may need them again.

Kalewenaik chebo moetnotet

PROVERBS ON GREED AND SELFISHNESS

Makiibuchen kut ingweny kou ingok.

Do not wipe your mouth on the ground like chicken.
You should not be so greedy as not to appreciate what you get from others.

Kakerer sese kut.

The dog's mouth has been torn wide.
This proverb ridicules people who eat greedily casting all sense of decency to the wind.

Iwolu moo motony.

The stomach brought down the eagle
Greed can make peeple lose a sense of direction or lead them destruction.

Ng'waan ngobo chi koanyiny ngobo tiony.

It is bitter when it is for an animal but sweet when it is for a person.
This is a warning against selfishness and insensitivity towards people. People are quick to notice that something is hurting when it applies to them, but when a similar thing applies to others they do not care.

Kibar moo kimaget.

The stomach brought down the hyena.
Greed is destructive and can have suicidal effects on the greedy.

Kalewenaik chebo kolosunetab ge ak menotet

PROVERBS WARNING AGAINST PRIDE AND ARROGANCE

Mokilosuge omoilosun kokwet.

Do not praise yourself before you are praised by the community.
This is a warning against arrogance and self-centredness. Even if you are successful you do not need to show off; others can see and appreciate your success without your having to boast about it.

Makimene metop talamwa.

You should not be proud of a locust's head.
The rich should show humility if they wish to be respected.

Momei meure sebati.

Pride comes before a fall.
This is a warning, for example, to very wealthy people who are so intoxicated with their wealth that they disregard other people's importance.

Maomei rorion koi, ame chi.

Laughter does not strike a stone, it destroys people.
If you ridicule those who are disadvantaged, you are bound to experience this same defect. This proverb is said, for example to a person who laughs at a physically handicapped person. It is believed that if you laugh at a person who has a physical defect, you will bear a child who is physically deformed.

O belion amoyie saram.

An elephant is big, yet it does not give birth to twins.
Those who are successful or in prestigious positions should realize that they too have certain limitations. They should not assume that they can do everything or that they can manage without the co-operation of others who may not be as successful as themselves.