Lesson 30 : Zigano (proverbs) zia Logooli

 

Logooli proverbs are ‘sentence’ structured expressions. They are ‘unique sentences’ as they can be applied in talk [and writing] without affecting the stream of thought. 

When applied, they bring about a paradoxical assertion, tempting to be understood on two or more fronts. An example proverb, “Luvee kuilungu lusekaa luvee mumahiga” can be interpreted both ways. 

The proverb above, translated as “the one on the rafter laughs at the one in fire” can be interpreted that one is safe and the other in pain – for a simple start. 

However, Lulogooli proverbs tend to look at the end and not at the specific time. There is always a culture of ‘predetermination’. That a situation is not limited on one only, it will beget another. 

The proverb above has a predetermination that the one in the fire was also on the rafter, laughing. Now that it is its turn in the fire, the new on the rafter is repeating a cycle. 

And speaking about cycles, Logooli proverbs, as you will read them more, do not imply ‘end to’ situations. That there will always be recurring of situations. In the above proverb, burning must continue, with more wood gotten for the rafter where they dry. 

How do we know it was ‘wood’ when the proverb did not mention it? The proverb, repeated, was simply thus, “Luvee kuiluungu lusekaa luvee mumahiga”. 

We ‘know’ it is wood with other support words as ‘liluungu’ for rafter and ‘mahiga’ for firestone. In addition, noun class ‘Lu-’ is for ‘Lu.ku’ singular for wood. 

Two, the avoidance for ‘wood’ at the start is to keep the proverb free, easily referred to in situations where one is at a best position that the other without knowing what next – or vice versa. 

But by mentioning subject words does not limit proverbs from slipping into other contexts. ‘Luku’ (firewood) can be any other noun. The fact that it is ‘laughing’ means it has human characteristics. To say that wood is only figuratively implied.

It is same to words as ‘Mukaana’ for girl and ‘Mukali’ for woman which can be termed ‘sexist’ by the rise of ‘sex sensitive culture’. Their use in proverbs is in capture of universal concepts like feminity and more which both males and females can exhibit.

There is more to proverbs including simple and complex sentences. In some are direct and in others report speeches. Others employ figures of speech while some have lost context and meaning due to changed times – calling us to design new Logooli proverbs by deeply looking at life today. 

Exercise

1. List down 20 proverbs you know. You can ask about for more.
2. Discuss each of the proverbs in the light above: context, predetermination, omitted words, universality and figurative characteristics. 

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