KALENJIN PROVERBS:...

These proverbs originate from www.kalenjin.com. I have undertaken a few grammatical corrections in line with my Keiyo mothertongue. Those of you who are familiar with the Peoples of Kenya especially the Rift Valley know that Kalenjin is a conglomeration of various dialects. The real difference between these dialects can be investigated best through speaking that is pronunciation and intonation. !y all means Kalenjin is an interesting language. PROVERBS ON FATE " Makibale boba ne bo chi. You cannot take away someone else's mushroom.#our fortune or good luck is yours$ nobody can take it away from you %n the same token$ one cannot attain what one is not destined to obtain. & Iro boit akiet chor!et.Even a friend cannot rescue one from old age.'e are all destined to grow old one day( old age is an inescapable natural phenomenon. ) Kerkei k!en"et ne i a ak ne i b#$a.The firewood in the fire is like the one in the store.#ou cannot predict your fate. Today someone else may be in tomorrow it may be your turn.This proverb advises people not to rejoice at others* misfortunes. + Maaket%in chi chita&e.Nobody can graze for another.%ne*s fate is his alone. ,obody can assume someone else*s destinp - Kiner a&en&e.We grow only once.This proverb reminds people that youthfulness is e.perienced only once in a person*s lifetime. / Kai&ai kon"oenen n%alil kolet#nenen $obon.It is better to e !erience hardshi! in one's early life than during late life.It is easier to learn to cope with difficulties if one is introduced to them early in life than later when one has already been used to an easy life. 0 Kin&'alalei ke$obei.We should talk while we are still alive.%ne should not waste opportunities which can only be e.ploited while one is alive. Therefore$ since death is everybody*s ultimate end$ we should make the best out of life. 1 Ma(ale chi (obat nebo chita&e.Nobody can !luck out someome else's mushroom.,obody can attain someone else*s good fortune. 2ike the mushroom$ which one finds in the bush by luck$ one*s luck is one*s own$ and there is no way in which someone else can enjoy this luck. This proverb is similar to ,o. " above. 3 Rorechin k!en"et ne i tab#t ne i a.The firewood on the raft laughs at the one on the fire.The proverb warns a person against rejoicing at other people*s misfor4 tunes since one cannot predict one*s fate. 5 person may laugh at another in trouble today and e.perience similar problems tomorrow. This proverb is similar to ,o. ) above. "6 Ker&ei ki($et ak ki(te(.The !erson who goes "to war# is similar to the one who remains behind.7ince death is the ultimate end of everyone$ whether you go on a dangerous mission or you seek the safety of home you cannot escape death.This is an encouragement to people undertaking difficult or dangerous tasks. %n the other hand$ someone who is determined to take risks can use this proverb to those who try to dissuade him. "" T#(cho iat ak rorio. $eath and laughter are brothers. This proverb reminds people about the inevitability and pro.imity of death. "& Ka&ile ta n&ena tan% chotit kon&eet et.When hel!ing a cow to stand we do it from its hind legs so that it can stand with its front legs.5 cow which cannot stand with its front legs when being supported deserves to be slaughtered. 7imilarly a person who does not give the slightest worry to his problems when others are striving to help him deserves to be abandoned to his own fate. PROVERBS ON INITIATIVE) *O+RA,E) -ETERMINATION AN- PERSEVERAN*E

Kikon&'en et nebo tala te&at nebo ei. While waiting to eat the head of a bull we continue eating the head of a grassho!!er. 8ncouragement to those who are in problems not to despair. & *he(ki$a$ ko tot#n kecho e. %e who is being des!ised will one day be admired. 8ncouragement to those who are in problems$ but persevere. 'arning against despising those who are disadvantaged. 5lso praise for those who have risen from nothing to a high position due to their iniative. ) Ki$eete tai ak kaata .&truggle right and left.%ne should struggle in all ways( it is not advisable to give up before one has tried all means available. + A at korobon ole i i.'ay rain not leak where you are.'ork hard$ have initiative$ be careful and vigilant so that your position is not threatened. - Bok!o kon&:The eye is a coward.8ncouragement to a person who is afraid of undertaking a certain mission or task just because it gives the impression of being difficult. %ne should try the mission or task first. / Ki!akeen chelelei ak kel# chebo tan%.(y scaring a )ackal* one can end u! drinking milk.8ven an apparently insignificant contribution or attempt can yield good results. 8ncouragement for a person not to give up trying. 0 Kibe&#ne n%akan rer.Nyakan yams are tasted while they are still in the !ot.If you want to rectify a situation do not leave it until it is too late$ the chances of success are greater while there is still time and so you must persevere. 1 Mabenen bei tororot.Water does not stay in the sky for ever.7uffering is not everlasting$ therefore one should never despair. 3 .e chilil tan% ko !en"i ole i t#&aa alak. If a cow runs away it will go to where other cows are.If you e.pect any assistance$ you should show effort towards it9work for it because when it comes$ it goes to the one who has tried to help him9herself.
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*A+TIONAR. PROVERBS " +i keel belio.'ove like an ele!hant.:o not hurry unnecessarily. :o not act rashly without thinking. 5n elephant is a big animal but it moves slowly. Therefore$slowness or taking one*s time does not mean that one will belittle oneself. & Moki #len&e cha a$tab ki(%o et.+now or be aware of your limits. $o not try to co!y other !eo!le*;hamasta*4is a Kalenjin$ traditional garment made of hide. It is used for adornment. *Kipyomet* is a big well4built person. ) Moki$##te $oteet ko oi teta.$o not !re!are the calabash before the cow has had a calf.:o not count your chicks before they are hatched. + N&otebi ak chorin kotat#n ichor$ei.If you live with a thief you also become a thief.This is a warning against e.posing oneself to bad influences. - Ma#t%e o$et kat!alet., monkey never forgets how to )um!.%nce 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 ki akeet ko!o.$o not show a bone to a hyena.5void courting trouble. %nce you court trouble you have to face the conse<uences. 0 Makikan%e $o t#r&#t.Never wait for a buffalo while on the ground.#ou should seek ways of averting a problem before it becomes insurmountable. 1 Makibirecini bei to&o$on.Water can never be forced u!hill.#ou should arrest a difficult situation before it becomes impossible to deal with it. The warning in this proverb is similar to ,o. &0 above. 3 Maki etoi lo&oi%at ne i n&!en% ak kelabat%i ne i barak.$o not leave the fruit which is on the ground and choose the one u! on the tree.:o not harbour such high e.pectations 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.

"6 Makitetoi

&o I#loot.$o not build a house which is tilted on one side.:o not start a project on the wrong footing and e.pect to improve on it later because it will fail. #ou have greater chances of success if you take the trouble to lay a solid foundation then when you lay a mediocre one and hope to be more committed later. "" Kibare&ei koten%i.%e killed himself with his own arrow.This is a warning for people to guard against self4destructive folly. "& Kibirei a kota ko inin&:We should !ut out fire while it is still small.It is a warning against delaying saving a problem. ") Moki$#( chi na kako !ei.$o not follow a !erson who is running away. 5void being misled. "+ Mokite$%in beek teret a&o bo beek.We do not add water into the !ot while we have only a little finger- millet flour obtained from begging.'e should not bring more problems to ourselves while we have many others we haven*t managed to solve. "- Met#k%i&ei $ab#lb#l.$o not cover a carte!illar under the clothes you are wearing.:o not try to prevent evil from being detected( it may destroy you. "/ Kiki#n% Je #&e a#n&'ak.We cannot hide .emuge forever'e cannot prevent evil from being detected. 2ies are short4lived. "0 Kile ki akeet ki an&en $#$#t kot# 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. =e may be the first to suffer the conse<uences. Involve4 ment in evil is suicidal on the part of the culprit. "1 Mokiribei bai ko aa cherere.We do not look after our cro!s 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. "3 Makibeelchin"o$ kiro&on aen&:We do not burn two sticks at once.5void committing yourself to too many things at a time. #ou may end up accomplishing nothing as a result. &6 N&'o chorin kotabne kinin"et/If a thief is clever* what about the investigator.=owever cunning a thief is$ he is bound to be caught one day. &" Man&'#chin&e ki a&eet $o i$%o., 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. && Ka$ ako e!al#.%ear but do not res!ond.There are times when it is better to maintain silence than to make a fool of oneself through talking. 5n e.ample of this is communicating on a situation of which one is completely ignorant. &) .ei ache i!e a ka(chii aat ikoi!o0i !eto.$o not shit in someone's home when you are leaving.:o not abuse hospitality. 5void getting into bad terms with people because you never know when you may need them again. PROVERBS 1ARNIN, A,AINST PRI-E AN- ARRO,AN*E Mokilo$#&e o oilo$#n kok!et.$o not !raise yourself before you are !raised by the community.This is a warning against arrogance and self4centredness. 8ven 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. & Maki ene eto( tala !a.You should not be !roud of a locust's head.The rich should show humility if they wish to be respected. ) Mo ei e#re $ebati./ride comes before a fall.This is a warning$ for e.ample$ to very wealthy people who are so into.icated with their wealth that they disregard other people*s importance. + Mao ei rorion koi) a e chi.0aughter does not strike a stone* it destroys !eo!le.If you ridicule those who are disadvantaged$ you are bound to e.peti4 ence this same defect. This proverb is said$
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for e.ample 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 a o%ie $ara .,n ele!hant is big* yet it does not give birth to twins.Those who are successful or in prestigious positions should reali>e that they too have certain limitations. They should not assume that they can do everything or that they can manage without the co4operation of others who may not be as successful as themselves. PROVERBS ON ,REE- AN- SELFIS2NESS
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Makiib#chen k#t in&!en% ko# in&ok.$o not wi!e your mouth on the ground like chicken.#ou should not be so greedy as not to appreciate what you get from others. Kakerer $e$e k#t.The dog's mouth has been torn wide.This proverb ridicules people who eat greedily casting all sense of decency to the wind. Kii!ol# oo oton%.The stomach brought down the eagle?reed can make peeple lose a sense of direction or lead them destruction. N&'!aan n&o3bo chi koan%in% n&obo tion%.It is bitter when it is for an animal but sweet when it is for a !erson.This is a warning against selfishness and insensitivity towards people. People are <uick to notice that something is hurting when it applies to them$ but when a similar thing applies to others they do not care. Kibar oo ki a&et.The stomach brought down the hyena.?reed is destructive and can have suicidal effects on the greedy. proverb is similar to ,o. -" above.

PROVERBS ON T2E IMPORTAN*E OF BEIN, RATIONAL

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Kite$toi n&'a not n&'#lat%o.We add wisdom to knowledge Knowledge is not enough on its own. It must be applied wisely or In a rational manner. Me$a$ ka( ka$a a ai!e iro.$o not believe what you hear before you see it. 'e should not judge situations simply from what we hear( we observe for ourselves and then make our own judgment. Makik#ren chi bonin ko abanin $o not call a !erson a witch before he has bewitched you :o not get prejudiced about someone just from what you hear at 8valuate their behaviour for yourself first and then make conclusion about them. Kakile banan iit.We say that the ear is a !oor fellow.The ear receives everything$ which is uttered$ bad and good as well truth and lies. The mind is therefore necessary to sieve the influence and retain only what is valid. Moki$a$ei che(ki$a$ ko akir#i%o kaita.We should not hate the hated until we slee! in their home :o not hate someone just because others say he is bad( wait prove it for yourself. :o not follow the current but make assessment o f other people. Ma in&'#chin&ei chelelei $o i$. , )ackal cannot know that it stinks or , )ackal cannot smel its own stench. 5 person cannot evaluate himself objectively( a badly behaved person needs to listen to the public*s assessment of his character. Makite$toi che(otan% bei. It is not wise to mi milk with water.@ilk and water are used metaphorically to symboli>e truth and lies respectively. @i.ing truth and lies causes confusion. People cannot get to the root of a problem if there is such confusion. Maki inei $#ner &el. We cannot graft fat into liver.To endow a stupid person who is unwilling to learn with wisdom is impossible. Ki&ilei kot koi en.Wisdom grows everyday.There is no end to learning. 2ife is a continuous learning process. 5 healthy mind is the one which is always ready for ac<uisition of new knowledge and wisdom.

"6 Kiile

ki a&et %ebo ki($itia kobo4 %ebo ki(n&'#lia kobo.The hyena said the day set for doing something is the day for doing it without turning back1 it has got to be done.Think before you act( avoid being one4track minded like the hyena.

PROVERBS ON T2E IMPORTAN*E OF BEIN, 2+MANE " I(#ti tan% ako bo kelien an&'!an kot ane chi nebo kel%en aen&5., cow falls although it has four legs so what of a man with two legs.7ince a cow has four legs it is e.pected to be very well balanced( yet it is not unheard of for a cow to fall down. 7imilarly$ human beings cannot be e.pected to be faultless. 8ven the best of human being makes mistakes$ therefore we should be ready to forgive. This proverb can also be used to caution against pride. Aor e.ample 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 e.istence and co4operation of others. & A e(arenan rot!et ne i e#t a&o i ne i cho&et.$o not kill me with the sword in the hand but use the one in the sheath.:o not be hasty in meting out a punishment( reflect for a moment and this way you can avoid being too harsh. ) A at ibeel cherin&i$.$o not burn the lizards.If you burn someone*s house you may burn even the li>ards which live there and are not guilty of the crime the owner may have committed. Punishment should be meted out sparingly to avoid jeopardi>ing lives of innocent people who may have some relationship with offender. + Bo eren chi $obei.There is shame for everyone who is alive.To err is human. - I%ei n&'et#n% lel. , lion may give birth to a )ackal. 8ven a successful person can give birth to a misfit. 'e should !e accommodating and not e.pect too much from people. / Kieli tan% kon& %on kicharei.We blindfold a cow when obtaining blood from it.!lood of cattle is a very nutritious contribution to the traditional diet of the Kalenjin. 'hen blood is being obtained from a cow$ the animal is blindfolded to prevent it from seeing its own blood and getting frightened to death by the whole e.perience. This is a way of avoiding e.ploiting 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. Aor e.ample$ in our dependence on people$ we should avoid e.ploiting them to the point of forgetting that they are human beings who have feelings hence need understanding. 0 Kit#chi !ai iat.We s!are the life of a death witness.@waimiat or death witness is the term used for the sole survivor to battle troop. :uring inter4ethnic 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. 1 Mokibo#nen &a #&#lel) kibo#nen b#on.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 fle.ibility respectively$ managing home affairs. !y this analogy$ if a home is organised with the heart it can be destroyed by the emotional nature of the heart. %n 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. 3 Makibarei ki%o&iin.We do not kill a messenger.5 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. "6 Ki!e&# kii%ak che i ole toror.The herd grazing on a cliff should be driven away first. 5 dangerous situation should be rectified first before asking <uestions about who caused it. "" N&oriir lak!a ko ache rot!o 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 Bor humaneC as possible. "& 1ek$e #r!on bo ket.What goes around comes around.:o unto others what you e.pect to be done unto you. PROVERBS ON KINS2IP BON" &

N&o $a i$ #ria kobo kot ne bo. , rat stinks but it has its own home.8ven 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 k#inet ab teta oitan%i. , cow's horn does not kill its calf.This proverb emphasi>es the bond between a mother and her child. It can be used in various situations. Aor e.ample$ it may be used to comment on apparently harsh punishment of one person by another with whom he shares a bond. =owever harsh the punishment may appear$ the bond between them is enough to show that this punishment cannot but have been meant to be corrective rather than destructive. O chi kaitan&'#n&: 2ne's house is great.This proverb refers to the importance of the home in providing$ for e.ample comfort and solace for every individual$ regardless of their situation in the outside world. T#(cho !erit ak k!an"a ko#noto che(to ak ka .&on and father are like brothers* )ust like daughter and mother are like sisters.This proverb emphasi>es the intimacy e.pected of members of the same family unit$ and of members of one se. within that same unit. K#rkeet kir#$in ak ich#tThe door that hits you but you still enter through it.This proverb refers to the unavoidable relationship between an individual and his kinsfolk. 8ven if we <uarrel or fight with our kin$ the bond between us will always make us relate to each other and not entertain a complete rupture of relations. In&en tarit kon%in., bird knows its house.This proverb emphasi>es the importance of homes just like the ones above.

PROVERBS ON *OMM+NAL LIFE " Moki%# en $or#riet %e oen keetil.We do not shelter under the soruriet3 !lant and then cut4destroy it.This proverb warns people against abusing or misusing a person whom they have benefited. It is e<uivalent to the proverb *do not cut hand that feeds you*.D soruriet is a plant of the banana family which has broad leaves. It is very refreshing to sheher from the hot sun orfrom the rain under soruriet. & Mo kin%eren chor#a kotake$iki$ie.We do not annoy a midwife while we are still bearing children.This proverb is some what similar to the one above. It means that one should not spoil relations with those on whom it is inevitable depend. ) Ker&ei la&oi ak ki%ak. 5hildren are like cattle.This proverb is uttered in mitigation for children who have erred. Aor e.ample$ 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 e.pect of children because they do not fully understand their limitations. + Ki%e # bich kalat a a%o # t#&#n.,ll !eo!le have teeth but not all have !ro!erty.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 e.ample$ to comment on or to address a rich person who is insensitive to the plight of those who are not as rich as himself. - Ma ine #&ei chi et., !erson cannot shave his own hair.'e are all dependent on one another and we should co4e.ist with that situation in mind. / Ma kirorien kelat chebo chi.Nobody can use another !erson's teeth to smile.5lthough we co4e.ist either in a family unit or a community$ there are affairs which are so private to us that we cannot e.pect others to mind them for us.

Maki !oitoi $o&o ., leaf should not be disclosed. This proverb advises people on the importance of guarding delicate matters with utmost secrecy. 1 O teekatet6kon%it tan% ak #ren. 6es!ect is as big as a cow and a warrior..Aor communal life to be harmonious there must be respect between people. The full implication of the proverb can only be understood by noting the importance of cattle to the Kalenjin. ;attle are not just important as economic assets$ they are also regarded as a source of life. 3 Bo chi tan% ko$obei., cow belongs to one !erson only while it is alive.7haring of resources is a very important aspect of communal life.=ere the cow is used metaphorically as in the proverb above. "6 Me!on&'#ne&ei $eke bok.(ees cannot get finished from a bee-hive 4 , deserted bee-hive will always have some bees in it. 'e cannot e.pect everybody in a community to be perfect$ it is inevitable to have undesirable elements. "" Kakile i%e$toi kaita ki rarat kile!o.It is said gossi! can destroy a united familyPetty gossip can destroy not only family unity but the solidarity of a whole communityE "& E#n che chan& kokelen%ei t#l!o.'any hands can u!root a mountain.@any hands make work lighter. ") A ech#ch#kchi chi n&or.$o not sli! off stealthily leaving your com!anion wearing the gar- ment you both used.:o not abandon your companion in a difficult situation to which both of you contributed. "+ l%oktoi ki(lenk!a belion., hare can send an ele!hant.This is a respectable way of asking for help from one*s seniors. "- Kei&ei keeti&oi.It is best for us to be like a tall tree.5 great deal can be achieved through unity. "/ Meterertoi boi$io n&o a i e$to!o ak che(lak!a.No work can be accom!lished without a she!herd and a child-minder.The co4operation of all is important in every endevour. "0 Ta n&o i ke%aei.While we eat we should also work.This proverb ridicules people who co4operate with others only while reaping fruits of hard work but never contribute in the production. "1 .a i$in& che3(#chan.Whatever is obtained free is bad.This is an emphasis on the importance of co4operation in work if e.pects to enjoy life. It is similar to the proverb above. "3 M#rek che chan& ko obole kerin&.Too many rats cannot dig a hole.5lthough contributions from many people make work lighter there must be organisation. 5 project$ for e.ample$ can be destroyed by having too many leaders. &6 Maborei $i%eet a &en&e ki$iria.2ne nail cannot kill a louse;o4operation with others is inevitable if one wants to succeed.
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PROVERBS ON LIFE IN ,ENERAL Makikerchin kir#kik aen&' en& bi% aken&e.Two bulls cannot stay in the same cowshed.This is a comment on rivalry$ for e.ample$ if two people*s enmity can be traced to their having similar economic success. & N&'!an en&5 k#t $i$e en&5 oo.Even if it is bitter in the mouth* by the time it gets to the stomach the bitterness will have disa!!eared.This is a general comment advising peope not to be too choosy with food. Aor e.ample$ if a person comments that the food he was offered was tasteless$ this proverb is used to dilute his complaint. ) Mo ek%in kerati.It is never late for the bush.It is never too late to go and work in the farm. =owever late one may do to a task$ if he really means to work he can do something worthwile. This proverb is e<uivalent to Fbetter late than neverF. + *he(%a kobo chi.%owever bad it may be* it belongs to someone.5n article or some property may not appear valuable in the eyes of the public$ but to the %wner it is valuable.
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N&obo ki(n&'#l%a kobo) n&obo boi$io kobo.When it is !lay* it is !lay1 but when it is business it is business.8very aspect of life has its own time and place. / Kerkei ki%aki ak kororibo et.0ivestock is like hair.2ivestock can be swept like all hair can be shaved from one*s head. 7ince livestock is so important to the Kalenjin$ it is a big blow when one*s livestock die in large numbers. This proverb is a philosophical way %f coping with the possibility of losing a whole herd. 0 Kerichot ab at ko at.The medicine of fire is fire.If a person commits an abominable crime$ he needs to be given a punishment of e<ual weight in order to teach him a lesson and also to warn those who may be tempted to follow his footsteps.
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