Rukiga Proverbs

Below is a collection of Rukiga proverbs that would be of use for beginning Rukiga learners to practice as they start to engage the language.

• Kakuru takurirwa………………………………………………. The first-born twin cannot be overtaken in age
• Bugu bugu teehitsa……………………………………………. Too much fire does not make food get ready
• Amaryo ga taata girugemu ngikame……………………. The stubbornness of Daddy; leave it and I will milk it
• Otamukweitse ati mwikarire tugyende…………………He who is not wresting with him easily says please throw him down and we go
• Otamanya ngu ashumbire ati ndy’omu za marume…He who does not know that he enslaved, says that he is grazing his uncle’s cows
• Teeka teba mwaga………………………………………………Cook and we eat isn’t harassment/nagging
• Meme meme teezaaza mwojo…………………………………Doing something softly/ gently can’t lead to producing a male child
• Baabugoya kubukwima oti kabutsye mburye………… They have mingled a millet meal not to give it to you, you are saying that let it get ready and I eat it
• Otaine obwengye ashekura omurwabya…………………. He who isn’t wise pounds in a cooking clay pot
• Akakungu karugwamu ow’obwengye………………………it takes one wisdom/intelligence to leave a bad group
• Ey’eihembe rimwe eye murika kare……………………………The cow with one horn jump-dances early
• Waazina munonga …………………………………. When you over dance you end up making a mistake
• Wanyampisa ekiniga n’onia omu mpare……………………When you pass out gas with anger you poop in your pants
• Ekiniga ebyawe………………………………………………. Anger strangles your own (things)
• Ow’akutwara nyekiro omusiima bwasheesha……………He who takes you at night, you should thank him in the morning
• Etakabaagirwe t’eba nyama………………………………………. What is not slaughtered is not meet
• Nsaasira kijumo………………………………………………Forgive me is not an insult
• Okubuuza tibushema ……………………………………………Asking is not stupidity
• Oraruga okuzimu tagaya ……………………………. He who is coming from underground cannot despise the sunshine that it’s not enough
• Nyenge akeenga mabi…………………………………. A solitary brewer brew bad beer
• Nyantahurira akarya eriisho rye………………………………. He who does not listen ate his/her eye
• Nyantahurira akateeza empisi orugari………………………. He who does not listen beat the hyena with a tray