5JIR0NGA FiiOVEUBS. 4()'t 



20. Andlopfu a iji ngi uindwa ht titnhondn ta ijotie. 



" The elephant is never burdened with his tusks." 



This is explained to mean that one sliould never complain 

 about the troubles or heavy, disagreeable things ot life 

 One hah to put up with them, to bear them. 



21. (' hldKiiIn nyaua. ku aala hobe 



^'ou choose a bean; a grain of mealies is left." 



This IS not very clear, but I am told that the meaning is: 

 Vou favour your own people, and do not listen to the 

 rest, " and that it is used when reprobating a partial or 

 unfair decision. 



22. Lire iva nonii) ii nga na ku Jubehi nibangu 



A liar cannot ask for a j)lace to live in." 



There is tio place for a liar. A native moving from one 

 part of the country to another must visit the chief of the 

 district where he wishes to settle, and ask his permission. 

 t(j do so. This is ku htba. The Relative form lubela is 

 required, because of a following word denoting place. 



23. I' ruka muueti na ue lie tlhchveni. 



An alternative form is : 



V ruketelu })niwcti na bijathn bye lie tUwlweni . 



" You curse the boatman while you (or the boat) ars 

 (is) at the side (of the stream)." 



You say what you like, when you think that you are safe, 

 or, You are brave, as long as there is no danger. Out in 

 the stream, with its swift current, the little keel-less 

 dugout canoe is none too saf-e a craft, and it is as well 

 to be on friendly terms with the paddler when your safety 

 depends upon his skill, and you are at his mercy. 



,24. Untjcla nolo na afa na ha randiiva. 



"You are fouling your own nest." 



25, Anyu'cnija a sc ngc n-onda. 



" The crocodile will never be thin." 

 A big man, or rich man, has always got a way of doing 

 what he wishes to. The crocodile has struck the imagina- 

 tron of the natives, and this is nob the only saying in which 

 it stands for lawless power. 



26. Awa sa kwe a nge. ngi bilieliwa hi ntshurnu. 



" A man who has possessions is not harmed by 

 anything." 

 A rich man has always a way of protecting himself. 

 Compare the last proverb. 



