--- title: Proverbs and Figurative Expressions. — Kaffir folk-lore · full text with trees · page 2 description: Proverbs and Figurative Expressions., «Kaffir folk-lore» by George McCall Theal: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The language of a Kaffir is adorned with figurative expressions, some of which are readily understood by an Englishman, but others, w --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/26/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Kaffir folk-lore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/) / Proverbs and Figurative Expressions. # Proverbs and Figurative Expressions. · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/26/) **2** Kukuza kuka Nxele.[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") The coming of Nkele.[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") Nkele (the lefthanded), or Makana, one of the most remarkable men that Kaffirland has produced, rose by his own merits from a private station to be the leader of the Ndlambe clans in the second decade of this century.[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") It was he who united them against the English after Lord Charles Somerset invaded their country with a view of compelling them to recognise a chief whom they detested.[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") He led in person the attack upon Grahamstown, and only retreated after the flower of his forces was swept away.[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") To obtain peace for his people, he voluntarily surrendered to the English troops, and was sent as a prisoner of state to Robben Island.[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") In attempting to make his escape from the island in a boat, he was drowned.[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") But the Kaffirs would not believe that Makana was dead, for they deemed him immortal.[123](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") All through the wars of 1835, 1846–7, and 1851–2, they looked for his reappearance to lead them to victory.[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") Ten years ago his personal ornaments were still in preservation at a village near King William’s Town, but about that date the hope of his return was generally abandoned.[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") Injunctions which Makana laid upon his countrymen are still implicitly obeyed.[126](../../126/ "tree and pragmatics") Before his time the corpses of common people were not usually interred, but by his orders it has been done ever since.[127](../../127/ "tree and pragmatics") The saying implies anything long expected, but which never occurs.[128](../../128/ "tree and pragmatics") It is now in general use, though it is only of a few years’ standing.[129](../../129/ "tree and pragmatics") Ilizwe lifile.[130](../../130/ "tree and pragmatics") The land is dead.[131](../../131/ "tree and pragmatics") A saying which implies that war has commenced.[132](../../132/ "tree and pragmatics") Ubukulu abubangwa.[133](../../133/ "tree and pragmatics") One does not become great by claiming greatness.[134](../../134/ "tree and pragmatics") This proverb is used to incite any one to the performance of noble deeds.[135](../../135/ "tree and pragmatics") It means, a man’s actions, not his talk and boasting, are what people judge of his greatness by.[136](../../136/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuhlangene isanga nenkohla.[137](../../137/ "tree and pragmatics") The wonderful and the impossible have come into collision.[138](../../138/ "tree and pragmatics") A saying applied to any intricate question.[139](../../139/ "tree and pragmatics") Yinkungu nelanga.[140](../../140/ "tree and pragmatics") The mist and the sun are together.[141](../../141/ "tree and pragmatics") A saying denoting a very great number.[142](../../142/ "tree and pragmatics") Lunyawo lwemfene.[143](../../143/ "tree and pragmatics") It is the foot of a baboon.[144](../../144/ "tree and pragmatics") A saying denoting a treacherous person.[145](../../145/ "tree and pragmatics") Sova singasemoyeni.[146](../../146/ "tree and pragmatics") We shall hear, we are on the side towards which the wind blows.[147](../../147/ "tree and pragmatics") The saying denotes, we shall soon know all that is going on.[148](../../148/ "tree and pragmatics") Umke namangabangaba aselwandhle.[149](../../149/ "tree and pragmatics") He has gone in pursuit of the (fabulous) birds of the sea.[150](../../150/ "tree and pragmatics") A saying applied to one whose ambitious aspirations are not likely to be realized.[151](../../151/ "tree and pragmatics") Umona wasemlungwini ubandeza icitywa ungaliqabi.[152](../../152/ "tree and pragmatics") They prevent us from getting red clay from the pit, and they do not use it.[153](../../153/ "tree and pragmatics") This saying is used of Europeans, to denote that they act as the dog in the manger towards the Kaffirs.[154](../../154/ "tree and pragmatics") It has unfortunately become a very common expression.[155](../../155/ "tree and pragmatics") Usela ngendebe endala.[156](../../156/ "tree and pragmatics") You drink out of the old cup.[157](../../157/ "tree and pragmatics") The indebe is a drinking vessel made of rushes.[158](../../158/ "tree and pragmatics") The saying is used to a wealthy man, and means, You use a vessel handed down to you from your ancestors.[159](../../159/ "tree and pragmatics") Ukasela eziko.[160](../../160/ "tree and pragmatics") You are creeping on your knees to the fireplace.[161](../../161/ "tree and pragmatics") This saying is used as a warning to any one who is following a course that must lead to ruin.[162](../../162/ "tree and pragmatics") It is as if one said, You are like an infant crawling towards the fire circle (in the middle of a Kaffir hut), who is sure to get burnt.[163](../../163/ "tree and pragmatics") Ukuhlinza impuku.[164](../../164/ "tree and pragmatics") To skin a mouse.[165](../../165/ "tree and pragmatics") A saying which implies, to do anything secretly.[166](../../166/ "tree and pragmatics") A mouse can be skinned without any one seeing it, but an ox cannot.[167](../../167/ "tree and pragmatics") Yeyele ngelomkono.[168](../../168/ "tree and pragmatics") It has stuck fast by one of the front legs.[169](../../169/ "tree and pragmatics") This saying is used when one has committed oneself to any matter of importance.[170](../../170/ "tree and pragmatics") An animal cannot extricate itself easily when fast by one of its front legs.[171](../../171/ "tree and pragmatics") Ugqada mbekweni.[172](../../172/ "tree and pragmatics") One who eats the remains of a meal without first obtaining permission.[173](../../173/ "tree and pragmatics") This saying is used of an uncalled-for expression of opinion.[174](../../174/ "tree and pragmatics") Ukaulela inkawu ziyakasela.[175](../../175/ "tree and pragmatics") You disturb monkeys on their way to drink.[176](../../176/ "tree and pragmatics") This saying is used to express uncalled-for interference.[177](../../177/ "tree and pragmatics") Umafa evuka njengenyanga.[178](../../178/ "tree and pragmatics") It dies and rises like the moon.[179](../../179/ "tree and pragmatics") Said of any question that springs up again after it is supposed to be settled.[180](../../180/ "tree and pragmatics") Akuko nkanga idubula ingeti.[181](../../181/ "tree and pragmatics") There is no wormwood that comes into flower and does not wither.[182](../../182/ "tree and pragmatics") A proverb descriptive of the life of man.[183](../../183/ "tree and pragmatics") Unyawo alunampumlo.[184](../../184/ "tree and pragmatics") The foot has no nose.[185](../../185/ "tree and pragmatics") This proverb is an exhortation to be hospitable.[186](../../186/ "tree and pragmatics") It is as if one said, Give food to the traveller, because when you are on a journey your foot will not be able to smell out and avoid a man whom you have turned from your door, but to your shame it may carry you to his.[187](../../187/ "tree and pragmatics") Uzicandele umgalagala.[188](../../188/ "tree and pragmatics") You have exposed yourself.[189](../../189/ "tree and pragmatics") This saying is applied as a warning not to give anything to an importunate person, as he would very likely be encouraged thereby to continue asking for more.[190](../../190/ "tree and pragmatics") Inkala ixingetyeni.[191](../../191/ "tree and pragmatics") The crab has stuck fast between the stones at the entrance of its hole.[192](../../192/ "tree and pragmatics") Said of any one who is involved in difficulties of his own creation, or of one who raises an argument and is beaten in it.[193](../../193/ "tree and pragmatics") Ubopelele inja enkangeni.[194](../../194/ "tree and pragmatics") He has fastened a dog to a shrub.[195](../../195/ "tree and pragmatics") This saying is used to denote a very greedy person, one who is so greedy as to fasten his dog to a shrub that the animal may not beg for food while he is eating.[196](../../196/ "tree and pragmatics") The shrub denoted is the very common one that is covered with yellow flowers at midsummer.[197](../../197/ "tree and pragmatics") Yimbini yezolo yakwa Gxuluwe.[198](../../198/ "tree and pragmatics") Guluwe’s two of yesterday.[199](../../199/ "tree and pragmatics") This is a saying of any one who goes away promising to return, and does not do so.[200](../../200/ "tree and pragmatics") It had its origin in an event which happened five generations back.[201](../../201/ "tree and pragmatics") Guluwe was a hunter of great renown, who crossed the Kei with Khakhabay, the great-grandfather of the late Sandile.[202](../../202/ "tree and pragmatics") No man was ever so skilful and successful in the pursuit of game as he.[203](../../203/ "tree and pragmatics") But when Khakhabay took possession of the Amatolas, which he purchased from the Hottentot chieftainess Hoho, he found them infested by great numbers of bushmen.[204](../../204/ "tree and pragmatics") One day Guluwe, who had two young men with him, killed an eland, but while he was still shouting his cry of triumph: “Tsi! ha! ha! ha! ha! the weapons of Khakhabay!” he was surprised by a number of these inhuman abatwa.[205](../../205/ "tree and pragmatics") They said: “Look at the sun for the last time, you shall kill no more of our game.”[206](../../206/ "tree and pragmatics") Guluwe offered them a large quantity of dacha (a species of wild hemp, used for smoking) for his ransom.[207](../../207/ "tree and pragmatics") One of the abatwa was unwilling to spare him, but all the rest agreed.[208](../../208/ "tree and pragmatics") They kept him with them while he pretended to send the two young men for the dacha, but privately he told them not to return.[209](../../209/ "tree and pragmatics") The bushmen then commenced to eat the eland.[210](../../210/ "tree and pragmatics") They ate that day, and all that night, never ceasing to watch Guluwe.[211](../../211/ "tree and pragmatics") The next morning they asked him when the young men would be back with the dacha, and he replied that he did not expect them before sunset.[212](../../212/ "tree and pragmatics") The abatwa, gorged with meat, then lay down to sleep, all except the one who advised that Guluwe should not be spared.[213](../../213/ "tree and pragmatics") That one watched a while longer, but at length he too was overcome by drowsiness.[214](../../214/ "tree and pragmatics") Guluwe then with his assagai put one after another to death, until, forgetting himself, he shouted his cry: “Tsi! ha! ha! ha! ha\![215](../../215/ "tree and pragmatics") Izikali zika Rarabe!”[216](../../216/ "tree and pragmatics") This awakened the bushman who had advised that he should be killed; he now sprang to his feet and escaped, calling out as he ran with the speed of the wind: “I said this Guluwe of the Khakhabays should be destroyed; you who are dead have perished through not following my advice.”[217](../../217/ "tree and pragmatics") NOTES.[218](../../218/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/26/) **2** - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/26/) - next →: [Story of the Bird That Made Milk.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/27/) - ↑ back to [Kaffir folk-lore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/)