Kamba idioms

Definition of idiom: an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for "undecided") or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way) Merriam Webster dictonary

Kambas used and use these to diplomatically convey a message, dramatically get out something, to get poetic in joy or sorrow etc. Savour this list and feel free to suggest additions. use these in your everyday speech to bring out the sage and mellow in you.i have the idiom in bold followed by its meaning. Where possible, i finish off with a typical example/s usage in italics.

1. Kũũ kwiu nokwo metho: This is the equivalent of the swahili idiom "Mbaniani mbaya kiatu chake dawa". It is normally used by a person that feels disrespected, even though they feel they have some value or to warn against disrespecting people/things that are valuable. During a quarrel, a mother may shout out to an unruly adolescent "Kuu kwiu nokwo metho."
2. Mbaa matũ ĩtũlaa kyano na ũtambĩ: A delinquent/disobedient/lawless person learns from the paiful results of their bad actions.
3. Mbũi nzaũ yaa yenekee: A good person will turn bad before everyone's eyes if they are not warned or if they ignore warnings given. You may call this one double edged. A concerned parent may urge another to warn their child before it's too late by using this idiom. Or an older man in the village may lament how a good kid/person turned bad by using this experession.
4. Ĩsũni yilũ yĩ maa me mũyo: Black is beauty. Do not judge a book by its cover. Who/what may look unattractive may have some great hidden quality/ies.
5. Makwata nde mũũnda: Focus on one/few thing/s and accomplish it/them first. Trying to get too many things may cost you focus and accomplishing any of them.
6. Ngitĩ noyo yĩtusaa mwanga: A person will destroy the favor or good bestowed upon them through ingratitude, greed, deceit etc. Its a warning or lamentation.
7. Mbaa ngeeka meethĩiwe mateneka: Procrastinaters never get to complete anything.
8. Ũsĩa wa ndei wosawa mũtĩnĩ mũasa vyu: Success, wealth, excellence comes through great struggle. Its an encouragement towards hard work or maximum effort and a caution against taking shortcuts.
9. Mũũi ndũvutaa mwee: Used to caution /admonish people against embellishing a solution instead of focusing on accomplishing the task.