TONGA PROVERBS FROM MALAWI David K. Mphande Copyright © 2001 by David K. Mphande The author grants permission to download and/or print this book, in whole or in part, for any non-commercial use as long as the copyright notice is included and the text is unchanged. PROVERBS FOR PREACHING AND TEACHING SERIES Series Editor, Joshua N. Kudadjie Vol. 1: Ga Proverbs from Ghana, Joshua N. Kudadjie Vol. 2: Bassa Proverbs from Liberia, Abba Karnga Vol. 3: Tonga Proverbs from Malawi, David K. Mphande The series was begun as part of the African Proverbs Project, 1993-1997, with assistance from The Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia, USA The Tonga Proverbs book was published in the local Tonga language by __________ and may be ordered from _________________. Table of Contents Foreword ..........................................................................................................................................................3 Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................................5 Series Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................6 A. General Features of African Proverbs.................................................................................................6 B. Source and Authority..........................................................................................................................6 C. Scope and Content .............................................................................................................................. 7 D. Context and Use..................................................................................................................................8 E. African Proverbs and the Mission of the Church................................................................................9 Part I: A Christian Framework for Using Tonga Proverbs (Nthanthi/Vituwu).............................................10 1. The Lakeside Tonga People and Their Language ..................................................................................10 A. Their Origin and Connections...........................................................................................................10 B. Their Habitat .....................................................................................................................................11 C. Venues for Moral Instruction............................................................................................................12 D. Forms and Nature of Tonga Literature .............................................................................................12 E. Emphases of Tonga Proverbs............................................................................................................12 1. The Defenceless People Who Need Protection............................................................................................................................. 13 2. On Unity and Cooperation ................................................................................................................................................................13 3. On Conflict in Families or Community .......................................................................................................................................... 13 4. On the Concept of Wrong and Retribution ....................................................................................................................................13 5. On God’s Providence and Care ........................................................................................................................................................13 F. Conclusion........................................................................................................................................14 2. Emphases of Biblical Proverbs .............................................................................................................. 15 A. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................15 B. The Sources of Biblical Proverbs.....................................................................................................15 C. The Form, Structure and Style of Biblical Proverbs.........................................................................16 D. Purpose of the Proverbs ....................................................................................................................16 E. The Most Emphasized Themes.........................................................................................................17 1. God........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17 2. The Fool ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 3. Various Warnings...............................................................................................................................................................................18 4. Wisdom ................................................................................................................................................................................................19 5. Friends and Good Neighbours..........................................................................................................................................................19 6. Words....................................................................................................................................................................................................19 7. The Family ...........................................................................................................................................................................................20 8. Life and Death..................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 9. The Kingdom of God ......................................................................................................................................................................... 21 A. Towards the Use of Tonga Proverbs for Inculturation of the Gospel...............................................23 1. Division and Conflicts ....................................................................................................................................................................... 23 2. Generosity/Kindness .......................................................................................................................................................................... 23 3. Justice and Friendship........................................................................................................................................................................ 23 4. Good and Evil......................................................................................................................................................................................24 5. The Providence of God......................................................................................................................................................................24 B. What the Gospel Corrects or Replaces .............................................................................................24 C. Conclusion........................................................................................................................................24 4. Suggestions for Further Study and Reflection.......................................................................................25 A. Revaluing Our Tonga Heritage .........................................................................................................25 B. Possible Objections To Using African Proverbs in the Church........................................................26 C. Responses to the Objections .............................................................................................................26 D. Advantages in Using Proverbs..........................................................................................................27 E. Suggestions for Further Study and Follow-Up .................................................................................27 Part II: The Proverbs...................................................................................................................................... 29 5. 200 Annotated Tonga Proverbs for Preaching and Teaching ...............................................................29 Bibliography.................................................................................................................................................104 Index A: By Scripture Reference................................................................................................................105 Index B: By Occasion or Purpose of Use....................................................................................................109