Noun

plural- bafulwe

MEANING

Tortoise,turtle.

Exampl of use

Fulwe takwata ulubuli,MEANING: A tortoise is notharmful.

SYNONYM/SIMILARWORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST

Mpelo, Cipanga, Lubuko(lwafulwe), -Kalafuka.The tortoise is considered an ill omen when found in the dry season.

FIGURATIVESPEECH/IDIOMS/PHRASES/COLLOQUIAL USE/EXPRESSIONS

1.    Ndifulwe, nshituntwa mutimaLiteraltranslation  I am (like) thetortoise, my heart does not beat any quicker (nothing moves me) Meaning:An impressiveapathetic person.

2.    – Ulyaaalilila fulwe mpango, Literaltranslation Thatman has taken the bridal price from a tortoise Meaning:That man is short and stumpy like the tortoise.

3.    ––‘Uciliuleimba fulwe nakucenama,’ MEANING: You are digging out a tortoise and youleave the entrance unplugged. Said of an imprudent person who doesn’t take thenecessary precautions. When he digs without plugging the entrance, a snakemight come out and bite him. Also said of one who attacks a stronger person.

PROVERBS

PROVERBS 1

Fulwe pa kufwa apasomulilo,’

Literal translation:When dying, thetortoise scatters the fire.

Meaning: When a stingy person startsgiving away his property, he must have a premonition of his death: Imfwailanunka. Abantu bamo balasha intulubundi pamfwa shabo. Bambi balenga abaana ukusalangana.

PROVERBS 2.

Fulwe muumi tapandilwamo bwanga.,’

Literal translation:A livingtortoise cannot be used as “ bwanga” for witchcraft..

Meaning: witches use tortoise shells tomake charms

Bemba meaning:  Icintu nga tacilapwa kupekanya, tababomfya.Ukulolela inshita yalinga.

PROVERBS 3

Fulwe pafyakwe aingisha umukoshimu cifwambako, pafyabanankwe akolomona umukoshi mucifwambako.’

Literal translation:When a tortoiseis at home it puts its head inside its shell, when it is with other people itstretches out its neck.

Meaning: A  personwho talks a lot when discussing friendscases but keeps quiet if he is the one found in a similar situation.

Bemba meaning: Abantubamo balalanda saana umulandu nga uli pabanabo. Pa milandu yabo peena bekala tondolo.

PROBVERBS 4

‘Fulwe talapya, acili kutomatoma twamunda’

Literal translation:The tortoise isnot yet cookEd; one can only taste small bits inside.

Meaning: The lawsuit is just beginning; ithas not reached its climax..

Bemba meaning: Mwipingulabwangu, tatulafika pa Mulandu wine-wine.