Ndivyo Ulivyo Udugu.	That is how Brotherhood is.
1. Ikiumia mikono, macho yatoka machozi!	If the hands suffer, tears flow from the eyes!
Huu ni bora mfano, wa udugu umaizi,	This is the best example, of enlightened fraternity,
Si udugu wa mdono, ule wa mwisho wa mwezi!	It is not a carping brotherhood, like that at the end of the month.
Kama mikono na macho, ndivyo ulivyo udugu.	Like the hands and eyes, so is fraternity.
2. Tena yaliyapo macho, mikono hufuta chozi!	What’s more when the eyes suffer, the hands wipe away the tears!
Haifanyi ndicho sicho, na kuleta uchokozi,	They (viz. hands) do not do what should not be, nor bring provocation,
Uwadui wa kificho, fitina na ubazazi,	Hidden enmity, strife and dishonesty,
Kama mikono na macho, ndivyo ulivyo udugu.	Like the hands and eyes, so is fraternity
3. Udugu si kufanana, bali kuthaminiana,	Brotherhood is not being the same, but rather it is showing respect to one other,
Udugu ni kushibana, kwa hali kujuliana,	Fraternity is being content with one another, through showing concern for each other,
Daima kukumbukana, salamu kutumiana,	Always remembering each other, (and) exchanging greetings,
Kama mikono na macho, ndivyo ulivyo udugu.	Like the hands and eyes, so is fraternity.
4. Ndugu walioshibana, huruma huoneana,	Siblings who are content with one another, Show mercy to each other,
Shida kusaidiana, makosa sameheana,	Helping each other (when) in trouble, and forgiving each others’ mistakes,
Mema kushauriana, mazuri kuoneshana,	They consul each other on proper behavior, and direct each other in good deeds,
Kama mikono na macho, ndivyo ulivyo udugu.	Like the hands and eyes, so is the fraternity.

 

 

Summary

The poem is self explanatory: the author presents his vision of the inherent nature of fellowship and fraternity, balancing what is and what is not udugu. One possible obscure reference is found in the first verse where he states that fraternity is not what one finds among people at the end of the month.  The inference one can take is that this occurs when money is scarce and competition for goods and resources creates enmity.

 

Glossary

fanana	[v. rcp.]	Be like one another, be similar to each other, be the same, be comparable (TJH). Be identical (MASB). Udugu si kufanana, bali kuthaminiana, Brotherhood is not being the same, but rather it is showing respect to one other (Ud-3).
fitina	[n. 9]	Discord, variance, antagonism, quarrelling, misunderstanding, mischief. Fanya (tia) fitina, cause discord, slander, be cause of discord. (2) tumult, insurrection; (3) a source of discord, an agitator, a firebrand, but used of a person (FJ). Haifanyi ndicho sicho, na kuleta uchokozi, Uwadui wa kificho, fitina na ubazazi, They do not do what should not be, nor bring provocation, Hidden enmity, strife and dishonesty (MASB-Ud2).
huruma	[n. 9]	Mercy, empathy, sympathy, compassion, etc. (TJH). Sympathy, consideration, fellow feeling, kindliness; (2) mercy, pity, compassion. Mwenye huruma, compassionate, sympathetic, kind person (FJ). Ndugu walioshibana, huruma huoneana, Shida kusaidiana, makosa sameheana, Mema kushauriana, mazuri kuoneshana, Brothers who are content with one another, Show mercy to each other, Helping each other (when) in trouble, and forgiving each others’ mistakes, They consul each other on proper behavior, and direct each other in good deeds (MASB-Ud4).
juliana hali	[v. rcp.]	Be concerned about each other’s welfare, situation, circumstances, etc. (TJH). Visiting each other (MASB). Ask one another how each one is getting along (Brill). Udugu ni kushibana, kwa hali kujuliana, Fraternity is being content with one another, by showing concern for each other (MASB-Ud3).
li(y)a	[v. i.]	Suffer (MASB). See –lia sound, make a sound (the most general word for sound of any kind, in animate or inanimate nature); (2) utter a cry, cry out (for joy, sorrow, pain, &c.); (3) mourn, weep (FJ). Tena yaliyapo macho, mikono hufuta chozi, Again when the eyes suffer, the hands wipe away tears! (MASB-Ud2).
mdono/mi-	[n. 3/4]	Picking at, pecking, peck, carping (TJH). Bite (MASB). A bite, fishing (FJ). Manner of pecking as of a fowl (Brill). See –dona peck, pick at, pick up bit by bit as a bird does its food (FJ). Si udugu wa mdono, ule wa mwisho wa mwezi! It is not a carping brotherhood, like that at the end of the month (MASB-Ud1).
mema	[n. 6]	Good deeds, works, things, etc., proper behavior (TJH). Good, excellent manners (MASB). See –ema good, etc. (FJ). Ndugu walioshibana, huruma huoneana, Shida kusaidiana, makosa sameheana, Mema kushauriana, mazuri kuoneshana, Brothers who are content with one another, Show mercy to each other, Helping each other (when) in trouble, and forgiving each others’ mistakes, They consul each other on proper behavior, and direct each other in good deeds (MASB-Ud4).
oneana	[v. rcp]	Have mutual feelings for each other; oneana huruma be empathetic towards each other, have mercy for each other (TJH). Tease each other, as well as ‘feel towards each other’ (FJ). See –onea huruma pity someone (Brill). Ndugu walioshibana, huruma huoneana, Brothers who are content with one another, Show mercy to each other (MASB-Ud4).
oneshana	[v. cs. rcp.]	Direct each other to a result, goal, end (TJH). See –onyesha cause to see, show, point out, demonstrate, make clear, exhibit, place on view (FJ). Ndugu walioshibana, huruma huoneana, Shida kusaidiana, makosa sameheana, Mema kushauriana, mazuri kuoneshana, Brothers who are content with one another, Show mercy to each other, Helping each other (when) in trouble, and forgiving each others’ mistakes, They consul each other on proper behavior, and direct each other in good deeds (MASB-Ud4).
saidiana	[v. rcp.]	Help one another (TJH). See –saidia aid, help, assist, support, countenance, abet (FJ). Ndugu walioshibana, huruma huoneana, Shida kusaidiana, makosa sameheana, Mema kushauriana, mazuri kuoneshana, Brothers who are content with one another, Show mercy to each other, Helping each other (when) in trouble, and forgiving each others’ mistakes, They consul each other on proper behavior, and direct each other in good deeds (MASB-Ud4).
sameheana	[v. rcp.]	Forgive one another, etc. (TJH). See –samehe pardon, forgive, remit, pass over, e.g. of offenses, debts, etc. (FJ). Ndugu walioshibana, huruma huoneana, Shida kusaidiana, makosa sameheana, Mema kushauriana, mazuri kuoneshana, Brothers who are content with one another, Show mercy to each other, Helping each other (when) in trouble, and forgiving each others’ mistakes, They consul each other on proper behavior, and direct each other in good deeds (MASB-Ud4).
shauriana	[v. rcp.]	Advise one another, counsel one another, etc. (TJH). See –shauri ask counsel, get advice, consult; -shauriana consult together (FJ). Ndugu walioshibana, huruma huoneana, Shida kusaidiana, makosa sameheana, Mema kushauriana, mazuri kuoneshana, Brothers who are content with one another, Show mercy to each other, Helping each other (when) in trouble, and forgiving each others’ mistakes, They consul each other on proper behavior, and direct each other in good deeds (MASB-Ud4).
shibana	[v. rcp]	Be content with one another, be gratified with each other, be satisfied with one another (TJH). See –shiba have enough to eat or drink, have a full meal, be satisfied with food; (2) sometimes used fig. of being wholly filled with, and so under the influence of something, e.g. shiba Mungu, be wholly given to worship and religion, be a devotee (FJ). Udugu ni kushibana, kwa hali kujuliana, Fraternity is being content with one another, by showing concern for each other (MASB-Ud3).
thamaniana	[v. rcp.]	Esteem each other, show respect to each other, appreciate one another, etc. (TJH). Udugu si kufanana, bali kuthaminiana, Brotherhood is not being the same, but rather it is showing respect to one other (MASB-Ud3).
tumiana	[v. rcp]	Send to each other (TJH). See –tumia (FJ). Daima kukumbukana, salamu kutumiana, Always remembering each other, (and) exchanging greetings (MASB-Ud3).
u(w)adui	[n. 14]	Enmity, hostility (FJ). See adui/ma- enemy (FJ). Haifanyi ndicho sicho, na kuleta uchokozi, Uwadui wa kificho, fitina na ubazazi, They do not do what should not be, nor bring provocation, Hidden enmity, strife and dishonesty (MASB-Ud2).
ubazazi	[n. 14]	Dishonesty (MASB). Sharp practice in trading, cheating (FJ). See bazazi/ma- trader, shopkeeper, but usually of one who pushes himself forward by advertising or using trickery or devices for getting people’s custom, hence a person who uses sharp practice, cheat, sharper, etc (FJ) Haifanyi ndicho sicho, na kuleta uchokozi, Uwadui wa kificho, fitina na ubazazi, They do not do what should not be, nor bring provocation, Hidden enmity, strife and dishonesty (MASB-Ud2).
uchokozi	[n. 14]	Provocation (MASB). Teasing, annoyance, quarrelsomeness; obsession, instigation; insulting language (Brill). See –chokoza tease, bully, annoy, vex; -chokoa pick at, poke, esp. of working at a hard substance with a pointed instrument, knife, or finger (FJ). Haifanyi ndicho sicho, na kuleta uchokozi, They do not do what should not be, nor bring provocation (MASB-Ud2).
udugu	[n. 14]	Fraternity, brotherhood (MASB). Fellowship (TJH). Huu ni bora mfano, wa udugu umaizi, This is the best example, of enlightened fraternity (MASB-Ud1).
umaizi	[n. 14]	Knowledge, understanding, recognition; See –maizi know, understand, recognize (FJ). Huu ni bora mfano, wa udugu umaizi, This is the best example, of enlightened fraternity (MASB-Ud1).