Swahili readings / Beginner 2 / Work & Professions

The Fisherman

Mvuvi

Ninaishi katika kijiji cha pwani, na kazi yangu ni uvuvi. Kila alfajiri ninaamka mapema, na mimi huomba, kisha nangoa mtumbwi wangu. Najiandaa kwa safari kwa kukagua wavu, ndoano, na taa ndogo. Bahari ni rafiki yangu, lakini pia ninaiheshimu sana. Nikielekea majini, nasikiliza upepo na mawimbi. Wakati mwingine bahari ni tulivu, wakati mwingine inatingisha mtumbwi. Mimi na rafiki yangu Juma tunafanya kazi pamoja, tunashirikiana kimya kimya, kila mmoja akijua jukumu lake. Tunatupa wavu polepole, na tunasubiri kwa subira. Macho yangu huangalia maji ya bluu, nikitafuta dalili za samaki. Nikiona minyoo ikivutwa, najua kuna mtego mzuri. Mara nyingi tunapata samaki wa aina tofauti, kama changu, papa wadogo, na dagaa. Tunahifadhi samaki kwenye ndoo zilizo na barafu ili wabaki freshi hadi turudi. Tukirudi ufukoni, watu wa soko wanasubiri. Ninasimulia habari ya safari, na wauzaji wanapima samaki kwa uzito. Mapato si makubwa kila siku, lakini yanatulisha. Ninajivunia kazi yangu kwa sababu inaleta chakula, inasaidia familia yangu, na inanifundisha uvumilivu, usafi, na umoja wa kijiji. Usiku nikirudi nyumbani, namkumbatia mke na watoto. Tunakula pamoja, na tunashukuru kwa samaki na usalama. Kesho nikisha pumzika, nitashona wavu uliopasuka, nitasafisha mtumbwi, na nitapanga safari nyingine. Kazi ya uvuvi ni ngumu, lakini inaleta matumaini na amani moyoni mwangu.

English Translation

I live in a coastal village, and my job is fishing. Every dawn I wake up early, I pray, then I untie my canoe. I prepare for the trip by checking the net, the hook, and the small lamp. The sea is my friend, but I also respect it very much. As I head to the waters, I listen to the wind and the waves. Sometimes the sea is calm, other times it shakes the canoe. My friend Juma and I work together, we cooperate quietly, each person knowing his role. We cast the net slowly, and we wait with patience. My eyes watch the blue water, looking for signs of fish. When I see the worm being pulled, I know there is a good catch. Often we get different kinds of fish, like changu, small sharks, and sardines. We keep the fish in buckets with ice so they stay fresh until we return. When we return to the shore, the market people are waiting. I tell the story of the trip, and the sellers weigh the fish by weight. The income is not big every day, but it feeds us. I am proud of my work because it brings food, helps my family, and teaches me patience, cleanliness, and the unity of the village. At night when I return home, I hug my wife and children. We eat together, and we give thanks for the fish and for safety. Tomorrow after I rest, I will stitch the torn net, I will clean the canoe, and I will plan another trip. The work of fishing is hard, but it brings hope and peace to my heart.