An important feature of the leso fabric is the saying or proverb printed on it, the "ujumbe". Eduardo Porter, in a New York Times article, notes that: "though we clearly understand money’s power to debase character, we have less certain a grasp on what it is about money that corrupts us so. Is it simply greed? Does the appetite for the more comfortable life that money can buy push us over the line?" Let's explore some sayings on lesos to shed light on this topic.
"Naogopa Simba na meno yake, siogopi mtu kwa maneno yake." I would say this is the Swahili version of sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. In this version, sticks and stones are replaced by Simba (lion) and his lethal teeth. This saying readily acknowledges that it is okay to have a healthy fear of dangerous things, like lions, but that conversely, we should not fear people's words (or opinions). The phenomenon of keeping up with the Joneses usually boils down to being scared of what people - the Joneses - would say. One of the key points from a Psychologytoday article is "Values are an antidote to comparison. Basing behaviors on values solidifies self-identity and self-acceptance." When you are clear on your values, it becomes easier to ignore the noise of other people's opinions, including money advise that does not align with your core values.
This next Swahilii saying builds on the idea of self-acceptance. "Kila kizuri kina mwenyewe" means "every good thing has its owner". With this saying in mind, you will be aware that there is no need for you to compromise your values to try and get what belongs to the Joneses. At the same time, all the good things that belong to you are yours; and values definitely fall under the category of good things. Related to this saying is another one warning us that "Mwenye Kijicho hafanikiwi". The one who is jealous will not succeed. This ties in well with the idea of values versus keeping up with the Joneses.
"Shingo huvaa Chombo Moyo huvaa Mambo." I would equate this saying to the English one of "beauty is skin deep". The neck, the body, wears superficial matters while the heart wears weighty matters. Another English equivalent would be don't judge a book by its cover. Don't judge people, including the Joneses, by their bank accounts or material possessions, by what's around their neck. Instead, interrogate what's in their heart. This circles back to where we started from: the importance of values.
I was pleasantly surprised when someone left a comment on my previous post "Of Star Trek and Post-Capitalism Couture". The comment underscores the importance of values, that regardless of what idealistic economic system we come up with, it will collapse under the weight of the "selfish and greedy nature" of human beings. So I leave you with a saying from one of my lesos. It was given to me many years ago by someone who I remember fondly, someone who was humble, kind and full of grace, in fact, her name was Grace. The leso is now torn into three pieces but the piece I cherish most is the one with the saying: "Tahadhari kabla hatari". Beware of danger.
