Would anybody happen to know what the literal translation of these words is? The best that I can forge is "Arm of bridge", but I'd be lying if I claimed to see the connection.
A birika is a metal vessel for water, like a kettle, etc. Maybe it's some kind of metaphore connected to controlling the amount something pours out?
So a miser is a 'jug handle'. How would you say "jug handle" in Swahili?
I don't think "mkono" can mean "handle"
TUKI Kamusi: handle n 1 mpini; (of a cup) mkono; (of a bucket) utambo; (of a door or box) kipete.
mkono