‘Better a curtain hanging motionless than a flag
blowing in the wind.’ This popular Swahili proverb in Eastern and Central Africa
has been used for many years to emphasize the values of steadiness, consistency
and single-minded purpose. It is one of the sayings on East African "khangas"
(colorful cotton cloth with many designs). Now this traditional proverb has
taken on a new meaning in the context of AIDS education and awareness that is
one of the greatest challenges in African society. The proverb is now used
especially in Tanzania to caution young people to stay with one partner (one
curtain in the house) rather than "play around" with many partners (flag blowing
to and fro). The main themes are faithfulness and a sense of responsibility in
personal relationships.

    There are obvious religious applications. This Swahili
proverb is used in teaching about faithfulness and loyalty in courtship, the
engagement period and marriage. See the biblical parallels in the metaphors of
marital fidelity: "Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your
own well" (Proverbs 5:15). "For this reason a man shall leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they
are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no
one separate" (Matthew 19:5-6).