1998 African Proverbs of the Month – African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories

March 1, 2008

Nov. 1998: It takes a whole village to raise a child. – Igbo and Yoruba (Nigeria) Proverb

It takes a whole village to raise a child. Igbo and Yoruba (Nigeria) Proverb Explanation: This Igbo and Yoruba (Nigeria) proverb exists in different forms in […]

March 1, 2008

Oct. 1998: “If you have no teeth, do not break the clay cooking pot.” – Chewa (Malawi) Proverb

Ukapanda mano usamaswe phale. If you have no teeth, do not break the clay cooking pot. Chewa (Malawi) Proverb Nyanja (Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia) Proverb Explanation: Many […]

March 1, 2008

Sep. 1998: “It [a bug] grows up in dry wood, and yet comes to maturity.” – Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb

Iireragira ruku-ini ni ikaya kuigana. It [a bug] grows up in dry wood, and yet comes to maturity. Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb Explanation: There is a type […]

February 27, 2008

Aug. 1998: “The person who has not traveled widely thinks his or her mother is the only cook (the best cook).” – Ganda (Uganda) Proverb

Atannayita: y’atenda nnyina obufumbi (=okufumba) The person who has not traveled widely thinks his or her mother is the only cook (the best cook). Ganda […]

February 18, 2008

Jul. 1998: “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” – Akan and Ewe (Benin, Ghana and Togo) Proverb

Nunya, adidoe, asi metunee o. (Akan and Ewe) La science est le tronc d’un baobab qu’une seule personne ne peut embrasser (French) Wisdom is like a […]

February 17, 2007

Jun. 1998: “I pointed out to you the stars (the moon) and all you saw was the tip of my finger.” – Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb

African Proverb of the Month June 1998 Nalukolekejaga sonda (ng’weli) walola lwala. (Sukuma) Nilikuonyesha nyota (mwezi) na uliangalia kidole tu. (Swahili) I pointed out to you […]