Introduction
A special feature of this website is to circulate worldwide an “African Proverb of the Month.” Our plan to is post an important proverb from a different African country every month. We use a simple format that includes: first, meaning and use of the proverb; second, biblical parallel; and third, application of the proverb. African proverbs of previous months are found under “Resources” starting with the June, 1998 “African Proverb of the Month.” You are invited to send an African Proverb to the moderator@afriprov.org to be posted on this website. We hope this can be a participatory website. Welcome.
 | Bushokabwa membe ku mazi. (Kabwari) Uzuri wa mwanamke (mke) ni kufuraisha mumewe na kile anachokifanya kwa watu wa jammi yake. (Swahili) La beaute d’une femme est de plaire son mari et de tout ce qu’elle fait aux gens de sa communaute. (French) The beauty of a woman is to please her husband and what she does for the people of her community. (English) |
Kabwari (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Proverb
 | Njinja atina nyango gumo. (Sukuma) Mwuzaji hana mlango mmoja. (Swahili) Le marchand n'a pas qu'une seule porte. (French) The salesperson (seller or merchant) does not have only one door. (English) |
Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb
 | Mlonda yenge eshima mbele ya makolo. (Hemba) Mtu tajiri hawezi kuheshimu maskini. (Swahili) Une personne riche ne peut pas respecter les pauvres. (French) A rich person can’t respect poor ones. (English) |
 | Amadete kabiri keta enda. (Saamia) Vidole viwili huuwa chawa. (Kiswahili) Deux doigts peuvent tuer le pou. (French) Two fingers killed a louse. (English) |
 | Ente encheke achwe ekinaga egamba, “Kiki kyonansindikire!” (Runyoro) Ng’ombe dhaifu kavunja nyungu kasema “Namlaumu mtu aliye nisukuma!” (Swahili) La vache faible brisa le pot et dit, “Je condamne la person qui m’avait poussee!” (French) The weak cow broke the pot and said, “I blame the person who pushed me” (English). |
Runyoro (Uganda) Proverb
 | Da so a molengue ake da, makelele ake da. (Sango) Nyumba ambayo ina watoto, haikosi kelele.(Swahili) La maison ou il y a des enfants, n’a jamais manqué des bruits(French) A house with children never lacks noise. (English) |
Sango (Central African Republic, Chad,
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),
Republic of the Congo, Tanzania) Proverb
 | Mabarei kuinetab teta moitanyi. (Nandi) Pembe ya ng'ombe haiui ndama wake. (Swahili) La corne d’une vache ne tue pas son veau. (French) A cow's horn does not kill its calf. (English) |
Nandi (Kenya) Proverb
 | Kanzala kalanda wa kamwene. (Taabwa) Huwezi ongea kuhusu njaa kama mtu ambaye alipitia hali hiyo. (Swahili) Personne peut parler de la famine que celui qui l’a souffert. (French) No person can talk about hunger better than the one who suffered it. (English) |
Taabwa (DRC, Tanzania and Zambia) Proverb
 | Ebitsibu byaghu uka birya neka yaghu. (Nande) Ukivuna shida unaila na jamii yako. (Swahili) Quand on recolte la peine, on la consomme avec sa famille. (French) When you reap problems, you share with your family. (English) |
Nande (Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC, Uganda)Proverb
