March 31, 2018
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.
February 28, 2018
 | 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
January 29, 2018
 | Goobi inam dele mogtils ma babaato. (Rendille) Jamii ambayo ina mtoto mwanaume haiwezi poteza deni zao kutoka kwa majirani. (Swahili) La famille qui a un fils ne perdra pas ses dettes auprès du voisin. (French) A family that has a son will never lose the debts owed to them. (English) |
Rendille (Kenya) Proverb
January 3, 2018
 | Kusema (Kutema) mbago. (Sukuma) Kuweka alama kwenye miti. (Swahili) Marquer des marques sur l'arbre. (French) To make marks on the trees. (English) |
Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb/Story
December 5, 2017
October 31, 2017
 | A ho te mbouoo. (Kwele) Miti yote msituni haifanani. (Swahili) Tous les arbres dans la forêt ne sont pas semblable. (French) All trees are not straight in the forest. (English) |
Kwele (DRC, Gabon, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo) Proverb
October 1, 2017
 | Ubuza imfura ata ibiheko. (Bwisha) Mwenyi anapoteza mtoto wa kwanza hutupa miungu. (Swahili) Qui perd son fils aîné jette ses dieux. (French) Who loses the first born throws away his or her gods. (English) |
Bwisha (Democratic Republic of Congo -- DRC) Proverb
August 30, 2017
 | Aheleka atashulize bamwetera okubaga. (Haya) Ukiwekesha kitu bila kufatilia utashutukia kimeharibika. (Swahili) C'est très judicieux de continuer à controller. (French) It is wise to keep checking. (English) |
Haya (Tanzania) Proverb
August 1, 2017
 | Okhama ing’ombe nolengela iketi. (Tachoni) Ukikamua ng’ombe ya wenyewe huwe ukiangalia langoni. (Swahili) Tu extrais la vache de quelqu'untout en regardant à la porte. (French) You milk someone else’s cow while watching the gate. (English) |
Tachoni (Kenya) Proverb