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.
 | 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
 | 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
 | 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
 | Apali kenga sumu ya ulimi. (Makonde) Hakuna sumu kama ya ulimi. (Swahili) Il n’y a pas du poison comme la langue. (French) There is no venom such as that of the tongue. (English) |
 | 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
 | 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
 | 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
 | 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
