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.
 | Baaya munga si bataaya muati. (Tembo) Mara nyingi huona mkwe vibaya si binti. (Swahili) Souvent celui qui voit le beau-fils mal n’est pas la fille. (French) The person who sees the in-laws to be bad is not the engaged woman. (English) |
Tembo (DRC) Proverb
 | Mayo wa myao nawe mmayoho. (Digo) Mamako mwenzio ni mamako pia. (Swahili) La mere de ton ami est ta mere aussi. (French) Your friend’s mother is your mother too. (English) |
Digo (Mijikenda) Kenya Proverb
 | Akavia kakhuanyisivyanga mumasika. (Nyala) Mazishi hutoa nafasi ya Upatanisho. (Kiswahili) Le deuil est une occasion de réconciliation. (French) A funeral offers the opportunity for reconciliation. (English) |
Nyala (Kenya) Proverb
 | Musili nokage mungobi nokage muloli wa moso. (Holoholo) Mpiga ngoma na mwimbaji ndo wanafaida ila musikilizaji hana faida. (Swahili) Le tambourin et le chanteur sont les plus importants et non ceux qui suivent la musique. (French) A drummer and a singer are the beneficiary not the listener. (English) |
 | Kekur lala olgejep. (Samburu) Watu wa jamii moja hawafichani mambo na hujadiliana juu ya lolote. (Swahili) Les membres de meme famille sont ouvert, l’un a l’autre et peuvent discuter n’importe quoi. (French) Members of the same family are open to each other and can discuss anything. (English) |
Samburu (Kenya) Proverb
 | Tetela: Diwala eko kalasa le wadi l’umi (Tetela) |
Tetela (Democratic Republic of Congo) Proverb
 | Botbeupeukbo be teunyen ban a boromevo’o (Eton) Mambo makubwa inabadilishwa na wazee (Swahili) Major problems have solution with the old men (English) Les grands problèmes trouvent solution avec les vieux (French) |
Eton (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and São Tome) Proverb
 | Giriama : Mjeni loka mwenyeji apone English: It is obvious when you receive a visitor and you cook for him or her you will eat too Swahili :Ni kawaida ukipata mgeni na umpikie,nawe pia utakula. French: Ilest indubitable que le visiteurrégalebien le visité. |
Giriama (Kenya) Proverb
 | Yessera itta kkalli iharali. (Burji) Jina nzuri ni bora kuliko harufu nzuri. (Swahili) Mieux vant un bonne nomque, une bonne adeur. (French) A good name is better than a nice scent. (English) |
