March 31, 2015
 | Omuti ogwinamile tiguhendwa muyaga. (Haya) Mwanzi hauvunjwi na upepo. (Swahili) Un arbre flexible ne se casse jamais avec le vent. (French) A soft tree is never broken by wind. (English) |
Haya (Tanzania) Proverb
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 27, 2015
 | “Kalagu.” “Kize.” “Ng’wiza akajaga ngobo jakwe?”… “Numbu.” (Sukuma) “Kitendawili.” “Tega.” “Mtu mwema huenda (kwa Mungu) na vazi lake”… “Kiazi.” (Swahili) “Je ai une énigme." " Laissez-le venir." “Une bonne personne (va à Dieu) avec ses vêtements….“Pomme de terre”(French) “I have a riddle.” “Let it come.” A good person (goes to God) with his or her clothes?” … “Potato.” |
Sukuma (Tanzania) Riddle
February 3, 2015
 | Umupini ukulangile umwanakashi kabwelelo (Bemba) Sauti yaliyotolewa na mwanamke kuhusu jembe au shoka ina umuhimu yake. (Swahili) La parole dite par la femme sur la houe ou sur la hache a toujours des impacts. (French) One will always return to an axe or hoe handle that the woman shows them. (English) |
December 31, 2014
November 7, 2014
 | Gutiri mburi itangiracio tiga inawathe. (Gikuyu) Mbuzi yeyote hukubalika kama mahari, lakini asiwe na dosari. (Swahili) Toute chèvre peut servir de dot, à moins qu’elle ne présente un défaut. (French) Any goat can serve as bridewealth unless it has a defect. (English) |
Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb
October 7, 2014
 | E mukazi Buli Buaare. Tembo) Mwanamke ni utajiri. (Swahili) Femme est une richesse. (French) A wife is the wealth. (English) |
Tembo (Democratic Republic of the Congo – DRC) Proverb
September 1, 2014
 | Ainyoo pee iton enaa enkitok nayamishe? (Maasai) Kwa nini unakaa kama mwanamke ambaye mwanaye ameoa karibuni? (Swahili) Pourquoi vous comportez-vous comme une femme dont le fils vient d'épouser? (French) Why do you behave like a woman whose son has just gotten married? (English) |
August 1, 2014
 | Etre ve no tsi dzi megbea nui ka wonoe wo o. (Ewe ) Vibuyu viwili juu ya maji lazima zitaguzana. (Swahili) Deux calebasses sur l’eau se toucheront de toutes les façons. (French) Two calabashes floating in a basin of water will touch each other, but not damage each other. (English) |
June 25, 2014
