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.
![]() | 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
![]() | 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
![]() | 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) |
![]() | 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) |
![]() | Nzubu iku kuimatenke kuende vu. (Lwalu) |
Lwalu (Democratic Republic of the Congo – DRC) Proverb
![]() | Mucii ni wa muthuri na mutumia. (Gikuyu) Nyumba ni ya mume na mke. (Swahili) La maison est pour mari et la femme (French) Home is for a husband and a wife. (English) |
Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb
| Omokungu omwegenu nogoseseni ase omosa cha oye. (Gusii). Mke mwema ni taji kwa mumewe. (Swahili). Une bonne femme est un diademe ou une couronne a son mari (epoux). (French). A faithful woman is a crown to her husband. (English). |
Gusii (Kenya) Proverb