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.
 | Ngoko izishoma mazi ne kulola hagulu (Vira) Kuku hunywa maji akitazama juu (Swahili) La poule boit l’eau en regardant le ciel (French) A hen drinks water while it raises its head upward (English) |
Vira (Democratic Republic of the Congo -- DRC) Proverb
 | Akalimi Karungi kalaza empisi aha rwigi. (Haya) Maneno mazuri hutoa nyoka pangoni. (Swahili) Les paroles plaisantes font sortir le serpent du caserne. (French) Sweet words lure the snake out of its cave. (English) |
Haya (Tanzania) Proverb
 | Kilondolondo atashoola ti imizi yage yekashomola. (Nyindu) Mti wa mulumba hauwezi kutembea ila mizizi yake yanaenda mbali. (Swahili) Le fugier ne marche pas mais ses raciness vont loin. (French) A fig tree cannot walk, but its roots go very far. (English) |
Nyindu (Democratic Republic of the Congo -- DRC) Proverb
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| Wapila mvula ali lume nalwe? (Sumbwa) Umepona mvua na umande je? (Swahili) Tu t’es préservé de l’averse, et que feras-tu lors du crachin? (French) You overcame the rain, but what about the dew? (English) |
Sumbwa (Tanzania) Proverb
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| Mutafulagwa nyaga buli? (Sukuma) Pindi tu, unapo hisi njaa, kwa nini una tamani kula mapema iwezekanavyo? (Swahili) Quand tu as faim, pourquoi tu veux toujours manger le plus tôt possible? (French) As soon as you experience hunger pangs (feel hungry) why do you always want to eat? (English) |
Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb
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| Okisa buluale khuliulila bililo. (Bukusu) |
Bukusu (Kenya) Proverb
October, 2012
Ilmenqafeland’ufte, ad’aleindibdyufileind’ibdu. (Borana)
Mototo tayari kuzaliwa anapokuja kwa njia inayo faa, hu saidia mamaye na yeye binafsi. (Swahili)
Un travail bienfait, récompensera l’employeur et son employé. (French)
Work done in the right way rewards both the employer and the employee. (English)
Borana (Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia) Proverb
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| Mũgogo wĩ rũũĩ ndũrĩ hĩndĩ ũgatwĩka kĩng’ang’i. (Gikuyu) |
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| Amazi gakulikila umgolomoko. (Shubi). |
