December 1, 2008
African Proverb of the Month December 2008 Tsamba likagwa manyazi yagwira mtengo. (Nyanja and Chewa) When a leaf falls to the ground, the tree gets the […]
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.
November 1, 2008
African Proverb of the Month November 2008 Balume babili ba ngyoku I ba uimanyanaka mu’mnyinga. (Lega) Quand un éléphant male tombe dans un fossé, il n’est […]
September 30, 2008
Nkore nkiyok natua norubare lkiye, naa nkore nkiyok naiichu nerubare nkichoni. (Samburu) Sikio lisilosikia hufuatwa na mauti na sikio linalosikia hufuatwa na baraka. (Swahili) A deaf […]
August 31, 2008
Entagambirwa esabala bw’aibumba. (Haya) Asiyehambilika hujabiri mto kwa mtumbwi wa udongo mfinyanzi. (Swahili) A stubborn person sails in a clay boat. (English) Haya […]
July 31, 2008
Koklo ka koli dzi, eno fe atafu nue wokena do. (Ewe) Un poussin qui fouille trop les tas des déchets (d’une poubelle) finit par rencontrer les […]
July 1, 2008
Jul. 2008: “A child of the kwale bird learns how to fly.” – Tonga (Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe) Proverb
Les poussins apprenant à voler, voleront et y percheront. (French) Nestling, learn how to fly. Perch. Your companion birds have perched. (Literal EnglishTranslation) A child of […]
June 24, 2008
Akbar na:r min asgar shara:r (Arabic) Le grand feu debute par le premier étincele. (French) Great fires erupt from tiny sparks. (English) Arabic (Libya) Proverb Background, […]
May 1, 2008
Isihlahla saziwa ngezithelo zaso. (Zulu). A tree is known by its fruit. (English) Zulu (South Africa, Swaziland) Proverb Background, Explanation, Meaning and Everyday Use The meaning […]
April 24, 2008
Agulu pii odiyo otac. (Acholi) Jungu la maji hukandamiza kata. (Swahili) The water pot presses upon the small circular pad. (English) Acholi (Uganda) Proverb Background, Explanation, […]