March 6, 2008
Kushayw’edonsayo. (Zulu). The lead cow (the one in front) gets whipped the most. (English) Zulu (South Africa, Swaziland) Proverb Background, Explanation, Meaning and Everyday Use When […]
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.
March 6, 2008
Nyansapö, kwasea ntumi nsane gye sé nyansafoö. (Akan). The knot of wisdom a fool cannot untie; it takes a wise person. (Literal English Translation) Only a […]
March 6, 2008
Klabu ya Simba ilishinda kwa kishindo cha tsunami. (Literal Swahili) Penye nia pana njia. (Figurative Swahili) The Simba soccer club beat [their long time rival, the […]
March 6, 2008
Zakoma-zakoma, pusi adagwa (anagwa) chagada (cagada). (Nyanja, Chewa) Asiyesikia la mkuu huvunjika guu. (Figurative Swahili) Greed led the monkey to fall on its back. (Literal English) […]
March 6, 2008
El dzamel ma ishbeh aouz rugupta. (Arabic) The camel does not see the bend in its neck. (English) Arabic (Libya) Proverb Background, Explanation, Meaning and Everyday […]
March 6, 2008
Akantu karokubhabaza ukabhinze karagaruka. (Shubi) Kitu kinachodhamiria kukudhuru, kitakudhuru hata kama utakikwepa. (Literal Swahili Translation) Ajali haina kinga. (Figurative Swahili Translation) It is difficult to escape […]
March 6, 2008
Akakhura keetsa inyungu ebuleka. (Luyia) Pombe ya kienyeji inayochachushwa vibaya huharibika. (Swahili) Beer that will spoil ferments unequally. (English ) Luyia (Kenya) Proverb Background, Explanation, Meaning […]
March 6, 2008
Ungichogotha nyoka, no nginya wiharirie kurumwo niyo. (Gikuyu) Ukichokoza nyoka, hauna budi kujitayarisha kuumwa nayo (Swahili) If you provoke a rattlesnake, you must be prepared to […]
March 6, 2008
Faa yalo dzwaa gbe.. (Ga) The one who fetches the water is the one who is likely to break the pot. (English ) Ga (Ghana) Proverb […]