African Proverb of the Month – Page 30 – African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories

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 2, 2008

September, 2003 Proverb: “Where there is peace, a billhook (sickle) can be used to shave your beard or cut your hair.” – Rundi (Burundi)

Ahari amahoro umuhoro uramwa. (Rundi) Là où il y a la paix une serpette peut raser/couper les cheveux. (French) Kuliko na amani mundu hunyoa ndevu/hukata nywele. […]

March 2, 2008

August, 2003 Proverb: “Walk on a fresh tree, the dry one will break.” – Bena (Tanzania)

Ugendelage uludodi ulukafu luladenyeha. (Bena) Tembelea mti mbichi mkavu utavunjika. (Swahili) Walk on a fresh tree, the dry one will break. (English) Bena ( Tanzania ) […]

March 2, 2008

July, 2003 Proverb: “When a tree falls on a yam farm and kills the farm’s owner, you don’t waste time counting the numbers of yam hips ruined.” – Igala (Nigeria)

Oli fo’nu oko kpa ma gbaluka ebe. (Igala) When a tree falls on a yam farm and kills the farm’s owner, you don’t waste time counting […]

March 2, 2008

January, 2003 Proverb: “A chicken eats corn, drinks water and swallows little pebbles, but still complains of having no teeth. If she had teeth would she eat steel?” – Yoruba and Idanre (Nigeria)

Adiye nje oka, o mu omi, o gbe okuta pe pe pe mi, sibe sibe o ni ohun o ni eyin, to o ba ni eyin, […]

September, 2003 Proverb: “Where there is peace, a billhook (sickle) can be used to shave your beard or cut your hair.” – Rundi (Burundi)

August, 2003 Proverb: “Walk on a fresh tree, the dry one will break.” – Bena (Tanzania)

July, 2003 Proverb: “When a tree falls on a yam farm and kills the farm’s owner, you don’t waste time counting the numbers of yam hips ruined.” – Igala (Nigeria)

June, 2003 Proverb: “Like vomit and shit under your feet (the rumormonger spreads scandal).” – Sumbwa (Tanzania)

May, 2003 Proverb: “The tears of the orphan run inside.” – Mafa (Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger)

April, 2003 Proverb: “Use of brains begets wealth.” – Sheng (Kenya)

March, 2003 Proverb: “Cows are born with ears; later they grow horns.” – Nuba-Tira (Sudan)

February, 2003 Proverb: “An eye that you treat is the one that turns against you.” – Luo (Kenya, Tanazania)

January, 2003 Proverb: “A chicken eats corn, drinks water and swallows little pebbles, but still complains of having no teeth. If she had teeth would she eat steel?” – Yoruba and Idanre (Nigeria)