March 1, 2008
Heri pazia kuliko bendera. Better a curtain hanging motionless than a flag blowing in the wind. Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Explanation: This common and popular […]
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 1, 2008
Umwáansi aguciira icoobo, Imáana ikaguciira icaanzo. Quand l’ennemi creuse une tombe pour toi, Dieu te prépare une issue de secours(French) When an enemy digs a grave […]
March 1, 2008
Lepotla-potla le ja poli; lesisitheho le ja khomo. The "hurry-hurry" person eats goat; the one who takes his or her time (or hesitates) eats beef. Sesotho […]
March 1, 2008
Omoonto umwi nkirunguuri, ababere nitoonge rebukima One person is thin porridge or gruel; two or three people are a lump (handful) of ugali (stiff cooked meal/flour […]
March 1, 2008
Mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone. Let the guest come so that the host or hostess may benefit (get well). Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Proverb Explanation: […]
March 1, 2008
Uwaingila mu mushintu, tomfwa nswanswa. One who enters the forest does not listen to the breaking of the twigs in the brush. Bemba (Zambia) Proverb […]
March 1, 2008
Turina keessatt killen millaan adeemti. By persevering the egg walks on legs. Oromo (Ethiopia) Proverb Explanation: "Waiting inside the egg eventually by foot goes." (Literal English […]
March 1, 2008
It takes a whole village to raise a child. Igbo and Yoruba (Nigeria) Proverb Explanation: This Igbo and Yoruba (Nigeria) proverb exists in different forms in […]
March 1, 2008
Ukapanda mano usamaswe phale. If you have no teeth, do not break the clay cooking pot. Chewa (Malawi) Proverb Nyanja (Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia) Proverb Explanation: Many […]