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 […]
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
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 […]
March 1, 2008
Iireragira ruku-ini ni ikaya kuigana. It [a bug] grows up in dry wood, and yet comes to maturity. Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb Explanation: There is a type […]
February 27, 2008
Atannayita: y’atenda nnyina obufumbi (=okufumba) The person who has not traveled widely thinks his or her mother is the only cook (the best cook). Ganda […]
February 18, 2008
Nunya, adidoe, asi metunee o. (Akan and Ewe) La science est le tronc d’un baobab qu’une seule personne ne peut embrasser (French) Wisdom is like a […]