August 31, 2023
Munywe gumo gogukaleke giyase giyagwana mase. (Holoholo) Wakati kidole kimoja kinakatwa, vidole vyote vitakuwa na damu. (Swahili) Lorsqu’un seul doigt est blessé, les autres seront salis […]
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.
August 1, 2023
Ilelo ni lelo uyo agayombaga ntondo ali nongo. (Sukuma) Leo ni leo asemaye kesho ni muongo. (Swahili) Aujourd’hui, c’est aujourd’hui celui qui parle de demain est […]
July 1, 2023
Buya kwa muci palampe pabwipi ke nsala. (Luba Katanga) Mti huonekana mzuri ukiwa mbali, lakini ukiuona karibu hubeba matawi mengi. (Swahili) Vue de loin, l’arbre est […]
June 1, 2023
Ng’wanangwa itashilaga. (Sukuma) Kujifunza hakuna mwisho. (Swahili) Il n’y a pas de fin à l’apprentissage (French) Learning has no end. (English) Sukuma( Tanzania,) […]
May 1, 2023
Abange nabaya bakaria kiane inkaigwa bobe. (Gusii) Ni vema kuwa wengi, ila ninaposhiriki nao chakula changu, najihisi vibaya. (Swahili) C’est bon d’être nombreux, mais quand je […]
April 1, 2023
B’uli hiwe b’ugimbiligwa. (Sukuma) Ulioko kwenye jiwe huimbiwa (msagaji hujifariji kwa kuimba). (Swahili) La broyeuse de sorgho chante pour se consoler. (French) The grinder of sorghum […]
March 1, 2023
Bhadza gulu ipa nlimi, kupa simbe inoma nalo. (Kalanga) Jembe mpe mkulima mwenye bidii, unampa mvivu anasimama nalo. (Swahili) Donnez la houe au cultivateur qui travaille […]
February 1, 2023
Ogwigumha idi gugwa aliyo ili guja bhutongi. (Sukuma) Kujikwaa si kuanguka bali ni kwenda mbele. (Swahili) Trébucher n’est;est pas tombé mais allé de alle de l’avant. […]
December 31, 2022
Numbu ya wiza idapunzagwa. (Sukuma) Kiazi kizuri hakimenywi. (Swahili) Une bonne patate douce n’est jamais épluchée. (French) A nice potato is never peeled. (English) Sukuma […]