October 31, 2023
Chito ne mwoun biik alak ku mokoi kumwaitin eng biich. (Tugen) Anayesengenya wengine kwako, atakusengenya wewe kwa wengine. (Swahili) Celui qui te dit des autres dira […]
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.
September 30, 2023
October, 2023 African Proverb of the MonthA dog that looks down is a thief.. Bena (Tanzania) Proverb
Imbwa ndavila pasi ye nyidzi. (Bena) Mbwa anayeangalia chini ndiye mwizi. (Swahili) Un chien qui baisse les yeux, est un voleur. (French) A dog that looks […]
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 […]
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 […]