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.
 | Na mhuli igatumagwa. (Sukuma) Hata tembo hutumwa. (Swahili) Même l’éléphant peut-être envoyé. (French) Even an elephant, that is, an important person, can be sent. (English) |
Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb
 | Omuzana ashasibwa ayamugengeire. (Haya) Mtumwa huhurumiwa na tajiri wake. (Swahili) C'est le roi qui pense à son esclave. (French) It is the master (king) who minds about his or her slave. (English) |
Haya (Tanzania) Proverb
 | Diisaa tee guibeiyou. (Medumba) Haijalishi babu yako alikuwa mrefu kiasi gani. (Swahili) Peu importe la grandeur de ton grand-père. (French) It doesn't matter how tall your grandfather was. (English) |
Medumba (Cameroon)Proverb
 | Ciira wa mwega utuo ta wa muuru. (Gikuyu) Kesi juu ya wazuri na wabaya zitilie usawa zinapokatwa. (Swahili) Le cas des justes, doivent être jugé dans la même façon que seul des malices. (French) The case of good persons must be judged in a similar way as that of bad ones. (English) |
Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb
 | Mhuli idabhunagwa nkondo gwayo (Sukuma). Tembo hazidiwi na mkonga wake (Swahili). L’éléphant ne s’accable pas par sa trompe (French) An elephant is not overwhelmed by its trunk (English). |
Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb
 | Udugu wa mbata umanywa guniani. (Gweno) Undugu wa bata hujilikana wakiwa ndani ya gunia. (Swahili) La fraternité de canards se connait quand ils sont dans le sac. (French) The brotherhood/sisterhood of ducks is known inside the sack. (English) |
Gweno (Tanzania) Proverb
 | Aghara mwino,tighaira mwino,agharaelino ghaira ilibu. (Soga) Palipo ng’olewa jino hubaki na pengo. (Swahili) La où une dent est extraite, reste un vide. (French) Where a tooth is removed there remains a gap. (English) |
Soga (Uganda) Proverb
 | Ne matenu afudu o la, ekema nanya bebe. ( Ewe) Kama huna mbio lazima njue kujificha. (Swahili) Si tu ne peux pas courir vite, donc tu dois savoir comment se cacher. (French) If you cannot run fast, then you must learn how to hide. (English) |
Ewe (SE Ghana, Southern Togo, Benin and SW Nigeria) Proverb
 | Bhugota bho mongo ni gushoka. (Sukuma) Dawa ya mto ni kurudi. (Swahili) Leo mèdicament pour une rivière en deluge est de retourner. (French) The medicine for a rising river is to go back. (English) |
Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb
