January 2025 African Proverb of the Month The day of firewood is the day of firewood Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb

Wa nguu ni wa nguu. (Gikuyu, Kenya)
Siku ya kuni ni siku ya kuni. (Swahili)
Le jour du bois de chauffage est le jour du bois de chauffage. (French)
The day of firewood is the day of firewood. (English)

Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb

Background, Meaning and Everyday Use

The literal meaning of this Gikuyu proverb is: The day of firewood is the day of firewood.

The figurative meaning of this Gikuyu proverb is: Today is a day for fetching firewood.

The Kikuyu people’s original “home” is in Kenya’s mountainous Central Region near Mt. Kenya in what is now Nyeri. Many years ago in their rural homes the local people spent the whole day collecting firewood. First the two-hour walk to the forest. Then several hours of cutting branches with a machete. Then the long walk back home carrying the firewood on their heads. Women traveled to the forest together for security (from wild animals, etc.).

From this experience came this Gikuyu proverb. The meaning is that the whole day is dedicated to fetching firewood. The meaning was extended to any community activity that can take a whole day. This includes events like marriages and funerals.

Biblical Parallels

Proverbs 4:25: “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”

Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:34: “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.”

Contemporary Use And Religious Application

Some years ago Maryknoll Missionary Priest Father Joseph Healey went to the funeral of Sister Ephigenia Gachiri, IBVM’s mother in Kiambu, Kenya. Upon arriving at the family homestead in the morning he was immediately told the Gikuyu proverb Today is a day for fetching firewood. The meaning is that the whole day would be given to the funeral and related activities. First the welcome and conversation in the family home. Then the funeral mass in the nearby Catholic Church. Then the burial in the family homestead. Then an elaborate meal outside the family home followed by more conversation. Indeed, the priest returned to Nairobi in the late afternoon.

This Gikuyu Proverb can be applied to many Kikuyu community events of daily life such as marriage, graduations, anniversaries, circumcisions, funerals, etc.

Text by:

Rev. Joseph G. Healey, MM
P.O. Box 574
New Vernon, New Jersey 07976-0574

USA

Rev. Joseph G. Healey, MM
555 Van Beuren Road

Morristown, New Jersey 07960-6463

USA

+ 1 973-216-4997 (AT&T, USA)

Email: JoeHealey@jghealey.com

WhatsApp: 1+ 973-216-4997

Skype: joseph-healey

Zoom Personal Meeting ID (PMI): 719-876-1799

Mr. Bernard Mberere