Poll
Welcome to a popular section of our website — African Proverbs POLLs — to encourage participation and interaction. During the last 25 years we have posted 293 ″African Proverbs of the Month” on our website. Every three months we post a POLL of six proverb choices that alternates between two styles. The first POLL uses the statement: “My favorite proverb in the last six months is…” The second POLL uses the statement: “My favorite proverb of the month on “________________” is… We have uses themes of “African Politics,” “animals,” “care of the earth,” “celebrating diversity,” “celebration/happiness/joy,” “children,” “determination,” “elephants,” “equality, inclusiveness and fairness,” “family and marriage,” “food,” “health care,” “hope,” “hopefulness,” “hospitality ,” ” human rights,” “journeying together,” ”mercy and forgiveness, (part one and part two)” ”mission and reaching out,” “music,” “patience,” “peacebuilding,” “relationships,” “synodality (walking together),” “togetherness,” “World Cup in South Africa,” “Youth/Young People,” etc. We change the poll every three months. The results of the Fifty-Seven Rounds are listed below.
We are now in the Sixthy Round that covers Jan-March, 2024. You can vote as many times as you want, but not more than once in a 24 hour period. Welcome.
- 419 votes 64%419 votes - 64% of all votes
- February-March, 2021 The pursuit of grasshoppers is done in the morning. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb 13%, 84 votes84 votes 13%84 votes - 13% of all votes
- October, 2020 One who associates with a person with bad behaviors risks falling into them. Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb 8%, 49 votes49 votes 8%49 votes - 8% of all votes
- December, 2020 It is lame, but now it is a big ox and able to graze with its lameness. Kalanga (Botswana and Zimbabwe ) Proverb 8%, 49 votes49 votes 8%49 votes - 8% of all votes
- January 2021 Your elder sibling’s pocket or bag does not contain your savings/contents. Ganda (Uganda) Saying 8%, 49 votes49 votes 8%49 votes - 8% of all votes
- May, 2004: After hardship comes relief. Arabic (Egypt and other North African countries) Proverb 33%, 176 votes176 votes 33%176 votes - 33% of all votes
- 146 votes 28%146 votes - 28% of all votes
- July 2000: Do not insult the hunting guide before the sun has set. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb 16%, 86 votes86 votes 16%86 votes - 16% of all votes
- February 2001: God is a great eye. God sees everything in the world. Balanda/Belanda Viri, Arabic (Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan) Proverb 15%, 82 votes82 votes 15%82 votes - 15% of all votes
- January 2009: The hunger that has hope for its satisfaction does not kill. Igbo (Nigeria) Proverb 4%, 20 votes20 votes 4%20 votes - 4% of all votes
- June 1999: When an enemy digs a grave for you, God gives you an emergency exit. Rundi (Burundi) Proverb 4%, 20 votes20 votes 4%20 votes - 4% of all votes
- September, 2020 When a bird builds its nest it uses the feathers of other birds. Ganda/Kooki (Uganda) Proverb 34%, 211 votes211 votes 34%211 votes - 34% of all votes
- June 2020, Goat droppings (that later become manure) are mainly found in a loafing shed (barn). Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb 16%, 97 votes97 votes 16%97 votes - 16% of all votes
- 96 votes 15%96 votes - 15% of all votes
- May 2020, Alone, alone, one cannot produce history. Yao (Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania) Proverb 15%, 96 votes96 votes 15%96 votes - 15% of all votes
- July, 2020 There are not big horns, they are all horns. Nuer (South Sudan, Ethiopia) Proverb 10%, 62 votes62 votes 10%62 votes - 10% of all votes
- August, 2020 A climbing plant with tendrils cannot grow on its own without a tree’s support. Rufumbira (Uganda) Proverb 10%, 62 votes62 votes 10%62 votes - 10% of all votes
- June, 2009: “Go in that direction” does not mean that you go. To go means, “let’s go together!” Sena (Mozambique) Proverb 32%, 205 votes205 votes 32%205 votes - 32% of all votes
- June, 2000 Proverb: Even haplochromis (name of a small fish) employs tilapia (name of a large fish). Luo (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) 32%, 205 votes205 votes 32%205 votes - 32% of all votes
- April, 2007: If you provoke a rattlesnake, you must be prepared to be bitten by it. Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb 12%, 75 votes75 votes 12%75 votes - 12% of all votes
- June, 2014: The house that is built well (like a fixed faith) doesn’t move any longer. Lwalu (Democratic Republic of the Congo – DRC) Proverb 8%, 54 votes54 votes 8%54 votes - 8% of all votes
- December, 2019: When the fool gets enlightened, the shrewd get into trouble. Pare (Tanzania) Proverb 8%, 54 votes54 votes 8%54 votes - 8% of all votes
- June, 2003 Proverb: Like vomit and shit under your feet (the rumormonger spreads scandal). Sumbwa (Tanzania) 8%, 54 votes54 votes 8%54 votes - 8% of all votes
- October 2019, Even an elephant, that is, an important person, can be sent. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb 42%, 273 votes273 votes 42%273 votes - 42% of all votes
- 167 votes 26%167 votes - 26% of all votes
- February 2020, Two geniuses will successfully roast a fly. Manyika, (Zimbabwe, Mozambique) Proverb 11%, 72 votes72 votes 11%72 votes - 11% of all votes
- November, 2019 Too many fishing baskets in the water cannot prevent you from dipping yours. Toro (Uganda) Proverb 7%, 46 votes46 votes 7%46 votes - 7% of all votes
- December, 2019 When the fool gets enlightened, the shrewd get into trouble. Pare (Tanzania) Proverb 7%, 46 votes46 votes 7%46 votes - 7% of all votes
- January, 2020 Although he is materially poor, at his house was found a housefly cord. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb 7%, 46 votes46 votes 7%46 votes - 7% of all votes
- June, 2024 African Proverb of the Month If you have someone leading you, you cannot lose the way. Sukuma (Tanzania Proverb) 43%, 26 votes26 votes 43%26 votes - 43% of all votes
- April, 2024 African Proverb of the Month A guest is like rain. Tetela (DRC Congo) Proverb 11%, 7 votes7 votes 11%7 votes - 11% of all votes
- May, 2024 African Proverb of the Month No matter how long the grass is, it can’t cover a lion. Maasai (Kenya, Tanzania) Proverb 11%, 7 votes7 votes 11%7 votes - 11% of all votes
- July 2024 African Proverb of the Month A child is a source of good things. Manyika (Zimbabwe, Mozambique Proverb) 11%, 7 votes7 votes 11%7 votes - 11% of all votes
- August 2024 African Proverb of the Month A lover’s place has no hills Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb 11%, 7 votes7 votes 11%7 votes - 11% of all votes
- September 2024 African Proverb of the Month Your colleague’s child is your child. Bena (Tanzania) Proverb 11%, 7 votes7 votes 11%7 votes - 11% of all votes
- February, 2024 African Proverb of the Month Come back child. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb 29%, 92 votes92 votes 29%92 votes - 29% of all votes
- January, 2024 African Proverb of the Month A house is beautiful if it has people. Bena (Tanzania) Proverb 29%, 91 vote91 vote 29%91 vote - 29% of all votes
- March, 2024 African Proverb of the Month The thing that overcomes you, tell your colleagues to help you. Bena (Tanzania) Proverb 29%, 91 vote91 vote 29%91 vote - 29% of all votes
- October, 2023 African Proverb of the Month A dog that looks down is a thief.. Bena (Tanzania) Proverb 4%, 13 votes13 votes 4%13 votes - 4% of all votes
- November, 2023 African Proverb of the Month The person who tells you about others will tell others about you. Tugen (Kenya) Proverb 4%, 13 votes13 votes 4%13 votes - 4% of all votes
- December, 2023 African Proverb of the Month Miss a target when hunting, rather than marry the wrong woman. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb 4%, 13 votes13 votes 4%13 votes - 4% of all votes
- April, 2024 African Proverb of the Month A guest is like rain. Tetela (DRC Congo) Proverb* 1%, 2 votes2 votes 1%2 votes - 1% of all votes
- June 2009: “Go in that direction” does not mean that you go. To go means, “let’s go together!” Sena (Mozambique) Proverb 33%, 204 votes204 votes 33%204 votes - 33% of all votes
- September 2017: The hoes of two people cultivating together in a field sometimes clash (hit) against each other. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb. 17%, 103 votes103 votes 17%103 votes - 17% of all votes
- 102 votes 17%102 votes - 17% of all votes
- December 2014: It takes a whole village to raise a child. Igbo and Yoruba (Nigeria) Proverb 17%, 102 votes102 votes 17%102 votes - 17% of all votes
- May 2020: Alone, alone, one cannot produce history. Yao (Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania) Proverb 8%, 50 votes50 votes 8%50 votes - 8% of all votes
- August 2014: Two calabashes floating in a basin of water will touch each other, but not damage each other. Ewe (Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria) Proverb 8%, 50 votes50 votes 8%50 votes - 8% of all votes
- August, 2021 African Proverb of the Month Life without courage is like a bicycle without a wheel. Bembe (DR Congo) Proverb 35%, 214 votes214 votes 35%214 votes - 35% of all votes
- July, 2021 African Proverb of the Month The way is in the mouth. Sukuma (Tanzania) Proverb 27%, 170 votes170 votes 27%170 votes - 27% of all votes
- May 2021 African Proverb of the Month You earn a living when you try, when you put in an effort. Zigula (Tanzania) Proverb 26%, 164 votes164 votes 26%164 votes - 26% of all votes
- September, 2021 African Proverb of the Month The person who doesn’t know how to groan has not yet been in pain. Gweno (Tanzania) Proverb 4%, 27 votes27 votes 4%27 votes - 4% of all votes
- April 2021 African Proverb of the Month A wise person is the one who listens to counsel. Gikuyu (Kenya) Proverb 4%, 22 votes22 votes 4%22 votes - 4% of all votes
- June, 2021 African Proverb of the Month Only the one carrying a needle in his or her clothes knows the discomfort. Luba (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Proverb 4%, 22 votes22 votes 4%22 votes - 4% of all votes
- 170 votes 33%170 votes - 33% of all votes
- 170 votes 33%170 votes - 33% of all votes
- Jun. 2010: Leave alone a dance you are unable to perform. Lega (Democratic Republic Congo) Proverb 10%, 49 votes49 votes 10%49 votes - 10% of all votes
- 42 votes 8%42 votes - 8% of all votes
- Oct. 2008: A deaf ear is followed by death and an ear that listens is followed by blessings. Samburu (Kenya) Proverb 8%, 42 votes42 votes 8%42 votes - 8% of all votes
- August, 2019, It doesn't matter how tall your grandfather was. Medumba (Cameroon) Proverb 8%, 41 vote41 vote 8%41 vote - 8% of all votes