Swahili – African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories

March 6, 2008

Sep. 2007: “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” – Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Proverb

Klabu ya Simba ilishinda kwa kishindo cha tsunami. (Literal Swahili) Penye nia pana njia. (Figurative Swahili) The Simba soccer club beat [their long time rival, the […]

March 6, 2008

Mar. 2005: “How are things? Cool! ” – Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Proverb

Mambo? Poa! (Swahili) How are things? Cool! (English) Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Saying Background, Explanation, Meaning and Everyday Use This popular Swahili saying or slang […]

March 2, 2008

Jun. 2004 Proverb: “Hot water does not burn down the house.” – Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa)

Maji ya moto hayachomi nyumba. (Swahili) Hot water does not burn down the house. (English) Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Proverb Also Sukuma and Ngoreme (Tanzania), […]

March 1, 2008

Nov. 2001 Proverb: ” When elephants fight the grass (reeds) gets hurt.” – Swahili ( Eastern and Central Africa ), Also Gikuyu ( Kenya), Kuria ( Kenya/Tanzania), Ngoreme (Tanzania)

African Proverb of the Month November, 2001 Wapiganapo tembo nyasi huumia. (Swahili) When elephants fight the grass (reeds) gets hurt. (English) Swahili ( Eastern and Central […]

March 1, 2008

Jul. 1999: “Better a curtain hanging motionless than a flag blowing in the wind.” – Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Proverb

Heri pazia kuliko bendera. Better a curtain hanging motionless than a flag blowing in the wind. Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Explanation: This common and popular […]

March 1, 2008

Mar. 1999: “Let the guest come so that the host or hostess may benefit (get well).” – Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Proverb

Mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone. Let the guest come so that the host or hostess may benefit (get well). Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Proverb Explanation: […]