F 43.3; B 4.79. ", 78. This proverb is used to bring people to cooperate. 1292. Hi there! ~Bondei proverb, It takes a village to raise a child. "Despite the beauty of the moon, sun, and the stars, the sky also has a threatening thunder and striking lightning. 440 Famous Swahili Proverbs "To agree to have dialogue is the beginning of a peaceful resolution. ~ Tanzanian proverb, A single bracelet does not jingle. 200 Best African Quotes And Proverbs For Wisdom And Inspiration 1284. Money helps to solve problems. 70. ~ Congolese proverb, A single stick may smoke, but it will not burn. JKP. 1266. Below Ive listed the most well-known Swahili idioms and expressions. ~ Swahili proverb; Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. Application: It is important to take advice in life. EM m16. JGH. ", 49. "If you heal the leg of a person, do not be surprised if they use it to run away. Patience is the mother of a beautiful child. Adui wa mtu, ni mtu The enemy of man is man., Afya ni bora kuliko mali Health is better than wealth., Akili nyingi huondoa maarifa Too many ideas drive wisdom away., Baada ya dhiki faraja After hardship comes relief., Bilisi wa mtu ni mtu The evil spirit of a man is a man., Chema chajiuza, kibaya chajitembeza A good thing sells, a bad thing advertises., Daima bidii, kamba hukata jiwe Forever persist, a rope cuts stone., Dalili ya mvua mawingu Clouds are the sign of rain., Damu nzito kuliko maji Blood is thicker than water., Debe tupu haliachi kuvuma An empty pot makes the loudest noise., Elfu huanzia moja A thousand begins with one., Elimu haina mwisho Education never ends., Haba na haba hujaza kibaba Little by little fills up the measure., Hapana marefu yasio na mwisho There is no distance that has no end., Heri kufa macho kuliko kufa moyo It is better to lose your eyes than to lose your heart., Heri kujikwa kidole kuliko ulimi Better to stumble with toe than toungue., Hiari ya shinda utumwa Voluntary is better than force., Jina jema hungara gizani A good name shines in the dark., Jitihadi haiondoi kudura Effort will not counter faith., Kila chombo kwa wimblile Every vessel has its own waves., Kinywa ni jumba la maneno Mouth is the home of words., Kuishi kwingi ni kuona mengi To live long is to see much., Kupoteya njia ndiyo kujua njia To get lost is to learn the way., Kutoa ni moyo usambe ni utajiri Charity is the matter of the heart not of the pocket., Lipitalo, hupishwa Things dont just happen by accidents., Majumba makubwa husitiri mambo Big houses conceal a lot., Mchezea zuri, baya humfika He who ridicules the good will be overtaken by evil., Mchimba kisima hungia mwenyewe He who digs a pit will fall into it himself., Mfuata nyuki hakosi asali One who follows bees will never fail to get honey., Msema pweke hakosi One who talks to himself cannot be wrong., Mwamini Mungu si mtovu He who trusts in God lacks nothing., Mwekaji kisasi haambiwi mwerevu He who nurses vegeance is not called wise., Paka akiondoka, panya hutawala when the cat goes away, mice reign., Si kila mwenye makucha huwa simba Not all that have claws are lions., Taratibu ndiyo mwendo Slowly is indeed the way to walk., Ukupigao ndio ukufunzao What beats you is what teaches you., Wapingapo fahali wawili, ziumiazo ni nyasi When two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers., send our content editing team a message here, 50 Most Asked Nursing Interview Questions with Answers, 20 Best Answers to Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job, 10 Best Answers to Why Do You Want to Be a Manager, 11 Best Answers to What Does Leadership Mean to You Interview Question, 50 Most Asked Front Desk Interview Questions with Answers, 10 Best Ways to Answer Sell Me This Pen in an Interview, 10 Most Asked Integrity Interview Questions with Answers, 25 Most Asked Confidentiality Interview Questions with Answers, 50 Most Asked Phone Interview Questions with Answers, 10 Best Answers to What Are Your Interests and Hobbies. T 587. EM 36.13; KA. ~ African proverb, Dine with a stranger but save your love for your family. 1277. Mpera, Be at the mercy of the waves (Kigunya dialect) - Sacl. Msaidie anayekusaidia. ", 96. "He who beats the drum for the mad man to dance is no better than the mad man himself. ", 182. Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won't eat you. These can be seen adorning kangas, the local fabric wraps worn by women throughout Tanzania and Africa more broadly. Wealth, if you use it, comes to an end; learning, if you use it, increases. Unity is strength, division is weakness. Agreeing with the neck sideways. ", 41. "Beautiful discourse is rarer than emerald, yet it can be found among the servant girls at the grindstones. If you give to others, you should also accept their help, when they give it, otherwise people think that you despise their help or that you don't want to bother helping them. Top African Proverbs & Inspiring Quotes From Famous Africans Topics: Democracy In America. No smoke without fire. Unity is strength, division is weakness. Walk like you have 3000 ancestors walking behind you. "Slander by the stream will be heard by the frogs. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place.". ", 8. The Zanzibari people speak Swahili, an East African Bantu language. This Swahili saying means that if parents fail in their obligation to properly bring up a child, the child will learn everything the hard way. Much work can only be done together" - JKP. ~ Swahili proverb, Two ants do not fail to pull one grasshopper. ~ Bondei proverb. ", 52. LE3 227.18. Cf. makes it less unbearable - ZO. KA. It is what you will, and it withstands all interpretations. By trying often, the monkey learns to jump from the tree. Use iTalki for 1-on-1 lessons in over 150 languages to supercharge your learning! 1253. - Nigerian Proverb. FSM ll9. Asiye mkoma hujikoma mwenyewe. However big an ordeal, sharing it with many people ~ African proverb, Dine with a stranger but save your love for your family. ", 120. - Francesca Marciano, 'Rules Of The Wild: A Novel Of Africa,' 1998. ", 38. -Swahili Proverb. "Between true friends, even water drunk together is sweet enough. swahili proverbs about unity - xn--22cwvrzqq7acv7fo3e7i.com "A drowning person does not stop thrashing about/around." -A4-. Child upbringing is a communal effort. Out of whatever pit, unbound from whatever tie, released from whatever fear. Subira huvuta heri. Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you. ", 180. Mwenye lake usimngoje na lako. 1237. This Swahili idiom literally means how can you be burned by a hot pepper that you havent eaten?. "When sleeping women wake, they move mountains!". "Unity and victory are synonymous." - Samora Machel. None but a fool denies his family. A fool is like a wanderer lost on a path. ", 79. ", 90. "It is the duty of children to wait on elders and not the elders on children. means that people have decided to do something. Skip to the bottom to add my favorite Swahili phrases and proverbs Swahili Proverbs, Phrases, Idioms, and Sayings Better to be tossed about than to sink. T 326; SACL 844; MM. This does not influence our choices. T 35; SACL 909; AL 1100. Unity is strength, the division is weakness. ~ Akan (Ghana, Ivory Coast) proverb, When brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their fathers estate. They just go and do what they promised. 1287. ", 92. ", 185. There are many ways to demonstrate the act of togetherness. For many whistles the dog is lost. 7. "He who thinks he is leading and has no one following him is only taking a walk. ", 101. ", 103. The Kanga (Leso) has deep cultural, historical and economic significance throughout the Indian Ocean region and, for more than 100 years, it has remained one of the most popular of all cultural items across East Africa.Within Kenya, the Kanga is a common thread that links and unites cultures - the young and older people, men and women, rich and . Afungaye kibwebwe si bure ana mchezo. A friend is someone you share the path with African proverb. 1288. If you want to go far, go together. ", 14. KA; SM. All Rights Reserved. "The water of the river flows on without waiting for the thirsty man. "A flea can trouble a lion much more than a lion can trouble a flea. These proverbs carry great wisdom and meaning for us all. To succeed cooperation is needed. Application: There is a firm belief that step-fathers are unkind and cruel to their step-children. By doing a service to someone, you teach indirectly to give Speak to the Heart: The Power of African Proverbs and Sayings in Brand Family relations are important to many different tribes in Africa. ", 188. Kifo, death, dying; but here "hard working.". "There is no beauty but the beauty of action. ~ Bondei proverb. Wisdom from Africa: African Proverbs and Quotes - HubPages ", 118. EM w21. This famous quote in Swahili teaches people the importance of being patient and that good things will come to people who are patient. African quotes about love and African proverbs on love might just be what you need. Cf. ", 62. 1295. "Unity is strength, division is weakness. "She is beautiful; she has love, understands; she respects herself and others; everyone likes loves, and honors her; she is a goddess. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. It is used as a wish for a good journey and means good luck. KS mrama; H 87; B 2.63; L 79; SWA 53; MS 137; MARA 3. Also used for familial and social break-ups. ", 89. "The king who shuts his eyes during famine in the land will soon see ancestors. 1271. "One does not love if one does not accept from others. 13. "The old woman looks after the child to grow its teeth and the young one, in turn, looks after the old woman when she loses her teeth. - Miriam Makeba, 'Makeba: My Story,' 1988. 1245. African Unity Quotes. Why give yourself to death when you could be immortal. We all will share prior to our arrival at heaven. "By crawling a child learns to stand. Cf. One stone will not support a cooking pot. ~Haya (Tanzania) proverb, Where there are many, nothing goes wrong. "A town can only - African proverb. Meaning: Blood is thicker than water. Your email address will not be published. ", 176. ", 145. These are some quotes and African proverbs on beauty. Mikono mingi kazi haba. Ulingo wa kwae haulindi manda. . If you want to go far, go together. "How easy it is to defeat people who do not kindle fire for themselves! Mfa maji haachi kutapatapa. This Swahili idiom literally means good birds, go and eat with the blind. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. Below I've listed the most famous Swahili proverbs as well as some common Swahili sayings. The poles of the roof support each other - RSP. Firebrand on firebrand, then the fire burns. "The only time you will see a quiet snake is when it has swallowed another snake. Too many cooks spoil the rice. The osprey does not promise the chicken anything [whether it would or would not take a chicken]. 1299. 1241. Meaning: Where theres a will theres a way. If you help your fellow men, you will also help yourself in the process - EM. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. To study a language is to study the culture as well. SM. "When a bitter woman takes over the house, the family she rules is doomed. "He who's destined for power does not have to fight for it. Published January 20, 2023, Top 10 Largest Cities In The World (By Land Area) 2022, Indian Institute of Hardware Technology (IIHT) Application Form 2023, Top 30 Best Private Primary Schools In Nairobi and Their Locations, Best Music Producers In Tanzania (2022 Top List). We may also use affiliate links for other programmes. . Every person with his/her own problem. Watu waliambiwa "kakaeni," hawakuambiwa "kashindaneni." "There are as many Africas as there are books about Africa -- and as many books about it as you could read in a leisurely lifetime. - Swahili proverb. The dying of many is like a wedding. 35 Inspirational Unity Quotes To Stand Together (2023) - Unico Things "A debt between children born by the same mother is paid in a clever way. "Many hands make light work." Haya (Tanzania) proverb. One who stops, comes to an end; 2. a kind of palm tree; 3. a leper; 4. one who Wisdom is wealth ~ Swahili Proverb. You can't have unity without diversity. 4. When minds are one, what is far comes near. "The laughter of a child lights up the house. 1244. 200 Best African Proverbs | The World of English ", 57. "The one who loves an unsightly person is the one who makes him beautiful. Ukuti kukazana ni kumbi. - African proverb. An African . ", 30. ~ Ute proverb, It takes a village to raise a child. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. SWAHILI PROVERBS: METHALI ZA KISWAHILI. It is also used to advise a person to have different ways of making a living; e.g., having different crops in the field - MARA. Cf. Move, let us go! ", 122. "Where there are many, nothing goes wrong . This Swahili idiom literally means one who follows bees will never fail to get honey. Im just a normal person enjoying the process of life. "Other people's wisdom prevents the king from being called a fool. "Parents give birth to the body of their children, but not always to their characters. Kwenye makaa bila moto hakukauki nyama. 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. "In Unity there is strength; We can move mountains when we're united and enjoy life -Without unity we are victims. Jito likinenepa ni sababu ya mito mingine. 70 Best African Proverbs For Helpful Wisdom, Guidance, And Advice JKP. "When the shepherd comes home in peace, the milk is sweet. Mkoma: 1. 1248, 1256. Baniani, Banyan. Coming events cast their shadows before. Proverbs are sprinkled into conversation in Africa too. Kazi ya kugawanywa haziishii katikati. 1296. Check out these proverbs and quotes below to gain some insight into African beliefs and ways of thinking. Moumita is a multilingual content writer and editor. 1319. "A hyena does not change its spots even if it moves to a different forest. T 152; J kinga; A 179; B 4.30; RECH 208; V 5: KB 107; SACL 384; FSM 72; MS 38,ukawaka; MARA 2; KS kinga. B 3.67. 158. ~ African proverb, Home affairs are not talked about on the public square. One single pillar is not sufficient to build a house. ", 150. 14 . Bible. Stand upright, pillar, with your brothers. Mwenye kubebwa hujikaza. Saving Money Quotes! ", 173. If near [a relative] has nothing, I don't regard it as near. A vessel does not move without a roller. We hear these all the time, sometimes prompted by a word we use (like haraka will prompt the first one below). "The chicken that can dig for food will not sleep hungry. 1309. Indian follower of Brahma, i.e., neither a Christian nor a Muslim. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. ", 147. ", 110. REK. "Birds sing not because they have answers but because they have songs. A boat doesn't go forward if each one is rowing his/her own way. Many hands make light work. ", 35. ", 133. "So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth."-Baha'U'Llah. "A bird that flies off the Earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground.". F 38.1; ", 68. ", 74. ~ African proverb, If I am in harmony with my family, thats success. "Even the best dancer on the stage must retire sometime. "If you close your eyes to facts, you will learn through accidents. 246. Aside from that, when there is unity, there is also success. 1295. 1281. Any information you provide to us via this website may be placed by us on servers located in countries outside the EU if you do not agree to such placement, do not provide the information. 1250. The necessity of joint action. Kwae and Manda are (old) villages of Lamu. Work done together will be successfully finished. An idiom: Fanya jambo shingo upanda, Doing something without liking it. swahili proverbs about unity A barber does not shave himself. NGU. War among grasshoppers . H 111; L 106; B 2.8; JK 124. ", 16. Requires a leader or helper. Two people are needed to plow with oxen, one guides with a rope, the other holds the plow. One good turn deserves another; you help me in my difficulties, I help you in yours - F. 1274. Nia zikiwa moja, kilicho mbali huja. "Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it. SPK. These proverbs also make a statement about some of the values that define Swahili and Tanzanian culture. 1312. Meaning: After hardship comes relief. Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu - Unity is strength, division is weakness. A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning ~ Kenyan Proverb. By Pride Team on February 5, 2015 Proverbs. 91. To many it is wise to yield. Many hands make light work. Here's a highlight of some popular SWAHILI SAYINGS. Nguzo moja haijengi nyumba. "A diamond does not lose its value due to lack of admiration. "Unity is a strength, a division is a weakness . Tendegu moja halisimamishi kitanda. African Quotes on Unity, Family and Community, African Proverbs on Money, Wealth, Riches and Poverty. raise a child. ~Ashanti Proverb. Swahili Proverb - Etsy ", 88. Find below ten advanced level Kiswahili lessons, each linked to a Kiswahili proverb. SWAHILI PROVERBS: METHALI ZA KISWAHILI - University of Illinois Urbana It takes a village to raise a child. There is much beauty in Africa and these proverbs reflect just that. more like saying: "Haste generates waste," Word-for-word: "Rushing or hurrying has no blessing. Hold him! Swahili Proverb. ", 59. 1307. To see this page as it is meant to appear, please enable your Javascript! Methali za Kiswahili - Swahili Proverbs - Maktaba.org With more than 2 to 15 million native speakers, here are some great Swahili sayings to inspire you. Wakubwa hupendelea ubinafsi; wadogo hupendeka ujamaa. Adui wa mtu, ni mtu - The enemy of man is man. Help is needed. Kama kusingwa ni huku, naradhiwa taka zangu. NGU. Cf. Mnazi mpata vyote, ila chujio iliukosa. ", 192. Among the oldest Swahili Proverbs this adage is simple and to the point. "A baby cannot be heard crying in his mothers womb. If many spit on you, you'll be soaked. "He who burns down his house is aware why ashes cost a fortune. It takes a village to raise a child. "Between true friends, even water drunk together is sweet enough."- African Proverb. KB 186. Ethiopian Proverb. Swahili Proverbs. To a lot of people, as to myself, it is just home.". The flaw of the armpit is that it . Cf. "Make some money but dont let money make you. ", 86. 60. African Quotes on Unity and Community. ~ African proverb, Home affairs are not talked about on the public square. NGU. ~ African proverb. That is the contribution Africa will make to the world of the future - an injection of sanity into the environment of the universe itself. NGU. 6. 1300. EM u22. Cen ter fo r Afri can S tu d i es . Methali: DAMU NI NZITO KULIKO MAJI ", 125. Ghana, Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden. Akan, Show me your friend and I will show you your character. African proverb, If your cornfield is far from your house, the birds will eat your corn. Congo, Do not let what you cannot do tear from your hands what you can. Ashanti, If ten cents does not go out, it does not bring in one thousand dollars. Ghana, Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you. African proverb, Dogs do not actually prefer bones to meat; it is just that no one ever gives them meat. Akan, There is no one who became rich because he broke a holiday, no one became fat because he broke a fast. Ethiopia, Lack of money is lack of friends; if you have money at your disposal, every dog and goat will claim to be related to you. Yoruba, Beautiful from behind, ugly in front. Uganda Proverb, A beautiful one hurts the heart. African Proverb, A beautiful thing is never perfect. Egyptian Proverb, Youth is beauty, even in cattle. Egyptian Proverb, Beauty is not sold and eaten. Nigerian Proverb, You are beautiful because of your possessions. Baguirmi Proverb, Every woman is beautiful until she speaks. Zimbabwean Proverb, A pretty basket does not prevent worries. Congolese Proverb, He who marries a beauty marries trouble. Nigerian Proverb, Roosters tail feathers: pretty but always behind. Malagasy Proverb, Patience is the mother of a beautiful child. Bantu Proverb, The most beautiful fig may contain a worm. Zulu Proverb, Beautiful words dont put porridge in the pot. Botswana Proverb, A womans polite devotion is her greatest beauty. African Proverb, Ugliness with a good character is better than beauty. Nigerian Proverb, Having beauty doesnt mean understanding the perseverance of marriage. African Proverb, There is no beauty but the beauty of action. Moroccan Proverb, She is like a road pretty, but crooked. Cameroonian Proverb, A pretty face and fine clothes do not make character. Congolese Proverb, The cook does not have to be a beautiful woman. Shona Proverb, Dress up a stick and itll be a beautiful bride. Egyptian Proverb, Greatness and beauty do not belong to the gods alone. Nigerian Proverb, The skin of the leopard is beautiful, but not his heart. Baluba proverb, Its those ugly caterpillars that turn into beautiful butterflies after seasons. African Proverb, A chicken with beautiful plumage does not sit in a corner. African Proverb, There is always a winner even in a monkeys beauty contest. African Proverb, Even the colors of a chameleon are for survival not beauty. African Proverb, A woman who pursues a man for sex loses her spiritual beauty. African Proverb, You are beautiful, but learn to work, for you cannot eat your beauty. Congolese Proverb, Three things cause sorrow to flee; water, green trees, and a beautiful face. Moroccan Proverb, Anyone who sees beauty and does not look at it will soon be poor. Yoruba Proverb, If there is character, ugliness becomes beauty; if there is none, beauty becomes ugliness. Nigerian Proverb, The one who loves an unsightly person is the one who makes him beautiful. Ganda Proverb, Why they like an ugly person takes long for a beautiful person to know. African Proverb, The surface of the water is beautiful, but it is no good to sleep on. Ghanaian Proverb, The beauty of a woman becomes useless if there is no one to admire it. African Proverb, If you find Miss This Year beautiful, then youll find Miss Next Year even more so. Nigerian Proverb, There are many colorful flowers on the path of life, but the prettiest have the sharpest thorns. African Proverb, Getting only a beautiful woman is like planting a vine on the roadside everyone feeds on it. African Proverb, It is only a stupid cow that rejoices at the prospect of being taken to a beautiful abattoir. African Proverb, An ugly child of your own is more to you than a beautiful one belonging to your neighbor. Ganda Proverb, Beautiful discourse is rarer than emerald. yet it can be found among the servant girls at the grindstones. Egyptian Proverb, One who plants grapes by the road side, and one who marries a pretty woman, share the same problem. Ethiopian Proverb, Despite the beauty of the moon, sun and the stars, the sky also has a threatening thunder and striking lightening. African Proverb, When a once-beautiful piece of cloth has turned into rags, no one remembers that it was woven by Ukwa master weavers. Igbo Proverb, She is beautiful; she has love, understands; she respects herself and others; everyone likes, loves and honors her; she is a goddess. African Proverb, Judge not your beauty by the number of people who look at you, but rather by the number of people who smile at you. African Proverb. 1278. Meaning: Where theres a will theres a way. (PDF) Viewing gender through the eyes of proverbs: Reflections of A log cannot be pushed along except by another log. Wengi wape. Wima, nguzo na nduguzo. African proverbs on Patience. 'Shika shika' (or shike, shike) na mwenyewe nyuma. AL 709. A platform [for a watchman in charge of crops] of the village Kwae, does not protect the village of Manda. June 22, 2022 . "Those who end up accomplishing great things pay attention to little ones. "A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground. Coming events cast their shadows before. (DOC) Translation of Swahili Proverbs - Academia.edu Eleka or beba, to carry. Hard working on a job is like a feast if there are many who give their strength to a common cause. "If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do us no harm. ~Baganda proverb, A family tie is like a tree, it can bend but it cannot break. Cf. Common suffering is easier to bear - MM. ~ Bondei proverb. Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu. Two eyes see more than one eye. "There is always a winner, even in a monkeys beauty contest.