~ Ute proverb, It takes a village to raise a child. "The king who shuts his eyes during famine in the land will soon see ancestors. Im just a normal person enjoying the process of life. This does not influence our choices. ", 39. Marriage is no easy matter for a woman, and although girls are supposed to look forward to it, they will find little but hardship in it. "Said of something that is no real help. "He who burns down his house is aware why ashes cost a fortune. Firebrand on firebrand, then the fire burns. "It is better to walk than curse the road. African Proverbs About Life. PM 303.14. Miluzi mingi mbwa hupotea. ~Ethiopian proverb, There is no fool who is disowned by his family. Walioagana hawaitani. This shows that what has been decided is going to be done and what will be done is not known to others. "Anyone who urinates in a stream should be warned because any of his relatives may drink from the water. FSM 128. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. Unity is strength, disunity is weakness. By doing a service to someone, you teach indirectly to give Cf. ", 2. For more such articles, take a look at these other articles black history inspirational quotes and African American quotes. RSP 137. This Swahili idiom literally means one who follows bees will never fail to get honey. Family relations are important to many different tribes in Africa. She who ties a [broad strip of calico as a] waistbelt does not do so for nothing, she is [intent] on playing. Kiraka cha jamvi ni kanda. It is used as a wish for a good journey and means good luck. Two [hands] are an anointment. She has a PostGraduate Diploma in sports management, which enhanced her sports journalism skills, as well as a degree in journalism and mass communication. . ~ African proverb, If relatives help each other, what evil can hurt them? ", 153. ", 138. - Kenyan Proverb. Chombo cha manahodha wengi huzama. KA. Accept if you give. Meaning: Where theres a will theres a way. ", 159. A real family eats from the same cornmeal. 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. "You must attend to your business with the vendor in the market, and not to the noise of the market. MEM 17. Methali: ASIYESIKIA LA MKUU HUONA MAKUU A family tie is like a tree, it can bend, but it cannot break. "Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped. - Malcolm X, Speech at Ford Auditorium, 1965. A council of adults is not a council of force. "When a needle falls into a well, many people will look into the well, but only a few will be ready to go down after it. These women know that they can grow the health, well-being and economic security of their communities when they work together. KB 20; AL chungu. "If there is cause to someone, the cause to love has just begun. 1315. ", 108. Everyone should share in the burden. "The skin of the leopard is beautiful, but not his heart. Manahodha wengi chombo huenda pera. Mkono mmoja haulei mwana. These proverbs carry great wisdom and meaning for us all. joah brown headquarters. Cf. This famous quote in Swahili means that violence and force do not fix bad behavior. People were told "Come and live together," they were not told "Come and compete with one another." Baha'U'Llah. "By the time a fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed. "Rain does not fall on one roof alone. "Crawling on your hands and knees has never prevented any person from walking upright. The Desire to Improve Society. Ashanti, A real family eats the same cornmeal. Bayombe, Money is not the medicine against death. Ghana, Hold a true friend with both hands. African proverb, A mans wealth may be superior to him. Cameroon, The wealth which enslaves the owner isnt wealth. Yoruba, He who receives a gift does not measure. Africa, What you give you get, ten times over. Yoruba, Wealth diminishes with usage; learning increases with use. Nigeria, Having a good discussion is like having riches. Kenya, The friends of our friends are our friends. Congolese proverb, A small house will hold a hundred friends. African proverb, A close friend can become a close enemy. African proverb, Make some money but dont let money make you. Tanzania, A friend is someone you share the path with. African proverb, Bad friends will prevent you from having good friends. Gabon proverb, It is no shame at all to work for money. Africa, You must act as if it is impossible to fail. Ashanti, To be without a friend is to be poor indeed. Tanzanian proverb, Between true friends even water drunk together is sweet enough. African proverb, The poor man and the rich man do not play together. Ashanti, Money cant talk, yet it can make lies look true. South Africa, You become wise when you begin to run out of money. Ghana, You should not hoard your money and die of hunger. "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."- Kenyan Proverb. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. These quotes are African proverbs about children and their growth. To many give it up or they will take it themselves. EM g9. "Examine . Meaning: He who does not listen to elders advice gets his leg broken. If you want change, you have to initiate change. These Swahili proverbs and sayings give you a brief overview of what the culture in East Africa is like, but it is also a great way to connect with the native . It is one of the Swahili proverbs about patience.Haraka is the Arabic terminology for movement, while Swahili uses the term to denote speed, hurry, or quickly. ", 89. Essay, Pages 4 (856 words) Views. Swahili Proverb. A world of love ensuring the unity and the peace. - Nigerian Proverb. EM w21. "Unity is strength, division is weakness. JK 141. 158. "The rainmaker who doesn't know what he's doing will be found out by the lack of clouds.". Many of these have hidden meanings. ", 173. "In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges and foolish build dams.". "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. ", 13. One who has no child should carry a stone [instead]. "You do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla. Team unity and team chemistry is by far more important than talent. "There are many colorful flowers on the path of life, but the prettiest have the sharpest thorns. Yatima humnyonya mcha mungu. These famous African proverbs about life are both profound and inspiring. Vunja nyumba, lakini ujenge wenyewe. These quotes & sayings in Swahili give an interesting insight into the Swahili language. Cf. . Many big cats do not catch a rat. "To be without a friend is to be poor indeed. A person who has no helper, helps one self [to finish the job]. Mutual help is wealth. A girl must not have lovers that give the house a bad name - JKP. ~ African proverb. "A bird does not change its feathers because the weather is bad. A ship with many captains is liable to sink. ", 187. Aside from that, when there is unity, there is also success. "If there is character, ugliness becomes beauty; if there is none, beauty becomes ugliness. Kiswahili Proverbs Description. With more than 2 to 15 million native speakers, here are some great Swahili sayings to inspire you. 1273. Hurry, hurry has no blessings. "Where there are experts there will be no lack of learners.". ", 179. T 326; SACL 844; MM. To run is not necessarily to arrive. "A womans polite devotion is her greatest beauty. THEME OF UNITY: Swahili translation UMOJA! "We desire to bequeath two things to our children; the first one is roots, the other one is wings. Here's a highlight of some popular SWAHILI SAYINGS. Swahili African Proverbs. "A family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you are inside you see that each tree has its place. Swahili is a language that's rich in proverbs (or sayings) that are really common. "Other people's wisdom prevents the king from being called a fool. To have a good reason in refusing service, one must not pester someone in giving a service, but leave that one free - KB. A stitch in time saves nine. If you help me today, tomorrow I may be able to help you. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. "A home without a woman is like a barn without cattle. F 27.72. "Not everyone who chased the zebra caught it, but he who caught it chased it. But this proverb is also used to express disappointment: you should have told me before we should have made previous arrangements. "A great leader is an ordinary person with extraordinary wisdom. ", 61. Meaning: Even he who has not many troubles has a few. ", 29. 1325. ", 51. Ahadi ni deni - A promise is a debt. ", 6. 1283. This wise Swahili saying entails that with unity it is possible to have a formidable front and achieve great things in the process. Many hands make light work. ", 11. 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. Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. ~ African proverb. F 31.115; H 79; MS 45.21; B 3.39; T 325; "By crawling a child learns to stand. ", 86. Cf. The family that prays together stays together. KA; SM; MARA. Kazi ya kugawanywa haziishii katikati. ", 134. KB 246. 1257. Strength is helping each other. Swahili Saying: Mwenye njaa hana miiko. Mkataa kikoa ni mchawi. We may also use affiliate links for other programmes. Foolishness precedes cleverness, cleverness follows. All good things come to those who wait. Karibu isiyo kitu, siioni ni karibu. NGU. 1244. The flea [sitting] on a finger without your nails you cannot crush it. ", 170. 1293. 1270. "A healthy person who keeps begging for food is an insult to a generous farmer. Two people are needed to plow with oxen, one guides with a rope, the other holds the plow. If a dog hears whistles from different directions it will not Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. KSshingo. "Beautiful discourse is rarer than emerald, yet it can be found among the servant girls at the grindstones. ", 64. "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." Martin Luther King, Jr. 30. More things can be achieved if all those involved work together or cooperate. 1280. Cf. KA; SM. 1303. 59. Methali: HAPANA SIRI YA WATU WAWILI "When the rhythm of the drumbeat changes, the dance steps must adapt. Jicho la moyo linaona mengi - The heart's eye sees many things. Ondoka (or amka or inuka) twende! "Knowledge is like a garden. -Swahili Proverb. Haukweeki upesi, mti usio na panda. Dau la upweke haliendi joshi. Miami Shores Homeowner Shocked When Insurance Company Demands He Remove Vines, After Being Untraceable for 24 Years, A Rare Bird Reappears in Madagascar, 28-Year-Old Antoinette Paris-Hudson Becomes the Third Black Female Captain for PSA Airlines, Andrew Asamoah: This Man Quit His Lucrative Job With The UN To Build Ghanas First Shopping Mall, How My Husband Dumped Me For Another Lady After I Funded His Trip To The UK Ghanaian Woman Narrates, Dwyane Wades Daughter Zaya Granted Name Change and Legal Transition in Los Angeles Court, 10 Things You Should Know About Studying In Canada, Ghanas Football Star, Christian Atsu Was Battling Divorce Before His Demise Reports, Man United Star, Mason Greenwood Expecting Child With Harriet Robson, The Interesting And Varied History Of The Bantu People, 5 Nigerians Among Forbes 30 Most Promising Young African Entrepreneurs for 2016, Western Union Expands US Remittance Service to Cuba, VC4A Launches Learning Resource For African Startups, Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. Sayings about Hypocrites & Fake, 150 Best Strong Women Quotes - Inspiring Quotes on Strong, 400 Eagle Quotes, Sayings On Flying Like an Eagle to Inspire, 150 Best Rap Quotes, Lyrics & Sayings from Rapper on Life,, 245 Quotes on Manipulation and Deceit - Inspire Quotes, Quotes about Killing & Killing Someone Sayings Inspire Quotes, Revenge Quotes & Sayings about Revenge Thatll Make You Think, Wisdom does not come overnight. Somali proverb, The fool speaks, the wise man listens. Ethiopian proverb, A wise person will always find a way. Tanzanian proverb, Only a wise person can solve a difficult problem. Akan proverb, Knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand. Guinean proverb, A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning. Kenyan proverb, Wisdom is like fire. ", 88. 3. - James Stevenson-Hamilton, first warden of South Africa's Sabi Nature Reserve. - Buganda proverb. Methali: DALILI YA MVUA NI MAWINGU If you dont know something, ask! 385. SPK. Adui wa mtu, ni mtu - The enemy of man is man. EM w15; KA; SPK. 1310. A barber does not shave himself. ", 155. SPK. - Swahili Proverb. Jifya moja haliinjiki chungu. ~Swahili Proverb. ", 57. 1300. 66. This famous Swahili saying means that you should not fight those who are stronger than you. "Few can sojourn long within the unspoilt wilderness of a game sanctuary, surrounded on all sides by its confiding animals, without absorbing its atmosphere; the Spirit of the Wild is quick to assert supremacy, and no man of any sensibility can resist her.". AL 1506. ", 144. - Ethiopian proverb. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for, 200 Best African Quotes And Proverbs For Wisdom And Inspiration, Inspirational African Quotes And Proverbs, African Proverbs About Family and Friends, 41 Quotes From Frankenstein For Your Gothic Literature Studies, 32 Richard Siken Quotes From The Inspiring 'Crush' Poet, 30 The Purpose Driven Life Quotes From The Famous Bible Study, 70 Best Salon Quotes And Sayings To Leave You Feeling Beautiful. 1299. Mkoma: 1. 440 Swahili Proverbs 1. "The best way to eat an elephant in your path is to cut him up into little pieces. 1254. I enjoy photography, music and watching comedy videos. "The strange thing about Africa is how past, present and future come together in a kind of rough jazz, if you like.". Also Read: 65 Best Equality and Diversity Quotes and Sayings. Where there are many, nothing goes wrong Swahili proverb ", 16. 1324. Common suffering is easier to bear - MM. "Do not blame God for creating the tiger, just thank Him for not giving it wings. JGH. "No medicine exists that can cure hatred.". "Even as the archer loves the arrow that flies, so too he loves the bow that remains constant in his hands. "Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it. 1250. Among the oldest Swahili Proverbs this adage is simple and to the point. ", 47. 1236. Where there's a will there's a way. Not only is the Swahili language poetic, but it also offers some of the most interesting quotes, sayings and even proverbs. I enjoy researching on a range of subjects science, psychology, and technology. 194. Eleka or beba, to carry. About common effort. 1294. A friend is someone who walks by your side. Its used to tell somebody to mind their own business. "Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you. Here are some fascinating quotes about Africa. Unity without verity is no better than conspiracy. 1249. It is necessary to stamp out evil with adequate measures - SPK. "However far the stream flows, it never forgets its source. 1255. Or: Do not waste your energy on useless arguments - MM. One hand alone cannot carry a baby. "Anyone who sees beauty and does not look at it will soon be poor. ", 52. - Ben Okri, 'Magical Ben Okri casts a spell on his readers,' Interview with Nima Elbagir, CNN, 2011. These can be seen adorning kangas, the local fabric wraps worn by women throughout Tanzania and Africa more broadly. JKP. Unity is strength, division is weakness. Ala ala jirani hata akiwa baniani. Penye nia ipo njia. Meaning: Clouds are the sign of rain. . 1238. If women say so, stay awake. ", 94. Meaning: A step-father/adoptive father is not a father. "For Africa to me is more than a glamorous fact. It is the last vestige of a dead world or the cradle of a shiny new one. - Beryl Markham, "West With The Night,' 1942. Every person with his/her own problem. Unity is strength, separation weakness. Asiye mkoma hujikoma mwenyewe. "No matter how hot your anger is it cannot cook yams. ~ African proverb. "The worlds of the elders do not lock all the doors; they leave the right door open. These African proverbs providing wisdom about your closest family and friends are surely the one thing you need to keep them close. ", 184. A log cannot be moved except "properly," i.e., by under-supports - T. Cf. Translation: A hungry man observes no dietary restrictions. These are used often in day to day life. 1237. "Between true friends, even water drunk together is sweet enough. Macho mawili huona zaidi kuliko jicho moja. Meaning: Follow bees that you may eat honey. 1326. This application gives you over 2150 Swahili proverbs and their meanings, 1180 riddles, close to 700 idioms and their meanings, and over 100 sayings. Application: Every cloud has a silver lining. The old person needs a stick for walking and the rhythm of walking with the stick is like a play. 1309. We all will share prior to our arrival at heaven. Hannah Simmons 296917 Translating Proverbs: Applying Formal and Dynamic Methods to the Translation of Proverbs from Swahili to English According to E. A. Nida, the process of translation can be understood in terms of three stages; the analysis of the source language (SL); the transfer of the SL to the target language (TL); and finally the restructuring of the text (or verbal expression) in the . NGU. Ada ya mja hunena, muungwana ni kitendo - It is customary for man to talk, and gentlemen to act (actions speak louder than words). . Cf. Methali: BABA WA KAMBO SI BABA