Methali za Kiswahili - Swahili Proverbs Kari b u Mg en i - Wel come G uest BACKG RO UND ARRANG E ME NT ACKNO W L E DG E ME NT S A l bert S cheven dedi cat es hi s S wahi l i proverbs col l ect i on t o J. K . Cf. Neighbors help one another. "When sleeping women wake, they move mountains!". "If you educate a man, you educate one person. 1279. Practicing Buddhism, I believe in the law of cause and effect. ", 116. Cf. "Where you sit when you are old shows where you stood when you were a youth. People were told "Come and live together," they were not told "Come and compete with one another." 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. Meaning: Clouds are the sign of rain. ", 61. An African . A friend is like a water source for a long journey. - Malcolm X, Speech at Ford Auditorium, 1965. "The young bird does not crow until it hears the old ones. ", 167. 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 . Cf. "Unity without verity is no better than conspiracy."-John Trapp. EM w15; KA; SPK. Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. Ni (or watu) waaganao. "Show me your friend and I will show you your character. No elephant is burdened by the weight of its tusks. NGU. A tree without a fork [branches] is difficult to climb. "When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion." Ethiopian Proverb. "There are no shortcuts to the top of the palm tree. Kiroboto kwa kimoja chanja, bila kucha kuwezi kuvunja. Accept if you give. A real family eats from the same cornmeal. ~ African proverb. 1315. This Swahili idiom literally means one who follows bees will never fail to get honey. Foolishness precedes cleverness, cleverness follows. Language and culture are inherently connected, forever entwined. KB 164. meaning) 2. - James Stevenson-Hamilton, first warden of South Africa's Sabi Nature Reserve. ", 179. A family tie is like a tree, it can bend, but it cannot break. . Asiye na mtoto (or mwana), na abebe (or aeleke) jiwe. "If love is a sickness, patience is the remedy." Cameroonian Proverb "The laughter of a child lights up the house." Swahili Proverb "Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it. . 1267. . The flea [sitting] on a finger without your nails you cannot crush it. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. 1248, 1256. If cups are [put] in one place, they are bound to clatter - F. The use of this proverb is quite common in East Africa. know which way to go. KA; SM. She has a PostGraduate Diploma in sports management, which enhanced her sports journalism skills, as well as a degree in journalism and mass communication. Mutual help is wealth. Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won't eat you. "However far the stream flows, it never forgets its source. "If you damage the character of another, you damage your own. John Trapp. Pokea ukitoa. Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you. This Swahili inspirational quote means that a good person will always try to help someone who is in trouble. One pole cannot support a house. Moumita has worked with many soccer teams and produced match reports, and sports is her primary passion. "A cutting word is worse than a bowstring, a cut may heal, but the cut of the tongue does not. "Do not blame God for creating the tiger, just thank Him for not giving it wings. when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. If somebody is getting involved with something, it is clear that that person thinks it is worthwhile. EM 36.13; KA. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. If you help me today, tomorrow I may be able to help you. Mfa maji haachi kutapatapa. ", 188. Move, let us go! 1288. It is used as a wish for a good journey and means good luck. ", 184. The dying of many is like a wedding. "One who has to yet learn to walk cannot climb a ladder. ~ Ibo proverb, Children are the reward of life. When a tree falls it leans on its neighbor. This Swahili phrase literally means if you want to eat a pig, choose a fat one. Application: It is important to keep family ties/family ties last forever. Many hands make light work. ~Haya (Tanzania) proverb, Where there are many, nothing goes wrong. The Bantu Swahili language and English, the latter of which was inherited from colonial rule are widely spoken as lingua franca. Vikombe vikikaa pamoja havina budi kugongana. When firebrands meet [mix], that is when the fire flares up. The trouble of a relative is solved by a relative. Wealth, if you use it, comes to an end; learning, if you use it, increases. She who ties a [broad strip of calico as a] waistbelt does not do so for nothing, she is [intent] on playing. Unity is strength, division is weakness. Below Ive listed famous Swahili quotes, inspiring Swahili sayings and common Swahili proverbs. "You must attend to your business with the vendor in the market, and not to the noise of the market. Help is needed. 1314. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. 1163, 1241. "The big game often appears when the hunter has given up the hunt for the day. "If you are building a house and a nail breaks, do you stop building or do you change the nail? ", 56. B 4.4; F 12.2; MARA 2; KB 49. ", 54. "Judge not your beauty by the number of people who look at you, but rather by the number of people who smile at you.". "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. Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! 1277. "Anyone who urinates in a stream should be warned because any of his relatives may drink from the water. It takes a village to raise a child African quote. Ahadi ni deni. ~ Swahili proverb. ", 45. ~Swahili Proverb. "Even the king of the forest, the lion, protects himself against flies. One good turn deserves another; you help me in my difficulties, I help you in yours - F. 1274. There is much beauty in Africa and these proverbs reflect just that. It takes a village to - Baha'U'Llah. Refers to assistance and cooperation and has many applications. Members help each other through difficult times . ~ Swahili proverb; Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. Paka wengi wangewako, wamewazidisha panya. ~ Swahili proverb, Two ants do not fail to pull one grasshopper. Kiraka cha jamvi ni kanda. 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. ~ Ethiopian proverb, 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. Haukweeki upesi, mti usio na panda. be defended by cooperation in unison. They just go and do what they promised. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. ", 109. Ukipenda boga penda na ua lake. T 640A. ", 24. 1320. 1326. Cf. ", 94. 681. EM j23. - Ben Okri, 'Magical Ben Okri casts a spell on his readers,' Interview with Nima Elbagir, CNN, 2011. ~ African proverb, If I am in harmony with my family, thats success. "Acheni nyodo kila mtu na bahati yake.". Ndovu Wawili Wakigombana Ziumiazo Ni Nyasi. 28. 1317. If many people try to solve a problem without using skill and brains they will usually make a mess of it. 1288. Without support it's difficult to advance in society. Methali: UMOJA NI NGUVU Meaning: A step-father/adoptive father is not a father. "There is always a winner, even in a monkeys beauty contest. Ada ya mja hunena, muungwana ni kitendo - It is customary for man to talk, and gentlemen to act (actions speak louder than words). "If there is character, ugliness becomes beauty; if there is none, beauty becomes ugliness. . Meaning: Even he who has not many troubles has a few. -Swahili Proverb. . An idiom: Fanya jambo shingo upanda, Doing something without liking it. ", 16. 1258. Here are a few of my favorites. Jifya, figa, cooking stone to support a pot. ", 121. "Patience pulls (i.e. Where there are many, nothing goes wrong Swahili proverb If a dog hears whistles from different directions it will not It is what you will, and it withstands all interpretations. "I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. ", 41. "Not everyone who chased the zebra caught it, but he who caught it chased it. This Swahili idiom literally means good birds, go and eat with the blind. "Do not spend the evening in a house where you cannot spend the night. ", 14. KS mkoma. "To agree to have dialogue is the beginning of a peaceful resolution. The latter needs the skilled craftsman" - JKP. One hand cannot bring up a child. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. JKP. - Annang proverb. ", 70. "Stop scratching the cockroach's scars." (Literal meaning) "Let bygones be bygones." "Leave old wounds alone; it's time to move on." (Figurative. Asiyenitua kwa hili langu, akiwa na lake n'asitumai. "Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile wont eat you. ~ Bondei proverb. ", 20. Many captains and the vessel [dhow)]rolls. Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden ~ Akan Proverb NGU. For he will go on loving but he will hate you. To teach about a group's culture, proverbs are always a great way to start because they show up in everyday conversation, literature, music, and more! ~ African proverb. Kamba haipandi bila mti. Destroy your house, but build it up yourself. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. T 35; SACL 909; AL 1100. ", 69. ", 92. Take a look at our list of proverbs from Africa below. 197. To a lot of people, as to myself, it is just home.". ", 178. Methali: FUATA NYUKI ULE ASALI "If a child washes his hands, he could eat with Kings! Child upbringing is a communal effort. 1284. Team unity and team chemistry is by far more important than talent. 13. African proverbs and meanings have helped many people all over the world in many different situations. Unity is strength, division is weakness. Yatima humnyonya mcha mungu. SACL 101; V beba; KA; NGU; K seleke;AL mtoto; SPK. "If you want to go fast, go alone. "Dine with a stranger but save your love for your family. ", 81. "The most beautiful fig may contain a worm. Required fields are marked *. "Unity is strength, the division is weakness." -Swahili Proverb "Unity is strength. ~ African proverb. Cf. Its similar to the English version dont judge a book by its cover. ", 131. Unity is strength, disunity is weakness. The two hands wash each other. Asiye mkoma hujikoma mwenyewe. Literal translation: A promise is a debt. ", 112. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. EM v2. ", 147. Below I've listed the most famous Swahili proverbs as well as some common Swahili sayings. One hand alone cannot carry a baby. 25 Accurate Signs Of A Fake Girlfriend (Fake Relationship), 20 Accurate Signs A Co-worker Is Falling In Love With You, 40 Best Presidents Day Quotes From Presidents 2023, Utamaduni Day: Meaning, Quotes, Messages and Wishes 2022, 50+ Best Valentines Day Quotes (Romantic & Funny) 2023. Many captains destroy a ship. That is the contribution Africa will make to the world of the future - an injection of sanity into the environment of the universe itself. Too many instructions will confuse a person. 1259. Ambition. Mti hauendi ila kwa nyenzo. 19. Ondoka (or amka or inuka) twende! These proverbs carry great wisdom and meaning for us all. ", 105. Unity is strength, separation weakness. Patience can cook a stone. ", 87. A blind person does not forget his walking stick. ~ Congolese proverb, A single stick may smoke, but it will not burn. All good things come to those who wait. Beautiful African Quotes. Unity is strength, division is weakness. 1243. ", 27. 1264. ", 101. "Everybody loves a fool, but nobody wants him for a son. Whoever writes a new one can afford a certain complacency in the knowledge that his is a new picture agreeing with no one else's, but likely to be haughtily disagreed with by all those who believed in some other Africa. F 35.159; AL 1054. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. A friend is someone who walks by your side. Two [hands] are an anointment. ", 11. Ukitemewa mate na wengi utaloana. swahili proverbs about unity decatur, il high schools. - Beryl Markham, 'West With The Night,'1942. and you yourself [stay] back. Famous Swahili Proverbs & Swahili Sayings, Beautiful Swahili Quotes & More Swahili Proverbs, Best Swahili Idioms & Swahili Expressions, How To Say I Love You In Swahili + Other Romantic Phrases, How To Say How Are You? In Swahili & Common Responses, 17 Tongan Proverbs, Quotes & Sayings + Their Meanings. Unity is strength, the division is weakness. "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. ", 182. Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won't eat you African proverb. 1285. Mahatma Gandhi. Hurry, hurry has no blessings. With many captains the ship is at the mercy of the waves. Translation: A hungry man observes no dietary restrictions. African quotes about love and African proverbs on love might just be what you need. ", 77. Sayings of Swahili origin. It is important to keep family ties/family ties last forever. 1281. "Unity is a strength, a division is a weakness . Death is blind. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Two eyes see more than one eye. Meaning: Follow bees that you may eat honey. Today it is you, tomorrow it is me. "Other people's wisdom prevents the king from being called a fool. Later you will come and ask me a remedy for [your] child. A patient man will eat ripe fruit. People take it from others. Hema (DRC) proverb, The heart of the wise man lies quiet like limpid water. Cameroon proverb, Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden. Akan proverb, Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it. Akan proverb, In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges and the foolish build dams. Nigerian proverb, If you are filled with pride, then you will have no room for wisdom. African proverb, Learning expands great souls. Namibian proverb, He who learns, teaches. Ethiopian proverb, By crawling a child learns to stand. African proverb, To get lost is to learn the way. African proverb, What you learn is what you die with. African proverb, Instruction in youth is like engraving in stone. Moroccan Proverb, One who causes others misfortune also teaches them wisdom. African proverb, By trying often, the monkey learns to jump from the tree. Buganda proverb, You learn how to cut down trees by cutting them down. Bateke proverb, The wise create proverbs for fools to learn, not to repeat. African proverb, Where there are experts there will be no lack of learners. Swahili Proverb, If you close your eyes to facts, you will learn through accidents. African proverb, You always learn a lot more when you lose than when you win. African proverb, By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed. Ashanti proverb, You do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla. Congolese proverb, Wealth, if you use it, comes to an end; learning, if you use it, increases. Swahili proverb, When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him. Ashanti Proverb, Ears that do not listen to advice, accompany the head when it is chopped off. African Proverb, What you help a child to love can be more important than what you help him to learn. African proverb, Advice is a stranger; if hes welcome he stays for the night; if not, he leaves the same day. Malagasy Proverb, Peace does not make a good ruler. Botswana proverb, There can be no peace without understanding. Senegalese proverb, Without a leader, black ants are confused. Ugandan proverb, He who refuses to obey cannot command. Kenyan proverb, Where a woman rules, streams run uphill. Ethiopian proverb, A large chair does not make a king. Sudanese proverb, Peace is costly but it is worth the expense. Kenyan proverb, He who fears the sun will not become chief. Ugandan proverb, Because he lost his reputation, he lost a kingdom. Ethiopian proverb, When a king has good counselors, his reign is peaceful. Ashanti proverb, A fight between grasshoppers is a joy to the crow. Lesotho proverb, When two elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled. Swahili saying, A leader who does not take advice is not a leader. Kenyan proverb, If you cant resolve your problems in peace, you cant solve war. Somalian proverb, Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far. West African proverb, Milk and honey have different colors, but they share the same house peacefully. African proverb, He who is destined for power does not have to fight for it. Ugandan proverb, When there is peace in the country, the chief does not carry a shield. Ugandan proverb, Do not forget what is to be a sailor because of being a captain yourself. Tanzanian proverb, He who thinks he is leading and has no one following him is only taking a walk. Malawian proverb, An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. Ghanaian proverb, If the cockroach wants to rule over the chicken, then it must hire the fox as a body-guard. Sierra Leone proverb, Unity is strength, division is weakness. Swahili proverb, Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. Bondei proverb, Many hands make light work. Haya (Tanzania) proverb, A single bracelet does not jingle. Congolese proverb, Where there are many, nothing goes wrong. Swahili proverb, It takes a village to raise a child. African proverb, Two ants do not fail to pull one grasshopper. Tanzanian proverb, A single stick may smoke, but it will not burn. African proverb, Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile wont eat you. African proverb, Children are the reward of life. African proverb, A united family eats from the same plate. Baganda proverb, Brothers love each other when they are equally rich. African proverb, He who earns calamity, eats it with his family. African proverb, If I am in harmony with my family, thats success. Ute proverb, There is no fool who is disowned by his family. African proverb, Home affairs are not talked about on the public square. African proverb, If relatives help each other, what evil can hurt them? African proverb, Dine with a stranger but save your love for your family. Ethiopian proverb, When brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their fathers estate. Ibo proverb, A family tie is like a tree, it can bend but it cannot break. African proverb, 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. African Proverb, 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. Akan (Ghana, Ivory Coast) proverb, Knowledge is better than riches. Cameroon, He who loves money must labor. Mauritania, Much wealth brings many enemies. Cen ter fo r Afri can S tu d i es . The oil palm has everything, except the strainer. Umvushapo mwenzio nawe unavuka. "One does not love if one does not accept from others. Its similar to the English phrase in for a penny, in for a pound. 1245. "It is only a stupid cow that rejoices at the prospect of being taken to a beautiful abattoir. Kenyan identity: the kanga and Swahili sayings. 70. "By the time a fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed. Mnazi or mchikichi: palm tree.Chujio, chungio: sifter. 1249. So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. Kukubali shingo upande. 1244. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. T 244; KB gwia; SACL 259; V 68. The back is not rubbed with oil. Aliyekufaa ana cheo chake. This famous proverb in Swahili teaches us that if you forgive then you will defeat the wrongdoer. 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. One who stops, comes to an end; 2. a kind of palm tree; 3. a leper; 4. one who Meaning: A secret is no secret when shared by two people. ", 115. This Swahili idiom literally means to live much is to see a lot. "Three things cause sorrow to flee; water, green trees, and a beautiful face. ~ Bondei proverb; It takes a village to raise a child. "For Africa to me is more than a glamorous fact. "He who's destined for power does not have to fight for it. ", 40. Application: It is important to take advice in life. "A debt between children born by the same mother is paid in a clever way. (An excerpt from Wikipedia) More Kenyan Proverbs & Sayings. ", 132. 385. 1322. Afungaye kibwebwe si bure ana mchezo. "The water of the river flows on without waiting for the thirsty man. EM; H 32. Agreeing with the neck sideways. If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested. This Swahili proverb about life teaches that if you want something, you have to do it. Chombo hakiendi ikiwa kila mtu anapiga makasia yake. ~ Swahili proverb. Kilio cha ndege ndicho kilichoozesha mayai. "The laughter of a child lights up the house. ~ Akan (Ghana, Ivory Coast) proverb, When brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their fathers estate. 1295. ", 162. Unity is strength, when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. This means that if many people with differing ideas are asked to implement a decision, the implementation will be problematic - EM. "Unity is strength, division is weakness."- Swahili Proverb. ~ African proverb. "It's those ugly caterpillars that turn into beautiful butterflies after seasons. ", 140. Methali: HAPANA SIRI YA WATU WAWILI Why give yourself to death when you could be immortal. By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed. F 27.71; FSM 119. 20. ~Haya (Tanzania) proverb, Where there are many, nothing goes wrong. 1290. Take a look at these thought-provoking proverbs below. 1255. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. Swahili African Proverbs. Many hands make light work. Mgongo haupakwi mafuta. Mti pekee haujengi. ", 76. service in turn. KB 20; AL chungu. "The worlds of the elders do not lock all the doors; they leave the right door open. There is a section called the favorite, so while you are . The beehive cannot be raised without being pulled up with a rope. With more than 2 to 15 million native speakers, here are some great Swahili sayings to inspire you. Much work can only be done together" - JKP. These women know that they can grow the health, well-being and economic security of their communities when they work together. 3508. Money helps to solve problems. EM u22. "An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. "Afya ni bora kuliko mali - Health is better than wealth.". ", 90. "Unity is Strength" is the famous proverb that we are hearing for many years. Perseverance will succeed. Swahili is a language that's rich in proverbs (or sayings) that are really common. ~ Haya (Tanzania) proverb. Walioagana hawaitani. 1323. This proverb is used to bring people to cooperate. Cf. Zamani here means, later (Kingwana dialect). 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.". "Counsel and advice him, if he refuses to listen, then let adversity teach him. ", 110. Nguzo moja haijengi nyumba. ", 68. 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. This famous Swahili proverb is similar to the English version dont judge a book by its cover. Im just a normal person enjoying the process of life. 1327. AL 1050, 1088. None but a fool denies his family. ~ African proverb, He who earns calamity, eats it with his family. 195. "A mother cannot give birth to something bigger than herself. "You always learn a lot more when you lose than when you win. One knee doesn't bring up a child. KA; MS. Also: Persistent stoking will cause rebellion - SPK. Get help from your own kind of people. "Unity is strength, division is weakness." - Swahili Proverb. Common suffering is easier to bear - MM. ~ Ibo proverb, Children are the reward of life. If you help your fellow men, you will also help yourself in the process - EM. Two people are needed to plow with oxen, one guides with a rope, the other holds the plow. And the wide deserts so that he can find his soul. Your email address will not be published. ", 158. Haraka haraka haina baraka. ", 107. It is very important to be united in all the situations of life. 1241. African quotes and African sayings have wisdom and inspiration in them! Cf. Mwenye kubebwa hujikaza. "Africa has her mysteries, and even a wise man cannot understand them. A single hand cannot slaughter a cow. Unity is strength, division is weakness. "One who is willing to bathe with cold water doesnt feel the cold. Kenyan Magazine 2023. EM m18. ", 146. ~ African proverb, Home affairs are not talked about on the public square. "When the village chief himself goes around inviting people to a meeting, know there is something wrong with the system.