1258. ", 178. 1316. "Let your love be like the misty rain, coming softly but flooding the river.". "When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion." Ethiopian Proverb. Swahili Proverbs. Its similar to the English phrase in for a penny, in for a pound. No elephant is burdened by the weight of its tusks. Destroy your house, but build it up yourself. 191. ~ 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. Coming events cast their shadows before. Indian follower of Brahma, i.e., neither a Christian nor a Muslim. "A baby cannot be heard crying in his mothers womb. Wengi wape au watajichukulia. 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. Ukibebwa usilevye-levye miguu. A bad job is not as wothless as a good game. Mgongo haupakwi mafuta. 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. A log cannot be moved except "properly," i.e., by under-supports - T. Cf. 1276. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. ", 138. Many hands make light work. The lamentations [at the death of the bird] caused the eggs to spoil. KB 246. "A leader in the community without a pot belly is a stingy man. The inconveniences of life are best when shared. The meaning is that wherever people live and work together trivial clashes occur. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. "If you educate a man, you educate one person. ", 168. A boat doesn't go forward if each one is rowing his/her own way. If somebody is getting involved with something, it is clear that that person thinks it is worthwhile. Dau la upweke haliendi joshi. "The best way to eat an elephant in your path is to cut him up into little pieces. "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. ~ Sierra Leone proverb; African Quotes on Unity and Community. 1244. Swahili is a language that's rich in proverbs (or sayings) that are really common. 1257. "If there is cause to someone, the cause to love has just begun. Vunja nyumba, lakini ujenge wenyewe. Below Ive listed the most well-known Swahili idioms and expressions. ~ Swahili proverb. 1272. June 14, 2022 . ~ African proverb, Dine with a stranger but save your love for your family. Unity is strength, division is weakness. 1247. ", 126. Firebrand on firebrand, then the fire burns. 1260. Kifo, death, dying; but here "hard working.". How Africa News ", 54. 1256, 1281. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Asiye mkoma hujikoma mwenyewe. "During times of peace in the country, the chief does not carry a shield. Things in turn. With more than 2 to 15 million native speakers, here are some great Swahili sayings to inspire you. ~ African proverb, There is no fool who is disowned by his family. 1279. Contact Us. 1275. "Beautiful discourse is rarer than emerald, yet it can be found among the servant girls at the grindstones. ", 71. Proverbs are sprinkled into conversation in Africa too. 'Shika shika' (or shike, shike) na mwenyewe nyuma. A fool is like a wanderer lost on a path. "In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges and foolish build dams.". 1326. Unknown. Baniani, Banyan. "Despite the beauty of the moon, sun, and the stars, the sky also has a threatening thunder and striking lightning. These thought-provoking proverbs are rich in wisdom. Craftsman and customer. African proverbs on Patience. 440 Swahili Proverbs 1. KA; SM; MARA. REK. "A home without a woman is like a barn without cattle. ", 63. ", 124. EM 36.13; KA. If there are many of the same opinion, don't be obstinate. If water has been spilt, it cannot be scooped up. ", 58. Nguvu ni kusaidiana. Mkoma: 1. Requires a leader or helper. ", 76. know which way to go. September 18, 2015, 4:09 pm, Your email address will not be published. It is important to keep family ties/family ties last forever. Used if somebody jumps into others' conversation. Meaning: After hardship comes relief. "Do not spend the evening in a house where you cannot spend the night. ~ African proverb, If I am in harmony with my family, thats success. Move, let us go! - African proverb. "I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. "Affairs of the home should not be discussed in the public square. 71. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. "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. REK. "Even the king of the forest, the lion, protects himself against flies. Meaning: Follow bees that you may eat honey. ", 96. Kila apigaye mlango hupata majibu. 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Unity is strength, the division is weakness. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. Cf. Not only is the Swahili language poetic, but it also offers some of the most interesting quotes, sayings and even proverbs. Your email address will not be published. ", 50. If the hours are long enough and the pay is short enough, someone will say it's women's work. ", 24. NGU. Swahili Proverbs. LE3 227.17. A friend is someone you share the path with African proverb. ", 139. Wealth, if you use it, comes to an end; learning, if you use it, increases. "When the rhythm of the drumbeat changes, the dance steps must adapt. Unity is strength, div Kiraka cha jamvi ni kanda. ", 142. ", 156. MEM 17. - Mattie Stepanek Two [hands] are an anointment. EM p.23. 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). Unity is strength, division is weakness. Those who made mutual agreements don't call each other. ~Haya (Tanzania) proverb, Where there are many, nothing goes wrong. John Trapp. Wakubwa hupendelea ubinafsi; wadogo hupendeka ujamaa. "If a child washes his hands, he could eat with Kings! Kwae and Manda are (old) villages of Lamu. "The day before yesterday and yesterday aren't the same as today. ", 176. ~ African proverb. 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This means that for a person to be successful, assistance of others is needed. Ala Ala, exclamation of surprise. "A doctor who invoked a storm on his people cannot prevent his own house from destruction. Strength is helping each other. 1267. Ala ala jirani hata akiwa baniani. T 587. "To love someone who does not love you is like shaking a tree to make the dew drops fall. The Zanzibari people speak Swahili, an East African Bantu language. When two people have a common purse, one sings and the other weeps. Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, and the DRC are nations where this language is spoken.Swahili has a lot of basic Swahili phrases inspired from people speaking the language, between 2 and 15 million.. Swahili Phrases Tanzania Has That are a Must Know Below Ive listed a range of famous and inspirational Swahili quotes and some more thought provoking proverbs in Swahili. "If you marry a monkey for his money, the money will go away and the monkey will stay the same. Pakamao from paka, rub, apply oil, etc. Everyone who knocks at the door gets an answer. African quotes and African sayings have wisdom and inspiration in them! Unity is strength, division is weakness. "Ears that do not listen to advice, accompany the head when it is chopped off. 1300. This Swahili proverb teaches us to not be too demanding. "If two wise men always agree, then there is no need for one of them. ", 53. "If your only tool is a hammer, you will see every problem as a nail. 1259. "Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.". If this is being rubbed with liwa wood [to make a bride's skin smooth] I prefer my own skin-dirt - JKP. Where there are many, nothing goes wrong Swahili proverb creative tips and more. Patience can cook a stone. African proverbs and meanings have helped many people all over the world in many different situations. KS hodha. Mpera, Be at the mercy of the waves (Kigunya dialect) - Sacl. The Bantu Swahili language and English, the latter of which was inherited from colonial rule are widely spoken as lingua franca. If you educate a woman, you educate a whole family. Eleka or beba, to carry. ~ African proverb. "Forget about effort, each person has his or her luck.". ~ African proverb, If relatives help each other, what evil can hurt them? "If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do us no harm. It is used as a wish for a good journey and means good luck. ", 88. Jeanne December 28, 2015 African Proverbs, Kenya, Tribes. "When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him. 246. Swahili speakers use a lot of sayings and expressions in daily life which offer advice and even sometimes have hidden meanings. ", 172. riverfront golf course. ", 144. ", 21. Chombo hakiendi ila kwa nyenzo. 718, 720, 1177. For more such articles, take a look at these other articles black history inspirational quotes and African American quotes. A stitch in time saves nine. Access a variety of Swahili proverbs and riddles and their meanings explained. JKP. Methali: ASIYESIKIA LA MKUU HUONA MAKUU ", 69. Cf. Two people are needed to plow with oxen, one guides with a rope, the other holds the plow. Cf. EM p17. "To be without a friend is to be poor indeed. ", 57. NGU. Another understanding of this proverb: It's no use fighting against impossible odds - V 85. ~ African proverb. 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.