swahili proverbs about unity swahili proverbs about unity

If a dog hears whistles from different directions it will not 14 . Or: Do not waste your energy on useless arguments - MM. "Do not blame God for creating the tiger, just thank Him for not giving it wings. Difficult things become possible. ", 2. This famous Swahili saying means that you should not fight those who are stronger than you. Foolishness precedes cleverness, cleverness follows. On a dew-wet path, people walk two together [side by side]. ", 53. be defended by cooperation in unison. - Baha'U'Llah. Kenya is a multilingual country. Miwili ndiyo pakamao. ~ Sierra Leone proverb; African Quotes on Unity and Community. "Parents give birth to the body of their children, but not always to their characters. A person who has no helper, helps one self [to finish the job]. Wengi wape. Asiyenitua kwa hili langu, akiwa na lake n'asitumai. ~African proverb, Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile wont eat you. This famous Swahili quote means that if you are too good, people will take advantage of you. - Ethiopian proverb. REK. Kilio cha ndege ndicho kilichoozesha mayai. - Swahili Proverb. 71. ~ Swahili proverb; Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. ", 57. Cf. Methali: BAADA YA DHIKI FARAJA ", 182. "Rain does not fall on one roof alone. Affiliate Disclaimer: Lingalot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Swahili Proverb on Unity 0. It really means that experience comes with age. EM s6. Wengi wape au watajichukulia. F 27.71; FSM 119. 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. African sayings and proverbs on life should be read by everyone. ~ Congolese proverb, A single stick may smoke, but it will not burn. swahili proverbs about unity. ~ Ibo proverb, Children are the reward of life. 1273. 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. "Unity is strength, the division is weakness." -Swahili Proverb "Unity is strength. 1280. Neighbors help one another. A tree without a fork [branches] is difficult to climb. Wealth, if you use it, comes to an end; learning, if you use it, increases. Kama kusingwa ni huku, naradhiwa taka zangu. ", 149. 6. Goti moja halimlei mtoto. "Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it. The latter needs the skilled craftsman" - JKP. Cf. . JKP. Methali: BABA WA KAMBO SI BABA This Swahili proverb means that during a festival everyone is on their best behavior and you cant judge a persons true character. SPK. 1. Msaidie anayekusaidia. Kushulika from shua, to launch a boat. 1249. Unity is strength, division is weakness. This proverb helped to communicate the brand's values of inclusivity, diversity, and body positivity, and helped to create a deeper emotional connection with customers. If many people try to solve a problem without using skill and brains they will usually make a mess of it. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, ", 13. when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." -Mattie Stepanek - Kenyan Proverb. Meaning: He who does not listen to elder's advice gets his leg broken. These famous African proverbs about life are both profound and inspiring. ~Swahili Proverb. This Swahili idiom literally means how can you be burned by a hot pepper that you havent eaten?. It all begins with the rubbing of the bride's entire body, when all the body hair is pulled out" - JKP. 1266. ", 157. 1257. FSM 128. With many captains the ship is at the mercy of the waves. 1287. ", 139. Below Ive listed a range of famous and inspirational Swahili quotes and some more thought provoking proverbs in Swahili. "A hyena does not change its spots even if it moves to a different forest. A ship with many captains is liable to sink. ", 38. J chombo; B 2.30; KB 43. Asiye mkoma hujikoma mwenyewe. "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. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. ", 51. - Swahili proverb. To a lot of people, as to myself, it is just home.". For many whistles the dog is lost. The flaw of the armpit is that it . [You need not only] a wall [but] also men [to help you defend a town] - JKP. ", 156. RECH 190; ZO p.243; KS kilo. 1316. Thanks for reading this post on the best Swahili quotes about life, famous Swahili sayings and fascinating Swahili proverbs. Paka wengi wangewako, wamewazidisha panya. Without support it's difficult to advance in society. meaning) 2. Kifo, death, dying; but here "hard working.". Cf. 1248, 1256. "Ahadi ni deni - A promise is a debt.". ", 32. Ukurasa (Page): wa Kwanza (1) wa Pili (2) wa Tatu (3) wa Nne (4) Methali: ASIYESIKIA LA MKUU HUONA MAKUU. ~ African proverb 1326. "He that has never traveled thinks that his mother is the only good cook in the world. ", 20. Perseverance will succeed. ", 73. 1291. ~ Ibo proverb, Children are the reward of life. "One who possesses much wisdom has it in the heart, not on the lips. Shida ya ndugu humalizwa na ndugu. The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (Speake 2015) defines a proverb as 'a traditional saying which offers advice or presents a moral in a short and pithy manner defines it as 'a concise statement of an apparent truth which has, had, or will have currency among the people. ", 83. ", 82. "A leader in the community without a pot belly is a stingy man. A log cannot be moved except on rollers. Aliyekufaa ana cheo chake. ~ African proverb, If I am in harmony with my family, thats success. They're not confined to literary use Swahili proverbs are used in daily life. ", 85. ", 140. You can't have unity without diversity. 1243. "He who knows not one thing knows another. Jifya moja haliinjiki chungu. 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! A barber does not shave himself. The old person needs a stick for walking and the rhythm of walking with the stick is like a play. This Swahili proverb teaches us to be proactive. Many big cats do not catch a rat. Umvushapo mwenzio nawe unavuka. Bible. ", 125. 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. Walk like you have 3000 ancestors walking behind you. Proverbs 27:7 expresses a similar sentiment: "One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.". ", 178. The Swahili people originate from Bantu inhabitants of the coast of Southeast Africa, in Kenya, Tanzania . What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. A friend is someone you share the path with African proverb. More things can be achieved if all those involved work together or cooperate. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. states that proverbs are 'based on accumulated experience and transmitted . Application: Determination pays/leads to success. Nguzo moja haijengi nyumba. 60. Baniani, Banyan. Thanks to God for the neighbor, even if he/she be a Banyan. - Mattie Stepanek Stand upright, pillar, with your brothers. Stay united." Bill Bailey. ", 61. For he will go on loving but he will hate you. "If you marry a monkey for his money, the money will go away and the monkey will stay the same. ", 54. ", 58. Destroy your house, but build it up yourself. 1295. "Ugliness with a good character is better than beauty. African saying. Not only is the Swahili language poetic, but it also offers some of the most interesting quotes, sayings and even proverbs. ~ African proverb, There is no fool who is disowned by his family. These are some quotes and African proverbs on beauty. ", 26. You are lifted. "If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven't spent the night with a mosquito. If somebody is getting involved with something, it is clear that that person thinks it is worthwhile. A bird that imitates others does not get used to a place. The honest one will be exploited. Cf. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. "A child is like an axe; even if it hurts you, you still carry it on your shoulder. (2007) and Diabah and Amfo (2015). Also Read: 65 Best Equality and Diversity Quotes and Sayings. B 3.67. This famous Swahili proverb about happiness teaches us that a good deed will not be forgotten. "A cutting word is worse than a bowstring, a cut may heal, but the cut of the tongue does not. "What you help a child to love can be more important than what you help him to learn. Also used for familial and social break-ups. ", 84. "There is no beauty but the beauty of action. ", 104. It is important to have hope when faced with challenges. "Slander by the stream will be heard by the frogs. When a tree falls it leans on its neighbor. This Swahili proverb about life teaches us to help an enemy who is in trouble as it may make you a friend. "A flea can trouble a lion much more than a lion can trouble a flea. Unity is strength, division is weakness. . The body needs rubbing with oil from time to time, and two hands (of wife and husband) are needed for that purpose - JK. "Counsel and advice him, if he refuses to listen, then let adversity teach him. NGU. 1300. ", 74. Below Ive listed the most well-known Swahili idioms and expressions. These are used often in day to day life. Application: It is important to take advice in life. ~Ashanti Proverb. ", 37. A family tie is like a tree, it can bend, but it cannot break. EM g9. - Swahili Proverb. Cf. People were told "Come and live together," they were not told "Come and compete with one another." "If you want to go fast, go alone. 106. "When brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their fathers estate. Kila mtu kwa shauri lake. - JKP. ", 69. This Swahili saying means that if you are planning something with the intention of hurting someone else, you may end up only hurting yourself. 1286. A girl must not have lovers that give the house a bad name - JKP. To run is not necessarily to arrive. It is necessary to stamp out evil with adequate measures - SPK. ", 183. Many captains destroy a ship. 440 Swahili Proverbs 1. Things in turn. Ondoka (or amka or inuka) twende! Our proverb of the day: Quote Message: He who depends on his relatives' wealth, dies poor." from A Swahili proverb sent by Sylvester Maganga in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 1285. One hand alone cannot carry a baby. Methali: DALILI YA MVUA NI MAWINGU ", 155. "No matter how beautiful and well-crafted a coffin might look, it will not make anyone wish for death. 2660. 1320. There is strength in numbers. ~ African proverb, He who earns calamity, eats it with his family. Karibu isiyo kitu, siioni ni karibu. A river is enlarged by its tributaries. "Advice is like a stranger; if hes welcome he stays for the night; if not, he leaves the same day. Asiye na mtoto (or mwana), na abebe (or aeleke) jiwe. Nyenzo, a roller; from -enda, go. Gunia tupu halisimami wima. Shikaneni mikono mvukapo mto. These women know that they can grow the health, well-being and economic security of their communities when they work together. service in turn. "When the village chief himself goes around inviting people to a meeting, know there is something wrong with the system. It takes a village to raise a child. Beautiful African Quotes. Jicho la moyo linaona mengi - The heart's eye sees many things. 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. Hold hands when crossing a river. If women say so, stay awake. ", 188. Haukweeki upesi, mti usio na panda. Find below ten advanced level Kiswahili lessons, each linked to a Kiswahili proverb. 158. This means that if many people with differing ideas are asked to implement a decision, the implementation will be problematic - EM. JKP. It is the last vestige of a dead world or the cradle of a shiny new one. A big heart is better than a big brain. ~ African proverb, If you want to go quickly, go alone. 62. "If men swear that they want to harm you when you are asleep, you can go to sleep. Unknown. A bad brother is far better than no brother. F 35.159; AL 1054. Unity is strength. However big an ordeal, sharing it with many people Where there are many good men there no child will get sick. 1236. 1324. This Swahili idiom literally means one who follows bees will never fail to get honey. "Adui wa mtu, ni mtu - The enemy of man is man.". Jambo (Hello)! ", 142. Mwenye lake usimngoje na lako. ", 107. ~Ethiopian proverb, There is no fool who is disowned by his family. "Even as the archer loves the arrow that flies, so too he loves the bow that remains constant in his hands. Everyone who knocks at the door gets an answer. This is said to someone who refuses to render a service, warning that person that help will be denied in future needs. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5c6921c09f4e8a5770883eee3c691ae" );document.getElementById("b56bec93f2").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Sorry, you have Javascript Disabled! "To love someone who does not love you is like shaking a tree to make the dew drops fall. Adui aangukapo, mnyanyue (muinue) - When the enemy falls, lift him up Adui mpende - love your enemy Afya ni bora kuliko mali - Health is better than wealth "The best way to eat an elephant in your path is to cut him up into little pieces. "It is the duty of children to wait on elders and not the elders on children. 1312. "The earth is a beehive, we all enter by the same door. 61. If you educate a woman, you educate a whole family. F 50.1; KA; KB 335; V in Desturi za Wasuaheli, 1903. This Swahili proverb teaches us to always keep a promise. KA; SM. ~African proverb, Many hands make light work. Two cooking stones do not bring the cooking pot to a boil. If you want to go far, go together.". MA 216. Cf. ", 39. ", 93. 196. The branches of a coconut tree squeezed together make a roof. ", 19. "Madness does not govern a country; discussion does. "Many hands make light work." Haya (Tanzania) proverb. A child's lie is like a dead fish in a pond that in the end, always comes to the surface, explains his mother. 1305. "A drowning person does not stop thrashing about/around." -A4-. ~ Bantu proverb. They just go and do what they promised. 59. An idiom: Fanya jambo shingo upanda, Doing something without liking it. Women are the cornerstone of society and African proverbs celebrate women as an important part of the family. One who does not help me putting down my load, must not expect [help] when that person has a load. "One may have two legs, but that does not mean one can climb two trees at the same time. ", 45. Coming events cast their shadows before. "If you heal the leg of a person, do not be surprised if they use it to run away. A creeper [liana] does not climb without a tree. With more than 2 to 15 million native speakers, here are some great Swahili sayings to inspire you. Mti pekee haujengi. It is used as a wish for a good journey and means good luck. Mutual help is wealth. Cf. EM w9. Nahodha wengi, chombo (or jahazi) huenda mrama. One good turn deserves another; you help me in my difficulties, I help you in yours - F. 1274. "There is no elephant that complains about the weight of its trunk. ", 136. 1300. Penye wanaume wengi hapaugui mwana. This Swahili quote about happiness means haste makes waste. Meaning: A step-father/adoptive father is not a father. Cf. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 1315. Afungaye kibwebwe si bure ana mchezo. ~ 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. These African proverbs providing wisdom about your closest family and friends are surely the one thing you need to keep them close. Moumita is a multilingual content writer and editor. creative tips and more. 1318. African proverbs and meanings have helped many people all over the world in many different situations. ", 134. Unity is strength, the division is weakness. Wakubwa hupendelea ubinafsi; wadogo hupendeka ujamaa. To many it is wise to yield. "If there is character, ugliness becomes beauty; if there is none, beauty becomes ugliness. In addition to these, three proverbs, two for Swahili and one for Akan, respectively, are from the authors' native speakers' competence. "A womans polite devotion is her greatest beauty. 1258. 2486. 1274. "Relatives are supposed to help each other mutually in times of need, if they do not, are they really relatives?" ", 64. - Francesca Marciano, 'Rules Of The Wild: A Novel Of Africa,' 1998. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. "When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion." Ethiopian Proverb. 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. Kamba haipandi bila mti. "If love is a sickness, patience is the remedy." Cameroonian Proverb "The laughter of a child lights up the house." Swahili Proverb 1311. ", 25. Where there's a will there's a way. - Swahili. ", 50. When minds are one, what is far comes near. ", 118. "It is only a stupid cow that rejoices at the prospect of being taken to a beautiful abattoir. Cf. One stone will not support a cooking pot. As we practice togetherness, we can begin to see how these skills can be beneficial to our lives as well. Craftsman and customer. Ukuti : leaf, branch of the coconut tree. 2. ", 185. The sources of data for the Swahili proverbs are King'ei and Ndalu (2009) and Wamitila (2010) and those for the Akan proverbs are Appiah et al. "The day before yesterday and yesterday aren't the same as today. "There are many colorful flowers on the path of life, but the prettiest have the sharpest thorns. Meaning: Even he who has not many troubles has a few. Mti ukigwa huegemea mti wenziwe. "To be without a friend is to be poor indeed. In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges, and the foolish build dams ~ Nigerian Proverb. Hi there! "Other people's wisdom prevents the king from being called a fool. "The chicken that can dig for food will not sleep hungry. Often the words majembe,vyungu, (hoes, pots) are used instead of vikombe. "The rainmaker who doesn't know what he's doing will be found out by the lack of clouds.". A council of adults is not a council of force. This Swahili inspirational quote means that a good person will always try to help someone who is in trouble. The oil palm has everything, except the strainer. ", 127. 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. EM j23. "Judge not your beauty by the number of people who look at you, but rather by the number of people who smile at you.". ", 46. If you dont know something, ask! F 31.115; H 79; MS 45.21; B 3.39; T 325; ", 168. ~ African proverb. ", 17. KSshingo. Pokea ukitoa. FSM 37. riverfront golf course. Richard Twiss. The meaning is that wherever people live and work together trivial clashes occur. Take a look at this list of inspiring African quotes below. Swahili Proverb. NGU. REK. You shouldn't expect others to do all the work - F. 1308. Ahadi ni deni - A promise is a debt. NGU. ", 129. Meaning: He who does not listen to elders advice gets his leg broken. ", 108. "Love, like rain, does not choose the grass on which it falls. Hold him! Ala ala jirani hata akiwa baniani. ~ African proverb, He who earns calamity, eats it with his family.