Proverbs are peculiar words strung together to make unique sentences to drive home a point. They are often poetic to aid retention and quick recall.
Every culture has proverbs, and Africa isn’t left out. African proverbs make speech colorful and display a mastery of the language. They also serve to inspire, advise, console and give caution. African proverbs' meanings often have ties to cultural beliefs and religion.
Nigeria has over 300 tribes and over 500 dialects, making the country a potpourri of proverbs. The same goes for other countries in Africa. Hence, one cannot put an amount to the number of proverbs available across the continent. Moreso, because language is dynamic, new proverbs emerge daily. Nonetheless, when it comes to proverbs African elders have the last say.
That said, here’s a list of 40 of the best African proverbs and their meaning collated from a rich blend of West African proverbs and Nigerian wise sayings to present you with a rich blend of culture.
Some proverbs and their meaning:
The concubine that wants to expose you will ask for Pawpaw when it’s not in season - Trying to over-please people can be detrimental.
Even though I allow you to reprimand my child, it is with reservations - Do not overstep your boundaries.
Your daughter cannot have a nice waist, and you put beads on the waist of another person’s daughter - One has to support one’s family over an outsider.
What is sweet in the mouth of the goat will kill the goat - Avoid being greedy.
A fly that doesn’t listen will follow the corpse into the grave - It doesn’t pay to be stubborn.
I had it before isn’t property - One cannot brag about what one no longer has.
The eyes are in front to look forward - Let go of the past.
If an elder sends a child on an errand, the elder sends himself on the errand - If you want something done well, do it yourself.
When given a message for the king, use your head well before you deliver it, or else you’ll lose your head - Mind your utterances.
The tree that rots in the forest will grow again - He who is down can rise again.
The person walking on foot will also get to his destination - Slow down or take it easy.
The whole village cannot go to the forest or farm at the same time - There’s no competition in life.
He who wears the shoe knows where it pinches - You can’t know the extent of another person’s condition.
The fart released underwater will smell out - The evil one does in secret will eventually be exposed.
When two elephants fight, the ground suffers - The masses often suffer the brunt of a power tussle.
When breadfruit is ripe, it will fall - There is time for everything.
The ashes follow the person that throws them - Whatever one does will eventually return.
When a woman knows what pleases her husband, people will say she has bewitched him - Good interpersonal skills will take one far in life.
One cannot eat unripe cherries when his brother is up in the tree - One can achieve success with the right connections.
You cannot be by the river and let soap enter your eyes - Take advantage of available resources.
You can't shave a man's head in his absence - Give fair hearing.
Only the eater of the garden egg can describe the taste - Experience is the best teacher.
If a rat joins a lizard to swim, is it when the lizard's body dries that rat's will? - Be yourself or know your abilities.
If a lazy man covers a wrapper, hunger will open the wrapper - Time exposes all things.
If the flute misleads a great man, when the man dies, the flute will enter the bag - Mind the advice you take.
If bad habits stay awhile, they become a tradition - That something is a norm doesn’t make it right.
If you lie down for people to walk over you, they’ll still complain that you are not flat enough - One can’t please everyone.
A person people watch doesn't dirty himself - As a leader, mind what you do.
He who does not walk can't tell tales about walking - One can’t be an expert in what they haven’t experienced.
A pregnant woman does not lend others her private part in case her labor starts - One can’t give when one doesn’t have enough.
A person who hasn’t eaten the food of another person’s mother will say their mother’s food is the sweetest - Do not have a myopic mindset.
A woman who wants to get pregnant doesn’t sleep in underwear - If you want something, make yourself available to receive it.
If a child carries his father up, the father's wrapper will cover his eyes - If one disrespects an elder, they’ll also not get respect.
Farms do not belong to father and son without boundaries - Know your limits when dealing with others.
A child seeking plaything goes to the mother’s breast, not the father’s scrotum - Know where you are welcome and where you aren’t.
A naked person can’t put their hands in their pocket - One can’t give what one doesn’t have.
As you place your head, that’s how the barber will cut your hair - People will treat you how you let them treat you.
You can cook for the village to eat, but if the village cooks for you, you cannot eat it - Do not go looking for trouble because when it comes, you might not be able to handle it.
If the race isn’t urgent, a woman uses her hand to support her breast while running - When there’s no other option, you’ll react.
The cow that has no tail, it is God that drives flies from its buttocks - God always provides for those that don’t have.
