For many, Africa is the great unknown. Of incomparable natural beauty, hidden mysteries and diverse and unique traditions and cultures, the vast African territory is the mother earth of all humanity. That is where the oldest found woman of all humanity comes from, so it is not surprising that their cultures and their popular wisdom are among the oldest on the planet.
We cannot take you to Africa, but what we can do is bring magical land through 21 African proverbs that are very beneficial for life and, of course, their interpretation. Ready? Let’s start!
Ancient African proverbs that you should know
African wisdom is rooted in the ancestral way of life of its inhabitants. Although there are almost no tribes left in Africa, there are still African groups that have decided to continue living under their customs and traditions. Hunting, surviving in extreme conditions, love for nature and respect for animals are some of the most important aspects of the African tradition, which stems from the tribal way of life and also extends in some way to the great African cosmopolitan cities. One of the ways to preserve this ancient wisdom is through popular proverbs, which continue to be part of all the diverse and multiple cultures and ways of life on the African continent. Knowing those means learning about life, come from the place of the planet that you come from. We show you!
The hunter who chases an elephant does not stop to throw stones at the birds.
Origin: Uganda
Meaning: Chasing elephants nowadays is a sacrilege to the Earth, since they are in danger of extinction. But if we translate this into today’s context, what it means is that when you have a goal, you shouldn’t get sidetracked by less important issues.
A donkey always gives thanks with a kick
Origin: Kenya
Meaning: Ignorant people who do not want to understand and understand often misinterpret things and do not appreciate what they have properly.
Marriage is like a peanut, you have to crack the shell to see what’s inside
Origin: Akan
Meaning: A wise African proverb that talks about the importance of getting to know each other in depth and learning to love each other from within each person.
Remember, if there is a storm there will be rainbows
Origin: Kikuyu
Meaning: Beautiful proverb of the Kikuyu ethnic group, coming from the interior of Kenya, near the Great Rift Valley in the west. There is no problem that has no solution and after the storm comes calm, well, in this case a wonderful rainbow that can fill your life with color. Do not forget!
The elephant feels strong thanks to its muscles
Origin: Baraka
Meaning: For the Aka or Baraka people, from Central Africa, it is important to have something to protect them, in the same way that elephants have their muscles. For this reason, this proverb is used to explain to someone that they must have a magical amulet to help protect them against adversity.
A tiger does not have to proclaim its fierceness
Origin: Whole Soyinka – Nigeria
Meaning: This saying is a little more modern, although not for that reason as wise. It comes from the Nobel Prize in Literature writer Whole Soyinka and means that when someone has enough inner strength, they do not need to show it to others.
The hunter is not rubbed with grease and put to sleep by the fire
Origin: Nigerian
Meaning: A typical African proverb that is said to someone when they are too lazy. Goals are achieved with effort.
Who asks questions is not stupid
Origin: Swahili
Meaning: A clear Swahili proverb that explains that the intelligent are the ones who ask questions and are curious.
The drums of war are drums of hunger
Origin: South Africa
Meaning: Unfortunately, the African peoples know very well the reason for this ancient proverb. When there is finally peace in Africa, there will be no more hunger among its peoples. Peace for Africa.
The River is filled with small streams
Origin: Betake
Meaning: This proverb from the Betake tribe of the Congo speaks of the victories and efforts of life. Behind a great victory there are endless small achievements that have been achieved with effort and patience.
How is it that sometimes we don’t see that some roosters have combs on their heads, but no feathers on their tails? And some have feathers on their tails, but no claws on their feet? And others have claws, but no power to fight?
Origin: Yoruba
Meaning: The Yoruba tradition, originally from West Africa and their religion and customs spread to the American continent in the processes of slavery. From them originated, for example, the Brazilian Santeria. Their culture and ancestral wisdom brings us proverbs, which speaks of the human facility for being amazed at what seems magnificent at first, but, as the proverb says, everything can have its negative side. In other words, don’t trust appearances.
A friend works in the sunlight, an enemy in the dark.
Origin: Archly
Meaning: Trust only the people who are really transparent with you, they are the true.
A youth that does not cultivate friendship with the elderly is like a tree without its roots.
Origin: Entomb
Meaning: What a nice proverb, right? And how right he is, youth is always full of new ideas and desire to conquer the world, but at the same time it is important that they learn from the elders, to achieve the necessary balance that every society needs.
The death of an old man is like a burning library.
Origin: Ivory Coast
Meaning: African cultures value the wisdom that life gives you and that is passed from generation to generation, therefore old age is loved and appreciated, as this proverb reflects.
Who listens to the voice of the old man is like a strong tree; who covers the ears is like a branch in the wind
Origin: Masan
Meaning: Another African proverb listening to the elderly.
Nowhere to hide on the water’s surface
Origin: Balart
Meaning: At some point, the truth blossoms and everything that was kept hidden comes to light.
The family is like the forest, if you are outside of it, you only see its density; if you are inside, you see that each tree has its own position
Origin: Akan
Meaning: Nice proverb about family and how we usually perceive them.
A child’s life is like a dead fish, it always rises to the surface.
Origin: Lou
Meaning: The Lou people of western Kenya know it well; children are the world’s worst liars! As well as those adults who have not yet matured.
Evil penetrates like a needle and ends up being like an oak
Origin: Ethiopia
Meaning: Precisely for this reason, because evil can start as something small but become something big, we must tackle problems as soon as possible and not let toxic people affect us.
Sickness and disasters come and go like rain, but health is like the sun that illuminates the entire town.
Origin: Lou
Meaning: The importance is essential for life, so it is good to always take care of you.
If a monkey is among the dogs, why won’t it learn to bark?
Origin: Nigerian
Meaning: This proverb talks about those times when we are in an environment to which we do not belong, we feel strange and cannot speak their language.
