15 Thought Provoking African Proverbs

While growing up, you must have heard different proverbs thrown at you at every opportunity especially from parents and older individuals. This is because African proverbs are originally rich in advice, reproof, recommendation and love. This is why many Africans grow into the informal knowledge of what is right and wrong, even before the added advantage that formal education serves on their tables. 

African Proverbs serves as food for all; it is a meal that everyone partakes in. Through Proverbs, the human man has gained a lot: It sets feet on the right path, it gives wisdom, it births peace and love, it liberates, it relinquishes vain hope and resuscitate minds. African Proverbs is not just for Africans, it is wider than its horizon. It is a meal both to the wise and the fool of men.

There are some common Proverbs mostly everyone is familiar with: E.g A stitch in time saves nine. Jack of all trades, master of none. The cloud is pregnant, etc.  

Sourced and compiled here is a comprehensive list of selected Proverbs from different African cultures and traditions for this week. They are not widely heard and so its meaning is so in-depth. African Proverbs leaves you "thinking" - that is, anyone who is truly wise knows that Proverbs are not just mere words. They are a "call-to-action." These 10 uncommon African Proverbs are worth resonating with. 

1. By crawling a child learns to stand

The word 'crawling' means little or insignificant steps. However, no matter how slow crawling takes, no child learns to stand without first learning to crawl. In other words, giant steps are born by the little steps first taken. You do not get to take a giant stride without being tenacious about the little moves made earlier. Nothing is automatic in life. All the small wins will later add up, but it is good to celebrate days of little beginning. A courage for the future that you were bold enough to take a step and not make excuses. Of course, while crawling, the child falls, sometimes or gets knocked down by things, the same applies to us too. In a bid to make it big, you stumble, but the beauty of stumbling is getting up, dusting off the dirt and focusing on the headway.

2. A feeble effort will not fulfil the self

In life, things do not always go as planned. Family, career, marriage, friends and well wishers sometimes put lots of pressure on us. But, it is okay to get tired. It is enough to retreat, so as to re-enforce. Making it in life is not just about effort. It is more of having peace, knowing when to step back/down, knowing when to restrategize and rerun the race. It is okay to feel discouraged. But, the courage is needed to keep going; the pain, the wait, the gain, the stake is enough effort already.  It is an even greater effort to leave all in God's hands, trusting in his inventory hands. Being alive is enough effort too. Don't be too hard on yourself.

3. Love, like rain, does not choose the grass on which it falls

The greatest gift of mankind is LOVE. Love does not envy, It does not fight, It does not hypocrisy, it does not partake in prejudice. Love associates, it births harmony and peace. Where love exists, there the beauty of mankind is portrayed. The absence of love is a disaster for the human race. It is worse than a tornado. These Proverbs tell us that love is both for the rich and the poor. Everyone deserves to be loved and feel loved. Young and old, pretty and ugly, good and bad, high and low, Kings and laymen. LOVE gives peace, hope, strength, joy, and it also brings life to the faintest of things. Love is to be experienced by all.

3. A good deed is something one Returns

A popular saying goes thus: One good turn deserves another. A good deed is worth paying back in good folds. Having a right mind towards doing good and returning good deeds in good folds is key!

    "When deed speaks, words are nothing. 'The popular saying: Action speaks louder than words.'  Verbally, words of mouth most times do not correspond with actions, body language speaks more. An intelligent person is Keen on paying attention to body language rather than words. Through acts, respect, courage, honour, love and value is depicted. Words are deceitful, nothing kills faster than the tongue.

    "When the shepherd comes in peace, the milk is sweet." There's no better way to say this; Contentment is key! When there is Contentment and acceptance of the fact that people are trying their best to make things work, then, there will be joy, knowing that after the day's hurdles, there is a family of love to go back to. Appreciating the little ones done, encourages one to do better. In a place of contentment, peace and warmth dwell there.

    "Don't set the sail on some else's star." Know this: we all have different seasons! Knowing what season you are in is expedient. Comparison kills faster than cancer. Run at your own pace. Believe in you and keep going. Do not feel intimidated and oppressed by someone else's achievement. Again, wait for your time.

    "The young bird doesn't grow unless the old one does." I will interpret this by saying: Without elders, it is almost impossible to learn. Their experiences are what guide the younger generation. If there's no improvement in the life of a nation, an elder or a company, the up and coming ones suffer for their misfortunes.

    "A fool says in his heart, there is still time." What you have to do, do on time. Do not procrastinate. Do not be lazy. Make hay while the sun shines. Never use the opportunity of today to relax, it might not be regained. Set your priorities straight. Know what to do and do at the right time.

    "Being happy is better than being king." I will further say not all that glitters is gold. Peace of mind overcometh all. What is influence without peace and rest? What makes life a beautiful place to live in? Happiness, nothing beats it! A King who is unhappy is no different from a slave. A happy man is a King in himself!

The above African Proverbs has in one way or another spoken to an aspect of our lives. Pick the one that resonates best with you and do the needful. Remember, African Proverbs are not to be hissed at. Proverbs are houses built with words of wisdom and truth.

 

1. If your house is burning, there's no time to go hunting - This simply means that priorities are very important in planning.

2. A Proverb is the horse of conversations; where the conversation lags, a proverb revives it.

3. Talking doesn't fill the basket in the farm, hard work does.

4. Don't insult the crocodile until you cross the river - This simply warns you against unnecessary criticism.

Read: 5 Native African Foods You Should Try Out Today

5. Only a knife knows what the inside of a coco-yam looks like - This means that those who investigate and research a thing are the only ones who truly understand it.

6. A big blanket encourages sleeping in the morning - This simply means that luxury encourages idleness or laziness. It could also mean that contentment and enjoyment should only come after hard work.

7. A bird that is eating guinea corn keeps quiet or gets choked - This means true dedication to a task would stop you from poking yyour nose in other matters that do not concern you.

8. Rats don't dance in cat doorways - This simply warns you not to invite trouble.

9. A hippopotamus can be made invisible in dark water - This means that ignorance may lead to potential danger and so you should stay informed and alert.

10. When War is declared, truth is the first casualty

11. If a cockroach wants to rule over a hen, he would have to hire a fox as a bodyguard

12. The absence of smoke only shows  that the fire is carefully hidden