African Proverbs

African proverbs collected by country and tribe, with meanings where they have been written. 435 in the archive.

• Whatever a pregnant woman says is said by two people.
• When a fool is cursed, he thinks he is being praised.Ghana
• When a man is wealthy, he may wear an old cloth.Ghana
• When a woman is hungry, she says, "Roast something for the children that they might eat.".Ghana
• When the bee comes to your house, let her have beer; you may want to visit the bee's house some day.
• When the elderly ones in a house travel, the younger ones quickly grow in experience.
• When the hunter returns and is holding mushrooms, don't ask him about how his hunt went.Guinea
• When a king has good counselors, his reign is peaceful.Ghana
• When one is in love, a cliff becomes a meadow.Ethiopia
• When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.
• When the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spreads death to the branches.Nigeria
• When the shadow of a tree is bent, straighten the tree not the shadow.
• When your sister does your hair you do not need a mirror.Nigeria
• When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion.Ethiopia
• When the crocodile smiles, be extra careful.
• When the deal is too good, think twice.
• When the fool is told a proverb, its meaning has to be explained to him.Ghana
• When the head is too big, it cannot dodge blows.Zambia
• When the heart acts, the body is its slave.
• When a mighty tree falls, the birds are scattered into the bush.
• Two birds disputed about a kernel, when a third swooped down and carried it off.
• When you are rich, you are hated; when you are poor, you are despised.Ghana
• Where there is love there is no darkness.Burundi
• Where there is no shame, there is no honor.