Category Archives: African Proverbs

“Talking doesn’t fill the basket in the farm.” (West Africa) Some interpretations of the meaning: Success requires planning and hard work. You must do to accomplish, not talk. Don’t say you will, show you did. Find more African proverbs on … Continue reading →

“A cutting word is worse than a bowstring, a cut may heal, but the cut of the tongue does not.” – An African Proverb, rumored to be from Mauritania Find many more African proverbs by Clicking Here.

“Suffering is prior to attaining success or perfection.” – Proverb from Tanzania This proverb was written by the Chagga people of Tanzania. Success stories of persons who have made it in life through sheer struggle (or suffering) are much praised … Continue reading →

“Do not boast about yourself before performing an event, but after the event.” – Proverb from Kenya Where did this proverb come from? In the Kisii Ethnic Group in Southwestern Kenya many people especially hunters used to brag about how … Continue reading →

“The child that will not allow his parents to sleep through the night must be prepared to stay awake himself.” – from Nigeria To find more African proverbs just visit the Africa Imports web site or Click Here.

“The man on his feet carries off the share of the man sitting down.” To find more African proverbs just visit the Africa Imports web site or Click Here to go directly to proverbs.

“Dreamers remember their dreams when they are in trouble. When you throw a stone at God, it lands right on top of your head.” Find more African proverbs at the Africa Imports web site or by Clicking Here.

I pointed out to you the stars and the moon and all you saw was the tip of my finger. – Tanzanian Proverb What This Proverb Means: This proverb was written in reference to the Sukuma people in Tanzania. In … Continue reading →

“Words are like bullets; if they escape, you can’t catch them again.” – Wolof proverb from Senegal. The Wolof people are found mostly in Senegal; where 40% of the citizens identify themselves as Wolof. In The Gambia, about 15% of … Continue reading →