African Proverbs

· A feeble effort will not fulfill the self (Dogon)

in reference to the idea that the drum should be played as a method of communication between man and God, "the drum is the ear of God" Blekete is the name of a Dogon God but also is the name of the principal drum used in the Blekete cycle. (Richard Hodges page)


· A bird is in the air but its mind is on the ground (Mandinka)

Wherever you are it is important to remember where you come from and what is important.

· In God's shrine, this world, what everybody wants is a good life. Why do people always make trouble? God has given principles to live by, But only you yourself can follow them. (Dogon)

Example of the prime moral law, the sacredness of life, life is meant to serve God. (R. Hodges)

· Between true friends even water drunk together is sweet enough (Zimbabwe)

· If words fail no others will avail (Zimbabwe)

· A shade seeker and sunset met (Mandinka)
that is to say a happy coincidence occurred.

· A ripe melon falls by itself (Zimbabwe)
All things happen when thier times come

· The dead say to each other "Dead one" (Mandinka)
an analogy for a wicked person poiting out another persons wickedness, like "the pot calling the kettle black"

· A student doesn't know about masterhood but a master knows about studenthood (Mandinka)
A master was once a student and cannot be fooled easily.

· Long ago did not live long ago (Zimbabwe)

· If you see an elder bending his neck for the fufu, it's not because of its sweetness, but because he doesn't want it to drop on him (Mandinka)
If you see a man making peace between himself and the other man, it is not because of cowardice, but because he doesn't want trouble.

· O God, we beseech Thee to bless our native land; The land of our fathers bestowed upon us all; From Zambesi to Limpopo, May leaders be exemplary; And may the Almighty protect and bless our land. (Zimbabwean National Anthem)

· This great panorama of creation dates back to time immemorial. No one lives who saw it's beginning. No one will live to see it's end, Except God. (Asante)
The last words of this saying are represented in the symbol Gye Nyame which translates into, "Except God" and is a symbol of God's omnipotence. The symbol Gye Nyame resembles a yin yang symbol in some respects.


· Having a good discussion is like having riches (Kenya)
Even though Many Westerners will agree with this statement it is particularly true in areas of Africa where history and news are conferred exclusively orally.

· A master drummer must have seven eyes (West)
a master drummer must be insightful into human nature and sensitive to the effect music can have on people. A master drummer must be responsible with his influential position. The seven eyes of the master drummer see the inside of people and helps him to know them, it is a metaphor for insight into human nature.(R. Hodges)

· Every time an old man dies it is as if a library has burnt down -Chiek Oumar Ba- (Mandinka West Africa)
This is Again referring to information in it's West African form, as an oral tradition. The Memory of a Musician, Genealogist, Story teller, Historian, myth maker, (often the same person) and a strong sense of culture and community help to keep African tradition and sensibilities alive in the present day as they have been for centuries.

· Words are spoken with their shells, let the wise man come to shuck them (West African, Mossi)

· Lack of knowledge is darker than night (Nigeria, Hausa)

· Do a thing at its time and peace follows it (Mandinka)

· Even the Niger River must flow around an island (Nigeria, Hausa)
sometimes the strongest person must turn aside.

· When the drumbeat changes, the Dance changes (Nigeria, Hausa)

· He who rides the horse of greed at a gallop will pull it up at the door of shame (West Africa, Fulani)

· A Fulani will lie but he will not make a lying proverb (Fulani)

· A child who's hand is clean may eat with the elders (Mandinka)one a child learns proper manners and discipline he may participate with the elders.

· Justice today, injustice tomorrow, that is not good government (Ghana, Asante)

· if one is fortunate people say he has been to the diviner, if he is destitute they say he is hopeless (Ghana, Asante)
· If you say you have no business with anybody no one will have any business with you either (Mandinka)


· If you want someone more knowledgeable than yourself to identify a bird you do not first remove the feathers.When consulting an elder it is not proper to withhold information

· No one points out Nyame (God) to a Child (Ghana, Akan)

· Unless You die of Nyame let living man kill you and you will not parish (Ghana, Akan)

· The bitter heart eats it's owner (Tswana)

· Until Lions have their own historians tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter (Igbo, Nigeria)

· A Tiger does not have to proclaim his Tigritude (Nigeria, Wole Soyinka)

· A family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you are inside you see that each tree has it's place (Ghana, Akan)

· One goat cannot carry another goat's tail (Nigeria).Possible double meaning. One person cannot do another persons job or everyone must accept thier lot in life

· The family is like the forest, if you are outside it is dense, if you are inside you see that each tree has its own position (Akan).

· It is the woman whose child has been eaten by a witch who best knows the evils of witchcraft (Nigeria).

· The hunter does not rub himself in oil and lie by the fire to sleep (Nigeria).

· The hunter in pursuit of an elephant does not stop to throw stones at birds (Uganda).

· If all seeds that fall were to grow, then no one could follow the path under the trees (Akan).

· Even the mightest eagle comes down to the tree tops to rest (Uganda).

· Althought the snake does not fly it has caught the bird whose home is in the sky (Akan)
Classic "David and Goliath" analogy to "you can do what you put your mind to"

· A man does not wander far from where his corn is roasting (Nigeria)