East African proverbs and sayings, from communities in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda (also classified as Central African) … Feel free to suggest or submit more via the forum, which will then be added to the list.
- A bad dancer blames the drummer.
Community/language of origin: Swahili
Country: Kenya/Tanzania - A single bracelet does not jingle.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Somalia - If you are bitten by a snake you fear seeing a rope at night.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Kenya - A sinking vessel needs no navigation.
Community/language of origin: Swahili
Country: Kenya - The tree that cannot shed its old leaves in the dry season cannot survive the period of drought.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Tanzania - The man who marries a beautiful woman and the farmer who grows corn by the roadside have the same problem.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Ethiopia - You may well have two legs but you still can’t climb two trees at the same time.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Ethiopia - Do not take a taste of the honey if it is lying on a thorn.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Ethiopia - Empty stomachs create friendships.
Community/language of origin: Masai
Country: Kenya - Do not catch a leopard by the tail, but if you do, do not let it go.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Ethiopia - The man who marries a beautiful woman and the farmer who grows corn by the roadside have the same problem.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Ethiopia - A loose tooth will not rest until it’s pulled out.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Ethiopia - Do not sweep another person’s house whilst your own is dirty.
Community/language of origin: Maasai
Country: Kenya/Tanzania - You cannot know the bedbugs of a bed that you have not lain on.
In original language: Kitanda usicho kilala hujui kunguni wake.
Community/language of origin: Swahili
Country: Unknown - Little by little fills up the measure.
English proverb: One by one makes a bundle.
Similar proverb in Luganda: Kamukamu gwe muganda.
In original language: Haba na haba hujaza kibaba.
Community/language of origin: Swahili / East Africa
Country: Unknown - Empty vessels make the most noise.
In original language: Debe tupu haliachi kuvuma.
Community/language of origin: East African region / Swahili
Country: Unknown - A fire should be put out fire while it is still small.
Community/language of origin: Kalenjin
Country: Kenya - When the cat is away, the mouse plays.
In original language: Paka akionodoka panya hutawala.
Community/language of origin: Swahili
Country: East Africa - A sinking vessel needs no navigation.
Community/language of origin: Swahili
Country: Unknown - A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
In original language: Fimbo ya mbali haiui nyoka.
Community/language of origin: Swahili speaking regions of East Africa
Country: East Africa - One who tells you about someone else’s business will tell someone else about yours.
Literal Meaning: A gossip isn’t a good friend.
In original language: Anayekueleza ya wengine atawaeleza mengine ya kwako.
Community/language of origin: Swahili
Country: East Africa - If it doesn’t burn you, you haven’t tasted it (hot pepper).
Literal Meaning: Don’t listen to someone who objects to something they have no experience of.
In original language: Isipokuwasha hujairamba
Community/language of origin: Swahili
Country: Kenya - Evil enters like a splinter and spreads like an oak tree.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Ethiopia - The ears of a wise man hear and filter the wisdom from foolish talk.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Kenya - Only a medicine man gets rich by sleeping.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Kenya - One who bathes willingly with cold water does not feel the cold.
Community/language of origin: Bukoba area
Country: Tanzania - Love is wealth
Community/language of origin: Iringa highlands, Bena(?) community.
Country: Tanzania - Be grateful for whatever you are given, however little it is.
Community/language of origin: Kure tribe/northern Tanzania
Country: Tanzania - If you want to get something under the bed, you have to bend to be able to do so.
Meaning: You cannot get something precious without working for it or without any effort.
In original language: Mtaka cha uvunguni shalti (lazima) ainame
Community/language of origin: Swahili
Country: Tanzania - He who learns, teaches.
Community/language of origin: Unknown
Country: Ethiopia - Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.
Community/language of origin: Bondei ethnic group
Country: Tanzania - A hyena cannot smell its own stench.
Community/language of origin: Kalenjin
Country: Kenya - Two waterfalls do not hear each other.
Community/language of origin: Gikuyu
Country: Kenya
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