A dog that sees a motor vehicle and stands in its was makes itself a sacrifice to Ogun. (One must be mindful of how one's actions might affect others. Yoruba Proverb Sayings and Quotes. [7], d logn r. ), gntn blj gbgb elr br. ), k t ggi- ks, gbngbn- bu t sr. ), Ay fip j. (One should be content with one's lot. [Back to text], 10. The ground hornbill did a favor and developed a goitre. ), A k rd kun; a k rd s; m-on-gele-gele k j k wn rd un. The pot gets all the sweet, the lid nothing but steam. Dec 14, 2014 - Explore Toyin Oyeledun's board "Yoruba Proverbs" on Pinterest. If a single Colubus monkey sees you, be sure that two hundred of them have seen you. This is a collection of a collection of inspirational quotes about time, including proverbs and sayings on time. ), A k sr or bb lj md; lrnlrn ni y ma wo olwa-a . Patching extends the life of clothes; whoever does not save materials for patching deprives himself or herself of clothing. . Gossipers always suspect that others are talking about them. Isiro l'oko dido-calculation is the master of bleeping 2. You are given yams at y and you rejoice; have you secured wood to cook them? (The eyes sometimes see things that are too sacred for the mouth to mention. (One should not to outstrip one's help. (Excessive exaggeration amounts to lying.) wn olgb n jy; b b p tt a t eku- pa. These Nigerian Yoruba proverbs about life will add some clever ideas to your social media page, so be sure to use some and share with friends. Little by little is how the pig’s nose enters the yard. It serves here as a proper name. (Never court the anger of a person in a position to inflict injury on you. 104. ), gntn w sn-n; gbn in p egbje. The Yoruba people of north-western and central Nigeria are known for being firm believers in upholding manners and etiquette. (If the person who raises an alarm puts people off by his or her methods, they will not come to his or her aid. A dog destined to be lost does not hear the hunter's whistle. When you stand with the blessings of your mother and God, it matters not who stands against you. The insinuation being that whoever does not have its like is no better than a slave. [Back to text], 6. Argb oge r; ks- lgb r. The sheep stares blankly, but its cunning stratagems number a thousand four hundred. Fear a silent man. (When one enjoys a life of ease, one is tempted to overreach. Difficult-to-wear like the garment of immoderation. Proverbs. The hasty traveller leaves his goods behind. klmgb- oore y gg lrn. One's palm does not deceive one. Something-seen-but-unmentionable, something-seen-but-unspeakable is the death of a guardian of the mysteries. Pai lotun pai losi, t'oju o ba fo, a ko ma wo bai bai ni-hardship here and there would definitely yield a broken personility. Picking-up-one's-load-without-checking-one's-rear caused the piece of broken bottle to forget its mother on the ground. (One does not commiserate with a person who does not admit his/her misfortune). ~ Yoruba 105. Inability to speak out precedes misfortunes. (Never get into a competition with a braggart unless a witness is present. ), tlw ni k tanni. Every person has multiple souls, including the souls of ancestors that reincarnate through us. A thing in which one reposes one's trust does not make one hunger. The chicken eats corn, drinks water, even swallows small pebbles, and yet complains that it lacks teeth; does the goat that has teeth swallow steel? The formulation, baba fojdi, means both father of disregard, and father-type disregard, in other words, an extra-ordinary degree of disregard. It takes a whole village to raise a child. When the rain falls in the valley, the hill gets angry. A scorpion is not a thing to close one's palms on. (The culprit is asking for trouble, and he will not be disappointed. A witch proclaims her presence and an invalid does not make away; he must have money for sacrifices at home. (Never discuss a secret in the hearing of a person whose behavior will give the secret away. You must be willing to die in order to live. gb d l, fdn. Whatever dream the dog dreams remains inside the dog. The axe that cuts wood stumbles, and the carver anoints his head with medicinal powder. ), fojdi lk n j r-k-n. Igbo and Yoruba (Nigeria) Proverb . Yoruba Proverb “The friends of our friends are our friends.” Congolese Proverb “He who loves the vase loves also what is inside.” African Proverb “A snake that you see does not bite.” Mozambican Proverb “One who relates with a corrupt person likewise gets corrupted.” Kenyan Proverb 105. The hired carrier does not ask to die from his efforts; what would the owner of the merchandise ask? Few days ago, I promised to come up with some "super-lovely" yoruba proverbs and here I am with them. Proverbs no doubt are a part of what makes the Yoruba language very rich. ), Algbr yege; al gb b dla. Yoruba Proverb Sayings and Quotes. She who borrows a wrapper-skirt to wear is not home free; the owner of the cloth will take it back come tomorrow. We scoop water from the water pot and see a masquerader; what will the person who goes to draw water at the river find? If a big masquerade claims it doesn’t see the smaller masquerade, the small masquerade will also claim it doesn’t see the big masquerade. (Those who are favored should remember that times and circumstances do change.). "I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let … ), Alpdd jay lb-lb. Dec 14, 2014 - Explore Toyin Oyeledun's board "Yoruba Proverbs" on Pinterest. Proverbs are wise sayings. (The broken bottle suffered its fate, perhaps, because it was not careful about what it carried. The junior wife could find nothing to say, and said that the mice in the house will eat brass; the senior wife if the household happens to be named Mjid(m--j-id) (meaning Child eats brass.) (One should not judge people by their size. (One may devise stratagems to defer carrying out one's duties, but they are unlikely to make others carry them out. (Life demands caution. . (Never sneer at obvious danger. Where you will sit when you are old shows where you stood in youth. Meaning and translation of Yoruba Proverbs with pronunciations and pictures. One does not sit at home, not go to war, and yet be shot with an arrow. ‘Thank you’ in the Yoruba dialect will automatically earn you some good points. Yoruba Proverb “The friends of our friends are our friends.” Congolese Proverb “He who loves the vase loves also what is inside.” African Proverb “A snake that you see does not bite.” Mozambican Proverb “One who relates with a corrupt person likewise gets corrupted.” Kenyan Proverb 4. [Back to text], 11. [Back to text], 2. A wicked elder sows suffering for his children. The sparrow enjoys life carefully. One does not fight to save another person's head only to have a kite carry one's own away. (The pains one takes to adorn oneself are for a good end. 110 Best Success Quotes From Successful People. . The king’s palace that got burnt added beauty to it. The kite plays with the pigeon and the pigeon rejoices; the pigeon is courting death. Words are like spears: Once they leave your lips they can never come back. ), bl n m a t; ni t k tj bl y e ara-a lf a. [4] [Back to text], 8. ), A k knj tu ol-rn; igba t- seb. (The evil doer does not consider the response of the person wronged. (Never assume that a propitious beginning assures a successful conclusion.) With wealth one wins a … (No matter what help one may render, one cannot save an ill-fated person. Pepper is small; its fight is much bigger. The latter caught Tortoise and tied it up by the path, where people going to their farms saw it and justified the father-in-law. Could the small gourd save itself, before we put charms into it? (Never expose yourself to repercussions with careless speech or indiscreet behavior. Aseju ni irun aya, irun abe tito-hairy chest is oversabi, pubic hair is enough 3. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language, which is tonal, and is the Niger-Congo language with the largest number of native speakers. The white chicken does not realize its age. ), Alwd l l k n; ni t k lnu mm tete l k alpp. According to About's Christianity Expert, the Proverbs were written by and during the reign of King Solomon (971-931 B.C.). Arbas ojo. One does not look into the eyes of a person and still tell a lie against that person. A farmer who tarries in the house will not object to hoeing the farm in the afternoon. . ), kek rn taptap. Some are sincere and heartfelt, while others are lighter and more comical. Hardship here and there would definitely yield a broken personality. (The supplicant must be patient for an answer.). Yoruba people are an ethnic group of Southwestern and North Central Nigeria as well as Southern and Central Benin, together known as Yorubaland. Aro re so mi: I miss you. (A secret that one discloses to one person is as good as published for all. Nursing mother, make the herbal decoction in good time; the day is waning. This is a variant of the previous entry. (Attend to duties in time. (One should keep one's hands to one's own pockets. Alra l w p k dun un, k n k sn, k wo. (One should not assume other people's responsibilities and risks. In everyday syntax the statement would be: gbk let lrn-n fi di. The basic meaning is that child upbringing is a communal effort. Yoruba Quotes About Wisdom Yoruba Proverbs And Quotes Large Pictures Of Quotes About Purpose In Life I Miss My Husband Quotes Igbo Quotes About Life Spend The Rest Of My Life With You Quotes Abraham Lincoln Quotes Albert Einstein Quotes Bill Gates Quotes Bob Marley Quotes Bruce Lee Quotes Buddha Quotes. ), kek ta Kindo lpn, ar ile Labata roj; k l kn n nb? One treats an illness; one does not treat death. Isiro l'oko dido-calculation is the master of bleeping 2. Chinua Achebe (1930-2013), one of Africa’s and Nigeria’s most celebrated sons said it best, “Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten.” Referring specifically to Igbo culture, and indeed in many Nigerian cultures, palm oil is used to make the meal sweeter. Persistent-staring ruins a friendship; one looks only glancingly at those looking at one. Like this post? (One's character often affects the fortunes of one's children.) When wood breaks it can be repaired, but ivory breaks forever. ), Ar t k ls nl- lgbn nn. (The evil doer's conscience will not let him/her rest.) [3], A k rj ni pur mni. rn l w a k wok. ~ Nigerian proverb. . wfn n m r bj; fr l wo ni t woni. 7 quotes have been tagged as yoruba: Karen E. Quinones Miller: ‘Olofi made Oya . Friendship Match 2 parts of the proverbs ID: 1236853 Language: English School subject: English language Grade/level: Pre-Intermediate Age: 14+ Main content: Proverbs Other contents: Match the proverbs Add to my workbooks (0) Download file pdf Embed in my website or blog (An enemy who pretends friendship is so much more dangerous. The young cannot teach tradition to the old. (There is some benefit to ignoring certain things.) ), ttml, ol mlko. (An excerpt from Wikipedia) The dove recites incantations, thinking that the pigeon cannot hear; the pigeon hears; it is only pretending to sleep. ), Ar nas kan d n. No one rides a horse without moving his head, voluntarily or involuntarily. The Wisdom of African Proverbs – Get inspired From 300 African Proverbs From all Around African Continent!. The big, fat sheep does not soon forget the provider of corn bran. One who waits for chance may wait a year. When hunger gets inside you, nothing else can. The proverb is based on a folktale in which Tortoise stole yams from the farm of its father-in-law. It is an impertinent bead that is named The-slave-does-not-own-its like. See: wfn m r bj; . [Back to text], 3. . We have called it Proverb5 Applied Chains: According to the Applied Proverb Chain the poet selects or the proverb is selected according to context. ), Agbjlgn fi ara-a r f ta. See: w f n m r b j; . Choosing-a-base-and-maintaining-it is the medicine for wealth. Covetousness is the father of unfulfilled desires. Yorùbá Proverbs are wise sayings passed through generations to teach historical lessons, highlight good morals, and instil social values. Yoruba Proverbs book. This page. (He who dallies makes his tasks that much more difficult. The young cock crows as he hears the old one. [Back to text], 12. [Back to text], 9. (One must be alert in dealing with slippery people; otherwise they turn the tables on one. ~ Yoruba. (One's trust is best placed in one's own resources. (There is nothing like having one's own. [13], lkrs m p olko- ld. Fire, something-one-sees-and-flees, snake, something one sees and jumps; an elder who sees a snake and does not flee flirts with death. Moja mosa laa mo akinkanju loju ogun-discretion is a better part of valour. A farmer does not make new clothes monthly, only annually. For everything else. Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old yoruba proverb quotes, yoruba proverb sayings, and yoruba proverb proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources. (Reckless living leads to early death. With wealth one wins a woman. (Patience is best in delicate or difficult matters. Yoruba language has quite some of these proverbs. Kk and bj are both patterns of facial scarification. Yoruba proverbs and meaning Ile oba t'o jo, ewa lo busi It is translated as: When a king's palace burns down, the re-built palace is more beautiful. The diagramme below beautifully illustrates the points. Proverbs. A scorpion stung Kindo in the testicle, and a person from Labata's household frowns in dismay; what business is it of his? y kan-n b w; igba w n ti r. If a single Colubus monkey sees you, be sure that two hundred of them have seen you. The number of speakers of Yoruba is approaching 30 million. Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old yoruba proverb quotes, yoruba proverb sayings, and yoruba proverb proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources. As part of Yoruba funerary rites, a chicken is sacrificed to clear evil forces off the way of the deceased's spirit. Pngila said, Well, you had better go find yourself some wood elsewhere. Translation: The head of an old man is bald because he has taken on so much trouble on his head in his lifetime. The visitor replied, I am Bugij (Bitewood). ), gb t b p nl n k oko sn. One does not fight at night with a braggart. Enjoy! We are cousins of God. ), mj l m kn-un Sr. ), lej t w nl-e Pngil, Pngil n, w ta ni? . Compare, gb t gbin b k . One does not eat scalding stew in a hurry. Saare always goes too far in his description of a leopard. . ), Aff t wl t k a iyr, kl ni fn ni t w ti srn. Truth came to market but could not be sold; however, we buy lies with ready cash. (One should be safe in one's own home. ), Aj il md e. (Certain tasks demand patience if they are to come out right. You are told that a job is your responsibility and you say you are on your way to the farm; you may be on your way to the farm, but the job will be there on your return. Everyone loves to be missed, saying ‘I miss you’ in the … The proverb builds on the fact that chickens have no knees, and, therefore, cannot state cases kneeling. Alrnj t y j, k ti wy m s k le k k k. [12], kek - d nb. Proverbs are descriptive enough to make situational meanings. You cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. He-who-flees-on-seeing-the-king is no coward. ), l t aj b l, in aj n gb. The person who will engage in itinerant dancing should look to his legs in good time. ), Akbni lkt-il; ej k jgbdo. (One's safest course is to steer clear of those in authority.) ), gnbj ni told. Compare A k bba pl kk ba m ni ls. (A fast start does not guarantee success.) [9], gbknl pani lbi. The owner of the body does not say that he is in no pain, while we insist on commiserating with him for his sleeplessness and his restlessness. Apatapara kills himself in the wilderness; who will carry him is now the question. Only the newly weaned cat suffers; eventually it will learn to kill mice. ), rs in, ktagr ej; gb t rj t k s, ara ik l y a. Yoruba proverbs and their meaning. READ ALSO: Traditional rulers and … If something that was going to chop off your head only knocked off your cap, you should be grateful. ), Ajnifni, kt il. Proverb: Ile oba t’o jo, ewa lo busi . The-impatient-reporter, wife of the hunter, she says that her husband killed the first and killed the sixth. In Yoruba language, proverbs are in categories. 4. One dips one leg into the stream and the water tugs at it; what if one had dipped both legs into it? ), Algb t foj di er, ikn ej ni y b ara-a . . ), -r--gbd-w, -r--gbd-f ni ik awo. While the animal hurts one, it also soothes one, so as to be able to continue hurting one. Because of the delay in apprehending the thief, the thief apprehends the owner of the farm. In the same way, our conversations are enriched by the proverbs we use. (One should be wary of adversaries who pose as friends.) A-creature-that-learns-wisdom-in-reverse-order, dog-with-severed-ears; after its ears have been severed it hides the razor. For no man could be blessed without the acceptance of his own head. Aknj jay, run wn p. ~ Uganda 106. The weed did not know that the farmer had a machete. ), Ataare- rni tn d-i r e fi br sn; br b rni tn d-i r e a sunwn j ataare l. Roughhousing keeps the young of the cane rat from learning wisdom. He who throws a stone in the market will hit his relative. Marking one's face with kk is a quest for beauty; marking one's face with bj is a quest for beauty. ), Abr b smi tl; dfn n un-n gb jb! (It is always easier to do evil to people when they are absent. Persistent-staring ruins a friendship; one looks only glancingly at those looking at one. Foriti Foriti lomu ki ori Agba pa. ), j k, knrn parad; lw b nl. (A battle of looks does not help a friendship.) ), Arow b w ej. [Back to text], 13. Only what you have combated for will last. One is in a dilemma to choose between two conditions by weighing the merits and demerits. (We should attend to problems before they become unmanageable. The responsibility for raising a child is shared with the larger family (sometimes called the extended family). [6], Abiyam, kgbo wr; j l. Most of all we can discuss how proverbs make us think about life and living. [Back to text], 7. d is a tiny gourd in which people keep charms, often serving as talismans. The names of two of most celebrated blocos in Salvador, Bahia, Olodum and Ilê Aiyê took their names directly from the Yoruba dictionary. To Tortoise belongs the outward trip; to his father-in-law belongs the return. (Fire and snakes are not things to take lightly; and elder should not be embarrasses to flee from danger. The number of speakers of Yoruba is approaching 30 million. The poor man and the rich man do not play together. (Repercussions should not be disproportionate to the act. ), gbk et lrn di. (Whatever handicaps one might have, one will have some asset.). During the egn season people who follow pathways (like those leading to rivers) are liable to run into masqueraders on the way from gbl, their secret groves. You can’t stop a pig from wallowing in the mud. (The reward for one's labor is often a long time coming. This is because when you give you add more blessings into your life.It is a wise Nigerian proverb. Going-from-one-sadthought-to-another results in endless weeping; the person weeping does his weeping and departs. [10], lfhn n j or burk. (Bad company brings bad fortune. The old person was once a dandy; the rag was once in fashion. ), A k b ba ongg lj wn yn-n . Some are known to come from specific African tribes, ethnic groups, or African countries, and others have an unknown source and are listed simply as “African proverbs.” (A person enjoying a run of good fortune should not deride the less fortunate; if they had been similarly favored there is no telling what they might have accomplished. Ibadan people do not run from war; what they say is, We will fall back a little. ), gbrn, baba fojdi. (The alert person will thwart an enemy's machinations. ), rrs yw t w p kt-il y j id; bni Mjid nyl-e r j. The hedgehog does not live in the grassland, only in the forest. The person that eat late, will not eat spoiled food. The person who has been a slave from birth does not value rebellion. ), gba rm ad lw ik, n wn j k un j ltn. (The impatient reporter is liable to outstrip her report. The cultivated vegetable is contented, so it sends for its wild variety; the Nupe (Fulani) person is so comfortable that he builds a tall house. (A wounded adversary is a vicious one. Yoruba proverbs are used purposefully, making them easy to use for teaching and application. Grateful that the animal did not kill his son, the father killed a cock as a sacrifice. The influence of the Yoruba people can also be noted in the music where it is common note the Yoruba language pop up in the songs of blocos afros and Bahian pop. One does not insult a king with a goitre in the presence of his people. People who live impatiently: their going to heaven is not far off. The soup does not move round in an elder’s belly. (Prevention makes sense only before the disaster. The ear that will insist on hearing everything will go deaf. (Wearing the cloak of immoderation exposes one to difficulties. It is a pluricentric language spoken principally in Benin and Nigeria, with communities in other parts of Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It is customary for litigants in Yoruba courts to state their cases on their knees. [Back to text], 4. A friend in need is a friend indeed. THE NUMBER 1 CHOICE FOR THAI RETIREMENT VISAS HERE IN PATTAYA ), 1e Atrohungbogbolwlrun k knj. Meaning: Prolonged endurance is what yields elderly maturity. (To disobey people is to show a lack of regard for them.) Faithfulness and loyalty are also due to one's lineage members, to one's government, and to one's friends. (Chicks foraging at the dump are easy prey for kites. He who eats well speaks well or it is a question of insanity. (A person who needlessly endangers him/herself deserves his/her fate. What one puts aside is what one returns to find; whoever dumps water ahead of him/her will step on wet earth. To catch a monkey, you must do like a monkey. The majority of this population is from Nigeria and make up 21% of its population, according to the CIA World Factbook, making them one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. We must blame the thief first before we say that where the owner put her property improper. 17. (A person who takes life as a jest does not learn to be wary.). (One remembers one's benefactor. Even though most of them came to existence long ago, they are still applicable in the modern world. A cripple does not block the road with his legs. (One reaps what one sows.) RadicallyBlunt:. The quotes and proverbs in this article are all about friendship. [Back to text], 14. (If one neglects an illness until death intervenes, the treatment comes too late. ), l ti albaun; b ti na-a r. More African Proverbs (Based on Topics) Man - Nature - Wisdom & Knowledge - Birds - Water - Dogs - Friendship - Life - Money & Wealth - Lions - Time - Mothers - People - Fool - Fire - War & Peace - Truth - Cats - God - View All African Proverbs Buy books and product about African @ Amazon Then the son spoke of how the animal went from okro plant to okro plant to eat the fruits. . ), gntn j n ktky e nu bb. [8] Moja mosa laa mo akinkanju loju ogun-discretion is a better part of valour. Pounding-until-it-is-ruined is the habit of the owner of the mortar. See more ideas about yoruba proverbs, proverbs, yoruba language. (Looks are deceptive. They are a quick, deep and effective way of passing messages in such a way that joining a thousand sentences together sometimes cant. (This proverb has the same import as, A knl, a pgb . One-that-bites-and-blows-on-the-wound, the house-mouse. ), db pgd, r p yl gb; yl gb, ttiiri l tiiri. The use of a Yorùbá Proverb by a younger person is prohibited in the presence of an older person, without prior permission to do so. (One should secure one's own living. b yl er, yl y; yl fik er. It means Necessity is mother of invention, creativity is often achieved after overcoming many difficulties. (If one keeps thinking sad thoughts one will ever remain miserable; if one must be sad, one must observe some limits. The funeral is over, but the calabash beater does not take his leave; does he want to inherit a wife? Feb 12, 2018 - Explore Tony Sagbale's board "Yoruba Proverbs" on Pinterest. A sheath that engages in a dispute with a knife will suffer an internal wound. Persistent-staring ruins a friendship; one looks only glancingly at those looking at one. It is head fish uses to swim through water. The mouse is a bringer of disaster to the innocent; snakes do not eat corn. The razor begs the scalp; the wayfarer's soles beg the path; waist beads beg the home-woven cloth; when the begging is done, one lets matters drop. One takes care of one’s own: when a bachelor roasts yam, he share’s it with his sheep. Diseased genitals must keep to themselves. One does not gather ol-rn mushrooms in haste; two hundred of them are not enough to make a stew. ), Ad jk, mumi, gb kta p-p-p m, n un lhn; drgb t lhn gb irin m b? ), y k j k m y gbn. The expression r d, literally see the bottom of, also means discover the guarded secrets of. Authors; 1. Yorùbá Proverbs are wise sayings passed through generations to teach historical lessons, highlight good morals, and instil social values. Both the axe and the carpenter are offenders against wood; the carpenter takes the axe's stumbling as a bad omen.

Is Imitation Crab Meat Healthy, Nfl 2k5 Pcsx2 Mods, Never Cared Poem, Vitamin D Anxiety Reddit, Blackout Cloth Vs Spandex Projector Screen, Cheap Homes For Sale In Maine,