kwenu
Some
Igbo proverbs
[A collection of Ekene
Nwankwo]
Eze mbe si na e jighi ehi kwa nne
ya di na nso, mana a si ya wete na ya enweghi.
lit: The (king) tortoise said it is an abomination not to conduct his mother's
funeral with a cow, but if asked to produce one he couldn't afford it.
Exp: Emphasizing the importance of the necessity of an object even though one
cannot afford it.
Eze mbe si na nsogbu bu nke ya,
ya jiri kworo ya n'azu
Lit: The tortoise said that trouble is its own; that's why it carries trouble
on its back
Exp: One should try and shoulder one's own burden
Eze mbe si na olu oha di mma,
mana oriri oha na-aka ahu.
Lit: The tortoise said that many hands at work is enjoyable, but many mouths
to feed can be embarrassing.
Exp: A warning that it is not easy to feed the multitude.
Eze mbe si na ihe ya ji-achiri
ihe egwu ya aga njem bu maka ya ezu ndiegwu
Lit: The tortoise said that it always travels with its musical instrument in
case it meets other musicians.
Exp: Stressing a state of maintaining a state of preparedness.
Nwaanyi muta ite ofe mmiri mmiri,
di ya amuta ipi utara aka were suru ofe.
Li: If a woman decides to make the soup watery, the husband will learn to
dent the foofoo before dipping it into the soup.
Exp: one should learn to change tactics to suit a situation.
O na-abu a si nwata wuba ahu, o
saba afo ya.
Lit: Tell a child to wash his body, he washes his stomach.
Exp: This is a sign of immaturity.
Agwo emeghi nke o jiri buru agwo,
umuaka achiri ya hie nku.
Lit: If a snake fails to show its venom, little kids will use it in tying
firewood.
Exp: There are times when one defends ones capability.
Akwukwo juru n'ohia, ma a baa a
choba okazi.
Lit: There are various leaves in the bush, but people go in to look for okazi
leaves.
Exp: Many are called but few are chosen.
Ekpere niile bere n'Amen.
Lit: All prayers end in Amen.
Exp: The essence of true religion is righteousness.
Onwu egbuchughi ji e jiri chu
aja, e mesie o pue ome.
Lit: If the yam used in sacrifice does not die prematurely, it will
eventually germinate.
Exp: Things will eventually improve despite the present difficulties.
O te aka o di njo, emesie o ga-adi
mma.
Exp: Things will eventually improve despite the present difficulties.
Aka a na-ana dike bu itube ya (abuba)
ugo.
Lit: Appropriate handshake for the valiant is to cap him with an eagle (feather).
Exp: Noble deeds should be appreciated.
Azu na-eloghi ibe ya adighi ebu.
Lit: A fish that does not swallow other fishes does not grow fat.
Exp: There are occasions where one acts without qualms.
Isi kotara ebu ka ebu na-agba.
Lit: It is the head that disturbs the wasp that the wasp stings.
Exp: Used in warning trouble makers about serious consequences.
E tie dike n'ala, a nu uzu ya.
Lit: Knock a valiant man on the ground and the shouts will be tremendous.
Exp: The downfall of a famous man attracts public attention.
O bu mmuo ndi na-efe na-egbu ha.
Lit: It is the deity that people worship that kills them.
Exp: A reference to the efficacy of people's belief.
O na-abu akota ihe ka ubi, e lee
oba.
Lit: Whilst farming, if one encounters what is bigger than the farm, one
sells the barn.
Exp: One who incurs what is beyond one's ability may sell all one has.
E gbuo dike n'ogu uno, e ruo
n'ogu agu e lote ya.
Lit: Kill a warrior during skirmishes at home, you will remember him when
fighting enemies.
Exp: Don't destroy your leaders.
Ewu nwuru n'oba ji abughi agu
gburu ya.
Lit: A goat that dies in a barn was not killed by hunger.
Exp: He has the means but his undoing is laziness.
A ma ka mmiri si were baa n'opi
ugboguru?
Lit: Who knows how water entered into the stalk of the pumpkin?
Exp: Who can explain this puzzle.
A chuo aja ma a hughi udele, a
mara na ihe mere be ndimmuo.
Lit: If the vulture fails to hover at the end of a sacrifice, then you know
that something happened in the land of spirits.
Exp: The regulars must be around otherwise something is amiss.
Si kele onye nti chiri; enu
anughi, ala anu.
Lit: Salute the deaf; if the heavens don't hear, the earth will hear.
Exp: Let us do the correct thing, there are those who will understand.
Nwunye awo si na di atoka uto,
ya jiri nuta nke ya kworo ya n'azu.
Lit: The female toad said that husband is so sweet that when she got
married, she carried her husband permanently on the back.
Exp: A humorous proverb used in cajoling women into loving their husbands.
Ugo chara acha adi(ghi)
echu echu
Lit: A mature eagle feather will ever remain pure.
Exp: One well trained will stand the test of time.
Onyeubiam adi(ghi) aza "Omeokachie."
Lit: An indigent does not take the title of "Omeokachie" (i.e. one
who completes whatever he puts his hand to)
Exp: Used in condemning false claims.
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