Proverbs are used frequently by Igbo people to enrich conver-
sation and to make their points with very few words. Igbo peo-
ple live in the South Eastern part of Nigeria and across the
River Niger to the West. Despite the myriad of dialects of the
Igbo language, most of the proverbs in this collection are
shared by Igbo communities far and wide.
Traditionally, Igbo people are ruled by a parliament of elders
who meet frequently to discuss matters ranging from warfare to
trial and punishment. During such meetings, proverbs come up
very frequently for inspiration, morale boosting and justifica-
tion of community action.
Proverbs are also used during negotiations for marriage, pay-
ment of dowries and settlement of disputes. On personal
grounds, knowledge of proverbs can provide the necessary wis-
dom for action or inaction, relationship, courage and reconcilia-
tion between friends.
Readers will find some of the proverbs vulgar. Despite the of-
fensive nature of such proverbs they are still used by elders
even in the presence of young adults as long such proverbs are
the only ones capable of making a particular point indisputable.
Women are excluded in most traditional Igbo meetings. Most
of the proverbs featured here are used mainly by men. It is
worth noting that when women meet, they make use of prov-
erbs as much as the men folk irrespective of whether such
proverbs are vulgar or not.
With the growth of Pentecostal Christianity and the emergence
of a revolutionary born again culture in Nigeria, the use of
proverbs in Igbo land would have been expected to be on the
Selected African Proverbs
9
decline. The use of proverbs has not been threatened by pious
Christians as much as by the decline in the population of Igbo
people willing to pass on the culture to their children. In some
cases, pious Christians who wish to hang unto the traditional
proverbs without being vulgar adapt them when speaking in
public. For instance instead of saying that one vagina kills the
penis the person would say that One thing kills the thing and
the point would be understandable to all present.
Enjoy the proverbs and make the most of the wisdom, humor
and laughter the proverbs are bound to provoke.
Uzoma C. Azuonye
Kaduna Nigeria 2013
Selected African Proverbs
10
1.0
Agwa ogbenye ihe eji aba ogaranya, osi ka ora ka ora.
If a poor man is told what it takes to become rich he
says he is satisfied with his present situation.
The road to fame, wealth and power is not an easy one to follow. Knowl-
edge of what is required may discourage aspirants. This proverb is mainly
used when held in awe of spectacular achievements.
2.0
Eziem ozi zie eze, agam ezi ya, mana asim kputa ya ak-
puta agam asi mba.
If I am sent on an errand to the king, I will go. If I am
sent to arrest him, I will say no.
It is always wise to know our limits and to know when we are being misled
by others or our own ambitions
3.0
Onye fee eze, eze eruo ya.
He who worships the king becomes a king.
We are expected to be respectful to God, our elders and our superiors in
our work places. Such respect is often rewarded in many ways by God and
by our superiors.
4.0
Onye gara uno akwa gara uno akwa nke ya.
When a man attends a funeral, he is also attending his
own funeral.
The benefits of staying close to families, friends and acquaintances cannot
be overemphasized. This proverb is about relationship and the need to re-
Selected African Proverbs
11
main close.
5.0
Nwa mkpi si na umunwanyi ezuru ya oburu nke oji eme
ogo.
The he goat says he has not got enough female mates
to start worrying himself about sisters-in-law.
At times a man finds himself under pressure not only to satisfy himself and
his family but to meet the needs of his extended family and community.
This proverb is often used by people under such pressure to show their di-
lemma.
6.0
Onye nzuzu amaghi na nwanne ya nwanyi bu obia.
It is the foolish man who does not realize that his
sister is a visitor to the family.
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