AFRICIAN PROVERBS

1.     Three things are important in this world: good health, peace with one’s neighbour, and friendship with all.  (west Africa)

2.     It is better to know your own faults than those of your neithbour.  (west Africa)

3.     A weak person goes where he is smiled at.

4.     A man who suffers much, knows much, everyday brings him new wisdom.  (west Africa)

5.     ninety-nine lies may help you, but the hundredth will give you away.  (central Africa)

6.     A negligent man starves in the midst of abundance.

 
· 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.

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

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

· 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)
 

· 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.

· 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)

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

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

 
· 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)

· 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)

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

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

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

Mr. MacIntyre’s

Hugging a liar is like hugging a shadow.

 You might think you are in touch with the real thing, but you are not, you are holding nothing but air.

A hammer is useless against the wind.

Sometimes we use force when it is not necessary.

FROM ROOTS:  The dry grass does not challenge the fire.