Preserving Wisdom, Identity, and Legacy
“Ọmọ tí a kò kọ́, ní yóò gbé ilé tí a kọ́ tán jìnà.” – Yoruba (proverb)
“The child we fail to teach will sell the house we have built.”
This timeless Yoruba proverb reminds us that when we neglect our roots, culture, and wisdom, we risk losing the very heritage our ancestors built. But when we teach, share, and tell our stories, our house, our communities, and Africa itself stand strong.
What Are African Proverbs?
African proverbs are concise, traditional sayings that encapsulate generations of wisdom, values, and life lessons. Often metaphorical, they use images from nature, daily life, and community to teach moral truth. A great Nigerian writer once said,
“Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten.” – Chinua Achebe
They are more than clever sayings; they are Africa’s first literature—the oral textbooks of our people.
The Origin of African Proverbs
Proverbs predate books, microphones, or social media. Born in oral tradition, they were carried by griots, elders, and storytellers around firesides, in marketplaces, and at ceremonies. Each proverb carries the voice of lived experience—farmers observing seasons, hunters learning from forests, mothers guiding children, elders preserving history.
Because Africa is home to over 3,000 ethnic groups, these proverbs emerged from diverse environments—Yoruba and Igbo in Nigeria, Akan in Ghana, Zulu in South Africa, Swahili on the East African coast, Shona in Zimbabwe, and more. Yet, they share a common purpose:
- To teach values
- To warn against mistakes
- To celebrate community
- To protect heritage
Proverbs Through History
- Precolonial Era: Proverbs flourished as living archives, encoding farming knowledge, moral laws, and traditions. A well-placed proverb could settle disputes more effectively than direct confrontation.
- Colonial Era: Proverbs became tools of cultural resistance. Elders used them to preserve traditions, criticize injustice, and pass values quietly.
- Modern Times: From political speeches to music and literature, African proverbs remain alive, shaping thought and guiding decisions.
The Power of African Proverbs
Proverbs remain relevant today because they:
- Teach moral instruction and ethics.
- Preserve culture, language, and heritage.
- Act as historical records and memory banks.
- Resolve conflicts with wisdom and grace.
- Encourage critical thinking and layered interpretation.
- Communicate deep truths in simple, memorable ways.
- Strengthen social cohesion and unity.
- Inspire creativity in art, literature, and music.
- Guide everyday decisions, leadership, and relationships.
Themes Reflected in African Proverbs
1. Our Roots and Identity
Proverbs are important; they remind us of our origins and strengthen our sense of belonging.
- Yoruba (Nigeria): “Omi ni í máa san ju okùn lọ, àmọ́ orísun rẹ̀ kì í péjú.”
A river may flow farther than a rope can stretch, but its source never dries. We must never forget our roots no matter how far life takes us. - Igbo (Nigeria): “O bu mmụọ ka e ji ama mmụọ.”
The spirit of the past reveals the spirit of today. Our present makes sense only in the light of our ancestors’ struggles and victories. - Ghanaian Proverb: “The child who does not know where he came from will not know where he is going.” Without knowledge of origin, direction is lost.
2. Wisdom for Everyday Living
African proverbs are practical guides for daily decisions. Our choices deepen our writing.
- Hausa (Nigeria): “Komai nisan jifa, ƙasa zai dawo.” meaning
No matter how far a stone is thrown, it will eventually land. Every action has a consequence. - Swahili (East Africa): “Haraka haraka haina baraka.”
Hurry, hurry has no blessing. → Rushing leads to regret; patience brings blessings. - Yoruba (Nigeria): “Ọ̀rọ̀ tí a bá fi sùúrù sọ́, kì í tán láì dára.”
Words spoken with patience always produce good results. → Calm speech resolves conflict better than anger.
3. Storytelling and Legacy
Proverbs are a breach. It helps us to link our part into the promise of our future, reminding us to share our stories so our names live on.
- Igbo (Nigeria): “Mmadu anaghi anọ n’ụlọ, ka a maa ya afa.”
You cannot stay silent at home and expect your name to be remembered. - Yoruba (Nigeria): “Arọ méta kì í gbagbe.”
Three calls of the town crier are never forgotten. → Repeated wisdom shapes collective memory.
Zimbabwean Proverb: “Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” → Africans must tell their own stories or risk being defined by outsiders.
→ Africans must tell their own stories or risk being defined by outsiders.
For more insights into how such proverbs contribute to Africa’s living cultural legacy, see UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage initiative, which highlights how oral traditions like proverbs safeguard identity and heritage.
Strong African Proverbs from Across the Continent
- Zulu (South Africa): “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.” which means
A person is a person through other people. It emphasizes community, empathy, and interconnectedness. - Igbo (Nigeria): “Idiala nduzwa,” meaning
Wisdom comes from experience. It encourages learning from elders or those who have traveled past or the same part. - Xhosa (South Africa): “Inkomo ebolekwe ayizalisi.” which means
A borrowed cow does not increase your herd. Emphasizing that true prosperity comes from what you truly earn. It encourages people to be independent of what is not theirs. - Zulu (South Africa): “Imposi isanatulaze,” meaning
The good is among the calves.” The youth are the leaders of tomorrow.
It’s a proverb used to inspire the youth. - Sesotho (South Africa): “Leihlo le leng ha le bone tsohle,” meaning
One eye does not see everything. Teamwork and shared perspectives are necessary. It is used to encourage teamwork and also seek the advice or opinion of others.
Conclusion: Proverbs as Bridges of Time
African proverbs are not relics of the past; they are living voices calling us to remember, act, and tell our stories. They are bridges, linking Africa’s past to its future.
From moonlight tales to modern classrooms, from the fireside to social media, proverbs shape how we think, love, lead, and dream. They remind us that:
- Our identity is our strength.
- Wisdom hides in the ordinary.
- Our stories must be told by us, not for us.
As we step into tomorrow, let us preserve and share these treasures. Because every proverb is not just a saying; it is a map, a shield, a story, and a seed for the future.
The question is not whether Africa has stories to tell. The question is, will we be bold enough to tell them?
Written by Patience Cyril Iwuoha
Content Writer Intern, BAC Growth