If you’re familiar with phrases such as “Actions speak louder than words” or “What goes around comes around,” you might have depended on proverbs to guide you into living a meaningful life.
Or you might have heard them from your parents or elders who used these sayings as a warning so that you avoid doing something you may regret. A proverb refers to a short, pithy saying that expresses a traditionally held truth based on common sense or experience. They exist in more than one culture and language but doesn’t mean their meanings are not universal. Below are seven Xitsonga proverbs you may like.
Proverb 1: Masiku i tinguluve.
Translation: Days are pigs.
Meaning: There are plenty of days. If you don’t get a chance to do something today, tomorrow is still another day.
Proverb 2: Ndlopfu a yi fi hi rimbambu rin’we.
Translation: An elephant does not die of one broken rib.
Meaning: A man shouldn’t give up because of one adversity.
Proverb 3: Nghala yi vomba exihlahleni.
Translation: A lion roars in the bush.
Meaning: A person is stronger when they are with their own people.
Proverb 4: Nhenha yi vonaka enyimpini.
Translation: A brave person is seen during the war.
Meaning: A person should display their strength/skills against their counterparts instead of boasting about them.
Proverb 5: Njiya ayi fani na muroho.
Translation: A locust is not the same as a vegetable.
Meaning: Little is better than nothing.
Proverb 6: Hambi wo famba enkoveni, lundza ri ta vonaka.
Translation: Even if you walk in the valley, your head will be visible.
Meaning: There are no secrets.
Proverb 7: Ngoma ayi tichayi.
Translation: A drum doesn’t beat itself.
Meaning: An expert doesn’t boast or gloat about his skills, they let their work do the talking.
Image: Halama Ink Media