Today in class we are looking for proverbs from whatever country we are studying. There are many idioms and proverbs in African culture. I believe (and research supports this) that these idioms and proverbs were created to teach those who are younger in an simpler yet harder way. Simple because they are straight facts, and more difficult because they have to figure out what the proverbs mean on their own. Idioms and proverbs do not have to change as the society changes, they hold truth and fact over time.
Here are some of my favorite Tanzanian Proverbs:
- He who tells the truth, is never wrong.
- An empty sack can not stand.
- We start as fools and become wise through experience.
- The mouth of an elderly man is without teeth, but never without words of wisdom.
- To be happy in one’s home is better than being a chief.
- The patient person eats ripe fruit.
- You will get hurt by talking about people behind their back.
sourses:http://www.utamaduni.dk/fakta/khangasaying.htm http://www.utamaduni.dk/fakta/khangasaying.htm
http://www.toeverytribe.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=73401