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TopicProverbMeaningGroupOriginalSource
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Community and Unity
The child belongs to the community.
Emphasizes the shared responsibility of raising and nurturing children within the community.
General Luhya
3
Community and Unity
Unity is strength.
Underscores the importance of unity and cooperation for achieving success.
General Luhya
4
Community and Unity
A girl does not get married alone, she gets married with others.
Highlights the communal nature of social events and the importance of support networks.
General Luhya
5
Community and Unity
One finger cannot kill a louse.
Emphasizes the need for collaboration and teamwork to overcome challenges.
General Luhya
6
Community and Unity
A borrowed thing rots on the shelf.
Encourages self-reliance and taking ownership of one's responsibilities.
General Luhya
7
Hard Work and Perseverance
If you want to eat a frog, eat a fat one.
Encourages aiming high and pursuing worthwhile goals.
General Luhya
8
Hard Work and Perseverance
An elder does not become an elder in the dark.
Emphasizes the importance of experience and wisdom gained over time.
General Luhya
9
Hard Work and Perseverance
A good girl draws water from the spring.
Highlights the value of hard work and resourcefulness, especially for young women.
Bukusu
10
Hard Work and Perseverance
A strong rope is made from many strands.
Underscores the strength found in unity and collaboration.
General Luhya
11
Hard Work and Perseverance
Eating bananas does not make your breasts grow.
Suggests that achieving goals requires effort and action, not just wishful thinking.
General Luhya
12
Wisdom and Knowledge
The name may be the same, but the character is different.
Emphasizes that judging individuals based solely on appearance or reputation can be misleading.
Maragoli
13
Wisdom and Knowledge
The eyes are bigger than the stomach.
Warns against greed and taking on more than one can handle.
General Luhya
14
Wisdom and Knowledge
Traveling is learning.
Highlights the value of experiences and exposure to different perspectives.
General Luhya
15
Wisdom and Knowledge
A wise person keeps a secret.
Emphasizes the importance of discretion and knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
General Luhya
16
Wisdom and Knowledge
An elder has two ears.
Encourages listening attentively and considering different perspectives before making judgments.
General Luhya
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Family and Relationships
A man is at the door, a woman is at the door.
Signifies the complementary roles and responsibilities of men and women in a household.
Wanga
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Family and Relationships
A girl's father is like a borrowed knife.
Reflects the traditional expectation of a woman eventually leaving her family to join her husband's.
General Luhya
19
Family and Relationships
A woman alone is not a home.
Emphasizes the importance of family and companionship.
General Luhya
20
Family and Relationships
Breasts belong to the owner.
Highlights the value of respecting personal boundaries and ownership.
General Luhya
21
Family and Relationships
A dog does not raise a child by barking at it.
Encourages patience and understanding in child-rearing.
General Luhya
22
Life and Challenges
Every month has its own challenges.
Conveys the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of facing difficulties.
General Luhya
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Life and Challenges
A woman does not have the fierceness of a man.
Reflects traditional gender roles and expectations but can also be interpreted as acknowledging different strengths and approaches.
General Luhya
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Life and Challenges
The death of one person is a lesson to another.
Highlights the importance of learning from the experiences and mistakes of others.
General Luhya
25
Life and Challenges
Rain does not fall on one roof alone.
Emphasizes that challenges and blessings are shared experiences within a community.
General Luhya
26
Life and Challenges
A case that is known does not die.
Suggests that truth and justice will eventually prevail.
General Luhya
27
Human Nature and Behavior
A person is a person because of others.
Emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of social relationships in shaping individual identity and well-being.
General Luhya
28
Human Nature and Behavior
Wisdom comes from the mouth, not from the eyes.
Highlights the importance of communication, dialogue, and sharing knowledge as sources of wisdom.
General Luhya
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Human Nature and Behavior
A bad person is made by their heart, not by their eyes.
Emphasizes the importance of inner character and intentions over outward appearances.
General Luhya
30
Resourcefulness and Adaptability
A snake sheds its skin to survive.
Highlights the importance of adaptability and change in order to overcome challenges and thrive in difficult circumstances.
General Luhya
31
Resourcefulness and Adaptability
A long journey starts with a single step.
Emphasizes the importance of taking initiative and starting small, even when faced with a daunting task or a long-term goal.
General Luhya
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Resourcefulness and Adaptability
A good woman builds with wisdom, not with strength.
Challenges traditional notions of gender roles and suggests that women contribute to society through their intelligence, resourcefulness, and wisdom, not just physical strength.
General Luhya
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Proverbs with Subgroup Variations
A child of a snake cries, but they cry with a snake.
Emphasizes the influence of heritage and upbringing on an individual's character and behavior.
Bukusu
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Proverbs with Subgroup Variations
A child of a snake gives birth to a snake.
Similar to the Bukusu proverb, highlighting the impact of family background and upbringing on an individual's traits and tendencies.
Maragoli
35
Justice and Fairness
A case that is known does not die, even if it dies, it does not rot.
Emphasizes the enduring nature of truth and justice, suggesting that even if justice is delayed or denied, the truth will eventually prevail.
General Luhya
36
Justice and Fairness
The wisdom of a woman comes from sharing.
Highlights the value of women's wisdom and their contribution to collective knowledge and decision-making within the community.
General Luhya
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Justice and Fairness
To judge a person by their heart, not by their eyes.
Encourages looking beyond outward appearances and judging individuals based on their character, intentions, and actions.
General Luhya
38
Proverbs Reflecting Daily Life
A good wife is found at the door, not on the road.
Emphasizes the importance of a wife's role in welcoming guests and maintaining a hospitable home.
General Luhya
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Proverbs Reflecting Daily Life
A house does not raise a child.
Highlights the importance of active parenting and guidance in raising children, suggesting that simply providing shelter and basic necessities is not enough.
General Luhya
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Proverbs Reflecting Daily Life
A farmer does not eat with their hands, they eat with their eyes.
Emphasizes the importance of planning and foresight for farmers, suggesting that they must carefully observe their crops and make informed decisions throughout the agricultural cycle.
General Luhya
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Proverbs with Subgroup Specificity
The wisdom of a good person comes from the heart.
Emphasizes the importance of inner wisdom and intuition as sources of guidance and good judgment.
Wanga
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Proverbs with Subgroup Specificity
An elder does not become old by eating, but by traveling.
Suggests that gaining wisdom and experience comes not only with age but also through exposure to different places, cultures, and perspectives.
Bukusu
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Proverbs with Subgroup Specificity
The child of a sheep does not grow horns.
Emphasizes the influence of heredity and suggests that children often inherit traits and characteristics from their parents.
Maragoli
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Proverbs with Multiple Interpretations
Rain falls on a person, not on others.
Emphasizes individual responsibility and accountability OR Highlights the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities.
General Luhya
45
Proverbs with Multiple Interpretations
A good wife is made by her husband.
Emphasizes the husband's role in providing for and supporting his wife OR Reflects traditional patriarchal norms and the expectation of women's subordination to their husbands.
General Luhya
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Proverbs on Resilience and Perseverance
The spirit of a person does not die.
Speaks to the enduring nature of the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity.
General Luhya
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Proverbs on Resilience and Perseverance
Strength comes from the spirit, not from the body.
Emphasizes the importance of inner strength, willpower, and resilience.
General Luhya
48
Proverbs on Resilience and Perseverance
To forgive is not from the head, it is from the heart.
Highlights the importance of compassion and empathy in forgiveness.
General Luhya
49
Proverbs on Human Relationships
A good friend is known in times of trouble, not in times of happiness.
Emphasizes the value of true friendship, which is revealed during difficult times when support and loyalty are most needed.
General Luhya
50
Proverbs on Human Relationships
A good wife builds up her husband.
Highlights the supportive role of a wife in a marriage, suggesting that she contributes to her husband's success and well-being through her actions and encouragement.
General Luhya
51
Proverbs on Human Relationships
A child does not grow up from a woman, they grow up from sharing.
Emphasizes the collective effort involved in raising a child, suggesting that it takes a village, not just the mother, to nurture and guide a child's development.
General Luhya
52
Proverbs on Wisdom and Knowledge
To see is not from the eyes, it is from the heart.
Suggests that true understanding and insight come not just from observation but also from intuition, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
General Luhya
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Proverbs on Wisdom and Knowledge
Wisdom is found on the road, not in staying still.
Emphasizes the importance of experiences, exploration, and learning from different perspectives to gain wisdom and knowledge.
General Luhya
54
Proverbs on Wisdom and Knowledge
A person becomes wise by traveling, not by staying in one place.
Echoes the previous sentiment, highlighting the value of travel and exposure to different cultures and ways of life in expanding one's understanding and wisdom.
General Luhya
55
Proverbs on Humility and Respect
A wise person does not just eat, they eat with purpose.
Encourages mindfulness and intentionality in one's actions, rather than acting impulsively or thoughtlessly.
General Luhya
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Proverbs on Humility and Respect
A girl does not cry for her mother, she cries for her husband.
Highlights the shift in responsibility and reliance from parents to spouse after marriage.
General Luhya
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Proverbs on Humility and Respect
Knowledge belongs to everyone, not just one person.
Emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and learning from each other.
General Luhya
58
Proverbs on Family and Social Harmony
A home does not build a child.
Highlights the importance of active parenting, guidance, and community support in raising children.
General Luhya
59
Proverbs on Family and Social Harmony
A puppy resembles its mother.
Children often inherit traits and behaviors from their parents.
General Luhya
60
Proverbs on Family and Social Harmony
A banana tree does not bear fruit twice.
Opportunities may be fleeting and should be seized when they arise.
General Luhya
61
Proverbs on Challenges and Perseverance
A calf does not choose its grazing ground.
We often have limited control over our circumstances, especially in early life.
General Luhya
62
Proverbs on Challenges and Perseverance
A snake bites not on the head, but on the tail.
Danger or betrayal often comes from unexpected sources.
General Luhya
63
Proverbs on Challenges and Perseverance
To judge a person by their heart, not by their eyes.
Encourages looking beyond outward appearances and judging individuals based on their character.
General Luhya
64
Proverbs on Community and Social Responsibility
A woman does not get lost, she gets lost with a man.
Highlights the interconnectedness of individuals within a community.
General Luhya
65
Proverbs on Community and Social Responsibility
A daughter is a child of the community.
Emphasizes the collective responsibility of raising and nurturing children.
General Luhya
66
Proverbs on Community and Social Responsibility
One leg cannot make a path.
Highlights the importance of collaboration and collective effort.
General Luhya
67
Proverbs on Change and Adaptability
A snake sheds its skin to grow, not to die.
Emphasizes the importance of change and adaptation.
General Luhya
68
Proverbs on Change and Adaptability
Every day is not the same.
Acknowledges the unpredictable nature of life and the need to adapt.
General Luhya
69
Proverbs on Change and Adaptability
A person learns to farm by farming, not by growing up.
Highlights the importance of practical experience and learning by doing.
General Luhya
70
Proverbs on Wealth and Prosperity
Wealth is found in working together.
Emphasizes the value of cooperation and collaboration.
General Luhya
71
Proverbs on Wealth and Prosperity
God's rain does not fall on one person's farm alone.
Highlights the idea that blessings and opportunities are meant to be shared.
General Luhya
72
Proverbs on Wealth and Prosperity
A person's wealth is not their own, it comes from God.
Acknowledges a higher power as the ultimate source of blessings and prosperity.
General Luhya
73
Proverbs on Patience and Timing
A good wife comes with the morning sun.
Emphasizes the value of diligence and starting the day with purpose.
General Luhya
74
Proverbs on Patience and Timing
To give birth is God's doing, to raise a child is a human's responsibility.
Acknowledges the role of both divine intervention and human effort.
General Luhya
75
Proverbs on Leadership and Governance
A wise person looks ahead and behind.
Highlights the importance of considering both the past and the future.
General Luhya
76
Proverbs on Leadership and Governance
A good leader is known by the way they treat their people.
Emphasizes the importance of empathy, fairness, and service in leadership.
General Luhya
77
Proverbs on Leadership and Governance
The hyena does not hunt alone.
Highlights the importance of collaboration and teamwork.
General Luhya
78
Proverbs on Nature and the Environment
The rope has both an end and a beginning.
Everything has its limits and boundaries.
General Luhya
79
Proverbs on Bukusu
To know is not the same as to be able.
Distinguishes between knowledge and practical skills.
Bukusu
80
Proverbs on Bukusu
One person's house builds another.
Highlights the importance of mutual support and cooperation.
Bukusu
81
Proverbs on Bukusu
A small woman is also a person, she gets married at the back of the house.
Challenges the notion that physical stature determines a woman's worth.
Bukusu
82
Proverbs on Maragoli
The name may be the same, but the character is different.
Emphasizes that individuals should not be judged solely based on their name or appearance.
Maragoli
83
Proverbs on Maragoli
The child of a sheep does not grow horns.
Emphasizes the influence of heredity and suggests that children often inherit traits and characteristics from their parents.
Maragoli
84
Proverbs on Maragoli
Traveling is learning.
Highlights the value of experiences and exposure to different perspectives.
Maragoli
85
Proverbs on Wanga
A man is at the door, a woman is at the door.
Signifies the complementary roles and responsibilities of men and women in a household.
Wanga
86
Proverbs on Wanga
A bad woman gives birth to a foolish child.
Emphasizes the important role of mothers in shaping their children's character and values.
Wanga
87
Proverbs on Wanga
The wisdom of a good person comes from the heart.
Emphasizes the importance of inner wisdom and intuition as sources of guidance and good judgment.
Wanga
88
Proverbs on Tachoni
The hyena howls in the dark, eating is for those who are awake.
Emphasizes the importance of taking action and being proactive.
Tachoni
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Proverbs on Isukha
The death of a bad person is a lesson to a good person.
Highlights the idea that even negative events can serve as learning experiences.
Isukha
90
Proverbs on Banyala
A puppy of a dog does not give birth to a cat.
Emphasizes the influence of heritage and upbringing.
Banyala
91
Proverbs on Wisdom and Foolishness
A hyena eats one person at a time, not two.
Encourages facing challenges one at a time.
General Luhya
92
Proverbs on Wisdom and Foolishness
A wise person's wisdom is in their head, not in their actions.
True wisdom involves careful thought and planning before taking action.
General Luhya
93
Proverbs on Wisdom and Foolishness
A fool falls into the same trap twice.
Learning from mistakes is essential for growth and avoiding repeated failures.
General Luhya
94
Community and Unity
The child belongs to the community.
Emphasizes the shared responsibility of raising and nurturing children within the community.
General Luhya
95
Community and Unity
Unity is strength.
Underscores the importance of unity and cooperation for achieving success.
General Luhya
96
Community and Unity
A girl does not get married alone, she gets married with others.
Highlights the communal nature of social events and the importance of support networks.
General Luhya
97
Community and Unity
One finger cannot kill a louse.
Emphasizes the need for collaboration and teamwork to overcome challenges.
General Luhya
98
Community and Unity
A borrowed thing rots on the shelf.
Encourages self-reliance and taking ownership of one's responsibilities.
General Luhya
99
Hard Work and Perseverance
If you want to eat a frog, eat a fat one.
Encourages aiming high and pursuing worthwhile goals.
General Luhya
100
Hard Work and Perseverance
An elder does not become an elder in the dark.
Emphasizes the importance of experience and wisdom gained over time.
General Luhya