Browse the collection
Compiled and edited by Ndzimu-unami Emmanuel Moyo. The original collection includes English renderings for some proverbs and Kalanga explanations for others. Source numbers are retained for reference.
A, 13 proverbs
B, 52 proverbs
D, 25 proverbs
F, 6 proverbs
G, 20 proverbs
H, 22 proverbs
I, 6 proverbs
K, 76 proverbs
L, 16 proverbs
M, 64 proverbs
N, 65 proverbs
P, 7 proverbs
S, 13 proverbs
T, 75 proverbs
U, 37 proverbs
W, 36 proverbs
Y, 14 proverbs
Z, 23 proverbs
13 proverbs under A. Showing 1–13.
Proverb #2
Akuna dziba lisina hhula
Literal English rendering There is no pool without a frog
English meaning Everybody has some kind of blemish, no one is perfect
Proverb #3
Akuna dziba lisina zhula
Literal English rendering There is no pool without a frog
English meaning Everybody has some kind of blemish, no one is perfect
Proverb #4
Akuna n'umba isinga Ne
Literal English rendering There is no house which does not leak
English meaning There is no family without family problems
Proverb #5
Akuna n'umba isinga nne
Literal English rendering There is no house which does not leak
English meaning There is no family without family problems
Proverb #6
Akuna ng’umba isinga pfungayile busi
Literal English rendering There is no house which does not leak
English meaning There is no family without family problems
Proverb #7
Akuna tjawungabhula
Literal English rendering You will get nothing out of fire
English meaning You cannot benefit from the effort you are making
Proverb #1
A kuna tjawungabula
Literal English rendering You will nothing out of fire
English meaning You cannot benefit from the effort you are making
1 suggestion awaiting review
Votes inform BMIT’s review. They do not publish a suggestion.
Literal English rendering: You will get nothing out of fire
Reason: Proverb #7 in the supplied collection gives the same literal rendering with “get”.
Proverb #8
Akutobe ngempale hhaba mudula
Kalanga explanation Lunyeyo gunjisa gozwala hhoba nelufu munzi
Proverb #9
Amwana eti ntakula ntakula tjidlo tjonhawabo
Kalanga explanation Amwana enyepa kene ekwiba bitjilo gwakanyi kwabo
Proverb #10
Ano gwila makwakwa zwawo makudo, koga pa mbatsha an'gompela
Literal English rendering Baboons fight for "makwakwa" fruits but in the face of danger they are one
English meaning People can afford to squabble (quarrel) over small things but will unite against a common challenge or enemy
Proverb #11
Ate ili hhala halawula malanda , mathumo anohanyangula nenge ne HADZAHA dumbu
Literal English rendering This is not hunger which discriminates against servants, but these are bullets which destroy even officials
English meaning This proverb refers to a pandemic such as AIDS or any other natural phenomenon/ disaster which kills people regardless of status
Proverb #12
Awungade nyeza ukahema nti wadzigele
Kalanga explanation Awada mwana wennu ndiko wada bazwadzi babo
Proverb #13
Azwadzi lobogwa nami ndilobole
Kalanga explanation Palobogwa azwadzi yetjikadzi wetjilume wawana malobolo