Proverb #97
Gala kwe gola i gumbo, a li tanga ne nholo la wa
- Literal English rendering
- A vulture lands its legs first, if it lands head first, it has fallen down
- English meaning
- People will know immediately that all is not well
Kalanga proverbs and wise sayings
Makungulupeswa eTjiKalanga
Browse 570 Kalanga proverbs by their first letter. Read the wording and the explanations supplied in the collection.
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.
20 proverbs under G. Showing 1–20.
Proverb #98
Gala kwe gola igumbo, ali tanga ne n’holo la wa
- Literal English rendering
- A vulture lands its legs first, if it lands head first, it has fallen down.
- English meaning
- People will know immediately that all is not well
- Background
- If a vulture comes down with head first when perching, it is obvious there is something wrong with it
Proverb #99
Gala muvula kwehhula ate ikon'gwa
- Literal English rendering
- The residing of the frog in the water does not mean drinking
- English meaning
- Glamorous appearance does not suggest that the person is getting everything he/she wants. It does not mean that he is happy
Proverb #100
Galatidle milika tikulebe
- Kalanga explanation
- Unnu unabunu gwenlomo mukati alimbulayi
Proverb #101
Gamu gulu ngelaka mayi lakatate ngelebanji
- Kalanga explanation
- Bukamu gwabome agutopela gwabotate gopela
Proverb #102
Ganyu gukatulo bhikwa ngewuna hhali
- Kalanga explanation
- Unnu unangholo wakawoma mudzi ndebo kene unankani
Proverb #103
Ganyu gukuta linobhikwa newuna vula pedlo
- Literal English rendering
- A tough sinew can be cooked by someone who has got water nearby
- English meaning
- This saying is used to celebrate the physical and mental strength of someone who cannot be overcome by problems of any nature
Proverb #104
Ganyu gukuta linobhikwa ngewuna vula pedlo
- Literal English rendering
- A tough sinew can be cooked by someone who has got water nearby
- English meaning
- This saying is used to celebrate the physical and mental strength of someone who cannot be overcome by problems of any nature
Proverb #105
Gole lalima simbe, vula ayitona
- Literal English rendering
- The year, on which the lazy person ploughs, rain does not fall
- English meaning
- When somebody who has been postponing something finally decides to do it, he might find that the conditions are no longer favorable to him
Proverb #106
Gotja kohaka nkulu , nnu'guna unodzima moto
- Literal English rendering
- Roasting requires the elder brother; the younger brother extinguishes the fire
- English meaning
- Adults or people in authority often doubt the abilities of those under them as they feel that only they themselves can achieve the best results. For this reason, they are reluctant to delegate
Proverb #107
Gotja kohaka nkulu, nung’una unodzima moto
- Literal English rendering
- Roasting requires the elder brother, the younger brother extinguishes the fire
- English meaning
- Adults or people in authority often doubt the abilities of those under them as they feel that only they themselves can achieve the best results. For this reason, they are reluctant to delegate
Proverb #108
Gotja koshaka nkulu , nnu'guna unodzima moto
- Literal English rendering
- Roasting requires the elder brother; the younger brother extinguishes the fire
- English meaning
- Adults or people in authority often doubt the abilities of those under them as they feel that only they themselves can achieve the best results. For this reason, they are reluctant to delegate
Proverb #109
Gudo igwala zwalo koga alitotolegwa mwana
- Literal English rendering
- A baboon is a coward but its child cannot be taken from it
- English meaning
- Even the most timid person will stand up in defense for his property, interest or rights
Proverb #110
Gudo lakayipa zwalo koga alitodla tjimwe netjimwe tjakazwifila
- Literal English rendering
- A baboon may be ugly but it does not eat everything that died on own
- English meaning
- Even a bad person has got principles, it does not mean that every evil deeds in the community should be attributed to (associated with) him
Proverb #111
Gulu lempindi atelili lingapani
- Literal English rendering
- The stomach of a passersby is small
- English meaning
- Strangers or passersby should be received with grits of food since they are only staying temporarily. This proverb encourages us to be generous with food even to strangers
Proverb #112
Gumu mbizi ngegumu gulu gumu dama inolobwa ikapfa
- Kalanga explanation
- Zwidlo ngezwimudula zwimutjindandale akuna
Proverb #113
Gwabe gwayo nasi nhilili, yatanha nti yafa
- Literal English rendering
- It (death) now belongs to the wild cat (nhilili), for the one which has climbed the tree has died.
- English meaning
- This proverb illustrates a situation of hopelessness were somebody is completely besieged and has got no way out. In a court case, it expresses the position of a defendant who has got no chance of winning the case
- Background
- A wild cat on a tree stand no chance of escaping from a hunter with his dogs underneath the tree
Proverb #114
Gwala alina mbonje
- Literal English rendering
- A coward has got no scars.
- English meaning
- It is advisable to flee from danger and avoid getting hurt or killed
- Background
- The reactions of a coward is to avoid dangerous situations such as fights while a fool or hardy person will stand his ground and risk his life in the process
Proverb #115
Gwembizi ndegu muntumbu gumu nlomo unopkhwawula ikapfa
- Literal English rendering
- The grass of the horse is the one inside its stomach, the one inside its mouth, u can strike it in the mouth and cause it to spit out the grass
- English meaning
- You can only claim something as your own when it is securely in your possession. (A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush)
Proverb #116
Gwembizi ndegumuntumbu gumunlomo unopkhwawula ikapfa
- Literal English rendering
- The grass of the horse is the one inside its stomach, the one inside its mouth; u can strike it in the mouth and cause it to spit out the grass
- English meaning
- You can only claim something as your own when it is securely in your possession. (A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush)