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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
22 proverbs under H. Showing 1–20.
Proverb #120
Haba dziwande dzokupa zwilema dzomene
Kalanga explanation Lobola bunji gwakadzi banowokuzwalila zwilema
Proverb #117
Ha humba idla nhu, yatjenjedza bagele naye
Literal English rendering When the lion eats a person, it has alerted his neighbors
English meaning When the calamity befalls someone, other people should learn from the victim's experience and not be caught unaware. (When your neighbor’s house burns be careful of your own)
Proverb #121
Hala wulo ngeyego muzemuze ikati ngebango bose
Kalanga explanation Batategulu kene kuku abanahalawulo mubana bebana bose
Proverb #122
Hamu yabuya ngebutji
Kalanga explanation Unnu ebudziwa pakateyiwa kalamba koga abhakwa unolila
Proverb #123
Hamu yakaloba anya pibvu tjayo toloba mweni
Kalanga explanation Uyetile mwe zwakayipa, Ndzimu ekuhandukila zwililo zoga
Proverb #124
Hango inonda nkuha
Kalanga explanation Bannu ngemihingo yabo boyenda sedutu kene tjampupudze mubutjilo
Proverb #125
Hanya ndedze una hhuku, una thilili una mikon'gwana iye
Literal English rendering Worry is with the one who owns hens; the one who owns wild cats has got his bullocks
English meaning The parents of girl child are more anxious than those of the boy child because of the girl's vulnerability; she might drop out of school due to pregnancy, for instance
Proverb #118
Ha ubona tjikadzikulu tji tata nyunyi mu nnha ziba kuti mapfunde a yibva
Literal English rendering if u see an old lady chasing away weavers or quelea birds from the field (farm) know that grain crops are ripe
English meaning When u see parents of a girl child bothered by boys (young man) know that the girl is mature
Proverb #119
Ha wu bona tjikadzikulu tji tata nyuni mu nndha ziba kuti mapfundhe a hibva
Literal English rendering If you see an old lady chasing away weavers or quelled birds from the field (farm) know that grain crops are ripe
English meaning When you see parents of a girl child bothered by boys (young man) know that the girl is mature
Proverb #128
Hhamba inonyila wakayisenga
Kalanga explanation Nlisi wembwizi unodla mapesu adzo nembhabhi womwana unodla ipapo
Proverb #126
Hha mwana elilinyele yomfule muwumpe yiwuputi lemumaboko
Kalanga explanation Amwana elilila nkadzi mungha unolowa letjani unozwilambila iye
Proverb #129
Hhandibilo katalala fumwa inohha nephongo
Kalanga explanation Unohinga busiku ngesikati koga awuto fuma, nluke fumwa immahha dzabva kuNdzimu
Proverb #127
Hha ndimilo shaba phezha kati lakafa
Kalanga explanation Unhingo unohinga etumila nnundu nkadzi epaladza
Proverb #130
Hhanya ngewuna wuku unannilili unankono uwe
Kalanga explanation Unnu wakazwala koga usakazwala unotemelela pasi
Proverb #131
Hhilibo lanzinda lovuna lema
Kalanga explanation Nghingo wabannu banjinji awutolema
Proverb #132
Hhilimo lanzinda lovuna lema
Kalanga explanation Nghingo webheleka unolemelela zwimala
Proverb #133
Hhinu hhinu mutjalibona
Kalanga explanation Nnu unobengwa etjila koga afa banonkumbula
Proverb #134
Hhowu ayitolemegwa namatanda ayo
Kalanga explanation Nnu ato lemegwa nezwinu zwengha uwe
Proverb #135
Hhuba lingompela alitobodza nyama
Kalanga explanation Akuna ndebo mwe kagwala kunabubi mowolebeleka kakale
Proverb #136
Hino losekela walakabenga (meno ma lema.)
Literal English rendering The tooth laughs with the person it hates
English meaning Somebody can pretend to be your friend while the real fact he hates you with passion
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