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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
76 proverbs under K. Showing 1–20.
Proverb #147
Ka-Nongwe/Nommwe ngoyi tjolala patjibeso
Literal English rendering At that Lady's compound the cat sleeps on the fire-place.
English meaning There is no food to cook and therefore there is hunger in the family
Background For the cat to sleep on the fire-place, implies that there is no fire and therefore no cooking activity is taking place
Proverb #148
Kambidza nkambidzo koga zebe nedzama hhowu
Kalanga explanation Ungadanilila wakabakudza naye koga zebe ngedzehhowu
Proverb #149
Kobhatisa honi kuti kuyi, mbudzi yadla nyama ngono mbgwa ili yapo
Literal English rendering It is embarrassing to say the goat has eaten the meat while the dog is there
English meaning The proverb is quoted when somebody has said an obvious lie bordering on the impossible
Proverb #150
Kobola nyma luposwa agutobola
Kalanga explanation A unanlandu usiwuntihhe unowuwana wakakulinda
Proverb #151
Kofa bannu tjingombe kukasala (nnunnu)
Kalanga explanation Kofa balulami kukasala babulayi bebanu
Proverb #152
Kolayiwa hhodza siyangwa ikawilapo
Kalanga explanation Bana basina bazwadzi babo banowanamano munabanabazwadzi
Proverb #153
Kolila nedzisina mmulu
Kalanga explanation Kolebeleka nebasanu bakalobogwa nolobogwa bose
Proverb #154
Konda wulu nenini
Kalanga explanation Kofa bannu wola nebatjetjana hango dzose
Proverb #155
Kowodza danda yaka lufu ayina zebe
Kalanga explanation Annu akazwingwa ngolufu atowa unowangowa koga
Proverb #156
Kudwa kwe bhalo, kotangisa ngobaba
Literal English rendering The beginning of a bald head, it first gives an itch
English meaning Harmful things start in a harmless way, but then become bad. A serious disease starts with small symptoms but develops into an incurable condition
Proverb #157
Kugala kumalanga wugala pehhugwi kwatiswi
Kalanga explanation Unnu egala akateswa dzimbambo dzamakukuta
Proverb #158
Kukubandabanda
Kalanga explanation Unnu unotsamba ndebo pakhutha ehla leba lebeswakulileba pabannu
Proverb #159
Kukube nghayi
Kalanga explanation Mwana wemwana alinghayi elebeleka nakuku babe
Proverb #160
Kulembeleka kwe damba ateli iko kuwa (kwalo)
Literal English rendering The hanging of a monkey fruit is not a sign that it is falling
English meaning Impressions are not realities
Proverb #161
Kuna babulutani bendebo
Kalanga explanation Bannu banowwilila ndebo pakhuta
Proverb #162
Kuna bamazwidya hoba
Kalanga explanation Unnu ewana bannu belimundebo eswika enginila pakati kwayo
Proverb #190
Kunabannu banoyi nnukabapi
Kalanga explanation Unolela nnu, koga kakula kafuma atjakuziba
Proverb #163
Kuna bannu benyambi dzozana
Kalanga explanation Unnu unonyeya mumagalo ose ehango
Proverb #164
Kuna batsitsi bedzindebo
Kalanga explanation Bannu bawola betsamba ndebo dzemizi yabo kuti dzisibhudile pahhe
Proverb #165
Kuna bobankambutjigwa nkombe unambutja
Kalanga explanation Bannu banonda benginila dzindebo dzemizi bemuka besungwa
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