Zulu Proverbs

Author(s): Fr. Mayr

Source: Anthropos, Bd. 7, H. 4. (1912), pp. 957-963
Published by: Anthropos Institut
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40443906
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 Zulu Proverbs. 957

Zulu Proverbs.
By the Rev. Father Fr. Mayr, Pietermaritzburg, Natal.

The genius of a nation is mirrored in its proverbs. If it be so,

lection of proverbs of the Zulus should be a welcome contribution to the
nographic Review "Anthropos". Working under this supposition I brough
small collection up to 150 distinct proverbs with their literal transla
explanation of how they are used.
These proverbs clearly show how sententious the wisdom of the
is and how shrewd their thoughts are. In some of them we find th
maxims which are current in Europe, dressed even in a similar, bu
often in a different clothing. Other proverbs tell us at once that we
do with savages, hunting in the wilds of Africa, herding their flocks of
indulging licentiously their craving for plenty of meat, beer and w
engaged in war and troubled by superstitious fear of all kinds. Yet ev
we find good qualities as well, especially a sense of justice and nobl
so much so that it can well be said of a Zulu that he loves only thos
he fears. If a Zulu was in the wrong and knows it, he will like the
the more for having given him a good thrashing. Again we find h
sensitive to ridicule which upsets him more then the severest reproa
proverbs refer to historical facts of the time of the Zulu kings in the f
of last century; others refer to fables which are as old as the hills, r
mountains. Of most of these and many more proverbs which could b
must be said that they are admirable for their brevity and force.
1. Inhlwa aibanjwa ngekanda isavela. The winged termite is not
by its head as soon as it appears. - Wait till you have heard th
story before you judge or even answer.
2. Ubude abupangwa. Height is not reached in a hurry. - Do not be too
3. Aku 'qili lazikota emhlana. There is no cunning person whoeve
himself on the back. - Said of someone who has attempted some tr
beyond his cunning, and been found out.
4. Amaqili katengani. Cunning men do not deal with each o
May be said of two people who know each other too well and keep in
of each other. (The burnt child dreads the fire.)
5. Akulahlwa imbeleko ngokufelwa. The child's sack is not throw
after the death of one child. - Because there might be another child
coming and the sack required to carry same. Therefore: Never desp
adversities. (Never say die.)
6. Upakati kwomhlana nembeleko. He is between the back and th
(in which a Zulu mother carries her child on her back.) - Said of a
who has a great protector to assist him.
7. LJÎ iqili eli 'ntete zosiwa emuva. He is cunning, whose locu
roasted last. - Said of one who manages to get more then the rest of
8. Isihlala 'ndawonye sidhla amajwaba. The sitter-in-one-place ea
skin-scrapings. - Said of a lazy person who is poor on account of h
lence. (When work flies out of the window, poverty comes in at th
9'

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 958 Fr. Fr. Mayr,

9. Induka aina 'muzL The stick has no kraal. - Where there is much
fighting and quarrelling the family will not flourish.
10. Aku 'qaqa lazizwa ukunuka. No polecat ever smelt its own sti
- Nobody recognises his own faults.
11. Ktihlonitshwana kabilL It is respected twice (on both sides). - If
you want others to respect you, you also must respect them.
12. Ukabona kanye ku 'kubona kabilL The see once is to see twic
I have experienced it once, and do not want to experience it again. (O
caught, twice shy.)
13. Impi yomndeni aingenwa. A family war is not entered. - Is bes
left alone. Warning not to interfere in a matter. (Leave wellenough alo
14. Yek' ukwenz' amandhla esambane. Alas! for the labour of the ant-
bear (who digs a hole and then does not lie in it). - Exclaimed by one wh
finds that he has worked for others and not for himself.
15. I sala 'kutshelwa sabona ngomopo. Who will not be told, will see
by the blood-flow. - Who does not like to listen to warnings must learn by
bitter experience.
16. Ujojo umi ngoti Iwake. The Kafir-finch stands by its own stick (perch).
- Used of a pertinacious person who sticks to his own ideas.
17. Kudhla umndeni kwotamele izibankwa. The family circle eats and
the lizards bask in the sun (look on). - Strangers cannot expect the attention
given to one of the family.
1 8. Aku 'nkwaliepandela enye. There is no partridge that scratches for another.
- Everyone looks after his own interests, or, each one must look out for himself.
19. Iqina lipurti embizeni. The buck has got out of the pot. - (There
is many a slip twixt the cup and the lip.)
20. Ikof eyikotayo. The cow licks the one that licks her. - Said of
people who help one another.
21. Libunjwa Us' eva. The day is worked while it is still fresh. -
(Make hay while the sun shines.)
22. Amate abuyele kwa 'sifuba. The spittle has returned to the chest.
- Said in time of disappointment after great hope and expectation.
23. Iso liwela umfula ugcwele. The eye crosses a full river. - (Desire
goes beyond the possible.)
24. Umzimba uzwiwa ng' amniniwo. The body is felt by its owner. -
Each one feels his own pain.
25. Ngizidhlise ngobami. I have poisoned myself with my own poison.
- It serves me right.
26. Aku 'ndhlela ingayi ekaya. There is no road which does not lead home.
- Sometimes used as a threat of revenge. (All roads lead to Rome.)
27. Aku 'mfula ungahlokomi. There is no river that has not its own sound.
- Everyone has his own qualities.
28. Igeja litengwa ngokubonwa. The hoe is bought after being seen.
- (Look before you leap.)
29. Ngihlezi pezu kwegeja litshisa. I am sitting upon a hot hoe-iron.
- Used when in uncomfortable circumstances, surroundings or great trouble.

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 Antliropos VII.
Primitive life of Zulu.

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 Zulu Proverbs. 959

30. Mus' ukusipula izinsel

gourds like Bushmen. - The
gourds. (Waste not, want not
31. I sela litshaya umuntu n
else with the milk-vessel in
and people think it is he. A
blame on someone else.
32. Aku 'ndhlovu esindwa amboko wayo. There is no elephant which
finds its trunk too heavy. - Self-chosen burden is not felt.
33. Akuko 'qude elasindwa imizwezwe. There is no cock which fin
its spur too heavy. - Used like no. 32.
34. Usele pansi njengamafinyila. He is left on the ground like mucus
from the nose. - Said of someone who is not liked by anybody.
35. Us 'ubanda njengekala lenja. He is now as cold as a dog's nose
- Said of somebody who is quite ashamed of what he has said or done
36. Indhlu yegagu iyaneta, eka 'nompinjana iyafulelwa ngesikohle
The house of the bold talker lets in the rain, but that of the man with th
little throat may be covered with mucus from the throat. - The work of
proud is bad, but that of thé humble is good.
37. Uhlekani uhlekekile nje? Why do you laugh after you have been
laughed at? - Said of one who does not feel his shame.
38. Uqalaza ngani, amabele ajabile? Why do you look boldly, you
breasts being disgraced? - Said of a woman, who got a child before marria
39. Ucakide uhlolile, imamba y 'alukile. The weasel is at ease, the mamb
(snake) having gone out. - (When the cat's away the mice will play.)
40. Puma' cakidef wadhliwa imamba. Come out, weasel! or you will be eate
by the mamba. - Might be said as a warning to someone who has done wro
41. Lixoshwa kanye I'esabe. Once hurt (the eye), it is always in fear.
- (Once bitten, twice shy.)
42. Satunywa ugwai sagijimela iboza. He (the fool) was sent for tobacc
and brought the medicine (Mschosma riparia). - Said of someone who alw
does the opposite to what he is told.
43. Uqala ngamanzi, impupu ungakayigayi. You begin with (boilin
the water before grinding the corn. - (Do not count your chickens befo
they are hatched.)
44. Ungenwe ipela endhlebeni. He has a cockroach in his ear. - Sa
of or by a man who has somebody persistently pestering him, e. g. for t
return of a loan.
45. Usenga inkomo nenkonyana. He milks the cow with the calf. -
Applied to an immoral person who does not respect the closest relationship.
46 Wände emlonyeni. He is big in the mouth. - Applied to „a person
who talks much and does little.
47. Imvu ibulala indhlovu. A sheep kills an elephant. - A small thing
may be more powerful than a big one.
48. Amahlaya alala insila. Jokes are covered with dirt. - Somebody's
jokes are nasty and hurtful

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960 Fr. Fr. Mayr,

49. Ungibambele inyati ngopo

- You delivered me into the
50. Ingwe ibazwa kwabapam
further on. - You should seek
knowledge.
51. Imbila yaswela amsila n
a tail through having given
want a thing done, do it your
52. Ungltshaye ngemfe ipindi
- You deceived me.

53. Uti ngly'isilima senkomo y'ini? Do you think I am as fo

an ox? - Which is driven to be killed without knowing it. I do
to put myself into danger.
54. Isikani sibuye nomkwezeli. The lighted firebrand has return
the one tending the fire. - Said of one who while attempting wr
been injured himself. (The biter has been bitten; he burnt his fing
55. Ukani Iwazaïumlota. The fire-log begat ashes. - He brough
a good for-nothing thing or worthless child.
56. Inkonyana yomdhlandhla yeqa la kweqe unina. The calf of
buck leaps there where its mother has leaped. - Said of bad child
followed the bad example of its parents.
57. Udhlala ngegeja, kuzilwa. You are playing about with the h
one should not work at all. - You are doing what is not permitte
58. Ukwela pezu kwendhla, unge'nja. You climb on the to
house, as if you were a dog. - Said to a young person who ab
and respectable people right and left.
59. Ingwe idhla umniniyo. The tiger eats its owner. - Like 54
60. Aka 'mango ongena 'liba. There is no hillside without a
Death is everywhere.
61. Umanta manta, kakzva 'Fabase y'ini? Is there only one per
it Fabase's kraal? (Where all are said to have died with the exception
Said when people excuse themselves for not doing a work which should
62. Uhlonywe otini njengentete. You are on the top of the st
a locust. - Applied to somebody who respects nobody.
63. Ungidhlisa imbaya ngolati. You feed me on weed with
You trouble me exceedingly.
64. Umanta o'manxiwa kamili 'mbaya. A person, on whose kr
does not grow any weed. - Who does remain long enough in o
(A rolling stone.)
65. Ababayi bapambili ziyakanqanda amvandhla. The turners b
on ahead,, they (dogs) will cut off the hare. - Applied to anythin
escape is cut off.
66. Sidakaza oswini Iwenkabi. We are wandering in the b
bullock. - We do not know how this will end.
67. Ukasela eziko. You are creeping to the fire-place. - Like a small
child. You bring yourself into trouble.

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 Zulu Proverbs. 961

68. Ngayinyatela emsileni.

weak point.
69. Ulunya Iwabatsha luy
(or ngogwai). The harshness
that of old women is repaid
.70. Ukala nga'so linye. H
71. Zinqunywa amakanda,
maybe left. - The main thin
72. Upembela emoyeni. He
person who favours strange
his own people.
73. Inkonyana enhle ekotwa
- It is better for a child to lose its father than its mother.
74. Umbeki wenkosi akalungi. He who makes the chief does not live
(long). - Benefits are returned by ingratitude.
75. Womupemba ungaw'oti. You will get up the fire but not warm your-
self at it. - May be used as a threat to express that a person will not live
to reap the benefits of his labour.
76. Aku 'langa litshona lingena 'ndaba zalo. There is no sun that sets
without its affairs. - Every day has its own troubles and events.
77. Soyicel 'ivutiwe. We'll ask for it (meat) when it is cooked. - Wait
ähd see the end.
78. Ukapa kuzibekela. To give is to provide for one'self. - To give
does not make one poor.
79. Igugu liyadonsiswana. A good thing is pulled both ways. - There must
be something good and attractive in each of two persons, who like each other.
80. Isihlahla asinyelwa. The bush (to which you run for shelter) is not
defiled (with stool). - Do not return good with evil.
81. Yanya yadhla (inja). It stooled (the dog) and then ate. - May be
said of a girl, who after having rejected a sweetheart again returns to him.
82. Elempofana livunwa 'muva. The word of the poor man is allowed
afterwards. - When the powerful has already carried the day.
83. Ijubela ladhla indhlovu. The wood-shaving killed the elephant (by
striking it in the eye). - Used of a small matter producing a serious result.
84. Ibizelo ladhla ikondekazi. The summons ate the she-baboon (caused
her death). - Used of a person for whom the summons by his chief has
turned out ill.
85. Aku 'sibonda sagaga namaxol 'aso. There is no stake that grew
old with its bark still on. - Age tells upon everyone.
86. Gaga 'sitebe, kade uzidhlela izinhlubu namakasL Grow old, eating-
mat! long have you eaten ground-nuts and their coverings. - May be said
in aa oJd person whose good days are past.
87. Upanga umúoka, line-pi? You are in a hurry to plant, where has it
been raining? - Said of people, who are married too young.
88. Umtente ahlab' usamila. The umtente grass pricks while still young. -
Said to a young man that he should breed (children), while he is still in his prime.

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962 Fr. Fr. Mayr,

89. Intendele iwe enkudhlen

Said of (or to) someone who
90. Umenziwa kakohlwa, ku
not forget, the one who injur
91. Aku 'nyoka yakohlwa um
hole. - Nobody likes to ruin
92. Umzangiilu ubopa womi
obovata) tree binds when dry
person. (He may be as useful
93. Isizungu sabalala inkony
- May be said of or by anyone'
94. Yaiti iyakwendela enkos
a chief. - Said of a disdainful
95. Ak'u 'soka Unge na 'sici.
- Nobody (nothing) is. perfec
96. Umhlabati aunoni. The g
are buried in it.) - Exclamatio
97. Ohlab' eyake k'alelwa. H
forbidden. - With your own
98. Injobo itangelwa ebandh
company of other men. - Do n
99. Wolibamba lingatshoni.
you escaped once but I'll get
100. Isitsha esihle asidhleli.
- To lament the damage done
101. Akâyikadhla ezitshen
children's pots. - A deadly threa
102. Ikiwane elihle ligcwala
- Used of a nice looking you
103. Utand' ukubukwa nje
looked at, like a long-haired goa
104. Ukuhamba kuzal' indun
times a male, sometimes a f
105. Litshonela 'nxanye. It
person who is in trouble or very
106. Inxeba lendoda alihlekw
- Because you do not know whe
107. Litata os' emnyango limp
nyango. It (the land) takes one w
to the back-part (of the hut), an
- Makes the first last and the
108. Elisina 'muva liyabakwa
is looked at (most). - Who speak
109. Ungiqube ngamadolo.
He told me to go ahead, he w
but left me to go alone.

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 Antkropos VII.
Primitive life of Zulu.

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 Zulu Proverbs. 963

110. Enetunga aisengelw

obliged to milk on the gr
something which he lent t
111. Ungisengela esiguji
if somebody encouraged a
but exposes him afterward
112. Zona nga 'mvu 'nye
of one bad child all childr
113. Ukuhlub' indhlubu eka
people are anxious to keep a
114. Iqada latsh' amanzi
(with which it is partly f
desire has been disappointe
115. Kwa' Zulu kusavuts
is still stirred with the old
116. Wakatshwa indhlov
his chest. - Used of one w
117. Akana' sifuba. He h
118. Iti ingadhla amatam
gets accustomed to it. - Used
119. Uti angigeqe amagu
out all my milk-vessels goi
1 20. Ushumayela ngoba
he was born upon an eati
(He was born with a golde
121. Isiquzi esingadhli 'n
eat anyone's pumpkins. A
122. Bahlangene pezulu, p
neath they are full of hol
123. Wabola ubotshiwe. It
- One who acts as if he c
124. Sobona 'nyoni zowad
(amabele = Kafir-corn). - W
125. Nang' ungaxa emaba
himself among soldiers w
who interferes in other pe
126. Umkuwu uvutiwe. The wild fig is ripened. - You mean to do
something. There is something in the air.
127. Uti ngilinde amaconsi ebanzi. Do you think I am going to wait for
larger drops? - I had enough of it here, I am going before greater troubles come.
128. Injalo (imben) yapum' edunjini. It (the seed) is so, it came forth
from the ground-nut. - (He is a chip of the old block.)
129. Kwarrí mpunzi idhÎ emini, kwa 'macanca. At the place where the
wild buck eats in the day time (without fear), where there is freeliving. -
Used of a free-living, loose kraal.

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