Swahili Proverbs & Kanga Sayings: Guide To East African Wisdom
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If you’ve ever visited East Africa, specifically the coast of Kenya or Tanzania, you might have noticed something interesting about how people speak.
They don’t just use normal sentences.
They speak in riddles, rhymes, and short sayings.
When I first started teaching Swahili, my students would often translate sentences literally and get confused. They would hear someone say, “Haste has no blessing,” and wonder why we were talking about blessings when they were just rushing to catch a bus.
This is the beauty of Methali (Proverbs) and Kanga sayings.
In Swahili culture, speaking directly is sometimes seen as rude or too blunt. So, we use proverbs to give advice, warn people, or express feelings without causing a fight.
It’s a huge part of the language.
In fact, you can’t really say you are fluent in Swahili until you understand these sayings.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most common proverbs and explain the famous “wearing words” known as Kangas.
Table of Contents:
What are Swahili proverbs (methali)?
A proverb in Swahili is called a Methali.
These are short, clever sentences that have been passed down for generations. They usually contain a lot of wisdom in very few words.
Think of them like little nuggets of advice.
In English, you might say “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” Swahili has hundreds of these, and they are used in daily conversation, on the news, and even in pop music (Bongo Flava).
Why are they so important?
- They teach values: They teach children about respect, patience, and hard work.
- They resolve conflict: Instead of shouting at a neighbor, you might say a proverb that hints they are being annoying. It keeps the peace.
- They show mastery: Using a well-timed proverb makes you sound very intelligent and respectful.
5 famous proverbs you must know
If you only learn a few things in Swahili, make sure these proverbs are on your list. These are the ones you will hear almost every day in Tanzania and Kenya.
1. Haraka haraka haina baraka
This is the very first proverb most learners encounter. It rhymes, which makes it easy to remember.
Literal meaning: Haste haste has no blessing.
English equivalent: Haste makes waste.
We use this when someone is rushing and making mistakes. In Swahili culture, doing things slowly and carefully is better than rushing.
Haraka haraka haina baraka.
2. Pole pole ndio mwendo
This is very similar to the one above. It is the unofficial motto of life in Zanzibar!
Literal meaning: Slowly slowly is the journey/movement.
English equivalent: Slow and steady wins the race.
Pole pole ndio mwendo.
3. Haba na haba hujaza kibaba
This is a great one for language learners. When you feel like you are learning too slowly, remember this saying.
Literal meaning: Little by little fills the measure (container).
English equivalent: Great things have small beginnings.
Haba na haba hujaza kibaba.
4. Akili ni mali
This proverb values intelligence over physical items.
Literal meaning: Intelligence is wealth/assets.
It means that if you have a good brain and common sense, you are rich, even if you don’t have money in your pocket.
Akili ni mali.
5. Mtaka cha uvunguni sharti ainame
This is about hard work. Uvungu is the space under a bed. In the past, people kept valuables there.
Literal meaning: He who wants what is under the bed must stoop/bend down.
English equivalent: No pain, no gain.
Mtaka cha uvunguni sharti ainame.
Understanding the Kanga and its sayings
Now, let’s look at something unique to East Africa: the Kanga (sometimes spelled Khanga).
A Kanga is a colorful rectangular piece of cotton cloth. It is worn by women (and sometimes men at home) as a wrap, a skirt, a baby carrier, or a headscarf. They are usually sold in a pair.
But a Kanga is not just clothing. It is a communication tool.
Almost every Kanga has a Swahili saying printed on the bottom border. This is called the Jina (name) of the Kanga.
How it works:
Women often buy a specific Kanga to send a message to someone without speaking.
- If a woman is happy with her husband, she might wear a Kanga that says “I love you.”
- If she is fighting with a jealous neighbor, she might wear one that says “Your envy hurts only you.”
- If she is grieving, there are Kangas for that, too.
It is a silent, visual way of talking.
Popular Kanga sayings for every occasion
Kanga sayings are usually different from standard proverbs. They can be more modern, religious, or personal.
Here are some common themes and examples you might see on the cloth.
Messages of love and thanks
These are often given as gifts at weddings or to mothers.
| Swahili | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wema hauozi | Kindness never rots (Good deeds are remembered). |
| Mke mwema ni pambo la nyumba | A good wife is the decoration of the home. |
| Asante mama kwa malezi mema | Thank you mother for good upbringing. |
Messages of warning or sass
These are very popular on the coast (Mombasa and Zanzibar). They are used to tell people to mind their own business!
| Swahili | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hasidi hana sababu | An envious person needs no reason (to hate). |
| Usiniseme, niangalie | Don’t talk about me, just watch me. |
| Pilipili usiyoila yakuwashia nini? | Why does the chili you didn’t eat burn you? (Why does my business bother you?) |
Religious sayings
Swahili culture is deeply spiritual. You will find many Kangas acknowledging God.
Mungu ni mpaji.
Kila lenye mwanzo lina mwisho.
How to learn and use them properly
Learning proverbs can feel overwhelming because the vocabulary is sometimes old or poetic.
However, you don’t need to memorize a dictionary. Here is the best way to start using them:
1. Don’t translate word-for-word
As you saw with the “chili pepper” example above, the literal meaning often doesn’t make sense in English. Focus on the lesson behind the proverb, not the individual words.
2. Listen to the context
When you hear a local use a proverb, pay attention to what was happening right before. Were they happy? Were they warning someone? Context is key.
3. Start with “Wahenga walisema…”
If you want to use a proverb but you are feeling shy, you can start your sentence with “Wahenga walisema…” which means “The ancestors said…”
This gives you a little bit of authority and shows respect to the culture.
Wahenga walisema, haraka haraka haina baraka.
4. Buy a Kanga!
If you’re in East Africa, go to a market and buy a Kanga. Ask the seller what the saying means.
It makes for a wonderful souvenir and a great language lesson.
Swahili is a language of poetry and connection. By learning these small phrases, you are doing more than just learning words—you are understanding the heart of the people.
Do you have a favorite Swahili saying? Let me know!
