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Showing posts with the label Akan Proverbs

Proverb Monday, #56 - A Year After

It has been a year since I started this series. Over the years interests, in terms of comments and clicks, have decreased over time; however, I persisted. I decided some time ago to do away with it. I don't know exactly what I am going to replace it with but I do know that today's proverb, the fifty-sixth, could be the last on this blog. Thanks to all who visited, read, and/or commented. I appreciate your dedication. On a second thought, I think creating content for those who would be searching Ghanaian proverbs would not be a bad idea. So that even though traffic might be low today, it might be good for other researchers. Proverb: Onipa bεyε bi, na w'amεyε ne nyinaa Translation: A person came to do his part, but not to do all Context: You can only do your part and that's what is most important.

Proverb Monday, #55

Proverb: Yεnim sε nkyene yε dε; nanso yε kɔ dwa so a, yε tɔ mako Meaning: We know that salt is sweet; yet if we go to the market we buy pepper. Context: Functions are different and so are needs. No. 4364 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #53

Proverb: Animguase mfata ɔkanni ba. Meaning: The Akan does not deserve shame. Context: Shame is worth than death. The Akans say they fear being disgraced more than dying. No. 4397 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #52

Proverb: Nimyε di bi. Meaning: He who knows how to do it is entitled to his share. Context: The labourer is worthy of his hire. No. 4404 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #51

Proverb: Nimdeε firi obi ano. Meaning: Knowledge (or understanding) are from someone's mouth. Context: We learn from others No. 4395 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #50

Proverb:  "Nim-nim" nn im. Meaning:  "Knows all", knows nothing. Context:  If you pride yourself on your wisdom, it is a sign of ignorance. No. 4388 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al .

Proverb Monday, #49

Proverb:  Wonnim asa a, na wose atwene nyε dε. Meaning:  If you don't know how to dance, you would say the drums (beats) aren't interesting. Context:  Sour grapes No. 4383 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #48

This is my contribution to  Kinna's Ghana Literature Week, Nov. 14 - 20, 2011 . __________________ Proverb: Wonnim nipa a, wo ne no nsi koso. Meaning: If you don't know someone, you do not make a partnership with them. No. 4381 in Bu me Bε by Peggy A ppiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #47

Proverb: Wonnim kuro bi mu a, wonka mu asεm Meaning: If you don't know a town, you don't talk about its affairs Context: Don't talk about something about which you are ignorant No. 4380 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #46

Proverb: Akokɔhwede da Firaw ho nso ɔdware mfuturo Meaning: The francolin lives near the Volta River, yet it bathes in the sand. Context: You may have plenty of something and yet not choose to use. No. 3324 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #45

Proverb: Akɔdaa hunu ne nsa hohoro a, ɔne mpninfoɔ didi. Meaning: If a child knows how to wash his hands, he eats with the elders. Context: If you act responsibly, you will share privileges. No. 3208 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #44

Proverb: Kasu ne kagya nni aseda Meaning: Say-and-weep and promise-and-fail, have no thanks Context: You don't thank the one who has hurt you or is indifferent to your feelings. No. 3048 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #43

Proverb: Kora a εda nsuo mu nsuro awɔ Meaning: A Calabash lying in the water, does not fear the cold. Context: If you are already in trouble, you don't fear it. No. 943 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #42

Proverb: Kora a abɔ nsa nsa Meaning: A calabash that is cracked can't collect palm Context: If you are sick, you can't work properly. No. 3513 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #41

Proverb: Kookoohene se ɔsene wo a, ɔsene wo wɔ kookoobere, na ɔnsene wo fupεberε Meaning: If the cocoa chief says he he greater than you, he is greater than you in the cocoa season, but he is not greater than you in the off-season. Context: Cocoa is a seasonal crop and brings in money twice a year. At those times farmers can afford extravagance. In the off-season they may be poor. Fupεberε is the season between the rainy and dry seasons. Hence: Your position depends on achievements over the years, not on "quick come, quick go" money. No. 3505 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #40

Proverb: " Kɔsi" a nkɔsi; "kɔda" a nkɔda Meaning: "Sit awake" does not sit awake, "Go and sleep" does not go and sleep Context: Said of a person who does not react to command. No. 3540 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #39

Proverb: Wohunu woka tutu a, w oho asεm nkɔ abanmu Meaning: If you know how to postpone your debt, you are not taken before the government (law court) Context: It is possible to talk your self out of a difficult situation. Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #38

Proverb: Yenhunu onipa dakoro nse no sε w'afɔn Meaning: We don't see a person for the first time and say 'you have grown lean'. Context: Don't judge too quickly. We judge by comparisons

Proverb Monday, #37

Proverb: Kooko kyεre pata so a, εgyae hene yε. Meaning: If the riverside cocoyam is kept in the roof beam for a long time, it loses its ability to make you itch. Root & Context: The fresh skin of the cocoyam causes skin irritation, but after a period it becomes harmless. Hence: if a man holds a position of responsibility for a long time, he tends to become less strict in his discipline. No. 3504 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al.

Proverb Monday, #36

Proverb: Aboa no pε kɔkɔɔ ayε nti na ɔde ne ho kɔtwere sie. Meaning: An animal that wants to become red, rubs itself against an anthill. Context: If you want to achieve something, you take actions necessary to do so*. No. 943 in Bu me Bε by Peggy Appiah et al. *If you want to achieve something you go to where you can achieve it or you associate with the right people or individuals who can offer that help (my own interpretation).