Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: proverbs

  • Ojibwe Proverb: On Resilience and Gratitude

    May you be strengthened by yesterday’s rain, walk straight in tomorrow’s wind and cherish each moment of the sun today– Ojibwe Proverb

  • Count Your Blessings

    Listen to the beautiful rhythm in your soul I am an avid listener and greatly enjoy the sounds of nature and the world around me. I find joy in the soothing sounds of rainfall, the rumbling of clouds, and the intensity of raging thunderstorms. I appreciate the gentle flow of waterfalls and the melodic symphonies…

  • Muse: Albuquerque

    Celebrating uniqueness is a valuable treasure; it creates a unique refuge in one’s soul for peace and self-discovery. Now, let’s take part in a fun word challenge. Think of a term or expression and replace the emphasized words in the sentence below with their closest synonyms and then with their antonyms. Afterward, reread it. Nothing…

  • Quote: Kings and Kingmakers

    When you become a King or Queen, do not forget those who helped you to the crown — Oke Iroegbu

  • Quote: Your People

    People who are your people are not just those who share the same values, experiences or color but people who want to see you succeed and become a greater version of yourself — Oke Iroegbu

  • Proverbs

    What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in? Proverbs are sources of wisdom. They are the oil with which the Igbo eat their words. In this post, I wrote in Igbo, translated into English, and then gave its meaning. Sometime ago, I did a blog post on proverbs used…

  • African Proverb: On Hospitality

    A home that welcomes strangers will never lack food Hospitality is an act or service of welcoming, receiving, hosting or entertaining guests. It’s an attitude that portrays openness, respect, and generosity. There are always rewards for those who have good hearts. Is it not said blessed is the hand that giveth than the one that…

  • Like Vs Love

    When you like a flower you pluck it, but when you love a flower, you water it – Japanese quote

  • Quote on Happiness

    The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves – Victor Hugo

  • African Proverb: Closed Mind

    Proverb: Eyes are useless if the mind is blind The eyes see tangible things, but the mind sees much more than that. Ideas are shaped in the mind. After ideas are formed they can now be manifested into real things. Therefore, while eyes are physical, the mind is mental. A mentally blind person can walk…

  • African Proverb: On Ignorance

    It is out of ignorance that a goat will attend a leopard’s party Meaning: It is no tragedy or shame to be ignorant. As someone has rightly said, “everyone is ignorant, only on different subjects.” We often make the mistake that because someone is very knowledgeable in one area, they are also knowledgeable in other…

  • Night Sky

    Riddles known to the night sky When the galaxies shine They whisper a million tales Some of yours, a few of mine

  • African Proverb: On The Sun

    African Proverb: The sun does not forget a village just because it’s small. Explanation: Normally, the sun shines on both the weak and strong, rich and poor, man and woman. It does not discriminate were to shine or not. That happens with life as well. Providence gives everyone equal opportunity, as life is not bought…

  • African Proverb: The River Route

    If the river route changes, the crocodile is obliged to follow – Proverb from Burkina Faso In today’s proverb, the crocodile can be likened to life and the river route to vicissitudes. Hence, when things change, for good or bad, life has to go on.

  • Quote on Perseverance

    Remember, people, the universe; everyone is waiting to applaud you. Stay focused on your dreams.

  • Igbo Proverb: On the Kite and Eagle

    Igbo: Egbe bere, Ugo bere, nke si ibe ya ebele, nku gbajie ya English: Let the Kite perch, let the Eagle perch, any that forbids the other from perching, let its wings break. Origin: This proverb originated from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria. It’s commonly used when trying to settle disputes or for prayers. Meaning:…

  • African Proverbs: On True Friendship

    Between true friends, even water drunk together is sweet enough Friendship is a useful component of life. True friendship goes beyond usefulness, it’s a lovely asset. Genuine friendship outperforms selfishness and many things. It doesn’t compete with its companions rather it tries to bring the best out of everyone. True friends consider themselves an extension…

  • Humanity First

    The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life Birds up the trees There, up the trees, I saw several nests. I knew more were there because I could hear a multitude of birds chirping. Most of the nests were…

  • African Proverb: On ‘Disguising’ Lizards

    Igbo: Ngwere nile makpu àfọ n’ala, mana onweghị onye ma nke àfọ n’asa. English: When lizards lay on the ground, no one knows those who have a runny stomach. Origin: This is an Eastern Nigerian proverb. Some fraction of the Igbo nation uses it. The agama lizard just like their reptilian brethren are quadruplets and…

  • African Proverb: On the Child Strapped Behind The Mother

    Igbo: Nwata akwô na azú amaghī na ùzó di anya English: A child strapped to the back of the mother does not know the journey is far. Origin: The Igbo people of Southern Nigeria use this adage. In many societies, it’s prevalent to see mothers, young and old, strap their babies behind them, especially when…

  • Proverb: On Borrowed Oil…

    Igbo: Mmanù arîótara arîóta anaghî ezu ofe English: Borrowed palm oil can never be enough for soup Origin: This proverb originated from Southern Nigeria. It is an Igbo proverb. Palm oil (mmanù akwú in Igbo) is a standard cooking oil used in West Africa. In Nigeria’s Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Bini, and Ibibio land, it’s vital…

  • Proverb: On The Informed Cripple…

    Igbo: Agha adìghï eri nwa ngwōrō English: An informed cripple can never be consumed by war Origin: This is a southern Nigerian proverb from the Igbo ethnic group. Usually, when there’s a state of war, cripples suffer most as they find it difficult to escape the war zone. But when such a person is informed…

  • African Proverb: On the cud-chewing Goat

    When mother goat chews on the grass, her kids watch and learn A goat is generally known as an animal with a unique way of chewing the cud. The kids watch the mother goat as she chew grass and picks the peculiarities. In no time, they will start to chew grass like the mother. This…

  • African Proverb: On The Chameleon

    Proverb: A chameleon that wants to survive from the burning bush must abandon the majestic walk of its ancestors. Origin: When there’s a fire in the bush, all living things around there fly, crawl, run for dear lives. Even the slowest among them will make a drastic effort to escape the fire. Chameleons are slow-walking…

  • Ashanti Proverb: When You Walk In Your Father’s Path

    When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him – Ashanti proverb This excellent Ghanaian adage is self-explanatory. I’ll try to explain some salient points. Generally, it’s an African believe that a child who goes nearer to his father grow up acting and speaking like him. Indeed, this is…

  • Video: What Is Life By Schneider Dean

    Gratitude is Life Every morning we wake up to the greatest gift we have: the gift of Life. Every living being on this beautiful planet, including you and me, is blessed with life. Life is a limited period we have been given on this planet to find and fulfill our purpose. The funny thing is…

  • African Proverb: Evil Company

    If you choose to make friends with a pig, you must be prepared to live in the mud. The kind of friends we keep affect us and sometimes we are not aware of this. The pig here represents a dirty animal that loves to wallow in the mud. This is an anglicised version of the…

  • African Proverb: A Smooth Sea…

    A smooth sea does not make a skillful sailor. Background: The proverb is originally from Namibia. Significance: Life is like the sea: sometimes we get a gentle sea. But a peaceful sea never made a great sailor. Parents who always shield their child from challenging situations will, in the end, have an idiot of a…

  • African Proverb: However black a cow is…

    However black a cow is, the milk is always white – Gambian Proverb Background Traditionally, Gambia is an agrarian society. The country which falls in a fertile valley keeps a lot of farm animals, cattle being the predominant livestock. Senegal borders the state, from the north down to the south. Senegambia, a short-lived confederation was…

  • Igbo Proverb: Sound of The Bitter Cola

    Igbo: Ùda akùilu abùghí ùtō ya English: Bitter Cola doesn’t taste like its sound (literally). Background: Just like the name, bitter cola is a very bitter fruit! Sometimes I do wonder why it’s not called a ‘very bitter cola.’ Alongside the kola nut and garden egg, it is commonly used as a ‘welcome fruit’ in…

  • African Proverb: Someone who Shouts

    There is nothing to fear from someone who shouts. Meaning: In Igbo land, it’s assumed that people who make a lot of noise are cowards. The principle of more action and less talk is the foundation of this proverb. The English version is the empty drum makes the loudest noise.

  • African Proverb: A Young Tree

    A tree is straightened while it is still young – Proverb from Burundi. Meaning: I chose to take this proverb in its literal form because it’s pretty evident that a fully grown tree can’t be transplanted or manipulated in any way. What I mean is that it’s not stressful to try to make a sapling…

  • African Proverb: On A Snake’s Ability

    Igbo Proverb: If a snake fails to show its venom, little kids will use it in tying firewood. Origin: A snake is a dangerous reptile. Snake poison can kill an adult in minutes. In Africa, snake bites contribute to deaths. In Igbo land where this proverb originated from, snakes are not toyed with. In some…

  • African Proverb: Be Nice

    Be nice to everyone. You never know who your in-laws are going to be. We won’t know who can be of help tomorrow. Compassion and kindness are great virtues. It can open greater doors! Ponder on this and have a goodnight. 💕

  • Igbo (African) Proverbs

    Hello there! This is a post on selected Igbo proverbs. I wrote in the Igbo language, translated into English, and then gave its meaning. I did a blog post on sayings used in the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe sometime ago. You can access it here. Have a great day! 1. Igbo: Nwaanyi…

  • Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart: Proverbs and Meaning

    Onye aturu ilu kowaa ya, ego eji luo nne ya efuola ohia. Before I start this post permit me to greet Igbo people; those who own the proverbs I’m about to explore; Ndi Igbo kwenu! Ekelem unu o. Ndewonu. •Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on Igbo traditional Isi-agu attire INTRODUCTION: PROVERBS There are many definitions for proverbs…

  • Quote: Compassion & Confidence