50 UNCOMMON NIGERIAN PROVERBS
1. IGBO (SOUTHEAST NIGERIA)
Tribe: Igbo
Proverbs:
1. "A bird that flies off the ground and lands on an anthill is still on the ground."
Meaning: Elevation without real substance is no true promotion.
2. "The cow that bellows does so for all cows to hear."
Meaning: When someone speaks out, it often carries a message for a group, not just individuals.
3. "You cannot clean your teeth with a gun."
Meaning: Tools must suit their purpose; use appropriate methods for situations.
4. "A man who has bread does not quarrel with a hungry man."
Meaning: Prosperous people should show understanding toward those struggling.
5. "If the lizard of the homestead fails to do the things for which its kind is famous, it will be mistaken for
a lizard of the farmyard."
Meaning: Identity must be proven by actions, or it will be mistaken.
2. YORUBA (SOUTHWEST NIGERIA)
Tribe: Yoruba
Proverbs:
1. "The sword that kills a lion can also kill a goat."
Meaning: Great power can handle small matters too; don't misuse or underestimate.
2. "The pestle does not know that the yam is crying."
Meaning: Sometimes those causing harm are unaware or indifferent.
3. "You do not light a fire on the mountain and expect people not to see it."
Meaning: Great deeds (or crimes) cannot be hidden.
4. "A horse that has no tail must not venture into the rain."
Meaning: Know your limitations; don't expose your weaknesses.
5. "A big masquerade does not dance in a small compound."
Meaning: Great people need bigger stages to operate.
3. HAUSA (NORTHWEST NIGERIA)
Tribe: Hausa
Proverbs:
1. "Even if the rope of a lie is long, it will eventually cut."
Meaning: Lies cannot last forever; truth prevails.
2. "The rat that is in a hurry will meet the cat."
Meaning: Rushing blindly leads to danger.
3. "Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it."
Meaning: Knowledge is too vast for one person alone.
4. "A frog does not run in the daytime for nothing."
Meaning: Unusual actions have deep reasons behind them.
5. "The child of a snake is a snake."
Meaning: Children often take after their parents, good or bad.
4. EFIK (SOUTHSOUTH NIGERIA)
Tribe: Efik
Proverbs:
1. "A woman who eats pepper will not deny crying."
Meaning: Actions have visible consequences.
2. "The lizard that jumps from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one
else did."
Meaning: Self-recognition is important when others refuse to acknowledge your efforts.
3. "The palm wine tapper does not reveal all the secrets of the palm tree."
Meaning: Experts may not share all their knowledge.
4. "When the bush rat sees the hunter's fire, he knows the end is near."
Meaning: Signs of danger should be heeded early.
5. "If the fish had known, it would not have opened its mouth for the bait."
Meaning: Lack of foresight leads to downfall.
5. IBIBIO (SOUTHSOUTH NIGERIA)
Tribe: Ibibio
Proverbs:
1. "An okra plant does not grow taller than its owner."
Meaning: No matter how powerful you become, remember your origins.
2. "A child who washes his hands well will eat with elders."
Meaning: Clean living and respect elevate one's status.
3. "The dog that barks at a distance is not brave."
Meaning: True bravery faces challenges directly, not from afar.
4. "The chameleon walks slowly but reaches its destination."
Meaning: Persistence, not speed, ensures success.
5. "The crab says it has no business where the stream is drying up."
Meaning: Wise people avoid situations that are evidently collapsing.
6. TIV (NORTHCENTRAL NIGERIA)
Tribe: Tiv
Proverbs:
1. "The river that forgets its source will dry up."
Meaning: Never forget your roots; you depend on them.
2. "If two brothers fight to death, strangers inherit their father's property."
Meaning: Internal disunity leads to loss to outsiders.
3. "The footpath cannot be abandoned because of thorns."
Meaning: Challenges should not stop important journeys.
4. "A tree does not make a forest."
Meaning: Cooperation is vital for greatness.
5. "A monkey that has seen its death does not care about the hunter’s shouting."
Meaning: Once someone accepts fate, threats lose power.
7. KANURI (NORTHEAST NIGERIA)
Tribe: Kanuri
Proverbs:
1. "The knife of the town does not eat the palm kernel."
Meaning: Outsiders cannot solve local, deep-rooted problems.
2. "The horse that does not know fatigue outruns the rider."
Meaning: Boundless energy can be dangerous without control.
3. "The sun does not forget a village because it is small."
Meaning: Greatness visits everyone eventually, regardless of size.
4. "Rain that will flood does not show kindness."
Meaning: Big problems don’t come with pity; prepare early.
5. "The drum that beats loudest breaks first."
Meaning: Excessive showiness often leads to downfall.
8. IDOMA (NORTHCENTRAL NIGERIA)
Tribe: Idoma
Proverbs:
1. "The snail is never in a hurry yet it arrives."
Meaning: Patience achieves results.
2. "When the moon shines, the blind see it in their dreams."
Meaning: Some blessings reach even those who can't physically see.
3. "A hunter who is always lucky does not boast."
Meaning: True success is quiet and humble.
4. "The fly that has no adviser follows the corpse into the grave."
Meaning: Without guidance, destruction is inevitable.
5. "If a bird ignores the trap, it may become dinner."
Meaning: Caution is necessary at all times.
9. NUPE (NORTHCENTRAL NIGERIA)
Tribe: Nupe
Proverbs:
1. "The crocodile does not announce when it enters water."
Meaning: Great actions often happen silently.
2. "A fly that forgets its past dances on a corpse."
Meaning: Disrespect leads to doom.
3. "The river that is patient will cross the rock."
Meaning: Perseverance overcomes obstacles.
4. "When the pot is too hot, the food inside will not cook well."
Meaning: Too much tension destroys progress.
5. "The chicken that crows too early is eaten by the hawk."
Meaning: Premature exposure brings danger.
10. IBIRA (EBIRA) (NORTHCENTRAL NIGERIA)
Tribe: Ebira
Proverbs:
1. "The squirrel that leaps too high misses the branch."
Meaning: Over-ambition without preparation leads to failure.
2. "A man who sweeps his house well will be called a good man in the town square."
Meaning: Good character at home builds good reputation outside.
3. "The tortoise said it moves slowly so it can think about its steps."
Meaning: Caution is wisdom.
4. "A pot that breaks in the river cannot fetch water."
Meaning: Lost opportunities cannot always be regained.
5. "The tongue that lies brings death to the mouth."
Meaning: Dishonesty eventually leads to destruction.
