Maahmaah Soomaali

Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs

🌟 Proverb of the Day

Naf la'aan, nolol ma jirto
Without a soul, there's no life
Life's essence is spirit — material things are empty without it

Meaning: Kill the infidel, but give him his right

Context: Even with enemies, justice must prevail — fairness above all

Meaning: The shield-bearer never flees

Context: The defender stands firm — loyalty demands courage

Meaning: He who can bear a girl can also beat her

Context: Responsibility and authority go hand in hand — discipline follows care

Meaning: A girl values donkey's ears' size; a boy adds a hair's breadth

Context: Small differences matter in attraction — everyone seeks perfection in their own way

Meaning: A girl lives in a delicate place

Context: A woman's reputation is fragile — protect dignity and honor

Meaning: A hand alone is poor

Context: Cooperation builds strength — unity brings power

Meaning: If your hand gets stuck in glue, don't cut it — shake it off

Context: Don't abandon your own — patience solves conflict

Meaning: The hand you can't cut, kiss it

Context: Respect the powerful — diplomacy over confrontation

Meaning: Joined hands cut better

Context: Teamwork makes great things possible

Meaning: You can't climb a tree backward

Context: Progress needs the right approach — face challenges head-on

Meaning: Every beard meets another beard

Context: Every man meets his match — strength meets strength

Meaning: After judgment, I hate murmuring

Context: Once a decision is made, stop complaining — respect the verdict

Meaning: Judgment belongs equally to all

Context: Justice applies to everyone — fairness is universal

Meaning: Wrongdoing never triumphs

Context: Injustice may rise, but it never lasts — truth prevails

Meaning: No one defends injustice

Context: Wrong has no true ally — even the unjust know shame

Meaning: Justice belongs to God

Context: Divine justice balances what human courts can't

Meaning: Judgment never pleases both sides

Context: Every ruling leaves one unhappy — fairness doesn't mean universal joy

Meaning: The jaw and the comb don't move together

Context: Some roles can't coexist — avoid conflicting duties

Meaning: The standing tree knows both justice and inheritance

Context: The wise know fairness and legacy — stability brings knowledge

Meaning: Every tree hides the potential to burn

Context: Danger lies in everything — awareness prevents harm