Maahmaah Soomaali
Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs
🌟 Proverb of the Day
Meaning: A rainbow rising from the east is a sign of rain
Context: Early signs often predict coming events — nature speaks ahead
Meaning: Rash haste ends in regret
Context: Impulsiveness brings pain — patience is wisdom
Meaning: Throwing a spear is an art, but missing is shameful
Context: Skill must be matched by precision — effort alone isn't enough
Meaning: You can't carry a hyena on a mat
Context: Evil or wild things can't be contained — some problems exceed control
Meaning: The hyena was told he's ugly; he replied, "Have you seen my brother the wolf?"
Context: People comfort themselves by comparing to worse — self-justification hides faults
Meaning: Hiding with your back showing isn't hiding
Context: Partial secrecy is useless — deception must be complete or avoided
Meaning: Retreat delays you
Context: Constant hesitation prevents progress
Meaning: A calf with a bad mother doesn't grow forward
Context: Bad upbringing limits growth — nurturing determines success
Meaning: A calf with a cruel mother doesn't become a leader
Context: Compassion breeds greatness — harshness kills potential
Meaning: A bull from a bad mother never leads the herd
Context: One's roots shape destiny — family influences character
Meaning: The bird feeds its chicks patiently — will it now rush them?
Context: Growth takes time — natural care follows order
Meaning: The valley lost stones but gained sticks
Context: Loss brings new advantage — every misfortune has balance
Meaning: The maggot lives in rot for its own benefit
Context: People stay in bad places if they profit from them
Meaning: A talker and a donkey are both struck on the jaw
Context: Too much talk brings punishment — silence is safer
Meaning: The pig is punished for doing nothing
Context: Laziness invites trouble — inaction leads to suffering
Meaning: Whether one road or ten, the hen never leaves her path
Context: Habit binds nature — people rarely change their ways
Meaning: The hen can't drink water while its neck is held
Context: Freedom is essential — no one thrives under oppression
Meaning: All hens eat filth, but each cleans its beak differently
Context: Everyone errs, but manners differ — dignity lies in self-respect
Meaning: The fool who prayed to God found Him in her tent
Context: Fools find meaning only in their limited world — ignorance narrows vision
Meaning: A fool understands things after they happen
Context: Wisdom delayed is useless — foresight beats hindsight