Maahmaah Soomaali

Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs

🌟 Proverb of the Day

Nafsi raaga, rag iyo geel baa iska leh
Long endurance belongs to men and camels
True strength lies in patience — endurance defines resilience

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