Maahmaah Soomaali
Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs
🌟 Proverb of the Day
Meaning: Sense enters beasts through the nose, animals through the nostrils, men through the chest, and women through the eyes
Context: A humorous proverb describing perceived differences in intelligence or perception among beings
Meaning: O lipless one, how will you whistle?
Context: Don't attempt what you're unfit for — know your limitations
Meaning: The tongue and teeth are close, yet they bite each other
Context: Even those closest to you may hurt you sometimes — conflict is natural among kin
Meaning: The tongue and its jaws are close, yet they bite one another
Context: Disagreements occur even among those who live together
Meaning: You don't show a cow its grass
Context: The experienced don't need instruction — they know their way
Meaning: Anger between brothers cools with time
Context: Family bonds overcome anger — patience restores peace
Meaning: Carraabo's laziness brought him despair
Context: Idleness leads to hopelessness — hard work brings relief
Meaning: A greedy tongue can be seen, but a hidden heart cannot
Context: Words reveal greed, but inner motives remain unseen
Meaning: Oh children, your playfulness has ruined you
Context: Too much carelessness leads to harm — heed warnings early
Meaning: Children fear authority but not one another
Context: Respect comes from hierarchy — fear flows downward
Meaning: Mischievous children kill playfully and meet death seriously
Context: Recklessness leads to disaster — play can turn deadly
Meaning: A child is neither infidel nor Muslim — it becomes what it's taught
Context: Children are shaped by environment — upbringing determines belief
Meaning: Children are a pain one outgrows
Context: Raising children is hard but rewarding — patience leads to pride later
Meaning: Red color adds nothing to beauty
Context: True beauty lies in character, not in appearance
Meaning: What happens to you in the afternoon, you're mocked for in the evening
Context: People are quick to gossip — misfortune invites criticism
Meaning: Shame doesn't kill, anger doesn't explode, and insults don't wound
Context: Don't be too sensitive — endure words and move on
Meaning: If you know your first flaw, you needn't be told a thousand
Context: Self-awareness prevents humiliation — correct yourself early
Meaning: A well with water isn't far away
Context: Opportunity is always near — seek what's valuable
Meaning: A well that swallows people is tested with a stick
Context: Test danger before facing it — caution prevents harm
Meaning: The one who troubles you when asking for the donkey will trouble you when leading it
Context: People troublesome in small matters will be worse in big ones — avoid them early