Maahmaah Soomaali
Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs
🌟 Proverb of the Day
Meaning: Women speak of prosperity; men of their downfall
Context: Each gender expresses pain and joy differently — priorities differ
Meaning: Women are wooed with lies but kept with truth
Context: Attraction may start with charm, but endurance needs honesty
Meaning: Women and goats chase each other out of hunger
Context: Poverty brings restlessness — need drives movement
Meaning: Women don't consider a man a man unless he commands them
Context: Leadership attracts respect — strength is admired
Meaning: Women don't fear a man they know
Context: Familiarity breeds comfort — the known is less feared
Meaning: Women are a necessary trouble
Context: A humorous acceptance — love comes with challenges
Meaning: Either be patient with women or avoid them
Context: Peace requires patience — choose endurance or distance
Meaning: Women aren't cared for with what's given away but with what's kept for them
Context: Real care requires provision — stability over generosity
Meaning: The woman who spoils milk also lacks muscle
Context: Carelessness leads to weakness — responsibility builds strength
Meaning: A man without a promise is a man without faith
Context: Commitment shows character — reliability defines integrity
Meaning: For the idle, even tea is forbidden
Context: Only the industrious deserve comfort — idleness earns nothing
Meaning: He who doesn't kill lust, can't kill an elephant
Context: Conquer inner weakness before outer challenges — self-control first
Meaning: When a selfish man shares, the undeserving benefit
Context: Greed's rare generosity often favors the wrong people
Meaning: He who shows no mercy is shown none
Context: Compassion invites compassion — kindness returns in kind
Meaning: Don't let one who won't open your load, carry it
Context: Don't trust help from the unhelpful — loyalty must be proven
Meaning: A man without certainty isn't trustworthy
Context: Doubt weakens faith — clarity builds respect
Meaning: He who hasn't traveled has no eyes
Context: Experience widens understanding — travel brings wisdom
Meaning: He who doesn't sweat, doesn't get full
Context: Hard work feeds success — no effort, no reward
Meaning: God tests the one who loves something deeply
Context: Attachment brings trials — love comes with sacrifice
Meaning: Long endurance belongs to men and camels
Context: True strength lies in patience — endurance defines resilience