Maahmaah Soomaali

Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs

🌟 Proverb of the Day

Haani guntay ka tolantaa
A pot is patched at its base
Fix problems from the root — true repair starts at the foundation

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