Aco/ Ebu si aza oye ku.
Translation: Using a hoe is not madness for nothing.
Meaning: Whatever you do, expect a profit.
English equivalent: You reap what you sow! Ama woro anzi Mungu ni.
Translation: We are all GOD’s children.
Meaning: Don’t discriminate based on race, tribe or beliefs!
Quoted from a famous Lugbara song Aria gaa ti anya ose.
Translation: A small bird defecated a large mass of digested millet.
Meaning: Don't underestimate people or things because of their size.
English equivalent: Don't judge a book by its cover. Ata abu-a ri, le mima nga azi raka mima nya ndo.
Translation: Even in the valley plantation, you must first work before you eat.
Meaning: No work, no food! Awoko so ti andre.
Translation: Anger pierced the cow's tongue.
Meaning: Do not let anger harm you! Ayia ma ndu yo.
Translation: There is no other mother.
Meaning: Everyone is entitled to only one mother. Ayia nduri ozuku fi ni.
Translation: A stepmother is (like) a porcupine's intestines.
Meaning: Stepmothers are usually bitter. 'Ba je o'buka mva alea risi ku.
Translation: People don't buy a baby strap for an unborn foetus.
Meaning: You cannot predict the future.
English equivalent: Don't count your chickens before they hatch!
'Ba yori ni ba je oku ku.
Translation: For an absent bridegroom, you cannot marry a wife.
Meaning: Follow the procedure! Embeleke ka i-agi ma eti ne, eri gu sibe inve.
Translation: When an ape sees its friend's (red) bottom, it laughs with white teeth (showing).
Moral: Do not laugh at other people's shortcomings! Afterall, you have your own.
Quoted from the Lugbara song entitled 'Embeleke' by Leila Chandiru Eri mi te era liri etia.
Translation: It is waiting for you under the high granary.
Meaning: Future problems (issues) are waiting for you if you don't listen to advice. E'yere nya ni.
Translation: Patience is the one that ate.
Meaning: Patience pays. Isaku luni i-eti ceni ku.
Translation: The Isaku container for sieving local salt doesn't drill holes in its bottom by itself.
Meaning: Nothing changes unless you do something. Izo anji angu vo re.
Translation: Girls slash very far.
Meaning: Girls can get married far away and prepare a new place for their relatives to visit. Kaka ni ka 'ba sikokori ni.
Translation: Maize matures for people without teeth.
Meaning: Good things happen to people who least need them. Mi owu lesu i-adapibori si ku.
Translation: Do not cry because of spilt milk.
Meaning: Whatever has already happened cannot be changed.
English equivalent: Let bygones be bygones! Nyatu li odji.
Literal Translation: Too much eating cut the baboon. Odji, the baboon was sitted on a tree branch and ants were flying in circles. He picked ants one by one but greed in his mind made him jump to catch the whole circle and he fell.
Moral: Do things sparingly and not greedily! Obibiasi, etto ma jo ve ra.
Translation: Because of copying, the rabbit's house got burnt.
Meaning: Be yourself! Ocoo ini ri atuluku dria.
Idiomatic translation: A black dog is sitting on the kitchen-stove.
Meaning: No food will be cooked nor eaten tonight. Odidia nya puro ibi.
Translation: Newness ate raw grasshoppers.
Meaning: Be vigilant while a newcomer in any place, you can be made to do anything! Odru fu Anera/ Anira ni te.
Translation: The buffalo killed Anera (who thougt he had seen it all)/ Anira (who thought he knew it all).
Meaning: Listen to advice! Okuku dra drinjasi (oboa).
Translation: The tortoise died because of shyness (in its boat).
Meaning: Shyness will make you miss opportunities. Pati ifi ideni re ku.
Translation: The seed of a tree doesn't fall far.
Meaning: A parent's behaviour is reflected in his kid.
English equivalent: An apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Sindani tokoa bongo sozuri ka di tagiri nde.
Translation: A mere cloth-sewing needle can defeat a rich man to own.
Meaning: Poor people are actually wealthier than rich people in certain aspects.
Quoted from the Lugbara song entitled 'Alio Madrisi' Return to "Lugbara proverbs" page.
