Proverbs: the palm oil of speech — Discover Igbo culture

In Igbo conversation, proverbs are said to be “the palm oil with which words are eaten”. A well-chosen proverb can settle an argument, comfort a friend or wink at a joke. Here are six, with translations. Spellings vary by dialect.

Onye ajụjụ anaghị efu ụzọ.

The person who asks questions does not lose the way.

Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe.

When a person says yes, their chi says yes too.

Aka nri kwọ aka ekpe, aka ekpe akwọ aka nri.

When the right hand washes the left and the left washes the right, both become clean.

Nwata kwọọ aka, o soro okenye rie nri.

A child who washes their hands eats with the elders.

Egbe bere, ugo bere.

Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch: there is room for everyone.

Igwe bụ ike.

There is strength in numbers.

Chinua Achebe filled Things Fall Apart with such sayings, which is why many readers say the book “sounds Igbo” even in English.

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