Ilú Anyị — traditional Igbo proverbs, preserved with their translations and context. Browse by category, search for a theme, or start with the proverb of the day.
16 proverbs in the collection.
whoever cuts firewood around their own compound, will not lack food (ndị o bula na-akpara nku nọ n’ụlọ be ha, o na-eghere ha nri)
Meaning: people who work diligently within their own space, community, or means will be sustained
a person falls, where his god/spirit has placed him (ebe onye dara ka chi ya kwaturu ya.)
Meaning: fate and your personal god has a role in how your life unfolds
a person should remain in a position where he knows what he is doing (Ọ dị mma ka onye nọ na nkè ọ nọ mara isi ya.)
Meaning: understand your situation and your limits
a titled man does not say one thing to your face and another behind your back; neither does eat what he spits out. (nze adịghị asukata n’ihu suwa n’azụ; ọ dighikwa abụpụ bịa rachaa.)
Meaning: a titled man is honest, straightforward, and dignified
each community sings with it's own voice (okwu mba na-atụ n’olu n’olu)
Meaning: each community has their own flavor of customs
firewood of the land is what cooks the food (nkụ nọ na mba na-eghere ha nri)
Meaning: what exists within a land sustains its people
heavy rain during June (rainy season) is not a surprise (Ụdu mmiri ọnwa isiịị abụghịkwa ihe mberede.)
Meaning: some things are expected and should not be a surprise
not all people become wealthy (mmadu niile agaghị adacha ogaranya)
Meaning: self explanatory
not all people grow old (mmadu niile agaghị aka nka.)
Meaning: old age is not a guarantee
our hands are clean (aka anyi dị ọcha)
Meaning: we are innocent or we are not to be blamed
the eagle that has been shot with a gun will fall down violently (ugo ahụ a na-asụrụ egbe eberela na mgbagbu.)
Meaning: the decisive event has already happened; the outcome is settled
the madman feels no shame; the shame falls on their family (ihere adịghị eme onye ara kama o na-eme umunne ya)
Meaning: madman refers to lazy/unproductive people and the shame it causes their families
the world is not perfect (uwa ezughį oke)
Meaning: ụwa can mean world or life; neither are perfect