Igbo proverbs and their meanings.

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Igbo proverbs are used for a variety of purposes, including:

  • To teach and educate. Igbo proverbs are a rich source of wisdom and knowledge, and they are often used to teach children and adults about important values and life lessons. For example, the proverb "Ọ bụ onye ji ụkwụ ya na-akpọ ụkwụ ya ọjọọ" (It is the person with their own feet who calls their own feet ugly) teaches us to be critical of ourselves and to take responsibility for our own actions.
  • To resolve conflict and promote peace. Igbo proverbs can be used to mediate disputes and to promote peace and reconciliation. For example, the proverb "Ọ bụ nwanne na-enye nwanne mmiri n'ọkụ" (It is a sibling who gives water to their sibling in the fire) emphasizes the importance of family and mutual support, even in times of conflict.
  • To express oneself creatively. Igbo proverbs are a beautiful and poetic form of expression. They can be used to express oneself in a way that is both concise and powerful. For example, the proverb "Ọ bụ ebe onye na-egu egwú ka ọ na-agba egwú" (A person can only dance where the music is playing) can be used to express the feeling of being out of place or unable to control one's circumstances.
  • To entertain and amuse. Igbo proverbs can be used to add humor and interest to conversations and stories. For example, the proverb "Ọ bụ onye na-arịgo ka ọ na-agọ nwanne ya nwoke" (It is the person who is lame who mocks their sibling for being lame) can be used to gently tease someone who is being hypocritical or judgmental.

Overall, Igbo proverbs are a valuable part of Igbo culture and society. They are used for a variety of purposes, including teaching, conflict resolution, self-expression, and entertainment.

In addition to the above, Igbo proverbs can also be used to:

  • Advise and counsel. Igbo proverbs can be used to offer guidance and support to others. For example, the proverb "Ọ bụ onye na-akwụ ụgwọ ka ọ na-akpọ ụgwọ ọjọọ" (It is the person who pays the salary who has the right to call the salary bad) can be used to advise someone to be respectful of authority figures.
  • Satire and criticize. Igbo proverbs can also be used to satirize and criticize social and political ills. For example, the proverb "Ọ bụ onye na-eri n'ọkụ ka ọ na-agba ọkụ ọkụ" (It is the person who eats in the fire who calls the fire hot) can be used to criticize someone who is being selfish or greedy.
  • Preserve culture and tradition. Igbo proverbs are a repository of Igbo culture and tradition. They reflect the Igbo people's values, beliefs, and way of life. By passing down proverbs from generation to generation, the Igbo people are able to preserve their cultural heritage.

Igbo proverbs are a truly versatile and valuable form of communication. They can be used in a variety of ways to enhance our understanding of the world around us and to connect with others.

  1. Igbo proverbs 1: Ọ bụ ebe onye na-egu egwú ka ọ na-agba egwú.

Meaning: A person can only dance where the music is playing. This proverb means that people can only achieve their goals by working within the constraints of their environment or circumstances.

  1. Igbo proverbs 2: Ọ bụ nwanne na-enye nwanne mmiri n'ọkụ.

Meaning: It is a sibling who gives water to their sibling in the fire. This proverb emphasizes the importance of family and mutual support.

  1. Igbo proverbs 3: Ọ bụ onye ji ihe e ji ya na ya kpọrọ ya asị.

Meaning: It is the person who owns something who has the right to call it ugly. This proverb teaches us to respect the opinions of others, even if we disagree with them.

  1. Igbo proverbs 4: Ọ bụ onye ji ụkwụ ya na-akpọ ụkwụ ya ọjọọ.

Meaning: It is the person with their own feet who calls their own feet ugly. This proverb teaches us to be self-critical and to take responsibility for our own actions.

  1. Igbo proverbs 5: Ọ bụ onye ji ya na ya na-enwe ọchịchọ.

Meaning: It is the person who owns something who desires it. This proverb teaches us that we should value what we have and not take it for granted.

  1. Igbo proverbs 6: Ọ bụ onye na-akwụ ụgwọ ka ọ na-akpọ ụgwọ ọjọọ.

Meaning: It is the person who pays the salary who has the right to call the salary bad. This proverb teaches us to respect the opinions of those in authority over us.

  1. Igbo proverb 7: Ọ bụ onye na-arịgo ka ọ na-agọ nwanne ya nwoke.

Meaning: It is the person who is lame who mocks their sibling for being lame. This proverb teaches us not to judge others for their shortcomings, as we all have our own flaws.

  1. Igbo proverb 8: Ọ bụ onye na-eri n'ọkụ ka ọ na-agba ọkụ ọkụ.

Meaning: It is the person who eats in the fire who calls the fire hot. This proverb teaches us to be careful about what we say about others, as our words may reflect poorly on ourselves.

  1. Igbo proverb 9: Ọ bụ onye na-eri nri na-enye nwa ya nwoke nri.

Meaning: It is the person who eats who gives their child food. This proverb teaches us that we should be charitable and share what we have with others, even if we don't have much ourselves.

  1. Igbo proverb 10: Ọ bụ onye na-ezu ike ka ọ na-agba ọsọ.

Meaning: It is the person who rests who runs fastest. This proverb teaches us that it is important to take breaks and recharge, so that we can perform our best.

  1. Igbo proverb 11: Ọ bụ onye na-akwa ka ọ na-ajụ aka.

Meaning: It is the person who cries who gets help. This proverb teaches us that it is important to ask for help when we need it, even if we feel ashamed or embarrassed.

  1. Igbo proverb 12: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe nwanne ka ọ na-enwe nwanne.

Meaning: It is the person who has siblings who has siblings. This proverb teaches us that we should cherish our relationships with our siblings, as they are some of the most important people in our lives.

  1. Igbo proverb 13: Ọ bụ onye na-eji ya na ya na-enwe ihe.

Meaning: It is the person who uses something who has it. This proverb teaches us that we should use the things we have, rather than letting them go to waste.

  1. Igbo proverb 14: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe obi ka ọ na-enwe obi.

Meaning: It is the person who has a heart who has a heart. This proverb teaches us that we should be compassionate and kind towards others.

  1. Igbo proverb 15: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe uche ka ọ na-enwe uche.

Meaning: It is the person who has wisdom who has wisdom. This proverb teaches us wisdom.

  1. Igbo proverb 16: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe oge ka ọ na-enwe oge.

Meaning: It is the person who is patient who has time. This proverb teaches us to be patient and wait for things to happen in their own time.

  1. Igbo proverb 17: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ego ka ọ na-enwe ego.

Meaning: It is the person who has money who has money. This proverb teaches us that we need to work hard and earn money in order to have it.

  1. Igbo proverb 18: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ike ka ọ na-enwe ike.

Meaning: It is the person who is strong who has strength. This proverb teaches us that we need to be strong and resilient in order to overcome challenges.

  1. Igbo proverb 19: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe udo ka ọ na-enwe udo.

Meaning: It is the person who has peace who has peace. This proverb teaches us that we need to strive for peace and harmony in our lives.

  1. Igbo proverb 20: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ọṅụ ka ọ na-enwe ọṅụ.

Meaning: It is the person who has joy who has joy. This proverb teaches us that we should find joy in the simple things in life.

  1. Igbo proverb 21: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe obi ike ka ọ na-enwe obi ike.

Meaning: It is the person who has courage who has courage. This proverb teaches us to be brave and face our fears.

  1. Igbo proverb 22: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ọgụgụ isi ka ọ na-enwe ọgụgụ isi.

Meaning: It is the person who is intelligent who has intelligence. This proverb teaches us to value intelligence and to use our knowledge wisely.

  1. Igbo proverb 23: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ọrụ ka ọ na-enwe ọrụ.

Meaning: It is the person who has work who has work. This proverb teaches us that we need to work hard in order to achieve success.

  1. Igbo proverb 24: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ala ka ọ na-enwe ala.

Meaning: It is the person who has land who has land. This proverb teaches us that we need to protect our environment and to take care of our planet.

  1. Igbo proverb 25: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ụlọ ka ọ na-enwe ụlọ.

Meaning: It is the person who has a house who has a house. This proverb teaches us that we need to have a place to call our own, where we can feel safe and secure.

  1. Igbo proverb 26: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ezinụlọ ka ọ na-enwe ezinụlọ.

Meaning: It is the person who has family who has family. This proverb teaches us that family is one of the most important things in life.

  1. Igbo proverb 27: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ọha ka ọ na-enwe ọha.

Meaning: It is the person who has community who has community. This proverb teaches us that we need to be supportive of our communities and to help others in need.

  1. Igbo proverb 28: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ezi ndụ ka ọ na-enwe ezi ndụ.

Meaning: It is the person who has a good life who has a good life. This proverb teaches us that we should strive to live good and meaningful lives.

  1. Igbo proverb 29: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe olili ka ọ na-enwe olili.

Meaning: It is the person who has culture who has culture. This proverb teaches us that we need to preserve our culture and traditions for future generations.

  1. Igbo proverb 30: Ọ bụ onye na-enwe ụwa ka ọ na-enwe ụwa.

Meaning: It is the person who has the world who has the world. This proverb teaches us that we need to be grateful for all that we have and to make the most of our time on this earth.

I hope you enjoy these Igbo proverbs!

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