Rwandan Proverbs Rwanda Capital Kigali Official Languages Kinyarwanda

Rwandan Proverbs

Rwanda Capital: Kigali Official Languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English Ethnic Groups: Hutu, Tutsi, Twa Population: Over 12 million Area: ~10, 000 square miles (slightly larger than Vermont) Colonized by: Germany, Belgium Independence: July 1 st, 1962

Proverb-A simple, well known saying that expresses a truth based on common sense or human experience. American examples?

American Proverbs “The best things in life are free. ” “Do as I say, not as I do. ” “If you can’t beat them, join them. ” “Old habits die hard. ” “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. ”

Task ~10 minutes Go to your assigned proverb With your group, try to read proverb in Kinyarwanda, then read it in English Discuss the meaning of the proverb together You will share all of this with the entire class

Gray “Mweshobora urenga aho kwirukanu mwe, ariko ntabwo aho kwirukanu mu matimu wawe. ” “You can outdistance that which is running after you, but not what is running inside you. ”

Dark blue “Ryari mweukwata inzika, anyu umwana gukwata inzika kandi. ” “When you bear a grudge, your child will also bear a grudge. ”

Yellow “Ingunga y’urulimi inesha injunga z’igitero. ” “The sharpness of the tongue defeats the sharpness of the warriors. ”

Green “Amaziro n’amaciro birangana. ” “Ends and beginnings are identical. ”

Salmon “Akarênze impinga karushya ihámagara. ” “When what is said reaches the top of the hill, it cannot be called (taken) back. ”

Light Blue “Umusonga w'ûndí ntûkubúza gusinzìra. ” “Someone else’s stomachache doesn’t prevent you from sleeping. ”

Brown/Tan “Ifumbire y'úbucuti ni âmagambo. ” “The fertilizer of friendship is made of words. ”