📝 Archive

Tiv Proverbs

Ancient wisdom passed down through generations

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“Ka u doo a orutso nyom, fam a gba nan per u ye.”

If you are in need of someone's help, learn to relate well with him before.

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“Akor a ngô Ivyo nga nduur Kpev yav ga.”

The horns of a doe (she-goat) do not hurt the buck (he-goat).

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“Ka we a dugh ityôndo gbaaye u ngôôr zende ga. Ityondo g…”

Whoever carries a burning stick of African mesquite does not waste time on the j

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“Ka we a eren belanda u mkee u kera aan ityô ga.”

When trading in pepper, you do not scratch your anus.

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“Ka or u nan ze shin uagh tugh nan fe er Inima i me mnge…”

Only the one who goes to the river in the night that knows how the bat drinks wa

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“Ka we a paan bar u yaan anema.”

While clearing a cave, you eat bats.

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“Ka we a koron kooso u ndiar tsur.”

When you are weaving a spike lute, you lick the honeycomb.

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“Aondo tsar wan la ashano ken ityő a nenge tar yem ca.”

God has lit a match in the boy's head; he sees far beyond others.

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“Ka iyo i nyom Kurugh anyi sha igyundu ia vaa anyi ye.”

The snake that bites a tortoise on its shell will be the one to cry for its teet

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“M kor bua sha akor we u ngu kamen atumba (Me kör bua sh…”

I have seized the bull by its horns, for you to press it's breast.

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“Ka we a sôron ijua i kpen u ver ikyur ikyua.”

When treating a dead vagina, you always keep the penis close by.

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“Bua u alu a tsa ga Aôndo hur un iji iyolna.”

A cow without a tail has God to drive away the flies for it.