There is an Akan adage that says, “oba nyansafo), ye bu no be, ye nka no asem” to wit “you speak in proverbs to a wise child but not in plain language”.
Africans and Ghanaians per se love to speak in proverbs because it is not everything in a conversation that we wish for laymen to understand.
Proverbs, however, must be used in the right situation and context to have full effect. Here are 10 Akan proverbs and the right situation in which to use them.
1. Akyikyidi3 Nie, Kyi No Tutu No, “Ye Se Akok) Se W’ati“
This is translated loosely as, “when you pluck the feathers of the tortoise, we say, fowl hope you got it”. This is usually used when you’re trying to say something to someone but because you can’t tell them to their face you intentionally pretend it is meant for someone else.
2. Wo Nni Trumu Win A, Nni Ta Ho Agoro
It literally means, “don’t joke with farts if you don’t have enough hair in your anus to cushion it”. Usually used when someone does a task beyond their ability or capability.
3. Ye Nim Huhuroo A, Nka Ye Si Npur)
This proverb is translated as, “We wouldn’t be walking around with decayed teeth if we knew how to brush our teeth”. This is a very old proverb and it’s used when someone tries to do something nobody has been able to accomplish.
4. Aboa Bia B3 Do Srade3 A, Osua Pr3ko
The proverb is translated as, “Every animal that wishes to become fat, learns from the pig”. Usually, there is always a master and student, every person learns something from someone. So this proverb is used when someone feels like he knows everything but you make them remember there were people who knew it before him.
5. Etire Kesee Bia Mfum Koto
The proverb is translated as, “The bigger your head, a knock on it never misses”. Used when someone has been accused of something over and over and has become a part of the person, the slightest mistake, everybody points fingers at you.
6. Me Num Kankan So Me Dokunu Ka
“My mouth odour is enough to munch on my kenkey” is the translation of this proverb and it’s usually used when you don’t want to have anything to do with a situation. It is used when you want to keep your mouth shut about a problem and not get involved.
7. Trumu Kuro Ma Ani Haahai
The proverb is translated as, “A sore in the anus causes one’s eyes to bulge out”. Used as a caution when one is provoked. This is an indication that you can’t predict his next action and so he’s warning you when the last straw hits the camel’s back, they will react.
8. Nye Agoro Ne Kuto Ma Me Nhwe Wo To
Simply means, some jokes are expensive and so you should know when to joke or be playful. It’s not everything that should be used as a joke since some jokes are expensive.
9. Ani Poro A, 3ka Tirim
The human eye is situated on the head and when it gets rotten, it still remains in there. This proverb is used to advise people who think they can disassociate themselves from their family because they feel they are the black sheep of the family.
10. Fiti Na A Fiti, Nti Aboa Bia Tumi Wuramu
When one loses respect, everybody gets the audacity to say whatever they wish to the person. This proverb, therefore, is used when someone feels disrespected due to their present condition or situation.
Proverbs are a part of the life of an African. You may want to read, 11 Vulgar Twi Proverbs That Make So Much Sense.
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