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 1st, 1962

Proverb 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 minutesGo to your assigned proverbWith your group, try to read proverb in Kinyarwanda, then read it in EnglishDiscuss the meaning of the proverb togetherYou 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.”