Zimbabwean Proverbs

Sayings of Zimbabwean origin

  • We will be grateful to flowers only if they have born fruits.
  • Every elephant has to carry its own trunk around.
  • Proverbs can be applied to get what you want.
  • God is good, but never dance with a lion.
  • A coward has no scar.
  • You can not tell a hungry child that you gave him food yesterday.
  • Those who eat alone, die alone.
  • Gifts is the key to the female heart. Gifts is the key to the female heart.
  • A borrowed fiddle does not finish a tune.
  • Two rats cannot share the same hole.
  • A bull is not known in two herds.
  • A ripened fruit does not cling to the vine.
  • Passion is of greater consequence than facts.
  • Don't throw out the old pot until you have the tinker makes a new one.
  • A wise mans ink lasts until only the stupid remain.
  • Dance in the sun, but turn your back to the clouds.
  • Two experts never agree.
  • The monkey does not see his own hind backside; he sees his neighbor's.
  • Between true friends even water drunk together is sweet enough.
  • Strength is like milk - it is inexhaustible.
  • An elephant's tusks are never too heavy for it.
  • Whoever plows with a team of donkeys must have patience.
  • People who do not mend things first will never produce something.
  • Annoy your doctor and sickness comes in laughing.
  • A woman is attractive when she is somebody else's wife.
  • A weaning baby that does not cry aloud, will die on its mothers back.
  • You are the game while the games lasts.
  • Ones neighbours problems, does not induce one to lose their appetite over them.
  • If God gives you leprosy, look to your own past misdeeds.
  • Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
  • If you can envision it, You can accomplish it. If you can imagine it, You can reach the heavens.
  • A grilled locust is better than no soup.
  • The more help in the cornfield the smaller the harvest.
  • If you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing.
  • The forest provides food to the hunter after they are exhaustingly tired.
  • The old man gives the best advice.
  • If words fail no others will avail. If words fail no others will avail..
  • Blood is the sweat of heroes.
  • In the world of books, the mind-set of the reader is of great importance.
  • Every woman beautiful till she speaks.
  • You must die for your own sacred conviction.
  • If your mouth were a knife, it would cut off your lips.
  • Everyone carries around his own witches.
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. A country of roughly 16 million people, Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, with English, Shona, and Ndebele the most commonly used.(Source)

Zimbabwean flag with map of Zimbabwe


Harare officially called Salisbury until 1982 is the capital and most populous city of Zimbabwe. Situated in the northeast of the country in the heart of historic Mashonaland.



"Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe" (Blessed be the Land of Zimbabwe) is the title of the national anthem of Zimbabwe. Lyrics:
Oh lift high our banner, the flag of Zimbabwe;
The symbol of freedom proclaiming victory;
We praise our heroes' sacrifice,
And vow to keep our land from foes;
And may the Almighty protect and bless our land,
O lovely Zimbabwe, so wondrously adorned
With mountains, and rivers cascading, flowing free;
May rain abound, and fertile fields;
May we be fed, our labour blessed;
And may the Almighty protect and bless our land,
Oh God, we beseech Thee to bless our native land;
The land of our fathers bestowed upon us all;
From Zambezi to Limpopo
May leaders be exemplary;
And may the Almighty protect and bless our land,