Proverbs, called òwe in Yoruba, are the heart of the language. Elders use them to teach, to correct gently and to make a point without saying too much. This guide shares six well-known Yoruba proverbs about character, wisdom and family, with their meanings. Tone marks and wording can vary slightly by region and speaker.
Why Proverbs Matter in Yoruba
The Yoruba say that a proverb is the horse of speech, which means it carries meaning quickly. Mastering proverbs is a sign of wisdom and good upbringing, and they appear in songs, praise poetry and folktales.
6 Yoruba Proverbs and Their Meanings
- Ìwà lẹ̀wà ọmọ ènìyàn.
Character is the beauty of a person. A good heart matters more than appearance. - Òwe lẹ́ṣin ọ̀rọ̀; bí ọ̀rọ̀ bá sọnù, òwe ni a fi ń wá a.
A proverb is the horse of speech; if speech is lost, a proverb is used to find it. - Àgbà kì í wà lọ́jà kí orí ọmọ tuntun wọ́.
An elder does not stand in the market while a newborn’s head becomes crooked. Elders guide the young so mistakes can be avoided. - Ọmọ tí a kò kọ́ ni yóò gbé ilé tà.
The child who is not taught will sell the family house. Education and discipline protect the family. - Ọwọ́ ọmọdé kò tó pẹpẹ; ti àgbàlagbà kò wọ kèrègbè.
A child’s hand cannot reach the high shelf, and an elder’s hand cannot enter a narrow-necked gourd. Young and old need each other. - Bí ọmọdé bá ṣubú, á wo iwájú; bí àgbà bá ṣubú, á wo ẹ̀yìn.
When a child falls, he looks ahead; when an elder falls, he looks back. Experience teaches us to learn from where we have been.
How to Use Proverbs
- Use them to give advice without hurting feelings.
- Begin a speech with a proverb to show respect and wisdom.
- Learn the meaning before you use it, because proverbs can sound very different out of context.
Learn More
Read more in ten Yoruba proverbs and their meanings and learn the values behind them in Yoruba culture. For language learning, see how to learn Yoruba and common Yoruba words. For general reading, see Wikipedia’s page on Yoruba proverbs.
Yoruba Proverbs FAQs
What is a proverb in Yoruba?
A proverb is called òwe in Yoruba.
What does “Ìwà lẹ̀wà ọmọ ènìyàn” mean?
It means that character is the beauty of a person.
Why do Yoruba elders use proverbs?
Proverbs teach, advise and persuade in a few words, and they show wisdom and respect.
