THE TOP 50 WELL-SELECTED IGBO PROVERBS AND THE MEANINGS.

We will be addressing this topic in two languages to honor the rich heritage of our Igbo language and to promote its appreciation worldwide. Our goal is to share the valuable words and wisdom passed down by our ancestors, helping us become better versions of ourselves. In this discussion, we will provide illustrations in both Igbo and English for a clearer understanding of our message.

Ilu Igbo: Onye siri na otu okwu abughi ihe, o buru na o rute ebe mmadu nwuru ya kwuo na o bu ya gburu ya.
Ilu bu otutu okwu e mere ka o di nkenke nakwa okwu di nkenke e mere ka o buo ibu. o bu amamihe nke ndi mgbe ochie, a noduru ala were piakoo banyere ije eluwa. O sitere n’ihe ndi ha nugoro na nti, ndi ha hugoro, nke ha chere na echiche, nke ha gabigara na nke ha na-atu anya ya n’ihi na ahusiem anya na-enyere nwadibia aka icho afa. Ilu bu akpa uche a roro banyere otu ihe si aga n’uwa nke a choputara site n’ito anya n’ala n’ihi na o bu onye toro nti n’ala na-anu uria danda. Akpauche n’ile ndia ebidoghi taa. O bu ihe e lechara anya were hu na o bu eziokwu na-enweghi mgbagha. O dighi onye puru i gbagha ilu.
Ilu bu uzo kachasi mfe e si adu mmadu odu, aba mba, ekpe ikpe werekwa ya eme ka oye mpako dajuo. Onye mara atu ilu na enwe ukwu na nsopuru. E nwere otutu ilu ndi igbo si ekwu ma o bu agwa mmadu okwu. Mana anyi ga edeputara unu nani mkpuru iri ise.

Igbo proverbs: He who asserts that words hold no significance must recognise that he bears responsibility for a death if he finds himself in the presence of a lifeless body. Proverbs are much more than mere phrases; they are the distilled wisdom of our ancestors, offering insights into the complexities of life’s journey. These powerful sayings arise from their experiences, observations, and reflections—wisdom shaped by what they have seen and felt. A wise person can navigate life’s path by keenly observing their surroundings and truly listening to the world. Proverbs are not mere inventions of today; they are time-tested truths, carefully crafted and universally acknowledged. To challenge a proverb is to challenge wisdom itself. These sayings are potent tools for guidance, correction, and even humility. A person who masters proverbs commands respect and admiration, standing as a pillar of knowledge in their community. Among the Igbo people, a rich tapestry of proverbs is woven into their communication. While we could explore countless examples, we will focus on sharing just fifty to illustrate their profound impact.

THE TOP 50 WELL-SELECTED IGBO PROVERBS AND THE MEANINGS….

UGWU NA NSOPURU ( Honor and Respect)

1.

a. Utara dara n’ala adighi aso aja.

b. Onye budara ugwu ya n’ala aghaghi inweta mkpari na nleda anya so ya.

 c. The pounded fufu that falls on the ground does not go without sand.

 d. Anyone who disgraced himself through misconduct must not complain when he receives insult.

2.

a. Okpokoro kwanyere onwe ugwu, a juo ya kedu maka umuaka ya.

b. Mmadu nwere ike iji ezi obi gbanwee ajoo onodu ya ka o wetara ya ihe obi uto.

c. When a bachelor carries himself with honour, people may begin to ask him about the welfare of of his children.

d. A person through goodwill may change his misfortune into a blessing.

EZIOKWU NA OKWUASI (Truth and Falsehood)

3.

a. Agbara m enyi egbe bu eziokwu ma enwudere m enyi n’ukwu bu okwuasi.

b.O dighi ara ahu ichoputa mgbe mmadu kwuru eziokwu  nakwa mgbe o turu asi.

c. That one shot an elephant could be true but that he held it by the leg is a lie.

d. Certain claims are too bogus to be true.

4.

a. O na abu ike adighi ngwere mua nwa o si na umunna ya kere ya agbu.

b. Onye nabata na ihe ekweghi ya eme, a mara otu a ga-esi nyere ya aka, o bughi ka o malite ita onye ozo uta.

c. When a lizard is incapable of giving birth, it alleges that its kinsmen have put her in bondage.

d. A proud person does not admit failure easily but rather takes solace in trading blames.

5.

a. O bu okwuasi mmadu isi na enwe na agbo ka adaka.

b. O bu ileda mmadu anya bu iji onye o kariri were maa atu ya.

c. It is falsehood for anyone to claim that a monkey barks like an ape.

d. It is not proper to compare two things that are not equal in anyway.

IHE AGHAGHI IME (Inevitable Event)

6.

a. A gbachaa izu a kaara nti.

b. Ihe niile e zoro ezo ga-emecha puta ihe.

c. Every whisper must eventually be disclosed to the ear.

d. Whatever is hidden must eventually come to light.

7.

a. O buru na mmiri ebughi ogwe n’ojije, o buru ya n’ula.

b. O burugodu na mmadu ataghi ahuhu ihe ojoo o mere ugbu a, o ghaghi ita ya ma emecha.

c. If flood does not sweep off the log bridge at the beginning, it will surely does so when it is receding.

d. There is always a punishment for every evil either immediately or afterwards.

ICHEPURU ONYE OZO (Sympathy/Empathy)

8.

a. Akwa agbataobi na echu ura.

b. Ihe meturu mmadu emetula nwanne ya maobu onye agbataobi.

c. The wailing of a neighbor disturbs the night’s sleep.

d. A common problem of the community touches many people one way or the other.

9.

a. Ebe oku gbara mbekwu ji igwe mere uwa, keduzi maka okuko buzi ukwu ugbene?

b. Ihe mekpara dike ahu kwesiri ka onye ike adighi zee ya ndu.

c. In a place where fire destroy a tortoise despite its strong shell, what would happen tp the fowl that carries about a bundle of feathers?

d. A person who wishes to play safe must recognize the limit of his own power and capability.

IBERIBE (Folly)

10. 

a. A na-akpu aru ndi mere eme, nwa  mkpi na-achughari nne ya.

b. Ndi ezigbo mmadu na agba mbo ka e kpochapu ajo ihe ndi e mere eme, ndi ojoo ejisie ike na-emeta ndi ohuru.

c. When people are busy cleansing the abominations already committed, the he-goat is there making love overtures to his mother.

d. The wicked who are expected to correct their evils are busy committing new atrocities. 

11.

a. Ka e tee ka e tere unyaa na-efu ihe ofe.

b. Chioma adighi eforo mmadu ubochi niile.

c. Let use prepare the sauce exactly as we did it yesterday consumes additional condiments.

d. No two problems admit exactly the same solution.

12. 

a. O bu onye iberibe ka eji ama iwu ahia.W

b. Onye maara ihe adighi ada iwu nke a ga-eji n’ihi ya taa ya ahuhu.

c. The market by-laws are made with the foolish ones as target victims.

d. the laws are made to control foolish people, not responsible citizens.

13. 

a. A  na-agwa nwata na o na-egbu onwe ya, o si kedu obara.

b. Arumaru uka adighi ekwe onye iberibe anabata ndumodu ga-abara ya uru.

c. When a child is being cautioned that he is killing himself, he normally asks to be shown the blood.

d. The fool challenges everything even a useful advice.

AKU NA UBA (Attitude to Wealth)

14.

a. A dighi eji aka abuo achita aku n’uko

b. Onye anyaukwu adighi ama mgbe o mere ihe ga-anyu ya ahia nke ukwuu.

c. No one should try to climb the shelf and collect palm nuts with both hands.

d. A selfish man often acts in such a way that he ends up cheating himself.

15.

a. Aku yie nwata egwu o chee na o baala ogaranya.

b. O bughi ihe dum na-ato nwata uto inweta na-abara ya uru.

c. When riches decide to deceive a child, he thinks he is already wealthy.

b. A naive person is easily attracted to useless things which are little or no benefit to him eventually.

16.

a. Di na nwunye rijuo afo luba ogu, ndi bu onu aka ha mma.

b. Ogaranya na-enweghi afo ojuju enweghi ihe o jiri  were ka nwaogbenye mma.

c. The husband and wife that started fighting after a heavy meal are not better than their counterparts who have nothing to eat.

d. An uncounted rich man is not better than a satisfied wretched fellow.