Proverbs in akan-ghana | Postproverbial

Curator(s)

Prof. Helen Yitah

University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

Curator's Note: The orthography is Asante Twi. A good number of the proverbs are drawn from a book titled Bu Me Be: Proverbs of the Akans compiled by Peggy Appiah, Kwame Anthony Appiah and Ivor Agyeman-Duah, published in 2007 by Ayebia Clarke Ltd.

Proverb: Deɛ ɔso twene kɛseɛ nni biribi a, ɔwɔ awerɛkyekyerɛ.
Translation: If he who carries the big drum has nothing else, he has condolences.
Language - Region: akan-ghana

Proverb: W’adaka si aburokyire a, deɛ ɛwɔ mu nyinaa wonim.
Translation: If your possessions are abroad, you know what is yours [wherever it may be].
Language - Region: akan-ghana

Proverb: ɔbaa ne ne kunu asɛm, obi nnim mu.
Translation: [As for] a woman and her husband’s affairs, one does not know.
Language - Region: akan-ghana

Proverb: Adasamma ani kyiri sɛbeɛ, nso obiara wɔ bi gu ne yam.
Translation: Human beings hate the sight of excreta, but everyone has it in their stomach.
Language - Region: akan-ghana

Proverb: Agoro bɛ sɔ a, [ɛfire anopa].
Translation: If a play is going to turn out well, it will be obvious from the morning.
Language - Region: akan-ghana

Proverb: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, na ɛkɔm na aku no.
Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, it is hunger that has killed him.
Language - Region: akan-ghana

Proverb: Baanu so (dua) a, ɛnmia.
Translation: If two people carry (wood), it does not weigh them down.
Language - Region: akan-ghana

Proverb: ɔbaa brefoɔ kɔ aware a, ɔde ade pa ba fie.
Translation: If a hardworking woman marries, she brings good things home.
Language - Region: akan-ghana