Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, na ɛkɔm na aku no.

When a man with numerous wives dies, it is hunger that has killed him.

The custom is for the wife who is sleeping with a man to cook for him. However, if he has too many wives, each will expect another to cook for him, so he will go hungry. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

• Postproverbial: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, yɛn sae ne buo.
  Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, we don’t destroy his [tomb]stone.
  
• Postproverbial: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, asɛm ba fie.
  Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, it foments trouble.
  
• Postproverbial: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, ɔnyɛ obi nsa no.
  Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, he will have nobody to conduct his funeral.
  
• Postproverbial: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, ntokwa na esi.
  Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, it brings strife.
  
• Postproverbial: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, won nyinaa yɛ kunafoɔ.
  Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, his wives become widows.
  
• Postproverbial: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, mmaa na ɛyɛ no ayie.
  Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, it is women who perform the funeral (of a polygamist).
  
• Postproverbial: Mmaa dodoo kunu wu a, wɔn nya obi nsuro no.
  Translation: When a man with numerous wives dies, he will have nobody to mourn him.
  

Ghana (Akan)

Tags

hunger man kill die many wives