African Proverbs About Human Behavior: Wisdom for Dealing with Negative Attitudes

Just as skunks have their distinctive defense mechanism, humans sometimes exhibit behaviors that create emotional "stench" in relationships and communities. African proverbs and sayings offer profound wisdom for understanding and navigating these challenging human dynamics.

"A bird that is caged will hate the one that is free." - African Proverb

Negative attitudes and toxic behaviors in the human spirit can create environments where people essentially "invite in foul fairies" - allowing negativity to take root and spread. These behaviors often cause pain and tears, much like the lingering effects of a skunk's spray.

African sayings and proverbs have long provided guidance for confronting difficult human behavior. They offer not just wisdom for personal victory over negativity, but also create mental and emotional safe havens for those in challenging circumstances. However, the journey of addressing negative behavior is rarely easy, as many of life's most important lessons are learned through painful experiences.

African proverbs offer wisdom about human behavior and negative attitudes

African Proverbs About Human Behavior and Negative Attitudes

He pulls at a long rope who desires another's death.

Soon ripe, soon rotten.

None so busy as those who do nothing.

Bad watch often feeds the wolf.

A bird that is caged will hate the one that is free.

Jealousy is poison's brother.

For the last-comer the bones.

As you do to others, you may expect another to do to you.

Nothing is got without pains but a bad name.

Only the dumb dog chases a flying bird.

Rotten wood cannot be carved.

Sometimes you sow red beans and white beans grow.

Though you put oil on a dog's tail, it will never become straight.

Foolish people have foolish dreams.

One mangy sheep spoils the whole flock.

Don't trust the key of the hen house to the cat.

To wash a donkey's tail is loss of time and soap.

On a fool's beard the barber learns to shave.

A good dog never gets a good bone.

To rude words deaf ears.

No flies get into a shut mouth.

He does a good day's work who rids himself of a fool.

After the act wishing is in vain.

After mischance everyone is wise.

What is bad for one is good for another.

He is lucky who forgets what cannot be mended.

He that has no ill luck grows weary of good luck.

The teeth are smiling, but is the heart.

Your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn.

People helping one another can bring an elephant into the house.

A zebra takes its stripes wherever it goes.

To a fight, one does not bring a knife that cuts but a needle that sews.

A clear conscience is more valuable than wealth.

Whatever the tree, so is the fruit.

Blood is inherited and virtue is acquired.

Frequently Asked Questions About African Proverbs and Human Behavior

What can African proverbs teach us about dealing with negative people?

African proverbs offer timeless wisdom for navigating difficult relationships. For example, "Don't trust the key of the hen house to the cat" warns against putting temptation in the path of those with questionable character, while "No flies get into a shut mouth" advises discretion in speech around negative individuals.

How do African proverbs address jealousy and envy?

Many proverbs directly confront these destructive emotions. "Jealousy is poison's brother" clearly identifies its toxic nature, while "A bird that is caged will hate the one that is free" explains how personal limitations can breed resentment toward others' freedom and success.

What wisdom do African proverbs offer about personal responsibility?

Proverbs like "As you do to others, you may expect another to do to you" emphasize the principle of reciprocity. "Rotten wood cannot be carved" suggests that some people may be beyond positive influence, while "Blood is inherited and virtue is acquired" reminds us that good character is developed through conscious effort.

How can these proverbs help in difficult life circumstances?

African proverbs provide mental frameworks for resilience. "People helping one another can bring an elephant into the house" emphasizes community strength, while "He is lucky who forgets what cannot be mended" offers wisdom about moving forward from irreversible situations.

What do African proverbs say about dealing with foolish behavior?

Several proverbs address this directly. "Only the dumb dog chases a flying bird" critiques pointless pursuits, "To wash a donkey's tail is loss of time and soap" warns against futile efforts to change the unchangeable, and "He does a good day's work who rids himself of a fool" advocates creating distance from those who drain your energy.

The wisdom contained in African proverbs provides powerful tools for understanding human behavior, navigating relationships, and maintaining personal integrity in the face of negativity. These sayings remind us that while we encounter difficult behaviors in others, we always have choice in how we respond - whether to engage in conflict or, as one proverb suggests, bring "a needle that sews" rather than "a knife that cuts" to difficult situations.

Folklore story from West Africa, the Master of the Tormented Fiddle teaches you cannot possess and control what you stole.

Tormented Fiddle 

Famine forced Deer one day to abandon his land and seek out much needed work in another part of the country with his cousin.

When he had worked for quite a while, he wanted to return home, as payment for his cousins hospitality he gave him a fiddle and a bow and arrow and told him that with the bow and arrow, he could hit and kill anything he desired, and with the fiddle, he could force anything to dance.

When Deer's cousin, Money was returning home after saying goodbye to his cousin, the first person he met was Wolf.

Wolf told him all the gossip and news and that he had since early morning been attempting to stalk a buffalo, but all in vain.

Then Monkey laid before him all the wonders of the bow and arrow that he carried on his back and assured him if he could but see the buffalo he would kill it for him. When Wolf showed him the buffalo, Monkey was ready and quickly killed the buffalo.

They ate a good meal together that night, but instead of Wolf being thankful, jealousy rained and he begged for the bow and arrow.

When Monkey refused to give it to him, he threatened to kill him.

So when their friend Jackal passed by hearing the argument, Wolf told him that Monkey had stolen his bow and arrow.

After Jackal had heard both of them, he declared himself unqualified to settle the case alone, and he proposed that they bring the matter to the court of Lion, Tiger, and the other animals. In the meantime, he declared he would take possession of what had been the cause of their quarrel, so that it would be safe, as he said.

Monkey's evidence was weak, and to make it worse, Jackal's testimony was against him. Jackal thought that in this way it would be easier to obtain the bow and arrow from Wolf for himself.

And so, Monkey lost the case.

Theft was looked upon as a great wrong and Monkey was sentenced to hang.

Monkey received as a last request before death from the court the right to play a tune on the fiddle.

He was a master player of his time, and in addition to this came the wonderful power of his charmed fiddle. Thus, when he struck the first note, the court began at once to show an unusual and spontaneous liveliness, and before long the whole court was dancing like a whirlwind.

With his head placed lovingly against the instrument, and his eyes half closed, he played on, keeping time ever with his foot.

Wolf was the first to cry out in pleading tones breathlessly, “Please stop Monkey! For love's sake, please stop! I cannot stop dancing! My body is about to split in two! Please stop!"

But Monkey did not even hear him, he keep playing the resistless music from his fiddle.

After a while, Lion showed signs of fatigue, and when he had gone the round once more with his young lion wife, he growled as he passed Monkey, “My whole kingdom is yours, Monkey, if you just stop playing!"

“I do not want it," answered Monkey, “but let Wolf acknowledge that he stole my fiddle and bow and arrow from me!"

“I confess, I confess!” cried Wolf, while Lion cried, at the same instant, that he withdrew the sentence.

Monkey gathered up his fiddle, bow and arrow, and seated himself high up in the nearest thorn tree.

The court and other animals were so afraid that he might begin playing his tormented fiddle again that they hastily ran away to new parts of the world.

About African Folklore

Folklore storytelling is the most ancient art form of the African Community.

Time and effort must be given to becoming an African folklore storyteller, just as any artist must give time and effort to developing their skill.

African folklore is as old as Africa herself with a deep appreciation for antiquity expressed in artistic form.

More short folklore stories from Africa to make you fall in love with myths and legends again from the motherland.

1. Why the bunny rabbit has wiggly slits for a nose
2. Love Takes No Less Than Everything Marriage Folklore
3. Hunters Attack Cowards Tell the Story
4. One Do Wrong All Get Punished
5. Mighty Little Hedgehog

Africa is old but young, the median age in Africa is 21 years old.

Madagascar's median age is 20.3, the 35th youngest country in the world

The average age of the world's population is 29.6 years with Niger being the youngest in the world at 14.8 years and Monaco on the French Riviera at 55.4 years old.

Niger average age is 14.8, the youngest African country and the youngest country in the world. The African islands of Seychelles is the oldest African country with an average age of 36.8.

Worlds top ten youngest countries	Median Age
Niger	14.8
Uganda	15.7
Angola	15.9
Mali	16
Chad	16.1
Democratic Republic of the Congo	16.7
Malawi	16.8
Zambia	16.8
Mozambique	17
Benin	17

The African land is billions of years old but the population age is young, very young in fact averaging 21 years old with a high average life expectancy median age of 64.5 years. There are 226 countries in the world; Africa has 26 countries in the top 30 youngest countries in the world by population age.

List of African countries by median age.

Youngest Age Rank	African County	Average Age
1	Niger	14.8
2	Uganda	15.7
3	Angola	15.9
4	Mali	16
5	Chad	16.1
6	Democratic Republic of the Congo	16.7
7	Malawi	16.8
8	Zambia	16.8
9	Mozambique	17
10	Benin	17
11	Burundi	17.7
12	Burkina Faso	17.8
13	Liberia	18
14	Guinea Bissau	18
16	Tanzania	18.2
17	Sudan	18.3
18	Somalia	18.5
19	Cameroon	18.5
20	South Sudan	18.6
21	Nigeria	18.6
22	Sierra Leone	19.1
23	Guinea	19.1
24	Sao Tome and Principe	19.3
25	Senegal	19.3
26	Republic of the Congo	19.5
29	Rwanda	19.7
31	Ethiopia	19.8
32	Togo	20
33	Kenya	20
34	Central African Republic	20
35	Madagascar	20.3
36	Eritrea	20.3
37	Equatorial Guinea	20.3
38	Cote d'Ivoire	20.3
39	Zimbabwe	20.5
41	Mauritania	21
42	Gabon	21
44	Ghana	21.4
45	Namibia	21.8
46	Gambia, The	21.8
54	Eswatini	23.7
62	Egypt	24.1
64	Lesotho	24.7
65	Djibouti	24.9
71	Botswana	25.7
72	Libya	25.8
77	Cabo Verde	26.8
86	South Africa	28
89	Algeria	28.9
91	Morocco	29.1
121	Tunisia	32.7
148	Mauritius	36.2
152	Seychelles	36.7
167	United States	38.5
225	Japan	48.6
226	Monaco	55.4

More links to articles you will find thought provoking.

1. Dangerous Erupting Volcanoes of Africa
2. Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa
3. What is an African Proverb
4. African Water Spirit Mami Wata
5. Ancestors are Guardian Angels

Everyone practices the art of lip stretching for many different reasons, such as beauty, rites of passage, and religious beliefs.

Every body is beautiful.

For deeper cultural context, explore:

• African cultural history
• African folktales and oral traditions
• Traditional African proverbs

What are African lip plate sizes and how are lip plates put in.

Lip stretching is when you gradually stretch out a pierced hole in your lip. There are two major ways to stretch lips, gradually and scalpelling.

Gradually stretch the lips using different sized plug made of clay and wood normally a 1mm increase every four weeks. After the hole heals around the initial cut it is replaced by a slightly larger one and the process repeats its self until the desired size is achieved. Most African lip plates are the size of a small salad plate, 6 inches to a large dessert plate, 8.5 inches.

Scalpelling procedures have a higher risk of infection because of the level of damage to the skin compared to ordinary piercing needles. Scalpelling is performed by using a scalpel to cut a slit into the skin, and flesh is removed. The procedure can cause thin fragile lips.

The tradition of elongating lips has stretched from Africa to America. In the African Surma tribes, the slow and steady method of stretching lips is the method used in America today by body modifiers. 

A stretched piercing can shrink back to its original size but this depends on several factors including the length of time taken to stretch and the elasticity of the skin. Everyone practices the art of lip stretching for many different reasons, such as beauty, rites of passage, and religious beliefs.

Everyone unquestionably is beautiful.

Surma African Tribe Lip Plate.

The Surma Tribes unique beauty and culture may soon vanish because of the Gibe III dam and the El Niño-induced drought. The women of Naregeer village in Ethiopia's Upper Omo Valley are known for their lip plates and intricate scarification patterns on their skin.  

Upper Omo Valley variety and profusion of people, tribes, and beauty are without a rival, and her output of beauty and despair is unparalleled in the history of the world.

The Surma Tribes unique beauty and culture may soon vanish because of the Gibe III dam and the El Niño-induced drought. The hydroelectric dam, Gibe III was built on Ethiopia's Lower Omo Valley forcing the tribes from their homelands, traditions, and way of life.

Nyangatom herder’s life is already tough; now with the Gibe III Dam holding back the Omo River’s water for grass for livestock grazing and farming has severely reduced water downstream for tribal communities, spreading hunger in the Omo Valley.

Every person should love his or her body and the way it looks.

Globalization is ending African lip plate cultures.

Indigenous African cultures have been disappearing, taking valuable knowledge with them. Each African culture is a unique answer to the question of what it means to be human. In today’s rapidly changing world, people from Africa worry about losing their traditional culture, the traditional way of life is getting lost.

Africa contains about one-quarter of the land of the world. This area is more than three times the size Europe or nearly as much as North and South America's combined. Rich savannas and one-half by fields, forests, cover One-fifth of Africa and fertile soil yet discovered.

Living in one of the most isolated regions of Ethiopia, the Surma Tribes in the beautiful Omo Valley, are one of the most fascinating tribes in Africa but the current era of globalization has a melting pot effect on traditional African lip plate culture is disappearing.

Body modification practices and body adornment such as lip plates and several other types of body modifications may have originated in East Africa where the practice of body modification has been practiced since time immemorial.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

1. Dangerous Erupting Volcanoes of Africa
2. Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa
3. What is an African Proverb
4. African Water Spirit Mami Wata
5. Percentage of White people living in Africa

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Filets of fresh white fish cooked in red onions combined with scorching spices, and niter kibbeh clarified butter.

Ingredients for Yasa Wot Fish Stew in Spicy Sauce

4 fresh white fish fillets

2 large tomatoes, diced

2 red onions, finely chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic

½ cup kibbeh clarified butter

1/2 cup ground dried spicy chilies

1/4 cup paprika

1 teaspoon ground powdered ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

3 cups fish or vegetable stock

Directions

In a large pot, add seasonings, sauté onion and add the tomatoes, garlic in clarified butter. Sauté over high heat 2 minutes, add stock then fish, cover mixture and simmer 20 minutes. Serve with the homemade injera bread recipe below.

About Injera Bread and an easy recipe.

Injera pronounced In-jer-ruh is a classic East African bread recipe eaten with many African food recipes. Injera is a flatbread with a unique, spongy texture that is made from teff flour. Teff flour is light whole grain flour you can substitute whole wheat flour in the recipe but the taste will be different.

The taste and texture on injera, however, are quite unique and unlike the crepe. Injera bread is thicker than a crepe but thinner than a pancake. Injera is eaten daily in all most every in Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea family households.

Injera Bread Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups teff flour

2 cups water

¼ teaspoon salt

Vegetable oil for coating the pan

Directions

Mix flour, water, and salt. Put the batter aside overnight or up to three days to ferment. The batter will start to bubble and obtain its well-known tartness.

Heat a lightly oiled cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. In a large mixing bowl add all ingredients and lightly mix well. Heat a lightly oiled cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Coat skillet with a thin layer of batter. Cook until holes appear on the surface of the bread flip and repeat cooking on the other side. Cover completed bread with a damp cloth.

Purchasing Power Parity is a better way to buy goods and services throughout the world.

Purchasing Power Parity exchange rates are used to ensure that a loaf of bread is priced equivalently across the world to equalize purchasing power.

In Africa and throughout the world purchasing power parity is a formula for measuring prices in different localities. Prices of goods and services differ greatly across countries, it is important purchasing power parity exchange rates are constructed to ensure that the same quantity of goods and services are price equivalent across the world, price of a product in a foreign country can be very different from the same product in your own home town.

In 1990, a group of independent researchers and the World Bank proposed to measure the world’s poor using the standards of the poorest countries in the World. They examined national poverty lines from some of the poorest countries in the world, and converted the lines to a common currency by using purchasing power parity exchange rates.

The Purchasing Power Parity exchange rates are constructed to ensure that the same quantity of goods and services are priced equivalently across countries. Purchasing Power Parity converts into US dollar and, more importantly, into the currencies of each developing country.

Purchasing Power Parity allows for economists to compare economic productivity and standards of living between countries. The current Purchasing Power Parity is computed from 2011 inflated numbers based on price data from across the world, and the responsibility for determining a particular year’s Purchasing Power Parity rests with the International Comparison Program, an independent statistical program with a Global Office housed within the World Bank’s Development Data Group.

Jamaica Purchasing Power Parity is $9,761 and Kenya $4,330, one Purchasing Power Parity dollar should buy the same loaf of bread in Kenya, or Jamaica therefore; think in Purchasing Power Parity terms when analyzing the data below.

African County	Purchasing Power Parity 2019
Algeria	$11,350
Angola	$6,654
Benin	$3,287
Botswana	$17,766
Burkina Faso	$2,190
Burundi	$752
Cabo Verde	$7,172
Cameroon	$3,653
Central African Republic	$945
Chad	$1,580
Democratic Republic of the Congo	$1,098
Republic of the Congo	$3,298
Cote d'Ivoire	$5,238
Djibouti	$5,519
Egypt	$11,763
Equatorial Guinea	18,558
Eritrea	No Data
Eswatini	$8,688
Ethiopia	$2,220
Gabon	$1,4870
The Gambia	$2,207
Ghana	$5,413
Guinea	$2,564
Guinea-Bissau	$1,989
Kenya	$4,330
Lesotho	$2,768
Liberia	$1,428
Libya	$1,5174
Madagascar	$1,646
Malawi	$1,060
Mali	$2,327
Mauritania	$5,197
Mauritius	$22,989
Morocco	$7,515
Mozambique	$1,280
Namibia	$9,637
Niger	$1,219
Nigeria	$5,135
Rwanda	$2,226
Sao Tome and Principe	$3,964
Senegal	$3,395
Seychelles	$29,056
Sierra Leone	$1,718
Somalia	No Data
South Africa	$12,482
South Sudan	No Data
Sudan	$3,958
Tanzania	$2,660
Togo	$1,596
Tunisia	$10,756
Uganda	$2,181
Zambia	$3,479
Zimbabwe	$2,836

Does not having money make you poor?

Living Standards Measurement.

Research estimates that by 2030 up to two-thirds of the global extreme poor may be living in fragile and conflict-affected economies. There are many non-monetary indicators on education, health, sanitation, water, and electricity that are extremely important for understanding the many dimensions of poverty that people experience. These are an important complement to monetary measures of poverty and are crucial to effectively improving the lives of the poorest.

The World Bank estimates that 40 million to 60 million people will fall into extreme poverty living under $1.90 per day in 2020. The global extreme poverty rate could rise by 0.3 to 0.7 percentage points, to around 9 percent in 2020.

Access to good schools, health care, electricity, safe water, and other critical services remains elusive for many people, often determined by socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, and geography.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

1. Historical African Country Name
2. Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa
3. How many countries does Africa have?
4. Roots of Africanized Christianity Spiritual Songs
5. Chocolate Processing Facts History and Recipes
6. Awesome Kenyan Woman
7. Land is Not For Women in Sierra Leone
   
8. African Kente Cloth Facts
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