Let’s get better together. Be wiser by learning from simple, insightful moral sayings and counsel passed on from our forefathers. Join us as we explore the meaning of the Luhya proverb “Inyanga yofwa shiomanyanga tawe”, which in English is, “No one can tell the day of his death”. Not only will you get to know similar Luhya proverbs, but you’ll also get inspired and transformed by honest morals and conscientious values drawn from Luhya culture on how to live life to the fullest.
Say it like a ‘real’ Luhya
Meaning of inyanga yofwa shiomanyanga tawe in English
The African proverb “No one can tell the day of his death,” which comes from the Luhya people of Kenya. Among the Bukusu people of the Luhya culture in Kenya, there is a death ritual and custom known as khulinda a’moyo. It is when the loved ones of a dying person stay by the death bed of their soon to be departed cherishing the little time they have left. Even in such cases when this ritual is practiced, no one is certain of the exact day as it is a wait-and-see affair.
This proverb is a reminder that life is uncertain and that we never know when our time on earth will come to an end. The proverb suggests that no one can predict when they will die, and that we should live our lives to the fullest, because we never know when our time will come.
The moral of the Luhya proverb ‘No One Can Tell the Day of His Death’
The moral of this proverb is that we should not take our time on earth for granted and that we should make the most of every day. It encourages us to live in the present and to appreciate the time that we have, rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Additionally, it also implies that we should be prepared for the inevitable, be it by living a fulfilling life, or by making sure our affairs are in order.
It also serves as a reminder that we should not waste time on things that don’t matter and to prioritize what is important to us. We should strive to make a positive impact in the world and the lives of those around us, rather than focusing on material possessions or fleeting pursuits. The proverb is a call for us to focus on living a meaningful and purposeful life, rather than just existing.
Similar Proverbs to ‘No one can tell the day of his death’ From Across Africa
Kindly note that some of the proverbs listed below maybe simply versions of ‘Inyanga yofwa shiomanyanga tawe’ in other Luhya dialects. However, we do encourage you to explore the meaning of the listed proverbs by following the links. This is because differnces in translation, meaning and sometimes in culture do exist among the Luhya sub-tribes and these offer interesting deep insights to Luhya culture and language.
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Still craving more wisdom? Get educated and inspired by our growing collection of Luhya proverbs and sayings
Drawn from all over mulembe, these proverbs express deeply held beliefs shared by the different Luhya subtribes. Get to know more about this honest African culture famed for its love of peace, by combing through our library highlighted using the links below
- Which are the most popular Luhya proverbs? Want to know which Luhya sayings are trending, and are telling of the zeitgeist of the times? This and more in our dedicated page: Luhya proverbs and sayings
- Interested in Bukusu proverbs and sayings? Check out our page on Bukusu proverbs and sayings.
- Maragoli culture is rich and full of wisdom for modern living. Get to enrich your Lulogoli as you pick wisdom for everyday living from our growing collection in the page: Maragoli proverbs and sayings.
- Maybe you are interested in Abanyala proverbs and sayings to get your message across and spice things up when speaking Luhya? Find our growing collection in the page: Abanyala proverbs and sayings.
- Then there are those Luhya proverbs and sayings that have come about as a result of our experience of modern living inspired by the spirit of mulembe. These figures of speech have become so popular that they have become part of the modern Kenyan, East African and hopefully soon, everyday speech of the 21st century African. See of growing collection of: Contemporary Luhya proverbs and sayings.
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