12
Hausa Proverbs
13 Ba ayi ma birri burrtu.
- Don't do burrtu to a monkey.
- Burrtu, a black bird with a large bill. It stands about 2 ft. high, and is usually seen on the ground; when it rises a white patch shows on each wing. Hunters put the skin on their head when they stalk game.
- You don't get the better of him in that way.
14 A buggi karifi da saura'n zafi, en ya foochi sai a wohalla.
- Strike while the iron is hot.
15 Idan rua ya zubar, ya ber tulu, ya yi keau.
- Even if the water is spilt, as long as the tulu is not broken, no harm.
- Tulu, the jar used for carrying water from the well or stream; it has a small mouth. Different districts have different patterns.
- Don't cry over spilt milk. That can be remedied.
16 Rigaya zua fadda ba slii ne samu'n sariki ba.
- "First come to the council" does not always "catch king."
- First come is not always first served.
- Though a man may have been in the king's service a long time, it does not follow that he will always have the king's ear.
17 Ba domin tsawo akanga wata ba.
- The moon is not seen because of great stature.
- It is by no merit of yours that you have done that. Any one can do it.
18 Fawa biu tana bata hankali'n kuda.
- Two pieces of meat confuse the mind of the fly.
- To hesitate between two things, two courses, &c.
