Culture
Proverbs
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Igbo proverb: Nwata kwocha aka ya o soro okenye rie
Igbo proverb teaching that good conduct earns the young a place at the elders table.
Country:Nigeria
Language:Igbo; English
Published:2025-09-21
Audience:Educators, parents, language learners
Igbo: "Nwata kwocha aka ya, o soro ndi okenye rie."
English literal: "When a child washes his hands clean, he eats with the elders."
Meaning: Respect, discipline and good conduct earn a young person a place at the table of the wise. A core Igbo proverb taught to children to encourage cleanliness and respect.
Keywords
Igbo proverb
respect
discipline
youth
Source & licence
Source: Wikiquote
Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
Proverb is part of oral tradition documented in Wikiquote and in academic literature on Igbo. Wikiquote attribution required under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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