Culture
Proverbs
CC BY-SA 3.0
Swahili proverb: Mti hauendi ila kwa nyenzo
Swahili proverb about preparation — great tasks require proper tools and resources.
Country:Tanzania; Kenya
Language:Swahili; English
Published:2025-10-04
Audience:Language learners, cultural studies
Swahili: "Mti hauendi ila kwa nyenzo."
English: "A tree cannot be moved except by its roots (means/tools)."
Meaning: To accomplish a great task, one needs proper resources and preparation. Nothing significant can be achieved without the right tools and means.
Keywords
Swahili
proverb
preparation
resources
planning
Source & licence
Source: Wikiquote
Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
Proverb documented on Wikiquote. Attribution required under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Disclaimer: This content is provided for general information. Health, legal, financial and government-service items should be verified with a qualified professional or the official authority before action. AfricanGPT does not represent itself as a substitute for licensed advice.
More in Culture
Naɣ'so ŋun ka zuli (Dagbani Proverb)
This Dagbani proverb teaches that even when you feel hopeless, faith in God will help you overcome problems. It encourages perseverance and trust.
Dabiɛm kani kabo n zibiyuŋ (Dagbani Proverb)
A Dagbani proverb implying that fear often arises from ignorance rather than real danger.
Those who are absent are always wrong (Ghanaian Proverb)
This proverb suggests that absent people can’t defend themselves and are easily blamed.
