Methali za Kiswahili - Swahili Proverbs

Details: Albert Scheven dedicates his Swahili proverbs collection to J.K. Nyerere, President of Tanzania, proverbial scholar and statesman. Swahili Proverbs: Contacts Language & Translation Application in post-secondary classrooms Kristina Riedel Language Coordinator of Swahili Lecturer of Swahili Email: kriedel@illinois.edu Phone: 217-333-7921 Use and application in K-12 classrooms: Outreach & Programs Email: deptling@illinois.edu Phone: 217-333-3563 Center for African Studies 210 International Studies Building 910 S. Fifth Street Champaign, IL 61820 U.S.A. african@illinois.edu

Summary: This website emerges from an array of contributors over many years, giving evidence to the proverb, Mkono mmoja haubebi mtoto, “One hand alone cannot carry a baby.” The proverb collection began with the work of Albert Scheven who published his first collection of Swahili proverbs as Swahili Proverbs: Nia zikiwa moja, kilicho mbali huja with University Press of America, 1981. Albert Scheven continued to build on his collection of proverbs through the 1990s, demonstrating his love of words, wisdom, and his interest with the Swahili language. His proverb collection grew to 4860 entries, available under website’s “Listing” heading. His list is more extensive, in fact, as many entries include related proverbs referenced entries. Added to Albert’s listing of proverbs is cultural information and pedagogical tools for teachers and students. Dr. Peter Otiato Ojiambo brought his talents to these sections – suggesting proverbs that could be taught in the classroom and supplementing these listings with audio materials. He also authored the sections on kangas, providing the cultural context in which proverbs are commonly seen in East African countries.