The Ewe language is dense with proverbs and idioms. Indirect conversation, the art of saying what you want by implying your meaning, is a respected cognitive game. People who are skillful at this can evoke uninhibited laughter even when discussing serious issues. For example, a child who wants breakfast might use the idiom “adoglo lia ati”—the lizard went up the tree. The implication is that the lizard is searching for food. It is hungry, and so is the child. Common idioms can be understood among all Ewes. Other idioms are peculiar to specific villages. Idioms can run so deep in meaning from one village to the next that two people from one village can “cover” their conversation in front of a visitor without being detected.

Proverbs on the other hand are simple truths that carry great moral weight. If used correctly, proverbs can have magical impact on the listeners compelling them to act according to the implied meaning. Those who know how to use proverbs in context are highly regarded because proverbs lead to the soul of Ewe principles. They are the morals, values, and unwritten laws that rule their communities, and constitute the collective conscience.

Proverbs are often derived from typical human activities. An example taken from hunting goes: adekpovi menoa ngo na adela O. “The hunter’s apprentice never walks in front of the master-hunter.” This reminds people who are improving at a new skill to remember that they must remain humble and learn from those who have expertise. If a young man tries to behave as the family head in serious family matters, he may be reminded that the place of a hunter’s apprentice is behind the hunter. In other words, instead of trying to run things he should observe his elders and learn from their example.


Komla Ayim is thinking with his plantain trees and Adaklu Mountain in the background

The Chicken Says "Life is Fear"

Watch out for yourself. If a friend wants to go into town at night and is worried because they have enemies, you can tell them not to go by saying: the chicken says life is fear. Your friend should exercise caution. Knowing what circumstances to give this advice shows ones character, for sometimes fear must be put aside--someone might take you for a coward.


A Poor Man's Sheep Won't Grow a Mane

The moral of this proverb is to live for today, but remember to work hard for tomorrow too. Otherwise none of your investments will reap profits for you.


Long Life Won't Surpass the Grave

This proverb is for those who think they have it so good that they don't need to consider the life they lead. The moral of the proverb is to remind people that although you have to work for the future, you can't ignore the present and those around you. One day your time will come and the ancestors will be ready to settle accounts once you return to them.

Komla is pretending to give his wife the "cold shoulder" and she is pretending to be sad.


Chief Krakani of Adaklu-Helekpe speaks at a public gathering.

Knowledge is a Baobab Tree, You Can't Get Your Arms Around It

Some people know alot about certain things. For example, "experts" may tell us how development is supposed to work. However they only know one aspect of a very complex issue very well. This proverb is for those who think they know everything and have become arrogant with their adept knowledge of a particular subject. It declares that no one person alone can get their arms around any issue, and that to overcome obstacles it requires an entire community to coalesce before we can be whole human beings.


Baobab Tree--can you wrap you arms around it?

Chief Krakani sits in his shop

Inviting Me To A Funeral Doesn't Imply that I Will Become the Funeral Director

This proverb refers to those who are given an inch and want to take a mile. There are times when everyone needs assistance. However when someone agrees to lend a helping hand, it doesn't mean that you should take advantage of their good will cojoling them into taking on the responsibility. When you help someone and they are trying to put too much weight on your shoulders just say this proverb and they will understand that you also have your limits.


Kosi Adekpe pours some freshly tapped palm wine with Gade.


Every Town Has Its Own Way of Skinning a Chicken

Do not judge the ways of other people and their culture before you have taken the time to understand their circumstances. A taboo in one community may be meaningless in another. Travel may find that people of different cultures habitually do things that they can't understand. The behavior may be perplexing, annoying, or even offensive. As cultures very widely throughout Africa, this proverb is designed to calm annoyed visitors who can't understand the local culture.

Sweet Soup Requires Many Chairs

This proverb is said when someone is a good host. The idea is that if you have a peaceful home and treat people with respect, then you will by all means have many visitors. Likewise, when someone knows how to cook well, they usually have many people who want to enjoy their food. Ghanaians are renowned for their hospitality and put great value on receiving visitors well.

Suffering and Happiness Are Brothers

To be a whole person you have to be balanced. Furthermore, if you have not suffered in life, then you will not be able to discover true happiness. Those who are suffering are told to remember that they can't succumb to the trials of hard times.

A Cripple Never Starts a War Song

Everyone has their ability and they should be prepared to play their part to the best of their ability. However there are many people who wish to be more than they are, and as such they do things that they really aren't equipt to do. A community is like an organism, and some parts do the thinking, some do the working, and others do the fighting. So when a young man is annoyed with a land dispute with another town and wants to call on the other youth towards a confrontation the elders can reming him of his inexperience. Because although the youth is not physically crippled, he is weak in his vision and can't comprehend the long-term consequences of hastiness.
Kosi is blowing into the palm wine pot to clear off the foam.