chawawana idya nehama mutorwa anehanganwa

If you get a fortune, share it with your relatives; strangers easily forget the favor.

What it means

A stranger's gratitude fades once the favor is forgotten, but family remembers, and sharing deepens the bond. It's practical advice as much as feeling: who you're generous with matters.

Shona · Southern Africa

Source and context

From: Shona, Southern Africa

Source: Shona (Zimbabwe) proverb (tsumo); original text, translation and explanation from "Shona Proverbs: Translated and Explained," Culture of Zimbabwe (pamberineruzhinji1980.wordpress.com), 20 September 2020.

The source explains it: Close family remain family whether the outcome of our plans succeed or not. The wording of the meaning is ours.

Family

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