Labolo nywalo too ma neke

The banana tree produces what kills it.

What it means

Once a banana plant has fruited, its stem is cut down for the ripe bunch. The proverb turns that image on parents, who suffer on account of their children's needs.

Acholi · East Africa

Source and context

From: Acholi, East Africa

Source: Acholi (Uganda, South Sudan) proverb; original text, translation and explanation from "Acholi Proverbs: (118 in Total)," African Manners (africanmanners.wordpress.com), 2012. Earlier recorded here as documented in "Caro lok: proverbs & wise sayings of the Acoli people of Uganda"; that book was not read.

The source explains it: refers to parents who suffer on account of their children's needs. The wording of the meaning is ours.

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