Street Wisdom: 14 Surugede and Gbudugbudu Proverbs from Warri
In Warri, the streets speak in proverbs called Surugede and Gbudugbudu. These sayings carry lessons about life, talent, loyalty and resilience. Below are 14 popular proverbs and their meanings. 1. Chameleon nor get wardrobe but na em sabi change clothes pass. Meaning: Some people lack your talents but still enjoy life’s pleasures more than you. 2. “The food nor sweet, the food nor sweet”, nor be for Ukwuani weed. Meaning: Ukwuani weed is so strong it sparks hunger, yet people still complain about food. 3. No matter how yansh make yanga reach, legs must first am enter house. Meaning: No matter how fast you think you are, someone greater will always outpace you. 4. Small pikin wey use agbada take start life, go talk wetin em go wear when em turn old man. Meaning: If you rush ahead without preparing, you’ll be confused when the real test comes. 5. Nor be the same eyes wey dem dey take find money dem dey take share money. Meaning: People pursue money together but argue fiercely when it’s time to split. 6. Na the appearance of a table for beer parlour dey determine the club wey man wey nor get money for beer go support. Meaning: Loyalties often follow where the benefits are greatest. 7. Man wey nor get money, em house dey always dey far. Meaning: When you’re poor, people complain your home is too far to visit. 8. E nor good make all monkey hang for one tree branch. Meaning: Too many participants in one business will collapse the venture. 9. Man wey nor sabi dance go say the ground too rough. Meaning: Those who lack skill blame external forces for their failures. 10. Na wood wey bend na em dey show say carpenter sabi em work. Meaning: Real skill shows in difficult tasks. 11. Dog wey nor get mama go scratch em own back. Meaning: People without support must fend for themselves. 12. Coffin fine, coffin fine nor mean say death dey sweet. Meaning: Just because something looks attractive doesn’t mean it’s good for you. 13. When you tell palmwine tapper say em palmwine sweet, e go tell you say na because of say you nor taste yesterday own. Meaning: People boast about their skills when you compliment them. 14. Na too much groundnut oil make puff-puff shine pass buns. Meaning: Good packaging can make something seem better than it really is. Share your own Surugede or Gbudugbudu proverbs in the comments below!
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