Dagomba names


Persons
Animals
Plants
Objects
Dictionary
Persons

Name In DagbanliGenderGroupMeaning
Aburu
Adirikarili
Adishiri
Adishiri
Ajuwa
Alheri
Anamzooya
Andani
Andi
Anfani
Anim
Anisunggood intention
Anzansi
Asana
AsiroSaha Yuya
AzimaDabsa Yuya
Azindoo
BaleminiAncestral
Balima
Banbangtabathose who know each other
Bandaba
Bangahim
Bangbebu
Bangda
Bangsim
BanzuAncestral
BeemoniSaha Yuya
Beninyestay and witness
BieŋmaliSaha Yuya
BigaŋŊaha YuyaNot discriminated
Binetithey have enlightened us
Biziŋ
Biʒem
Bonidima
Bonnidima / DondirimaŊaha Yuya
Borizama
BudaaliBuɣi Yuya
BuɣijaaBuɣi Yuya
BuɣiliBuɣi Yuya
BugudabilaBuɣi Yuya
BuɣudabiliBuɣi Yuya
BuguliBuɣi Yuya
BuɣutandiBuɣi Yuya
BuɣuyɛliguBuɣi Yuya
BusaɣiriBuɣi Yuyaf
Chaanga
Chalpang
Changona
Chentiwuni
Chimsi Goya Yuya
DaajuɣuSaha Yuya
Daanaa
DaangoɣuŊaha Yuya
Daankali
Daballi
Dahama
Daliri
DambaGoya Yuya
Damduu
DanaaSaha Yuya
Dangana
Dariʒieɣu
Dasana
DasoliSaha (Circumstantial)
Datia
Datorili
DaworaŊaha Yuya
Dawuni
DayuuniSaha Yuya
Dede
Deeshini
Dikpong
DinnaniŊaha Yuya
Dintoli
Dinviela
Dipantiche
Dirli
Faako
Fanjima
Fibili
Fiiluwa
Fuseina
Fuseini
Gariba
Gburiŋ
GurimachaɣupaɣaDɔɣirikpihim Yuya
GurimpaɣaDɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Hikolana
 Jebuni, Buɣi Yuya
Jemda
JendaIt means Outstanding or exceptional when used as a verb, but when used as a noun it means responsibility
Jepu
Jilma
Jintora
Kachaɣu
Kacheli
Kaɣili
Kanli
Kasi
Kasuwa
Kataali
Katari
Kawoligili
KayabaSaha zooYuyazin
Kochim
Kokura
KpalaBuɣi Yuya
Kuɣuli
Kumtili
Laakala
Lahari
LansaBuɣi Yuya
LaribaDabsa Yuya
Lasiche
Luro
Malima
Malimaŋa
MalisimliŊaha Yuya
MaltitiŊaha Yuya
Mandeiya
Matta
M'baŋbaŊaha Yuya
Mbatɔɣima
Mbo
M'buridibaŊaha Yuya
Mfaanga
Mirifa
Mpanko
Naama
NaaniŊaha Yuya
Naatɔɣima
Nagumsi
Naina
NakpamboAncestral
Naniendo
Nanjaa
Napaga
Napari
NaporoAncestral
Nasakai
Nasara
Nayi
Nbangzaa
Ndaduŋ
Ndini
Neina
Neindoo
Neira
Neisim
Nenpaga 
N'gaŋŋuniŊaha Yuya
Niema 
Nirlim
Niyasung
NjalwuniLeaning on God
Nniŋdini
Nnyeyam
NtabilibaŊaha Yuya
Nyaɣisi
N'yubajeŊaha Yuya
ŋɔʒe
ŋmapiripaɣaDɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Paɣanaa
Paɣawuni
Pagnaa
Pini
Puumaya
SaaSaha Yuya
Sachibu
Sagtiti
Saha
Saha 
Sakundi
SalaŋaSaha Yuya
Salpawuni
SayoraSaha Yuya
ShagbaAncestral
Sheriga
Shitobu
SibidoDabsa Yuya
Sibiri
Siche
SiɣiliSaha Yuya
Siisabigi
Simdi 
SindoliwaAncestral
Soochi
SuɣiriSaha Yuya
Suglo
Suhidoo
Suhipelli
SuhiyiniŊaha Yuya
Taali-mbo
Tahama
TalaataDabsa Yuya
Tamaha
TamboBuɣi Yuya
TampuliDɔɣirikpihim Yuya
TaniDabsa Yuya
TapilimpaɣaDɔɣirikpihim Yuya
TasallaSaha Yuya
Teenaba
TiaBuɣi Yuya
Tidiya
TidoBuɣi Yuya
Tikuli
TikumaŊaha Yuya
Timani
TimtooniŊaha Yuya
Tinitoo
TipagaBuɣi Yuya
Tipaɣa
Tiyumba
Tiyuundiba
Toblanguri
Tunteiya
TusuaSaha Yuya
VabiloɣuSaha Yuya
Vani
Velim
Wumbei
Wumda
Wumpini
Wumpini
Wundeiya
Wunibiyɛli
Wuniche
WuninmiŊaha Yuya
WunintiraŊaha Yuya
Wunko
Wunnam
Wunpini
Wuntia
Wuntima
Wunzalgu
Yada
Yaɣimerigu
Yalsumah
Yemtori
Yemusa
Yerda
Yiko
YiriAncestral
Yirifa
Yumzaa
Yumzaa
Yurizaa
ZabaɣapaɣaDɔɣirikpihim Yuya
ZambalimaDɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Zantale
Zemoli
ZenebuBuɣi Yuya
Ziŋba 
ZiŋnaaSaha Yuya
Zirili
Zitana (Ʒitana)
Ziyaba
Zoli
Zoosim
ZoosimliŊaha Yuya
Zugsung
Ʒeenya
ʒiba

Ʒisuŋ

Animals

Name In DagbaniGroupName In English Image
Noo
Plural - Nɔhi
Male- Nolɔɣu
Female- No'nyaŋ
Domestic animals - Yiŋ binkɔbiriFowl
Dagbani Animal Names - fowl Name in Dagbani
Nɔhi (Fowls)
Bua
Plural- buhi
Male- bulaa
Female- bu'nyaŋ
Domestic animals - Yiŋ binkɔbiriGoat
Dagbani Animal Names - Goat Name in Dagbani - Goat- Bua Plural- buhi Male- bulaa Female- bu'nyaŋ
Bulaa - Billy Goat
Piɛɣu
Plural - piɛri
Male- piɛlaa
Female- piɛ'nyaŋ
Domestic animals - Yiŋ binkɔbiriSheep
Dagbani Animal Names - Sheep Name in Dagbani - Sheep- piɛɣu Plural - piɛri Male- piɛlaa Female- piɛ'nyaŋ
Piɛlaa - Ram
Nahu
Plural - Niɣi
Male- Naɣ'laa
Female- Naɣ' nyaŋ
Domestic animals - Yiŋ binkɔbiri
Cow
Dagbani Animal Names - cow Name in Dagbani - Cow- Nahu Plural - Niɣi Male- Naɣ'laa Female- Naɣ' nyaŋ
Cow - Nahu
Jɛnkuno
Plural- jɛnkunti
Male- jɛnkun lɔɣu
Female- jɛnkun nyaŋ
Domestic animals - Yiŋ binkɔbiriCat
Dagbani Animal Names - Cat Name in Dagbani - Cat- jɛnkuno Plural- jɛnkunti Male- jɛnkun lɔɣu Female- jɛnkun nyaŋ
Cat - Jɛnkuno
Baa
Plural- bahi
Male - ba' laa
Female- ba' nyaŋ
Domestic animals - Yiŋ binkɔbiriDog
Dagbani Animal Names - Dog Name in Dagbani - Dog - baa Plural- bahi Male - ba' laa Female- ba' nyaŋ
Dog - Baa
Buŋa
Plural - Bunsi
Male- Bundaa
Female- Buŋ nyaŋ
Domestic animals - Yiŋ binkɔbiriDonkey
Dagbani Animal Names - Donkey Name in Dagbani Donkey - buŋa Plural - Bunsi Male- Bundaa Female- Buŋ nyaŋ
Donkey - buŋa
Gbuɣinli
Plural - Gbuɣima
Male- Gbuɣindaa
Female- Gbuɣin nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Lion
Dagbani Animal Names - lion Name in Dagbani  Lion - Gbuɣinli Plural - Gbuɣima Male- Gbuɣindaa Female- Gbuɣin nyaŋ
Gbuɣindaa - Male Lion
Jɛngbuni
Plural - Jɛngbuna
Male- Jɛngbun lɔɣu
Female- Jɛngbun nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Leopard/ Cheetah
Dagbani Animal Names - Leopard Name in Dagbani - Leopard/ tiger - Jɛngbuni Plural - Jɛngbuna Male- Jɛngbun lɔɣu Female- Jɛngbun nyaŋ
Jɛngbuni - Leopard
Wɔbigu
Plural - wɔbiri
Male- wɔbilaa
Female- wɔbi nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Elephant
Dagbani Animal Names -  Elephant Name in Dagbani  Plural - wɔbiri Male- wɔbilaa Female- wɔbi nyaŋ
Elephant - Wɔbigu
Tiŋbuŋ
Plural- timbuna
Male- tiŋbuŋ lɔɣu
Female - tiŋbuŋ nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Aardvark
Dagbani Animal Names -  AardvarkName in Dagbani  Plural- timbuna Male- tiŋbuŋ lɔɣu Female - tiŋbuŋ nyaŋ
Aardvark - Tiŋbuŋ
Kparili
Plural - kpara
Male - kpari dɔɣu
Female- kparinyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Baboon
Dagbani Animal Names -  BABOON Name in Dagbani - Baboon - kparili Plural - kpara Male - kpari dɔɣu Female- kparinyaŋ
Baboon - kparili
Dayuɣu
Plural- Dayuri
Male- Dayu'lɔɣu
Female- Dayu nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Bandicoot
Dagbani Animal Names -  Bandicoot Name in Dagbani - Bandicoot - Dayuɣu Plural- Dayuri Male- Dayu'lɔɣu Female- Dayu nyaŋ
Bandicoot - Dayuɣu
Bat- Zɔŋa
Plural - Zɔna
Male- Zɔŋ lɔɣu
Female- Zɔŋ nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Bat
Dagbani Animal Names -  Bat Name in Dagbani - Bat- Zɔŋa Plural - Zɔna Male- Zɔŋ lɔɣu Female- Zɔŋ nyaŋ
Bat- Zɔŋa
Buffalo - Yonahu
Plural - Yoniɣi
Male- yonaɣilaa
Female- Yonaɣ' nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Buffalo
Dagbani Animal Names -  Buffalo Name in Dagbani - Buffalo - Yonahu Plural - Yoniɣi Male- yonaɣilaa Female- Yonaɣ' nyaŋ
Buffalo - Yonahu
Bush buck- Sankpaluŋ
Plural - Sankpalima
Male- Sankpaluŋ lɔɣu
Female- Sankpaluŋ nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Bush buck
Dagbani Animal Names -  Bush buck Name in Dagbani - Bush buck- Sankpaluŋ Plural - Sankpalima Male- Sankpaluŋ lɔɣu Female- Sankpaluŋ nyaŋ
Bush buck - Sankpaluŋ
Fox - ŋɔɣu
Plural- ŋɔri
Male- ŋɔlɔɣu
Female- ŋɔnyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Fox
Dagbani Animal Names -  Fox  Name in Dagbani - Fox - ŋɔɣu Plural- ŋɔri Male- ŋɔlɔɣu Female- ŋɔnyaŋ
Fox - ŋɔɣu
Hyena - Kunduŋ
Plural - kunduna
Male- kundun lɔɣu
Female- Kunduŋ nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Hyena
Dagbani Animal Names -  Hyena Name in Dagbani - Hyena - Kunduŋ Plural - kunduna Male- kundun lɔɣu Female- Kunduŋ nyaŋ
Hyena - Kunduna
Mulfu
Plural - muya
Male- mulfu lɔɣu
Female- mulfu nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)
Gazelle
Dagbani Animal Names -  Gazelle Name in Dagbani -Gazelle - Mulfu Plural - muya Male- mulfu lɔɣu Female- mulfu nyaŋ
Gazelle - Mulfu
ŋɔŋli
Plural- ŋɔŋa
Male- ŋɔŋshi laa
Female- ŋɔŋ nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Grass cutter
Dagbani Animal Names -  Grass cutter Name in Dagbani -Grass cutter - ŋɔŋli Plural- ŋɔŋa Male- ŋɔŋshi laa Female- ŋɔŋ nyaŋ
Grass cutter - ŋɔŋli
Laringa
Plural- Larinsi
Male- lariŋ lɔɣu
Female- lariŋ nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Squirrel
Names -  Squirrel  Name in Dagbani -Squirrel - Laringa Plural- Larinsi Male- lariŋ lɔɣu Female- lariŋ nyaŋ
Squirrel - Laringa
Sibiga
Plural - Sibisi
Male- Sibi dibiga
Female- Sibi nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Hartebeest
Dagbani Animal Names -  Hartebeest Name in Dagbani - Sibiga Plural - Sibisi Male- Sibi dibiga Female- Sibi nyaŋ
Hartebeest - Sibiga
Hedgehog - Yuɣimpɛni
Plural - yuɣimpɛna
Male- Yuɣimpɛn lɔɣu
Female- Yuɣimpɛn nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Hedgehog
Dagbani Animal Names -  Hippopotamus Name in Dagbani -Hippopotamus - ŋamli Plural - ŋama Male- ŋandaa Female- ŋan nyaŋ
Hippopotamus - ŋamli
Dagbani Animal Names -  Hedgehog Name in Dagbani -Hedgehog - Yuɣimpɛni Plural - yuɣimpɛna Male- Yuɣimpɛn lɔɣu Female- Yuɣimpɛn nyaŋ
Hedgehog - Yuɣimpɛni
ŋamli
Plural - ŋama
Male- ŋandaa
Female- ŋan nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Hippopotamus
Dagbani Animal Names - Hippopotamus Name in Dagbani -Hippopotamus - ŋamli Plural - ŋama Male- ŋandaa Female- ŋan nyaŋ
Hippopotamus - ŋamli
Yɔbua
Plural- yɔbuhi
Male- yɔbu laa
Female- yɔbu nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Ibex
Dagbani Animal Names -  Ibex Name in Dagbani -Ibex - Yɔbua Plural- yɔbuhi Male- yɔbu laa Female- yɔbu nyaŋ
Ibex - Yɔbua
Yɔbaa
Plural- yɔbahi
Male- yɔba lɔɣu
Female- yɔba nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Jackal
Dagbani Animal Names -  Jackal - Name in Dagbani Jackal- yɔbaa Plural- yɔbahi Male- yɔba lɔɣu Female- yɔba nyaŋ
Jackal- yɔbaa
Vulugu
Plural Vulisi
Male- vuli dibiga
Female- Vulidibisi
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Red Buck
Dagbani Animal Names -  Reed Buck - Name in Dagbani  Reed Buck- Vulugu  Plural Vulisi Male- vuli dibiga Female- Vulidibisi
Reed Buck- Vulugu
Nantariga
Plural- Nantarisi
Male- Nantari lɔɣu
Female- Nantari nyaŋ
Bush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Mole
Dagbani Animal Names -  Mole - Name in Dagbani - Mole - Nantariga Plural- Nantarisi Male- Nantari lɔɣu Female- Nantari nyaŋ
Mole- Nantariga
KantamparimBush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Rhinoceros
Dagbani Animal Names -  Rhinoceros Name in Dagbani  Kantamparim
Rhinoceros - Kantamparim
KɔɣuBush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Zebra
Dagbani Animal Names Zebra Name in Dagbani  Kɔɣu
Kɔɣu- zebra
DeeBush Animals - Mɔɣuni binkɔbiri ( Valisi)Warthog
Dagbani Animal Names - Dagbanli - Dee  English Warthog
Warthog - Dee

Plants

DagbaniGroupName in EnglishImage

Objects

Name In DagbaniName In EnglishImage

Dictionary
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Proverbs In Dagbani


Proverbs
Appellations
Proverbs

Dagbani Proverbs,Translation Meaning
Puu suɣuli yi ŋmɛlim ka bɔ, di ku ŋmani kambɔŋa.No matter how big a hut in the farm becomes, it will not be as big as a granary. Don't compare yourself to someone who is greater than you. It may also mean we shouldn't compare ourselves to others who have something that we don't have. You may also have something that person doesn't have.
Ʒiri yirigi pum, ka yɛlimaŋli deei wali." Lies produce flowers, but it is the truth that gets the fruits. The results of speaking the truth are always better than the results of telling lies. Or lies may carry you on your journey, but the one with truth will usually come and pass with more speed than yours.
Alizanda soli bili mɔri, wunti'zɔriba (wundabili) n-kani (n-naai)". If heaven's path is grown over with grass, it means that there are no more good people around".If good people do not speak out against bad things, they will continue to happen.
Din nam kamli, dina n-nam kamtoo." What has created the ordinary garden egg has also created the bitter one.Some people are good and some people are bad, but we are all descendants of the same ancestor. So we should learn to tolerate one another. This is often said to people during peace talks.
Gutulu ku sooŋa, n-tam wɔb'kura yɛla." An ungrateful man killed a hare and forgot about the elephant hunter. The elephant hunter had given him much meat and he didn't give anything in return. This is said to someone who you have helped a lot and he/she refuses you even a little help.
Jɛrigu ka yɛm shɛri dɔɣim, amaa o lee mali yɛm ŋmari dɔɣim" The fool has no sense to unite a family, but he has sense to destroy a family".This is often said to someone who is using his talents to do evil to others instead of good; meanwhile evil has no reward but punishment from God.
Kaɣ'shia mali waayo ku ŋmani piliŋ." No matter how sharp a split guinea stalk is, it can't be as sharp as a razor. You may have some strengths, talents, intelligence, wisdom or whatever, but don't think you can challenge everyone. This is said to someone who has been thinking he is the greatest in anything until he meets a bad day with someone greater than him/her.
Sataŋ kuɣili baɣa ni nɔŋ'kpani." The stone anvil doesn't care about the scorpion's spear."I don't fear the bad deeds of an evil person; God is my protector. This is used in a situation where the speaker believes God has been his guard against his enemies' evil, machinations, ploy, lies etc.
Dahinshɛli beni ka jɛŋkuno ni ŋubi sima ka guui kɔhi n-ti jɛngbariga." There will be a day when the cat will eat groundnuts and have some leftover to sell for the benefit of the mouse."With hope there will be a day two archrivals will unite. Unity is always possible if there is hope. It may also mean that we should have hope that God will always provide our needs.
Baŋdi waayo ku baŋ nu' kpibili." Even if you are an expert in understanding everything, you can't know what is inside a closed hand. No one knows tomorrow. You can't know exactly what is in the future. If there is an in-camera or closed door meeting of people you won't know the outcome until they tell you. If the gods have something for you, you won't know until it comes.
Tahima zuɣu ka juɣu doli gbuɣinli." The vulture follows the lion because of hope of getting something (carcass)."The weak follows the strong because they hope to get something from them. When you respect somebody, it is because you hope to get greater benefit from him.
Tambiɛɣu din tabili kuɣili ni saɣim lɛri." A white ant hill that is built on a stone spoils an axe."We should beware of hidden dangers. Evil close to good may destroy the good.
Toya kum gari Alidu." The sound of several mortars pounding confused Alidu."A lot of things may come at the same time and need to be attended to at the same. If you have a small problem, solve it once and don't wait to have several problems. It will confuse you like the sound from mortars pounding fufu confused Alidu. E.g. "Di chɛ ka toya ti kum gari Alidu". That is "Don't let the sound from several mortars pounding confuse Alidu."
Ŋun karit' a yi bɛ zani, a gba bɛ zanda." If the person running after you does not stop, you also don't stop." Do not stop fleeing or defending yourself when there is still danger pursuing you. If your challenges are unresolved, you don't stop struggling.
Pololi yi ʒi shɛli kam amaa o mi lɔŋ gballi." Even if the toad doesn't know anything at all, at least it knows the grave of the frog."No matter how limited someone is, or how bad someone is, he or she has at least one good quality.
Wahu nyirivɔɣu m-bala." The is the anus of a horse."This is used to let the one boasting know that everyone knows that he won't fulfill his promise. It may also refer to someone who wants to hide something that can't be hidden.
Gaɣili deei mia, baŋmi nyaɣibu." The gourd has a rope tied round it; you have to know how to hang it on your shoulder."If you are given a position of authority, you need to learn how to act accordingly. If a couple gets married, they need to learn how to live together with each other. If you are in any situation, you have to learn how to live your life to suit that situation.
Dam is duu, yɛlli mii beni." There is pito in the room, there is also trouble inside." This proverb is said to have come from a story about a pito-drinking place where one day the pito seller was found dead inside the drinking spot (room). The pito buyer wanted the pito but there was trouble inside as the dead woman was there. This may be used as a warning that there is danger where you want to go.
Baŋkaŋ yihiri bɔ naɣilaa lan'ni?" What can a tick remove from the bull's testicle?"If you have many things and only one is taken, you won't feel it very much. It also means your enemies want to block your way to success but what they are doing cannot prevent your success if you have God in your favor or if what they are rather attacking is not your main source of success.
Dakoli ku sooŋa ku dooi bim." A bachelor hunter killed a rabbit, but he won't get its broth."This proverb relates to a story of a bachelor hunter who killed a rabbit but could only give it to the wife of another hunter who kept the soup or the best portion for themselves. It means if you depend on others heavily for a solution, be prepared for some disappointments.
Nyir'kɔɣu lana mali o limli so bɛ deeira." A woman with slim buttocks has her beads around her waist and nobody can take them from her."People who have nothing may have something good that people who have everything wished they have. In such situations the people who have everything think those without anything are not qualified to have that one or few good thing(s).
Ko'kura lɔŋ baɣa ni saa." The frog always found in a mud doesn't worry about the rain" One doesn't worry about what he is familiar or good at. If you have lived in a particular situation, you become fearless when people want to use that situation to scare you.
Niŋsim n-gari nangbanpibili.Doing is better than the fast speaking lips."Actions speak louder than words. One must always fulfill his promises so that he may not be called a liar.
Piriŋkpana ni ka shɛli, ni ka sapibo surigiri baraWhere there is no spear grass (when you squat to ease yourself), that is where piles from one's anus come out proudly."You can always do what you want to do so far as one greater than you is not around.
ʒiri lana duu piligirimi, di bɛ nyɔra.The roof of a liar is removed, not set ablaze."If someone is telling big lies, he will be caught one day in a tight corner where no lie can save his face. If you have the opportunity to expose a liar, do it properly so that he will have no opportunity of lieing to escape again.
Zuɣu mɔɣulana pala zuɣu biɛɣulana.The person with an oblong head is not an unlucky/bad person" We shouldn't judge people by their appearance. Be objective and open-minded when you are meeting somebody, no matter how bad the stories you have heard about him are.
Mi-ka-shini zo nyɛla baŋ-ku-yɛli-shɛli.Know-and-be-quiet' is the friend of 'know-and-not-say-anything' " To know and be silent means to understand but not to tell it to others. That is a wise person keeps his ears open but his mouth shut.
Naawuni chɛl' alibarika shɛriga ka gal suma kpɛ m-paɣi Wuni.” May God spare the blessed needle so that beautiful threads can go into it and praise God. This may refer to a good leader or chief who is willing or able to unite his people in doing well.
Naawuni dabili ku baŋ nini naɣila o tuma ni."Translation: A good person is not known by looks; you recognise him only through his/her deeds. A good person is not recognised by external appearance. Appearance is deceptive.
Juɣu kpuɣi baa kɔbili, n-ŋmaligi sɔŋ baa dooshee."The vulture takes a bone from a dog, and later returns it to where the dog lies. If you attempt to take a position for which you are not qualified, you will one day have to leave it for those who are qualified.
Saa bu nɔŋa ku suui tom.The rain beats the scorpion, but it will not wash away its bitterness. One cannot do away with the qualities that have been given to him from birth.
Salinsaa yɛliya ni o ku ŋubi paaŋa, paaŋa mii ku niŋ o naani. The tiny ant says that it will not eat cricket, the cricket too will not trust it. Fear whatever or whoever is dangerous because it or he/she will always cause you to fail in life.
A yɛla yi mali, a chomda n-kani. If your problems are solved, it is because your false accuser/enemy is not there. When a person succeeds, it is because his/her enemies are absent. Whatever you do you will have enemies who will magnify your mistakes.
Buŋ bɛ kumdi o kpee tiŋ' ni."A donkey does not bray in it's neighbour's territory.You cannot claim authority or boast in a place where another person rules. In other words, you can't talk more about what is happening somewhere to a fellow who is from that place.
Chiriwaandana yi kpi, nakpaɣindana n-sɔɣir'o.

(This proverb appears to be modernised by some modern-day Dagombas as

"Kuruu yi kpi, guy n sɔɣir' o."
If a sarcastic/cheeky/diabolic person dies, it is the careless/I-don't-care person who buries him.Others will treat you as you have treated them. Be careful the way you handle people who need your help before they also treat you badly when you need their help.
A tim yi chihiri "ŋuni n-lee m-bala", a bɛ zaandi/kpɛri zimsim ni. If your magical power/charm/talisman taboos "Who is that?", you don't enter a dark place/spot.If you don't want to be disgraced, you should avoid behaviours that will bring disgrace on yourself. That is, you should be careful of what you are doing because one day you may have to give an account of your actions.
A "di mali o" yi zooi tiŋ'ni, a bɛ duri ti wɔɣinli. If your "it suits him/her" (enemies) are many in your town, you don't climb a tall tree. You have to be careful where you are if your enemies are too many. Learn how to avoid/circumvent situations or plots by your enemies wherever you are.
Wua ŋun gɔri kukɔɣu ni gbaŋ ni vili mola."The skin of the monitor lizard that roams on fallow land will be used to wrap the shaft of arrowsDon't take too much risk that can lead to your death. Don't go where you shouldn't go.
Wɔri yino tii bɛ baŋdaA single horse race is deceptive/unknown.When two people quarrel, you won't be fair if you listen to only one side and pass your judgment.
Piɛm yi sa valiga ni, di so ni di be tɔha nuu ni. If an arrow is stuck in the body of an antelope, it is better than being left in the hand of a hunter. It is better to do right so that people will not have anything to blame you for. It is better for your not-too-close friend to be suffering with a problem so you empathise with him.
Pakurugu duɣ'bila, viɛhima ka mira.A witch's small cooking pot, be careful when putting your hand into it to clear the last bit of soup with your finger for licking.When situations are complex/difficult you have to be extra cautious in other to escape.
Anabi chilitɔŋ, bɛn ka laamba m-banda." The prophet's eye powder is applied to the eyes of those who don't have parents. God cares for the disadvantaged; whether you are an orphan, poor, vulnerable, or whatever unfortunate situation you find yourself in, remember God does things at the right time.
Bɛnim' n-doli soli, bɛnim' n-dari mɔɣu, bɛ zaa kunila Yaakuba yili." Those walking on the (right) path, and those walking on the (wrong) path, they all have Yaakuba's house as their destination. There can be different routes, strategies, or ways of tackling a problem; the ultimate objective is the same. It is like saying "there are many ways of killing a cat." It may also mean some will choose lies and some will choose truth, they are all from the same ancestor.
Bɛna n-kanilana" sola "ŋuna n-kanilana". They are coming" is better than "He is coming".There is strength in unity; and weakness in disunity. E.g. Usually used by our elders when they are talking to us to choose peace, love and unity instead of hatred.
Somuaa bi zori ka chari o ba tinga". a loyal citizen does not abandon his fatherland.
Naawuni ni zoogi so, sal' ningsim ku tooi filimo". the one who has been nurtured by God to progress, a human cannot cause to retrogress.
Somoa bɛ zɔri ka chɛri o ba dabɔɣu
ŋuni n nam kuli
Aburu kaleem luwa
Somoa bɛ zɔri ka chɛri o ba dabɔɣu
Ka zaa n kuni kumbuŋ n ti ŋmani kumbuŋnima
Kari-Naa kikaa, a yi kuli piɛbi a ni bori shɛm, bɛ yɛn piɛbila a ni jɛ shɛm.
Zanduli ka chandi, Bagbani ka labiga.
Yɔɣu bia n dooi baŋa, ka di biɛri yɔɣunima. ŋun gba bora ŋun dooi.
ŋun chaŋ Savelugu wum o zilima ni labi zɔɣu.
Tuɣulan Damba, kpaakpuliŋ!
Bɛ yɛliya ni Tamale pala tiŋa. Ti kuli ʒimi ka yi kana. Ti kuli lahi yɛn ʒimi ka yi kuli.
Gbalonim baamaya, biɛɣuni sa lan kani?
Nyinbun-Naa baa yuli- soya wɔliya.
Pishiɣu-nim baamaaya, sirigi lu tandɔɣu ni.
Suɣulolan n diri o ba yuli
Suɣulo yi beni chinchini ni kpe gaɣali ni.
Suɣulo zuɣu ka dakoli nya paɣa, ka paɣ’lan nya bia.
Suɣulo mali nyɔri, suli n ka shɛli.
A yi niŋ Suɣulo ka bi di nyɔri, a bi niŋmi paai.
Din chani yuŋ ka kari a yaanim ŋɔ, ka a dii che ka biɛɣu neei.
Zolɔɣu ŋun bori yom, ŋun ka binkpaɣili marigira.
Lu ka n lu m-maani bahi diɛma
Yiya yi baa kpirila kum.
Nubil yini ku pii kuɣili
Din tuli zuɣu ka Naawuni nam kparima ayi.
Niri laɣirila jaŋ’ zori ni a doli ti pani tia zuɣu ka o paai ti a.
Din nam kamli, din n nam kamto.
Bihi yi zabiri saɣim zuɣu, bahi n ti diri li.
ŋun doli soli ka ŋuni n dari mɔɣu. Do zaa kunila Yaakuba yili.
ŋun duɣi juɣu, ŋun n dɔɣi suliga ni tɔrili
Din nam kamli, din n nam kamto
Bia ŋun nuu viɛla, ŋun n samdi kpɛm dɔri.
Bia ŋun duri ti’suŋ, ŋun ka ninkura tabira.
Gampiriga din mali mahim, din ka zɔna gɔnda.
Soli din viɛla ni laɣim so’chandiba.
Kuli noli din viɛla ni laɣim nyuriba
Baa lan zuɣu ka bi shini baa
ŋun bɔri o vum, ŋun’ n chimdi o gabo.
 Lana piligu ka a yɛn baŋ ni di ni yi poli.
Buɣim yi na bi di, sakɔri bi puhiri taba ni ti zuɣu suŋ
Tarim barila o buŋa, ka o naba vuri tiŋa.
Noonbil ŋun yuli ʒɛm o kpuŋkpaŋ, ŋun’ ka bihi shɛra.
ŋun tum ka di bie, ŋun’ n gbili tibili.
Lana piligu ka a yɛn baŋ ni din’ yi pɔli.
Naɣ’so ŋun ka Zuli, Naawuni
Dɔli ni yaari shɛm, ka lala ka ti ŋmɛra
San’ kutooi baŋ kabira saɣim
A yi ʒili juɣu talla, a bi lahi wuhiri o tiŋkpansi.
San’ waɣinli dolila tiŋbi’jia

Appellations

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