Ngbô atë mo, mo bâa kâmba, mo huru
“Once the fire has burned you, the sight of a rope makes you run.”
A painful past experience leaves a person wary even of harmless reminders of it.
— Traditional Central African Republic Wisdom, Central African Republic
Source: Traditional Central African Republic proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Central African Republic
The river does not fear the forest it flows through.
A person who knows their own strength and purpose stays confident even in unfamiliar or imposing surroundings.
One finger alone cannot lift a stone.
Difficult tasks require cooperation; no one accomplishes great things entirely alone.
The elephant never forgets the path to the water.
Experience and memory guide a wise person back to what truly sustains them.
A drum beaten with care is heard far beyond the village.
Work done with real effort and skill earns recognition well beyond where it was made.
Cassava planted out of season feeds no one.
Actions taken at the wrong time bring no benefit, no matter how good the intention.
An old tree stands because its roots go deep.
Age and endurance come from a strong foundation; respect the elders who built it.