1. Ĩlata ya mbua ti ĩlata ya sua. Rain’s footprint is not the sun’s footprint.

Kamba believed that if the sun was extremely hot during the dry season it was a sign for heavy rain at the end of the season. Then the rain had to stop and give the sun its chance to brood the crops in order to ripen. The footsteps of the two were different – while the sun can wither plant life, rain could destroy or nourish crops.

2. Kana kaketũũa thano kambĩĩaa ũkolotya mbuanĩ. A child who gets diarrhoea during the dry season begins farting during the rainy season.

Diarrhoea was common during the rainy season due to contaminated water. Numerous proverbs used diarrhoea as a symbol of things to come. Thus, this ancient proverb means that future events can be detected by observing certain signs.

3. Katu nĩ ka mbua. A little cloud signals rain.

This proverb emerged during the first millennium era with the rise of farming. Farmers were keen to observe rain patterns. Whenever Kamba saw clouds they knew that rain would soon follow. It means certain things can be predicted through observation. The second interpretation is that the only useful cloud is the one bearing rain. Here, the meaning would be to stop pursuing ventures that will not bring profit at the end.

4. Kwakya kũte katu. It is a cloudless dawn.

This is an old expression of ‘the writing is on the wall’ or ‘your goose is cooked’. It alludes to daybreaks in Ũkamba that often start out with clear skies. This clearness symbolizes clarity, openness, and the end of all problems.

5. Mũthenya wĩ mbua ndwĩ matu. The day rain will fall has no clouds.

This adage points to the unpredictability of things. The Kamba made close observations and concluded that weather was hardly predictable. While certain clouds may indicate an impending rainfall, a day with clear skies in the morning can turn rainy in the afternoon. The proverb has multiple implications: while predictability is still guaranteed, there are things that are abrupt and unpredictable.

6. Matukũ oonthe ti wa sikũkũ. Not all days are holidays.

This axiom emerged after independence, before which the term sikũ kũũ – Swahili for the great day or holiday – was not used. Since independence, the Kenyan government has established twelve national holidays during which people rest and revel.