Chembere masikati usiku imvana
An aged/old woman by day but a young mother by night.
Tsanagudzo
Vamwe vanhu vanokwanisa kuvanza mamwe maitiro avo kana vari paruzhinji asi kana vari pakahwanda vane mamwe maitiro.
What the Words Say
An aged/old woman by day but a young mother by night.
What It Means
People may show one side of themselves in public and another in a more private or hidden space.
Cultural Context
The proverb uses imagery by contrasting day and night to resemble public and hidden spaces. It also contrasts two different types of women. The old lady is rarely seen after dark. The fact that the two can be one person but different in two dissimilar spaces means there is a clear element of deception.
How It's Used
The proverb can be applied in any scenario where a person is deceptive by showing different characteristics or values in public or during the day from those in private or in a hidden space (in the dark). Indirectly it teaches that one should try to know someone both in public and private before they can fully trust or understand the person.