Kandiro kanoenda kunobva kamwe (kandiro enda, kandiro dzoka)
A small plate (of food) goes where another comes from or a small dish goes whence a small dish comes back.
Tsanagudzo
Chiito chakanaka chinounza zvimwe zviito zvakanaka. Ukaitira munhu chakanaka newewo uchaitirwa zvakanaka uye ukaitirwa chakanaka ziva kuti unofanira kudzorera nechako chakanaka. Unoyamura anosikuyamurawo.
What the Words Say
A small plate (of food) goes where another comes from or a small dish goes whence a small dish comes back.
What It Means
One good turn deserves another. Favours go to those that have given them before.
Cultural Context
This proverb highlights the importance of generosity and good deeds. It uses the images of small dishes or plates whereby one can actually visusalize a plate of food going to a household or individual in need. That household or individual would then return the plate or a different plate with some food when they can. It looks at both the habits and expectations of the giver and the receiver.
How It's Used
The application of this proverb is both in relation to the one who does good deeds and the one who is a recipient of good deeds. Essentially one must do good deeds in order for them to also receive good deeds and when one receives a good deed they must return the deed. This is a key lesson to teach children even at an early stage through similar visual effects for instance exchanging cakes with neighbours or gifts with relatives.
Related Proverbs
Similar Kikuyu Proverb: Guthukagirio wanatega itega. The proverb means one favours the person from whom one has in the past received a gift, which translates as one good turn deserves another. number 45, 57