Mombe yenzuma kufuma ivete kufunga chakadya nyanga dzayo
A hornless ox lying down early in the morning, puzzles over what ate up/ hindered the growth of its horns.
Tsanagudzo
Kuona munhu akanyarara achipishana nepfungwa panguva yekushanda kana kuti ari makuseni anenge achinetseka nezviri pamoyo wake
What the Words Say
A hornless ox lying down early in the morning, puzzles over what ate up/ hindered the growth of its horns.
What It Means
A person will ponder persistently over something, which affects him deeply particularly at a time when they are meant to be working or productive.
Cultural Context
The proverb is a summation of the sight of the hornless ox in the early hours struggling to get up to assist in ploughing the fields. In our culture, people wake up early in the morning to do their daily chores (as observed in the saying Basa Mangwanana meaning work is done in the morning). It is hence of great concern if someone is not able to work at that time due to stress or illness. This was observed rather comically as the ox brooding over its most dire troubles, which are the fact that it is without horns while other cattle have horns.
How It's Used
The application of this proverb is both in relation to those who have lost their strength or outstanding abilities or those who are stressed from the same in comparison with those who are excelling. It is used to great effect in humoring over lost glory but can also be used in observance of certain quiet behaviours, which relate to brooding or sombre reflection. While its humuor uses are quite obvious for mocking, it is actually a very serious proverb relating to stress.