Mumuromo mumba munogara makatsvairwa
The mouth is like a homestead which must be constantly cleaned.
Tsanagudzo
Munhu anogara achifara, munhu anogara achidya achiguta misi yose.
What the Words Say
The mouth is like a homestead which must be constantly cleaned.
What It Means
One who is happy is one who constantly has enough to eat.
Cultural Context
The proverb relates to the importance of feeding regularly or having the means to feed. The imagery is particularly rich in that it shows similarity in the rolling of morsels in the mouth with the sweeping strokes applied to the home in order to keep it clean. Just as a house is constantly cleaned for it to look good and habitable the mouth must be constantly fed. Hence our elders were reflecting on the importance of feeding or ensuring one has the means to feed regularly.
How It's Used
The proverb is used to communicate with others on the importance of feeding. It can also be used to advice people to be hospitable in the form of attending to the stomach needs of visitors first before anything else.