Uswa hwenyati (hwembizi) ndohuri mudumbu, huri pamuromo inofa nahwo
The grass of the buffalo (or Zebra) is in its belly, as for the grass on its mouth, it may die with it there.
Tsanagudzo
Munhu kana asati anyatsowana chinhu ngaarege kuvimba nacho zvichida pangave nechinoitika asati achiwana.
What the Words Say
The grass of the buffalo (or Zebra) is in its belly, as for the grass on its mouth, it may die with it there.
What It Means
One must not bank on success or gain until they have firmly secured it.
Cultural Context
Buffalos and zebras are herbivores hence they eat plants and grass only. The grass that they can claim to have eaten is the one that is already in the stomach. If the buffalo or zebra is killed then the grass that it is chewing or about to eat will remain on its mouth and hence it cannot lay claim to that grass. Our elders made the observation from this that one cannot count their success or gains unless they have fully secured them. And as such one must show determination or maintain a fighting spirit right to the end without assuming at any point to have secured something.
How It's Used
The proverb is used to warn against one counting their gains or success before one has fully secured them. It is also advice to encourage a “fighting to the end” spirit by ensuring one does not slacken or assume success until it is firmly secured.