Among Somali nomads, life unfolds beneath a vast sky where the horizon stretches endlessly, and every dune shifts with the will of the wind. Their proverbs reflect this worldview, in which fate, divine guidance, and human humility stand at the center of wisdom. The desert teaches that no person, no matter how skilled, can control every outcome. Rain may fall or fail. The herd may flourish or perish. A sandstorm may wash away a road planned. Thus, wisdom begins with accepting the limits of human power and learning to walk with patience, trust, and adaptability.
In this worldview, destiny is not seen as a rigid script but as a set of tracks laid by a higher hand, tracks that humans follow, interpret, or sometimes stumble across unexpectedly. Much like reading camel tracks in the sand, understanding fate requires attention, humility, and spiritual awareness. While effort is valued, the desert reminds its people that the final say always belongs to God. The proverbs below reflect this outlook: that life is unpredictable, human strength is finite, and true peace comes from embracing both effort and surrender.
Proverbs List
The Uncertainty of Life
- “Cirku maalin walba midab buu yeeshaa.”
Meaning: The sky changes color daily, life is always shifting. - “Ninkii socday salkii wuu ogyahay.”
Meaning: Only the traveler knows the difficulties of the road. - “Fadhiga nabad, socodka nasiib.”
Meaning: Staying put brings safety; journeying depends on luck. - “Nin aan helin hal ma helo.”
Meaning: A man who is not destined to find one camel will not find any. - “Roobku nin uun ma doorto.”
Meaning: Rain chooses no one; blessings are unpredictable. - “Meel la mooday ma dhaqaaqdo.”
Meaning: The place you assume is safe may betray you. - “Dabaysha socota lama celin karo.”
Meaning: You cannot stop a blowing wind—some events cannot be controlled. - “Cidladu marna saaxiib ma noqoto.”
Meaning: The wilderness never becomes a friend—life’s harsh realities remain. - “Faraska ordaya ciribtiisa lama arko.”
Meaning: Fast-changing situations are hard to track. - “Nin rajo la’aan ah, socod ma leh.”
Meaning: Without hope, no journey begins. - “Sahanka hore seegay sahanka dambe ma gaaro.”
Meaning: If you miss the early signs, you may miss the destination. - “Geeljiruhu raadkiisa ma raaco.”
Meaning: A herder cannot always follow his own preferred path—circumstances decide. - “Caws durugsan iyo nasiib durugsanba waa la raadiyaa.”
Meaning: You search for distant pasture just as you search for uncertain fortune. - “Da’da socota lama celiyo.”
Meaning: Passing time cannot be stopped. - “Nin walba wuxuu la kulmaa waxa qoran.”
Meaning: Everyone meets what is written for them. - “Dhul gariir maalin aamusnaan ma yeelato.”
Meaning: Turmoil always reveals itself eventually. - “Mar haddii la dhoobay, lama daadino.”
Meaning: Once something is destined to happen, it cannot be undone. - “Biyo socda cagaha lama geli karo.”
Meaning: One cannot stand against unstoppable events. - “Nin is yidhi wuu gaariyaa, waa kii la gaarsiiyay.”
Meaning: The one who arrives is the one whom destiny carries, not just the one who tries. - “Hadal daruur ayaa ka horreeya.”
Meaning: Signs often come before events, like clouds before rain.
Fate and Divine Will
- “Qadar Eebbe lama moogaan karo.”
Meaning: No one can escape God’s decree. - “Dibnaha waa la dhaqaajiyaa, jawaabtu waa Eebbe.”
Meaning: Humans make requests; God decides the outcome. - “Alle wuu kala qori karaa, adna waad kala ordi kartaa.”
Meaning: God writes destinies; you merely run through them. - “Gacantaadaad ku shaqaysaa, Eebbana ku siiya.”
Meaning: You work with your hands; God provides the results. - “Nin Alla rumaysan, nasiibka ma cabsiiyo.”
Meaning: Faith makes one fearless before fate. - “Qof walba Alla qoriqii buu qaadaa.”
Meaning: Everyone carries their divinely written share. - “Adduun waa ammin iyo amar Eebbe.”
Meaning: Time and God’s command govern the world. - “Hal qoran iyo hal la heliba waa kala daran.”
Meaning: What is destined and what is earned are not equal in weight. - “Qofka Eebbe la jiro lama lumiyo.”
Meaning: One with divine support cannot be lost. - “Hadalka waa la odhan karaa, dhaca waa Eebbe.”
Meaning: You may speak your plans; God brings what happens. - “Nin aan la rabin meelna kuma raago.”
Meaning: A person unfavored by fate finds no lasting place. - “Qofna kama horreeyo Qadara.”
Meaning: No one outruns destiny. - “Qandaraaska Eebbe lagama noqdo.”
Meaning: No one can revoke God’s contract. - “Barako waa qoran tahay.”
Meaning: Blessing is predestined. - “Nin la siiyay lama diido, nin laga qaaday lama hayn karo.”
Meaning: You cannot refuse what you are given or keep what is taken by fate. - “Qofna nasiibkiisa meel kale kama xigto.”
Meaning: No one finds their fortune outside their destiny. - “Eebbe marka uu leeyahay, ‘Yeel’, waxay noqotaa.”
Meaning: When God wills “Be,” it becomes reality. - “Ninkii duceeya wuu helaa.”
Meaning: The one who prays receives, by divine timing. - “Rabbi raggaba wuu kaxeeyaa, raatiba wuu rarayaa.”
Meaning: God guides both people and animals. - “Nin Eebbe u qalamay, dunidu ka qarin mayso.”
Meaning: One marked by divine decree cannot be hidden from their destiny.
Accepting Limits
- “Nin aan awood lahayn orod uma bogin.”
Meaning: One without strength cannot run, know your limits. - “Lug aan tabar lahayn socod ma jecle.”
Meaning: A weak leg dislikes walking, people avoid burdens they cannot bear. - “Ninka wax maqli kari waaya, wax ma arki karo.”
Meaning: One who cannot listen cannot perceive reality. - “Adag iyo dabacsanba waa la kala yaqaanaa.”
Meaning: Strength and weakness each have their roles. - “Nin aan wax garan, wax ma garto.”
Meaning: Ignorance blinds judgment. - “Mid aan dabayl qaadi karin, hadalku wuu qaadaa.”
Meaning: If wind can’t carry you, your own words may, caution with pride. - “Meel aanad gaadhi karin, ha ku riyoon.”
Meaning: Do not dream of places you cannot reach. - “Awood la’aan lama fali karo.”
Meaning: Without ability, deeds cannot be done. - “Dhibkaaga aqoon waa dawadiisa.”
Meaning: Knowing your problem is part of solving it. - “Nin aan hadal xukumin, hawl ma xukumo.”
Meaning: One who cannot control speech cannot control actions. - “Hadalka waa la yareeyaa, waxse la kordhiyaa.”
Meaning: Speak less, act more, wisdom recognizes limits. - “Hilib aanad calfan karin ha jarin.”
Meaning: Don’t take on what you cannot finish. - “Libaax aan qancin, wax ma qabsado.”
Meaning: Even the strong are limited when they lack resources. - “Qof walba gaabsan buu leeyahay.”
Meaning: Everyone has boundaries. - “Biyo la’aan geel ma socdo.”
Meaning: Even the strong depend on resources. - “Naftaada aqoon waa jaaniskaaga.”
Meaning: Knowing your limits gives you strength. - “Gacanta gaaban gaadhi ma gaarto.”
Meaning: A short hand cannot reach far, effort has limits. - “Cidi ma dhaafi karto xaqiiqda jirta.”
Meaning: No one escapes reality. - “Ninka aan sabir lahayn safar ma dhammeeyo.”
Meaning: Without patience, no journey is complete. - “Jir aan tabar lahayn socod ma qaado.”
Meaning: Without strength, progress is impossible.
Time, Change, and Impermanence
- “Waqtigu wuu wareegaa.”
Meaning: Time turns like a wheel. - “Maanta waa halkii shalay.”
Meaning: Today sits where yesterday sat, life repeats patterns. - “Waqti la lumay ma soo noqdo.”
Meaning: Lost time never returns. - “Dab qoldhigay qiiq kama haro.”
Meaning: Every fire leaves smoke, events leave traces. - “Duni maanta kaa qososha berri kaa oohisa.”
Meaning: The world that laughs with you today may weep with you tomorrow. - “Roobku wuu da’a, oo wuu joogsadaa.”
Meaning: Storms come and go, nothing lasts forever. - “Tir aan dhammayn, muddo ma noola.”
Meaning: A time uncompleted will not continue. - “Dabaysha maanta kaa kaxaysa berri ku dhallisa.”
Meaning: Winds that scatter you today may gather you tomorrow. - “Cimiladu qofna uma sugto.”
Meaning: Weather waits for no one, time moves on. - “Samo iyo xumo waa mataano.”
Meaning: Good and bad come together; life is mixed. - “Il la xidhay iftiin ma aragto.”
Meaning: Closed eyes cannot see light, opportunity requires awareness. - “Waqtiga soo socda lama joojin karo.”
Meaning: The future cannot be halted. - “Hadhow waa hadhow.”
Meaning: Later is later, time has its own pace. - “Berri maalin kale ma aha.”
Meaning: Tomorrow is not just another today, it holds difference. - “Geed da’ ah dabayl yar baa fujisa.”
Meaning: Even the old and strong can fall easily, nothing is permanent. - “Qorraxdu sidii shalay uma soo baxdo.”
Meaning: The sun never rises exactly as it did yesterday. - “Nin aan waqtigiisa garan, nasiibkiisa ma garto.”
Meaning: Understanding timing leads to understanding destiny. - “Wadadu marna ma noqoto sidii hore.”
Meaning: The road never remains the same, change is constant. - “Sannad walba ubax cusub buu leeyahay.”
Meaning: Every year brings its own beauty. - “Raadkii shalay dabayl baa tirta.”
Meaning: Yesterday’s footprints are erased by the wind.
Lessons from the Desert
- “Ciidduna raad bay qariisaa.”
Meaning: Sand hides tracks, truth sometimes disappears. - “Dabayshu ninka taag yar way rartaa.”
Meaning: The weak are easily swept by circumstances. - “Orod aan talo lahayn baahi buu dhashaa.”
Meaning: Rushing without wisdom leads to trouble. - “Geed aan la beerin hadh ma bixiyo.”
Meaning: Blessings come to those who invest effort. - “Nabadi waa socod dheer.”
Meaning: Peace is a long journey, not a quick step. - “Meel aanad aqoon, raad kuma oga.”
Meaning: You cannot read tracks in an unfamiliar land. - “Wadadu qof walba wey tustaa, nasiibse qof yar.”
Meaning: Many see the road; few find fortune. - “Nin safar ku liita, nasiibna wuu ku liitaa.”
Meaning: Poor travelers often have poor fortune. - “Geel la lumay raadkiisa waa murugo.”
Meaning: Lost opportunities bring sorrow. - “Hadh iyo heegad midna kama hadho.”
Meaning: Both shade and heat fade, nothing lasts. - “Ciidda duusha meel walba way degtaa.”
Meaning: Drifting sand settles anywhere, life takes unexpected turns. - “Nin aan sahay lahayn, saddex maalin socon karo.”
Meaning: No one can journey long without preparation. - “Dabayshu raadkeeda ma muujiso.”
Meaning: Some forces leave no trace, destiny works invisibly. - “Geesi aan nasiib lahayn, guul ma helo.”
Meaning: Bravery without luck gains nothing. - “Qof walba raadkiisa wuu leeyahay.”
Meaning: Everyone has their own life path. - “Dib u noqosho waa aragti.”
Meaning: Retreat can be wisdom. - “Doqonku raad ma akhriyo.”
Meaning: Fools ignore signs around them. - “Dhul cusub nasiib cusub buu keenaa.”
Meaning: New lands bring new fortune. - “Cir duuban roob buu xanbaarsan yahay.”
Meaning: Dark clouds carry rain, signs foreshadow outcomes. - “Nin aan ogayn waxa horyaalla, waxa dambee ma oga.”
Meaning: If you cannot see ahead, you cannot foresee the future. - “Ceeb waa raad aan duugoobin.”
Meaning: Shame leaves lasting tracks. - “Cimrigaaga cid kale ma qaadi karto.”
Meaning: No one can take your lifespan, your destiny is yours. - “Halgankii dhacay, raad baa ka haray.”
Meaning: Every struggle leaves a mark. - “Dhul furan, nasiib furan.”
Meaning: Open spaces bring open possibilities. - “Hankaagu waa hoggaankaaga.”
Meaning: Your aspirations lead your path. - “Nin aan la socon dabaysha, ciidduna way daboolaysaa.”
Meaning: One who ignores change will be buried by it. - “Raad la waayo roob baa qaaday.”
Meaning: What disappears may simply be washed away by fate. - “Ciiddu ma xafiddo raadkii maalintii hore.”
Meaning: The desert forgets yesterday. - “Dhibicdu waxay noqotaa webi.”
Meaning: Small events shape great outcomes. - “Nin safar doortay nasiib buu doortay.”
Meaning: Choosing to journey is choosing to meet destiny.
Author’s Note
The desert teaches that life is both beautiful and uncertain. In translating and shaping these proverbs, I aimed to preserve the sense of humility, wonder, and trust that Somali nomads place in the unseen forces guiding the world. Fate is not an enemy to struggle against, but a vast landscape through which one walks with courage, patience, and open eyes. May these sayings remind you that while human effort matters deeply, peace often comes from accepting what lies beyond our control.
Knowledge Check
- Q: What is the central theme of “Tracks in the Sand”?
A: Fate, destiny, and the limits of human control. - Q: Why do desert environments shape ideas about unpredictability?
A: Because conditions like weather, water, and travel remain beyond human control. - Q: What do Somalis believe about divine will in relation to destiny?
A: That God’s decree ultimately determines life’s outcomes. - Q: What lesson is taught by proverbs about changing winds and shifting sands?
A: That life is constantly changing and cannot always be predicted. - Q: Why are tracks in the sand symbolic in these sayings?
A: They represent paths, signs, and the fragile nature of human plans. - Q: What quality is emphasized as essential for navigating fate?
A: Humility, accepting one’s limits and trusting higher guidance.
