Dar es Salaam, Oct. 1 -- THE Swahili proverb “Zimwi likujualo halikuli, likakwisha” is a traditional saying about familiarity, relationships, and the limits of harm.

Meaning

Literally, it means:

“A monster that knows you does not eat you; eventually, it passes away.”

The deeper meaning is that someone who knows you well-even if they are powerful, dangerous, angry, or capable of harming you-may spare you because of the relationship or familiarity between you.

The proverb can also express the idea that a difficult situation or threatening person may eventually lose its power over you.

For example, if someone says:

“Usiogope sana huyo mtu; zimwi likujualo halikuli, likakwisha.”

They may mean:

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