African proverbs are weighty words spoken by the wise to advise and instruct profoundly.

The combination of words used in proverbial expressions, when considered literarily, often appear ridiculous. I have always been fascinated by this aspect of language.

English idioms also, for example, “making silk purses out of sow’s ears”, could conjure a scene in one’s mind where sows (female pigs) are bred for the sole purpose of having their ears cut off and machined into silk purses.

Now enabled by drawing and painting skills, I have decided to explore the humour in some selected African proverbs and English idioms. These are rendered comically here as seriously unserious.

Enjoy the view.