Ashamba haanokorerwi

Munhu ane tsika neunhu anofanirwa kuremekedzwa.

One who has washed does not have sadza broken off for him (is not helped to food).

A cultured person is entitled to proper respect.

It is always good manners to wash one’s hands before eating. In traditional settings, food was often served to a group of people in two plates, one for sadza and another for relish. Everyone would eat from the same plates using their hands meaning that cleanliness was critical for everyone to enjoy the meal. If one did not wash their hands someone else would have to assist them to eat in the same way a young child is assisted to eat. Hence in this proverb the act of washing hands is considered a sign of a cultured person who exposes both good manners and good character. And as such our elders were teaching us that such person must be accorded their rightful respect.

The proverb is used to encourage respect for those who have shown good manners and behaviour and inversely to encourage good manners and behavior in order to receive much deserved respect.