Kushaya mano kwaanakamba kwokusekana makwati

Havzvina hungwaru kushora munhu mukushaisha kwemunoita mese kana kushoropodzana kwevanhu vari mumatambudziko mamwe chete.

It is a lack of intelligence of tortoises to laugh at each other’s shells.

It is unwise to humour about or look down at those in the same situation as yours. A similar saying in english is the case of the pot calling the kettle black.

The tortoise is considered a disadvantaged creature in many regards including its slow pace and the burden of carrying a shell for all its days. However if a tortoise would laugh at another tortoise for the same afflictions it would be considered highly unintelligent and unstrategic. Our ancestors used this example to highlight that some people show levels of foolishness by looking down or laughing at those who in the same boat as them. Instead this where they should show sympathy and combine efforts to address the common challenges in order to relieve both parties of the affliction.

The proverb is used as an observation of the kind of foolishness that involves making fun or looking down at someone afflicted by the same challenges as oneself. Inversely it is used as advice that one must show solidarity with those who are facing the same challenge and should in fact work together to address mutual challenges. Oddly it can also be used by those laughing at each other to generate humour at what they facing and thereby lighten the moment or burden.