Nhamo inhamo, amai havaroodzwi
Hardships are hardships but one cannot marry off their mother
Tsanagudzo
Izvi zvinotaurwa kana munhu wasvikirwa nenhamo isina mhinuduro zvichireva kuti kunyangwe munhu atambura zvakadii pane zvimwe zvisingaitwe.
What the Words Say
Hardships are hardships but one cannot marry off their mother
What It Means
No matter what difficulties or hardships one may face there are certain things they cannot do and certain levels one must not sink.
Cultural Context
It was not unusual in ancient times to marry off a daughter as a means to arrest hardships and poverty. But even in those times for one to marry off their mother was considered a taboo and the ultimate loss of dignity and family esteem. It is from this understanding that this proverb was formed. Even though in contemporary times marrying off one's daughter out of hardships is not condoned and in some cases legally prohibited, the meaning of the proverb still resonates in that not even desperate measures can warrant someone even considering marrying off one's mother.
How It's Used
Today it is a self strengthening statement or a strong admonishment to someone else. Hence it can be used by one who is faced with an insurmountable hardship to strengthen themselves and ensure they do not go well beyond the depths of respect and self or family esteem. On the other hand it can be used by one to remind someone who is about to do the unthinkable that if they go down that road they would be literally "marrying off their mother". Hence this can be construed as a proverb of obstinance to state that as a people we have minimum standards that should not permanently damage our self or family esteem.