Zvine manenji kuti gudo ripunzike mumuti; Zvine manenji dede kuwa mumuti; Zvine manenji kuti mutiro aputsike mumuti
It is shocking for a baboon to fall from a tree.
Tsanagudzo
Nyangwe nyanzvi inokwanisa kukundikana muchinhu chainozivisisa kana kugona
What the Words Say
It is shocking for a baboon to fall from a tree.
What It Means
Even as an expert or a maestro may still make errors or stumble in their area of expertise.
Cultural Context
It will always be alarming to see an adult baboon fall from a tree on its own. This is the one thing that the ape is seen as being an expert in, hence such an act would leave everyone perplexed and in a state of bewilderment. Some would have even taken this as a sign of imminent misfortune. But for our elders this was reflective of the fact that even the best may stumble or make errors in areas they are most capable. Often times people assume that one who is experienced and an expert in a certain area will never fail at that task. As such, from this proverb, it must be observed that even the best of us can make mistakes.
How It's Used
The proverb is used as a comment on the setbacks and mishaps that may happen to the one with the most experience and expertise for the task at hand. It can also be used to express shock at such an occurrence happening.