What Is the Origin of the Phrase “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child’?
“It takes a village to raise a child” is an Igbo and Yoruba proverb that exists in many different African languages. It reflects the emphasis African cultures place on family and community and may have its origins in a biblical worldview.
This proverb is so widely used in Africa that there are equivalent statements in most African languages, including “One knee does not bring up a child” in Sukuma and “One hand does not nurse a child” in Swahili. The widespread use of this proverb by cultures around the world shows its timelessness and relevancy. The saying is used in America to evoke feelings of community on the small scale as well as on the national and even global scale.
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