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Shona Definition
Munhu ari pasi kana kuti ari pachinzvimbo chiri pasi haangagoni kuzvifananidza nouyo ari pamusoro pake mukuita zvaanoda. Anoita zvaanoda ndishe, kwete uya ari pasi pashe; haangaiti kuda kwake sezvinoita ishe.
English Translation
However much a crow scrubs itself, it stays black: a person of lower rank cannot put himself on a level with his superior and act as he pleases, since it is the chief, not his subject, who does as he wishes.
Cultural Context
“Used as a reminder to keep to one's own station, where those above give the orders and those below carry them out.”
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