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Shona Definition
Kana mweni akapiwa kudya akadya, chinenge chasara paari kuoneka kuti achienda. Kupa munhu chinhu chaanenge avinga kunoreva kuti wapedza naye, ngaachienda.
English Translation
The one who has given you food is hungry himself. A guest who has been fed has nothing left to do but say his farewells, and in the same way handing a person the thing he came for tells him your business together is over. Be sparing, then, with what you do for others, if you want them to stay near you and to keep their regard for you.
Cultural Context
“Rests on the custom whereby serving a guest a meal politely marks the end of the visit.”
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This is a variant of
Kubikira mweni / kumudzingaOnce you have put food on the fire for a guest, you have in effect told him to leave.