"He who rides the horse does not know the..." - Hausa Proverb

“He who rides the horse does not know the ground is hot.”

- Hausaleadership

Meaning

Leaders in positions of privilege may be unaware of the suffering of ordinary people.

Hausa equestrian culture distinguishes mounted nobles from foot travelers. This proverb reminds the powerful to stay aware of common hardships.

Origin

Hausa

Language

Hausa

“A king who does not know his people is not a king but a prison warden.”

Ghanaian

“The one nearest to the fire warms himself first.”

Nigerian

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