Skip to content
Igbo proverb

Ogbenye anaghị ata anya ehi.

What someone can claim may depend on their standing.

Literal translation
A poor person does not eat a cow's eye.
Explanation
This older saying reflects an unequal distribution of prized portions. It describes a social expectation rather than a rule to follow.
When to use it
When discussing how rank once shaped who received a valued share.

Source: Anyabuike, proverb 35.