This image of God having “wings,” even if it were recognized as being nonliteral, is too extraordinary to be meaningful in Chichewa/Chitonga. While God can be spoken of in anthropomorphic terms, one cannot attribute to him the features of an animal or bird, even figuratively. The associated ground of comparison is also quite unusual from their perspective, i.e., wings to provide refuge, shelter, protection, etc., instead of as a means of rapid transportation.

Source: Wendland 1987, p. 175.