Proverbial Wisdom From Guyana

Proverbial Wisdom from Guyana is a collection of 300 proverbs from Guyana. These proverbs give an insight into the wisdom and values of what people from Guyana believe to be true. Proverbs are viewed as strategies for dealing with situations and as a result, the proverbs in the book are divided into sections dealing with Advice, Threat, Indifference, Criticism and Encouragement.  Each proverb is written in creole in phonetic notation, followed by the literal translation, then the meaning of the proverb in standard English. 

For example: 

Creole: Nah tek bod an yu nah gyet keej

Translation: Do not take a bird if you do not have a cage

Meaning: Do not undertake a venture unless adequate preparations have been made.

Before each section a few proverbs are given in the context in which they may be used. 

Context: Although the symbols of a bird and cage are used, the proverb refers to man. It is frequently used in reference to young men about to be married who are not sufficiently secure financially to be able to support a wife.

 In the beginning of the book parallels are made between proverbs in Guyana, and proverbs in the Caribbean and in West Africa, thereby making a case for a common genetic ancestor.