In my last article, I shared some proverbs from my book Proverbial Wisdom From Guyana. We explored two categories in which Guyanese Creole proverbs are used; they were Advice and Warnings. In this article, we will explore Threat, Encouragement, Indifference, and Criticism.

 

c) Proverbs as Threats

These proverbs are used as a means of self-preservation. They are confrontational and are used to an aggressor whom one hopes to get even with at some time. They may also be viewed as tools for conflict resolution. If one is in an argument with another and is losing control, an apt proverb may be thrown in an opponent’s face. Some are a veiled threat and carry the efficacy of a curse.

Examples of Usage

Time longer than twine.

(time laanger dan twine).

An injured party out for revenge may tell an opponent that time longer than twine. This concise maxim reminds the listener that time’s infinity allows the offended person adequate scope for avenging himself/herself. One must be careful what one does, as, given enough time, one will reap the consequences. The offender should always be on guard as the wronged person can seek revenge at any time.

The hole you dig for me, you will fall in it.

(De hole you dig fu me, you gon fall in am).

Often, two females get into a dispute, because they are rivals for the same male. In an argument, when insults begin to fly, this proverb may be thrown as a threat to maim the adversary. If one rival believes that the other is working evil or obeah, she will threaten the other that her evil will turn against her.

Others in this category include:

1. First laugh is not the end.

(Fus laff in de ending).

2. Today for me, tomorrow for you.

(today fu me tamarow fu you).

3. Every dog has his day.

(Every daag gat he day).

4. Spit up to the sky, and it will fall in your face.

(Spit a de sky, he sah faal a yuh face).

5. It is fastness (inquisitiveness) that caused Anansi to live in the rafters.

(A fas mek Anansi de a hous tap).

 

d) Proverbs of Encouragement

Life never runs smoothly and proverbs serve the purpose of instilling hope and building confidence and encouragement when one is confronted with adversity. These may be used to placate a disappointed person experiencing a sense of hopelessness. These also serve to inspire one to work harder in the face of disappointment, to gird oneself to face the inevitable, and to encourage relentless perseverance in striving to achieve one’s goals. These are motivational expressions to keep one going in the face of physical or emotional agony or disaster. More often the proverb is told to one by someone else.  However, speakers also apply proverbs to self or talk to themselves in proverbs. This is called “idionarration.”

Examples of Usage

Jug fell down and the water was thrown away, but the jug was not broken.

(jug fall down, water throw way but e na brok).

This proverb is frequently used to encourage someone not to be disheartened for all is not lost. It could be used in regard to a woman who suffered a miscarriage as a means of assuring her that although an opportunity may be lost, there is still hope for obtaining the desired child in the future.

Perseverance may lead to success for those who believe that

 to walk for nothing is better than to sit down for nothing,

(walk fu noting beta than sit down fu noting).

In times of economic woes, when downsizing seems to be the order of the day, causing many to lose their jobs, one very easily becomes despondent and does not feel inclined to go job hunting for fear of rejection. However, going to more interviews even after being rejected is better than staying at home under the pretext that one would not get the job after all. Since one has nothing to lose perseverance may lead to success.

Others in this category include:

1. Without pain, there is no gain .

(no pain, no gain).

2. When one door is closed, another opens .

(wen one door shut, anada one open).

3. There is a bend in every river.

(dere is a bend in every riva).

4. When one hand goes, another hand comes.

(haan guh, haan kom).

5. A big tree is not cut down with one blow.

(Big tree na cut down wid one blow).

 

e) Proverbs of Indifference

The proverbs in this section seem to reflect indifference to some situations. Perhaps this is a universal viewpoint based on the practice of not interfering in what is not one’s business. Many persons do not like to interfere in domestic altercations or family squabbles. This type of proverb seems to be suggesting that one needs to be impartial or neutral to a situation and seems to be stressing qualities of aloofness, detachment, disinterest, or lack of enthusiasm. Perhaps in life, some situations might indeed be beyond our control and therefore should be accepted for what they are.

Examples of Usage

The master’s bull; the master’s cow.

(Massa bull; massa cow).

Judge: Ramsingh, did you visit Henry on the twentieth of February last?

Ramsingh: Yes, your worship.

Judge: Tell the court what you saw.

Ramsingh: Me see Henry take a cutlass and chap (cut) up he wife.

Judge: What did you do?

Ramsingh: Nothing, sir.

Judge: Why didn’t you intervene?

Ramsing: Me a stranger, sir. Massa bul: massa cow.

This proverb must have come into existence during slavery or ‘massa day.’ It is used to bring out the meaning that one should not concern one’s self with what is not one’s affair. The proverb reflects on similar occurrences in the Guyana society that abounds with controversial male/female relationships and the incidents that result from them.

My navel string is buried here.

(Mi navel string bury hey). 

Someone who is challenged for returning to one’s community after living abroad or away from the community for some time may use this proverb to suggest indifference to others’ negativism and one’s unquestionable right to live in the specific location. In rural Guyana, some still follow the custom in which the umbilical cord (navel string) is buried under a fruit-bearing tree. This symbolizes that the child has a permanent claim to the community in which he or she was born.

Others in this category include:

1. The jail was not made for dogs.

(Jail aint mek fu dog). 

2. A man’s strength lies in his hand; a woman’s in her mouth

 (Man strength deh in he hand; a ooman strength de in she mout).

3. One’s family’s cutlass does not cut deeply.

(Family cutlass na a cut deep).

4. A new manager will make new rules.

(New maninja, new rule).

5. Blood follows the veins.

(Blud falah vein).

 

f) Proverbs of Criticism

In being critical, proverbs are meant to make one think carefully about social relationships, reassess one’s conduct, and seek to conform with accepted societal patterns. They serve to reveal certain attitudes important in social life and to remind one to weigh carefully all the possible consequences of one’s actions. Often they leave one perplexed to ponder and think seriously to fathom the meaning of the proverbs.

Examples of Usage

Monkey made his children till he spoiled them. 

(Monkey mek he pickney till he spoil am).

This proverb is critical of indulgent parents. It can be used in the context of parents who indulge their children’s every whim and desire. The proverb seems to suggest that the indulgent parent is also the senseless one, especially in matters relating to their children. Many parents do not rebuke their children because they fear annoying them and, as a result, allow them to be spoiled.

What the duck is bathing with, the fowl wants it to drink.

(Wa duck a bath wid, foul want fo drink).

This proverb is applicable in a situation in which poor underdeveloped countries need money for basic things like food, water, and healthcare while the rich individuals and rich countries can afford to squander money on luxury items and on space explorations.

Others in this category include:

1. Being far apart causes the okra to dry on the tree.

(far apa mek okra dry a tree).

2. Stone at the bottom of the river does not know how hot the sun is.

(stone deh battam riva he na know how hat sun is).

3. Goodness caused the frog not to have a tail today.

(goodness mek krapo in gat tail today).

4. If the ash is cold, the dog will lie down.

(Ashes cold, daag lie down).

5. It is better for one’s belly to burst, than to allow good food to be wasted.

(Beta belly buss dan good bittle (food) waste).

In my next article, we will continue exploring some commonalities between some Guyanese Creole proverbs and other proverbs in the diaspora. I look forward to sharing some more of my book Proverbial Wisdom From Guyana.