In the book, Proverbial Wisdom From Guyana, the reader is introduced to some proverbs from Guyana that provide insight into the values and ethics of the community that developed them, but despite their communal origins, they have a universal meaning that offers heartfelt lessons to people worldwide. This article examines some similarities between Guyanese proverbs and other proverbs in the diaspora.
Have you ever wondered how similar Guyanese proverbs are to other proverbs in the African Diaspora?
Although the book, Proverbial Wisdom from Guyana, focuses on proverbs in the Guyanese community it offers so much more. Guyanese proverbs do not exist in a vacuum but are embedded in the African diaspora. As a result, commonalities can be seen in proverbs from Africa, from the Caribbean and even other parts of the world.
Parallel Threads are seen in Caribbean Proverb
1. Proverb
Man dead grass grow at his door. (Guyana)
Man dead grass grow at his door mouth. (Jamaica & Trinidad)
Meaning
As long as authority is absent, subordinated do what they please.
2. Proverb
If man does not like you he will give you a basket to carry water. (Guyana)
If man hates you he will give you a fork to drink soup and a basket to carry water. (Jamaica)
Never give a man basket to carry water. (Trinidad)
Meaning
One’s enemies give one impossible tasks to perform
3. Proverb
Moon runs until day catches it. (Guyana)
Moon does run but day does catch him. (Jamaica)
Meaning
The disobedient person will meet with misfortune
4. Proverb
The pickney who does not hear his mother will feel. (Guyana)
Pickney who does not hear his mother will have to drink hot water without sugar. (Trinidad)
Meaning
The disobedient child will meet with misfortune
5. Proverb
Do not take a bird if you do not have a cage. (Guyana)
Get cage before you get bird. (Trinidad)
Meaning
Make adequate preparations before undertaking a venture.
6. Proverb
Jail was not made for dogs. (Guyana)
Goal was not made for dogs. (Trinidad)
Meaning
Prison is not so bad after all, as it was made for man.
7. Proverb
Do not see something in the day and take a fire-stick to look for it at night. (Guyana)
Only a fool will see something in daytime and take fire-stick to look for it in the night. (Trinidad)
Meaning
It is unwise to be in a position to achieve something good, spurn that opportunity, and then strive after the same good when circumstances are very disadvantageous.
Parallel threads are seen between Caribbean and West African proverbs
1. Proverb
The stone at the bottom of the river does not know how the sun is hot (Guyana)
The stone in the water does not know how hot the hill is parched by the sun (Nigeria)
Rock stone at the river bottom never feel sun hot (Jamaica)
Meaning
The rich never know the discomfort of the poor.
2. Proverb
The young wild hog asked his mother, “mama what are the warts in your face?” She replied, “by and by you will have seen it already.” (West African)
“Pig asked his mother what make her mouth long so,” mother said, “Wait, you are growing, you will meet it.” (Guyana)
Meaning
Do not laugh at another’s misfortune, as you may suffer in the same way.
3. Proverb
When the cat is not there, the rat takes over (Guyana)
The cat is not at home because of that the mice are playing” (West African, Hausa).
When the cat dies, the mice rejoices (West African, Ashanti).
Meaning
When authority is absent, subordinates are happy and do what they please.
4. Proverb
Everything has an end (Tanzania)
The longest rope has an end (Guyana)
Meaning
Nothing lasts forever
5. Proverb
Even the night has ears (Guyana)
Bush have ears; and the dirt has a tongue (Guyana)
Even flies have ears (Tanzania)
Meaning
Secrets or misdeeds committed covertly will eventually surface
6. Proverb
When you go to the rat’s house and he eats palm nut kernels, you eat some too. (Ashanti)
When you go to the country where the people are dancing with one foot, dance with one foot too. (Guyana)
One finger can’t pick louse (Guyana)
One finger will not kill a louse (Swahili)
Meaning
We need to cooperate to succeed.
7. Proverb
If the fish comes out of the water and says the eyes of the crocodile are one in number, who is going to argue with him (Hausa)
If an Apopokiki from the bottom of the river says that the crocodile is sick, then it is truly sick (Ghana)
If patwa (fish) come out of the trench bottom and say huri (fish) is there, believe him (Guyana)
If the fish comes out of the sea and tells you that alligator have fever believe him (Jamaica)
Meaning
One should listen to those in a better position to offer advise
I trust that you enjoyed this series of articles which introduced some proverbs from Guyana and that gained more insight into the values and ethics of the community that developed them. The book Proverbial Wisdom From Guyana can be purchased on Amazon.
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