In the book, Proverbial Wisdom From Guyana, the reader is introduced to two hundred and eighty proverbs from Guyana, that provide insights into the values and ethics of the community that developed them. What makes these proverbs truly meaningful and influential is that despite their communal origins, they have a universal meaning that offers heartfelt lessons to people worldwide.
Guyanese nationals, students of folklore, language and linguistics students and students of black studies would find this book of interest. One question that arises is:
How can proverbs help one to deal with situations in life?
The proverbs in the book, Proverbial Wisdom From Guyana, are organized into categories of Advice, Warning, Threat, Encouragement, Indifference and Criticism. Every day we are faced with situations that come under these umbrellas, and Guyanese Creole proverbs hold some answers confronting situations that arise.
a) Proverbs of Advice
Children are highly valued in the Guyanese community and proverbs are used as a means of transmitting values and encouraging appropriate behavior. In exercising authority, parents, elders, and older siblings use proverbs as didactic markers, to instruct those under their care. These proverbs that are primarily instructive are used as a measure of social control, as a behavior management technique, or as an educational tool. The chief function of this type of proverb is to make the listener look introspectively at his or her behavior, to weigh decisions before acting, and to invoke a kind of reflective, pensive mood in the listener before pursuing their actions.
Examples of Usage
Do not take a bird if you do not have a cage.
(na tek bird, if yu na get cage).
One is advised not to undertake a venture unless adequate preparations are made. The proverb is frequently used in reference to young men about to be married who are not financially secure to support a family.
Jackass ears are big, but be does not hear his own story.
(jackass ears big, he na hear he own story).
This proverb warns about the person who is always listening to and participating in gossip about others but is unaware that others are discussing a rumor about him or her.
Others in this category include:
1. When one hand washes the other, both become clean.
(Han’ wash han’, mek han’ kom clean).
2. Every day is not Christmas day.
(Every day na krismas day).
3. Every best friend has another best friend.
(Every bes friend gat another bes friend).
4. Two jackasses can’t bray one time.
(Two jackass kyan bray one time).
5. When you go to a crab dance, you must get mud.
(Wen yu gu a crab dans, yu mus get mud).
b) Proverbs of Warning
Parents often have cause to speak out in an angry or displeased manner when rebuking a child or to voice disapproval for their child’s behavior. For this reason, the proverbs in this category may be used by parents to chide or scold their children. They incorporate a measure of caution and are meant to reproach or warn in a mild and constructive manner,
Examples of Usage
If you play with the puppy, you will be bitten by the fleas.
(play with the puppy and you get bitten by the fleas).
This proverb warns against associating with undesirables. One must choose one’s friends wisely, for if one keeps company with shady characters, one will be influenced to act in like manner. Even the innocent who associates with disreputable characters is likely to be corrupted.
If you climb a papaw tree, it will bear for you.
(climb papaw tree and he bear for you).
The sexual connotation, that one should expect to suffer the consequences for sexual misdeeds, is implicit in this proverb. The proverb warns young people that pregnancy may result from illicit sexual activities or one may even catch a sexually transmitted disease.
Others in this category include:
1. The moon runs until daylight catches it.
(Moon a run till day ketch am).
2. Man cannot dance; he says the music is no good.
(Man kyan dance, he say music na good).
3. The child who does not hear his mother will feel.
(Pickney wah a hear muma he a feel).
4. Excessive hurrying makes bad curry.
(Hurry hurry mek bad curry).
5. Excessive play brings crying.
(Play play a bring nee nee).
In my next article, we will continue exploring how Guyanese Creole proverbs are used to deal with common issues which arise. I look forward to sharing some more of my book Proverbial Wisdom From Guyana.
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