Jamaican Proverbs
I have always wanted to share a few Jamaican proverbs and the meanings. Now I can, thanks to the help of the Institute of Jamaica
A fas’ mek anansi deh a ‘ouse-tap. Interference or impertinence makes Anansi (spider) live in the roof of a house. This applies to one who meddles in others’ affairs. It is derived from a Jamaican legend which maintains that Anansi interfered with Tiger’s bird-nest and took refuge in the ceiling when pursued by Tiger. In short, one who meddles too much might just be forced into seclusion for his/her own safety.
Young bud no know w’en berry ripe a mountain side. The young bird does not know when berries ripen on the slopes of the mountains. The young bird, being inexperienced, does not realize that the berries are ripening and has to be led to them by its parents. In Jamaican social context, this analogue has nothing to do with birds, but rather addresses itself to the unduly naïve youth who nonchalantly misses opportunities that present themselves.
De older de bull, de stiffer de horn. The older the bull, the stiffer the horns. The implication is that people became more assertive with age and are less likely to allow others to impose on them.
Cow seh: backra wuk nebber dun; mule seh: i’ mus dun. Cow says: “the boss’s work is never finished”; Mule says: “it must end.” A mule, unlike the cow, is the epitome of perseverance. The cow is a potential “quitter”; the mule will not quit until the work at hand is done. There are apparently, people who easily fit into these characterizations. If a parent utters such sayings to a child who is not pulling his/her weight, or who is not performing to one’s potential, it is a way of saying that for some people work is always pain; for others a challenge.
One ginga kean hetch fly. Cooperative effort brings success
Jump outa a frying pan eena de fire. Move from one bad situation to another or to a worse situation.
Duppy know who fi frighten. People know who to take chances with or who to take advantage of.
Sources Used:
Reece-Daly, Cecily. Memba de culcha. Detroit: National Book International, 1997.
Beckwith, Martha Warren. Jamaican Proverbs. New York: Negro University Press, 1925.
Courtesy The Institute of Jamaica
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Give thanks for this, Rootzpoet. Our culture is indeed made richer by those like you who extend the wisdom to a new media.
Blessings,
Geoffrey