Ever since we were old enough to understand what “proverbs” were, we knew it was some kind of wisdom or even rule that our parents would tell us in order to give us advice or make a point but, where are “Proverbs” originally from?
Biblically, it’s the accumulation of wisdom from generations of godly insightful people, in one book. “The Book of Proverbs” promotes a life virtue and “fear of the Lord”, so that you can truly experience the good life.
Source: thebibleproject.com
The unscriptural origin shows that a “Proverb” is a simple, concrete and traditional saying that expresses a truth based on common sense or experience. They are often metaphorical and use non-literal expressions. Collectively, they form a genre of folklore. Some “Proverbs” exist in more than one language because people borrow them from languages and cultures similar to theirs.
Source: en.m.wikipedia.org
Based on these two references, what do you believe? Are “Proverbs” biblical or just one of many aspects of one’s culture?
“Proverb is the wit of one, and wisdom of many.”
If you ask my opinion, I think this quote of Lord John Russell sums it up for me.
Now what about “Haitian Proverbs”?
“Haitians Proverbs” are the same as regular “proverbs” however, ours are in creole, very creative to say the least, and also very smart. Centuries of wisdom passed down to us and we don’t even know half of them.
I did some research, I asked around and I’ve prepared a list of proverbs that I consider my personal favorites.
My Top Ten Haitian Proverbs
Pwovèb: Bouche nen w’, bwè dlo santi.
Translation: Pinch your nose and drink the stinky water.
My interpretation: Sometimes you’ll be in a very undesirable situation but, you just have to suck it up in order to get through it. The solution may be something you don’t want to do but, you’ll have no other choice.
Pwovèb: Bouch granmoun santi, sa k’ ladan pa santi.
Translation: Old people mouths stink, what’s inside doesn’t.
My interprertation: Growing up, we hate listening to our parents or people older than us. We think they don’t understand us, that they’re just here to nag and they don't know what they’re saying. Wrong. Even though it’s our lives and we’ll make our own mistakes, we don’t always know better than them. Next time an adult takes their time to talk to you, always remember that even if their mouth’s stinks, it’s still experience/wisdom talking.
Pwovèb: Malè avèti, pa tiye kokobe.
Translation: A foreseen disaster, doesn’t kill the crippled.
My interprertation: An handicap doesn’t necessarily mean something physical, it can also be something you lack in or missing. So what this means, by being able to prevent trouble, you can protect yourself from much more arm.
Pwovèb: Men ampil, chay pa lou.
Translation: Many hands make the load lighter.
My interprertation: Some people refuse to ask for help whether it’s about something physical or emotional. Sometimes you have to learn how to ask and accept help from others, because when you’re dealing with something heavy, many hands will always make your burden lighter.
Pwovèb: Bay kou blyé, pote màk sonje.
Translation: You give a blow and forget, leave a mark they remember.
My interprertation: It’s not necessarily physical, if someone does something horrible to you they will forget. However, you’re on the other side dealing with the consequences will always remember what they have done. You hit someone and eventually will forget but, the person dealing with the bruises won’t. It’s all about being careful of what you can do/say to someone because you might forget the next day not knowing how it affected them.
Pwovèb: Malè pa gen klaksonn.
Translation: Misfortune doesn’t have a horn.
My interprertation: Unless you’re psychic, there’s no way you can know first hand if something bad is going to happen to you. You can have a “gut feeling”, some people have that “sixth sense” or “women’s intuition” usually doesn’t lie. Since we can never know for sure, what this proverb means is that try has much as you can to avoid certain situations but always be prepared because you never know what might happen.
Pwovèb: Menm nan lanfè, gen moun pa.
Translation: Even in hell, you find your people.
My interprertation: This one Is definitely in my top 3. I love, love, LOVE this proverb. It basically says, even in the worst situations possible, you’ll either find someone in the same situation as you or you’ll find a friend. Do not lose hope, there is always someone there with you, just look around.
Pwovèb: Rad pa janm fè moun.
Translation: Clothes do not make a person.
My interpretation: Society is very materialistic nowadays and based on your image, some people think they have you all figured out. Not saying it’s not true in some cases but, I don’t think someone’s first impression should only be based on that. For example, I can be dressed simply with no big brands necessarily showing, and it won’t mean that I can’t afford luxury if I wanted to. More importantly, the way someone dresses should not be the only thing taken under consideration when judging someone’s character.
Pwovèb: Rayi chen an, men di dan li blanch.
Translation: Hate the dog but, admit his teeth are white.
My interprertation: This saying was my all time fave, until I discovered another one but, it’s definitely #2 in my Top 3. What this means, and this is very important for the haters out there. Even if you hate someone, if they are doing something right? You have to give credit where credit is due. If someone you can’t stand is doing something good? You don’t have to like them to admit they’re doing something amazing. PERIOD
Pwovèb: Yon bon zanmi, pi bon pase frè.
Translation: A good friend is better than a brother.
My interprertation: I can personally relate to that one, where some of my friends have been more supportive than several family members. We grow up thinking that family is suppose to be here for us no matter what but the reality is, it’s not always the case. I see people with super tight bonds with their siblings and sometimes I envy them. I don’t know if it’s the age difference (11) but, my sister and I are not that close and in situations of trouble I rather tell my friends than her. To me since it’s always been like that it doesn’t really phase me anymore but, to anyone still struggling with similar situations, let go of the thought of “family before friends” and things will be much easier.
Bonus: pwason te fè dlo konfyans, men se dlo ki bouyi li.
Translation: The fish trusted water, but water cooked/boiled the fish.
My interpretation: I know this saying is from a song but it has the same concept as : “Se grès kochon an ki fri Kochon an”. Translation “It’s the pig’s fat that fries it”. This means, no matter how comfortable you feel in a situation it can always backfire on you. Same goes for people, you might be cool with someone, y’all been friends for years and one day they do something to you that you would never imagine. Stay vigilant.
I enjoy interacting with my social media followers very much, and I asked them what’s their favorite “Haitian Proberb”.
I’ve received several and they were all great. I selected a few which in my opinion teach great values.
Here’s some I selected and my follower’s interpretation of them.
@big_bank_jozz: Poul pou gran, Malfini pou gran.
Translation: The chicken is for the Grandmother and the Hawk is also for her.
Interpretation: This means since both of the birds are for the Grandmother, she cannot be mad If her hawk eats her chicken. Sometimes situations happen to us and we want to be mad at the world when the truth is, we brought it on ourselves.
@outstanding90: Kouri lapli, tombe larivyè.
Translation: Run as rain, fall as river.
Interpretation: I see there’s two meaning to this one. One can see it as: by trying to ignore/avoid certain situations you might end up in way worst. Or you can also see it as: before you get carried away thinking you’re something amazing (rain) remember when you fall, you might end up going through something bigger than you (river).
@mojo_pooh: Lave men, siye atè.
Translation: Wash your hands and wipe them on the floor.
Interpretation: It’s basically doing something and ending it by doing some other thing completely backwards, that totally erased what you just did. For example, taking a shower and putting back the same dirty clothes.
@diamondb2302: Sa k’ fè w’ cho a, ap fè w’ frèt.
Translation: What makes you “hot”, will make you “cold”.
Interpretation: This is something I hated when my mom told me, exactly when I was super excited to go out with friends. It means, whatever excites you or makes you eager for something (hot) will eventually backfire on you (cold). Same as, if you hang to close to the fire you’ll get burned.
@tford513: Renmen moun ki renmen w’
Translation: Love people that love you back.
Interpretation: I think this one is pretty much self-explanatory, Love people that love you back.
@imajinasyonmwen: Granmèsi diri, ti wòch goute grès.
Translation: Thanks to rice, pebbles get to taste some grease.
Interpretation: In Haiti, cooking your food with charcoal and small rocks around is still part of our culture. So when you cook your rice or other food with grease, there’s a chance the grease might fly on the rocks. This proverb means, thanks to some people (rice), others get the chances to experience things that they normally wouldn’t (pebble). For example, I am not rich but If my friend is a little bit wealthier than me, they might invite me to a trip I couldnt afford for now (grease).
@manitonation: Nan je ou wont lan, se ladan l’ w’ ap krye.
Translation: In the eyes that you see shame, are the same eyes you’ll see tears.
Interpretation: If someone does something that you consider isn’t right, you shouldn’t be ashamed to tell them because later, you’ll be the one crying.
@dondighans_: Sa w’ pa konen, pi gran pase w’
Translation: What you don’t know is bigger than you.
Interpretation: This is the perfect example of: Knowledge is power. This proverb implies that whatever you don’t know is bigger than you because, you’ll never know how to use that knowledge or even protect yourself from it.
@beshdidhaG: Depi tèt poko koupe, li gen espwa mete chapo.
Translation: As long as your head has not been chopped, there’s still hope of wearing a hat.
Interpretation: This ladies and gentlemen is my new favorite Haitian Proverb. This is something I need to remind myself of every day because, even in the darkest times, there is always hope.
@saucekiiyaahhh_: Moun deyo pa ka achte w’ si moun andan pa van ou.
Translation: People outside can’t buy you if people inside don’t sell you.
Interpretation: This means, be careful who you share your secrets/plans to. People that don’t want you to succeed will try their best to make you fail and if they’re successful, it will only be because someone in your surroundings sold you out.
I hope you guy enjoyed reading a little bit more about my culture and maybe you learned something today.
I thank all my followers for participating, I received more than 30 replies but, I could only select a few so the article wouldn’t be too long.
If you wish to read more proverbs, let me know maybe I can write a second article.
I thank you all for reading this post today, don’t forget to send me your feedback once you’re done.
This was “Pwovèb Ayisyen”, written by Tiff.
Here is the creole version on my Soundcloud posdcast.
https://soundcloud.com/myhaiti-myvision/top-10-pwoveb-ayisyen
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