Never Forgotten - Jamaican Proverbs

Weh You Seh! Snippets of persistence, responsible disclosure, and courage through sayings of the wise.

As the wise owl that turns its head nearly 270 degrees and has big piercing eyes that sees into your soul from miles away, so are our Jamaican Proverbs. Our Proverbs are the words of the wise fitting for every situation. Grandparents and Parents alike would use these phrases to teach timeless lessons to their children. We use these proverbs to convey sound advise or warnings.

Walk with me down the well-beaten path of the wise with three Jamaican Proverbs, never to be forgotten (Nuh figet).

"One, One, Cocoa Full Basket"

"If you make a little effort at a time eventually it pays off ... "

Coca refers to the cocoa pod picked on a farm. This metaphorical expression paints the picture of each coca picked and placed into a basket that eventually made a full basket. These would be the main ingredients for cups of heart-warming Chaklit tea (hot cocoa, hot chocolate). This expression is significant in several ways. For example, if you keep saving a little at a time, one day you will have enough money saved that can bring great benefit to you and others. A similar phrase is "every mickle mek a muckle." If you make a little effort at a time eventually it pays off as it accumulates, grows and multiplies into something bigger and rewarding. .

"A Nuh Everything Good Fi Eat, Good Fi Talk"

Photography by Norval Williams

"...be selective as to who you disclose information to."

This really has nothing to do with food instead, it emphasizes the importance of keeping some things private and not disclosing everything about our lives, thoughts, situations to friends, family, strangers or even the public. As there is always a consciousness that not everyone that hears your story, triumphs, achievements or experiences would be celebrating with you. Some may try to use it to your disadvantage or for ill will. So be selective as to who you disclose information to.

"Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten"

"One should always be courageous and never fall prey to a bully’s antics."

Duppy means ghost in Jamaican Patwah. So, this means that ghosts know who to try and intimidate that would actually be scared by their presence, appearance or antics. This metaphor is significant of being courageous and not fearful. A person that tries to intimidate, bully or make another person afraid; usually try to do this to someone that they perceive to be weak and susceptible to their antics. Someone that is insightful and recognizes the antics of a bully; which is usually as sly as a fox or as abrasive as a lion, would repeat this proverb. It means that you should not be or appear to be a weakling. This proverb admonishes us not to be fearful because as dogs smells the fear of their preys, so does bullies (duppy) that seeks out their prey. One should always be courageous and never fall prey to a bully’s antics.

Do you have any favorite Jamaican Proverb passed on to you by your parents or grandparents, feel free to leave those nuggets of wisdom here?