Haitian Proverbs: An integral part of the Creole Language
 Of
all the Languages of this world, Haitian Creole stands among
those that rely the most on proverbs, metaphors, and great imagery.
Surely, without proverbs, Creole would still survive as a language;
however, the language owes its musicality and images, its cadence
and strength to its proverbs. It must be understood that
we are not talking of the Creole being spoken in Port-au-Prince.
That Creole has been altered by too many foreign influences
and is replete with French and English expressions. We are rather
referring to a somewhat purer version of the language, one that
is spoken in the still mostly unadulterated rural Haiti, or
to some degree by members of the older generations.
If you ever take a trip to the countryside, and engage some
of the locals in conversation, you will notice how those Haitians
speak in riddles and images that encapsulate the strength
of any idea or morals pertaining to their lives. Even to the
urban or young Haitian it is sometimes difficult to comprehend
the real meaning of those expressions. That beautiful form
of expression is menaced and may be bound to disappear though,
through the effects of urbanization and foreign culture and
as the younger generations are turning their backs on that
way of speaking. Here on DiscoverHaiti, we have chosen to
feature some of the most beautiful of those proverbs and provide
you with their literal translation as well as what they mean
and when they are used.
- If you’re a Haitian, we hope that you will rediscover them and
enjoy once again their beauty.
- If you’re of Haitian descent, this is an opportunity to rediscover
an essential part of your identity by reconnecting to your roots.
- And finally, of course, all non-Haitians are welcome to appreciate
these delights of the Creole language.
Proverbs regarding good manners and good breeding
Mapou mouri, kabrit manje fey li:
When the mapou (oak-like tree) dies, goats would eat its leaves.
Meaning: This proverb is said in Creole to recall the scene
of old age. It is also said to compare the prime and the declining
days as well as abundance and poverty. If a youngster has been disrespectful
to an old man
who is past his prime, that proverb would be an appropriate remark.
Note: the mapou has a special meaning in
Haitian culture. It is a sacred tree for the believers of Vaudou.
Manman pa janm mode
pitit li jouk nan zo:
A mother never bites her child to the bone
Meaning: The equivalent of this proverb in the English language
would be “there is nothing like a mother”. In Haiti, this
proverb is used to show or recall the goodness of a mother to her
children. Even when she is inflicting the worst punishment on her
children she is not doing it out of hate or to deliberately hurt
her progenies but to discipline them
Moun pa se dra:
A protector is like a cloak
Meaning: This proverb is used when someone encounters difficulties
or is in an embarrassing position and a friend or a protector comes
along and saves the day.
Nan tan grangou patat pa gen po
In times of famine, sweet potatoes have no skin
Meaning: This is a proverb said in times of disaster or great
calamity. It means that when one is starving to death, they will
eat anything; thus “patat pa gen po”: even the skin of a potato
would be eaten.
 Ou
konn kouri, ou pa konn kache:
You know how to run, but you don’t know how to hide.
Meaning: It is said of someone who leaves a bad impression
behind him after a bad deed or a crime.
Pise gaye pa kimen:
Spread piss doesn’t foam.
Meaning: A rolling stone gathers no moss. For Haitians this
proverb raises the question of unity and disunion in accomplishing
a goal. Is also said of people squandering their money on many worthless
ventures: None will ever be successful.
Sel pa vante tèt li di li sale:
Salt doesn’t boast that it is salted
Meaning: Similar in meaning to the French saying "A bon
vin, point d’enseigne" (good wine needs no advertising). Let others
say how good you are. Said to ridicule someone who speaks hightly
of himself, who praises himself.
 Se
bon kè krapo ki fè l san tèt:
It is because the toad is too tenderhearted that he has no intelligence.
Meaning: Said of a person who goes to someone’s help and
becomes victim of the helped. Said of someone who was formerlyvery
rich and who becomes poor because he is too tenderhearted and gave
his whole fortune away.
Se nan chimen jennen yo kenbe chwal malen:
if you want to catch a wild horse, find a tight corral
Meaning: One says that about a person who usually escapes
embarassment but who will eventually fall into a more elaborate
trap.
Sonje lapli ki leve mayi ou:
Remember the rain that made your corn grow
Meaning: One says that to remind someone that he must show
gratitude to God or to someone who did him good.
 Tanbou
prete pa janm fè bon dans:
A borrowed drum never makes good dancing
Meaning: Said when one uses something borrowed and before
finishing with it the owner comes to take it. Usually one is
not comfortable with a borrowed object.
Ti chen gen fos devan kay met li:
a little dog is really brave in front of his master’s house.
Meaning: The meaning of this proverb is that a weak person
doesn’t attack away from his home but will defend himself as a lion
against everybody in his territory. Also said of poltrons and weak
persons who will become lions in defending their interests or when
they have the backup of someone stronger.
Ti moun fwonte grandi devan baron:
Litterally: An impudent child grows up under Baron's eyes(
Baron Samdi is the guardian of the cemetery in the Vaudou
religion)
Meaning: Said of an impudent, insolent child, meaning that
they won’t live long enough because of their insolence.
Tact - Cleverness - Action
Ravet pa janm gen rezon devan poul:
Roaches are never right when facing chickens (Chickens would pursue
any roach in sight)
Meaning: Whenever there are disagreements between two parties,
Justice will always b on the side with the stronger one of them.
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