• Two men hugging

    Martinique Creole proverbs

Born in the first half of the 17th century, the Creole language is a vibrant mosaic. The Amerindian heritage was supplemented by the dialects of French colonists, West Africans, and later Coolies from India and China. Contrary to popular belief, Creole proverbs are not words from the past, or “pawol an tan lontan” (words from the past) as they say in Martinique. Proverbs are immortal, eternal, and indispensable. As they say in Martinique: “Pa konnet mové” (It is bad not to know). Click on the title to read the moral.





                                        
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The monkey knows which tree full of thorns climb.
Despite appearances, the person speaking is nice, and makes well-informed choices.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
 The male papaya flowers but bears no fruit.
Beautiful appearance is not profit.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
I'm hungry but not voracious
I will not to do anything (wrong) to achieve my goals.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Ripe mango remains in the shaft (clinging to its branch), green mango falls.
There is no age to die.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Moms make children, but not the feelings of their children.
Regardless of education received from parents, children have their own way of thinking.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Mom: sure! Dad: Maybe!
We are certain of the identity of his mother, but never that of his father!

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Overthrow the bus.
Truant.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Getting married is good, getting married is not good.
Marriage is not better than celibacy.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Getting married has teeth.
Marriage can have bad side.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
 Getting married is not moving his chair near the table.
Marriage is not only a commitment about fun. It also brings a lot of responsibilities.