• 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.





                                        
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
It does not beat a priest (father) to take his cassock (robe).
It is not right to attack someone physically or morally to take something that belongs to him.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
You don't remove the guts to put in straw.
You shouldn't neglect your family for strangers.



                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
It does not choke a fire with straw.
Do not throw oil on the fire.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
We do not learn to a mother how to make children.
We do not give advice to a specialist.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
You can have several wives, there is only one mother.
A mother is someone irreplaceable.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Do not be afraid to give the charge to bring to Jenny and look at her.
The appearance is not to be taken into account: someone small can have considerable force.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Never count your chickens before they're hatched.
Don't get your hopes up too soon.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Not knowing is bad.
It is important to learn, to acquire knowledge.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
 Do not rely on other people's eyes to sleep.
We must rely on ourselves.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
"Sorry" does not heal bumps.
Some mistakes are irreparable.