(A proverb is a concise, widely recognized saying that conveys a general truth, advice, or wisdom, often rooted in common sense or cultural experience. Proverbs are typically metaphorical and memorable, aiding in their transmission across generations.)
For generations, Caribbean communities have relied on proverbs handed down by elders to teach important values like resilience, patience, and wisdom. Let’s explore these timeless lessons through a story of a grandmother who shared her insights using sayings such as “The early bird catches the worm” and “Don’t kill the goose that lays the golden egg,” demonstrating how traditional wisdom continues to guide future generations.
My friend, Manjack from Frederiksted, was taken aback when Hillary Clinton used the African proverb “It Takes a Village” as the title of her best-selling book. She was referencing the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” which emphasizes that the whole community must be involved, responsible, and engaged in a child’s life to ensure they grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
Manjack felt as though a gem had been stolen from him, a gem his grandmother, Nana Mambo had given him, just like her family’s recipes. But he also experienced a sense of failure. He believed that by following a tradition that was one of the most important teachings in life, he was failing in his duty to do so. He frequently overheard similar saying in conversations with his African-Caribbean and African-American brothers and sisters, such as “I should have been the one to draft a similar book. Why do those folks constantly take advantage of our culture? Why is Black people’s cultural life so easily commodified?” He felt that these queries were a little undeserved in some way. Because he was a man who always believed in the proverb “By any means necessary.”
He remembered the evening when, as a result of something he had done, his grandmother had given him a good and proper lashing. When his father arrived home that evening, weary from work in the sugarcane fields, his grandmother approached him and said, “Joseph, I think this boy should be taught a lesson.” She had her hands up in the air, her lips pursed, and her magnifying eyes fixed on him. His father saw his grandmother’s face and understood that what Manjack had done was unforgivable. It was well known that whenever Nana Mambo filed a complaint against you, there was a valid justification for it. “Josep, don’t spare the rod and spoil the child,” she added as she aimed her words directly into Manjack’s father’s eyes.
Over time, Manjack developed a reputation for being on time for everything. He earned a reputation for never being late for anything, at least for significant things to him. Not for a date, not for work, nor even for school. This was a direct result of his grandmother repeatedly drilling into his head that “The early bird catches the most worms.”
Manjack demonstrated the wisdom of his grandmother’s sayings as time progressed. He was able to accomplish more and enjoy a longer lunch break because he arrived at St. Croix Central High school early. He was able to use the library by himself.
Early in his boyhood he took most of these proverbs for granted. When instructed “To kill the goose that laid the golden egg,” what did he know at the time? The proverb had meant: “to lose a valuable source of income through greed” was clearly beyond his comprehension. When he realized he was out of his element or in an embarrassing situation, he was often told by his grandmother that he looked like “A fish out of water.”
Whenever he was about to unwrap his presents on Christmas morning, his grandma would give him a frowned-like face and instruct him, “Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.” It took him a while to understand the significance behind the warning: “Do not examine a gift too critically; do not criticize what is given for free; accept a gift for the sentiments it evokes, not for its value.” He has grown to value such counsel as a result of his sharp mind, notably the proverb, “Study the past if you would divine the future.”
He was able to synthesize his cultural viewpoints over the years as he became aware of who he was, and as a result, he developed an overwhelming sense of gratitude. With this resolve, he schooled himself so that he would never forget those lessons. He was able to embody his African-Caribbean identity in how he behaved by adhering to the proverb “A bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush.” To put it differently, “Certainty is better than possibility, or the little one actually possesses is of greater value than what one is only likely to obtain.” He is now modest and selfless as a result of this. He was unlikely to be ignorant of even the most basic things, thanks to Nana Mambo’s determination. What was important in her perspective was “To know a B from a bull’s foot.”
The life of the famous Bob Marley was as enduring as the Pyramid, and he was drawn to Marley’s music and the way the singer had incorporated his everyday experiences into his scathing lyrics of proverbs. He can’t help but hear his grandmother’s feeling of moral obligation whenever he hears one of Marley’s songs. Marley’s cultural perspective was defined by the employment of traditional proverbs in his music on the global stage. Manjack understood where Marley was coming from when he sang, “Who feels it knows it,” or “Who the cap fits, let them wear it,” and “A hungry man is an angry man.”
The lesson Manjack took away from his experiences was that “It takes time to accomplish anything worthwhile.” He had been taught that “Rome was not built in a day.” Additionally, it was said to him that “A stitch in time saves nine,” meaning that “if we pay enough attention to the smallest aspects of life, in the long run we will save ourselves from considerable stress and expense.” To “Act out of hand” in front of one’s elders as a child was a very serious transgression. He received a firm warning to mind his Ps and Qs — to be very particular about his actions. His grandmother was aware that having good manners opened up a world of possibilities for their grandchildren. According to Nana Mambo, Manjack was born with a sharp mind, so he started doing some study. He learned that Ps and Qs were traditionally kept in the commonsense library. The host of an alehouse used to record the pints and quarts that his customers consumed on a wall or a blackboard in the colonial Caribbean’s earlier days. Therefore, it was in the customer’s best interest to exercise caution so as to avoid being overcharged.
His ancestors, who were time-honored, understood this as a moral lesson that could be applied to their daily lives. In Nana Mambo’s world, fairness and personal responsibility are central: “Those who don’t lead blameless lives should not judge others,” and “Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” Such values reflect moralistic African and Caribbean culture. His grandmother often advised, “Let sleeping dogs lie” and “Never trouble, trouble until trouble troubles you,” emphasizing caution and respect for others. Nana believes that if she were alive today, she’d still offer wise counsel, reminding Mrs. Clinton that children are shaped by the guidance they receive.
— Winston Nugent grew up on St. Croix. He has been honored by the International Society of Poets. Blue Rain, Negus, On Our Island, and Walking in the Footsteps of My Ancestors are among his poetry chapbooks. The following short stories have been published by the University of the Virgin Islands (Caribbean Writers): Two Birds with One Stone, Many Rivers to Cross, and Still Water Runs Deep. He received the Caribbean Writers’ Marguerite Cobb McKay Prize and the Daily News Prize for his story The Rim.
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
