• 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.





                                        
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
You're just ugly, you're not bad.
Refers to a person who proclaims himself more rebellious than it really is.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The interest does not die pockets.
Abundance of goods does no harm.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The rod has no shoulders.
Male sexuality is irrepressible.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Skinned navel, belly hurts.
The harm done to someone is also felt by his own.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Macaques never finds his children ugly.
Love is blind.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
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.