Tag: #JamaicanProverbs
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Time Longa Dan Rope
Trusting the Process, Holding the Faith, and Waiting Well “Time longa dan rope,” the elders say. It’s not just a proverb. It’s a balm; a quiet assurance for souls tired of waiting. In English, it means time is longer than rope no matter how twisted, tangled, or tight the situation feels, time outlasts it. Time…
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Hog Seh ‘Di More Yuh Look, Di Less Yuh See
Looking Isn’t Always Seeing Jamaican proverbs often use animals to deliver sharp social commentary, and “Hog seh ‘di more yuh look, di less yuh see” is no exception. This pig-inspired gem reminds us that appearances can be deceptive, and the more we scrutinize something without understanding it, the more confused we may become. This post explores the meaning…
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No Mug Nuh Bruk, No Coffee Nuh Dash Weh
Keep Calm and Sip On — When Everything’s Actually Okay The Gentle Genius of This Proverb Some Jamaican proverbs are thunderclaps—bold, direct, and full of fire. But “No mug nuh bruk, no coffee nuh dash wey”is more of a whisper. A warm voice from your granny’s rocking chair reminding you: Don’t panic. Everything is still…
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Tek Kin Teet Kibba Heart Bun
Laughing Through the Pain — A Jamaican Survival Skill A Proverb with Backbone and Belly Laughs There’s a certain kind of strength that doesn’t show up with fists clenched or voices raised. It shows up with a joke cracked in the middle of chaos. A smile given when the heart is sore. A big belly…
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Yuh Cyaan Siddung Pon Cow Back An’ Call It Horse
Truth Can’t Be Faked In classic Jamaican fashion, the proverb “Yuh cyaan siddung pon cow back an’ call it horse” delivers its truth with earthy humor and sharp clarity. No matter what you call it, a cow is not a horse, and sitting on it doesn’t change its identity. This saying reminds us that labels…
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Fiyah Deh A Mus-Mus Tail, ‘Im Tink A Cool Breeze
Warning: Danger in Disguise Few Jamaican proverbs pack as much poetic irony and real-world relevance as: “Fiyah deh a mus-mus tail, ‘im tink a cool breeze.”It’s a vivid and ominous image—a small marsupial (mus-mus, or mouse) with fire literally at its tail, foolishly mistaking the heat for a gentle breeze. The moral? Some people ignore…
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Eye Nuh See. Heart Nuh Leap.
Protecting Your Peace the Jamaican Way The Wisdom Behind the Words There’s a quiet genius in Jamaican proverbs. They don’t just pass down wisdom—they do it with rhythm, humour, and a splash of hard truth. And “Eye nuh see, heart nuh leap” is one of those sayings that hits deep and settles soft. Literally, it…
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Wah Nuh Dead, Nuh Call It Duppy
You’re Not Done Yet – Resurrecting Hope the Jamaican Way The Power in the Proverb Jamaicans don’t give up easy. And one of the finest examples of this deep-seated resilience is baked right into the proverb: “Wah nuh dead, nuh call it duppy.” Let’s break it down:Literal meaning – If it’s not dead, don’t call…
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Di Higher Di Monkey Climb, Di More Him Expose
Stay Humble: Wisdom for Every Stage of Success A Jamaican Lesson in Visibility As Jamaicans say, “Di higher monkey climb, di more him expose.” It’s a witty yet weighty reminder that the higher you go in life, the more you reveal—your strengths, your flaws, your truth. Success is a spotlight, and under that light, everything…