The Caribbean Proverbs That Raised Us

Caribbean proverbs and folklore, interspersed with family stories about growing up on a Caribbean

Proverbs are the means by which older generations pass on the fruits of their experience to their children. Every culture or society develops its own unique body of proverbs, using their own language. Tribes without schools use proverbs as a basic teaching tool for social mores. The English-speaking Caribbean is known for its colourful lifestyle, music, dance and speech. Equally colourful are its proverbs, many deriving from African tribal roots, others adapted from colonial masters, or Biblical teachings.

Deborah Moore-Miggins has had a fascination with Caribbean proverbs since she was a child growing up in rural Tobago. Drawing from her family experiences and her wide circle of friends and acquaintances, she has put together an impressive collection of Caribbean proverbs conveniently grouped in areas of ethical subject.

A number of these proverbs are humorously illustrated, with graphic images as well as with nostalgic descriptions of exciting island pastimes such as, catching crabs, pulling seine and eating mangoes. The scene she paints of villagers gathered on moonlit nights to exchange folklore and proverbs holds one spellbound.

The result is a valuable work of scholarship besides being an amusing and enlightening read for one's leisure hours.