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Folk Beliefs and Proverbs
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Although the language of Barbados is English, we refer to the way the locals speak it as Bajan. Essentially, Bajan is a combination of English and West African idioms and expressions. This quaint mixture produces a unique vocabulary and speech pattern. Most Bajan beliefs, folklore and proverbs were born from this strange jumble and use of the language. A variety of common Bajan sayings and beliefs can be found below.
"Fisherman neva say dat 'e fish stink."
People never give bad reports about themselves.
"As yuh land yuh come ashore."
When you wear something as soon as you buy it.
"An eyeful 'en a bellyful."
Having a good look at something does not provide the kind of satisfaction derived from eating it.
"Me back telling me belly that me throat cut."
Refers to being extremely hungry.
"Yoh can't stan'in de road an'sih de leak in sombody else house."
It is impossible to know the full extent of another man's domestic problems unless you get close to him.
"De higher de monkey climb, de more 'e show e tail!"
The more one shows off, the more ones faults are brought into the open.
"Cockroach en got no right at Hen Party."
Don't get into situations with which you cannot cope.
"Donkey got long ear, but 'e don' like to hear 'e own story."
People ore reluctant to hear or acknowledge their faults
"Evah turkey does breck fuh 'e own craw."
Everybody sees after his own welfare.
"Wha' en' pass yuh, en miss yuh."
Having escaped a particular misfortune does not mean that you are immune from it.
- A spider found inside the house should not be killed because it may result in the breakage of at least some of the crockery in the house.
- When that noisy cricket enters the house it indicates that money is coming to the house, therefore you must not kill, or evict the insect, no matter how much the high pitch sound it emits annoys you.
One of the ways to protect a house from evil spirits is to keep honey and corn over a door. One can only conjecture that the spirit will be too occupied with the sweet treat that it will have no time to enter the home.
- A generous amount of green pigeon peas in a child's diet is a good way of ensuring that the child learns to talk early in life.
- When a child loses a tooth he must throw it on the roof and say "Rat, rat gih me another teet!"
- When a group of people assemble to "fire one" (have a drink), a small quantity of rum is thrown into the corner for the spirits of departed friends, to show them that though they are dead, they are not forgotten.
- "Pisstoratically" (Slang) - Needing no definition, and applied to a certain stage of drunkenness.
- It is good luck to have a mongoose scurry across the road in front of you.
- A green lizard in the house is a sign that someone in that house, or a relative, is
pregnant, or that a male in the house has made someone pregnant.
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Back to: Facts about Barbados
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Information Assumed Accurate On: Aug 22, 2006
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Visitor Comments:
By: Patricia Phillips
Where can I purchase a book with bajan proverbs/sayings and their meaning? I need to know before Monday nxt wk. Hope you can help me, thanking you.
Date: Sep 28, 2010
By: Cedolph H Kennedy
Dear Marva
Sorry to hear about your unsuccessful attempt to purchase a copy of 'Barbados Just Beyond You Imagiation. Unfortunately I am no longer the distributor, which took effect since 2000.
The book was widely available at all the major bookstores on the island (Cave Shepherd, Cloisters, Days, etc,.). Hope this info help you to acquire a copy
Date: Apr 1, 2010
By: >>Not Saying<<
This site is really good!( I Live In Bim) I LOVE IT HERE!xo
Date: May 25, 2008
By: Marva Phillips
I feel like 'a foolish fool'(barbados slang). I am looking for a book called 'Barbados Just Beyond Your Imaginations' and can't find it. Might I be able to get it from the University bookstore? Help! It's distributed by Cedolph H. Kennedy. Thanks.
Date: Aug 27, 2007
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