Ivorian culture is rich in wisdom and humour. I believe that it is this trait that has allowed Ivorian music to strive and become so influential in times of civil unrest. I recently came across a list of interesting “nouchi” (popular Ivorian slang) proverbs on Mariette Yao’s blog. I took the liberty of translating them in English for your enjoyment. Here is my list.
All credits go to Yao Mariette at http://letrangere.mondoblog.org/.
1. C’est l’homme on connait pas on appelle Hé / You only say "hey" to call a person you don't know Meaning: Appearances can be deceiving
2. Petit marteau casse gros cailloux/ A small hammer can break a big rock
Meaning: Strength is not dependent on size
3. Caca ne blesse pas mais quand tu marches dedans tu boites/ You'll walk with a limp after stepping in shit, even though you aren’t technically hurt.
Meaning: Certain things have unintended consequences
4. Piment brûle mais asticot vit dedans / Even though peppers are hot, ticks can still survive in them
Meaning: You must learn to adapt to your environment, even if it is hostile
5. Si tu n’as pas peur tu n’as pas le courage/ If you're not afraid, you're not courageous.
Meaning: Unless you've known fear, you cannot gain courage
6. Poisson vit dans l’eau mais on peut le noyer/ You can still drown a fish, even though it lives in water
Meaning: There is always a smarter/stronger person around
7. Si tu te comportes comme un crabe tu sera mangé avec bruit/ If you act like a crab, they will eat you noisily.
Meaning: You will reap what you sow
8. C’est l’homme qui a peur sinon coco taillé peut faire mèches/ It is only fear that is stopping a bald man from braiding his hair.
Meaning: Our doubts stop us from reaching our full potential
9. Moustique n’aime pas amusement où on applaudi /Mosquitoes don't like to play that clapping game
Meaning: You must be afraid of the things that can kill you
10. Nous tous on connait Jésus mais il n’est pas encore descendu pour donner agouti a quelqu’un./ We all know Jesus Christ but He has yet to literally come down to feed to any of us.
Meaning: You must fight to earn your keep
11. Souris même saoulé connait carrefour de chat/ Even a drunk mouse knows where the cat lives
Meaning: We need to know our limits
12. C’est dans ma bouche que tu veux manger ton piment/ You're trying to eat your pepper in my mouth
Meaning: You're trying to push me to gossip
13. Même si le lion a maigri le singe ne peut pas porter son body / Even though the lion has lost some weight, the monkey cannot fit in his clothes
Meaning: No matter what, a master remains a master
14. Ce qui peut t’avaler ne le laisse pas te laper / If something can swallow you, don't let it lick you.
Meaning: Don't upset those who are stronger than you are
All credits go to Yao Mariette at http://letrangere.mondoblog.org/.
1. C’est l’homme on connait pas on appelle Hé / You only say "hey" to call a person you don't know Meaning: Appearances can be deceiving
2. Petit marteau casse gros cailloux/ A small hammer can break a big rock
Meaning: Strength is not dependent on size
3. Caca ne blesse pas mais quand tu marches dedans tu boites/ You'll walk with a limp after stepping in shit, even though you aren’t technically hurt.
Meaning: Certain things have unintended consequences
4. Piment brûle mais asticot vit dedans / Even though peppers are hot, ticks can still survive in them
Meaning: You must learn to adapt to your environment, even if it is hostile
5. Si tu n’as pas peur tu n’as pas le courage/ If you're not afraid, you're not courageous.
Meaning: Unless you've known fear, you cannot gain courage
6. Poisson vit dans l’eau mais on peut le noyer/ You can still drown a fish, even though it lives in water
Meaning: There is always a smarter/stronger person around
7. Si tu te comportes comme un crabe tu sera mangé avec bruit/ If you act like a crab, they will eat you noisily.
Meaning: You will reap what you sow
8. C’est l’homme qui a peur sinon coco taillé peut faire mèches/ It is only fear that is stopping a bald man from braiding his hair.
Meaning: Our doubts stop us from reaching our full potential
9. Moustique n’aime pas amusement où on applaudi /Mosquitoes don't like to play that clapping game
Meaning: You must be afraid of the things that can kill you
10. Nous tous on connait Jésus mais il n’est pas encore descendu pour donner agouti a quelqu’un./ We all know Jesus Christ but He has yet to literally come down to feed to any of us.
Meaning: You must fight to earn your keep
11. Souris même saoulé connait carrefour de chat/ Even a drunk mouse knows where the cat lives
Meaning: We need to know our limits
12. C’est dans ma bouche que tu veux manger ton piment/ You're trying to eat your pepper in my mouth
Meaning: You're trying to push me to gossip
13. Même si le lion a maigri le singe ne peut pas porter son body / Even though the lion has lost some weight, the monkey cannot fit in his clothes
Meaning: No matter what, a master remains a master
14. Ce qui peut t’avaler ne le laisse pas te laper / If something can swallow you, don't let it lick you.
Meaning: Don't upset those who are stronger than you are
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