Category Archives: Folk speech

Black is Sweet

Text: “The Blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.”

Context: The participant recounts that this proverb has been told to her from a very young age. She remembers the first time she heard it was at a family gathering and she asked for an explanation. Her aunt explained to her that it was a saying that recognizes black beauty and contradicts the negative stereotypes that are put forth onto the Black community. She specifies how it can be used to also counter negative stereotypes within the Black community, relating to colorism.

Analysis: This proverb helps uplift and promote a positive self-image within the Black community. As they have been prosecuted and deemed as inferior by many people due to the complexion of their skin. Elaborating on the participants’ mention of how it also relates to colorism within the community, that tends to favor people with a lighter skin tone, this proverb sheds light that black is beautiful. While also recognizing that people of darker complexion should be prideful of their skin tone. Although this proverb is used within black communities, the plague of colorism and prejudice is also relevant in other POC communities.

Hakuna Matata Hakuna Haraka- Proverb

Text: 

Hakuna Matata Hakuna Haraka

Translation: 

No worries, no hurries

Context: 

“I know you heard this in the lion king but they only say half. The original proverb is a common Kenyan saying you use to tell people to enjoy life. The second half that Disney missed is actually the key part! Kenyans are fun people who love to party so we aren’t meant to rush or worry. We would use it whenever someone was stressing out or worrying to try and calm them down.”

Analysis:

Hakuna Matata is a well known phrase from Disney’s Lion King, and as the song states it means no worries. The second part of this proverb explains that by not hurrying or rushing things you can achieve a life without worries. This proverb has significant cultural importance as it serves for a micro chasm of the attitude of many Kenyans. This proverb is similar to western proverbs such as “stop and smell the roses”. Furthermore  Hakuna Matata has become a proverb that is known throughout the world and not just in Kenya.

Adhabu Ya Kaburi Aijuaye Maiti – Proverb

Text:

Adhabu Ya Kaburi Aijuaye Maiti

Translation:

Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches

Context:

“This is a common proverb in Kenya. It means that you can’t understand what someone is going through unless you are going through it too. So if you were complaining about something and someone tried to tell you it wasn’t that bad you would say “Adhabu Ya Kaburi Aijuaye Maiti”.

Analysis:

The people of Kenya have a long history of suffering similar to other African nations who experienced European colonialism. Due to this many people had unspeakable experiences that are hard to empathize with for someone who may not understand that level of suffering. It makes sense that in order to gain social credit and empathy from someone the Kenyans developed a proverb. This proverb is similar to the western proverb “walk a mile in my shoes” as both show that you may not understand someone’s situation or hardship if you are not in it yourself. 

Asifuye Imemnyea – Proverb

Text:

Asifuye Imemnyea

Translation:

He who presses rain has been rained on

Context:

“This proverb is also well known in Kenya. Whenever you need to vouch for someone or you are telling a story to make someone look good, if someone tries to tell you you’re wrong you say “Asifuye Imemnyea”. This means that you have pressed the rain or know this person so you have been rained on.”

Analysis:

Asifuye Imemnyea is an interesting proverb in that it is in defense of another person and invokes a strong natural image. To be rained on is to have met someone and experienced their kindness, similar to rain this leaves a mark on someone that can’t be ignored or removed easily. Thus like someone coming in from the rain to tell others about the weather, you are able to show your mark from pressing the rain and proof that you have been rained on and the person you are speaking about is a good person.

Good enough – Proverb

Text: 

“It’s good enough for who it’s for”

Context:

“I learned this proverb from my dad and it seems to have spread throughout our whole family. I know this may seem like a simple ‘good enough’ but we use it anytime someone may be worried about their work. Off the top of my head I remember using it jokingly with our grandpa the other day when I was mowing the lawn for him.”

Analysis:

This proverb has a very small folkgroup being essentially just my family. Despite this, like other proverbs we use it all the time to give a statement social credit. Since the proverb could be considered an oicotype of “it’s good enough” it’s familiar enough that most people are able to understand its meaning. The situations in which the proverb are used are typically humorous or self deprecating as in doing making your bed hastily and then saying “well it’s good enough for who it’s for”.