proverbs

266. Néew na a gën nañu ko bàyyi. (13,20)
It is better to have a small amount than to refuse it.
“Something is better than nothing.”
267. Neexum ngont, xam fooy fanaanee ko gën. (7,17,19)
It's good to have a good afternoon but it's better to know where you are going to
spend the night.
As good as the moment you are having is, you should ensure that the follow up is all set in
place.
268. Petax am rab la. (4,13)
The pigeon of the animal is there.
A Senegambian phrase, used to stop a conversation concerning one who is absent, when
suddenly there appears somebody who is likely to let him know what was said. M. Dard
considers this proverb a proof that Negroes formerly used carrier pigeons. It may,
however, allude to the mythical pigeon that whispered in the Prophet's ear.
269. Ndigg toq moo gën taati neen. (2)
270. Faru lawbe gënug neen. (2,14)
271. Coqam a gën këmm, (2,12,14)
272. Sagaru tubéy a gën taati neen. (2,8,19)
273. Néew na moo gën dara.
274. Reer ci goloo gën fande. (11,12)
275. Fas wu làpp a gën fas wu réer. (6,13)
276. Rendi bu ñaaw a gën médd. (2)
269. A small cache-sex is better than a bare backside.
270. It is better to have a fiancé who is a lawbe than to have nothing at all.
[Lawbe are generally looked down on in Senegal, therefore not considered to be a good
choice for a marriage partner.]
271. To have a small amount of food is better than nothing.
[coqum and këmm are sounds that go with eating. Coqum is the smacking sound of
moisture in the mouth. Këmm is the absence of sound.]
272. Ragged trousers are better than a bare backside.
273. A little is better than nothing.
274. It is better to eat dinner with monkeys than go hungry all night.
275. It is better to have an emaciated horse than one that is lost.
276. An ugly slaughter is better than allowing the animal to die of natural causes.
[In Islam it is forbidden to eat meat which has not been ritually slaughtered. Thus any
animal which dies of accidental or natural causes cannot be eaten.]
“Something is better than nothing.”
277. Picc, la muy wax ci banqaasu garab, du ko wax ci loxol gone. (2,3,6,8)
What the bird says/sings high in a tree it will not say in the hands of a child.
Someone cries “thief” in a crowd at Kermel Market. The police come and arrest Abdou in
spite of his protests. At the police station he is forced to confess. However, when the case
comes to court he proclaims his innocence. When the judge asks why he confessed he
quotes this proverb.
278. Wàcc, daanoo ci gën a gaaw. (2,6,7,14,19)
When it comes to getting down, letting yourself fall is the fastest (method).
When it comes to telling the truth say it frankly. One should get straight to the point, and
head straight for the goal.
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