proverbs

Name
483. Sant dëkkul fenn. (2,3,20)
The surname does not live anywhere.
The family name no longer allows one to know the origin (whether ethnic or geographical)
of a person.
Nature
484. Bant, lu mu yàgg yàgg cig dex, du tax mu soppiku jasig. (2,3,5,20)
Yàggaayu bantu ron ci ndox, du ko tax a doon jasig. (11,12)
Bant, lu mu yàgg, yàgg ci dex, du ko tax a soppaliku jasig. (6)
No matter how long a log soaks in the river, it will never become a crocodile.
“A leopard cannot change its spots.”
One cannot change one's nature simply by imitation. This is often used in the context of
changing culture. Learning Wolof language and culture will never be enough for a
Westerner to become Wolof.
485. Aw doj du yàgg géej ba tax mu doon aw jën. (7)
A stone, no matter how long it spends in the ocean, will not become a fish.
“A leopard cannot change its spots.”
One cannot change one's nature simply by imitation.
486. Golo ñaawul, baay ba la niru. (2,6,9,15,19)
Bukki ñaawul, baay ba la niru. (14)
The monkey is not ugly; it simply resembles its father.
One should render to nature that which belongs to nature.
Need
487. Ku jél rongooñ, siim cereem, bu ko ñaan ñeex. (4,6,13)
Kuy jooy di bëse kenn du la ñaan am ñeex. (19)
Kuy jooy di siime du maye am ñeex. (11,12)
Someone who wets the couscous with her tears should not be asked for sauce.
There is no point in asking something from someone who has nothing. Someone who
cannot meet his own needs, cannot meet the needs of others. He who does not have
sufficient for himself is unlikely to give to others.
488. Ku laaxul lekk, doo laax jaay. (2,8,9,20)
Ku laaxul lekk, laaxtil jaay. (4,6,13)
Bala kenn di laax jaay, laax lekk. (7)
She who doesn't cook laax to eat, will not cook laax to sell.
Someone who is dying of starvation does not sell their food.
489. Bala ngaa xam luw taat di jëriñ, mbate toog jotee. (2,3)
Bala ngay xam li taat di jariñ, toog jot. (6,8)
Bala ngaa xam lu taat di jëriñ mbee jékki jotee. (20)
One only knows the value of the backside when one has to sit down.
A man leaves his village to go and live in the city. He abandons all contact with those of
his age until the day he finds himself in need, and returns to the village. One of his old
mates quotes him this proverb.
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