proverbs

180. Doomu ndey dañu mel na baaraamu benn loxo. (20)
Siblings of the same mother are like the fingers of a single hand.
181. Gone, lu luppub ndeyam lax-lax, ca lay wuufu. (2,3,5,6)
Even if the thighs of his mother are very withered, a child will always snuggle up
there.
Alfa leaves Mbediene, his home village, to finish primary school in Louga. He is boarding
with a friend of his father, where he is welcomed like one of the family. He has everything
he needs and his lifestyle there is much better than his actual home. However he is sad and
uncommunicative. The mother asks herself what is happening. She discusses it with her
husband who replies with this proverb.
182. Goro, deesu ko wax dëgg. (20)
One never speaks the truth to one's in-laws.
183. Jaboot day boot ñépp, te du wàcce kenn. (2,3,5,6)
The mother of a family carries all the family on her back, and does not let any one
of them down.
When one is responsible for several people one must not neglect any one of them.
184. Kéwél du tëb, doom ja bëtt. (2,3,5,6,9,11,12,15,19,20)
If the gazelle jumps over the hedge, its offspring will not burrow through it.
“Like father like son.”
“The fruit does not fall far from the tree.”
A child will resemble his parents. He will follow in their footsteps. The good or bad
example of his parents will determine the future conduct of a child.
185. Lu juddoo cim tàgg, bu naawul, jaaxal i mbokkam. (2,9,14)
Lu juddoo cim tàgg naaw, mbaa mu jaaxal ay bokkam. (11,12)
Lu juddoo cim tàgg, màgge cim tàgg, soo naawul, jaaxal say bokk. (19)
That which is born in a nest, if it does not fly, its relatives will be worried.
“Like father, like son.”
An offspring will resemble his parents.
186. Garab du meññ lu dul la ñu ca gajj. (20)
Garab la ñu ca gajj lay meññ. (20)
A tree only reproduces a bush.
“Like father, like son.”
187. Janax du jur lu dul luy gas. (20)
A rat only begets something which digs.
“Like father like son.”
188. Kenn bëggul ku la sut ba mu des sa doom ja nga jur. (20)
No one wants anyone to be superior to them except for the child that they have
begotten.
189. Ku la jëkk ci néeg bi moo lay wax ni ngay tooge. (20)
It is he who precedes you into the room who tells you how you will sit.
He who precedes you (the in-laws) will indicate how you are to act.
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