“A rich and compelling collection that will make a significant contribution to the study of Jamaican/West Indian/black folklore and culture” –Daryl Cumber Dance, Virginia Commonwealth University “A fantastic collection from the rich storehouse of Jamaican traditional oral literature” –Rex Nettleford, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica “A Wealth of Information…. The author carries the presentation of the proverbs/sayings to the level of socio-anthropological significance” –E. Valerie Smith, Florida A&M University In 1992, Jamaicans throughout the world celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Jamaica’s formal independence from Britain this collection of Creole sayings contributes to the lively interest in cultural preservation which exists this year in anticipation of the event. The sayings, an archive of the wit and wisdom of many generations, aim to trigger reflection and thought. They are never fully explained, and, says the author, “in the most extreme situation one might well need an entire week to ponder and think seriously” about their meaning. They exert pressure to conform to community standards, and they influence conduct in much the same way as religion does. Strong in imagery and often poetic, the maxims draw upon a variety of well-known flora, fauna, and real or imaginary creatures the anansi, for example, famous for “playin’ de fool fe ketch wise” (playing foolish in order to catch the wise), is regarded as a favorite hero in folklore. Creole, initially constructed as a coded language, employs a number of West African linguistic traditions. These Creole sayings, a valuable addition to the literature and ethnography of the Caribbean region, link Jamaican culture to its African past. They offer delightful reading to Latin American scholars, to students of comparative sociology and anthropology, and to the general public. G. Llewellyn Watson is professor of sociology at the University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetowwn, Canada.

Jamaicans, like others around the world, often experience a tugging at the heart that can only be assuaged by pleasant memories. In her collection of old Jamaican proverbs, Edna Bennett shares the powerful messages and folk wisdom of the Jamaican people, conveying not only the mellowness of nostalgia, but also the gentleness of the island culture. Led by a desire to keep her culture alive, Bennett urges others to take five, cock up yu foot, and 'member what yu old people used to say as she offers collective wisdom presented in Jamaican dialect with English translations. Unforgettable sayings gathered from over three hundred years of Jamaican history include ban' yu belly (be prepared for hardships), cotton tree fall dung, nanny goat jump over it (when the mighty falls, the humblest may take advantage of him), and yu se' man face, yu nuh se' 'im heart (you cannot tell a man's true feelings by the look on his face). More Jamaica Old-Time Sayings will spur memories, transport Jamaicans back to the roots of their culture, and encourage others to not live their lives like a kitchen without a knife, but to focus on the whetstone of Jamaican wisdom.

In "Reggae Wisdom: Proverbs in Jamaican Music" Swami Anand Prahlad looks at the contexts and origins of these proverbs, using them as a cultural sheet music toward understanding the history of Jamaican culture, Rastafari religion, and the music that isthat culture's worldwide voice.

Jamaican Sayings - Life is the first in a series of three books that capture Jamaican adages used to communicate ideas about human nature, behaviour, relationships, aspirations, health hope and survival. Jamaican Sayings - Character and Jamaican Sayings - Success complement the series. The adages represent an archive of the wit and wisdom of many generations and aim to trigger reflection and thought. In their use they are never fully explained but those to whom they are directed usually understand their meaning based on the context in which they are used. They utilise imagery and draw upon a variety of flora and fauna to enrich their content. They hold valuable lessons, inspiration and wisdom that link Jamaican culture to its African past. The sayings are presented in three parts: i) the original saying; ii) the literal English translation and iii) the meaning it aims to convey.

Jamaican Sayings - Success is the third in a series of three books that capture Jamaican adages used to communicate ideas about human nature, behaviour, relationships, aspirations, health hope and survival. Jamaican Sayings - Life and Jamaican Sayings - Character complement the series. The adages represent an archive of the wit and wisdom of many generations and aim to trigger reflection and thought. In their use they are never fully explained but those to whom they are directed usually understand their meaning based on the context in which they are used. They utilise imagery and draw upon a variety of flora and fauna to enrich their content. They hold valuable lessons, inspiration and wisdom that link Jamaican culture to its African past. The sayings are presented in three parts: i) the original saying; ii) the literal English translation and iii) the meaning it aims to convey.

Jamaican Sayings - Character is the second in a series of three books that capture Jamaican adages used to communicate ideas about human nature, behaviour, relationships, aspirations, health hope and survival. Jamaican Sayings - Life and Jamaican Sayings - Success complement the series. The adages represent an archive of the wit and wisdom of many generations and aim to trigger reflection and thought. In their use they are never fully explained but those to whom they are directed usually understand their meaning based on the context in which they are used. They utilise imagery and draw upon a variety of flora and fauna to enrich their content. They hold valuable lessons, inspiration and wisdom that link Jamaican culture to its African past. The sayings are presented in three parts: i) the original saying; ii) the literal English translation and iii) the meaning it aims to convey.

The elders in Jamaica sometimes use phrases or sentences they believe reflect a situation, or serve to caution the younger generation or old, unaware individuals. Many of these phrases or sentences may be used as words of inspiration and often allow for introspection and generate changes through behavioral modification. These are adages inherently uttered in the Jamaican dialect, some of which have been included and translated here into standard English by the author. This ensures a sense of clarity for non-Jamaicans and Jamaicans who aren’t as familiar to the indigenous dialect. The author’s main aim is to reach persons who are not Jamaicans, who would love to understand the meaning of words uttered in the Jamaican dialect, patois. The author also aims to facilitate inspiration, “social cautions,” and self-evaluation through each page of this book, with images included that somewhat reflect the message of each proverb. As such, the English version of each proverb is included, along with the proverb’s meaning. The images included should enhance clarity, especially for non-Jamaicans. The lyrics of the Jamaican National Anthem and Pledge have also been included to extend an understanding of the Jamaican culture and indicate what may be considered Jamaicanism. As a Jamaican, the author would like to operationally define Jamaicanism as the total quality management (TQM) of the Jamaican culture to present the best—as there is only the best—to the outside world, wrapped in the reality of diversity “out of many one people” (the Jamaican motto). The author’s interaction with people from other cultures exposed the sincere interest that others have in the language and subsequent accent of the Jamaican people. This fact is one of the inspirations for this book, as people from other cultures often prompt continuous utterance of the Jamaican dialect to indulge their ears in the melody of the English language in Jamaican tone. In addition, it is important for these proverbs to be used as empowerment, as cautionary sayings, and guiding tools for readers. With that in mind, a blank page is provided after each proverb to facilitate personal reflection and empowerment. The author would like readers to take away the message of caution and become empowered through proverbs and expressions of the elders. The book’s main idea is to convey the linguistic cultural awareness of the Jamaican people to the rest of the world and offer the elements of this awareness as empowerment, caution, and therapy to the Jamaican people and others around the world. It is suggested that this book would be an excellent gift for friends, employees, family, and associates outside Jamaica, or citizens and residents of other nations who are living in Jamaica. It is also a book for all Jamaicans, as it can impact morals and ensure cautions for life. It is important to use these proverbs in a therapeutic way, as they have benefits beyond semantics

Proverbs and sayings are a part of the fabric of life the world over, and that is no different in Jamaica. Featured in this book is patois, written not as broken English, but as patois based on the most recent authoritative works. Filled with colorful illustrations that are literal interpretations of the traditional proverbs and sayings, this book is a light-hearted exploration of the valuable lessons that some Jamaican proverbs have to offer.