Oman's proverbs
By Viju James
Every country has its own repertoire of short, pithy sayings or proverbs. They are used to pepper everyday conversation, thrown in during business presentations and even used while presenting a case before a full bench.
Proverbs enable a person to communicate a point briefly and effectively, without going into details. They also provide an acceptable literary camouflage for conveying information.
Oman has a rich repertoire of proverbs.
Some of the proverbs go back several centuries and provide a delightful insight into the life and times of that era. They are an integral part of the oral history of the country and have been used and conveyed from generation to generation. These proverbs developed from the grass roots, during times when people looked within and around them for answers to everyday issues and problems.
Simplicity and candour are the attributes that best describe Omani proverbs. The vicissitudes, the political fortunes, the tribal feuds, regional characteristics and everything else that has been observed over the centuries are conveyed in a manner that is ideally suited for understanding an oral tradition.
Omani proverbs are written in the Arabic dialect as spoken in Oman. The choice of words is precise and there is a gentle touch of a rhyme or jingle.
This combined effect makes Omani proverbs seem akin to lines from poetry. Some of the proverbs have been modified from the larger repertoire of Arabic proverbs. Most, however, are Omani through and through and no one else can lay claim to the origins. It goes without saying that a little knowledge of Arabic makes for greater enjoyment of the nuances that are present in every phrase.
Omani proverbs revolve around the daily life of the people. Since pastoral activities occupied much of their time, there is many a reference to the crops, the implements and the animals employed in agriculture.
The daily pursuits of men and women, the characteristics of animals, the topography, in short everything is used to convey the words of wisdom.
The camel and the date palm figure time and again. Ana ogul jamal wa anta tagul jabal (I say camel and you say mountain). A female camel that carries a whole load is not overcome by the weight of a sieve, advises the proverb that endorses that small issues do not affect those who are used to shoulder responsibility. Other domestic animals figure as well.
A proverb describing a disgruntled person and how best to handle such an individual says "Bring for her (referring to an eve) a ram from Heel". This place near Samail was famous for its breed of sheep.
Social practices of the Sultanate come across clearly from the proverbs. "He who is shy of his wife (literally meaning cousin) does not beget children," says a proverb. The use of the word cousin refers to the accepted practice of first cousin marriages in Oman.
Another proverb advises young men who are facing marital problems that it is better to prop up a female date palm than to plant a new one.
Women figure prominently in Omani proverbs. Many of these sayings date back to an era when the status of women was far from what it is today.
For this reason, some of the proverbs appear gender biased and discriminate against women.
Things get back on an even keel when the Omani man is described in proverbs as bawdy and irreverent. "A Batinah woman in a room is no wonder," says a proverb that goes straight to the point that women of the region were not well known for their looks, or other attributes.
Another proverb that refers to the impetuous behaviour of women says " She went to have a baby but turned up in al Gabbee (a place in Dahira)". Indecision is compared to a Deiwal sweet potato and this proverb speaks of the dilemma of the woman who never knows which potato to choose.
The fact that trivial issues could lead to serious matters is expressed in the words, "she went to sing a tune, but actually shed tears"
This refers to the practice of professional mourners crying without feelings. The absence of focus in doing something is explained by a proverb that says that "the pregnant one asked for it but the confined one ate it."
The female of the animal species is also used to convey wisdom. "She (referring to a eve) went to get horns and returned without ears"
Proverbs that communicate the philosophy of Omani life are simple and still pertinent. "Live near water and ask not about sustenance" advises one. Physical size is not everything says the words Kubruh kubr nakluh wa 'agluh 'agl sakluh (Big as his date palms but only as wise as his kids). "Birds alight on grain and not on the staff" says a proverb that advocates a persuasive approach to a problem rather than a confrontation. More concise advice is provided in the proverb that says, " If your motive is good even an ass breaking wind will not injure you."
In question form is asked the proverb, "What 'bagleh' ever becomes straightened on account of its own mast?"
Many proverbs revolve round the need to keep the family together. "He whose nose stinks does not cut it off" advises the saying that again advocates persuasive means to bring back a child who has gone astray. There is counsel for accepting hospitality as well. People are advised Ba'ad al-ud ma shi gu ud (After incense is served there is no sitting).
Tribal feuds were common in Oman in the early years of the last century. Proverbs refer to this with uncanny wisdom " A she goat that has been once attacked by a wolf will never improve ". This is meant to communicate that a tribe that has been once attacked does not return to its original prosperity owing to fear of a second attack. "
A man who has been bitten by a snake is afraid of even a rope" opines another." "The complainant is a 'Jinaibee' and the judge a 'Mahrookee'" This proverb advises that where the complainant and the judge belong to the same tribe, the result may well go in favour of the complainant. 'Al Mahrookee' is a fakheedeh or sub-tribe of 'Jinaibee'.
Some Omani proverbs resemble proverbs in other languages. "Bringing the goats to the market after Eid" is similar to the proverb that says after death, the doctor. "A drum cannot be made of rat's skin," says an Omani proverb. This is quite close to the saying silk purse out of a sow's ear. "I salute Hamad for Mohamed's sake" goes the proverb that compares with the English proverb which says, "Many kiss the child for the nurse's sake."
"The goldsmith's daughter pines for ornaments and the weaver's daughter is naked" is a proverb that comes pretty close to the English proverb that the shoemaker's wife is the worst shod. The famous saying that peril proves who dearly loves, appears as an old Omani proverb providing patriotic advice. "He who does not visit when the country is in a state of distress is not welcome when it is peaceful "
The tendency of people to boast about their own prowess is subtly dealt with in the proverb that says "I have not seen the blood of circumcision alone and the Kaid of Sharjabaneh. " Another adds to this and says "I have seen Muscat and its forts and am not filled with wonder at the sight of Darsait and its earthern ewers."
THE spirit of daring, the foreign adventures and conquests of the people of Oman and the different communities and those who have had contact with the country also figure in the proverbs. "If a ewe dies in Makran, ghee will not become costly in Oman" says a wise phrase. This advocates the viewpoint that insignificant events should not impact on daily life. Another sharp piece of wit says: "If there was any good in Sind, Sind would have been enough for its Darweishes or Sindis". There is a message for expatriates as well, Ya gharib kun adib (Stranger be well behaved)
The famous saying that there are two sides to everything and one hand cannot clap finds its equivalent in the Omani saying, Kaff wahid ma yasaffig The proverb about the bird in the hand is conveyed differently: Beidah al yom wa la farkh bakir (Egg today rather than chicken tomorrow). There is no shortage of advice for life and living.
Khunfusana fi'ein ummha ghazala (The black beetle is a gazelle in the eyes of its mother) endorses the fact that love ignores physical aspects. While that is indeed true another proverb adds that a common gourd can never be transformed into a water melon referring to the futility of hoping for miracles that are never going to take place.
Facts of life are succinctly explained through the medium: "No she camel yearns for the young of another" says the maxim that endorses the fact that everyone is for himself. Double calamity that affects a person is spoken of in a simple proverb that says "The rice is damaged and the measurer is blind".
There's more wisdom in the saying "He who rejoices over the misfortunes of his neighbour will have his house in ruins" Much ado about nothing is explained in another proverb "All the drumming for a date called nagal". The drumming refers to the women musicians hired on festive occasions and nagal refers to the most common variety of dates found in Oman. "Build with silver and cover with gold" are the wise words for those wanting to make a good impression.
Agricultural practices are used to convey the most profound of philosophies. It is well known that waste is frowned upon in the country. " The donkey's dung is sprinkled over its own ulcer and the bullock's manure is in its own pasture" In Oman dried dung is pounded and used as a remedy for animals and dung is used as a fertiliser. The proverb simply says that there should be no wastage of any type.
There is no bashfulness when referring to the nitty gritties of farming to make a valid point "Manure is not carried on horses, even if they have become thin" is a very well known aphorism reminding people that a man of good status will not stoop to mean tasks. There are many proverbs borrowed from the ancient traditions of the sea as well. One of these says that a small net (raddeh) will catch more fish than a big sieve (dagweh).
Life in the villages always had its ups and downs. There were times when relationships were good and times when they were not. During all times proverbs helped people communicate messages without direct offence: "Oh robber of the cock on your head is the feather", is the proverb identifying a person guilty of theft. A discontented person in the neighbourhood is referred to as the butcher of Nizwa Kama gassab Nizwa.
Proverbs that provide advice on health are far from fancy and go straight to the point. "Laughing is the result of cheerfulness and breaking wind with noise is a sign of good health" says a popular saying.
Advice on food says: "Eat of an onion whatever portion you get. Eat of a radish even if it be a leaflet, Eat of a garlic as much as you can" Omani halwa finds mention too with the addage Bu yakil halwaha yasbur'al a balwaha meaning he who eats halwa must patiently endure its effects. The advice is understandable considering the rich ingredients that go into making the national delicacy.
Proverbs that apply to business practices abound. "Two swords cannot be contained in one scabbard" advises the old adage that is very relevant even today. Nokhdhaein fi-s-safinah taghrag: If there are two captains the ship sinks in a similar vein. "A pot in partnership does not boil" advises the saying on the perils of doing business with a partner. "He has sown only two sidis of seed when he has borrowed two jarees" is a remark that raises questions about good governance. A jaree is an Omani dry measure that consists of 30 sidis.
One wise saying referring to the inputs for getting results, asks: "You want figs and grapes out of the garden while Hatim is at the garden gate? "A proverb that has relevance even today says that "Its better to have a good market than good merchandise".
Few words convey more about ethics than those from the proverb: Min fama taba (Greed was his downfall).
Some of the proverbs provide an insight into life before the discovery of oil in the Sultanate. "Whether you come by the pass or over the rocks, the meeting place would be Riyam" says the proverb which says that results would be the same whichever approach is adopted. Till the seventies, people had two options available for reaching Riyam from Muscat. For those who are familiar with the area before the new roads were introduced in the cornice area will comprehend the subtle reference to the locality to convey wisdom.
Kull hilla fiha illa: Every village has some drawback says this proverb which tries to say that there is something negative in every thing. It is well known that before the days of the modern renaissance, some villages were inaccessible and some were without the basic amenities.
The Proverbs of Oman are well documented. The first book on Omani proverbs was compiled by A S G Jayakar and published by Cambridge in 1987. Jayakar who acted as a Political Agent, had a first hand insight into Oman. He wrote ten volumes of the Administrative Reports of the Persian Gulf Political Residency and Muscat Political Resident.
There is a website for Omani proverbs and reprints of Jayakar's book are now available. Others who have put the proverbs together are Sultan School Seeb with a book of proverbs called Al Amthal ash-sha'biyyah fi Sultanat, 'Uman and Khalifa bin Salim al-Humaidi who published Aqwal'Uman li kull az-zaman.
With the passage of time and an entirely new lifestyle, many more proverbs would have developed and found their way into daily conversation. These would in course of time revolve round such advances as the automobile, the computer and the mobile phone. As they meander into the language they will need to be identified and captured for posterity.
Oman Observer, 14th and 15th May 2002
