10 Dominican proverbs that embrace wisdom and culture #HispanicHeritageMonth

fables, metaphors,Proverbs, tenths. Those who know me will agree that they are all part of my conversational Spanish. Growing up with my grandmother, hearing Dominican proverbs was as natural as smelling fresh lemongrass tea from our patio in the morning. For those who don't speak Spanish, I'm talking about using fables, metaphors, sayings and popular Dominican poetrytenthto illustrate situations, reinforce an idea, or simply convey some wisdom.
AlthoughMom Amparowas a great source of Dominican proverbs, she wasn't the only one that nurtured my love forSayings. my mother and my otherOwnalso played a role. Also, my mother shares my love of folk wisdom and you can often hear her say some Dominican proverbs and if you encourage her at social gatherings she can bring tears to your eyestenthshe can recite.

I can't pinpoint what the popular sayings are, but it's very common for Dominicans to use these cultural snippets in our daily communications. Like everything else, Dominican sayings come and go with the times as they are linked to the culture and social codes shared by people in different eras. Like music, fashion, and even slang, these cultural expressions speak to the social norms and beliefs that people share at a given time.

For example, my mother knows old Dominican sayings thatSayings,etenthpassed on to her by my mother's husband, who was a much older man. The combination of both my grandmothers and my mother's knowledgeDominican Proverbsmade me oneKennerHow. I love that Dominican sayings and idioms make the language more alive and also bring our culture to life, identifying us even when we're not there; especially when we're far, far from home.

Having not lived in the Dominican Republic for almost 15 years, there are already many Dominican proverbs in formation that I have missed, and I know that many of the ones I know are probably dying. With that in mind, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to share a few of my favorites.Dominican Proverbs, because they help tell the story of my life, my family and my culture.In addition, I know that they have also become part of the life and cultural expression of many Dominicans in the diaspora.

"The grass that is for the donkey, no other donkey will eat."
—-“The grass that belongs to the donkey, no other donkey eats”.

This is one of my favorite Dominican proverbs because it contains great wisdom. It's a good way of looking at life and accepting that some things are meant to be; You do your part and if it doesn't work out, it wasn't for you. The equivalent of this saying is"What's for you will never miss you".

"If thatfomeeWarm, the sweet potato is aRefrigerator“.
—-“When hunger is like heat, sweet potatoes are like refreshment”.

Funny, this saying means when you're hungry, don't be picky, you eat anything. Helps well when the food is missing. As many Dominicans live in poverty, this is a way to comfort yourself and your children when there are no options and you must eat what is available.

"In the absence of bread cassava".
—-“If you have no bread, cassava”.

This proverb speaks to the ingenuity of the Dominicans, who learn early on that one can make do with whatever is available. You don't live without something, you work with what you have. The equivalent of this is "Be content with what is available".

"With patience and calm, a donkey climbs a palm tree."
—-"With patience and calm, a donkey can climb a palm tree".

I've heard my mother say this so many times, it's used to teach children patience when trying to achieve something. Good advice in a fun way that's great for little ones.

"In bad weather, good fellow".
—-"Show your best face in bad times".

10 Dominican proverbs that embrace wisdom and culture #HispanicHeritageMonth - Embracing diversity (2023)