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CULTURAL HERITAGE

Some Aspects of the Antiguan and Barbudan Way of Life Past and Present.

The following 'African Influences' and the description of how Emancipation Day was spent, are extracts from the Museum's new publication "AFRICANS TO ANTIGUANS: The Slavery Experience".

SOME OF OUR AFRICAN INFLUENCES ...

CUSTOMS - The art of bush plant healing is a relic from Africa and elsewhere. Gordon.    

Old people are acquainted with wild plants for certain diseases.  AAII: 51.

Masked costume individuals in Carnival originate from celebrations of the Yoruba, Asante of West Africa.  W&H 1989: 72.

Some Yoruba marriages were polygynous. "Outside children" are thus an African link. Gordon 1989: 25.

Warri came from the Gold Coast. It is the name of a Niger Delta tribe. HAS NL #18:3.

The shapes and methods used by Seaview Farm potters have African origins. Decorative punctuations in the pottery are of African design.       

The head was used to bear burdens, even cups or bottles. 3 or 4 year olds as well.  AAII: 146.

FOOD - Some foods that were brought to Antigua and Barbuda by the slave trade are Eddo, ochra, dasheen, eggplant, bonavista bean.  Harris: 115.

In Ghana, Ducana is Dokono and in the Twi language, Odokono. Fungi. H&W 1989: 77.

MUSIC - The emphasis on rhythm and its expression, and frequent use of percussion. Call and response. W&H 1989: 76.

RELIGION - Rastafarianism is an active religious doctrine with firm roots in Africa, within the Caribbean.  Gordon 1989:34.

Halie Selassie of Ethiopia became a messiah in spirit to the Rastafarians.  Gordon 1989: 34.

SUPERSTITIONS  - Placenta buried in one’s yard, the dry navel put in coal pot and no fire to be taken for 9 days, has at times persisted.  Adelaide Samuel, Pers. Comm. 1989.

Jumbies (Duppies) are vindictive and mischievous spirits of the bush and graveyard.  W&H 1989: 74.

Obeah was brought from West Africa by the slaves.  Drummond xiii.

Obeah was formerly carried on to a great extent. Description and stories are given.  AAII:50-54.

Even in days of freedom people use Obeah. Obeah bottles are used to guard provision grounds.  AAII: 52,54.

CULTURE - The Akan people have a spider hero, Anansi.  Ntikuma (Tacooma) was his son.W&H: 75.

Names.   African given names are used again today for example: Nsenga, Omowale, Keita, Ogwambi, Kwame, Nkosi, Malika, Kunle, Ato, Nekoda, Nyambi, Nkuma, Makeba, N'Jeri, Iyo. Pers. Comm. Janice Augustin

Old time African names still used today are Quashy, Polydore, Pompey etc.See Telephone Book 2003.

LANGUAGE - The Antiguan Creole today, has several words which are of West African origin, based on the tribes who came to the island.  Here are some of them:
Bassa bassa: "fooling around". Antroba= 'trober (plant). ETHenry Pers. Comm. with a West African.

Catta: A wad of cloth placed on the head to facilitate the carrying of heavy loads.
From  Twi   kata to cover or protect      Congo: nkata

Cum cum saw: Just come, thinks he knows it all. On-a-me=An na me (It's not  me!" ). ETHenry Pers. Comm. with a West African.

Dukuna:  A small pudding made of varying mixtures of grated sweet potatoes, coconut, cornmeal plantain-flour.
From Akan: doko na  sweeten mouth      Twi:  boiled maize   Ga: Adangme  dokona 
Fungee:  Boiled cornmeal   From Twi: fugyee   Yoruba: funje  
Kunumunu: A man easily controlled by a woman. From Yoruba:  kunun, lacking in self-confidence.   kong-kong-sa,  to take sided, biased.   From  Twi

Nyam: To eat greedily. 
From a number of overlapping African languages.
Wagie/waggi/wajy: Used clothing; hand-me-downs.
From Igb:  wa,  to divide.   Je, to wear.
Yabba: A round, open, earthen ware vessel used mostly for cooking. Varies in size.  From Twi: ayawa  earthen vessel or dish
Yampi/yampie: Mucus exuded in the corner of the eyes especially after sleeping
From Twi: mpe
Warri: A game played with marbles or nichars.   From: Twi: ware    Fante: nware

Sources:   Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage:  Richard Allsopp
              Colours and Rhythms of Selected Caribbean Creole: Joy Lawrence

Some Antiguan Proverbs are stemmed from West Africa. For example: “When man dead, grass grow at he door”.

AGRICULTURE - Slash and burn is still practiced. Huckster’s: the role of women in marketing is from Ghana. W&H 1989: 76.

EMANCIPATION EVE

1834    July 31.Thursday—Some timorous planter families did not go to bed on emancipation night, fearing lest the same bell which sounded freedom of the slaves might bring the death knell of the masters. At the Wesleyan Chapel when the midnight bell started to strike the congregation fell to their knees to pray.

Scarcely had the clock sounded its last note, when lightning flashed vividly around and a loud peal of thunder roared along the sky. Then came the burst they shouted, they sung, "Glory!", "Alleluia!" they clapped their hands, leaped up, fell down, clasped each other in their free hands, cried, laughed, went to and fro, tossing upward their unfettered hands, but high above the whole was a mighty sound … the uttering in broken negro dialect of gratitude to God. 

When the clock began to strike midnight, the people of Antigua were SLAVES ...when it ceased they were all FREEMEN! There had never been in the history of the world, so great and instantaneous change in the condition of so large a body of people. Freedom was like passing suddenly out of a dark dungeon into the light of the sun.

EMANCIPATION DAY

1834 Aug 1st  - On this day there was no frolicking, but nearly all the people went to  church  to “Tank God to make a we free!   There was more `religious' on dat day dan you could ‘tink of!".

 Many planters went to the chapels where their own people were assembled, greeted them, shook hands with them, and exchanged the most hearty good wishes.  The churches were thronged all over the island. At Grace Hill at least a thousand persons around the chapel could not get in.  During emancipation day and night, not a single dance was held, nor so much as a fiddle played. There were no riotous assemblies nor drunken carousels. Gratitude was the absorbing emotion.

Emancipation Day was celebrated very festively at Willoughby Bay (Bridgetown). The Wesleyan Chapel was all decorated with coconut fronds and at the schoolroom children and the elderly were entertained with cakes and lemonade. The first part of the day was spent in church, and in the evening people danced and were merry. Nowhere in the island was there any disturbance. After the holiday, labourers worked on equitable terms and sugar cultivation proceeded as before. Some slaves had avowed their intention of SLEEPING A WHOLE WEEK when freed, as if to prove to themselves and others, that they were truly MASTERS of their own bodies and time.

Planters believed that after such a revolution as emancipation there would be some relaxation of labour during the week following emancipation. But at  Dr. Daniel's estate (Weatherill's) of which he was manager, he found all hands in the field early on  Monday morning. However at his own estate (probably Belmont) his people were standing  with their hands on their hoes doing nothing. "What does  this mean, my  fellows, that you are not at work this morning?”  They immediately replied, "It is not because we don’t want to work, massa, but we wanted to see you first  to see what the BARGAIN would be". After that was decided on, the whole body of  WORKERS turned out cheerfully.

Mr. Howell, manager of Thibou Jarvis's Estate remembered arising from his bed on the 1st of August hearing exclamations of joy,  "I am free, I am free, I was the greatest slave on the estate, now I am Free!”.

MEDICINAL PLANTS                                                                                                                                   

	18. GO HOLLER

Here is a list of plants sold at the St. John's Market, bought from Christophine Isaac of John Hughes, huckster about 40 yrs old and Eunice Chapman, also from John Hughes.

The main informant was Edith Brown of Bolans, born 20 May 1915.

Saturday 29th June, 1991.

RASTAFARIANISM

The Rastafarian movement was developed in Jamaica in the 1950 's and  spread throughout the West Indies. The word means Head Creator, which continually reminds Rastafari that they are the ones who have chosen the task of saving, guiding and protecting mother nature. It is a biblical religion emphasizing life, love and peace among all living creatures.  By practising "cultural resistance" and self-reliance, the Rastafarians use natural foods (ital) and herbal remedies, avoiding consumerism and other modern practices.  The Lion of Judah is portrayed in paintings and poetry, is of great bodily strength, mighty roar, intelligence and total movement.  His mane resembles the unique Rastafarian hairstyle of 'dreadlocks' and his proud and dignified gait is imitated. Rastafarianism is synonymous with Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, who is believed to have united the human and animal worlds. His name means Power of the Holy Trinity, jah Father, the Son and Holy One. Rasta live by his teachings and are inspired by his works established for us his anointed Saints to continue and complete when mankind is free.

The Four Colours used in decor and clothing are:

• Red for the blood of the Martyrs and Slaves

• Yellow for the Fullness of the Sun

• Green for the Land

• Black for the colour of the skin 

Reggae is a popular music form emerging in Jamaica since the 1960's.   It is: "The music of blood, black reared, pain rooted, heart-geared", (Linton Kwesi Johnson in 'Bass Culture').  It expresses belief in Africans and opposition to their exploitation in the New World.  It was popularised by Bob Marley, who aspired to change the world through principles of love and liberation of all people. Marley made reggae music as well as Rastas, internationally famous. 

Cannabis (Ganga) is treated as a sacrament, the 'Holy Herb" or "Wisdom Weed", was used for rituals only.

WATTLE HOUSES  

In the 1940's conditions of extreme poverty existed in Antigua. The people's rural cottages were made of wattle and daub: woven sticks plastered with mud and roofed with cane trash. It was not unusual for a family of six to eight to inhabit these cramped one-roomed dwellings.

Often the floors were bare earth, which sometimes hosted biting insects called jiggers. Clothes were supplemented with articles made with burlap sacks, known locally as crocus bags. Later, old flour bags were used. House wares were of folk pottery and the hollowed out shell of the calabash gourd. A smoky light was obtained from a rag stuffed in a bottle of kerosene oil, called a flambeau.

Working hours were long, from 6 am to 5 pm. Devoid of sanitary facilities, it does not take too much imagination to appreciate the unhealthy and socially impoverished situation which prevailed under such living conditions.

It was when two hurricanes ravished Antigua and Barbuda in 1951, that most of the wattle and daub cottages were blown down, never to be rebuilt. The 1950's did indeed begin to show a new awakening for Antiguans and Barbudans in their work and living conditions.

Old time Antiguan names for these cottages were: 'Trash Houses' and 'Stand back 'n Fire'.

454 PROVERBS

A good kip (kept woman) better than a bad marriage.

A little is betta than nuttin'.

A no ebery day rain come light.

A pound 'ob fretment, no pay for a gill of debtment.

A word bettah dan a wink fo' a blind horse.

Absence of body better than presence of mind.

According to your act you get you wack (You're dealt with according to your ways)

After cloud, clear wedda (weather).

After laughter cometh tears

Ah no wanting a tongue mek cattle can't talk (It's not wise to say what one tink)

All cassada got de same 'kin, but all na hab de same tas'e.

All good night no mean goin' to bed.

Alligator lay egg, but him no fowl.

Alligator n'yam crapaud fo' bellyful, an' drink fo' sweet mout'.

Always try de water befo' you jump in it.

Ants know hard time a'come dat mek he does carry plenty food fo put in he house.

Anybody trouble me, I no see him, but me tell him howd'ye if we meet a pass.

Back can wait, but not belly.

Bad luck a obeah.

Bad name nebber kill rat.

Bad pasture mek sheep shabby.

Bad picnic an' young mule a one.

Bad 'ring nebber die.

Bad t'ing hab no owner.

Bald head soon shake.

Barkin' save a bitin'.

Bat trus' he'self to me to mek he hang a' raftertop.

Beautiful woman, beautiful trouble.

Beauty without grace is like a rose without t'orns or smell.

Because parrot mek noise dem say a he one eat banana.

Bef' face an' behin' back no' a one.

Before wedding it is 'me dear', after wedding it is 'you brute'.

Beggah dat beg from beggah nebber grow rich. (Beggar)

Beggar a look for work, but a-pray for no get am!

Behind back hab no ear.

Belieb half what you see, nuttin' what you hear.

Belly - full tell hungry - man 'kip - heart'

Bellyful bruk pot.

Bellyful man tell hungry man 'Keep heart buddy'.

BessieH

Betta fe be lion-hearted gan pig-headed,

Betta fo' see some'ting, before some'ting see you.

Betta fo watch banbox full ob cockroach dan watch wan gal.

Betta for dem larf afta you when you right dan cry ober you when you wrong.

Bettah a go a heaven a pauper dan Hell a Rectah.

Bettah fo' beg dan to borrow.

Bettah fo' keep one cat dan fifty mouse.

Better belly fe' bus' dar good t'ings pwoil.

Better fe short ob pence dan short ob sense,

Better man belly bus' than good food waste.

Big house hab big 'tory.

Big promise mek fool many.

Big ship need big water.

Big story choke darg (dog).

Big word bruk no man's jawbone.

Big yeye choke mangy cat.

Bird sing sweet fo' he own he nest.

Bit-bit make poun'.

Black fowl can lay white egg.

Black man tief, him tief half bit, bucra tief himself whole estate.

Blind man see neighbours faults.

Boat sail too fas' go under water

Bottle no hab 'toppa belong to cockroach.

Brag is bery good darg, but hol'fast is better.

Braggin' ribah bebber drown somebody.

Brick 'pon brick mek house.

Bull frog say him a man, but he buil' house 'pon sand.

Bull horn nebber too nearby fo' bull head.

Bull loose a' pasture, man no boun' for walk close to he.

Bush heb yeye.

Buy beef you buy bone, buy lan' you buy rock 'tone.

Buy you' own n'yam (food), n'yam according to you' pocket.

Calabash a float a trench but can't float a ribbah.

Calabash outside green but him belly white.

Cane no grow like a grass.

Can't help"" no do for purpose."

Cat foot dof', but he 'cratch fo' true.

Chain fall down, bench get up.

Cheap bargain tek money

Choose a wife on a Saturday, nebber on a Sunday.

Clothes  cover character.

Cock grabble, hen grabble, picnie grabble, then dey can't sleep hungry.

Cock mout' kill cock.

Cockroach ha' no right in fowl house.(You no right to meddle in others business)

Cockroach nebber hav' de right before fowl.

Cocobeh follow yawes  (Troubles do not come singly.)

Com-com-sah (to carry favour) worse than obeah.

Come see me is one ting; come live with me is another.

Constant dripping wear away stone.

Cousin fowl mek bery good soup.

Cow dat belong to butcher, he nebber say him bery well.

Cow hab no bisness in horsa-play.

Cow say "''Tan up"" don' mean rest."

Crab know 'e back no strong so 'e no go under rock

Crack ball nebber men'.

Cruppo no jump yhem picknie walk (Children usually follow their parents footstep

Cry-cry picknie nebber hab night.

Cut copse fo monkey to run.

Darg (dog) bark nebber frighten moon.

Dark night hab no gub'nah.

Dat time roach had dance, he no ask fowl for to come.

Dawg ha money he buy cheese.

De bird ob field mus' hab weed.

De first time ant tas'e molasses, he mash he 'kin in it.

De same knife dat cut goat t'roat can cut sheep t'roat.

De sea en'got no back door! (If you get in, there's no guarantee you'll get out)

De ship nebber sail too far from the block.

De stick which knock the wild goat will come back and knock the tame one.

De way puss walk, a no so he jump.

De wisest of man is sometimes a fool.

De worse o'livin' better than de bes' o' dead.

Dem dey and bad egg an penny (There are worthless, good for nothing people)

Dey take you out-a yo parents' house a June rose.When dey done wid you you.....

Don' brek down de bridge you mus' cross.

Dont' talk cattle on cattle back.

Dress dung to your teeth (Nicely dressed).

Drunk or sober, study your bar (Always keep a cool head).

Duck and fowl feed together, but dem no' roost together.

Dutty water cool hot iron.

Ebery darg (dog) know he dinner time; puss him four o'clock.

Ebery shut-eye na sleep.

Ebery time fowl lay egg e' try to tell the whole world.

Eberyday der debbil no help tief, one day God help watchman.

Empty bag can't stand.

Empty vessels make most noise.

Every bully have them cooler (meets his match)(Mongoose on snakes)

Every day a fishing day,but no other day a catching day(Tings not always bright)

Every day bucket go to well; one day rope mus' cut.

Every dog is lion in he own backyard.

Every good fungi no meet good pepperpot(Not ev.person meets a suitable companion

Every skin teeth na laugh. (All smiles may not be genuine)

Eye fraid work. (At first glance a job might seem difficult than itin fact is.)

Faraway fowl hab fine fedders.

Firs' laugh a no laugh, a large laugh a de laugh

Force make water go up hill. Workers started to stand up for themselves

Fowl say him go to bed early for fear of confusion.

Friend in court better than money in de pocket.

Frog nebber gargle he t'roat till he tas'e fresh water.

Fry de big fish first, de little ones after.

Fu true, fu true (its the truth)- Every dog have dey day- Dog cheap(Very cheap).

Furder in the copse better de shady.

Gi nigga a' inch an' dem tek an ell,gi' dem a' ole grey horse an' dem ride he

Gib a t'ing an' tek back a t'ing, dat a bad man's play-'ting.

Give Jack e' jacket (Give credit where credit is due).

Goat no go to war, but him send his skin.

God pay debt without money.

God-amighty nebber shut him eyes.

Good friend better dan money dey a pocket.

Good fungee nebar meet good pepperpot.

Good me do, t'anky me get.

Good nature mek nanny goat bawl out ob door.

Good owner mus'n't hab 'tingy oberseer

Good sometime' easy for' 'fling 'way but hard fo' pick up.

Good wife bettah dan station waggon.

Greed choke puppy.

Guinea bird keep company wid fowl when his foot bruk.

Guinea-pig say he no want 'tory, dat a mek he hab no long tail.

Half a loaf of bread,beg s'mody buy it, but if you wan' whole loaf buy it you'self

Han' come, han' go. (You help me and I will help you)

Han' go a buff - go a nigger house

Hand go, hand come.

Handsome woman, handsome roque.

Hang yo kokatoo where you can reach um

Han'some face an' good luck a no all one.

Hen grea fo' hatch duck egg, but she no 'grea fo' tek duck picnea fo' swim.

Hen nebber mek chicken too hot.

Higher monkey climb de more he show he arse.

Hollow gourdie mek de most noise.

Hungry belly an' full belly no' walk one pa. (road).

Hungry belly may no' know soup no sweet.

Hungry man got no massa.

I believe that planting sucker follow the root

If bad name could kill ratta, all ratta would go dead.

If bee didn't hab 'ting, he would not keep his honey.

If big breeze blow wat anchor, wha you 'tink ob fowl fedder (feather).

If crab no walk he no get fat;if he walk too far he fall in de pot.

If man can' dance, him say de music no good.

If man no walk at night, he no know dat puss hab cockeye.

If niggah hate you, he gib you basket for carry water, but if you clever you pu

If nightingale sing too much him kill him mumma (jealousy).

If you call tiger massa, he willin' to n'yam wid you.

If you can't be a figure don't be a naught.

If you can't get turkey, satisfy with cock chicken.

If you heb glass window, nebber t'row stones.

If you heb no door fo' shut, shut you mout'.

If you keep you fingernail clean you can put it in gentleman's dish.

If you lie down with dog you get up wid fleas.

If you lub good fo' yourself, you mus' lub good fo' you' frien'.

If you nebber put on ledda (shoes) you will nebber feel de pinch.

If you ride de harse (horse), you mus' pay to shoe him.

If you try to play warri with God you will get no seed  (See meaning)

If you want to hear how de story go, wait 'til quarrel come.

If you want to know how ole woman' tongue long, you mu' pull she jigger out.

In for a penny, in for a pound (Go to the limit and bear the consequencies)

Is not every shine teeth a good laugh (Not all that smiles with you mean well)

It isn't one time dog want bone (You'll need something else again)

Jackass say dis world ain't level.

Jill-pot turn down, pot-bottom turn up

Jumbie know who foo freiken a foreday morning(Keep off peoplewith exagg.behavior

Jumbie know who foo friken a foreday morning(Keep off people w/exag. behaviour).

Jury gone upstairs. (Nothing is in the house for me to eat).

Keep you' secret in you own gourdy.

Kill mooma gi'e pickney -pickney nyam umarf.But kill pickney gi'e moonma-mooma..

Koo de pah (Look at the road or path)

Lazy niggah mek good driver

Lil pepper burn big man's mout.

Little as darg (dog) flea be, he can mek big man jump.

Little axe cut down big tree.

Live horse an get grass  (Live according to your means)

Lizard nebber plant corn, but him hab plenty,

Long time"" is bery long rope"

Man got too much tongue, him pay him daddy's debts.

Man nebber know de use of water, till him tank dry.

Man's neighbour bettah dan far off bruddah.

Market place a'woman's Court House.

Marriage he teet' and bite hot.

Marry you darter when you can, you son when you choose.

Me lub picnic, but me know n'yam wid dem.

Me na cut me nose foo spoil me face (I can't give away what I need for myself)

Mek friend when you no need dem.

Mek sure better than cockshure.

Mischief come by the pound an' go by the ounce.

Monkey know what limb to jump on  (Consider your actions carefully)

Monkey nebber so drunk to go to sleep front a darg (dog) kennel.

Monkey see monkey do  (We are copy cats)

Moon run fast, but day ketch um. (One day your evil will catch up with you!).

Mouth open, story jump out.

Muzzle dog no catch rat.

Na ebery big head got sense.

Nannygoat nebberscratch him back till 'e see stone wall.(Await the proper opport

Nebber ask goat for trustee for breadfruit tree.

Nebber call centipede name.

Nebber mek you sail too big fo' you ship.

Nebber mek you' sail too big fo' you ship.

Nebber min' how cockroach drunk, he nebber pass fowl yard.

Nebber tek a man by he looks.

Nebber trow away you walking stick till you cross de river.

Never drive fly from odder man's cow skin.

New broom sweep clean, but de ole broom know de corners.

Nigger dat don' eat pepper an salt, doan' trust he

No all horse get firs' jump a-win race.

No cuss alligator long mout'. Till you cross ribber. (River).

No fisherman say he fish stink.

No hang you cattacou where you carn reach it (Don't live above your income)

No man too old for ole maid.

No mek sweet mout' fool you.

No mind"" mek ship run ashore."

No put you'self in a barrel if matchbox can hold you.

No trow away you belly and tek trash 'tuff um(Don't give up certainty for uncert

No trus' pigeon in a cornfield.

No wait fo'get day tomorrer, tek time an' get there today.

No'hang you' clothes 'pon wan nail.

Nonsense man eat soup wid fork,rice wid pin, eat parch corn an' lik' him finger.

Not fo want o'tongue why cattle don't talk

Nuh count ya chickens before dem hatch(Don't celebrate your gains before realis

Nuh stick your nose in a eye hole.(Don't give yourself undue tasks,you can't do)

N'yam (eat) some today, leave some for tomorrow.

N'yam some, lef some till tomorrow.

Obeah man's daughter always pretty

Old fire tick no hard fo kindle  (Old friends are easy to reunite)

Old guitar make very nice tune.

Ole grudge, fresh lick.

Ole rat eat new cheese.

Ole woman want to cry, she say a smoke a dim she eye.

One dry stump a cane piece no fo laugh when cane piece ketch fire

One han' can't clap   (We need to help each other)

One one full basket

One rotten sheep will 'poil de whole flock.

One s'mody can quarrel.

One time"": nebber done."

One, one full basket  (Good things come slowly)

Only food put puss to watch milk

Only shoe know if stocking heb hole.

Only when you mash ants you know what in he belly

Orange yeller, but you don' know if him sweet,

Padlock you' tongue, or it lock you up.

Parson carn' preach wid dirty collar, for all yeye dey 'pon him.

Parson christen he own pickney first.  (Everyone looks to his interest first!).

Patience man drive pickaxe

Patient man ride jackass.

Pay de doctor and praise de Lord.

Pay today, trus' tomorrow.

Peacock hide him foot when he hear about he tail.

People min hungry and hungry make rata a-bite baking stone

Picnic pig say to dem mamma""Wha mek you' mout' long so"", Mamma say ""Wait chila"

Plantain sucker follow de root (Children follow the example of theirmothers)

Plantain sucker tek atta de root

Play wid monkey, but no play wid he tail.

Play wid puppy an' puppy li'k you mout'.

Play wid puppy, puppy lick yo' mout'; play wid big dog, big dog bite you.

Prayer need not be long when Faith strong.

Pretty pol say he a dandy man.

Prevocation mek dummy man talk.

Puss an' darg (dog) no heb the same luck.

Puss hab no han' but he take he foot fo' lick he face.

Puss may look like a King, but he rader rattah.

Puss n'yam rattah, tell him say rattah tail 'tink.

Quick cent betta dan slow dollar!

Ram goat may he soonah dead,before afternoon sun catch.

Ram-goat no cry fe he skin, he cry fo' he livin'.

Rattah nebber mek noise in a puss ear.

Rice what bubble in de pot, lie flat on de plate.

Ripe pear no know him danger 'til mout' catch him.

Rock a bottom riber nebber feel how sun hot.

Rock ston' dey a bottom ribber nebber know what rock 'tone 'pon roadside a feel.

Rum done, fun done.

Run from coffin an' you butt up wid jumby

Salt nebber say himself sweet.

Same cry at Murro is at Briggins  (Troubles are the same all over)

Same stick beat wild goat beat tame one.

Sarfley, sarfely ketch monkey.

Saucy s'mody always trouble.

Say some and lef some   (Do not tell all you know)

Scornful dawg eat dirty food   (The proud are bought low)

Seb'n years no nuff fo wash freckle off a guinea-hen back.

See an be blin', hear an be deaf.

See de candlelight befo' you blow out de match.

Seven year' no nuff fo' wash freckle off a' guianea-hen back.

Shapes & methods at Seaview Farm have African origins.Punctations African design

Sheep an goat no all one.

Ship won't heed to the rudder, rock bound to pick him up.

Shut mout' no ketch fly. (Nobody can blame you for things you never said).

Sickness come pon top a sore toe  (Troubles follow each other)

Sickness ride horse come an' tek food to go way.

Since 'beg pardon' come a fashon, li'l boy mash big man's foot.

Sleep hab no massa.

Some Antiguan proverbs are stemmed from West Africa

Some do well, some catch hell (Some get along financially, while othets starve).

Some fowl don't want feddah, dem want corn.

Some whiskey burn you pocket, some yo troat.

Sometimes 'tandin' collar 'tan top a empty stomach.

Spider an' fly can't mek bargain.

Stan' furr, see better

Stan' stiff and die strong.

Still tongue keep wise man head

Stone  under water no know when sun hot (You live too much a pampered life)

Sugar barrel nebber 'mash out.

Sweep you own front door, before you sweep fo' me.

Sweet tongue hide black heart.

Sweet wood blaze, but him no keep fire.

Tan safely bettah dan beg pardon

Tark ob de debbil an' you hear he wings.

Tek care is de mudder of safety

Tek time, walk fast.

Ten suit a de tailor betta dan one suit a de law.

Thanky today is not thanky tomorrow.

Thanky"" no buy half bit of bread."

The death of wilks make soldier crab get shell

The further you walk in the bushes,better shady you find(More U dig,more U find)

Tief from tief mek God-Almighty laugh.

Tigar (Tiger) sleep but he tail shake.

Time longer than rope (You can't beat time).

To get the egg you ha foo stan'de hen cackling(Bear w/rebut til U get what want)

Tomorrow is de border line ob de fool.

Too much bed make head dull.

Too much good buoy can buy jackass.

Tree look eber so soun' till woodpecker know what fo' di wid him.

Trouble dey a bush, anansi bring a dey a house.

Trouble mek' ole woman trot.

Trouble mek puss run up prickly pear.

Trouble nebber blow shell when dey come.

Trouble never set like sun.

Trouble on' sea no got back door.

Turtle say he no de 'tory dem a mek, so he walk out.

Two bull can' stan' a one pass (place).

Two man crab can't live in de same hole.

Ugly face no mean ugly heart.

Wa bun nose mek eye run water

Wa eye no see heart no grieve (What one doesn't see, doesn't bother one)

Wa fly min do before ol'lady eye run water?  (See meaning)

Walk'bout fool better dan siddown fool.

Watchman sometime a de bigger t'ief

Wha' de use ob you shawl when you character gone.

Wha mout say backside pay fah (Sometimes one talks things to one own hurt).

Wha' sweat a mout', sometimes hot a belly.

Wha' you lose in de jig, you gain in de reel.

What come off de hill fall in de valley.

What is fun for a dog is death to a mongoose

What na kill, fatten.

What pussy lef' dog well want.

What sweet in de mout' is sour in de belly.

When bottle coma, you tick an' all get drunk.

When bull an' bull meet, dey call watty ""Bro""."

When bull darg (dog) seek him wear puppy darg breeches.

When chair fall down, bench get up

When chicken tie up cockroach wan' explanation.

When cowtail cut off, God a'mighty brush fly.

When crab know he back soft, he stop under rock.

When darg n'yam egg, he nebber stop.

When dog mawger (thin and skinny) him head big.

When fish come outta sea an' say whale has sore eye an' runny nose, you believe.

When fowl drink water, him say ""T'ank God"", when man drink water him say nutting"

When fowl merry, hawk ketch him chicken.

When fowlscratch up toomuch dirty,he run de risk ob findin' his grandma skeleton

When han' full, him heb plenty company.

When hog n'yam potato, him n'yam 'kin and all.

When horse no dere, jackass tack firs' place.

When horse see dead in he eye, he don't care where he t'row de rider.

When man dead, grass grow at he door.

When man hab trouble, 'voman tak it mek larf.

When man know he chairback no'trong, his shouldn't lean back.

When me done wid sardine me no meddle with the tin (Reviving relationship,danger)

When mischief maker meet, de debbil (devil) go to dinner.

When niggah happy him tell gub'nor good morning.

When puppy get plenty milk, he make up he face at soup.

When puss gone, rattah tek house.

When puss hab money, he buy cheese.

When rain fall an' sun shinin' , a den de Hebbil licken' he wife.

When ram foot bruk, he find he massa door.

When ribber come down stone mouth full.

When sheep mek dance, goat heb no brainess dere.

When sun go down fowl nebber grabble for he chicken,he den grabble for he self.

When tief tief from tief, God laugh.

When turtle come out ob pond, an tell you alligator hab sore yeye, belieb him.

When you go fo' dig one grave, na dig one - dig two.

When you got money door open, when you no get, door shut.

When you hab plenty, member rainy day.

When you hang clothes outside, look out for rain  (Be careful at all times).

When you heb de debbil to deal with, feed he wid a long spoon.

When you own louse bite you, he bite fo' true.

When you pot full, cover n'yam some.

When you put han' in flour barrel it goes to wrist,when neighbors to you elbow.

When you quarrel wid you friend den you know how much dem know 'bout you.

When you sleep with darg (dog), you ketch him fleas.

When your neighbour beard(or house)catch fire,wet fo you

Where goat tie, a dey dem feed (People act according to their surroundings)

Where you see sugar, a dere you see fly.

Where you tie, you feed.   (Can insinuate, thieving from your employer)

Where you trow water it run, but where you trow blood it settle.

Wherever smoke there, fire there

White man's meat is black man's poison (Higher society gets away with it!}.

Why look in de dark wid fire-stick, when it ha' broad daylight to do it.

Wilful waste makes a woeful want (One's extravagance leads to desperate want).

Wise capt'n carry me fallas' dan sail.

Woman tongue like harse (horse) a-trot.

Woman' tongue sweet fo true.

Wuk older than you.

You can hide from t'ief, but you can't hide from liar.

You do more barking dan wa bitin' (You talk more than acting)

You eber see puss refuse butter?

You eber see puss run up prickly pear bush?

You go drink water before you reach a pan (Get pregnant while you very young)

You have to learn to such salt (You have to learn to sacrifice).

You kill me cat, me kill you cat (What you do to me, I'll do to you)

You kill me cat, me kill your cat (You hurt me, I hurt you back).

You know Arthur?  (I'm not talking to you).

You mus'learn to see an'no see (See things and say nothing).

You nar lib too shave you beard. (You will die young).

You nebber see pop-gun kill alligator.(Don't send a boy on a man's errand).

You no expect anything from one hag but one grunt (see meaning)

You play wid tar you mus' black your finger.

You play wid tar, you must black your face.

You see eberybody a run, tek time.

You shake man han' but you no shake he heart.

76 LOCAL EXPRESSIONS (Past & Present)