Fufulde is a language spoken mainly by the fulani people of west and central Africa. An estimated 27 million people speak the language worldwide.
Griots are a staple in the Fulani culture. Griots serve as historians, storytellers, praise singers, poets and/or musicians. They are also generally lovers of words and tend to have a good command of languages. Visiting families throughout the town, griots recite family histories through poetry, song, and music. They use a lot of proverbs and idioms. We have gathered a few for you.
PROVERBS
F: Andougo beldoum beldoum, soynde andougo beldoum bo beldou E: Being conscious of and having a good life is enjoyable but ignorance of a good life is also enjoyable
F: ɓaŋaado e mo fowru nanngi ngalaa bojji gooti E: The bride and the victim of the hyena don’t have the same tears
F: Gido kam wartata ganyo E: A friend does not become an enemy
F: Goɗo to wi ma o moɗan gellere, yi mo be gite forondu maako o nyayri E: If someone tells you he can swallow a whole coconut, just watch because he/she trusts his anus
F: Haɓere ɓuri ginnawol E: Intentions are worse than madness
F: Lingu bundu andaa jaajerka maayo E: The fish that dwells in a well does not know the length of the river
F: Munyal deefan hayre E: Patience can cook a stone
F: No a wanyiri nyiiwa fuu, ta wi’u a heebintaa fayaande E: Whatever hatred you have for the elephant, do not say it cannot fill a pot
F: Ta waɗou mboondi nde ɗiɗi, to a waɗi mboondi nde woore he’I, amma to a waɗi nde ɗiɗi be takke ginawol; be moure; be ngartire ba bombom. E: Do not be good twice; once is enough because if you are good twice , one will disrespect you and suck you as a sweet.
F: Taa yaawu kuboɗaa ɓonngu fe’irde: nyiwa e don nyaari wara E: Do not rush to throw your hatchet on a mosquito: the elephant comes running
F: To a andaa haa njahta, andu haa iwda E: If you do not know where you are going, know where you come from
F: To a andi a anda a andan, to a anda a anda a andata e to a andi bo andin E: If you know you don’t know you will know; if you don’t know that you don’t know you will never know, and if you know let others know
F: To a don wasa ngaska ngayandi ta luggin E: If you dig a hole of wickedness, do not dig deep
IDIOMS
F: A chikay na ? E: Aren’t you enough? Question which asks if someone is in his right senses
F: Bi Aadama E: Son of Adam Man or human being
F: Doole ko dow E: The must is above Authority belongs to the person on top
F: Jartougo bandou E: Heat up someone’s body To give someone serious beatings
F: Takkougo goɗo ginnaaji E: Stick madness to a person Do something that would make a person react in an irrational manner.
F: Waɗougo wootere doobal E: To lay the doobal bird’s only egg To do something you’ll never do again
F: Wooro woulli E: The town is on fire A serious situation
- Astha Djam