As I was typing this article, I glanced up and noticed snow flakes falling gently on the plants outside my window. Ahh…. winter came early in England this year.
The snow flakes reminded me of a Malay proverb or peribahasa - Hujan emas di negeri orang, hujan batu di negeri sendiri, lebih baik di negeri sendiri (literally translated: It rains gold in another country, it rains stones in our country, it’s still better in our country).
This particular proverb encourages patriotism to one’s homeland and that no matter how difficult life might be (enduring rain of hailstone); one’s birthland is perceived to be still the best.
According to Zaaba or Zainal Abidin bin Ahmad (a well-know Malay linguist), peribahasa is a short phrase containing the wisdom of matters. In the pre-independence era, proverbs were used in everyday life. Proverb forms part of figurative language in the Malay culture.
The beauty of the proverb lies in the ways it builds up the mind. Malay proverbs use animals or things as analogy and we draw parallels from them and reflect on human issues.
Sometimes, the elders used proverbs to scold or educate their young indirectly. I remember this proverb my grandmother used to tell me, Air dicincang tidak akan putus (Water can’t be ‘chopped’) whenever I had arguments with my brother when we were smaller. She hinted that no matter how grave our problems might seem, family relationships remain strong and will stand the test of time.
Here are some examples of peribahasa.
Animals-related proverbs
Ketam menyuruhkan anaknya berjalan betul
Literal translation: Like the crab asking its juvenile crabs to walk straight
Meaning: Someone who gives other advice but he doesn’t follow his own advice.
Hangat-hangat tahi ayam
Literal translation: Just like chicken’s poo (initially hot but becomes cold fast)
Meaning: Someone who was initially very enthusiastic in doing something but gives up halfway.
Ular menyusur akar
Literal translation: Snakes sliding along the roots (hidden from sight).
Meaning: Those who humble themselves will not lose their prowess or dignity.
Nature-related proverbs
Embun di hujung rumput
Literal translation: Dew on a grass blade
Meaning: Something that will not last.
Gunung yang tinggi akan runtuh jika digali setiap hari
Literal translation: The high mountain will collapse if dug every day.
Meaning: Your wealth will deplete if used too often and if you don’t replenish it.
Lain padang lain belalang
Literal translation: Different locusts in different fields.
Meaning: Traditions and customs differ from country to country
Proverbs inspired by human characters
Hilang bahasa lenyap bangsa
Literal translation: Lose your language, lose your race.
Meaning: If one doesn’t preserve one’s language, it will cause the downfall of one’s race.
Isi dada bekal berjalan
Literal translation: Store the chest/heart with ‘content’ as food for your journey.
Meaning: If you have knowledge, it will be easy for you to gain wealth no matter where you go.
Ringan sama dijinjing, berat sama dipikul
Literal translation: Carry light and heavy things together.
Meaning: Togetherness in joy and sorrow (showing the spirit of gotong-royong and solidarity)
When I reflect on those peribahasa, I’m amazed at how intelligent the older generation was, to come up with such meaningful and beautifully worded phrases. They drew inspirations from the natural surroundings, from observing animal behaviour to things around them. Hmm… I wonder… Are we able to come up with our own modern day peribahasa?
An example of a modern-day peribahasa I recently read:
Seperti tetikus tanpa wayar
Literal translation: Like a wireless computer mouse
Meaning: Someone who is free to roam wherever he wants without restrictions by his parents.
How creative!
Hidayah Amin | 13 December 2010
