Proverbs

A particularity in Beninese culture and tradition is the expression of emotions and messages through proverbs, often presented to the receiver as a patchwork. Similar to the emblems of the kings of Abomey, love letters, words or wisdom and other lessons were communicated through pictures.

We present three of the typical love letters here:

The first, the hut and the broom says:

“I love you. I would like your broom to sweep my house.”

This message could be sent by a man to a young girl to ask for her hand. (It does not mean that he wants her to come an work for him!) The first thing a woman will do in the morning – even before her morning shower – is to get her broom and sweep her house and compound. That way he is telling her that he wants her to be the one to wake up in his house. It also says “without you, weeds will grow on my compound”, with obvious symbolic undertones. If sent by a woman the message means the same: “without my broom weed will grow on your compound”, but this time with the undertone that nobody else would want him…

The second proverb is a reply from the girl and reads:

“I will come and cook for you”. Also here there is added symbolism: The three stones balances the cooking pan over the fire, and should be understood “I will stabilize your life”.

In the third proverb the man is more passionate in expressing his love. It means:

“My eyes are always on you, you are as vital to me as my kidneys, you are always in my heart, and my love for you is as sweet as the sweetest fruit.”

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