“Community is not made by force.”Afghan Proverb

Cultural Awareness Taught Through Proverbs .

Proverb. -Noun -a short, memorable, and often highly condensed

saying embodying, especially with bold imagery, some commonplace fact or experience.- from Collins English Dictionary 2009

- a short popular saying, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought; adage; saw. - from Random House Dictionary 2011

Do proverbs tell us something about a culture?

Do proverbs tell us something about a culture?Often two or more cultures share proverbs in

similar forms, both indicating something inherently important to the traditions or customs of that culture.

Example: German proverb – A light belly, heavy heart.Yoruban proverb - When hunger gets inside you, nothing else can.

Cultural IdentifiersLanguageReligionCustomsEntertainmentClothing

Fancy some seaweed flavored chips?

Non-Cultural Identifiers

RaceGenderNationalitySocial or economic status

Some Southeast Asian ProverbsTry to identify what’s important to the people

of Southeast Asia based on some common proverbs.

Look for some common threads and recurring themes.

When eating a fruit, think of the person who planted the tree.-Vietnamese Proverb

Does this proverb indicate the importance of “Family Worship” in Vietnamese society?

Don't reject the crooked road and don't take the straight one, instead take the one traveled by the ancestors.- Cambodian proverb

Similarly, Cambodians respect and revere their ancestors.

Negotiate a river by following its bends, enter a country by following its customs.- Cambodian proverb

Respect for a foreign culture and people.

Can you think of a proverb which uses the same theme?

RiceWith water make rivers, with

rice make armies. - Cambodian proverb

Sun is for cucumbers, rain for rice.

-Vietnamese proverb

The store of rice in your attic is your enemy -- it makes them who have none very jealous.

- Thai proverb

Rice is not only an important food source but also important to the social structure of Southeast Asia.

Climate’s influence on cultureWhen the water rises, the fish

eat the ants; when the water falls, the ants eat the fish.

-Lao proverbWhen the river is filled, Be

quick to fetch some into your bucket.

- Thai proverbs

Heavy, frequent rains are important to support the large population densities.

Education and learning have traditional significance.Go out for a day, get a

full basket of knowledge.

-Vietnamese proverb

You know, you teach. You do not know, you learn.

- Lao proverbOne Pillar Pagoda.Hanoi, Vietnam

ReligionYou, yourself, must

make the effort. The Buddhas are only teachers.

- Buddhist proverb

Diversity is ours to embrace.

Though many cultures value things specific to their region and climate, many share common values. It’s our fortune to share what the world has to offer and the many ways people choose to share.

Above all nations is humanity.- American proverb?

CreditsPictures taken by Cort Hayhurst during Fund for Teachers

Fellowship experience to Southeast Asia June 2010 made possible by Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

Proverbs collected during FFT experience and from Special-Dictionary.com .