Proverbs Make Us Reflect on Our Own Situation
Some proverbs are more obscure and not well known outside the Lucumi faith. For example, a proverb associated with Ocana (1) says, "Con una atarraya no se puede pescar un hipopótamo (You can't capture a hippopotamus using a fishing net). Obviously, the hippopotamus is native to Africa, not Cuba, but anyone who has seen a photo or drawing of one knows it's a very large animal weighing well over a ton. In 19th century Cuba, it would have represented an exotic, rare animal, an impossible prey for an average man with limited resources. The listener would understand that the hippopotamus is a metaphor, representing a big and difficult task, or perhaps an unrealistic goal. Although the hippopotamus lives in the river, it's not the same as a fish, and it wouldn't be effective to use a fishing net to catch one. If you don't have the right tools or preparation, you aren't going to succeed. This is a timeless message that extends well into our century, even when most of us no longer fish for our food. In Ocana, people can be very hard headed and refuse to listen to good advice. They're not realistic about their goals, and they don't know when to quit. They need to learn to assess their own abilities better, and to determine if they've got a realistic chance of succeeding before they launch into a new venture. They may need to work in a team or ask for help, which they're usually reluctant to do. The diviner will recite the proverb as a way to start the conversation, and ask the client how it applies to his life.
The Cultural Context of Proverbs
I have a section of my website devoted to proverbs, and I'll be adding more to it in the coming weeks. I invite you to take a look at the proverbs and think about what they suggest to you.