Simply defined a proverb means ‘a short sentence, usually in a figurative expression, expressing well known truths, social norms, or moral themes in common use by a society or social group’.
Proverbs are an essential part of the culture of a society, and are frequently used to define the environment and experiences a particular society experiences. In this context, water being indispensable for life, is a frequent subject of proverbs.
"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry." France
"Do not insult a crocodile while your feet are still in the water." South Africa
Proverbs are an important part of oral culture. Hence to understand the perception of water by different cultures and societies of the world, and appreciate the similarities and differences of attitudes to water the IYF/YWAT is compiling traditional water proverbs.
It is hoped that this exchange of cultures will help in the creation of universal global ‘water culture’.
View YWAT's Water Proverbs Poster
Contact Us:
Yoseph Araya (YWAT): yaraya@ywat.org
Giselle Weybrecht (UNESCO): wateryear2003@unesco.org
Below is a list of Water Proverbs from no specific region. If you know the origin of any of the following proverbs or if you have additional proverbs to add to this list please email us and we will put them up.
Click here to go back to the list of regions.
Proverbs
Like a bridge over troubled waters
Read through the proverbs, pick out the ones you like and the ones you don’t like, the ones that are relevant to your country and those that aren't.
Now why not continue with some other activities to further explore the proverbs on these pages? See below for some examples of activities.
Click here to go to the proverb page.
Try finding equivalents for the different water proverbs in your own language. Are the meanings the same? If you can’t find translations try translating them yourself.
Pick a water proverb from the list. Draw a pictures, a painting or create a poster based on your interpretation of the proverb.
Do research on water proverbs from your country. What are they? When are they from? Do they reflect the present situation in your country or the past? Choose one in particular and examine how it is relevant to your country.
Pick a water proverb and write a story about it, either fictional or non fictional.
Do a survey, ask your friends, your parents and your grandparents what proverbs they know and use. Are they the same? Are they different?
Pick a water proverb and try to find the origin and the meaning of the proverbs. What do you think it means? How is it relevant to the country it is from?
Take a water proverb, write it in big on a piece of paper and cut out the different words. Can you rearrange them to create a new proverb?
How are proverbs related to current events? Look through the newspapers, magazines, books etc and find a real life example of some of the issues brought up in the proverbs, either an article, a picture, a story etc.
Look through the list and find a water proverb from your country or relevant to your country, the proverb you like the most, the proverb you dislike the most, the proverb that brings out emotion in you (sadness; anger, happiness), the funniest or strangest proverb and explain why you choose each one. Feel free to look in the library or ask people around you for more proverbs.
Try coming up with your own water proverbs!!
Don't forget to send us your work so that we can share it with others in the proverb section! Email us at yaraya@ywat.org.
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