Manipuri Proverbs (Paorou) in English Pictures!

INTRODUCTION: Proverbs are fun. These are nuggets of wisdom and, irrespective of the length, are loaded with knowledge and sometimes tidbits of culture. 

For example, in the list of proverbs today, you can find most of the proverbs, which are called paorou in Manipuri, also exist in other languages. This means other cultures too. However, the second one is a typical Manipuri saying that has been conditioned and created by the Manipuri ways of life.  

You can also find another series of proverbs in three parts, which are based on sayings on animals, birds and insects on this blog. You can start from the first here: 80 Manipuri Proverbs (Paorou) Based on Animals, Birds and Insects and do check the other two as well!.

The other series based on the sayings on animals, birds and insects is also a proof that language and culture are fused together so tight that one cannot survive without the other. 

A few years ago, experts found what is believed to be the world’s oldest living proverb. The Sumerian clay tablet on which it was written was found in modern-day Ethiopia, and it was calculated to be 3,800 years old. You know what it reads: The bitch by her acting too hastily brought forth the blind. It is said that there is another version of a cat, but this one, with a dog (bitch = female dog; yes, don’t think it otherwise!), is the original proverb.

Today, we have a list of proverbs or paorou that are popular in Manipuri; and as you can see, many of these have their English equivalents. Read on!

Original Meiteilon text referenced from
Meitei Paorou Amasoong Chatnabi Londa, 1st Ed 1998
by Chongtham Kuber (Retd Headmaster, Mekola Gulap Higher Secondary School)

Check

• Proverbs: ‘Praman Panthei’ Expanded in Minimal Pictures
• 80 Manipuri Proverbs (Paorou) Based on Animals, Birds and Insects
• All the posts related to paorou, proverbs and praman panthei