“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? 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 Identifiers Language Religion Customs Entertainment Clothing Fancy some seaweed flavored chips?

Non-Cultural Identifiers Race Gender Nationality Social or economic status

Some Southeast Asian Proverbs Try 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?

Rice With 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 culture When the water rises, the fish eat the ants; when the water falls, the ants eat the fish. -Lao proverb When 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 proverb One Pillar Pagoda. Hanoi, Vietnam

Religion You, 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? Diversity is ours to embrace.

Credits Pictures 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 .