Austronesian/Papuan proverb question

[Carl Rubino]

Dear AN-LANG,
Hello from Washington DC. I am just writing to ask if any of you have
collected any unique proverbs in Austronesian or Papuan languages you would
like to contribute to an upcoming book (with proper acknowledgement of
course).
  I have a rather large collection of proverbs in most of the major
languages of Austronesia (having exhausted the materials at the Library of
Congress) and would like to now add some unique wise sayings from lesser
known languages.
  Following is a partial list of the languages I have proverbs from followed
by some example Austronesian proverbs.
  Any proverb/s you can contribute to the book will be extremely
appreciated!
  Carl


****
INDONESIA: Larantuka (Flores), Indonesian, Tidore, Nias, Javanese, Acehnese,
Pitu Ulunna Salu (Sulawesi), Bugis, Sundanese, Sasak, Iban, Minangkabau,
Lampung, Tetun, Karo Batak, Balinese, Betawi, Bugis, Toba Batak

PHILIPPINES: Ilocano, Tagalog, Chabacano, Kankana-ey, Mansaka, Mandaya,
Bikol, Ibanag, Manobo, Ilianen, Yogad, Botolan Sambal, Aklanon, Boholano,
Bukidnon, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Gaddang, Ivatan, Kalinga, Kapampangan,
Maguindanao, Manobo Agusan del Sur, Palawan, Pangasinan, Tausug, Waray,
Caviteno, Zamboangueno, Ternateno, Sambal, Ifugao, Isinai, Romblomanon

PAPUA NEW GUINEA/SI: Enga, Tok Pisin, Wampar, Ipili, Siroi, Yimas, Orokaiva,
Arapesh, Dobu, Telefol, Wabag Enga, Abuta

OTHER INSULAR: Atayal, Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, Tahitian, Fijian, Rotuman,
Rapanui, Pohnpeian, Truukese, South Efate, Nemi, Drehu

Examples of some Austronesian and Papuan proverbs:

Yabir r?sehi wan?rir. (Arapesh)
The village pig attracts the wild pig. [Those who know lead those who don’
t.] (Donated by Lise Dobin)

Sarang nimo mahigtan ang karabao sing isa ka nahut nga lanut, apang indi
nimo magapus sang talikala ang babae nga makalam sing pamatasan.
(Hiligaynon)
You can tie down a water buffalo with abaca thread, but not tie down a
coquette with even an iron chain.

Abila gae akOi gowi, afatO na lafangamOi. (Nias)
A crooked banana and bent cassava will only break if someone tries to
straighten them. (Donated by Yosafati Hulu)

Ubi kao-kao, ubi banto api; dudo jao-jao, jangan taro ati. (Larantuka,
Flores)
Ikan mata kene, ganto ujong bale; angka mata kena, ati bula-bale.
Can anyone translate this one?


=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=
Dr. Carl Rubino
http://iloko.tripod.com
webmaster at tagalog.org
202-777-2641 ext. 9780 (messages/fax)