Al-Amathâl Al-Cha’biyah Wa Taqs ‘Ashor Al-Sana. Proverbs form an integral part of the collective memory of Lebanese society, emerging spontaneously when situations lend themselves to it. These linguistic expressions encompass moral teachings, popular wisdom, and experiential knowledge deemed worth remembering. Proverbs have diverse origins, with some drawing inspiration from religious texts such as the Old and New Testaments, the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the teachings of Imam Ali. Others find their roots in ancient verses of Arab poets, either reproduced in their original form or simplified. Finally, popular sayings can also be the fruit of observation and everyday experiences. Spoken in literal or dialectal Arabic, they are not attributed to specific authors. Proverbs are often very old and of folk origin, and therefore transmitted orally. In situations that are conducive to them, each proverb is prefaced by the phrase “there is a proverb that says” (في مثل بقول), followed by the recitation of the proverb itself.

In rural Lebanese society, proverbs reflect the careful observation of nature and its evolution, the climate, and the sky. These proverbs guide the behavior of peasants and villagers. Numerous proverbs describe weather variations and offer agricultural advice specific to each month of the year. Here are a few examples of proverbs depicting weather conditions during the different months of the year:

January كانون الثاني

In January, take shelter in your home and stay warm. بكانون كنّ، ببيتك احتمّ

February شباط

February, whether it’s punching or kicking, carries the smell of summer. شباط ان شبط وان لبط ريحة الصيف فيه

March آذار

In March, the traitor, [there are] seven major snowfalls, not to mention a few lighter ones. آذار الغدار فيه سبع ثلجات كبار ما عدا الصغار

April نيسان

In April, those who wear lighter clothes when the sun weakens are harming themselves. بنيسان من خفف لبسهفي خفو شمسه، ضرّ نفسه

May أيار

The cold in May can ruin a household برد أيار خراب الديار

June حزيران

June is the month of fun and celebrations. It begins in spring and ends in summer. حزيران شهر البسط والكيف اوله ربيع واخره صيف

July تموز

July heat boils the water in the jug تموز بيغلي المي بالكوز

Augustآب

August the fiery آب اللهاب                                                                                                                                      

September ايلول

The end of September is damp with rain ايلول طرفو بالشتي مبلول            

Octoberتشرين الاول

Between October and November, a second summer بين تشرين وتشرين صيف تاني

November تشرين الثاني

The cold in October and November tears the intestines apart برد تشرين بيخزق المصارين

Decemberكانون الاول

Thunder in December, snow in February كل رعدة بكانون تلجة بشباط