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“Wen mawga plantin wan’ fi dead, ‘im shoot.”

When a meagre plantain wants to die, it shoots.

What does “Wen mawga plantin wan’ fi dead, ‘im shoot” mean?

After a plantain tree shoots and bears a bunch of familiar fruit, it has ended its useful life, and dies thereafter.

English translation

When a meagre plantain wants to die, it shoots.

Literal translation

When a meagre plantain wants to die, it shoots.

Understanding the expression

After a plantain tree shoots and bears a bunch of familiar fruit, it has ended its useful life, and dies thereafter. When we are no longer concerned about the safety of our persons, the preservation of our good character of job or family, then we are to apt to behave stupidly.

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Attribution and review

Traditional Jamaican proverb