This proverb is based on a play on words between ‘fianarana’ and ‘feno arina’. ‘Fianarana’ means ’learning’ or ’education’, while ‘feno arina’ means ‘covered in charcoal’. The general meaning is that education and learning lead to respect and exemplarity, whereas ignorance and lack of knowledge lead to shame and mockery. An equivalent proverb in English could be ‘Ignorance is the root of all evil’.