African Oral Literature: Proverbs

Proverbs are the glue that binds a whole book together, and their significance often spreads above and beyond their original context. Proverbs are wise sayings that address the heart of the discourse in any given context, truthfully and objectively. In Africa and in Nigerian cultures especially, they convey meanings to the hearts of the listeners. Examples of proverbs include:

1. If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.
2. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for something.
3. It takes a whole village to raise a child
4. The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did.

I decided to conduct research on articles and books about proverbs and the significance of proverbs in text, African literature and prose. In the next post, I will be analysing the proverbs used in the work of a Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart". Quoting from an article in the Afrostyle magazine, "The sayings of Africa are some of the most profound words you’ll ever hear."

Proverbs have had a great influence on the lifestyles of many people, mainly through means of religion and culture. They share with the world the practical wisdom the people have learnt in their way of life. The Zulu proverb “You cannot chase two antelope at once” developed when African people found they could only capture one animal at a time because if they tried to focus on more than one, the animals they hunt would all get away. This practical wisdom of tackling one thing at a time applies to people all over the world not just those chasing after wildlife. Proverbs also provide an understanding of the way of life in Africa. The view on gender roles in Africa is summed up by the proverb from Ghana that says “A woman is a flower in a garden; her husband is the fence around it", revealing that the wife was the frailer and gentler party whereas the husband was deemed as a protective barrier and defence, perhaps more agressive and possessive.

Proverbs help to dispel the belief that a people are barbaric and uneducated for there’s often a stigma surrounding people who can’t speak English and aren’t educated in a typical western manner. When these proverbs are translated it’s easy to see the intelligence and life experience the people of Africa possess. It also shows that a society and its way of life aren’t superior to that of another society.

It’s often said that a picture can tell a thousand words and proverbs have the ability to explain a thousand words in one simple sentence or statement. There are many long winded essays, articles and papers on how thinking positively is beneficial. Yet, the Tanzanian proverb “One who bathes willingly with cold water doesn’t feel the cold” sums this up in one line. In addition to positive thinking, proverbs tend to be uplifting and inspiring. One such example is the Zulu proverb “You should face your responsibilities squarely; no elephant ever found its trunk too heavy”.

Proverbs provide hard hitting messages in a profound way rather than in a nasty or demoralizing manner. One such example is the Zulu proverb, “when you bite indiscriminately, you end up eating your own tail”. Another example is from Gambia “words are like bullets; if they escape you can’t catch them again”. These proverbs subtly warn people of the consequences of their actions.

Proverbs were and still are important in traditional societies because they’re relevant in a number of court proceedings. They’re considered part of traditional texts and are used by litigants to a great extent, the same way as the texts of judicial authorities. Proverbs in the political system emphasize the dual aspect- the leader holds the traditional authority but his appointment and removal shall be in the hands of the people. The Fante (the Akan people who reside in most of the southern half of Ghana and adjoining areas of Côte d’Ivoire), discuss their traditions and customs by continually employing proverbs in their arguments. Their collection helps the ethnographer to determine the ideal forms of behavior and even in some areas, the verbalization of the law.

Proverbs open the doors to insightful and entertaining discussions. Using proverbs in a discussion is an entertaining way to narrate your point. They can also give a greater potency to any message you are trying to convey. If you wanted to try and explain to someone the consequences of lying, the Yoruba proverb “you may tell little lies, small as a thorn, but they will grow to the size of a spear and kill you” poignantly teaches this lesson.