Philosophy in African Proverbs
PHILOSOPHY IN AFRICA PROVERBS
1.1 Proverbs as Universal
Proverbs expresses the thought wisdom, moral codes and cultural heritage of a people or culture. It is distinct from other oral traditions such as fables, folklores; folk tales and riddles. Although proverbs are in- some cases derived from some of these oral traditions there is a cut clear distinction between them. Generally proverbs are inherent in majorly all cultures of the world and are generally seen as succinct and pithy sayings in general use, expressing commonly held ideas and beliefs. Etymologically, the word proverb is called from the Latin Proverbium meaning a saying supporting a point. Pro, meaning on behalf of; and verbum literally translated as word. They are short traditional sayings of a didactic or advisory nature in which a generalization is given specific metaphorical expression1.
In recent years proverbs have become object of study to many disciplines such as cultural Anthropology; literature and linguistics etc.
These disciplines have taken kin interest in the relevance of proverbs. But the Philosophers ' interest in proverbs, more specific, the African Philosophers - differs from that of other scholars. C. S. Momoh notes that we have it on Aristotle authority that
“A proverb is a remnant from old philosophy, preserved amid countless destruction by reason of its brevity and fitness for use”2.
The Universality of Proverbs is made clear on the comparison of the proverbs of the world. It is observable that the same underlying wisdom is inherent under different cultural condition and languages. For example, the biblical proverb, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and that of the Nandi 's of east Africa, a goats hide buys a goat hide, a gourd a gourd3 shares the same meaning. In some others instances same proverbs may be found in many variants. For example in Africa where there are proverbs in different culture and language that shares the same thought. Or more significantly, European
1.1 Proverbs as Universal
Proverbs expresses the thought wisdom, moral codes and cultural heritage of a people or culture. It is distinct from other oral traditions such as fables, folklores; folk tales and riddles. Although proverbs are in- some cases derived from some of these oral traditions there is a cut clear distinction between them. Generally proverbs are inherent in majorly all cultures of the world and are generally seen as succinct and pithy sayings in general use, expressing commonly held ideas and beliefs. Etymologically, the word proverb is called from the Latin Proverbium meaning a saying supporting a point. Pro, meaning on behalf of; and verbum literally translated as word. They are short traditional sayings of a didactic or advisory nature in which a generalization is given specific metaphorical expression1.
In recent years proverbs have become object of study to many disciplines such as cultural Anthropology; literature and linguistics etc.
These disciplines have taken kin interest in the relevance of proverbs. But the Philosophers ' interest in proverbs, more specific, the African Philosophers - differs from that of other scholars. C. S. Momoh notes that we have it on Aristotle authority that
“A proverb is a remnant from old philosophy, preserved amid countless destruction by reason of its brevity and fitness for use”2.
The Universality of Proverbs is made clear on the comparison of the proverbs of the world. It is observable that the same underlying wisdom is inherent under different cultural condition and languages. For example, the biblical proverb, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and that of the Nandi 's of east Africa, a goats hide buys a goat hide, a gourd a gourd3 shares the same meaning. In some others instances same proverbs may be found in many variants. For example in Africa where there are proverbs in different culture and language that shares the same thought. Or more significantly, European
References: 1. McArthur, T. (ed.) The Oxford Companion To The English Language [abridge edition], (New York: Oxford University Press, 1996) p.736. 2. Momoh, C. S., “Philosophy in African Proverbs” in The Substance of African Philosophy, C.S. Momoh (ed.) (Auchi: African philosophy project publications, 1989) p.232. 3. Safra, Jacob et.al (ed.) The New Encyclopedia Britannica vo1.19 Micropaedia 15th edition, (Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica lnc, 1998) p.749. 5. See for instance Onah G.L, "The Universal and Particular in Wiredu 's philosophy of human nature" in Olusegun Oladipo The Third Way in African Philosophy: Essays is honour 00£ Kwasi Wiredu (lbadan: Hope publications, 2002) p.69 6. Ibid, p.69 17. Okolo C.B., What is African philosophy? (Enugu: Freeman 's press 1987) p.47