A CROSS ANTHROPOLOGICO-LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF SELECTED AFRICAN PROVERBS AS EVIDENCE OF A CULTURE OF VIOLENCE

Abstract

Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that contain the treasures of traditional wisdom which are passed down from one generation to another. In some concrete way, they are the bedrock upon which societies build their civilization. Stone (2006: xiii) defines proverbs as ‘bits of ancient wisdom’ that represent words of critical wisdom based on the tested experience of ancestors. As an integral part of language, proverbs reflect the patterns and structures of culture and consequently influence human thinking, psyche, world view, social practices and power relations in society (Djite,2008). Employing Lakoff and Turner’s (1989) theory of ethnography of proverbs and Lazar’s (2005) approach to Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA), this paper examines selected proverbs from some African societies (Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Amharic, Bukusu, Frafra etc.) in order to determine if the African society has a history of patriarchy and violence that ultimately promotes a culture of gender-based violence (GBV). The study reveals that proverbs with violent overtones are found in several African societies. These proverbs have the power to subtly influence speakers' attitudes and behaviour towards women, especially when it comes to upholding patriarchal hegemony.