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| The Usefulness of Proverb new proverbs |
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Proverbs provide wonderful nuggets of discussion-provoking
wisdom. Proverbs, while arising out of and illuminating distinct
cultures, also speak to widely shared, perhaps planet-spanning, truths.
According to the Ghanaian reer Kofi Asare Opoku, "The Yoruba
of Nigeria emphasize the value of proverbs with a proverb, saying, 'A
proverb is the horse that can carry one swiftly to the discovery of
ideas.'" (quotation from https://www2.wcoil.com/~mdecker/af-prov.htm).
Like a good storyteller, proverbs can paint vivid pictures of precepts
which accelerate understanding. Good proverbs are more complex than they
seem at first blush -- they can almost always be fruitfully examined,
discussed, and even reversed. Proverbs can be used for many pedagogical purposes. They
can provide focus to gatherings and closings, either used singly to
emphasize one idea, or with each individual or group getting a different
one and asking for a few people to share ones that are meaningful to
them (thanks to Linda Lantieri for this approach). If you have more
time, each pair or group could lead a discussion about the meaning of
their saying. Proverbs can be used in character colloquies (intellectual
discussions) as part of character education programs. Comparing proverbs
from different cultures can emphasize both our unity and multicultural
diversity. Additionally, they are useful as springboards for discussions
of the implications and ethical dimensions of literature, historical
events, scientific and technological controversies, our own beliefs, our
learning styles, and our own behavior. The citations on the web sites used to compile this list
usually cited either the ethnic group in which the proverb arose or the
country of origin, but few mentioned both an ethnic origin and a country
name. Where possible, the proverb's description as included here
includes the contemporary country or countries in which that linguistic
or ethnic group primarily lives, and in some cases a regional
description. Some sites listed both the English translation and the
transliteration of the original, and so where possible that is included
too. They are reproduced here spaced widely apart to make it easier to
print this page out and cut it into slips to hand out.
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| Explanation of the Proverb: |
| The hen with baby chicks doesn't swallow the worm
Sukuma (Tanzania) |
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inspiring Sukuma proverb in Tanzania on sacrifice and self-denial is The
hen with baby chicks doesn't swallow the worm. Its main theme is
"Parental Care." The mother hen is constantly looking for food
to feed her chicks. When she does find some food, for example a worm,
she doesn't eat it but leaves it for her chicks. Only after the chicks
have eaten and been satisfied will the mother hen take something for
herself. In contrast to the hen, the mother duck doesn't provide for her
ducklings. She let's them fend for themselves. See the Sukuma proverb Uli
ng'wana wa mbata ibegejage (You are the child of a duck; take care of
yourself).
Similar African proverbs are When a woman is hungry she says: "Roast something for the children that they may eat" (Akan, Ghana). No matter how skinny, the son always belongs to his father (Galla, Ethiopia). The cows never run away from her calves (Bemba, Zambia). The porcupine lovingly licks her spinney (thorny) offspring (Oromo, Ethiopia). The child who stays near his or her mother does not fall into the trap (Chewa, Malawi/Zambia). The mother hen does not break its own eggs (Swahili, Eastern Africa). The umbilical cord and strap in which the cord is wrapped is like mother and child (Ganda, Uganda). Parents can learn much from this proverb. It is their obligation to care for their children by providing what is necessary for their health, education and right conduct -- food, clothing and other needs. To fulfill their obligations to their children, it is necessary for parents to be self-sacrificing and forego certain things in their lifestyle, for example, excessive beer drinking, wearing expensive clothes, etc. An important aspect of African proverbs is their participatory nature that fits in very well with relationship and community values. Sometimes a preacher or teacher gives the first half of the proverb and the congregation or audience responds with the second half: Unity is strength...division is weakness. The hen with baby chicks...doesn't swallow the worm. The second half is the advice that the speaker wants the audience to accept so he or she "maneuvers" the listeners so that the words come from their own lips. End |
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| A
Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing |
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During the colonial period in Kenya there were three Kikuyu
men Kioi, Githogori and Kaminju who thought that they knew everything.
They decided to go to adult education classes to learn English. When
they went to the school they carried with them books and pencils and put
them on a table. When the tutor came he asked them, "Who put these
items here?" They said in the Kikuyu language ni
ithuii atatu. The tutor told them that to say this in English they
should say we three. They
learned these words and went home. The following day the tutor found
they had sharpened their pencils very badly "like sugarcanes"
and asked them, "What did you use to sharpen the pencils?"
They said in Kikuyu na banga. He told them that to say this in English they should say with
a panga or knife. They went home and came back the following day.
But the tutor told them that he would not teach them until they come
back with school fees, that the classes were not free. He sent them away
and told them if they were asked why they were sent away they should say
it was because of money. |
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