African Proverbs

Proverbs

• People sometimes repeat stories or fables in order to teach wisdom or moral lessons.

• A proverb is similar to the moral of a story;

– it is a short saying that expresses a well-known truth

Proverbs

• Proverbs can apply to any place in the world and at any time.

• Others are more specific and reveal something about the particular culture or historical period from which they originated.

• Reading a proverb, may teach you something about African culture.

• You may also learn that native Africans share some values with your own culture.

Burning charcoal is turned into ashes.

Every burning conflict eventually settles down and is forgotten

• Why would proverbs be so beneficial in African culture?

• The following proverbs originated among the Ewe tribe of Ghana in West Africa.

If a white man wants to give you a hat, look at the one he is wearing before

you accept it.

• If people want to give you something, you should beware of why they are giving it to you.

• The proverb gives you a clue that West African culture is a nonwhite culture and that West Africans do not always find white people trustworthy.

The blacksmith in one village becomes a blacksmith's apprentice in another.

• Big Fish small pond…

• You do not become a chief simply by sitting on a big stool.

Our culture has proverbs of its own.

– Haste makes waste.– A watched pot never boils.– Too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the

meal.

Your class work…

• You will now interpret some more proverbs on your own.

• You will also be given the opportunity to create your own proverbs.

• Put your thinking caps on…