Igala proverbs as correctional tools in the hands of traditional elders

Abstract

Igala proverbs play a very important role in everyday language of the Igala people. The language has beautiful proverbs which cover all aspects of the people’s life and culture. These proverbs are drawn from careful observation of social events, the lives of people and animals. Also, some proverbs have traces of experiences of the people’s occupations such as farming, fishing, hunting, weaving, wrestling and dancing. The language has proverbs that talk above family and human relations, good and evil, poverty and riches, joy and sorrow. It is on this basis that this study examines how the elders/traditional leaders who are custodians of Igala cultural values use proverbs as a generalized code for establishing standards in ethical and moral values, enthroning respect for elders and constituted authorities and discouraging the youths from embracing social vices prevalent in our society. This study adopts Dan Sperber’s and Wilson’s (1986) relevance theory. Participant observation and interview were the means of data collection. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tools. The work uses the traditional contexts of Ogugu and Ankpa proverbs to present their epistemological significance in Igala kingdom.

Keywords: Igala Proverbs, Correctional Tools, Traditional Elders, Relevance Theory, Traditional Institutions