Proverbs are the most important expression of human wisdom and knowledge of nature, psychology, and reality for the peoples of Africa. Even among the literate peoples of Africa, such as the Zulus, the Yorubas, the Swahili, and the Arabs in South, West, East, and North Africa, respectively, a proverb is a vital part of the conversation in everyday life.
Nothing is closer to the heart of African society and thought than the proverb. More than any other tradition, it expresses the essence of African wisdom, drawn from past generations in condensed form, often in rhythmic language, easy to remember, and pleasing to hear. Proverbs are often simple and clear in meaning and can be universally applied--we can learn a great deal about human nature from them. They reveal the unity of mankind and the universality of our human emotions, thoughts, and problems.
However, many proverbs refer to some aspect of the local culture which the student of proverbs needs to understand. For instance, in Africa poverty is associated with loneliness: the poor man is shunned by everybody since no one wants to share his misery or be friendly with a man who always fails. Conversely, poverty is also the result of loneliness--a man with plenty of brothers, friends, and relatives will never go hungry, whereas a man on his own is likely to be beaten up and robbed if he has no one to call on for help. Wisdom in Africa is invariably linked with survival. There are innumerable fables about intelligent animals who survive by their wits. In Africa there are many more dangers and enemies surrounding one than in Europe or America, and the survival of the wisest is a major theme throughout African folklore: either you resort to trickery or you starve in a harsh environment where lack of food is a daily problem.
Proverbs, like fables, have a message for the listener; they are often intended as a way to pass on the lore and morality of the local culture to the younger generations. But in Africa proverbs may also be used by the younger generation to address their elders. Also, they can serve functions other than teaching, such as to console someone who is suffering. And many proverbs have equivalents in several parts of the world.
Certain feelings and states of mind are frequently mentioned in proverbs, covering the whole rich spectrum of human experience, such as love and hate, rancor and forgiveness, friendship and enmity, happiness and sadness. Man's physical conditions include poverty and wealth, blindness, illness, and fatigue. The normal activities of human beings are: working, eating, drinking, sleeping, traveling, talking, resting, and dying. The stages of life are, of course, vital: birth, youth, marriage, parenthood, old age, and the approach of death. The full spectrum of human life is thus reflected in proverbs. Indeed, some elderly people in Africa have assured me that there was no aspect of life about which they could not quote a proverb. Proverbs are part of life.
Love
Lover cannot be divided.
--Kikuyu, Kenya
When you are surrounded by love, you think that no one will ever hate you.
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