Embracing the Baobab Tree: The African Proverb in the 21st Century

Authors

Willem Saayman, University of South Africa ; EJ Alagoa, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.; E Amoah, University of Ghana; PA Bennett, Theological College of Central Africa; M Chindongo, World Vision Malawi; G Cotter, Roman Catholic Church; A Dalfovo, Makere University; H Kimmerle, Erasmus University; JN Kudadjie, University of Ghana; J Mbiti, University of Bern; W Mieder, University of Vermont; J Mkuchu, Christian Council of Tanzania; M Mokitimi, University of Lesotho; TN Ntshinga, University of South Africa; BO Olayinka, Obafemi Awolowo University; KA Opoku, Lafayette College; J Penfield, Rutgers University; G Sawadogo; W van Heerden, University of South Africa; G Wanjohi, University of Nairobi
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25159/246

Keywords:

African Proverbs, African languages, African literature

Synopsis

ISBN 0869819976 

AFRICAN PROVERBS SERIES 5

A proverb which exists in many African languages' comments pithily that: ‘No single individual can embrace the baobab tree”: in other words, human wisdom is so great that it would be presumptuous and arrogant of a single individual to claim to have mastered it all. Prof Willem Saayman has used this metaphor as his title in Embracing the Baobab Tree: a compilation of papers read at the Interdisciplinary Symposium on the African Proverb in the 2lst Century at the University of South Africa in Pretoria, 1995.

Thirty-five scholars from |1 African countries attended this event, as well as a few people from America and Europe, and their contributions make very interesting reading. For example, Wolfgang Mieder, one of the top pariemologists in the world today, sketches the context against which our African scholarship functions. Mkuchu emphasises the role of proverbs in inculturation. Some researchers argue that proverbs are linked to a rural pastoral pre-colonial culture. Others refute this, citing the adaptability of proverbs in the context of urbanisation and industrialisation. Are proverbs a means of conserving the status quo? Can they be legitimate agents of change in society? Readers are left to judge for themselves in this scholarly and intriguing book.

Contents 

Introduction - W Saayman ix


Part I Paremiological, philosophical and methodological considerations
Modern paremiology in retrospect and prospect - W Mieder  3
African proverbs and African philosophy -A Dalfovo  37
A critique of Western definitions of literature: proverbs as literature of the illiterate - 'M Mokitimi  49
Proverbs as a source of African philosophy: methodological consideration - H Kimmerle  58
The ontology, epistemology, and ethics inherent in proverbs: the case of the GikGjG - G Wanjohi  72
Proverbs as contested texts: the construction of a philosophy of history from African proverbs - E Alagoa  84
The dynamics of the African proverb with special reference to the Xhosa proverb-TN Ntshinga  94

Part II Proverbs and structures and institutions of society
Proverbs as pillars of social structure: a case study of Kaguru proverbs - J Mkuchu  105
Proverbs and philosophy of education in the Mossi culture: some implications - G Sawadogo  115
Grassroot development faciliators and traditional local wisdom: the case of Malawi - M Chindogo  125

Part III Proverbs and religion
The ethical nature of God in African religion as expressed in African proverbs - JS Mbiti 139
The African proverb: sacred text in praxis - J Penfield  163
Are African proverbs an ambiguous source of wisdom for living? A case study of Ga and Dangme proverbs - J N Kudadjie  177
Proverbs about God and the divinities in the religion of the Akan of Ghana - KA Opoku  193

Part IV Proverbs and women
Women as portrayed in some African proverbs - E Amoah  205
Proverbs: issues of Yoruba femininity from a feminist hermeneutical perspective - B O Olayinka  216


Part V Proverbs and Christianity
Faith is caught rather than taught: the significance of African proverbs for the inculturation of Christian faith - W van Heerden  229
Traditional proverbs on marriage as a communication bridge between the Christian Gospel and the Bemba of Zambia - PA Bennett  243
The work of evangelisation and the gathering of proverbs - G Cotter  263

Author Biographies

Willem Saayman, University of South Africa

Willem Saayman was a professor of Missiology and Head of the Department of Missiology at the University of South Africa in Pretoria, South Africa. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church and has worked as a missionary in Zambia, Namibia and South Africa.

EJ Alagoa, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Prof EJ Alagoa was associated with the Department of History at University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

E Amoah, University of Ghana

 

Dr Elizabeth Amoah was associated with the Department of Study of Religion at the University of Ghana.

Greyscale photo of tree branches at top of cover, facing into grey mist towards the bottom of the cover. In the middle of the cover, the African Proverbs Series wording is inserted (vol 5) and at the bottom of the cover, the book title in blue, with a light blue banner holding the black subtitle wording. The author's name is at the bottom of the cover in light blue.s the

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Published

December 30, 1997

Series

Heritage Collection

Categories

Copyright (c) 1997 Unisa Press