1. Proverbs in Igbo Culture

2. “African people did not hear of culture for the first time from Europeans; their societies were not mindless but frequently had a philosophy of great depth and value and beauty; they had poetry and above all they had dignity.” Jayalakshmi V. Rao, “Proverb and Culture in the Novels of Chinua Achebe.”

3. Significance of Proverbs In his novels, Achebe has to translate the workings of the African psyche from an indigenous oral tradition to an alien form of European origin (English). He makes use of devices such as proverbs, folktales, and religious tenets conveyed through prayer, speeches, and song sequences. According to Igbo culture, a good speaker is he who uses traditional proverbs, with skill and wisdom. For the Igbos, the core of conversation is the appropriate use of proverbs. They believe, “Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten” ( Things Fall 7) Complex stories (from this oral culture) are concentrated in a few words and phrases which capture and retain the essential meaning of the experiences from which they derive. Proverbs are a way to communicate and pass down learning and wisdom. They are the embodiment of Igbo-African philosophy. They reveal the profound thoughts, and in fact, the soul of the people From the proverbs and sayings, we can understand some of the values of Igbo culture

4. Igbo people hold achievement and success in high regard “You can tell a ripe corn by its look” (16) “If a child washed his hands, he could eat with kings” (6)

5. Igbo’s beliefs about spirituality “When a man says yes, his ‘chi’ says yes also” (19) The chi, in Igbo cosmology, is the guardian spirit granted to every individual at the time of birth and is part of the individual’s supreme creative essence. The chi is entirely responsible for the fortunes and misfortunes of individuals.

6. Igbo views of society “mother is supreme” (94) – in Igbo society mothers are accorded respect…

7. As you read… Consider what values and concerns the proverbs reveal about the Igbo people