Introduction to proverbs
What is a proverb?
A proverb is a short statement of wisdom accepted by a community as an expression of truth and wisdom. Over time a community develops a short statement that reflects its experience, belief, philosophy of life, world view and tested opinion. This statement is passed down the generations in the form of wise sayings or proverbs.
How proverbs are classified.
There are several ways of
classifying proverbs. Common ways of classifying proverbs include:
1. Alphabetic
classification of proverbs
In
quite a number of books where proverbs are recorded this is done in
alphabetical order. This is done in the realization that the classification of
proverbs is not as easy as obvious as that of songs and narratives.
2. Classification of proverbs according to the subject, matter, contents or themes
This
way, themes would be grouped on what they are talking about. We would therefore
have proverbs on poverty, family, patriotism, unity, religion, wisdom,
readership, handwork, honesty, greed friendship, obedience, death, wealth and
poverty etc.
3. Classification of proverbs according to style
This
is a more complex academic exercise where proverbs are classified according to the style they employ for example a certain experience event or story would be
summarized to form a single statement that becomes a proverb. Such is an
anecdote proverb.
According
to style, we would have proverbs like aphorisms, allusions, satirical, epigrams
etc.
4. Classification of proverbs according to functions
For secondary school students this appears to be the most appropriate since it is simple. We note that a single proverb can serve several functions.
Functions of the proverbs and their classifications
i) Advisory and advising proverbs
E.g.
Mtaka cha mvunguni sharti ainame
(If
you want something, you must work hard)
ii) Cautionary or cautioning or warning proverb
E.g.
Bad Company ruins morals
iii) Educative proverbs e.g. Mtoto umleavyo ndivyo akuavyo
(The
child grows up the way you bring him up)
iv) Satirical proverbs e.g. Nyani haoni kundule
(The
monkey does not see its ugly buttocks)
v) Encouraging proverbs e.g. Success does not come on
a silver plate.
vi) Some proverbs are incorporated into an ordinary conversation as a sign of eloquence
vii) Other proverbs are used in deciding a case e.g. among the
Luos there is a proverb that says “Blame both the world cat and the chicken”
while the Kikuyu says “Both the thief and the witness are equally guilty”.
viii) Proverbs express a worldview of a given people of
issues of life like sickness, poverty, wisdom etc.
ix) Proverbs are also used in summarizing a situation e.g. Charity begins at
home.
x) Proverbs also express or capture the contradictions
of life e.g. if you want peace prepare for war.
It is important to note that classification according to function is not rigid since one proverb can be used for various functions
CLASSIFICATION OF PROVERBS
1. Proverbs
are usually short in form. In company with other genres like songs and
narrative proverbs are short.
2. They
are metaphorical or referential. The language of proverbs employs images and
pictures to compare experiences. Therefore, a proverb has literal and
metaphoric meanings.
3. They
are compressed/compact/concise/pithy. The message of the proverb is delivered
using very few words but which are loaded with meaning.
4. Proverbs
are fixed/static
The statement does not change with time and remains the same as it is handled
down the generations. However, the relevance of the proverbs transcends the
boundaries of time and space. The statement does not change with time and remains the same as it is handled
down the generations. However, the relevance of the proverbs transcends the
boundaries of time and space.
5. Proverbs
are situational and contextual.
The nature of proverbs is such that they have to be conceived in a particular
context. One proverb can be used to contradict another.
NB: At a more advanced level, the style of proverbs can be analyzed and found
to employ such features of style as parallelism/juxtaposition, and contrast.
Imagery, idiophones, allusion, humour and sound patterns. The nature of proverbs is such that they have to be conceived in a particular
context. One proverb can be used to contradict another.
NB: at a more advanced level, the style of proverbs can be analyzed and found
to employ such features of style as parallelism/juxtaposition, and contrast.
Imagery, idiophones, allusion, humour and sound patterns.