The place of proverbs and oral literature in the sustenance of a culture cannot be over-emphasised. It is quite regrettable and disheartening that these aspects of culture are grossly ignored and abused these days across many cultures, for which most contemporary members of such cultures know little or nothing in/about these indigenous knowledge and cultures. Bekwarra is one of those cultures, with the contemporary Bekwarra acting negatively towards their culture in almost all phases.
This paper is intended to rouse the interest and attention of such peoples, not only the Bekwarra, to their proverbs, oral literature and indigenous cultures towards their sustenance. It concludes that it is imperative to sustain cultures like Bekwarra through these aspects of culture, which involves constant/sustained interest in, teaching and learning cum transmission of these invaluable aspects of culture across generations. They should be constantly preserved, and taught both at home and school.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Conceptualising Proverb
3. The Extended Conceptual Base Theory of Proverb
4. Oral Literature and Culture Sustenance
5. The Bekwarra and Arts
6. Bekwarra Proverbs
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to reawaken interest in the indigenous culture, oral literature, and proverbs of the Bekwarra people, which are currently facing attrition due to modernization and the neglect of traditional values. It explores the philosophical and cognitive underpinnings of proverbs and provides a call to action for the preservation of these cultural aspects for future generations.
- The role of oral literature in cultural sustenance.
- Cognitive theories of proverb comprehension (ECBT).
- Cultural identity and existentialism within the Bekwarra society.
- The significance of traditional arts, music, and dance.
- A compilation and contextual analysis of Bekwarra proverbs.
Excerpt from the Book
Conceptualising Proverb
The definition of proverb has caused scholars of various disciplines much chagrin over the centuries. Many attempts at defining it have been made from Aristotle to the present time (Kindstrand, 1978; Russo, 1983), ranging from philosophical considerations to cut-and-dry lexicographical definitions. The American phrenologist, Bartlett Jere Whiting (1905-1995), reviewed many definitions in an important article on The nature of the proverb (1932), summarising his findings in a lengthy conglomerate version of his own thus:
A proverb is an expression which, owing its birth to the people, testifies to its origin in form and phrase. It expresses what a fundamental truth– a truism– is apparently in homely language, often adorned, however, with alliteration and a rhyme. It is usually short, but need not be, it is usually true, but need not be; it is usually true, but need not be. Some proverbs have both a literal and figurative meaning, either of which makes perfect sense; but more often they have but one of the two. A proverb must be venerable; it must bear the sign of antiquity, and, since such signs may be counterfeited by a clever literary man; it should be attested in different places at different times. This last requirement, we must often waive in dealing with very early literature, where the material at our disposal is incomplete (Whiting, 1932:302; 1994:80).
The foregoing points out the fact that proverbs are conventionalised, cultural, literary and logical and should not or cannot be easily manipulated or pirated by a literary rhetorician, as such rhetoric can easily be known or detected by a competent or experienced native speaker of the language or speech form in which they are housed and with which they are communicated.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter highlights the importance of preserving oral tradition and examines the existential challenges facing the contemporary Bekwarra people in a globalized world.
Conceptualising Proverb: This chapter provides a comprehensive review of scholarly attempts to define proverbs and links their function to folk philosophy and human existentialism.
The Extended Conceptual Base Theory of Proverb: This chapter introduces the ECBT framework, explaining how proverbs function as problem-solving tools within a shared cognitive environment.
Oral Literature and Culture Sustenance: This chapter emphasizes the crucial role that oral literature plays in the transmission of cultural norms, values, and history across generations.
The Bekwarra and Arts: This chapter details the cultural heritage, societal institutions, demographic context, and the significance of music and dance within the Bekwarra community.
Bekwarra Proverbs: This chapter lists fifty traditional Bekwarra proverbs accompanied by English translations and explanations of their cultural significance.
Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the research, reaffirming that proverbs are essential to the Bekwarra identity and urging a renewed commitment to teaching these values at home and in schools.
Keywords
Bekwarra, Proverbs, Oral, Literature, Culture, Sustenance, Existentialism, Cognition, Tradition, Folklore, Nigeria, Identity, Heritage, Communication, Philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the cultural importance of Bekwarra proverbs and oral literature, addressing their current decline and the necessity of preserving them for the future.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
The core themes include the definition and cognitive science of proverbs, the role of oral traditions in cultural sustenance, and the specific socio-cultural context of the Bekwarra people.
What is the central goal of this study?
The goal is to reawaken consciousness among the Bekwarra people and society at large regarding the value of their indigenous knowledge and oral literary forms.
Which scientific framework is used to explain proverb comprehension?
The author utilizes the Extended Conceptual Base Theory (ECBT) and the Cognitive Ideals Hypothesis to analyze how proverbs are understood and applied in communication.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the conceptualization of proverbs, the philosophical links to existentialism, the importance of artistic expressions like music and dance, and a detailed list of fifty proverbs.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
The work is characterized by terms such as Bekwarra, Oral Literature, Culture, Sustenance, Proverb, and Existentialism.
How is Bekwarra music significant to the people?
Music is described as a participatory activity that is deeply integrated into daily life, including farming, rituals, and the moral education of the community.
What is the significance of the "Extended Conceptual Base Theory" in this context?
It explains that proverb understanding requires a shared "cognitive environment" and that proverbs are essentially tools for resolving uncertainty and problem-solving.
What specific cultural practice is linked to the Bekwarra people's diligence in farming?
The Bekwarra are associated with groundnut farming, which is so central to their identity that they are sometimes referred to by nicknames related to this skill by their neighbors.
What is the author's final recommendation regarding culture?
The author concludes that all agents of socialization, including families and schools, must consciously transmit these cultural values to avoid the loss of identity in the face of foreign cultural influence.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Odey Simon Robert (Autor:in), 2017, Bekwarra Proverbs, Oral Literature, Indigenous Knowledge and Culture Sustenance, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/359467
