Yoruba Proverbs"Yoruba Proverbs is the most comprehensive collection to date of more than five thousand Yoruban proverbs that showcase Yoruba oral tradition. Following Oyekan Owomoyela's introduction, which provides a framework and description of Yoruba cultural beliefs, the proverbs are arranged by theme into five sections: the good person; the fortunate person (or the good life); relationships; human nature; rights and responsibilities; and truisms. Each proverb is presented in Yoruba with a literal English translation, followed by a brief commentary explaining the meaning of the proverb within the oral tradition." "This definitive source book on Yoruba proverbs is the first to give such detailed, systematic classification and analysis alongside a careful assessment of the risks and pitfalls of submitting this genre to the canons of literary analysis."--BOOK JACKET. |
Contents
On humility selfcontrol selfknowledge selfrespect and selfrestraint | 41 |
On perspicaciousness good judgment perceptiveness reasonableness | 89 |
On caginess caution moderation patience and prudence | 146 |
On perseverance industry resilience selfconfidence selfreliance | 198 |
On consistency honesty openness plain speaking and reliability | 237 |
On consideration kindness and thoughtfulness | 255 |
the fortunate person or the good life | 265 |
On health | 273 |
On relationships with elders | 321 |
On relationships with strangers | 339 |
On fate and reciprocity | 345 |
On human vulnerability and limitations | 357 |
On mortality | 388 |
On inequality | 400 |
rights and responsibilities | 421 |
On the right to human dignity | 428 |
On children and elders | 281 |
On longevity | 289 |
relationships | 297 |
On relationships within the community | 312 |
On subservience to authority | 437 |
Miscellany | 453 |
References | 501 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
actions baba becomes better bird brings carry cause chicken child cloth comes Compare Compare the preceding corn danger death disaster disgrace eeyan elder enemies entry evil expect eyes face fall farm father favor fight following entry fortune gbogbo give goes hand head human keep kill king lack leaves live look matter means mother mouth never ogun ohun one's one’s oneself owner people's person pounded preceding entry presence problems proper proverb reference rich says secret suffering task things town tree trouble turn variant Whoever wishes woman yams Yoruba youth