Public Speaking

Quote Culturally Acceptable Authorities (^107)
Diversity
in praCtiCe
proverbs in african Cultures^34
African tribes—Zulu, Hausa, Ashanti, Igbo, and Yoruba, to name a few—all have
proverbs that both encode and transmit ancestral wisdom regarding how to live
in alignment with each tribe’s values. These sayings package profound cultural
wisdom and knowledge from the ancestors into a few pithy words.
Wise conversationalists invariably use proverbs effectively, and every func-
tioning adult in the village community learned to use them properly during
childhood. Competent users understand each proverb’s meaning and discern the
situations in which a specific proverb fits. For example, an apt saying can help
resolve land disputes, lead to consensus over an issue that affects the village, nego-
tiate a bride price, and so on.
Proverbs are most effective when a senior person shares with one who is
the junior in age, social status, or office. Social etiquette forbids children from
using proverbs in the presence of an elder. A young person who puts forth an
apt proverb must first show homage to his elders or be thought pompous, poorly
brought up, or uneducated.
Look at the Yoruba proverb above.^35 Although it may not be from your
cultural heritage, what does it say to you?
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