A cultural-conceptual analysis of plant-related proverbs in Nzema

Abstract

Proverbs are wise sayings that are built from socio-cultural experiences, including natural phenomena and objects such as plants, animals, rivers, among others. This paper focuses on plant-proverbs in Nzema, and how the imagery of plants provides basis for conceptualising human behavioural principles in the Nzema society. In this paper, twenty plant-related proverbs are examined, highlighting their advisory contents in relation to crucial themes such as generosity, hard-work and perseverance, justice and fairness, carefulness, patience, cooperation, and avoidance of litigation among others. The paper shows that many didactics are concealed in Nzema proverbs that incorporate plants like pawpaw, orange, sugarcane, pepper, coconut, banana, palm fruits, and trees in general. Thus, the Nzema dwell on plant imagery in proverbs to convey various advisory messages to mitigate vices and to straighten the conduct of members within the culture. Data were obtained from primary and secondary sources. The paper relies on Cultural Conceptualisations (SHARIFIAN 2011, 2017) as the theoretical underpinning.