Product Description

"The leopard's stealthy gait is not a result of cowardice; it is simply stalking a prey." (Do not mistake people's gentle nature for spinelessness.) "The rabbit that eats yams and enjoys them will return for more." (People remember good experiences and seek their repetition.) "The chicken sweats, but its down prevents us from knowing." (Everybody has his or her problems, although strangers may not guess.) "The mouth does not say, 'I ate once before.'" (Hunger is not something one assuages once and for all.) "It is a light rain that chases a child indoors; it is a raging torrent that shakes the raffia palm to its roots." (Every person, however lowly or mighty, has his or her nemesis.)

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. Oyekan Owomoyela is Ryan Professor of African Literature at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is the author of A History of Twentieth-Century African Literatures and Yoruba Trickster Tales, both published by the University of Nebraska Press.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #900645 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 510 pages

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TIMELESS CLASSIC
As a Yoruba person settled in the United States, I sometimes worry about the erosion of the little I know about richness of the Yoruba culture, especially as articulated in proverbs. This reality becomes more poignant when I reflect on how my children might never appreciate the richness of the Yoruba culture. Oyekan Owomoyela's fascinating work in YORUBA PROVERBS allayed that fear.

I highly recommend this work to anyone who seeks to understand the "demeanour" of the Yoruba culture. A comprehensive collection of more than five thousand Yoruba proverbs translated literally and figuratively as seen with the Yoruba eyes.

Simply put, a narrative of the Yoruba culture and the richness thereof; would be incomplete without reference to this book. Just think: The timeless wisdom of Yoruba sages down the ages, has been made available to us for the mere price of a book.

Monumental and Outstanding
This outstanding book is filled with insights into Yoruba language that every teacher and student will benefit from. I hope you will find it a useful treasure. I highly recommend this book.

fair amount of proverbs
This book has quite a few proverbs. some i knew before, most i didn't. All are really interesting.
Some proverbs in the book have a dodgy origin (not quite sure they are Yoruba originated) but they are all very interesting. Great way to learn the language.