Some of the commonly used Bukusu Proverbs and their Literal Meanings in the Society

Abstract

Relevance: Although the Bukusu community continues to maintain a strong attachment to their culture, traditions and superstitions, there is great evidence of gradual erosion of their ethnoknowledge base and ethnopractices, including their proverbs’ custody, use and applications. Aim of the Sudy: The aim of the present study was to document proverbs from the Bukusu community and give an account of their use and application in life as a way of safeguarding endangered traditions in the society. It was envisaged that this would provide a basis for further research on their applicability cross various communities. Materials and Methods: Non-alienating, dialogic, participatory action research (PAR) and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) approaches involving a team of experts (whose knowledge of the community proverbs was beyond reproach and the so called paremiological minimum) from the Bukusu community were carefully selected and utilized based on their knowledge content and ethnopractice of the community proverbs. Results: About 132 proverbs were listed and documented and their respective detailed meanings and interpretations given and briefly discussed where necessary. These proverbs demonstrated intellectual, emotional and moral attitudes due to the truths they exemplify and the message they convey thus making communication amongst people very admirable and interesting. Conclusions: The study therefore confirms that the Bukusu have truly preserved a set of rich heritage of their proverbs anchored in the existing complex nature of various lifestyles of traditions. And further affirms that proverbs are ethnically used to give meaning to issues in life and provide teaching ethos on moral values, life experiences, speculations, interactions and skills for daily living in the society