Lesson 2a:Igbo proverbs

Question 1

According to Chinua Achebe, what are the ‘palm oil with which words are eaten’ in Igbo culture?

Answer 1

Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten, signifying their importance in conversation.

Question 2

What is the meaning of the Igbo proverb, ‘The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them’?

Answer 2

This proverb suggests that good things reach great or prominent people before they reach those who are less so.

Question 3

What does the proverb ‘If a child washed his hands, he could eat with kings’ signify in Igbo culture?

Answer 3

It highlights the immense value placed on personal achievement and merit, regardless of one’s background.

Question 4

Explain the Igbo proverb: ‘A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing.’

Answer 4

This proverb means that strange or unusual events do not happen without a specific cause or reason.

Question 5

What principle of peaceful coexistence is taught by the proverb ‘Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to the other, let his wings break’?

Answer 5

It teaches that people with differences should coexist peacefully, and those who cause trouble will face consequences.

Question 6

The Igbo proverb ‘An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned’ conveys what human tendency?

Answer 6

It shows that people become uncomfortable when topics that are personally sensitive or ‘hit too close to home’ are discussed.

Question 7

What is the lesson in the proverb, ‘The lizard that jumped from the high Iroko to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did’?

Answer 7

It suggests that if a person’s significant achievement goes unnoticed, they are justified in praising themselves.

Question 8

What is the Igbo equivalent of ‘Drastic circumstances call for drastic measures’?

Answer 8

Eneke the bird says that since men have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching.

Question 9

The proverb ‘Those whose palm kernels were broken for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble’ is a warning against what?

Answer 9

It warns against arrogance when one’s success or fortune is due to the help of others rather than personal achievement.

Question 10

In Igbo belief, the proverb ‘When a man says yes, his chi says yes also’ reflects the idea that success is based on what?

Answer 10

It reflects the belief that people succeed based on their own strength, determination, and will, not on luck.

Question 11

What does the proverb ‘When mother cow is chewing grass, its young ones watch its mouth’ imply about learning?

Answer 11

It implies that children learn behaviours and traits by observing their parents.

Question 12

The proverb ‘If one finger brings oil, it soils the others’ illustrates what concept of collective responsibility?

Answer 12

It means that one person’s misconduct can negatively affect the entire group they are associated with.

Question 13

In Igbo culture, what is ‘Chi’?

Answer 13

Chi is a person’s personal spirit or god, often associated with their destiny or fate.

Question 14

What is the meaning of the Igbo proverb, ‘A chuo aja ma ahughi udele, mara na ihe mere na be ndi mmuo’?

Answer 14

It means, ‘If the vulture fails to appear after a sacrifice, know that something has gone wrong in the spirit world’.

Question 15

The proverb ‘Agwo emeghi nke o jiri buru agwo umuaka achiri ya hie nku’ serves as what kind of warning?

Answer 15

It warns that if one fails to assert their nature or authority, others (even those less powerful) will disrespect or take advantage of them.

Question 16

What does the proverb ‘Aka nri kwuo aka ekpe, aka ekpe akwo aka nri’ teach about reciprocity?

Answer 16

It means ‘When the right hand washes the left, the left hand washes the right’, teaching the importance of mutual help and cooperation.

Question 17

What profound truth is captured in the proverb ‘Ife kwulu, ife akwudobe ya’?

Answer 17

It means ‘Wherever something stands, something else will stand beside it’, reflecting the Igbo worldview of dualism and balance.

Question 18

The proverb ‘Ihe ehi huru gbalaba oso ka okuku huru na-atu onu’ highlights what concept about perspective and capability?

Answer 18

It means ‘What the cow saw and fled from, the chicken sees and pecks at’, highlighting how different perspectives and abilities lead to different reactions to the same situation.

Question 19

What does the proverb ‘Ijiji na-enweghi onye ndumodu na-eso ozu ala n’inyi’ warn against?

Answer 19

It warns that ‘A fly that has no adviser follows the corpse into the grave’, stressing the danger of ignoring good advice.

Question 20

In Igbo proverbs, justice and fairness are symbolised by what sacred object?

Answer 20

The ‘Ofo’ staff, which symbolises justice, righteousness, and truth.

Question 21

What does the saying ‘Onye kwe chi ya ekwe’ mean?

Answer 21

It means ‘When a person says yes, their Chi agrees’, signifying the power of human will in shaping one’s destiny.

Question 22

The proverb ‘Onye ji onye n’ani ji onwe ya’ translates to ‘A person who holds another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep them down’. What is its moral?

Answer 22

The moral is that oppressing others requires one to remain in a low or negative state, ultimately harming oneself.

Question 23

What is the meaning of ‘Otu osisi adighi eme oke ohia’?

Answer 23

It means ‘One tree does not make a forest’, emphasizing the importance of community and collective effort.

Question 24

The proverb ‘Ura ga-eju onye nwuru anwu afo’ is a reminder of what reality?

Answer 24

It means ‘A dead person shall have all the sleep they need’, reminding the living to work hard and not be lazy.

Question 25

What does the proverb 'Uzu na-amaghi akpu ogene lee egbe anya n’odu' advise?

Answer 25

It advises that 'The blacksmith that does not know how to forge a gong should look at the tail of a kite', meaning one should learn by observing nature or experts.

Question 26

In the academic study of proverbs, what is 'paremiology'?

Answer 26

Paremiology is the scientific study of proverbs.

Question 27

According to Honeck's classification, which 'view' of proverbs treats them from a subjective viewpoint based on personal experience?

Answer 27

The Personal View.

Question 28

Honeck's _____ View of proverbs is a scientific approach that uses linguistics and logic to define and classify them.

Answer 28

Formal

Question 29

Which of Honeck's views on proverbs emphasizes their use in socio-cultural contexts as cultural linguistic products?

Answer 29

The Cultural View.

Question 30

The _____ view of proverbs is a scientific approach that attempts to explain how an individual uses and understands them.

Answer 30

Cognitive

Question 31

In politeness theory, what is a 'Face Threatening Act' (FTA)?

Answer 31

An act of verbal or non-verbal communication that intrinsically threatens a person's public self-image or 'face'.

Question 32

According to Brown and Levinson's politeness theory, what is 'positive face'?

Answer 32

It is the desire to be liked, approved of, and accepted by others.

Question 33

In politeness theory, what does 'negative face' refer to?

Answer 33

It is the desire for independence, autonomy, and freedom from imposition.

Question 34

What is the 'bald-on-record' politeness strategy?

Answer 34

It involves direct, unambiguous communication without attempts to mitigate face threats, used when clarity and urgency are paramount.

Question 35

Which politeness strategy aims to minimise threats to the listener’s positive face by fostering familiarity and finding common ground?

Answer 35

Positive politeness.

Question 36

Which politeness strategy aims to minimise imposition on the listener’s negative face by using deference, apologies, or indirect questions?

Answer 36

Negative politeness.

Question 37

The 'off-record' or indirect politeness strategy involves implying a face-threatening act rather than stating it explicitly, shifting the burden of _____ to the listener.

Answer 37

interpretation

Question 38

In Culpeper's model, which impoliteness strategy deliberately undermines the addressee's positive face to lower their status or show dominance?

Answer 38

Positive impoliteness.

Question 39

Intentionally invading someone's personal space or putting their indebtedness on record are examples of which impoliteness strategy?

Answer 39

Negative impoliteness.

Question 40

What is 'withholding politeness' as an impoliteness strategy?

Answer 40

It is the conscious decision to refrain from using polite language, such as 'please' or 'thank you', where it would normally be expected.

Question 41

What is the key difference between 'thesis proverbs' and 'antithesis proverbs' as described in the study of contrasting pairs?

Answer 41

A thesis proverb states a proposition from one perspective, while an antithesis proverb counters it with an opposing viewpoint.

Question 42

The proverb 'Two good heads are better than one' acts as an antithesis to which proverb that supports individual opinion?

Answer 42

'A person is entitled to his opinion' (Uché ónyē ádị̀ghị̀ yá ńjọ̄).

Question 43

The proverb 'Patience pays' is contrasted by which proverb that encourages proactivity?

Answer 43

'Heaven helps those who help themselves' (Ónyé gbáá ńkị́tị̄, chí yá ágbáá).

Question 44

What Igbo concept refers to fairness in dealing with others and justice in settling disputes?

Answer 44

The concepts are 'aka nkwumoto' (straight hands/fairness) and 'ikpe nkwumoto' (straight judgement/justice).

Question 45

What is the moral of the modern Igbo proverb 'Azu erighi ibe ya, o dighi ebu' (If a fish does not eat another, it will not grow)?

Answer 45

It reflects a modern, ruthless worldview that selfishness and taking advantage of others are necessary for one's own success and growth.

Question 46

The proverb 'Uwa bu afia, onye zusia onakwulu chi' describes the world as what?

Answer 46

It describes the world as a grand market ('afia'), where after one has finished trading (living), one returns to their Chi (god).

Question 47

What does the proverb 'Onye ulo ya na-agba oku anaghi achu oke' mean?

Answer 47

It means 'A person whose house is on fire does not chase rats', teaching the importance of prioritizing major crises over minor distractions.

Question 48

How does the proverb 'Ebe onye dara ka chi ya kwaturu ya' explain misfortune?

Answer 48

It means 'Where a person falls is where their Chi pushed them down', attributing significant life events, including failures, to one's destiny or personal god.

Question 49

What is the wisdom in the proverb 'Mgbe onye ji teta ura bu ututu ya'?

Answer 49

It means 'Whenever one wakes up is their morning', advising that it is never too late to start something new or make a change.

Question 50

The proverb 'Onye ajuju anaghi efu uzo' encourages what action?

Answer 50

It encourages asking questions, meaning 'The person who asks questions never gets lost'.

Question 51

What does 'Ife ojoo gbaa afo o ghoo omenala' warn about?

Answer 51

It warns that 'When a bad thing is allowed to continue for a year, it becomes a tradition', highlighting the danger of normalizing negative behaviour.

Question 52

Explain the proverb 'Nwata kwochaa aka o soro okenye rie nri'.

Answer 52

It means 'If a child washes their hands, they can eat with elders', signifying that achieving merit and purity allows one to associate with the great.

Question 53

In the folktale, what was the first thing Tortoise (Mbe) did upon hearing Death's call?

Answer 53

He decided to play a game with Death and outsmart him, packing a bag with kola nuts, palm wine, and a sacred horn.

Question 54

What did Tortoise offer Death when they met, in an attempt to trick him?

Answer 54

He offered Death palm wine as a gesture of hospitality before they danced.

Question 55

How did Tortoise trap Death in the African folktale?

Answer 55

While they danced, Tortoise used a sacred horn to trap Death's reflection inside a calabash.

Question 56

What was the consequence of Death being trapped and falling asleep?

Answer 56

The balance of the world was broken; no souls departed, the sick were healed, but rivers overflowed and crops withered.

Question 57

What mark did Death place upon Tortoise as a result of their bargain?

Answer 57

Death cracked Tortoise's shell, leaving it with ridges forever as a reminder of his arrogance and deceit.

Question 58

What great lesson did Tortoise teach the children at the end of the folktale?

Answer 58

He taught them the proverb 'Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it', emphasizing the need for humility.

Question 59

The proverb 'Onye nje nje ka onye isi awo malu ife' translates to what?

Answer 59

'The traveller has more knowledge than the grey-haired person', valuing experience gained through travel over age alone.

Question 60

What does the proverb 'Ihe di woro ogori azuala na ahia' mean?

Answer 60

'What was secret is revealed in the market place', indicating that secrets eventually become public knowledge.

Question 61

In the novel *Things Fall Apart*, what does the proverb 'You can tell a ripe corn by its look' imply?

Answer 61

It implies that if something is genuinely good, its quality will be self-evident and visible to everyone.

Question 62

Explain the proverb 'A child’s palms are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which his mother put in his palm'.

Answer 62

This proverb suggests that a person will not be harmed by following the instructions of a benevolent authority or elder.

Question 63

The saying '...if a proverb is thrown at one and is then explained then the person’s mother’s bride-price needs to be returned' is itself a proverb that emphasizes what cultural value?

Answer 63

It emphasizes the cultural expectation that a true Igbo person should inherently understand proverbs without needing an explanation.

Question 64

What is the meaning of the proverb 'Whenever you see a toad jumping in broad daylight know that something is after his life'?

Answer 64

It conveys that when strange or unnatural things happen, there is usually a serious, often harmful, reason behind it.

Question 65

What does the proverb 'Ehi na enweghi odu, chi ya na a churu ya ijiji' mean?

Answer 65

'The cow that has no tail, it is its chi (god) that chases away flies for it', meaning the defenceless are protected by a divine force.

Question 66

The proverb 'Iko ka ofeke ji anu mmanya, mpi atu bu ihe e chiri echi' distinguishes between what two types of people?

Answer 66

It distinguishes between the uninitiated ('ofeke') who drinks from a common cup and the accomplished person who has earned the right to drink from a buffalo horn.

Question 67

What lesson about consequences is taught by the proverb 'Ochu okuko nwe ada, nwa okuko nwe mbo-mbo oso'?

Answer 67

It means 'He who chases a chicken will fall, and the chicken will get away', teaching that an aggressor often ends up worse off than their target.

Question 68

The proverb 'Oke no n'uno gwara oke no n'ama na azu di na ngiga' warns about the danger of what?

Answer 68

It warns against the danger of inside information being leaked, as 'The rat in the house told the rat outside that there's fish on the grill'.

Question 69

What does the proverb 'Obughi otu aku inu si ada n'onu ka o si ato' teach about appearances?

Answer 69

'It is not the way bitter kola sounds when being chewed that it tastes', meaning that appearances can be deceptive.

Question 70

Explain the wisdom of the proverb 'Choo ewu ojii mgbe chi ka di'.

Answer 70

It means 'Look for a black goat while it is still daytime', advising that one should handle difficult tasks or problems early, before they become impossible.

Question 71

The proverb 'Anaghi eji maka mgbaghu aghara ogu' encourages what virtue?

Answer 71

It encourages courage, meaning 'One does not abandon a battle for fear of being killed'.

Question 72

What fundamental truth about human nature is expressed in the proverb 'Mmadu bu chi ibe ya'?

Answer 72

It means 'Humans are destiny helpers (Chi) to each other', highlighting the importance of interdependence and community.

Question 73

The proverb 'Onye buru chi uzo o gbagbue onwe ya n’oso' is a caution against what?

Answer 73

It cautions against impatience and trying to rush one's destiny, meaning 'Anyone who tries to overtake their chi will outrun themself'.