African Proverbs


Book Description

This extensive collection of 1755 proverbs spans all regions of the African continent, revealing much about the wisdom, humour, and character of its people and culture. Each proverb is arranged alphabetically by key words and includes the country, province, or tribe of origin. Charmingly illustrated with traditional African art from museums and collections around the world.




African Proverbs for All Ages


Book Description

It has been said that a proverb is a short sentence based on long experience.Whether you're young or old, proverbs can open your mind to new ways of seeing the world. We underestimate children, assuming they are incapable of understanding metaphor and deeper meaning. Children learn in multiple ways, but for each method by which they learn, they need engaged imagination and ignited visual sensibilities. And as adults, we underestimate ourselves when we allow our lives to be about practical matters only. Proverbs can stir our soul and spark our imagination.In African Proverbs for All Ages, noted anthropologist and educator Dr. Johnetta Betsch Cole and award-winning illustrator Nelda La Teef invite children and adults to explore and reflect on complex notions about relationships, identity, society, and the human condition.




The Book of African Proverbs


Book Description

This book contains a list of African proverbs, wise saying and words of wisdom from around the continent.A proverb is a simple, concrete, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic language. Collectively, they form a genre of folklore.Many African proverbs are strongly tied to the earth and animals, conveying lessons of life and learning often through daily, seemingly menial, procedures. An example of a Zimbabwean proverb is "there is honey but no bees" - describing a situation when you find something free for the taking and without consequence.Every culture has its share of wise proverbs or sayings, usually single sentences, passed down from one generation to the next. While these sayings may vary from one language, culture, and country to another, the wisdom they convey is universal. Africa, in particular, is overflowing with inspirational sayings, many of which provide a captivating insight into the rich and vibrant cultures that crafted them.




The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Wisdom Literature


Book Description

A comprehensive introduction to ancient wisdom literature, with fascinating essays on a broad range of topics. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Wisdom Literature is a wide-ranging introduction to the texts, themes, and receptions of the wisdom literature of the Bible and the ancient world. This comprehensive volume brings together original essays from established scholars and emerging voices to offer a variety of perspectives on the “wisdom” biblical books, early Christian and rabbinic literature, and beyond. Varied and engaging essays provide fresh insights on topics of timeless relevance, exploring the distinct features of instructional texts and discussing their interpretation in both antiquity and the modern world. Designed for non-specialists, this accessible volume provides readers with balanced coverage of traditional biblical wisdom texts, including Proverbs, Job, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes; lesser-known Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom; and African proverbs. The contributors explore topics ranging from scribes and pedagogy in ancient Israel, to representations of biblical wisdom literature in contemporary cinema. Offering readers a fresh and interesting way to engage with wisdom literature, this book: Discusses sapiential books and traditions in various historical and cultural contexts Offers up-to-date discussion on the study of the biblical wisdom books Features essays on the history of interpretation and theological reception Includes essays covering the antecedents and afterlife of the texts Part of the acclaimed Wiley Blackwell Companions to Religion series, the Companion to Wisdom Literature is a valuable resource for university, seminary and divinity school students and instructors, scholars and researchers, and general readers with interest in the subject.




African Proverbs: Wisdom Without Borders


Book Description

This beautiful book is filled with soft, rich images of Africa along with meaningful, age-old words giving the reader inspiration and perspective. The proverbs from another culture broaden our horizon and pass along value, humor, and most of all wisdom that truly stands the test of time. Clint Morgan shares from a heart for missions and a profound love for Africa having spent thirty years serving in Cote d'Ivoire.




I Am Because We Are


Book Description

I Am Because We Are features 125 black-and-white photographs by Betty Press taken all over East and West Africa since 1987, combined with related African proverbs compiled by Annetta Miller, an American born in Tanzania. The book highlights the importance of proverbs in educating members of African societies on how to think, how to behave, and how to have a better life. Press took these photographs with the goal of making a significant educational and artistic contribution to the appreciation and understanding of African culture and society as well as our own. The photographs of daily life deal with knowledge, cooperation, love, beauty, friendship, hope, humor, sorrow, happiness, gratitude, dance, tradition, faith, peace, war, death, and human relationships. These are the same themes found in African proverbial language. Thus came the natural idea of coupling images with proverbs. Together they offer a powerful expression of African life and the universality of human emotions, ideas, and knowledge.




African Proverbs and Wisdom


Book Description

Over many centuries, the African people have offered the world an abundance of proverbs, fables, riddles, songs and poetry that have been passed down orally from generation to generation. Now this comprehensive collection carries readers on a journey of cultural discovery, offering meaningful, often poetic words as a source of learning and inspiration. With an entry for each day, this lovely volume conveys the depth of diversity of African people and provides a commemoration of Africa's rich cultural heritage.




Power and Influence


Book Description

Power and Influence demonstrates how the indigenous wisdom contained in African proverbs and folktales can be used to enhance modern life. The timeless wisdom contained in African proverbs and folktales enriches self-development and positive influence. The inspiring results provide deeper understanding of self-development and self-leadership, forming a solid foundation for leadership effectiveness at all levels. This book is among the first to consciously acknowledge and demonstrate the rationale of applying indigenous wisdom to enhance the understanding of disciplines, theories, and practice. African proverbs and folktales express an accumulated wisdom of human relations; add dimensions to practice in ways that are soulful, respectful, practical, and socially embedded. By using African indigenous wisdom, the book contributes towards the much-needed, cross-cultural dialogue among individuals, organizations and societies in this increasingly diversified world.







365 African Proverbs


Book Description

Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten - These are the golden words of the great African writer Chinua Achebe (Author - Things fall Apart). Now you can enjoy the richness in African ancient wisdom. With the satisfaction of the readers in mind, 365 proverbs of the finest African Proverbs were carefully selected for the maximum reading pleasure of everyone. If you have great passion for Africa, then this book is meant for you. Some of these proverbs have been in existence right from the foundations of Africa. Proverb is one of the ways of expressing African philosophy and is used to express wisdom.