THE DIDACTIC ROLE OF IGBO PROVERBS IN CHILD UPBRINGING AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION

Abstract

Language plays significant roles in human society. People’s way of life is handed down from one generation to another through language. The Igbo language is very rich in the use of proverbs as part of its oral tradition and cultural heritage. For cultural transmission and preservation in Igbo land, proverbs remain powerful and veritable tools. They are believed to provide channels for the intergenerational transfer of moral values from older to younger members of the society. The motivation for this study stems from the growing concern over the gradual erosion of moral values and cultural identity among Igbo children in contemporary society. Anchored on the theories of Didacticism and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, the study examines Igbo proverbs in relation to cultural preservation and their pragmatic force as didactic instruments in child upbringing. Data were collected from oral speeches in both formal and informal settings, as well as books and radio broadcasts on proverbs. Proverbs that center on teaching morals were selected, categorized under targeted moral lessons, and then translated into English. The moral lessons were carefully matched to social contexts, with each explained in detail. Findings reveal that proverbs are the bedrock and potential means of inculcating in younger generations the moral lessons that would make them responsible individuals in society. Based on these findings, the study recommends that proverbs be meaningfully employed by all concerned stakeholders in fostering good parenting in Igbo children, thereby sustaining Igbo cultural heritage.