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Proverb: Proverbs
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A seminal work in the field is Archer Taylor's The Proverb, later republished together with an index, by Wolfgang Mieder (1985). A good introduction to the study of proverbs is Mieder's 2004 volume, Proverbs: A Handbook. Mieder has ... published a series of bibliography volumes on proverb research, as well as a large number of articles and other books in the field. For those interested in proverbs of Africa, Stan Nussbaum has edited a large collection on proverbs of Africa, published on a CD, including reprints of out-of-print collections, original collections, and works on analysis, bibliography, and application of proverbs to Christian ministry (1998). For those interested in comparing proverbs across Europe, Paczolay has published a collection of similar proverbs in 55 languages (1997). Mieder edits an academic journal of proverb study, Proverbium.
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Biblical references that relates to the meaning and implications of this Kenyan proverb have two opposed bases. While the first seeks to supports the literal meaning of the proverb, the other seeks to reconcile the motivation that tends to bring about conflicts brought about by the usage of such a proverb. In the first case, the biblical proverbial quotation that says “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” (see Matthew 5:38, Exodus 21:22, Leviticus 24:19-21 and Deuteronomy 19:21) reinforces the meaning of the proverb and the circumstances ion which it is used. On the hand, there is an antithesis of the statement that seeks to reinforce the importance of social cohesiveness, mutuality and positive reciprocity by the usage of such a proverb. This is best captured in Ephesians 4:2-3 that states: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep unity of the spirit through the bond of peace."
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This proverb is used to indicate that the person given by a person for his or her inability to accomplish a task is only a cover for lack of skill. The situation in which this proverb is used itself is not accompanied by any substantial evidence of the alleged lack of skill. It is significant that the use of the proverb effectively substantiates such absence of skill. In the past, there was a person who blamed his inability to dance on the platform. This instance is shown to be similar to the present situation in which a person offers a specific reason for his failure. The analogy here is not meant to be merely illustrative; it is provided as proof that the person in question is behaving in the same way as the unskilled dancer in the past who blamed the platform.
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The wise sages in Zambia use this proverb to warn young people who demonstrate excess enthusiasm for seemingly innocent pleasures, but which could lead to some danger if indulged in too much. The proverb encourages the youth to refrain from excesses or from being headstrong in life, such as flirtatious behaviour, excess love for food, or any other innocent looking but dangerous pursuits taken to extremes. This proverb is just one of the many clusters of proverbs in the 73 ethnic groups in Zambia. The Bemba version is: Akafupa utemenwe ekakusha imichene. Most certainly similar proverbs exist in other parts of the world.
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A succinct saying that is in general use and that expresses widely held ideas and beliefs is known as a proverb. Proverbs are part of every spoken language and folk literature, originating in the oral tradition of storytelling. Often, the same proverb may be found in many variants in different parts of the world. The proverb known in English as “A bird in the hand is worth…
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This proverb is used to comment on the futility of ancestral pride. Eating clarified butter indicates a rich life style. One's ancestors might have been rich, but if a person is poor himself, his ancestors' riches have no value for him. The flavor of good food does not show in one's mouth unless one eats it himself. Similarly, one cannot use wealth unless one owns it himself. Among many creative uses of this proverb is the ridicule of people living with dreams of past glory.
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