Discursive Depiction of Customary Conflict Management Principles in Selected African Proverbs

Abstract

The objective of this study is to explore how proverbs of traditional African societies contribute to depicting the communities' conflict prevention and conflict management principles. To this end, proverbs collected from different parts of Africa, mainly Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Ethiopia were analysed using socio-semiotic approach to discourse studies and interpretive analysis. The findings of the study show that the proverbs of traditional African societies are instrumental in depicting the societies' conflict prevention and conflict management principles. Together with the 'prevention is better than cure' doctrine, taking communal responsibility, transparent truth-finding, participatory negotiation, win-win solution, and reconciliation and restoration of social harmony are among the traditional African conflict management principles that are portrayed through different African communities' proverbs.