Word as Nourishment: Mandinka Proverbs of Senegambia

Abstract

Abstract Using Mandinka ʿAjamī sources, the article explores the meaning, purpose, and usefulness of proverbs among the Mandinka people of Casamance, Senegal and The Gambia who speak the variety known as Western Mandinka. Proverbs are by nature vehicles for the transmission of moral, ethical, and philosophical wisdom in society. Therefore, they serve as pivotal educational tools. This article examines their persistence, spread, and social purpose in Mandinka societies of Senegambia and beyond. The examples discussed show how proverbs are not isolated sayings, but function in a complex social and cultural context. The article suggests that they present specific challenges for translators and interpreters who may not be familiar with relevant cultural and linguistic intricacies. Consulting with local communities and local language experts is therefore an indispensable part of such research.