Proverbs and patriarchy: Analysis of linguistic prejudice and representation of women in traditional Akan communities of Ghana

Charles Gyan, Eunice Abbey, Michael Baffoe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Discourses govern the phenomenological interpretation of our everyday existence and influence both our way of thinking and our relationship with one another in the world. Undoubtedly, popular sayings and proverbs mediate the way of being in African context. This paper examines the role of proverbs and wise sayings in the African culture. This paper attempts to analyze the representation of women in sampled Akan proverbs and the ways in which these proverbs institutionalize the position, identity, and roles of women in traditional Akan communities of Ghana. This paper suggests that oral traditions are used in the systematic perpetuation of patriarchal culture, gender inequities, and inequality. Therefore, it recommends the revolutionalization of oral traditions to assist in the deinstitutionalization of the prevailing patriarchal discourses and culture in traditional Akan communities of Ghana.

Original languageEnglish
Article number22
JournalSocial Sciences
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Gender inequality
  • Oral traditions
  • Patriarchy
  • Proverbs

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