[1]
Abdul-Razak Inusah, Department of Languages, Tamale College of Education, Tamale, Ghana.
[2]
Sadia Jomo Issahaku, Department of Languages, Tamale College of Education, Tamale, Ghana.
This paper examines Dagbani oral arts and describes the role of oral proverbs as a trigger for traditional development, peaceful cohesion, and conflict resolution. The theoretical contribution is centered on the mnemonic SPEAKING model developed by Hymes as a framework for the analysis of a speech event within its cultural context. This paper suggests that the intricate resources of oral literature, exemplified by Dagbamba textual references are viable ingredients for sociocultural empowerment. The ideas conveyed in the genres of oral literature, representing key cultural realities of Dagbamba people offer insights and ideas for development and social good. Based on the data, it examines different types of proverbs that are used in different context depending on the purpose in the society. It also examines the oral proverbs in folktales. The paper calls for the preservation and effective education of oral competence and performance with emphasis on its unifying properties as a means to achieve societal unity, peaceful cohesion and development.
Proverb, Dagbani, Role, Ŋaha, Dagbamba, Oral
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