African Sayings about Women and Family

 
One of the beautiful things in African culture is that values and wisdom are often communicated orally, and proverbs are one way to pass on knowledge generation after generation. Among the infinite variety of proverbs that African culture possesses, a number of them concern women. In particular, in proverbs we find the idea that women should care for the young and elderly members of the family, and men should care for their women in turn, treating them with love and respect. Ever since the beginning of oral culture, the importance of a respectful, supportive and loving family is central to African values.

PROVERBS PRAISE WOMEN FOR THEIR CARING NATURE


First of all, we find proverbs that praise women for their ability to look after other people. ‘The old woman looks after the child to grow its teeth and the young one in turn looks after the old woman when she loses her teeth’, a proverb from Akan, Ghana, says. From this we learn that the caring attitude of women runs across all generations, and lasts for the whole of their lives. Women are in a way the centre of the family, because they look after not only the young generations, with their maternal instinct, but also the old ones, as their caring nature prompts them to do. Women may seem weak, but in fact they have a huge role within the household, making sure young and elderly members of the family are looked after.

A WOMAN AND MAN ARE BOTH CARETAKERS IN THEIR OWN WAY

But who guards these caring guardians? A Sudanese proverb says: ‘Whoever a man is, he is the woman’s guardian (caretaker)’. That is not to say that women should be excluded from certain activities, or that they are unable to do certain things and require men to do those for them. Rather, the proverb shows that, in every circumstance, a man should pay a woman respect, guard her and treat her as worthy of dignity. Indeed, a husband is there to admire the important role of his wife within the family, and to allow her to perform it, for the sake of the whole household. And to do this, men should show respect and love towards their wives, appreciating their efforts and not taking them for granted.

A FAMILY IS ABOUT LOVE AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER

The wisdom of proverbs therefore advocates love and respect within the family: a woman looks after young and elderly members of the family, and men in turn look after women, so that everyone in the family have their own place.

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ANNA ZANETTI

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6 Comments

  1. Michael H.Krangar 7 years ago October 29, 2016

    I love it. Let me say to my fellow men: Only you can make your woman proud by giving her the needed requirements: Care, love, respect, belief, pride and guide moreover. Women are our daily companion!

    REPLY
  2. Abigal B.L Freeman. 7 years ago November 1, 2016

    Women are the chief custodian of the family. They go through 85 percent of the family burden!!! They go through Nine (9) months of pregnancy which is very risky especially in Africa where medical equipment is limited and aren’t available to some medical centres at all. Let’s fight against rape, early child Marriage and sexual abuses against women and children in Africa and the entire universe!!!

    REPLY
  3. Makonie Kenneh 7 years ago November 2, 2016

    Thank for the inspirational talk!

    REPLY
  4. Samuel Kpehounso 7 years ago November 7, 2016

    I did not know all this before and now i’m happy to know it. It taught me a bit of English too, my country normally uses french as a language of work. I like it! Thanks so much!

    REPLY
    • Landry koumba 7 years ago November 11, 2016

      Hi brother i saw your comment and i can say that your English is perfect. Me too, i am in a French country in Africa.

      REPLY
  5. Samuel Farlane Kpehounso 7 years ago November 7, 2016

    Women play an important role in family education. Me especially, educated by my mother without presence of my father who died early is an example of a boy educated by a woman. Ain’t a criminal,a robber,hypocrite and so on. I always try to be humble,to respect old and young people. I love black woman who knows how take care and educated their children. I respect my mother for his education that she gives me. I wish my kid will be educated by my mother when she is alive.

    REPLY

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