Igbo Proverbs, Idioms and Parables
Professor Albert Chinualumogu Achebe, one of the prominent sons of Igboland once defined proverbs (ilu) as “the salt with which words are eaten”. Proverbs are the wisdom of a people in a nutshell. Complex stories and situations are concentrated in a few words and phrases which capture and retain the essential meaning of the experiences from which they derive.
Hence, the compulsory use of Igbo proverbs (ilu), parables (ukabuilu) and idioms (akpaalaokwu), in every traditional setting has elevated the language to the status of a living art of popular communication.
Igbo language has several “dialects.” As a result, many of us may not immediately understand the meaning of proverbs owing to the perhaps strange dialect of words therein contained. As we become more acquainted with these dialects, we begin to appreciate our total inheritance as Igbo language speakers.
Reciting proverbs is as effective as not using them. Beyond the usual recitation, it is important to always know the appropriate event and time to use Igbo proverbs in order to communicate the appropriate message and achieve the desired result.
Below are some of the popular Igbo proverbs: