Introduction to the Words of Our Elders by Chris Dahi
Before the advent of the contemporary commercial system the African had traded by Barter – the rare art of exchange of goods for goods. The power and beauty of this dignified trading system is based on the ability of the negotiators to outbid the other. This is based therefore on the oratory power of both parties. The one therefore who has the better or stronger diction always excels in these commercial exercises. These occasions demand deft negotiations, biddings and bargains without the use of scales and in most cases no sort of measuring device, yet a sort of balance must be reached at the end of these ventures.
However, it is when terms like haggling or bantering are used to describe this beautiful art of trading that it loses its credence and made to look bogus.
The good thing however is that in this period in the story of Africa, it is those that are adapt in the use of idioms, proverbs and such wise sayings of the African that become rich and powerful in the society.
When an African mother leaves for the market to buy or to sell, the children will wish her to “outwit those whom you meet in the market today, may they not outwit you”. However sometimes the mother comes back from the market to admit that she had made bad bargains that day, for that day she had met those who outwitted her.
Amongst the Africans it is said that idioms are used to confound the fools and perplex the untutored. It is also said that the idiom is the spice with which words are eaten. It is maintained amongst these verbally proficient people that the one to whom an idiom is used and it is necessary to explain it to him, the bride price paid on behalf of his mother is in vain. In other words, such a one is a bastard in the traditional African society. He could be standing with peers or even kin and that which belongs to him is disposed off without him knowing what is going on.
It is usually a wonderfully enlightening, entertaining and exceedingly educating experience to attend and be part of a community gathering in an African village square.
A very important issue would be treated in such forum and for hours and hours of discuss, only idioms and proverbs will be used by those who dare make contributions in such outings.
Here, someone introducing a sensitive but disturbing and crucial situation will state “This feces smack in the middle of the village square someone just have to kiss it”.
Though this will elicit exclamations of feigned disgust or mirth, it will cause another, giving credence to the embarrassment of the issue on the ground to state – You know that this is a wasp that is perched on the scrotum, you have to deal with it with extreme caution and wisdom, for if you swap it carelessly, you are likely to cause your manhood serious damage, and to let it stay — is a frightening alternative.
Yes, another will concur, You know that it is not wise to add pepper as ingredient for a concoction for the treatment of an eye ailment. Yes, I agree says another, one has to eat soup with spiky fish bones with quite some caution.
At this juncture the radical will stand and state “Hey, is this a gathering of human beings or chicken, shall we fear the fat lady, will she make herself pregnant?
Preambles like this usually proceed the discuss of a very important issue in a traditional African setting. The discussion will go on and on in this style until conclusions are reached and decisions made. Anyone then in this forum who does not understand this style of discuss is therefore not expected to and cannot make a contribution to the goings on.
Due to improved technology, especially in areas of communication and transport, the world has shrunk or expanded to a global village. The African has always been misunderstood and misinterpreted. When he laughs out loud, he is seen as boisterous, when he argues his case, he is cantankerous, and his excitement is interpreted as violent expressions. However with the expanding scope of world activities in politics, sports and other arena, especially economics, the African has gotten involved in all ramifications. To therefore make a positive impression and or come up tops in the global negotiations and bargaining, he has to apply his witty ability to use adages and wise sayings.
It has become apparent that the one who is adroit in the use of words in the complicated demands of the contemporary information dependent world would ultimately have an edge.
Many of the African origin have manifested this great ability in areas of their profession and career, in music and entertainment, religion, law, politics, writing and other areas of endeavor.
This is also manifested in many African contemporary expressions and activities globally. This is as in the lives and success stories of Martin Luther King Jr, Marcus Garvey, Emperor Harle Salesie, Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Bob Marley, Miriam Makeba, Fela, James Ngugi Wationgo, Christopher Okigbo, Chukwuemeka Ike, Wole Soyinka, Chinau Achebe, Chris Dahi and a world of activists, entertainers and writers.
The power of these expressions have made very deep impression in areas and circles of the world where decisions affecting present day trend of thought are made – ultimately leading to world change in views on issues that have been stereotyped for so long.
