The socio-cultural significance of Acholi proverbs.

Abstract

The research aims at exploring the socio-cultural significance of Acholi proverbs through its concentration on the socio-cultural educative role of Acholi proverbs. The study also looks at the informative and educative cultural aspects of proverbs and the way they influence change of behaviors of the young and the elders in Acholi. The research selects a wide range of Acholi proverbs and critically examines how they reveal the socio-cultural significance to the people of Acholi and beyond since most of them are translated into English and interpreted. Through interviews, participant observation and focused group, the study was carried out to examine the socio-cultural significance of proverbs to the people of Acholi. Lapul sub-county in Pader District was sampled and the respondents were mainly from Barodilo and Barayom village. The research established that Acholi proverbs are mainly used in elderly conversations and the Acholi have very many proverbs for almost all situations which greatly helps in aspects of socialization. People are taught life situations and experiences mainly through proverbs. Therefore, it is observed that proverbs teach the social, economic, political, cultural, and religious aspects of life not only to the Acholi people but also the world at large since they are used across boundaries.