Research Article
Chauvinism in Ghanaian Paremiology and Communication: A Reconstructive Review of Ewe, Twi, Fante, and Kasena Proverbial Expressions
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
78-90
Received:
20 December 2025
Accepted:
8 January 2026
Published:
30 May 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.llc.20260202.11
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Abstract: Every culture has its own unique proverbs or proverbial expressions that express perceived truths based on common sense or the daily and historical experiences of its folks. Although the wisdom that traditional sayings convey is not necessarily an entire representation of the cultural values of a specific culture, they do, to a large extent, reflect the values upheld by those cultures. If a true link between cultural values and proverbs is acknowledged, old proverbs might illustrate past values, while a new repertoire of proverbs would probably reflect the morals and values of modern times. Over the years, Ghanaians have employed proverbs to keep women in perpetual subjugation and subservience to men, relegating them to the background and paying little attention to the enormous contribution of women to the development of society. Has this cultural portrait changed over time? How are these denigrating portrayals effected? Can anything be done to reverse the narrative? In answering these questions adequately, the study would present and analyse Ghanaian proverbs that embody chauvinist sentiments, sourced from across a number of languages: Ewe, Twi, Fante, and Kasena. The analysis of these sayings allows for an assessment, discussion, deconstruction, and reconstruction of the image of the female in the Ghanaian society of the 21st century.
Abstract: Every culture has its own unique proverbs or proverbial expressions that express perceived truths based on common sense or the daily and historical experiences of its folks. Although the wisdom that traditional sayings convey is not necessarily an entire representation of the cultural values of a specific culture, they do, to a large extent, reflec...
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,
Isaac Anobi Asare
