Sarcouncil Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies

Abstract: This research explores the semantic functions of proverbs in two African languages Wolof and Igbo with the aim of revealing how they express shared cultural beliefs and worldviews. It investigates how proverbs, as elements of oral tradition, convey moral, social, and didactic meanings within their respective societies. The study adopts a qualitative approach, analyzing ten (10) selected Igbo proverbs from F. C. Ogbalu’s (1965) collection alongside Wolof proverbs drawn from daily use. These proverbs are compared based on their semantic similarities and contextual functions. The findings highlight that both Wolof and Igbo proverbs serve as vehicles of collective wisdom, reflecting the social norms, values, and philosophical perspectives of African societies. Despite differences in linguistic structure and origin, the two languages display parallel communicative strategies rooted in a shared African worldview characterized by solidarity, morality, and observation of human behavior.