Page 13 - Exposition of Dagara Morality FNAL

Chapter Two
is a warning to people who, because of their arrogance, look down upon the way Chapter Two
other people do things. The lesson of this proverb is this sense is that, “do not
look down upon the way other people live, they have a reason for doing so”.
Hence, if you are with them, adapt to their way of life. It is another way of saying, SOME DAGARA PROVERBS ILLUSTRATING POSITIVE
wherever you go, conform to the way of life around you. VALUIES FOR MORAL EDUCATION

Bibile na pegr o nuru a yire nu langne ni nibere bondiri.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
A child who washes his hands well eats with the elders.
By way of conclusion, the moral values of these proverbs studied in this chapter
are numerous and varied. Their principal aim is to guide and direct moral
There is the adage that the means is the message. Thus, in thus chapter, I wish to
conduct among the Dagara in particular and people in general. The Dagara use some Dagara proverbs to illustrate some positive values that are cherished in
proverbs are pieces of advice and exhortations for the upbringing of the human the Dagara traditional society. Thus, every child should have or try to cultivate
person a morally sound being and these moral values are inculcated into children these moral values. I shall do this by classifying these proverbs. However, these
in their period of socialisation and people are encouraged to cultivate these classifications are not watertight. The message of these proverbs is relative to
positive moral values. From our study of the above proverbs, we can say that the the time and situation. Thus, they are eminently adaptable. One proverb can
Dagara value highly community life, justice, knowledge, patience, obedience and have two or more usages. The classification I shall make will be in accordance
respect.
with the themes listed below. These include community life, justice, knowledge,
With regard to community life, Dagara believe there is strength in communality patience, obedience, respect, unity, love, praise, time, truth, gratitude, sacrifice,
of effort despite the discomforts at times. Solidarity is very important for mutual reconciliation, and hard work, right conduct in a foreign/strange land, discretion,
help in times of needs. Also, the human person is a social being and since no man good behaviour, appreciation and adaptability. Under each theme, I shall
is an island, a community life is inevitable.
usually give t proverb in Dagaare, and then give the literal translation of it in
English. I then proceed to give the explanation and the moral teaching implied
The Dagara concept of justice, first and foremost is impartial treatment of people by the proverb.
in their society. Justice is bedrock of the Dagara morality. It is a moral yardstick
used to determine just conduct in society between and among the people. The
caliber of the person does not matter. Justice can mean paying one back in one's 1. COMMUNITY LIFE
own coin. Furthermore, when we have “first come first serve”, justice I believed 1.a. Baar ayi song be kyiene e. The rabbit of two dogs does not escape
to be prevailing. In fact, justice is no respecter of persons, so to say, in the Dagara
society. Explanation (E). When two dogs are chasing a rabbit, they easily catch it because
of their cooperation. One dog would follow the rabbit closely on its hells whilst

On Knowledge, it is admitted tat first hand information is more reliable than the other tries to outflank and intercept it.
hearsay. Dagara also believe that there is no limit to what a person can know and
so nobody can claim to have absolute knowledge on everything. Furthermore, Moral (M). The English equivalence of this proverb is “two heads are better than
no matter how knowledgeable a person is, he should not meddle in other one”. An undertaking stands a better chance of success where two or more
people's affairs unless his assistance is called for. Dagara also acknowledge that people pool their resources together. There is strength in unity and
knowledge is not only found in adults but also in children with retentive communality of effort. The proverb emphasizes the importance of collective
memories. Discussions and consultations are of vital importance in obtaining effort in achieving our common objectives in life and can be taken as a motto of
knowledge. community work.
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