The Ewe ethnic group among many other Ghanaian ethnic groups is endowed with a lot of proverbial symbols. These proverbial symbols are largely known by the elders of the Ewe society who are either forgetting or dying with the knowledge. The younger ones who are supposed to transfer this knowledge to the generations after them are ignorant of these symbols and what they stand for. This is likely due to the ineffective modes of promoting or transferring these proverbial symbols. These modes of promoting these proverbial symbols are limited to ‘kete’ weaving, canoe, door and stool carvings as well as wall paintings which are not extensively accessible and seen by all making it difficult for people to embrace, learn and appreciate. As a result of these, the Ewe proverbial symbols are likely to go extinct. To salvage the situation, we seeks to use our site to promote Ewe proverbial symbols which would be embraced by all and sundry.
The ‘koklokoko’ (dressed chicken) symbol is a symbol of patience and tolerance which was derived from the proverb ‘du sia du kple efe koklokoko’ meaning ‘every town/country has its own way of dressing a chicken’. This symbol is used to address issues on the behavioral patterns in different communities and how people need to exercise the virtue of patience and tolerance to be able to live within the community.
Another symbol of interest is ‘lɔlɔ̃sakɔ’ (Love knot) which is a symbol of commitment. It was derived from the proverb ‘ne lɔlɔsakɔ la menya tuna o’ meaning ‘when love knots it is difficult to unfasten’. It admonishes people in relationships especially married couples to be committed to one another in trust and faithfulness.
The ‘dã kuɖedzi’ (Snake dies up)symbol is a symbol of ramification which cautions evil doers that they may be going unpunished for their wrong doing today but the law would definitely catch up with them one day. The proverb out of which the symbol was derived is ‘da ku ɖe dzi, me tsia dzi’ meaning ‘a snake that dies up never remains up’.
Dɔmenyo tae’ (due to Generosity) is a symbol of Generosity which was derived from the proverb ‘Dɔmenyo tae ta mele agalasi o’ meaning ‘due to generosity the crab has no head. It preaches on the importance of generosity but cautions people to give a forethought to every act of kindness.
Another symbol of interest is the ‘Afia ɖe kpɔkpɔ’ (Staring somewhere) symbol which is considered a symbol of hard work. Derived from the proverb ‘Afia ɖe kpɔkpɔ nyo wu ya me kpɔkpɔ (Starring at any less important place is better than starring in the air or into space)’, the symbol is used to motivate people to engage themselves in work no matter how menial it is. It is better to work and earn little than sitting and lazing about not earning anything.
This symbol was generated from the proverb ‘Adeɖitsa kple lãɖitsa ye do na go’ which literally means ‘a very experienced hunter will surely meet an experienced wild animal’.
Source: www.rymcitigh.com
I am dicovering my Ewe roots. I am a Diasproian who is a descendent of the ancestors who were captured as prisoners of war and then sold into slavery to the European. I want to know more about my ancestors!