Proverbs in the Dirges of Nana Abenaa Asantewaa of Pankorono in Kumasi

Abstract

The Akan of Ghana, have their unique cultural practices which are vital to their existence as a people. Among them are birth rites, puberty rites, marriage rites, and funeral rites. Funerals or funeral rites are a core function of any Akan society. This paper examines and analyses proverbs in the dirges sung by Nana Abenaa Asantewaa of Pankorono. It exposes the fascinating and cultural elements of dirges sung at funerals especially, the one sung by Nana Abenaa Asantewaa. The speech act theory by Austin (1975) was employed as a theoretical tool when analyzing data. Based on the three tiers Austin proposed, the data was analyzed. Thus, the locutionary act, illocutionary act and perlocutionary act. Aesthetic values were also examined in the use of the proverbs of the dirges. The study makes use of a qualitative research methodology. This is because of the work's anthropological nature. Thus, ethnography as a method for studying cultures and people in descriptive ways and as a portrayal of people. Most of the dirges were sung to praise and appreciate the life of the dead. However, there were other cultural connotations such as moral lessons, appraisal of the dead, philosophical reflection on life and aesthetic values (kindness, love, anger, growth etc).