UNDERSTANDING THE WISDOM OF A PEOPLE

INQUIRY QUESTION:
Are Yoruba values similar to yours?



OBJECTIVES:
Students will compare Yoruba and United States values.



STANDARDS:
Standard 10: The characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics.



THEMES:
Place

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE:
Verbal/Linguistic

MATERIALS:
Proverbs

BACKGROUND:
Wisdom is often collected in short, easy to remember sayings called proverbs. Proverbs tell us what people value, they tell us what people think is right, good, or important. These are Yoruba proverbs. The Yoruba live in southwestern Nigeria. Nigeria has more people than any country in Africa. In population, it is one of the ten biggest countries in the world.



ACTIVITY:
1. Give the students a copy of the worksheet with the list of Yoruba proverb and the list of values shown in the proverbs.
2. Match the proverbs to the values. If both sets are matched correctly, the message "Worlds of Wisdom" will be formed.


DIRECTIONS:
Match the proverbs to the values. If you match both sets correctly, you will find another message!


SET 1
Yoruba Proverb Values Shown in Proverb

1. The river that forgets its source will dry up. D. People don't always like to learn the truth.
2. The crowning of the lion is not without the Creator's sanction. L. Do your work and do it carefully.
3. To be happy in one's home is better than to be a chief. O. What happens is God's will.
4. Extreme haste and slothfulness may lead to the same result. R. Happiness is more important than power.
5. The truthful person is considered the difficult person in the community. S. Its smart to learn from other's mistakes.
6. Making use of the wisdom of others prevents a person from being considered stupid. W. You should remember where you came from; remember your people.


Vocabulary
3. sanction: agreement
6. haste: hurry
7. slothfulness: laziness




SET 2
Yoruba Proverb Values Shown in Proverb

7. An eye for an eye perpetuates vengefulness. D. The bad you do comes around and hurt someone you care about.
8. He who cannot swim must not jump into a deep river. F. Know your ability.
9. A friend is known for certain when one is in difficulty. I. If you want to be forgiven, admit your error.
10. A person who accepts his guilt will not linger long in a kneeling position. M. People will like you better if you're sweet and kind rather than scary and disgusting.
11. A person is judge according to the company he keeps. O. Revenge doesn't solve the problem..
12. If one throws pebbles into the center of the market, they are likely to strike one's relatives. O. Don't be wasteful.
13. A spendthrift forgets that what is plentiful today may be scarce tomorrow. S. Choose your friends wisely.
14. People lick not the hand that is soaked in blood, but the hand that is soaked in oil. W. A true friends stays with you in good times and bad.


Vocabulary
7. perpetuates: continues
10. linger: stay longer
13. spendthrift: big spender