Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

This article investigates the representation of women as espoused in selected Igbo proverbs. The aim is to analyze the traditional views on the perception and roles of women in Igbo society. Using a (feminist) Critical Discourse Approach, 28 Igbo proverbs about women randomly selected from oral sources, were examined. The study finds out that specific instances of language use can show how language is used to mark distinctions between men and women. Igbo proverbs tend to present women in particular stereotypical ways. Through the use of gendered proverbs, most of which can be interpreted as derogatory, negative or subservient, the women are made to appear inferior to their male counterparts. We argue that although socio-culturally it is seen as virtue, (on the side of the women), such a representation often lure them into accepting and playing their traditional stereotyped roles of submissiveness, not attempting to equate or even compete with men, conducing into the reinforcement of hegemonic masculinity. The findings reveal that Igbo culture has some elements that motivate their men to maltreat, even “man handle” women. It also brings to the limelight the inequality that exists between an Igbo man and an Igbo woman in concrete and clearer terms.

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