ANIMALS OVER PLANTS AND TREES: WELLERISMS IN THE IGBO CULTURAL ATTRIBUTION

Abstract

Wellerisms constitute an interesting distinct genre in the corpus of Igbo verbal art, as they are statements attributed to humans, (lower) animals, plants/trees and other natural objects. However, with regard to animals and plants/trees, evidence shows that wellerisms are attributed more to animals than to plants/trees. This study investigates the possible reasons for associating most wellerisms to animals than to plants/trees in the Igbo culture. The study adopted qualitative methodological design, involving semi-structured interviews with some Igbo elders drawn from various culture areas of Igboland, to collect data which were subjected to descriptive and interpretive analyses. Introspection also featured in data collection and analyses as the researchers are Igbo natives, born and bred in Igboland. This study discovered that the functions, qualities, characteristics, mannerism etc of animals that earn them a high hierarchical placement over plants/trees in the Igbo traditional worldview, result in the crediting of most wellerisms to animals than to plants/trees. The study concluded that the crediting of most wellerisms to animals than to plants is a guide to the understanding of the ontological hierarchies which, among other issues, strengthen the Igbo worldview.