Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home AfricaBib Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Body-based metaphors in Igbo
Author:Nwoye, Onuigbo G.
Year:1992
Periodical:Journal of Asian and African Studies (Tokyo)
Issue:44
Pages:167-177
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:Igbo
man
body
Abstract:In Igbo (Nigeria), while most body parts are used metaphorically to talk about man and his conduct in general, the belly, the face, the feet and the tongue are the most productive source of metaphors. The present paper examines the metaphors based on these body parts as insights into Igbo conceptions of the 'persona'. It seems that the face can mirror both the good and the evil and the two can and do coexist in the same person. In the belly, wickedness and kindness coexist and are unleashed when necessary. The feet, which bear the whole human frame and which are used to maintain constant touch with the earth goddess, can lead to or bring both good and ill fortune. The tongue, because of an early mythological misadventure with which it has come to be associated, has only negative attributes. Igbo body-based metaphors are therefore realistic in their representation of the 'persona' as a composite of the good and the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. Bibliogr., notes.
Views