Proverbs and Taboos as Panacea to Environmental Problems in Nigeria, a Case of Selected Yoruba Proverbs.

¹Olabode B.O and ²Siyanbola, S.O.

¹General Studies Department, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

²Architecture Department, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

E-mail: siyanbolabukola@yahoo.com

Abstract

This paper posits that proverbs, especially some Yoruba proverbs and taboos can provide adequate solutions for the myriad environmental problems daily confronting Nigeria as a nation. However, this can only be possible if the philosophies behind these proverbs and taboos are strictly adhered to.  Besides, this paper is an attempt to situate Yoruba proverbs, as a panacea to environmental problems in Nigeria.  The paper proceeds with an exposition of the general nature of proverbs, a brief history of the Yoruba of the South Western Nigeria, and further argues that Yoruba proverbs and taboos are a strong weapon that can be used to tackle myriad of problems some of which are beyond the purview of this paper.  In view of the above, the paper was narrowed down to only environmental problems which have been canker worm to the development of the nation.