The Word in African Ontology
The word in African ontology is more than mere expression of sounds. It is a being which is intra-mental and extra-mental. It is a creation of human mind and the human lips. But it is also an independent entity with enormous causal powers in the African universe of forces. It is an art as well as...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Danubius University
2018-06-01
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| Series: | Acta Universitatis Danubius: Communicatio |
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| Online Access: | http://journals.univ-danubius.ro/index.php/communicatio/article/view/5069/4507 |
| Summary: | The word in African ontology is more than mere expression of sounds. It is a being which is
intra-mental and extra-mental. It is a creation of human mind and the human lips. But it is also an
independent entity with enormous causal powers in the African universe of forces. It is an art as well
as a means of communication. It is the embodiment of the history of the African community. Embedded
in the word, is the community’s ethics. Yet, the word is also a series of sounds which can be learnt and
repeated. It can be uttered by anyone yet not everyone can put it to every use. The word can be profound
in a context and meaningless in another context. The same word that is commonplace in common
speech can be a causal force in a coded ritual. Yet, it is the word: ubiquitous and cryptic, mystic and
plebeian; sacred and profane, artistic, yet plain bland on the lips of many. |
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| ISSN: | 1844-7562 2069-0398 |