The proverbs in Bantu Social Justice as a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA): Case Study of the Kisongye Palavers

Abstract: The present qualitative paper is meant to discuss the logical role of proverbs in Bantu social justice, specifically in the Kisongye palavers. It demonstrates the power of language through proverbs within the palavers to regulate issues in social justice. It seeks to address a large number of African societies in this contemporary century. As a linguistic survey, this study answers the question: “How do proverbs intervene and logically serve as a vehicle of language of wisdom in social justice through the palavers in Kisongye?” The text documented different approaches such as Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), hermeneutics, and logic. Hermeneutics, being the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of biblical texts, wisdom literature, and philosophical texts, helped to demonstrate the techniques of interpreting and explaining meanings of the language embodied through proverbs in Kisongye. CDA has the force of critiquing and analysing a discourse in any given language. Logic observes the process of premises in a discourse to lead to a good conclusion. Therefore, the paper shows how proverbs in Kisongye as expressions of people’s wisdom and their logical thought find place in education and popular discourse as well as in palavers. To put it clearly, for social transformation and educational change, African society ought to help young people use proverbs in everyday vernacular language. This suggestion could be used in schools and in political discourses. The contribution of this paper is to vulgarize proverbs as rhetoric-logic techniques in Bantu palavers to iron out conflicts in African countries. Hence, the implications of this paper are on social discrimination, health inequality, the effect of climate change on specific groups, and statelessness.