Background: Proverbs are central to African indigenous communication systems, serving as cultural instruments for transmitting values, wisdom, and social norms across generations. Among the Bekwarra people of Cross River State, proverbs function as communicative patterns used in everyday interactions, conflict resolution, moral instruction, and traditional leadership. However, despite studies on African oral traditions and indigenous communication, little scholarly attention has been given to the communicative functions and contextual use of proverbs among the Bekwarra people specifically. Most existing studies emphasis linguistic or literary interpretations of proverbs among broader ethnic groups, leaving a gap in understanding their socio-cultural and communicative relevance in Bekwarra society.
Objective: The study examined proverbs as communicative patterns among the Bekwarra people of Cross River State. The study explored how communication through proverbs can help revives our cultural values and promote our identity as a people.
Method: The study made use of survey research as its method with the use of face-to-face and phone call interviews, and focus group discussion, using purposive sampling method, while the study adopted descriptive analysis and the result was presented in themes.
Results: Findings reveal that proverbs possess strong communicative power in indigenous culture and carry deep cultural meanings that reflect the identity of the Bekwarra people. The study further reveal that proverbs also strengthen people’s cultural heritage and show the uniqueness of their culture.
Conclusion: The study concludes that Bekwarra proverbs do not only serve as the identity of the Bekwarra people but also as communication patterns of the people as well as a powerful tool of the people’s culture.
Unique Contribution: The study contributes to communication scholarship by providing insights into the uniqueness of proverbs as part of everyday communication pattern of a people.
Key Recommendation: The study recommends that parents should expose their children to various proverbs in their local language. Bekwarra Traditional Rulers’ Council should incorporate proverbs competition into the annual Bekwarra New Yam Festival competition.
Publication Date: 2026-06-15