THE ROLE OF PROVERBS IN THE SETSWANA JUDICIAL SYSTEM: A FOCUS ON CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS IN THE KGOTLA SETTING IN BOTSWANA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/1016-8427/1889Abstract
Proverbs are part of people’s language, and the oral culture in particular. According to different definitions seen within the academic discourse, proverbs are sayings or expressions that teach some manners that are acceptable within a society. Proverbs teach these manners by guiding, rebuking, warning and admonishing the unwanted behaviours.  Setswana proverbs are still used and enjoyed by some of the native Batswana, but it is evident from the rate of usage that they are no longer used frequently and efficiently as one would expect. It seems however, that elders who participate in kgotla sittings are most likely to use proverbs because they are familiar with their usage. This article therefore, assesses the functions of the Setswana proverb in conflict resolutions in some dikgotla in Botswana villages to determine the role they play and their level of usage in the modern judicial system.
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Accepted 2016-11-11
Published 2017-03-09
