NORMATIVE CONCEPT OF BEAUTY IN EFIK WORLD VIEW
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Abstract
The concept of beauty has remained a central theme in philosophical and cultural discourses, shaping human aesthetics, identity, and social interaction. Within the Efik worldview, beauty is not merely understood as a matter of physical appearance but is
deeply embedded in normative structures that guide moral conduct, communal life, and spiritual beliefs. This study examines the normative concept of beauty in the Efik world- view, exploring how it transcends surface-level attractiveness to embody values of harmony, balance, character, and cultural identity. Thus, beauty in this context serves as a cultural language that integrates aesthetics with morality and social order. The approach adopted in this study is descriptive and prescriptive method in unveiling western and the Africa (Efik) conceptions of beauty. Beauty in Efik thought is often measured against ideals of decency, discipline, hospitality, respect, and social responsibility. For instance, bodily beauty is celebrated through traditional adornment practices, while inner beauty is expressed through virtues such as humility, kindness, and truthfulness. Moreover, beauty is interwoven with spirituality, as the Efik recognize that true beauty resonates with divine order and ancestral values. This research concludes that beauty is not an isolated concept but one that sustains moral order and reinforces social cohesion
deeply embedded in normative structures that guide moral conduct, communal life, and spiritual beliefs. This study examines the normative concept of beauty in the Efik world- view, exploring how it transcends surface-level attractiveness to embody values of harmony, balance, character, and cultural identity. Thus, beauty in this context serves as a cultural language that integrates aesthetics with morality and social order. The approach adopted in this study is descriptive and prescriptive method in unveiling western and the Africa (Efik) conceptions of beauty. Beauty in Efik thought is often measured against ideals of decency, discipline, hospitality, respect, and social responsibility. For instance, bodily beauty is celebrated through traditional adornment practices, while inner beauty is expressed through virtues such as humility, kindness, and truthfulness. Moreover, beauty is interwoven with spirituality, as the Efik recognize that true beauty resonates with divine order and ancestral values. This research concludes that beauty is not an isolated concept but one that sustains moral order and reinforces social cohesion
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