ANIMALS

This study explores the sociolinguistic significance of animal-related proverbs in the Edo language, examining how they reflect the cultural values, social norms, and worldview of the Edo people. Proverbs that involve animals often serve as tools for communication, moral instruction, and conflict resolution, offering insight into traditional beliefs and human behavior as understood through animals’ traits. Using a qualitative approach, the study combines descriptive analysis with ethnographic methods, including interviews and observation, to gather authentic proverbs and their meanings from native speakers. The findings reveal that animal proverbs in Edo culture are rich in metaphor and symbolism, portraying animals such as the tortoise, dog, lion, and bird as representations of wisdom, cunning, strength, or foolishness, depending on context.