The relationship between man and nature in Lugbara proverbs : an ecocritical perspective

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between man and nature in Lugbara proverbs, focusing on conceptualizing and contextualizing the humanness of nature and in turn its impact on conservation of nature. Investigation of data collected revolved around; examining how nature has been personified, analyzing the harmful practices of man towards nature and exploring the relationship between man and nature in Lugbara proverbs. The qualitative method of data collection and analysis was used for an in-depth exegesis of the data collected. The theory of Ecocriticism and the Anthropocene theory which are both nature centered approaches to examining man and his environment in Literature were used. It was observed that in Lugbara proverbs, nature is personified with absolute clarity of what is human or not human about nature and the acceptable context of this humanness. The largely personified entity was fauna. These personified elements of nature function as conduits of known values or human attributes as a result of the linguistic, conceptual and contextual realization of the proverbs examined. As such, a cultural intersection emerges out of these with full force thus shaping man’s approach to conservation of nature. It was further observed that man being overly concerned with his subsistence, goes to the extreme of exploiting the available provisions of nature by poaching or reaping through trapping of weaker animals and birds. In attempt to deal with intrusion into the human space by nature, man takes to harmful practices which have the potential to influence negative attitudes towards specific elements of nature which are seen to be interfering with the peace and comfort of man. Such attitude fundamentally slows down the process of nature conservation in a situation where humans do not wish to coexist with the specific elements of nature regarded as intruders. Despite the negative attitudes and practices evidenced of man towards nature, there is also evidence of a harmonious existence with nature which repudiates the Anthropocene theory that man’s attitude towards nature is by and large destructive.