Gender, Age and Context in the Use of Sex-Related Verbal Taboos in Traditional Igbo Society

Ihemamma Uwazuruonye Osonwa

doi:10.47175/rielsj.v5i2.953

Ihemamma Uwazuruonye Osonwa Humanities Department, School of Social Sciences Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47175/rielsj.v5i2.953

Keywords: taboo, verbal taboo, gender, age, sex-related taboos, Igbo

Abstract

The study investigated how gender and age disparities, and situation/ context shape the use of sex-related verbal taboos. It adopted the qualitative orientation which involved semi-structured interviews with a total of 20 participants drawn from four purposively chosen communities or Igbo areas namely, Edda/Afikpo, Owerri, Uzuakoli and Awka. It was framed around the taboo theory of gender differences. The study identified some terms relating to sex and other parts of the body which constitute verbal taboo, and highlighted how gender and age disparities, as well as contexts shape the use of the verbal taboos. It also observed more female restrictive use of the taboo terms/expressions than male which speaks to the culture of patriarchy. Varied contexts or situations of use of the taboo terms were identified including ‘closed’ and ‘open’ contexts. It was concluded that gender and age disparities as a feature of verbal taboos depend on the culture and their underlying beliefs and values.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Basden, M. (1924). The status of women in African societies. Development Studies, 4, 56-78

Boudera, J. (2008). Issues in taboo in western cultures. In D. Edward, (Ed). Perspectives on Culture. Pjanju: Hidei

Emeka-Nwobia, U. N. (2021). Understanding gender complementarity in Igbo society: The role of Umuada and Umunna in peacebuilding. Kujenga Amani, Social Science Research Council. Assessed from https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2021/07/21/understanding-gender-complementarity-in-igbo-society-the-role-of-umuada-and-umunna-in-peacebuilding/

Ezeigbo, G. (1990). Prohibitive practices in Igbo. Journal of African Studies, 3, 4-17

Fakuade, G., Kemdirim, N., Nnaji, I., & Nwosu, F. (2018). Linguistic taboos in the Igbo society: A sociolinguistic investigation. Journal of Language, Discourse & Society, 2(2). 117–132.

Ferb, N. (1994). Culture: A historical explication. Introductory notes, 2, 8-21

Jesperson, O. (1992). Language, its nature, development and origin. London: Allen & Unwin

Nasution, J., Pujiono, M., & Iqbal, M. (2023). Verbal Taboos in Acehnese Language: Meaning, Function, and Euphemism. Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science Journal, 4(1), 58-70. https://doi.org/10.47175/rielsj.v4i1.642

Nwagbo, O. G. (2021). Sexual taboos and euphemisms in Igbo: An anthropolinguistic appraisal. Language in Africa 2(3), 2021, 112–148. doi: https://doi.org/10.37892/2686-8946-2021-2-3-112-148

Nwaobodo, E. E. R (2021). A dialogic of taboo in traditional Igbo society and the 21st century mentality. Trinitarian International Journal of Arts and Humanities, 1(2), 45-65

Omego, C. U. (2013). Sex variation in taboo expressions in Igbo speech community. Journal of Igbo Language and Linguistics 7. 75–86.

Onwukwe, D. C (2020). Anthroponomastics of concubinage in Ngwa Igbo traditional society of Nigeria. Nomina Africana: Journal of Name society of Southern Africa. 34(1), 33-43

Oyeka, C. N. (2015). Euphemisms as substitutes for verbal taboos in Igbo language dynamics. Ihafa: A Journal of African Studies, 7(1). 117–138.

Wardhaugh, R. (2000). An introduction to sociolinguistics. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.