Visual presentation of selected Ga mashie proverbs preservative values of the arts

Abstract

The study focuses on the design and production of selected Ga Mashie Proverbs on a canvas. This is to revive, conserve and develop intangible art forms via proverbs. Not much visual documentation has been done in terms of artistically documenting oral art for both cultural and educational purpose with reference to the people of Ga Mashie. The people of Ga Mashie have culturally and socially lived in accordance with symbol systems especially in the practice of their arts. The quest for cultural knowledge has fuelled the sense for a cultural revival and identity among the people of Ga Mashie as resulted in the need for research to document some aspects of the Ga Mashie culture and tradition as a reference material to augment the oral tradition which is inadequate and fast waning. This study showcases thirty visual symbols, created from the selected proverbs by the researcher with the aim of making them promote visual and cultural literacy. In highlighting the significance of these selected proverbs, the study employed art-based technique of a qualitative research approach to represent them artistically. In doing this, qualitative research instrument such as structured and unstructured interviews and observation methods were used in data collection. However, the thematic analysis was used for the analysis of data obtained from the interviews. The study gives credence to the Nelson’s semantic theory, which says that pictures are perceptually more distinct from one another than word, thus ensuring their chances of retrieval. What was significantly evident was that some of the respondents especially the youthful population were not in sync with the direct role proverbs play on their economic lives but were equally quick to point to how proverbs have served as a guide to good behaviour. The assertion is further strengthened by some inherent values others claim they learnt from proverbs such as punctuality, chastity, hardworking, patience, selflessness etc. Traditional authorities pointed to persistence chieftaincy disputes within Ga Mashie has contributed a lot to the inability of the traditional authorities and the people to maintain their rich cultural practices and values one of which is the oral tradition where proverbs are the main elements for transmission. Several years of conflicts within the ‘We` leading to divisions and cracks making it difficult for one to believe which of the practices and customs to follow. The results of the study therefore provide readers and viewers of the artworks, the possibility of recall of the painted proverbs. Based upon the findings of the socio-cultural values embedded in these proverbs, this paper recommends that more symbols should be created using the numerous proverbs and wise sayings that are in existence in our local languages to salvage the declining image of those proverbs as an important component of African art for communication. In order to preserve these traditions in our contemporary era, there is the need to frequently create and introduce new and innovative symbols from proverbs, otherwise sayings and the life stories of our people into the system to augment the existing ones as well as to educate and to tell their story to the outside world. The study further recommends a continuous investigation into other means of preserving culture besides oral tradition and written text.