ETHICS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY.

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1 ETHICS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY. Ethics is also called moral philosophy. It is defined as the science of moral values and duties, the study of ideal human character and conduct and the consequences of it. The ethics of a society is unburdened in the beliefs and ideas about what is right or wrong and what is considered as good or bad character. Also, the conception of satisfactory social relations and attitudes held by members of the society. The Ethics of a society is also found captured in the forms or pattern of behavior that are considered by the members of the society to bring about social harmony and fairness. Every human being begins his/her character at home. In Traditional Akan society, children were punished for wrong doing. An African child is encouraged to do good. They are punished for the following reasons; Telling lies Stealing Disobedience Cheating etc. NB: Punishment may take the form of rebuke/cane/suspension for an hour or two. The term right comes from the Latin word rectus which means straight or according to rule. When an action conforms to a

2 moral rule or law of conduct is said to be right. An action is right if it tends to bring about what is good. An action is wrong if it tends to bring about what is evil. NB: The term wrong or the wrong action implies a deviation from the rule of conduct. ABUSES AND INSULT To insult a Ghanaian especially in public is considered as a very serious act. Words like silly, foolish, stupid and all kinds of insults using the parts of someone should never be used in public. To tell a Ghanaian that he is a beast or words to specify the beast is a disgrace to him/her. For a woman to call a man a fool is unpardonable no matter the degree of provocation or age, because such a behavior is conceived as a challenge to fight. Yet a man cannot be seen beaten a woman. SIGNS AND GESTURES Certain signs and gestures could be even more abused than words e.g using sign language to insult someone. Such acts are very provocative especially in the Ghanaian society and are mostly used to start a fight.

3 GREETINGS AND HANDSHAKING An acknowledgement or expression of good will (especially on meeting) is known as Greetings. The act of grasping and shaking a person s hand to welcome or acknowledge an act is called Handshaking. When you get to a funeral right, one must greet from right to left. Ghanaians associate filth, unwillingness, disrespect, shame, when the left hand is used in the process. Also, we don t use the left hand to give or receive an item in any form. You must excuse yourself verbally when the left hand is obliged or put your right hand under the left hand.

4 STORY AND FOLKTALE Story is a piece of fiction that narrates a chain of related events. Stories can also be true sometimes. They are messages that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events. Stories are told to entertain, motivate and also educate.

5 A tale circulated by word of mouth among the common folk is known as a Folktale. Take care of yourself and remember that the task ahead even as we enjoy this festival. The exam might be worrisome but we will still make it with the best.

6 MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ANTWI ASAMOAH EMMANUEL TO YOU ALL!!!