Explanation

Igbo proverbs (ilu) are called the “palm oil with which words are eaten” – they make speech palatable and persuasive. Elders use them extensively; knowing proverbs shows wisdom and maturity.

Examples: “Onye wetara oji, wetara ndu” (Who brings kola brings life – hospitality). “E gbuo dike na ogu, e lue na nwanyi ya” (Kill a warrior in war, reach his wife – consequences reach home).

Proverbs appear in conversation, dispute resolution, and formal occasions. They compress wisdom into memorable phrases, drawing on agriculture, nature, and social observation.