INCORPORATING TRADITIONAL PROVERBIAL WISDOM INTO MODERN SCHOOL GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING

Abstract

Some traditional wisdom, especially one expressed in proverbs, can be said to be valid and reliable, thus laying a sound basis for scientific explanations. This is, perhaps, because these proverbs are formulated on the basis of careful observation of human experiences. For example, the adage birds of a feather flock together, seem to confirm the reality from observed patterns of experiences by associating those who have strong social bonds. Such wisdom seems to have guided traditional communities before the onset of formal education. This wisdom has not been overshadowed by the introduction of formal education. Research in Kiswahili reveals that proverbs play a central role in discourse.  Proverbs inspire, warn and guide. Incidentally, this is what guidance is all about.  A counselor inspires, warns and guides during a guidance session, with a view to pre-empt a problem that could have resulted from ignorance. This paper recommends the incorporation of traditional wisdom, such as proverbs, into modern guidance and counseling. Modern theories of counseling seem to ignore this element of traditional wisdom.