search articles:     from the issue of September 7, 2006         Core Values: Diversity  UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS Book outlines Yoruba proverb use   CULTURAL AUTHOR - Oyekan Owomoyela, a professor of English, published, "Yoruba Proverbs," listing 5,207 metaphors, used by the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria in general conversations. Owomoyela is a member of the Yoruba peoples. Photo/University Communications.   Walking across the sun-soaked UCLA campus in 1964, Oyekan Owomoyela longed for his homeland of Nigeria. A member of the Yoruba people - a culture of more than 25 million living in the southwest corner of the west-African nation - Owomoyela came to the United States to study acting. And, while distance separated him from homeland, Owomoyela's culture-rich upbringing shaped his career. "When I first came to UCLA I started collecting the proverbs," said Owomoyela, a professor of English at UNL. "At first, it was a modest collection. But I was feeling nostalgic and it became a way for me to stay in touch with my home." Collaborating with a colleague at UCLA in 1973, Owomoyela published a book of about 150 of the metaphors on Yoruba life. He has continued to collect the proverbs and in September published a second book titled "Yoruba Proverbs" through the University of Nebraska Press. The book lists 5,207 of the proverbs and is considered the most comprehensive collection to date of the Yoruba oral tradition. Like many other African people, the Yoruba utilized metaphor in all conversations, from casual encounters to political parlays. Owomoyela explained that the proverbs were used as a polite way to give guidance without allowing individuals to lose respect. Owomoyela said the use of proverbs has faded as the culture becomes more westernized. However, he said the book is a way to preserve Yoruba history for future scholars. GO TO: ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 7 NEWS HEADLINES FOR SEPTEMBER 7 Year in Review 15 proposals for teaching, learning excellence funded Air Force ROTC sweeps national honors Awards and Honors Beef scholars program begins Big Event draws more than 1,000 campus volunteers BIT Mobile rolls across Nebraska Buffett, Gates visit campus Cassman directs energy center Chemist creates synthetic bone Circle of Nations hosted by UNL Civil Rights marcher gives keynote address in MLK observance Combined campaign raises $331,994 Committees lay foundation for general education reform Core Values: Achievement Core Values: Diversity Core Values: Engagement Core Values: Excellence Core Values: Learning Core Values: Research and Creative Activity Core Values: Stewardship Eight students chalk awards Energy research partners UNL scientists, public power Engineering opens 2006 with new lab Excellence in Brief Faculty earn top teaching, research honors Fall semester opens with LGBTQ minor Five faculty members earn Fulbright honors Four record CAREER grants Franco takes student affairs helm Ginsburg tenders two UNL lectures Hurricane Briefs Journalism issues two depth reports Learning community builds on Thompson Forum speakers Libraries expand Cather collections NaBRO lands 5-year Korean bridge project Natural Resources moves to Hardin Hall NU Directions hailed as model program Partnership aims at commercialized cholesterol fighter Program aimed at next generation of researchers Program cards a first Psych symposium examines lesbian, gay, bisexual identities Research funding tops $100 million milestone Research on campus Retention drive launched Robots participate in 18-day mission Sheldon revives tradition Theatre Arts honors Carson Three new majors offered to students Transportation Center earns grant University takes new tack in accreditation UNL aids $5M wheat effort UNL among top 50 colleges UNL, Grand Island students celebrate college opportunity UNL students approve new culture center UNL updates online image Weisz helps shape court's handling of abused and neglected children Year in Review issue can be downloaded in pdf format 732561S36124X