An Ethno-pragmatic Analysis of Insults in Akan Asafo Companies: The Case of Asebu Amantsendo Asafo Company of Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District, Ghana

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the use of insults in Asafo companies at Asebu Amantsendo of Abura Asebu Kwamankese District in the Central Region of Ghana. The study aimed at finding out the various instances where insults are not considered as face threatening acts (FTAs) and identifying the various reasons which permit members to use insults in Asafo activities. The theoretical base for the study was Brown and Levinson’s (1978) Politeness Theory. Data was sampled from fifty participants from Asebu traditional area through interviews and observations. The study revealed that verbal forms of insults manifest through songs and greetings while the nonverbal forms manifest through flags, posts and surrogate. The study also showed occasions where insults are treated as non-face threatening acts. These occasions include specific occasions (such as funerals, enstoolment of chiefs, festivals etc), and during insult competition games. Also, the study revealed that entertainment, correction and trademark were some of the reasons for which members engaged in insults. The study contributes to the politeness theory by proving that among the Akan Asafo groups, insults were used as cohesive tools for strengthening togetherness..