Semantic Space of the Concept “Human” as Reflection of Values Structure in Swahili Proverbs

Abstract

The article describes the semantic field of the “human” concept that is widely presented among the Swahili proverbs. That is the space of this concept that helps to overview the system of spiritual cultural values. Cultural and spiritual values are very important part of every ethnic community and Swahili as well. These values are accumulated, carefully kept and pass from generation to generation of Swahili people with the help of their proverbs. Cultural values are also a basic category of the world’s picture of the ethnos. All the values are invisibly spread and somehow codified in the language of Swahili community and proverbs are not an exception. The investigation of human values through the proverbs is like a key to the soul of Swahili people.