THE ROLE OF EUPHEMISM IN KIIMENTI PROVERBS AMONG THE IMENTI COMMUNITY OF MERU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

There is a growing need to examine how euphemism operates in African oral traditions. In Kiimenti, speakers frequently employ euphemistic expressions to address culturally sensitive topics such as death, morality, authority and social deviance. These expressions not only soften potentially offensive messages but also reflect social hierarchies and community values. This study seeks to analyse the role of euphemism in Kiimenti proverbs among the Imenti social groups of Meru County, Kenya. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 40 purposively selected participants aged 70 years and above. These participants were recognised as custodians of the community’s indigenous knowledge. The proverbs were identified and analysed for instances of euphemistic expression and were thematically classified according to their social, moral and communicative functions. The study was guided by the principles of Linguistic Ethnography Theory (Snell, 2025). This framework enabled an examination of how language, culture and social interaction intersect in the use of euphemism. The analysis reveals that euphemistic proverbs serve as a critical communicative strategy for promoting social cohesion, mediating conflict, and negotiating authority without direct confrontation. Metaphorical and symbolic language within the proverbs facilitates face-saving, moral instruction, and the reinforcement of social norms. The study concludes that euphemism in Kiimenti proverbs is not merely a stylistic device but a culturally grounded mechanism that sustains politeness and communal harmony. It is recommended that insights from these indigenous communication strategies be applied in community mediation, education, and other social interaction contexts.