In African cultures, sexual metaphors have been used for centuries to convey ethics and morality from one generation to another.
In traditional Nigerian society, the Yoruba people have used sexual references to communicate virtues such as selflessness and love. They describe love as "being softer than water" because it cannot be forced and is able to nurture life like a river. Similarly, they compare the act of giving without expecting anything in return to the experience of sexual intercourse, saying that when someone gives unconditionally, they are just like a pregnant woman who does not control what happens inside her body. Sexual references also play an important role in African religions, where they are used to transmit religious teachings and moral values. The Azande people of Sudan believe that sex should be enjoyed but within marriage, emphasizing that intimacy should be limited to couples who have committed themselves to each other exclusively. In addition, they say that God created men and women differently because he wanted them to complement each other like yin and yang, symbolizing how two halves make up a whole. In Ethiopia, the Oromo people use sexual metaphors to explain why monogamy is necessary. They say that a man who has multiple partners will eventually get tired of carrying the load of caring for all of them and become weakened by the effort. Therefore, they advise men to choose one partner and focus their energy on making that relationship work instead of spreading themselves thin among many women. Another way African cultures use sexual metaphors to communicate morals is through proverbs.
The Igbo people from Nigeria say that a man who sleeps with many women is like a dog licking its own vomit; this implies that promiscuity leads to shame and disgust.
African traditions often portray sex as sacred and holy, emphasizing that it should only happen between married partners who love each other deeply. This idea is reflected in Botswana's customs, which forbid adultery and promote marital fidelity.