A Study of Hausa Proverbs and Their Moral Functions Among Rural Communities in Kano State

Proverbs occupy a central place in Hausa oral tradition, serving as vehicles for moral instruction, social regulation, and the preservation of communal values across generations. This study examines the moral functions of Hausa proverbs as used among rural communities in Kano State, focusing on their application in conflict resolution, child upbringing, and interpersonal communication. A descriptive research design was adopted, combining ethnographic observation with structured interviews conducted among 180 community elders, farmers, and local leaders across three rural local government areas in Kano State. A purposive sampling technique was employed to ensure that respondents were active users of proverbs in daily speech. Secondary sources including published collections of Hausa proverbs and relevant linguistic studies from the last five years were reviewed to situate findings within existing scholarship. The study identifies categories of proverbs related to honesty, diligence, community solidarity, and gender relations, analysing their rhetorical structure and the social contexts in which they are deployed. Findings indicate that Hausa proverbs continue to function as powerful normative instruments in rural settings, though younger generations in peri-urban areas show declining familiarity with many traditional expressions. The research recommends integration of Hausa proverb collections into primary school curricula in Kano State and documentation projects supported by state cultural institutions. This study contributes baseline data to ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Hausa oral literary heritage in North West Nigeria. Keywords: Hausa proverbs, Oral tradition, Moral functions, Kano, Rural communities.