The Decline of Traditional Storytelling Performance in Kano: Causes and Cultural Implications

This study investigates the causes and cultural implications of the declining practice of traditional storytelling performance, known locally as Tatsuniya, in Kano State, North West Nigeria. Tatsuniya, a narrative performance tradition embedded in Hausa culture, historically served as an instrument of moral education, historical transmission, and communal bonding. The research examines the socio-cultural and technological factors contributing to its decline and assesses the implications for intergenerational cultural transmission in Kano communities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with elderly storytellers, community leaders, and school teachers, supplemented by observations in selected urban and peri-urban communities. The study finds that the proliferation of digital entertainment, particularly social media and online video platforms, has significantly reduced the audience for traditional storytelling performances. Additionally, the lack of institutional support within educational settings has accelerated the erosion of this tradition. The study concludes that Tatsuniya is at risk of extinction if immediate documentation and revitalisation efforts are not undertaken. It recommends the integration of storytelling performances into formal school activities and the establishment of community storytelling archives in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Culture and Information. Keywords: Tatsuniya, storytelling performance, Hausa culture, cultural decline, Kano State.