摘要
Proverbs which are short witty traditional oral expressions handed down from generation to generation as a common heritage is also believed to be true expressions of the Hausa people＇s philosophy. This philosophy is clad in different ways by the people as they are continuously at work to give meanings to their creative activities. Proverbs are one of the most relevant expressions of human wisdom and knowledge of nature, psychology, and reality for the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria; however, the images that are presented in the proverbs are culturally defined and they may differ from place to place, as well as from generation to generation. Proverbs are capable of a variety of meanings, according to how and when they are used. These findings have revealed that many popular and interesting Hausa proverbs tell a condensed story; these stories give vivid illustrations which help the hearer understand the proverbs. In this paper, the author attempts a deep intellectual analysis into the story-lines behind the emergence of some selected Hausa proverbs, with a view to comprehending and propagating embedded ideas and cultural principles or philosophies that may be relevant for contemporary social usage.
