PROVERBS IN THE TIMES OF HARDSHIP: AN ANALYSIS OF MOTIVATIONAL FUNCTION OF HAUSA PROVERB

Abstract

Hausa traditional society remains dependent on oral literary provisions especially in times of hardship when people need consolation, motivation and encouragement to accept reality. This work presents a literary analysis, meaning and motivational function of selected Hausa proverbs. The selected proverbs are presented in table and numbers to ease referencing and presentation of analysis to readers. The paper also applies proverbs to contemporary society where patience is highly needed to tackle hardship that may lead to immoral decision and solution. It presents proverbs in three stages: the Hausa version, translated version and surface and implied meaning. The paper adopts functionalist theory as its theoretical framework to affirm contemporary relevance of proverbs in modern societies. The work collected its data (proverb samples) from individuals and groups. They were obtained through physical contacts, phone calls, WhatsApp groups and Facebook interactions. Sixteen proverbs were selected, transcribed, translated and presented in table with analysis under consolation, encouragement and motivation functions. Proverbs provide psychological solace through raising hope and communal harmony in facing socioeconomic challenges. The paper promotes proverbial role in sustaining oral literary relevance in the prevention of mental disorder in times of hardship.