MODESTY AS A CULTURAL VALUE IN HAUSA SOCIETY: A GENDERED VIEW OF SOCIALIZATION AND SOCIAL INTERACTION

This paper examines the cultural connotation of modesty (kunya) within the Hausa culture with respect to definitions, gendered aspects of modesty, and its effect on socialization and interpersonal relationships. The analysis is informed by symbolic interaction and gender/postcolonial approaches, using ethnographic, historical, and theoretical approaches. According to a symbolic interactionism perspective, modesty does not represent the actual state of affairs but an imposed identity as manifested in daily life practices, such as limited voice, downward gaze, and humble attire, which enforces community norms and values. The gender lens shows how modesty is a role/ expectation marker: women are trained to be modest in terms of dressing, talking, and moving around; men are expected to show restraint, self-control, and social honor. A postcolonial lens also reveals how modesty is a strong cultural value that has survived the demanding aspects of globalization, modernization, and social media without diminishing its relevance. The conclusion of the paper states that modesty is both a practice of anchoring culture and a negotiated practice that influences morality, gender, and identity in Hausa culture.