A Functional Analysis of Afar proverbs of Afar National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was the functional analysis of Afar proverbs concerningthe Awsa zone and the context in which they are performed in society. To achieve these objectives data were collected through interviews and focus group discussion. The analysis was carried out through a descriptive method following qualitative design to describe the function and using snow bowel sampling technique were collected and analyzed according to their functions which they are serving in the society. After the rigorous analysis was made it was found out that Afar proverbs in the Awsa zone serve to convey socio-political conditions, promote cooperative values, and also serve to educate children. The Afar people also used proverbs to teach the young generation about correct individuals who misbehave, for instance, blaming others, fighting with neighbors and tech youth about relatives While these functions stay intact, it is the conviction of the researcher, based on the results of the study that further researches need to be conducted to document and preserve the proverbs in the society.