ABSTRACT
Respect is a fundamental sociocultural value in any society. This chapter looks at different markers of respect in Hausa society, offering — and explaining — examples from Hausa women’s narratives which provide a clear picture of expressions such as kunya, a Hausa word meaning being reserved, having a sense of shame or propriety, acquiescence and modesty. These traits are also shown to belong in the concept of pulaaku. Pulaaku, a Fulani word used in Hausa, refers to various forms of etiquette and etiquette and good behavior and is used in Hausa to describe appropriate conduct. The narratives to be analyzed also see honor (daraja, girmamawa, kima) as a value; however, honor is a value which is heavily gendered. What is prescribed as honor for a woman does not necessarily grant women feelings of being honored or respected. Therefore, this section describes what women consider to be honor as distinct from male honor.
