<![CDATA[This study examines the artistic characteristics of Kanuri proverbs and wise sayings and their Arabic equivalents through a contrastive rhetorical perspective. The research problem stems from the limited academic attention given to the rhetorical and aesthetic dimensions of Kanuri proverbs in comparison with their Arabic counterparts. Although proverbs from both traditions contain rich linguistic, semantic, and rhetorical features, the similarities and the factors underlying them have not been sufficiently explored. Therefore, this study aims to identify the degree of semantic similarity between Kanuri proverbs and wise sayings and their Arabic equivalents, analyze their artistic and rhetorical characteristics, and investigate the factors contributing to these similarities. The study employs an analytical method by examining selected Kanuri proverbs and wise sayings alongside their corresponding Arabic expressions. The findings reveal a significant degree of semantic similarity between the two traditions. These similarities are primarily attributed to cultural coincidence and, more importantly, the influence of Islam on the Kanuri people, which facilitated the transmission and adaptation of Arabic linguistic and cultural elements. The analysis also identifies several rhetorical and aesthetic features, including simile, trope, assonance, anagram, rhyme, symbolism, and concision. This study contributes to comparative rhetorical studies by demonstrating the interconnectedness of Kanuri and Arabic proverbial traditions and providing a linguistic and cultural basis for understanding the role of Islamic influence in shaping Kanuri proverbial expression]]>
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