The major goal of this study is to analyze the functions of Wolayta proverbs and their socioculturalrnuse. To achieve this goal, an attempt has been made to collect proverbs from differentrnvillages of Wolayta zone. Four hundred proverbs were collected through tape recording,rninterviews and observation with native speakers of Wolayta Language. The data were subjectedrnto analysis to determine their major functions. Descriptive technique of qualitative researchrnmethodology was used to explain the functions of the proverbs in the daily life of the Wolaytarnpeople. From the four hundred proverbs fifty five proverbs were selected for analysis and the restrnthree hundred forty proverbs were translated and categorized according to their functions andrnappended to the paper.rnThe findings indicated that Wolayta proverbs have four major functions these are aesthetic,rndidactic, normative and reflective. Reflective functions of proverbs do have in this study impliesrnthat they are used to persuade one's communication, attract listener, get the attention ofrnaddressee, contend human cognitive economy refresh human thought, give a clue to one's speechrnand bring about a common understanding among the people who take a certain social event,rnparticularly arbitration. The didactic function of the proverbs that the researcher identified in thisrnstudy is that proverbs teach morals, diligence and purity, and critics' immoralities such asrnridicules, snobbislmess, laziness and other forms of wicked human behavior. Normativernfunction of proverbs entai ls the use of proverbs to regulating established norms of the society byrnpunishing deviant behaviors so as to bring individuals dilemma to conform to the dominantrncultural values. Reflective proverbs reflect the customary practices, the values of morality andrnthe strictness of Wolayta social laws. Thus, the Wolayta proverbs play great roles inrnstrengthening social conformity and creating public responses to social, cultural and economicrnobstacles. Furthermore, the study has attempted to show that proverbs can be used for buildingrnup a community, maintaining culture and producing responsible people.