Ruwudu

Ruwudu is a SIL International family for West African Arabic-script languages using Rubutun Kano. Its purpose is specific: the official project warns that characters required by other languages may be absent. A broad “Arabic font” label should not be read as a promise of universal language coverage.

The design uses smart-font routines to adjust character shapes and placement. Keep shaping active and test real community text, including the marks used by its writers. The catalog groups it near Maghribi-related designs for discovery, but Rubutun Kano deserves its own name. It is not presented here as a general-purpose replacement for classical Arabic book Naskh.

Working with Ruwudu

For a teaching sheet in a West African language, ask a fluent reader to proof the exact letters and mark positions. Compare Alkalami as another Kano-related design; Lateef provides a contrasting South Asian Naskh background, not an automatic local-language substitute. Begin Latin notes with the included Latin, then check whether the hierarchy separates notes from the main text.

Files, styles and coverage

This package supplies 4 static styles, with weight values 400, 500, 600, 700. The ZIP contains the original TTF files; the web preview uses prepared WOFF2 subsets. Version: 3.000. The supplied font covers Arabic and Latin.

Explore calligraphic compositions and other Maghribi-related fonts. Prepare a sample with the Arabic keyboard; our guide to choosing an Arabic font covers selection and proofing.

For a West African teaching handout, compare Harmattan’s simplified Warsh-style forms with Ruwudu’s Rubutun Kano design. Have a fluent reader verify the actual letters and marks; regional relevance does not establish identical coverage.

License and original files

The ZIP includes the original files and the exact SIL Open Font License 1.1. Personal and commercial use are permitted under its terms. Retain the license when redistributing, respect reserved names and do not sell the font alone. See the official source for this version.