From Baghdad to Daura

Bayajidda, the legendary founder of the Hausa states, is said to have journeyed from Baghdad to Daura in West Africa. Legend has it that he married the local queen, and their union gave rise to a powerful

lineage. Their sons established seven great states (Kano, Katsina, Zaria [Zazzau], Daura, Biram, Gobir, and Rano), now recognized as the true Hausa city-states of Hausaland.

In this week`s #linguablog, we`ll uncover the fascinating history of the Hausa language and culture!

The Hausa language belongs to the Afro-Asiatic language family and is the most widely spoken language within the Chadic group, both as a first and second language. Hausa speakers are significantly found in Northern Nigeria and Southern Niger but have some territories in Chad, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin.

The Hausa have built a remarkable legacy as great traders, merchants, warriors, and scholars in renowned learning centers like Timbuktu for over a thousand years. Among these city-states is Kano, a thriving center of commerce and a hub for the Hausa people. They have a long trading culture that run down centuries when they controlled the Trans-Saharan trade with North Africa. Kanu state was and still is a center of commerce, and its major trade was in ivory, gold, tye, dyed clothes, leather, and grains.

In terms of culture, Hausa culture has stood out uniquely in Nigeria. The Hausa have firmly maintained their strong traditions and embraced religion till today. They’re known for their unique lifestyle, particularly regarding food, clothing and accessories, language, marriage system, education, sports, music, dance, storytelling abilities, and architecture. Hausa architecture involves highly decorated walls with patterns such as Dagi knots and abstract motifs designed by traditional Hausa builders. The roofs are believed to be the most challenging part when constructing. Some of their architecture includes mosques, houses, walls, gates, and public buildings.

When it comes to Hausa cuisine, you can have a savory experience by trying the cuisine, which is always simple but flavored. You may never miss maize, millet, meals popularly known as Tuwo masara or shinkafa, or the famous milk drink fura da nono are staple foods in this community. 

“Littattafan soyayya,” or love literature, is a popular genre among Hausa women. The books have made them popular and are often narrated on the radio. Hausa has also embraced oral literature, whereby gatherings involve an actor’s performance combining dance and songs.

Queen Amina of Zazzau.
I recently read the story of Queen Amina of Zazzau (Zaria), one of the greatest African warrior queens in the history of Africa. She was born in Zazzau in 1533 in the Hausa community, primarily found in northern Nigeria. Daughter of Queen Bakwa and King Nikatau of Zazzau, Amina began to show interest in the art of war at an early age, leading her father to train her in military skills.

With time, Amina acquired excellent military skills such as horseback riding, archery, and using the Hausa`s traditional weapons. After the death of her parents, her brother Karami ascended the throne until 1576, when he died. Amina was then crowned queen and later conquered more territories that became part of the Zazzau kingdom. Amina later died in 1610 after ruling for thirty-four years.

Kannywood

Hausa people have also thrived in Nollywood with their films, popularly known as #Kannywood, produced in the Hausa language. Kannywood is a word coined from the city name Kano and Hollywood. Ali Nuhu, Jamila Umar, Adam Zango, and Rahama Sadau are some of the famous actors.

So, how will learning Hausa profit you?

Of course, Hausa is a significant language in West Africa and has maintained its significance in different sectors such as media, education, commerce, and culture. 

Hausa is known to facilitate communication between many ethnic groups across West Africa. For instance, Nigerian soldiers are required to learn Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba in addition to English. This helps them not only earn the trust of the local community but communicate clearly.

Business opportunities.

The Hausa have a long history of involvement in trade in Africa and beyond and are still dominant. They own various businesses and industries, such as textile and leather, oil and gas, agriculture, and even politics. Hence, learning Hausa is essential for easy business navigation.

The capital city, Abuja, is known to give preference to civil servants who can speak Hausa due to the widespread use of the language in government offices, its prominence as a lingua franca in Northern Nigeria, and the advantage it provides in communicating with a significant portion of the population.

Education.

Being a widely spoken language, learning Hausa allows you to access educational materials written in Hausa and fosters understanding and communication in the language. Opportunities like translation and interpretation services for NGO’s who require personnel with this expertise, are also a bonus.

Opportunities in media.

Fun fact: Hausa is among the few African languages broadcast on foreign stations such as the BBC. With a need for Hausa radio and TV presenters, YouTube or Instagram influencers, actors, filmmakers, and writers to reach a broad audience, proficiency in Hausa comes in handy.

Learning Hausa opens doors to new opportunities, such as friendships, professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and a deeper understanding of history and can aid your learning journey! Send us an email- hello@linguatopian.com or a Whatsapp message – +234 808 5495197. Sai anjima- until later!