The most common food that the Hausa people prepare consists of grains such as sorghum, millet, rice, or maize, which are ground into flour for a variety of different kinds of dishes. The food is popularly known as tuwo in the Hausa language.
Usually, breakfast consists of cakes made from ground beans which are then fried known as kosai or wheat flour soaked for a day then fried and served with sugar known as funkaso. Both of these cakes can be served with porridge and sugar known as koko. Lunch or dinner are usually served as heavy porridge with soup and stew known as tuwo da miyan taushe. The soup and stew are usually prepared with ground or chopped tomatoes, onions, and a local pepper sauce called daddawa. While preparing the soup, most of the times spice and other vegetables such as spinach, pumpkin, or okra are added to the soup. The stew is prepared with meat, which can include goat or cow meat but not pork due to Islamic religion restrictions. Beans, peanuts, and milk are also served as a complementary protein diet for the Hausa people.
RELIGION OF THE HAUSA PEOPLE
Hausa have an ancient Chadic/Sahelian culture that had an extensive coverage area, and have long ties to the Tuareg, Berbers, and other peoples in West Africa, such as the Mandé, Fulani and the Wolof of Senegambia, through extended long-distance trade. Islam has been present in Hausa land since the 14th century, but it was largely restricted to the region's rulers and their courts until 18th and 19th century conquests led by Uthman Dan Fodio and others led to the forced conversion, enslavement or killing of traditional believers. Rural areas generally retained their animist beliefs and their urban leaders thus drew on both Islamic and African traditions to legitimize their rule. Muslim scholars of the early 19th century disapproved of the hybrid religion practiced in royal courts, and a desire for reform was a major motive behind the formation of the Sokoto Caliphate. It was after the formation of this state that Islam became firmly entrenched in rural areas. The Hausa people have been an important factor for the spread of Islam in West Africa.
HAUSA TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE
The Hausa population resides mostly in the northern parts of Nigeria. They are predominantly Muslims but some are Christians. Hausas are about half of Nigeria population and speaks Hausa language though different tribes among the Hausa have local languages. They are not monolithic. Hausa traditional marriage is based mostly on Islam. Their marriage ceremony is not time consuming and mostly less expensive compared to Igbo and Yoruba traditional marriage.
When a man sees the girl he wants to marry, he will first seek permission from her parents. The family of the future bride will then conduct investigation on the man to ascertain his religious believes moral, ethics and other issues related to his background. His is allowed to see the girl only if he meets their expectations. The man is not allowed to spend a lot of time when seeing the girl according to Hausa tradition. Physical contacts, romance and courtship before marriage are highly discouraged.
Once the girl accepts the marriage offer, the man sends his parents or guardians to formally seek the permission of the girl’s parents in marriage. The Hausa’s are not monolithic so steps in seeking the girl’s hand in marriages vary among different groups within Hausa communities. However, the most common method used in seeking the girl’s hand in marriage includes the grooms parents or guardians visiting the bride’s parents with some gifts items such as Kolanuts, chocolates, candies and in some cases bags of salt. The groom’s parents make their intention known during the visit. Gaisuwais a formal form of approval from the family of the bride to the groom’s. The bargain for bride’s dowry price begins right there. The price starts from the minimum amount called “Rubu Dinar” in Hausa, an Arabic phrase translated as “quarter kilogram of gold piece” to the highest amount the man can afford to pay. The preference is for the bride price to be as low as possible because Islamic teaching teaches that less amount paid as bride dowry price produces the most blessed marriage.
The wedding date is set during the visit by the families of the groom and the bride. The setting of the date is called Sarana. It is part of the Hausa tradition for the groom to provide a house for the couple while furnishing the house is the full responsibility of the bride’s family. The wedding date is called Fatihah. It is the day of Solemnization of the two families and payment of the dowry referred to as sadaki. Women are not expected at the wedding Fatihah rather they are indoors, busy preparing the bride for her final moment as a single lady and beginning of life as wife referred as kunshi. Kunshi is similar to bridal shower.
Wedding reception called Walimah depends on the families involved. It is usually held after Fatihah and is a whole day ceremony with food and drinks and enjoyment for families, friends and well wishers. After the merriments, the bride is taken to her husband’s house after series of advice from both parents, aunts, uncles, parents-in-law.
EDUCATION IN HAUSA LAND
From about the age of six, Hausa children attend Koranic schools (schools where teaching is based on the Islamic Holy Scripture, the Koran). They learn to recite the scriptures and learn about the practices, teachings, and morals of Islam. By the time they reach adulthood, many achieve high levels of Islamic scholarship.
Since Nigeria received its independence in 1960, the government has built many schools and universities. A majority of Hausa children, especially in urban areas, are now able to attend school, at least at the primary level.
CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE HAUSA PEOPLE
Music and art play are important in everyday life. From a young age, Hausa children participate in dances, which are held in meeting places such as the market. Work songs often accompany activities in the rural areas and in the markets. Praise-singers sing about community histories, leaders, and other prominent individuals. Storytelling, local dramas, and musical performances are also common forms of traditional entertainment.
EMPLOYMENT IN HAUSA LAND
Hausa society has a strong division of labor according to age and sex. The main activity in the towns is trade; in rural areas, it is agriculture. Many Hausa men have more than one occupation. In the towns and cities, they may have formal jobs, such as teaching or government work, and engage in trade on the side. In rural areas, they farm and also engage in trade or crafts. Some Hausa are full-time traders with shops or market stalls. Many Hausa are full-time Islamic scholars.Hausa women earn money by processing, cooking, and selling food. They also sell cloth scraps, pots, medicines, vegetable oils, and other small items. Since women are generally secluded according to Islamic law, their children or servants go to other houses or the market on their behalf.
No comments:
Post a Comment