A Hausa Compound.

Kukuma.

Masu Goge.

Masu Kalangu.

Masu Dunfuna.

Hausa singer Zabiya and her group.

Mai Komo.

Masu Tandu.

The royal drums of Zaria.

Musicians of a Hausa district head.

Singer and Obati player.

Hausa Kakaki player for the Fulani Emir of Zaria.

note: after the Fulani conquest of Zaria (formerly Zazzau of the Hausa Bakwai), H.E.H Saarkin Muhammadu Makau of Zazzau, led many of the Hausa nobility and Habes to the Koro town of Zuba. Abu Ja (Jatau), his brother and successor as Sarkin Zazzau, founded Abuja town in 1828, began construction of its wall a year later, and proclaimed himself the first sarki of Abuja, while retaining the title Sarkin Zazzau'. Withstanding Zaria attacks, the Abuja emirate remained an independent Hausa refuge. Trade with the Fulani emirates of Bida (to the west) and Zaria began in Emir Abu Kwaka’s reign (1851–77). This was known as the Suleja Emirate or today as the Abuja Emirate

In 1944, Suleimanu Barau was made the 6th emir. As ruler of the emirate of Abuja, he introduced modern customs to replace some of the old traditions of the Habe's. He put to rest a custom that demands subjects kneel down and pour dust on their heads in obeisance to him. He also initiated recordings of some of the remaining Abuja traditions.

As an educated paramount ruler, more responsibilities were bestowed upon. He was one of the few emirs appointed into the Northern Provinces Board of Education and was a member of the legislative council of Nigeria.


as for the now Fulani Emirate of Zaria, it is the only Emirate in Nigeria, where emirs are elected based on merit and not on lineage. I personally dont consider it a true Kingdom for that matter. it is more like a democratically Governorship.

Hausa woman singing while grinding corn.

Sarkin Kasina and his group.

Kotso drummers.

H.R.H. Saarkin Daura Umar Faruk Umar.

The Traditional dress code reserved for two groups of people: Wawan Sarki da Jama'ansa (The Clown King and his followers) and Mafarauta da Yan banga (Hunters and private vigilante). The guys in this picture are 'Yan Banga, who clears the road for the king or traditional ruler. They are normally armed with with sticks called Gora in Hausa and then dancing to the tune of their drum called Kalangu.

Bori: Healers of the Soul. .

PAGAN 9JA:
Bori: Healers of the Soul. .

Were the Hausas part of the Mali and Songhai Empires? And can you explain how the Fulanis were able to defeat the Hausas?

I also heard the hausas have written text about maths, cosmology, science etc. dating back to the 11th century, can you shed more light on that?

And how I can differentiate hausa people from other tribes in Northern Nigeria?

bittyend:
Were the Hausas part of the Mali and Songhai Empires?

No.

And can you explain how the Fulanis were able to defeat the Hausas?

superior cavalry. also we were not well-prepared because we didnt see much war for ages. another possibility is inside betrayel by some muslim fundamentalist Hausas. but i cant be sure on that point.
however we didnt lose all battles as was evident from my previous posts. but it is true we lost most battles.

I also heard the hausas have written text about maths, cosmology, science etc. dating back to the 11th century, can you shed more light on that?

i tink you are referring to the Kano Chronicles from around the 10th-11th Centuries. it documents detailed Hausa history,etc, from the pan-Pagan days.

also many other chronicles were written. for that one must go throught the archives.

And how I can differentiate hausa people from other tribes in Northern Nigeria?

physically or what?

This thread is very interesting
I still think islam had a huge impact on hausa and fulani traditional practices

now for that which many of you Nairalanders are already well-acquainted with, considering the previous 2-3 threads here on Nairaland on this subject.

I introduce to you, the GADAWAN KURA!

Gadawan Kura - Hausa Hyena men and traditional medicine men.

They are a group of street performers who earn their living by exhibiting their hyenas, baboons, pythons and other wild animals. The photographer blends into the group of men, who belong to the same, but extended, family. All of them handlers, from father to son, and accompanied by the six year old girl who mounts the scavenging beasts
without fear.

The members of the troupe have scars and wounds on their faces, legs and hands; a constant reminder of the savagery of the animals. The "Gadawan Kura" always carry a stick to defend themselves and subdue the animals when needed. But according to Abdullahi Ahmadu, ’Mummy’ his six-year-old daughter "cannot be harmed. It’s the same thing with the snakes and monkeys. She has taken a potion of traditional herbs and has been bathed with it. So her safety from the animals is guaranteed for the rest of her life."

Before catching their wild animals, the trainers bathe in potions and tie amulets around their ankles while chanting incantations to protect themselves from the dangerous animals. The men believe they become invincible to the wild animals during their expeditions after administering the necessary voodoo charms. Ahmadu explains that, the beast, which is initially not accustomed to humans, puts up a fight until a potion is smeared on its body, after which it immediately becomes obedient.

Business

It is a business that has been in the family since Abdulahi’s childhood. Apart from the generosity of their onlookers during the street performances given by their trained animals, the handlers also take the opportunity of the huge crowds they pull to sell traditional herbs, concoctions, powders and other voodoo objects. They also sell talismans to ward off the evil eye.

Abdullahi Mohammed with Hyena named - Mainasara.

Note: Mainasara is also the name of an old Hausa King.

Mummy Ahmadu & Mallam Mantari Lamal with Mainasara.

A depiction of the Hausa mobile circus.This is famous not only for entetainment of the public but they administer herbal treatment to patients in addition to possessing super-natural powers too! "'Yan wasan kura" are very popular back then...

Garuba Yawu with Mora. True animal-human companionship.

The Gadawan Kura are traveling performers of a familial tradition, handed down from generation to generation entertaining crowds and selling traditional medicines with three hyenas, four monkeys, and a few rock pythons.

Before the advent of "Discovery & National Geographic Channels" the Hausa hunters have been the earliest adventurers who have successfully conquerred their environment!

Hausa man poses with a hyena on a leash in Rinka village of Katsina State, North-west Nigeria, July 17, 2009.

Hausa man poses with a hyena along a street in Lagos, November 4, 2008.

i am sure you are aware of our Supreme creator God, Saarkin Aljannu, yes? He is the Dark/Black God. now there is another similar spirit called the Light God known as Kuure. Kuure/ KUra is represented by the HYena and is extremely sacred to us. THe word for Hyena and this white God is the same.

Kura acts as a protecter and preserving spirit and is very helpful. THerefore the Hyena must not be killed and its meat is forbidden to be eaten.

This dual concept with regards to the Creator/Supreme Spirit is similar to the Masaai who worship Enkai: Engai has a dual nature: Engai Narok (Black God) is benevolent, and Engai Nanyokie (Red God) is vengeful.


THis is similar to the Ying Yang concept.

Jatto with Mainasara.

Abdullahi Mohammed with Mainasara.

Note: Than animals are given names which denotes equality of beings with feelings.