Nigeria People and Culture - GST 1113: Part II

2.2 Learning Outcomes for Unit 1

• Identify the origins of the following ethnic groups: Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri, and Nupe.
• Outline the sociopolitical organizations of these cultures.

Hausa Culture

General Overview

• Cultural Definition: Total way of life; encompasses politics, economics, language, religion, etc.
• Geography: Northwestern Nigeria.
• Religion: Predominantly Muslim, substantial Islamization even before the Sokoto Jihad (1804).
• Homogeneity: Common language and Islam.

Historical Background

• Mythological Descent: From a hero named Bayajidda (or Abu Yazid).
  • Bayajidda: Refugee prince from Baghdad.
  • Settled in Kanem: Married King’s daughter (Meira), fled to Daura, killed an evil snake, married Queen of Daura (Magira), and became ruler.
• Seven Hausa States (Hausa Bakwai): Biram, Bega, Koo, Kunguma, Zaza, Duma, Goera,
  • Note: Possible different spellings, e.g., Koo (Kano), Daura (Daura), etc.

Cultural Practices

• Pagan Hausa:
  • Lived in small villages with exogamous, patrilineal clan systems.
  • Worshiped natural spirits (Isoki).
  • Predominantly gatherers and farmers.
• Muslim Hausa:
  • Centralized political system.
  • Developed technologies: leather work, cloth making, dyeing, iron making, trading, etc.
  • Influences from Sokoto Caliphate and Islam.

Sociopolitical Structure

• Early Political Organization:
  • Patrilineal clans, natural spirits.
• Post-Islamization:
  • Formation of the Sokoto Caliphate after Usman danFodio’s Jihad.
  • Heads of states: Sarki (Sarkin Kasar) - political and religious leader, chief executive, and judge.
  • Council of State support.
• Islamic Influence:
  • Offices created: Galadima (senior counselor), Madawaki (palace administrator), Magaji (overseer), Dogari (guard), Zagi (orderly).
  • Judicial and fiscal systems: Alkali (judge), Zakat (tax on incomes), Jangali (tax on livestock).

Prominent Hausa Rulers

• 15th century rulers of notable states: Kano, Zaria, and Katsina.
  • Adoption of Islam in political, social, and economic systems.

Questions & Answers

1. Figure Representation:

• May depict mythical hero Bayajidda fighting an evil snake.

2. Expanse of Sokoto Caliphate:

• Northwest boundary: Goera, Bornu to Northeast.
• Southward extension to old Oyo and Benue communities.

Conclusion

• The lecture covers the historical and cultural aspects of the Hausa people, their sociopolitical structures influenced by both indigenous practices and Islamic principles, and the geographical expanse of their influence.