Nigeria is not the only Hausa-speaking country. Yes, it’s a language spoken beyond borders. As a language of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, Hausa is mainly spoken in the Northern part, but also other African countries.
It is a Chadic group of the Afro-Asiatic family. Islam highly influences Hausa beliefs and customs. Pilgrimage and commerce contributed to the propagation of the language. It is tonal — the meaning of each word is determined by pitch differences. And there are over 70 million Hausa speakers across the world.
The standard version of Hausa is spoken in Kano, Nigeria — the biggest commercial centre in Nigeria’s Northern region. Missionaries began working on the language in the mid-19th century starting with the work of German missionary, J.F Schon. The first teaching and course in Hausa happened in 1885. It’s a language that has quite a number of loanwords from Arabic, Tamajaq and Kanuri — this was first demonstrated in a 40,000-entry dictionary published by Rev. G.P Bargery in 1934. Traditionally, Hausas live in small villages; rear cattle, grow crops and trade locally and internationally.
Sharia law (Islamic law) is adopted as the law of the land by the Hausa people. It is also important to note that Ajami, a modified script, was used by the early 15th century to record the Hausa language.
During the ancient days, Hausa people were very famous for horse equipment, leather works, cloth weaving and dyeing and cotton. The traditional dress for men is a large flowing gown called “Babban Riga” — which usually has elaborate embroidery designs. They also wear turban and caps to complement the dress. Hausa women use lalle (henna), a traditional paint used to beautify the hand. For the women, a colourful cloth made into wrappers is usually worn; matched with a blouse and shawl.
1. Ghana
Ghana is a West African country sharing a border with Nigeria. Hausa began settling down in Ghana about 500 years ago. The first settlers resided in the Northern part of Ghana. Muslim priests, traders and slaves were very instrumental in the spread of Hausa culture in Ghana. Immigration into Ghana increased during the expansion of trade and wars in the 18th century. Products such as coffee, gold, kola nuts, and slaves were traded for centuries.
To keep the Hausa culture alive in Ghana, the first thing most settlers did was to take wives and start a family. Clerics were invited to teach children the Quran and to control the influence of non-Hausa mothers. Most Hausa-speaking people in Ghana are Muslims — they belong to the Tijaniyya and Qadiriyya brotherhood. However, their beliefs in local traditions such as performing rituals; and offering sacrifice to spirits have penetrated the religious practices.
2. Chad
Chad is located in North-Central Africa. The country has over six million people of which over one hundred thousand are Hausa. They migrated to Chad between the 19th and 20th centuries as pilgrims on their way to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. You wonder why not Mecca but Chad? They couldn’t continue their journey due to lack of transportation and long distance.
There is a common statement by the Hausa people in Chad — “We are pilgrims”. They are quite respected because of their devotion to Islam and their ability to trade very well. Wearing turbans, gowns, loose trousers and leather sandals distinguish them from others; it’s like a mark of identity.
3. Sudan
Sudan is a country in Northeast Africa. Hausa people here strictly dress Arabian —- they are usually dressed in “jallabiyya” (a long flowing gown) with a turban. Something distinctive about their fluency in Hausa but the language of communication is Arabic. Virtually every Hausa practices Islam in Sudan.
Northern Nigeria and Northern Sudan had strong ties during the colonial era in terms of cultural background and trade. There was a sea called Kano-Borno-Darfur-Red Sea — it was a route used by the Hausa, Kanuri and Fulani to travel to Mecca for pilgrimage. Some of the faithful settled in Sudan based on cultural similarities, religious practices and fertile lands. You can find the Hausas in Darfur, Dinar, Blue Nile and Masala — most of them are Muslims.
4. The Republic of Benin
The migration of Hausas into the Republic of Benin was that of social, political, environmental and economic reasons. There are different accounts of how Hausa people ended up in Benin, but the one that stood out is that of hunters who got fascinated by the economic potential of the country. Afterwards, Hausa migrants started coming in — this was before the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria in 1914.
Traders accompanying hunters to purchase animals contributed to the spread of Hausa in Benin. The first settlement of the immigrants is the present-day east circular road in Benin. The first Sarkin Hausawa of Benin, Mallam Adamu, was a hunter from Ningi, Bauchi state. He was chosen based on the extraordinary power, bravery and hunting skills he possessed.
As mentioned earlier, the economic reasons for migration to Benin are agriculture, hunting, craftsmanship and fishing. Trade was another factor — Hausa people were and are still known as people of commerce who engaged in both short and far-distance trade. In Benin, these people traded in palm oil, palm kernel, timber and rubber. The abundant grasses for grazing made Hausa herdsmen migrate.
5. The Republic of Niger
As one of the prominent Hausa-speaking countries with over ten million speakers according to World Atlas, there are also many other ethnic groups in the country. The official language in Niger is French while Hausa is used for trade. The Hausa people here are either farmers or traders; some reside in huts in rural areas — full of extended families.
Social importance is determined by marital status, especially for women. Just like their Nigerian counterparts, girls are often encouraged to marry very early and are allowed to settle down with their cousins. The Hausas are mainly Muslims; drawing teachings from the Holy Quran. Traditional architecture known as “Saheliam architecture” is a form of attraction — used to build houses characterized by different geometrics.
