Exposing Plans of Fake Hausa Activists & Ba-Zata Mischief Mongers to Cause Confusion and Discord in Northern Nigeria (10)
By Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi
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√ Who Is a “Pure Hausa” Person Today?
Dear readers who have been following this series, in this edition we will examine the poser: in the present era (the 21st century), considering globalization and the way the world has shrunk into a tightly interconnected space, who exactly can be singled out and described as a pure Hausa person?
What prompted this question? The main reason is the recent emergence of a dubious group, the “Hausa Zalla” whose aim appears to be to turn back the hands of time. While it outwardly claims to defend Hausa identity, it simultaneously harbors a dangerous hidden agenda that poses a serious threat to social harmony.
Today, wherever you go in Northern Nigeria, it can be said that out of every ten people, at least nine speak Hausa fluently; even though they are not ethnically Hausa and have their own indigenous languages. It should not be forgotten that Northern Nigeria alone is home to more than 300 different languages.
Even more surprising is that some of these languages have already been completely consumed and overtaken by Hausa. In some communities, especially among the younger generations, people cannot even exchange greetings in their ancestral languages. They speak and interact just in Hausa. In the North, almost everyone is effectively Hausa in terms of spoken language. You may encounter Fulani, Kanuri, Tuareg and others whose ancestors did not speak Hausa, yet today, when asked about their language, they identify as Hausa. That’s simply because Hausa is the only language they know.
The same situation exists in many other countries, especially in West Africa, such as Niger, Ghana, Cameroon, Chad, etc. Mostly anyone you find speaking in Hausa in those places likely has an anscestral, native language but no longer speaks it, as Hausa has effectively replaced it.
Now, back to the earlier issue: why do those advocating for “Hausa Zalla” identity direct their criticism solely at the Fulani, even going as far as insulting, denigrating the personality, image of Usman Dan Fodio? From this, it becomes clear that there is more than meets the eye. We must not forget that if the concern were genuinely about preserving Hausa identity, then in reality almost everyone today, especially in the North could be considered Hausa. So why is the issue being narrowed down specifically to Hausas versus Fulani? The answer is simple: it is an attempt to destabilize Northern Nigerian society by sowing unnecessary division and hatred among its people, in other words “tribalism”.
Furthermore, if their intention were truly to promote unity and social welfare, then ethnic division would not be the appropriate tool, especially in this era. This is because there exists a far more powerful unifying force that has historically brought people together and shaped the moral values of both Hausa and Fulani, as well as anyone who embraces it. And that’s the religion of Islam.
Why do I say religion is more influential than ethnicity? In Northern Nigeria, greater parcentage of Hausa people profess Islam as religion though one may find some negligible minority adhering to other religions i’e, Christianity or traditional. Similarly, almost every Fulani person is Muslim, with a few exceptions that converted to Christianity and others.
Islam, by its very core principles forbids tribalism and instead promotes unity, peace and social cohesion. Therefore, Hausa and Fulani people have become inseparable brothers and sisters through Islam. They have intermarried and established families with deep historical roots. To attempt to divide them today along ethnic lines is extremely difficult, more to say almost impossible. Ethnic division is in fact a highly dangerous phenomenon that can lead to consequences whose severity is beyond measure. Record has it in store of what happened in Ruwanda some years ago. May Allah protect us, Amen.
Dear readers, we will pause here for now. God willing, in the next installment, we are to discuss another topic of interest, titled “No to Tribalism, Yes to Peaceful Coexistence.”
Until then by the grace of Allah, may you all remain in peace and tranquility.
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