Hausa people facts for kids
| مُتَنٜىٰنْ هَوْسَا / هَوْسَاوَا Mutanen Hausa / Hausawa |
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Hausa emblem is an older and traditionally established emblem of Hausa identity – the 'Dagin Arewa' or 'Northern knot' – in a star shape, used in historic and traditional architecture, design and hand-embroidery.
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| Total population | |
| 86 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Nigeria |
71,000,000 |
 Niger |
13,800,000 |
 Ivory Coast |
1,000,000 |
 Sudan |
664,000 |
 Cameroon |
400,000 |
 Ghana |
275,000 |
 Benin |
36,360 |
 Eritrea |
30,000 |
 Togo |
21,900 |
 Gabon |
17,000 |
 Algeria |
12,000 |
| Languages | |
| Hausa | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Chadic-speaking peoples, Cushitic-speaking peoples, Habesha peoples, Nilo-Saharans, Omotic-speaking peoples and Tuareg | |
The Hausa are a large ethnic group from West Africa. They speak the Hausa language, which is one of the most spoken languages in the Afro-Asiatic language family. Most Hausa people live in the Sahel and savanna areas of southern Niger and northern Nigeria. There are about 86 million Hausa people in total. You can also find many Hausa communities in countries like Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Chad, Togo, and Ghana.
Hausa people traditionally live in villages, towns, and cities. They are known for growing crops and raising animals like cattle. They also have a long history of trading, both locally and across Africa. Horses are very important in Hausa culture, especially for the traditional nobility. They are still part of big celebrations like the Eid festival, known as Ranar Sallah (Day of the Prayer). The city of Daura is considered the cultural heart of the Hausa people.
Contents
Where Do Hausa People Live?
Over the last 500 years, Hausa people have traveled across Africa for many reasons. These include military service, long-distance trade, hunting, and making the Hajj pilgrimage. The Hajj is a religious journey that many Muslims try to complete. As Hausa people traveled for Hajj, many settled in new places. This is why you can find Hausa communities far from their original homeland.
The main home of the Hausa people is called Hausaland ("Kasar Hausa"). This area is in Northern Nigeria and Southern Niger. However, Hausa people have spread throughout Africa and even into parts of Western Asia. For example, in the 1890s, a scholar named Charles Henry Robinson noted Hausa-speaking communities in cities like Alexandria and Tripoli.
A Look at Hausa History
Daura, in northern Nigeria, is the oldest city in Hausaland. The Hausa people of Gobir speak the oldest form of the Hausa language. Historically, Katsina was a major center for Islamic learning among the Hausa. Later, Sokoto became more important after the Islamic reforms of Usman Dan Fodio in the 19th century.
The Hausa people share many cultural ties with other groups in the Sahel region. These include the Fula, Zarma, Songhai, Kanuri, and Tuareg. These groups live in the vast, open lands of the Sahel and Sahara. Because of trade routes, their cultures have influenced each other a lot. For example, people in Agadez and the Tuareg and Hausa groups often wear similar traditional clothes. Both might wear the tagelmust (a type of turban) and indigo Babban Riga/Gandora (a large flowing gown). However, they speak different languages and have different lifestyles.
In the 7th century, a Hausa community settled at Dalla Hill in Kano. They were skilled in iron-working. The Hausa Bakwai (Seven Hausa Kingdoms) were formed between the 7th and 11th centuries. The Kingdom of Daura was the first of these, according to the Bayajidda legend.
These Hausa kingdoms became important trading centers. They were southern stops on the Trans-Saharan caravan trade routes. Hausa merchants collected goods like leather, dyed cloth, and kola nuts. They processed these goods and sent them north to cities along the Mediterranean Sea. By the 12th century, the Hausa were major traders in Africa. Their main exports included leather, gold, cloth, salt, and slaves. Trade also helped spread Islam. By the 14th century, Islam was widely practiced in Hausaland.
By the early 15th century, the Hausa started writing their language using a modified Arabic script called ajami. They wrote many histories, with the Kano Chronicle being very famous. Old Hausa manuscripts, similar to the Timbuktu Manuscripts, have been found. Some even describe constellations and calendars.
Important Structures and Leaders
The Gobarau Minaret was built in the 15th century in Katsina. This 50-foot tall building is a symbol of the state. It is an early example of Islamic architecture in the region. The minaret was once the tallest building in Katsina. It was designed to be a center for learning and attracted scholars and students.
Muhammad Rumfa was the Sultan of Kano from 1463 to 1499. He achieved many things, like extending the city walls and building a large palace called the Gidan Rumfa. He also started the famous Kurmi Market, which is still used today. This market was a major international trading hub. Muhammad Rumfa also played a big role in spreading Islam in Kano.
The legendary Queen Amina is believed to have ruled Zazzau for 34 years between the 15th and 16th centuries. She was known for her bravery and military skills. Amina is famous for building strong earthen walls around her city. These walls became a model for fortifications in other Hausa states. She built many such walls around conquered cities, which became known as ganuwar Amina (Amina's walls). She led her armies far and wide, expanding her kingdom.
The Sokoto Caliphate and British Rule
From 1804 to 1808, the Fulani people, another Islamic group, revolted against the king of Gobir. They were supported by Hausa peasants who felt oppressed by heavy taxes and religious persecution. Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, a leading Muslim cleric, led this revolt. He declared a holy war (Jihad) against the kings for their alleged greed and unfair practices. The Fulani and Hausa shared many cultural similarities, which helped them unite. Since the early 20th century, many of these groups are called "Hausa–Fulani" in Nigeria. Many Fulani in Hausa areas now speak Hausa as their first language.
The British colonial administrator Frederick Lugard took advantage of rivalries among local leaders. In 1903, the British defeated the forces of Sultan Muhammadu Attahiru I and took control of Sokoto. Lugard ended the Caliphate but kept the title of Sultan as a symbolic position. The British divided the area of the Sokoto Caliphate among themselves, the French, and the Germans.
The British set up the Northern Nigeria Protectorate to govern the region. They allowed local leaders (emirs) to keep much of their power. The Sultan of Sokoto remained an important religious leader. One notable Sultan was Siddiq Abubakar III, who held the position for 50 years (1938-1988). He helped bring stability to Nigerian politics.
After the Nigerian railway system was built in the early 1900s, Hausa farmers in northern Nigeria became major producers of groundnuts. They surprised the British, who expected them to grow cotton. The Hausa knew that groundnuts required less work and offered better prices.
The Boko script, based on the Latin alphabet, became the official Hausa alphabet in 1930. Before this, the Arabic script (ajami) was used. Today, Boko is the main alphabet for Hausa. The Ajami script is mostly used in Islamic schools.
Subgroups of Hausa People
Within the Hausa people, there are three main subgroups:
- Habe: These are considered the original or "pure" Hausas. They were the rulers of the Hausa Kingdoms before the 1804 revolution led by Usman Danfodiyo. Examples include the Gobirawa and Kabawa.
- Hausa–Fulani or Kado: These are Fula people who have adopted Hausa culture and language. They are of mixed Hausa and Fulani origin. Their identity came about as Fula people moved into Hausaland, especially during the 19th-century revolution.
- Banza or Banza 7: Some historians believe these groups come from ancient tribes with languages that are no longer spoken in Hausaland. Not much is known about their early history.
Hausa Culture
Hausa culture is very strong and has kept its unique traditions over time. This includes their way of dressing, food, language, marriage system, education, architecture, sports, and music.
Language
The Hausa language is part of the Afroasiatic family. It has more native speakers than any other African language, with about 50 million first-language speakers and nearly 30 million second-language speakers. The main areas where Hausa is spoken are northern Nigeria and southern Niger. It is also widely spoken in Ghana, Cameroon, Chad, and Ivory Coast.
Hausa is often used as a common language (a lingua franca) among Muslims in West Africa. There are many books, poems, plays, and news articles written in Hausa. Radio and TV stations broadcast in Hausa across northern Nigeria and southern Niger. International broadcasters like the BBC also have Hausa programs.
Hausa is taught in elementary schools in northern Nigeria and can be studied at universities. It is considered one of the world's major languages. Studying Hausa helps people understand the culture of Islamic Africa, as there is a strong link between Hausa and Islam.
Religion
Sunni Islam is the main religion of the Hausa people. Islam has been in Hausaland since the 11th century. It was first spread by traders from North Africa and then to common people. Early 19th-century Muslim scholars wanted to reform religious practices. This led to the creation of the Sokoto Caliphate, which strengthened Islam in rural areas. The Hausa people have played a big role in spreading Islam in West Africa. Today, the Sultan of Sokoto is seen as the traditional religious leader for Sunni Hausa–Fulani people.
Before Islam, many Hausa people practiced Maguzanci, a traditional African religion. In some remote areas, people still practice Maguzanci. In urban areas, it's less common, but some beliefs remain. One practice is the "cult of spirit possession," known as Bori. This combines elements of the old religion with magic.
Clothing and Accessories
The Hausa were famous in the Middle Ages for their cloth weaving, dyeing, and leather goods. They were often known as "bluemen" because of their Indigo blue clothing. They traditionally rode on fine Saharan camels and horses. Tie-dye techniques have been used for centuries in the Hausa region, especially around Kano, Nigeria.
Traditional Hausa clothing for men includes loose flowing gowns and trousers. The gowns, called Babban riga, are large and often have detailed embroidery around the neck and chest. Men also wear colorful embroidered caps called hula. Sometimes, they wear a turban over the cap to veil the face, called Alasho.
Hausa women wear wrappers called zani, made from colorful cloth known as atampa or Ankara. They also wear a matching blouse, a head tie (kallabi), and a shawl (Gyale). Like other Muslim women in West Africa, Hausa women often use Henna (lalle) designs on their hands instead of nail polish. Both men and women use kohl ('kwalli') around their eyes as eye shadow.
Common traditional dressing in Hausa men
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A Hausa boy wearing traditional cloths (Babban riga and rawani)
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A teenage Hausa boy wearing traditional cloths
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An adult Hausa man in Babban riga and Alasho
Common modern dressing in Hausa women
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Aisha Buhari wearing Hausa clothes and hijab, which consists of the kallabi matching the dress cloth design, and gyale draped over the shoulder or front
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Turai Yar'adua wearing atampa and dan kwali, note the henna designs on the fingertips instead of nail polish
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Kannywood actress wearing gyale in Hausa style, along with henna applied on fingers
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Maryam Booth, Kannywood actress
Architecture
Hausa architecture is unique, with many early mosques and palaces being bright and colorful. They often have detailed engravings or symbols on their fronts. This style is called Tubali. The ancient Kano city walls were built to protect the growing population. They were started around 1095 and finished in the mid-14th century. Hausa buildings often use dry mud bricks in square shapes. Important people might live in multi-story buildings. The buildings often have traditional white stucco and plaster fronts. Sometimes, the fronts are decorated with abstract designs and bright colors.
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Gate of gidan rumfa
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Kano Museum
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The ancient Gobirau minaret in Katsina
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House built in 1959. Photo taken in Agadez, Niger (1997)
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Gate to the palace of the Emir of Zaria (1962)
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Palace of the Emir of Dutse
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Sport
Hausa culture has many traditional sports like boxing (Dambe), stick fighting (Takkai), and wrestling (Kokowa). These sports were first held to celebrate harvests. Over time, they became popular entertainment.
Dambe
Dambe is a traditional martial art of the Hausa people. It started among lower-class butcher groups. Later, it became a way to practice military skills and then a sport. Dambe fights have rounds with no time limits. A round ends if a fighter is knocked out or touches the ground with a knee, body, or hand.
The main weapon in Dambe is the "spear." This is one dominant hand wrapped in thick cotton bandages. The bandages are often dipped in salt and dried to make them harder. The other arm is held open as a "shield" to protect the head or to grab an opponent. Fighters often get injuries like broken noses or jaws. Dambe fighters might win money, cattle, or jewelry, but they mostly fight for fame.
Food
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The most common foods for Hausa people are made from grains like sorghum, millet, rice, or maize. These grains are ground into flour for many dishes. A popular food is tuwo.
For breakfast, people often eat fried cakes or dumplings made from ground beans, called kosai. Another breakfast food is funkaso, made from wheat flour. Both can be served with porridge and sugar called kunu or koko. Lunch or dinner usually includes a thick porridge with soup and stew, known as tuwo da miya. The soup and stew are made with tomatoes, onions, and local spices.
Vegetables like spinach, pumpkin, or okra are added to the soup. The stew usually has meat, such as goat or cow meat. Pork is not eaten due to Islamic rules. Beans, peanuts, and milk are also important parts of the Hausa diet.
One of the most famous Hausa foods is Suya. This is a spicy, skewered meat dish, similar to a shish kebab. It is very popular in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. A dried version of Suya is called Kilishi.
Literature
The Hausa language has been written using a modified Arabic script, called Ajami, for a long time. The oldest known Hausa Ajami manuscript is from the 1600s. Many scholars and saints wrote poetry in Ajami and Arabic. In the 19th century, Usman dan Fodio encouraged reading and writing for everyone. Today, most Hausa books are written using the Latin alphabet (Boko), but Ajami is still used in Islamic schools.
Since the late 1980s, a modern literary movement has grown, led by female Hausa writers. These writers created a unique style called Kano market literature. These books are often self-published and sold in Nigerian markets. They are popular, especially among female readers, because they often tell romantic and family stories that are not common in traditional Hausa literature. This genre is also known as littattafan soyayya, or "love literature."
Hausa Symbolism
A "Hausa ethnic flag" was suggested in 1966. It has five horizontal stripes: red, yellow, indigo blue, green, and khaki beige. An older and more traditional symbol of Hausa identity is the 'Dagin Arewa' or Northern knot. This star-shaped emblem is used in historic architecture, designs, and embroidery.
See also
- Hausa language
- Hausa Kingdoms
- Hausa architecture
- List of Hausa people
- Hausa Music
- Hausa Day
Images for kids
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Hausa drummer
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A man playing a garaya lute.
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A Hausa gurmi lute player
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Algaita player, a type of multi-reed instrument like a clarinet or oboe.
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Goje fiddle
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Kakaki trumpet players from Northern Nigeria. The instrument is similar or related to the nafir, an instrument that traveled with Islam.
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Art of a Kano horseman wearing lifidi (cotton-padded armour)
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