PeopleWest Africa

Hausa

The Sahel’s great trading culture; suna naming on the seventh day.

Nigeria

Niger

GhanaHausa

Customs they practice

5 recorded rites, each with its steps and its WHY.

Birth & namingmachine draft

Sunan jariri · the Hausa naming day

On the seventh day the Hausa family gathers after dawn prayers; a ram is slaughtered, the child’s head may be shaved, and the malam whispers the name with the call to prayer in the child’s ear.

Hausa · Fulani · Muslim communities of Africa

Birth & namingmachine draft

Aqiqah · the Islamic welcome sacrifice

Across Muslim Africa the seventh day brings aqiqah: a sheep or goat sacrificed in thanks (two for a boy in many communities), the baby’s head shaved, silver given in charity, and the name announced.

Muslim communities of Africa · Hausa · Swahili Coast +4

Courtship & marriagemachine draft

Mahr · the Islamic dower

In Muslim marriages across Africa, the groom gives the bride herself (not her family) an agreed dower: money, gold, property, or even teaching her something of value; it is hers alone.

Muslim communities of Africa · Hausa · Swahili Coast +4

Community & hospitalitymachine draft

Iwa oji · the breaking of kola

Across West Africa no serious gathering begins without kola: the nut is presented, blessed by the eldest, broken, and shared: "he who brings kola brings life."

Igbo · Yoruba · Hausa

Death & mourningmachine draft

ʿIddah · the Islamic mourning period

Across Muslim Africa a widow observes iddah: four months and ten days of staying close to home in plain dress, a protected mourning in which the community owes her care and her affairs settle.

Muslim communities of Africa · Swahili Coast · Hausa +3for women

What they eat

4 dishes, what they mean and when they appear.

Celebrationmachine draft

Jollof rice

Rice slow-cooked in a rich tomato-and-pepper base until every grain turns deep red-orange: West Africa’s great shared party dish, claimed proudly (and loudly) by several nations at once.

Yoruba · Akan · Wolof +2

Street & socialmachine draft

Suya

Thin skewers of beef coated in a dry, peanut-and-spice rub (yaji), grilled over open flame and sold from streetside stands well into the night.

Hausa · Fulani

Staplemachine draft

Tuwo shinkafa

Rice cooked down and mashed into a smooth, soft mound, served with a thick vegetable or meat soup: the Hausa answer to the swallow starches eaten further south.

Hausa

Drinkmachine draft

Zobo

A deep-red drink brewed from dried hibiscus (roselle) petals, sweetened and often flavoured with ginger, pineapple, or mint: a refreshing non-alcoholic staple at gatherings.

Hausa · Wolof

What they wear

2 pieces, what it says and who may wear it.

Garmentmachine draft

Agbada

A voluminous, wide-sleeved flowing robe worn over a matching tunic and trousers, the formal dress of Yoruba and Hausa men for the most significant occasions.

Yoruba · Hausa

Headwearmachine draft