By Regina Nwangele
I have just finished reading The Stick of Fortune, written by Dr. Bukar Usman, containing eight stories, with my little cousins aged 10, 8, 6 and 4.
It was a gripping tale from the beginning to the last chapter, which dwells on the bride’s order. My little cousins enjoyed every part of the story, and the two oldest of them recalled that their paternal grandfather, when he was alive, used to tell them stories.
Afterwards, I was asked by the children to thank Dr. Bukar Usman when I told who gave me the free book.
Indeed, the book, Folklore and History, proves the adage –“In every rumour, there is an atom of truth”. Therein in myths, legends, and folklore, our history revolves around these, and it tells a lot about our ancestry and who we were; what we believed in before colonisation, and the parts of our culture we have jettisoned because of Westernisation.
I wasn’t surprised when I came across the “Comparative Study of Folktale traditions” (pp.13-14), where the countries visited by Dr. Usman were listed. As my people would say, “A traveller possesses more wisdom compared to one who has just grey hairs”.
Usman’s interest and efforts to document folktales, which are part of who we are as a people, enables one to see a storyline even where none exists. No wonder the moral lessons to be learned in the stories tell more about your personality as a principled man and also a man of value.
I would like to also commend Usman’s effort to promote the Hausa language even beyond Nigeria.
Regina Ogechukwu Nwangele is currently a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).