By Dr. Bukar Usman
Introduction
My presentation basically focuses on literature in Northern Nigeria; it covers pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras. It also touches on the emergence of women writers and Kano as a hub of literature in Northern Nigeria. Finally, it takes a look into the future of literature in Northern Nigeria.
Northern Nigeria Constituent
Until the establishment of the British administration, the boundary of Northern Nigeria was ill-defined. That was because famous Hausa kingdoms such as Kebbi in the north west, was hitherto a province of the Songhai Empire whose influence extended to Agades in present day Niger Republic. There were also the fluid borders of Kanem-Borno Empire to the north east which extended to Fezzan and Tibesti north of the present Chad Republic. It was after the Berlin Conference of 1885 which divided Africa among the European powers to stem the tide of scramble for Africa that Lord Frederick Lugard a British military officer was drafted by the British Government to consolidate its holdings in the Niger area by military conquest. That was in 1897. Lugard met on the ground flourishing Sokoto Caliphate kingdoms which extended from Sokoto in the north west to Adamawa in the east and Ilorin to the south. The Caliphate kingdoms headed by Amir (later Emir), was established by the Usmanu Danfodio Jihad which had earlier over ran an equally flourishing Hausa kingdoms covering much of the present North Western Nigeria. The Caliphate existed from 1803 until its conquest by Lugard in 1903. Lugard and other British military commanders also conquered the southern part of the former Kanem-Borno Empire which existed between 9th to 15th century. At the time of the British conquest the area hitherto under Kanem-Borno Empire was under Rabeh Fadlallah. Thereafter, Lugard and the British commanders turned their attention towards subjugating the remaining independent communities to the south that were outside the Caliphate and Kanem-Borno Empire.
The international boundaries of Northern Nigeria were fixed by the colonial powers although the boundary to the east with Cameroon remained undetermined till it was resolved by the International Court of Justice which adjudicated between Nigeria and Cameroon and delivered its ruling in September 2002. A UN backed Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission was established in November 2002 to fully implement the court ruling. It should be noted that parts of Oyo Empire to the North which fell under the Sokoto Caliphate was also incorporated into Northern Nigeria.
Northern Nigeria today comprises the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 19 states constituted into three geopolitical zones. The zones and states composing them are: North-Central-Benue, FCT, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau. North-East-Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe; and North-West – Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. It shares international boundaries to the east with the Republic of Cameroon; to the north and north east with Niger and Chad Republics respectively and to the west with Republic of Benin.
Scope of Literature
Given the largely academic composition of the audience here, there is no need for an elaborate definition of the key words in the theme of this conference: Literature and Environment in Northern Nigeria. A simple working definition will perhaps suffice. For that purpose, literature is taken to mean something written down or transmitted orally or through images etched on objects such as stones, calabashes and woods to preserve or project society’s culture.
Written literature became possible by the invention and development of skills using symbols to convey messages. Overtime various societies in the world evolved letters to represent sounds, the combination of which forms words that have commonly accepted meanings. Printing technology was developed alongside orthography for some of the languages.
Culture embraces the totality of society’s practices which a narrator or a writer may decide to capture in a historical, contemporary or forward-looking perspective. Hence, we have oral narrators and writers giving us historical accounts or commenting on contemporary matters about our society or foretelling occurrences of socio-economic, political and scientific issues, which can influence changes in the way we live. Consequently, we now have a treasure of folklores/folktales, music, songs, griots and books written or records on various subjects of interest to the society.
Literature and Environment
Environment is simply where we live and the space around us. As to the relationship between literature and environment, it is a settled issue that although there may be some inborn qualities of an individual, we are invariably a product of our environment. Psychologists and sociologists tell us that our thoughts and actions are shaped and conditioned by our surroundings. Our homes, communities, schools or the regions in which we live, are all shapers of our thoughts and values. In turn, our literature cannot escape reflecting these realities.
A vivid and classic example of the relationship between literature and environment can be found in folktale narratives. The narratives invariably use animals or objects commonly found in our environment to depict and inculcate our societal values in child upbringing. A visit to our libraries and bookshops in several localities in Northern Nigeria and a careful scrutiny of the themes of books written by authors would reveal the evidence of this observation. This is not ruling out the fact that authors and narrators do focus on other matters of interest to sub-groups in whose mores they are knowledgeable and which they may choose to project or preserve in their writings. It is important to note that in matters of literature, writers write about their societies and reflect what is happening in and around them.
Thus, whatever literature may be available in Northern Nigeria today, it is the result of deliberate action over the years by private individuals and organizations on one hand, and governments on the other. The prevailing situation developed in various stages and phases. The literary development of Northern Nigeria as a distinct component of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, can be conveniently divided into pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial periods.
Pre-Colonial Literature
Given the preceding history of Northern Nigeria, understanding of literature in the sub-region must take into account the long periods the areas were under the Caliphate and the Kanem-Borno Empire. Those areas came under heavy Arab influence through conquests and trans-Saharan trade. Due to Islamic influence, Arabic became the dominant form of literature. Arabic characters were used in writing in Hausa (Ajami), and some scholars say, in Kanuri and Fulfulde as well. Mosques became centres of learning like universities. Courts’ proceedings and other records keeping were done in those languages. Arabic language was used in education, official communication, and international relations. As a result, for one to have first-hand knowledge of existing records in many of those places understanding of those languages is necessary. Other forms of conveying and preserving culture in those areas, and the remaining areas of Northern Nigeria outside the Islamic influence, were in art form and carvings as generally obtains in nearly all traditional societies. Poetry especially was used to spread ideas, propagate religion, deliver political messages and, script codes for general societal control by the rulers of the Sokoto Caliphate and Kanem-Borno territories. The students of Usmanu Danfodio, associates, brothers and children, notably his daughter Nana Asma’u, used various elements of literature in their activities.
Literature under Colonial Rule
At the onset of the British rule, every effort was made by the British administration in Northern Nigeria to supplant the Arabic characters, arguably the foundation of written literature in Northern Nigeria, by Roman characters. To achieve that objective, the British administration took a firm grip of literature in Northern Nigeria through the establishment of government agencies charged with translation, production and distribution of books published in Roman characters across the region. The agencies established, which were mostly based in Kaduna and Zaria, were Translation Bureau (1929), Literature Bureau (1935), Gaskiya Corporation (1945) and North Regional Literature Agency, NORLA (1953). The colonial administration also ensured control over the contents of the books so produced and circulated.
Not only that, to encourage literary works in Roman characters, the books produced and distributed throughout the Northern districts were sold at highly subsidized rates. Over time the government publishing agencies entered into partnership with established private publishing companies in and outside the country to produce the required books. The leading publishing companies were Macmillan Publishers, University Press and Longman. One other notable effort made by the British administration to encourage the reading and writing culture among the products of the schools established by the colonial government in Northern Nigeria was the organization of writing competitions. This led to the discovery of a crop of very talented prose and drama writers in Northern Nigeria. One of them was the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
Post-Colonial Literature
Northern Nigeria was granted self-government in 1959, while Nigeria became independent in 1960. The immediate post-colonial government of Northern Nigeria sustained to a certain extent the legacy of the colonial government in literature production with the establishment of Northern Nigeria Publishing Company, NNPC (1965). Unfortunately, the framework for book publication in Roman characters and distribution inherited from the colonial administration could not be sustained in its entirety for long.
The restructuring of the four regions by the creation of 12 states in Nigeria in 1967 led to the eventual death of the central agencies established by the Northern regional government for the purpose of production and distribution of books under state sponsorship and control. Much of the subsequent initiatives came from private individuals and organizations that wrote and published books, which were procured by state governments in Northern Nigeria and distributed to their schools. Subsequently, some of the responsibilities for vetting and approval of books for use in our educational institutions were vested in the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), which was established by the Federal Government in 1988.
However, while the Northern Region was subsequently divided into 19 states and the FCT, the culture of reading and writing prose, poetry and drama scripts has survived, albeit on a lesser scale. With the expansion of educational institutions leading to huge demand for reading materials, (the impact of those literature-promotion institutions which were established by the colonial administration in Northern Nigeria), a thriving Hausa literature hub emerged in Kano. It was nicknamed ‘Kano Market Literature’. The nickname mimics the colonial era ‘Onitsha Market Literature,’ which thrived in the 1940s and 50s. The names came about following the dearth of quality control especially after the removal of the strict state control under the colonial administration.
Emergence of Writers’ Associations
As the tight state control over literature loosened, writers’ associations emerged, particularly in Kano, to protect and promote their trade through peer review and shared experiences. Publishers and book sellers tended to prevail over authors who lacked the means to publish their manuscripts to sell their copyrights to them. Quality control could therefore no longer be guaranteed because the established publishers that ensured thorough editing of manuscripts lost out to the numerous book sellers, who have now turned into book publishers.
Emergence of Women Writers
The stage for the emergence of women writers in Northern Nigeria was set by the scholarly daughter of Usman Danfodio, Nana Asma’u, in the pre-colonial era. She was a notable author of poems of her times and achieved fame through her poetry written in Hausa, Fulfulde and a few in Arabic. After her, it took quite some time for the emergence of female prose writers in Roman characters in Northern Nigeria. Among the first women prose writers was Hafsat Abdulwaheed Ahmed who gained fame in the 1980s. She is from Kano State.
The reasons for the delayed emergence of women prose writers and the themes of their writings became subjects of literary discourse. One major obstacle in the emergence of women writers was the widespread denial of opportunities for them to acquire Western education in contrast to their male folks. Because women writers felt that male writers did not present well issues of great concern to women, the feminist prose writers who emerged focused largely on social and cultural themes bothering women such as arranged or forced marriage, cross-cultural marriage, polygamy and associated nagging issues of co-wives, child bearing, girl-child education, fate and destiny, honour and respect, faith and charity. As the saying goes, the wearer of the shoe knows best where it pinches. Likewise, the women felt that they were in a better position to narrate their experiences even though there is the danger of overstatement, misrepresentation, exaggeration and gender bias.
The spate of female writers and preoccupation with themes pertaining to womanhood gave rise to the syndrome of what is termed in Hausa as ‘soyayya’ or romance books. It must be admitted though that, the ‘soyayya’ writing was not exclusive to women writers. Male writers were also being accused of over-indulgence in writing love stories, and sometimes directly translating Indian and American film scripts of the Bollywood and Hollywood fame. The books and films produced by Kannywood producers are widely circulated and enjoyed large patronage in Northern Nigeria cinema houses where Hausa is understood. Subtitles are now being added for the pleasure of their non-Hausa speaking patrons.
Kano as Hub of Literature
Kano became famous as a hub of writers, printers and publishers of literature items in Northern Nigeria in the 1990s. This enviable status was rooted in its huge population and location as a historical point of convergence among the people of Northern Nigeria and the people of North Africa and the Middle East dating back to 1320. Kano became an important trading and commercial post known in Hausa as Zango or trading camp. Its people travelled and interacted with other parts of West Africa and to the east as far as Sudan and beyond. It became a centre for the cross fertilization of ideas, crafts and culture. The authorship and readership of Hausa literature, particularly among women, was high and so, Kano became a profitable market for books produced in other parts of Northern Nigeria.
The Future of Literature
As earlier alluded to, because of the impact of Kano as a hub for Hausa literature, some authors of Hausa books have veered into film production, often turning their own books into film scripts or doing it for others. Not many engage in writing plays. However, interest in video production is fast overtaking interest in prose writing. That is where the money is. Although at the moment some progress is being made on video production and general literature, there seems to be a scarcity of literature of scientific nature and in other Northern Nigeria languages.
There is another gap as Nigeria is yet to make a breakthrough in mastering the techniques of animation to effectively harness our culture for the digital era. Rap and hip-hop artistes are coming up on the fast-changing scene in spite of strong societal inhibitions. Writers focus on issues arising from fast-paced urbanization and its associated social ills vis-a-vis the rural areas which are being deserted by the youths for the illusive life-style of urban areas. Writers are mobilizing the society for social change and fostering the reading culture. They also write for entertainment and relaxation in a highly tough environment.
It should also be acknowledged that although many areas of Northern Nigeria such as Katsina, Zaria, Kaduna, Ilorin, Jos, Bauchi and Gombe, among others, have become important centres of learning in Western education, they are yet to attain the popularity of Kano in literary creativity and as a centre for book writing, publishing, video or film production and marketing.
Conclusion
It should be noted that in terms of sequence of events in the growth of literature in Northern Nigeria, prevalence of literature in Arabic characters was preceded by oral literature and carving. Writing literature items in Arabic characters or Ajami was followed by rendering literature in Roman characters. The issue of relationship between literature and environment remains ever constant in terms of the determinants of literature content and thrust.
Until recently, Northern Nigeria is notable for radio listening habit over reading. This stems largely from the previous prevalence of low literacy in Western education compared to other parts of the Nigerian federation. Although huge gains have been made in the acceptance and spread of Western education in the North, the number of out-of-school children remains disturbingly high. People in Northern Nigeria also seem to shy away from writing although in recent times there is an apparent rise in presentation of autobiographies and biographies aside from educational literature books. There is the need to upscale reading and writing in Northern Nigeria, even though television viewing and the social media are offering serious and varied challenges to fostering the reading habit. From personal experience, people in Northern Nigeria are keen in reading books that are well produced. There is a need therefore to encourage the habit of writing and production of books by organizing book-writing competitions in various fields. This should be both for instructions at the primary and secondary levels as well as books reflecting the cultures of the various communities in Northern Nigeria. This is a challenge we should take very seriously. It should be followed by teaching in mother tongues to stem the tide of disappearing languages and the rich literature therein.
Regardless of the fact that the newspaper publishing industry is losing out to digital mass media, it is still a matter of regret that the number of newspapers and magazines in Northern Nigeria is abysmally low compared to other parts of Nigeria. This could be a reflection of the prevailing level of literacy in Western education in the North.
There is the need for a sustained and all-round, concerted effort to uplift the provision of Western education in Northern Nigeria. State Governments in Northern Nigeria and private individuals and organizations in the sub-region must rise to the occasion. Enough of empty promises and pronouncements. Governments must lead the way with all seriousness.
I earnestly hope that this Conference would provide the academic community and the literary-minded individuals and groups the opportunity to appraise and upgrade the state of literature in Northern Nigeria and give due recognition to people and places that are contributing to the growth of literature in the region. Perhaps discussions and decisions reached at this Conference would point the next direction in which literature will evolve and grow in Northern Nigeria.