Seven Videos Of Nigerian (Hausa) Singer Nazir M Ahmad (with information about Islam In Nigeria & Kano, Nigeria)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases seven videos of Nigerian (Hausa) singer Nazir M Ahmad.

This post also includes brief information about Islam in Nigeria, Hausa culture, and Kano, Nigeria. Very brief information about Nazir M. Ahmad is also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, educational, and aesthetic purposes.

In addition to the singing, I'm particularly interested in the traditional clothing, musical instruments, and dancing that is shown in these videos.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Nazir M Ahmad for his musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and quoted in this post. In addition, thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM IN NIGERIA
From http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/46.htm
"Islam is a traditional religion in West Africa. It came to northern Nigeria as early as the eleventh century and was well established in the state capitals of the region by the sixteenth century, spreading into the countryside and toward the middle belt uplands. There, Islam's advance was stopped by the resistance of local peoples to incorporation into the emirate states.

The Fulani-led jihad in the nineteenth century pushed Islam into Nupe and across the Niger River into northern Yoruba- speaking areas. The colonial conquest established a rule that active Christian proselytizing could not occur in the northern Muslim region, although in 1990 the two religions continued to compete for converts in the middle belt, where ethnic groups and even families had adherents of each persuasion."
-snip-
This excerpt was reformatted for this post for clarity purposes.

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INFORMATION ABOUT HAUSA CULTURE
From http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Mauritania-to-Nigeria/Hausa.html
1 • INTRODUCTION
"The Hausa, numbering more than 20 million, are the largest ethnic group in west Africa. They are widely distributed geographically and have intermingled with many different peoples.

Islam arrived in the area by the fourteenth century*. By the fifteenth century, there were a number of independent Hausa city-states. They competed with each other for control of trade across the Sahara Desert, slaves, and natural resources. In the nineteenth century, the region was unified by a jihad (Islamic holy war) and became known as Hausaland. The British arrived and colonized the area in about 1900. Even during colonial times, the city-states and their leaders maintained some autonomy. Many Hausa traditions were preserved until late in the twentieth century.

2 • LOCATION
The Hausa people are concentrated mainly in northwestern Nigeria and in adjoining southern Niger. This area is mostly semiarid grassland or savanna, dotted with cities surrounded by farming communities. The cities of this region—Kano, Sokoto, Zari, and Katsina, for example—are among the greatest commercial centers of sub-Saharan Africa (Africa south of the Sahara Desert). Hausa people are also found living in other countries of west Africa like Cameroon, Togo, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Ghana.

3 • LANGUAGE
Hausa is the most widely spoken language in west Africa. It is spoken by an estimated 22 million people. Another 17 million people speak Hausa as a second language. Hausa is written in Arabic characters, and about one-fourth of Hausa words come from Arabic. Many Hausa can read and write Arabic. Many can also speak either French or English."...
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* Other articles that I've come across (including the excerpts found in this post) give earlier centuries for the arrival of Islam in Northern Nigeria.

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INFORMATION ABOUT KANO, NIGERIA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kano
"Kano is the state capital of Kano State in Northern West, Nigeria. It is situated in the Sahelian geographic region, south of the Sahara. Kano is the commercial nerve center of Northern Nigeria and is the second largest city in Nigeria, after Lagos...

The total area of Metropolitan Kano is now 499 square kilometres (193 square miles), with a population of 2,828,861 as of the 2006 Nigerian census.

The principal inhabitants of the city are the Hausa people. As in most parts of northern Nigeria, the Hausa language is widely spoken in Kano. The city is the capital of the Kano Emirate. The current emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was enthroned on 8 June 2014 after the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero, the thirtienth emir of Kano Emirate, on Friday, 6 June 2014. .....

In the 12th century Ali Yaji as King of Kano renounced his allegiance to the cult of Tsumburbura, accepted Islam and proclaimed the Sultanate that was to last until its fall in the 19th century...

Demographics
Kano is a Hausa and Fulani dominated city that is largely Muslim. The majority of Kano Muslims are Sunni, though a minority adhere to the Shia branch …. Christians and followers of other non-Muslim religions form a small part of the population and traditionally lived in the Sabon Gari, or New city.[21]"...

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INFORMATION ABOUT NAZIR M AHMAD
From https://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/NazirMAhmad
"Born on 4th September 1986 in Gwammaja, Ancient City of Kano State, Nigeria.

My first single was "Charyar Yar" which I sang in 2002."
-snip-
I'm assuming from reading some comments for that "Sarkin Waka" is another name or nickname for Nazir M. Ahmad. Is this correct? Google Translate gives this translation for these Hausa words "King of Track". Does this mean "King of Song"?

More information about Nazir M. Ahmad English and English translation (or summaries) of the songs that are featured in this post would be greatly appreciated.

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Bazan sakeki ba Naziru Ahmad



Salamatu Faransa, Published on Nov 20, 2013

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Example #2: Nazir M Ahmad - Kwankwaso Mazajen Duniya



Nazir M Ahmad Published on May 16, 2015

Wakar mai girma gwamnan Kano - Engr (Dr) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

Google translate from Hausa to English "Great song governor...."
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
AMINU ALIYU TUKUR, 2015
"I like this song so much well done Naziru"

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Example #3: Nazir M Ahmad - Gangar Jikinta Na Aura



Nazir M Ahmad Published on May 16, 2015

Ka aure ba'a sonka shiya fi komai rashin dadi a rayuwar aure

Google translate from Hausa to English"
Your marriage is not love plans more thick comfortable married life
My suggested translation [?] = You have a love-less marriage. Prepare for a better [more loving] married life.

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Example #4: Nazir M Ahmad - Hanyar Kano 1



Nazir M Ahmad, Published on May 16, 2015

Soundtrack Video of award winning Hausa comedy movie - Hanyar Kano

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Example #5: Nazir M Ahmad - Dallatun Zazzau (Muktar Ramalan Yero)



Nazir M Ahmad Published on May 17, 2015

Wakar mai girma gwamnan Kaduna - Muktar Ramalan Yero ta nadin sarautar sa a matsayen Dallatun Zazzau
-snip-
Google translate from Hausa to English- Song of the great governor of Kaduna - Muktar Yero appointment reign matsayen Dallatun Mondouqe
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Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread:
Ibrahim Mu'azzam, 2016
"True king of hausa music"

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hadiza sk, 2016
"Masha Allah"
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashallah
"Masha Allah (Arabic: ما شاء الله‎‎, mā shāʾa llāhu), also Masha'Allah, is an Arabic phrase that expresses appreciation, joy, praise, or thankfulness for an event or person that was just mentioned. While Masha'Allah is used as an expression of respect, it also serves as a reminder that all accomplishments are considered by Arabic speaking Christians and Muslims to be achieved through the will of God. It is generally said upon hearing good news....

he exact meaning of MASHALLAH is "what ALLAH wanted has happened"; it is used to say something good has happened, used in the past tense. INSHALLAH, literally "if ALLAH wills", is used similarly but to refer to a future event."

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Ibrahim Mu'azzam, 2017
"Sarkin Wakah respect"

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Example #6: mata ku dau turame official video by nazir m Ahmad (sarkin Waka)



Aminu Umar Nababa, Published on Sep 27, 2015
-snip-
Another copy of this video that was published by the same person gives this explanation:
"Sabon Sarki"means "New King"in Hausa language The album was release for the jubilation of the new crowned Emir of kano as the 14th Emir of kano state under the Fulani Rulers."

Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread:
Nana Kwabena Anyimadu II, 2015
"I love this song but do not understand it. can someone pse explain what he's saying to me?

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Reply
Goni Malah, 2015
"it's a congratulatory song for the new emir of Kano."

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Reply
Ibrahim ABDULLAHI, 2016
"Sending his praises on the new grand monarch. Emir of Kano as he was chosen indisputably qualified.
Vast and exposed, Guided and adored, untouchable"

Gambali Mendeh, 2015
"seriously this traditional song is just killing me.......this is pure tradition....I love dat"

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Usman Danmusa, 2015
"I love this congratulatory song. The message is clear, the beatings rhyme with the steps. Thank u Nazir"

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Dodo Hambally Mahamadou BASSIROU, 2015
"I love, he tolk about the king of Kano, he explain that honorable Sanusi is a personality who respect people and help the population of Kano."
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Update June 26, 2017: Here's a comment that I received in response to the request for information about this song that I posted on this video's YouTube discussion thread:
sarauniyaGH, June 26, 2017
"Aw that's wonderful thank you for taking interest and displaying our culture sis :) regarding the actual song, the title "mata ku dau turame" basically means "women pick up your mortars". As you see the women rush back with mortars and pestles to beat with the rhythm. This is like a celebratory song for the current Emir of Kano, Nigeria. And yes Sarkin Waka is just a nickname of his, meaning "King of Music". Also these are recently composed songs. Hope I helped!"

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Example #7: barahumi official video by nazir M. Ahmad (Sarkin Waka)



Aminu Umar Nababa, Published on Sep 27, 2015
-snip-
Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread:
Charlie Brown, 2016
"What does "Barahumi" Means..."

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Reply
Aminu Magaji, 2015
"it's a nickname"

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Baffa Kabeer, 2017
"He uses figure of speech 'metaphor' to compares him with something."
-snip-
UPDATE- February 12, 2017
Here's a response that I received from a YouTube commenter to this video (who wrote me 32 minutes ago; Btw: It's 3:11 AM EST here and I woke up, checked on this blog, and saw a message that I had a response to that video which speaks to the wonders of the internet-and more.

Abdulmalik Ofemile, 2017
"'Sarki' in Hausa language means King in English and 'sarakai' is the plural form. 'Sarkin waka' means 'King of music' in the same sense that Michael Jackson is 'King of Pop'. However, 'sabon sarki' in this song means new Emir. The song about the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II. In the song Nazir describes how Danmajen Kano Sanusi Lamido became Muhammadu Sanusi II Emir of Kano. 'Barahube' in this context is best understood by its use in the song. Nazir uses it to describe the Emir as the first among equals, a prince and Emir, blessed, favoured, highly educated, commands respect, overcomer, chosen by Allah among other. 'Barahube' seems to be an adjective that describes many things at once not as synonyms but as distinct features of any noun. Nazir uses 'Barahube' to describe how the Emir overcame opposition to ascend the throne of his fathers.

These songs are new compositions but they rendered with very traditional Hausa language use without insertions from 'Barikanci' or pidgin Hausa. This is not surprisinge comprising that this song refers to a conservative institution.
Hope this is useful for you"
-snip-
Here are my responses to Abdulmakik Ofemile:
"Abdulmalik Ofemile, thank you for sharing that information about this song in English (which is unfortunately) the only language that I speak or read -without help from online sites such as Google translate.

I knew about Hausa language but thanks also for mentioning Barikanci-pidgin Hausa. I didn't even know about that language :o(

I'll add your comment to that pancocojams post. It would be wonderful if you or someone else who speaks Hausa but also knows English could share information about the other 5 songs that are included in that post (by adding the comments to that post or to the YouTube videos).

Thanks again!"

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Second response:
I meant to write the titles for the other six-not five-songs by Nazir M. Ahmad that are showcased in that blog post"
Bazan sakeki
Kwankwaso Mazajen Duniya
Gangar Jikinta Na Aura
Hanyar Kano 1
Dallatun Zazzau (Muktar Ramalan Yero)
mata ku dau turame official video (sarkin Waka)

I very much appreciate any information that you and/or any other person can give me about these songs. Also, the name that are given in parenthesis the names of other singers?

I apologize for my lack of knowledge about Hausa culture and music.

Best wishes to you!

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