"Al'adun Wasu" (The Cultures of Others) by Batul Mamman (Mrs).
Chapter 11
Hamza was deeply lost in thought until he reached home. Surely, even the blind know that our country is going through economic hardship in this current situation. Yet, despite this, his family always finds a reason to host a party every year. Although this wasn't his preference from the beginning, he supported Izzatu in everything she did. However, he felt compelled to show her the errors of the lifestyle they had chosen for themselves, if only to improve their children's upbringing. Perhaps people had been insulting him behind his back, a thought that had never crossed his mind until today. He arrived home with a heavy heart. Izzatu had finished tidying up the room, which smelled wonderful, and she looked very beautiful herself. She told him to go take a bath. Inuwa, the secretary, had read the documents in front of him countless times. He wanted to inform his boss but worried it might look like he didn't care about Junior's illness. In the end, he sent a text message containing full details regarding the agreement between them and the expatriates. After about ten minutes without a reply, he decided to call. At that time, Hamza was in the shower. Izzatu watched the phone ring until it cut off. It rang four more times. She hissed and picked it up. She didn't want anything to ruin the romantic night she had planned for herself and her husband. Moreover, Hamza never allowed his phone to be turned off, no matter how late. Inuwa greeted her and asked about Junior's health; she simply laughed and said he was getting better. He said, "I sent a message to Boss and wanted to know if he has seen it." Izzatu replied, "He is in the shower, but I will let him know." Inuwa thanked her and said goodnight. Right after she dropped the phone, she went back and picked it up. She knew Hamza's habit: before going to bed, he would check his messages and reply to those that needed answers. As for her, tonight was dedicated to remembering their wedding anniversary. She didn't want anything to distract him. She checked his emails and opened them all so they would appear as read, and did the same for WhatsApp. Aside from Inuwa's text, the rest were from Etisalat and MTN. She selected and deleted everything, including Inuwa's text, because at the beginning of it, she saw: "MAY YOUR LIFE BE LONG, HOW IS JUNIOR'S HEALTH..." That was all she saw before deleting it and putting the phones on charge. She assumed it was just a get-well message. When he came out and checked his phone, there was nothing important, so they simply prepared for bed... Zuhra returned from Islamic school pouting heavily. Even her greeting was muttered under her breath. Umma asked, "Who offended the mother of the house?" She threw her bag onto the mat, removed her hijab, and lay down. "Umma, I'm so hungry, it feels like I've eaten nothing." Baba came out of the restroom holding a plastic kettle (buta) and said, "May Allah save us from 'nothing'. Is that why you are lying down and pouting? Look at you, for God's sake, as if you aren't a woman. Lying on the floor. Look at the front of your dress, it looks like it's stained with palm oil." He touched her braided hair, which was fuzzy from being too old. "When was the last time this head was washed? Seriously, who will I find to marry you like this? No academic brain, and no endurance for hunger. You aren't even exceptionally beautiful. If I were rich, someone might marry you just for the weight of my pockets." Zuhra started kicking her legs. "Umma, do you hear Baba? I take after you, honestly." He said, "Who? Me? Come on, girl, just because I'm starting to get old. Ask your mother how women used to chase me when I was young." Umma was washing rice, laughing at them. Zuhra said, "Even our walking style is the same." Baba laughed. "If that's true, you should be ashamed that a young girl like you walks like a man. I will look for a charm to attract suitors for you. Since you refuse to study, you might as well get married." His words provoked Zuhra further, and she began to cry, saying, "Umma, don't I look like you?" Umma covered her mouth in mock surprise. "From where? In our entire household, there is no one beautiful. You look exactly like your father. Look at Sima, Malam Basiru's daughter." They laughed at her heartily while she wept. She got up and went into the room. Baba said, "You see, you've upset my mother (referring to Zuhra)." Umma replied, "Just because I supported you? But seriously, Zuhra's lack of a suitor worries me. Only the fishmonger from the corner comes by, and she says she doesn't like him." Baba said, "It worries me too. She doesn't care about personal hygiene, and that's your fault." Umma said, "I even beat her to unbraid her hair. I'm giving her until next week; while she's asleep, I'll use scissors on it so everyone can rest." Baba said, "I swear I don't agree to that. What if she luckily inherited your somewhat long hair and then you shave it off? Isn't she going to Faiza's house after Asr prayer?" Umma said, "Yes, she is going there." Baba said, "Then tell her to take one or two pairs of clothes to spend the night. You know Faiza; whether Zuhra likes it or not, she will unbraid and fix that hair." Zuhra, listening from the room, peeked through the window and said, "I've changed my mind about going to Aunty Faiza's house." Umma replied, "You two are close enough to sort it out."
Chapter 12
Only after she finished eating and drank water did she pick up her hijab, pack her clothes in a headscarf, and say, "Umma, I'm leaving." Baba stared at her. "Like this, Zuhra? You just came back from Islamic school, you haven't even bathed, and you put on clothes. Look at that hijab, it's not even ironed. You don't even know how to look stylish like other women. Can't you put your clothes in a small nylon bag instead of tying them in a headscarf? If we had grown up in a village, I don't think you would ever become civilized. Honestly, Zuhra's mother, you aren't doing right by me. You've left my girl to become completely unkempt." Umma replied, "Well, you are in this house and you see how much I struggle with her." Baba said, "Come and sit down, Fadimatu (Zuhra)." She sat down, her lips pouting out extensively because of how upset she was. He said, "For God's sake, if you were a man and saw a woman like yourself, would you love her?" She said, "Well, it depends on the man." Baba said, "I didn't say it has to be a rich man, but Zuhra, let there be at least a decent presentation. You are the only child Allah gave me, so I must wish the best for you. Earlier, when you were eating, your handfuls of food were bigger than mine." The comment made her laugh too. She lowered her head. "Baba, I was just very hungry at the time." He said, "Alright, here is what will happen: I promise to buy you a nice phone with a camera if you will start making your hair and taking care of yourself." "Alhamdulillah!" Zuhra said loudly, throwing herself onto Baba in gratitude. He said, "From what I can feel, you are the heaviest person in this house because of how much you eat." She stood up, jumping with joy. "From today, you will see a change, Baba." On the spot, she removed her hijab and headscarf and grabbed her wrapper to untie it. Baba quickly averted his eyes and said, "Go inside the room to do that." She skipped away like a little girl. Baba said to Umma, "Did you notice the armpit of her mother's wrapper? So dirty..." Umma replied, "Zuhra's father, you observe too many things. May Allah make this change last." After about ten minutes, she emerged wearing a wrapper tied across her chest, her hair looking wildly disheveled. She picked up her bathing basket and a small plastic bottle of shampoo, went to the well, and drew two buckets of water. While they were sitting there, she came out after about half an hour, having bathed and washed her hair. Umma said, "You even look a bit fairer now." She said nothing and went into her room. She struggled a lot to comb her hair because it was very full. She applied hair cream everywhere, divided it into two sections, and made large braids. She rubbed lotion on her body and used the body spray Baba had bought for her. The only reason she hadn't been using them before was that she thought if they didn't finish, Baba would save his money for something else; she pitied him deeply because of a hand deformity/ailment he suffered from. By the time Asr prayer was over, she emerged looking fresh. Her face was done up with powder and orange lipstick, and she had even shaped her eyebrows. Baba couldn't stop smiling when he saw her after returning from the mosque. He said, "Now this is more like it! May Allah grant you a good encounter on your way." Umma remarked, "Modern parents have no shame." He gave her two hundred Naira for transport; she thanked him and left. While walking, she tried to balance her steps so Baba wouldn't say she was walking like a man. After she left, Umma asked, "Didn't I see that you haven't bought the phone yet?" He replied, "Yes, leave her be. Let's see how she behaves for a couple of days before I give it to her. Keep an eye on her to ensure she keeps neat. She can go to Islamic school to learn, but she doesn't care about cleanliness."
Chapter 11 [Note: numbering in original text repeats/skips]
Aunty Faiza and the others laughed heartily when Zuhra told them the reason she ran into the house. Aunty Faiza said, "Your situation requires prayers, Zuhra. Why be rude after he apologized to you?" Zuhra replied, "He was apologizing to me from inside a car! The laughing they did at me is what annoyed me the most." Hajara said, "Well, they had to laugh; look at how you painted your face. Look at your eyebrows, as if they were painted with a brush." Zuhra asked, "Is it really like that, Aunty? Today you should have seen how happy Baba was, he even promised me a phone." From there, they continued chatting. Aunty Faiza brought up the topic of skin bleaching and scolded them against it. Zuhra said, "I even argued against it, I even asked Malama Rabia about the Islamic ruling on those who do it." She sat down and explained her discussion with the teacher. Aunty Faiza said, "Exactly. I knew you two hang out, and I was afraid she might teach you bad habits. You know what they say about bad company..." After two days, while they were eating danmalele in Aunty Faiza's living room, they heard a greeting. Zuhra had pulled up her wrapper to the extent that her thighs were visible. Aunty Faiza was scolding her, so they didn't hear the initial greeting. Abba answered, and then Izzatu walked in. Because Zuhra was facing the door as she entered, their eyes met. Zuhra panicked, stood up quickly, and ran into the room. Aunty Faiza, surprised, said, "Welcome, Mother of Khalifa." Seeing Izzatu looking at the bedroom door and laughing, she added, "That's one of my sisters, she is full of silly antics." Izzatu replied, "Oh, we've actually met before. Did she tell you how she was almost hit by a car the day before yesterday?" Zuhra, from inside the room, licking her oil-stained hands, whispered to herself, "My wandering days are over today." In the living room, Aunty Faiza asked, "Don't tell me she was rude to Alhaji Hamza? Hey, Zuhra, come out here!" Izzatu said, "I didn't come to complain. In fact, she amused me. You should have seen her eyes when he got out of the car. It looked like she was about to pee herself out of fear, but she still didn't stop talking." Aunty Faiza said, "If it's Zuhra, she is capable of worse. Come out and apologize," she called out to Zuhra from the room. She came out sheepishly, greeted Izzatu, and said, "Please forgive me." Hajara was sitting aside, laughing at them. Izzatu said, "No problem. That day, you should have seen how angry he was. All the way through our trip and back, he was grumbling. Honestly, if you were to come with me to my house, I would just keep you around for entertainment." Zuhra looked at her in surprise. "So you mean you aren't angry about everything I said to him?" Izzatu replied, "Not at all." Zuhra didn't quite understand the English phrase mixed with her question, so she said, "If it were me, I swear I would have stepped out of the car and put an insolent person in their place." Hajara nudged Aunty Faiza and then looked at Zuhra, signaling her to drop it. Izzatu said, "I don't like drama. I knew he would handle everything, that's why I left it to him." The statement deeply surprised Zuhra. To think another woman would be rude to your husband and you claim not to care! "Honestly, you are unique among women..." Aunty Faiza quickly covered her mouth. "You king of nonsense, she told you it's fine, yet you are insisting on causing an argument. Mother of Khalifa, please forgive her." Izzatu laughed, "Oh, it's really nothing." They continued chatting, and Zuhra told them that Baba wanted to marry her off but said he preferred an educated husband. "As for me, as long as there is a house and food, I have no problem." Hajara said, "But you rejected the fishmonger? It's because you've never stood close to him, that's why you are talking. Aside from a fishy odor, he has nothing else going for him." Aunty Faiza joked, "Look at the hyena calling the dog a glutton. You who can't even spend three minutes bathing shouldn't reject your fellow unkempt person." Zuhra said, "Didn't you hear me say Baba is giving me a phone? From now on, I will be bathing very well." Izzatu was genuinely amused by Zuhra's antics. That was her primary reason for visiting the house that day, because usually, if she wanted Faiza, she would just call her. Zuhra spent four days at the house before returning home with Hajara. Baba gave her six thousand Naira to take to her weaving teacher. Within a short time, she began to master it because it was something she loved. Additionally, her cleanliness sustained; she kept up with her baths. Her makeup, however, was still a bit basic. Baba fulfilled his promise and gave her the phone. The joy that day was indescribable. She went around the neighborhood showing it off. Hajara's mother was also happy. All their neighbors were very close, like family. It was a second-hand Tecno phone he bought from a guy on their street. Because they respected "Baban Yara" (as they called him), the seller gave him a major discount. Architect Hamza was sitting in his office reviewing some documents when his secretary, Inuwa, knocked and entered. After exchanging greetings, Inuwa said, "Sir, I noticed you didn't say anything regarding the text message and the call I made to you." Hamza replied, "I'm sorry, a lot of things took up my mind. Izzatu told me everything. No problem, thank you." He felt ashamed that his wife had lied. Inuwa asked, "Sir, is there really no problem?" Hamza put down the papers. "Is there something else, Inuwa?" He assumed Inuwa had discovered that Junior was perfectly fine. "No, nothing, it was just about that matter." From there, he left. Since the boss didn't care about the terms of the contract, he figured he should stop worrying about it.
Chapter 12 [Note: numbering in original text repeats/skips]
At night, while he was asleep, he felt someone touching him. Startled, he woke up and fumbled for the bedside lamp. He found her sitting down with a pillow on her lap. "Sweetheart, wake up so we can discuss Nana's birthday." "WHAT???" was all he could yell in anger. Izzatu said, "I said Nana's birthday party." He pointed at the clock. "Izzy, look at the time, it's almost 3:00 AM." She leaned against him slightly. "I always want us to plan everything, but you never come home early." He pulled himself away and said, "And because of that, you wake me up in the middle of the night? Come on, Izzy! Waking a husband up to talk at this hour only happens in movies. If it's a sensible discussion, it's done when we are awake." "I think this is normal between couples. If something is bothering one person, they discuss it at night. By the way, do you know I saw that girl you argued with because you splashed water on her? Turns out she is Faiza's sister." At that moment, Hamza felt like screaming. With a completely dark expression, he said, "Now, Izzy, you wake me up late at night for a birthday conversation, and then tell me you saw that girl? Did I ask you? I have an early morning meeting tomorrow and I told you, yet you chose this moment to deny me sleep and ruin my mood." She just stared at him... wondering what was wrong with her "baby" making him yell like this. As for Hamza, besides his anger, he saw this as an opportunity to follow his mother's (Mama's) advice to cancel the party. He said, "Forget about any party because it has been canceled. You can cook food and take it to the hospital or an Islamic school as charity." This time, she was the one who got upset. "What kind of talk is this? I've already raised the girl's hopes. Even the clothes she will wear that day, I've bought them all." Hamza said, "If it's just clothes, you can dress her up in them tomorrow." Izzatu began to cry. "Don't do this to me, Hamza, please." He said, "What's there to worry about? She's only turning two years old; she doesn't even understand these things." She wept heavily, and he hugged her, trying to comfort her. She said, "If it's because I woke you up, I'm sorry, but don't let my family laugh at me or make it look like you don't have money." He hadn't realized that was how they viewed things until now. He said, "I have spoken, Izzy. No more parties. Look around your family for whoever needs help, and we will give them business capital. Mama and the others don't like what we are doing, and I too have realized our mistakes." She pushed him away and stood up. "I knew they had influenced you the moment you started talking! I don't know why your family hates me. Well, I swear it will happen, whether you like it or not!" Hamza said, "Are you speaking to me like that, Izzy? Just because I denied you one thing today, you show me disrespect? Without answering him, she stormed out of the room, slamming the door. He held his head and sat on the edge of the bed. Truly, he had been too careless to let things reach this point. He had to find a way to fix his home so they could live in peace. His stomach grumbled with hunger. Today, like other Thursdays, Izzatu hadn't cooked dinner. She had ordered McDonald's for them. French fries and chicken were brought for them, including Tala (the maid) and the security guard. Hamza wasn't full at all, but they were used to this; even before they married, he had promised her to set aside one day a week where she wouldn't cook dinner and they would eat out or order food. He got up to follow her to her room, but found it locked, so he had to go back to bed. He could barely sleep because of hunger. The next day, because she was angry, he didn't get breakfast. When he spoke up, she said she had stopped cooking until he reversed his decision on the party. He, in turn, told her to return his ATM card that was with her, stating the cancellation of the party was final. They parted on bad terms. She even called her mother to tell her, and her mother told her not to worry—if she didn't have money, she would send her brother to bring some to her. Hamza saw that preparations were still ongoing. Cartons of juice and water were bought. Gifts were already packed in a bag featuring Nana's picture and kept in the store. He spoke to Izzatu again, and she said it wasn't his money being spent. Following his mother's advice once more, he packed up the children and took them to his family's house. Hajiya and the others were surprised and happy to see that Hamza had listened to them. Ibrahim and Mariya were asked to bring their own children over too. Khalifa and his siblings blended in immediately with their cousins. When they spoke Hausa, you would swear they had just returned from Europe—they couldn't speak it well at all, only English. Nana, who couldn't talk much yet, attached herself to Adabiyya, calling her "Aunty Adab." Izzatu was shocked when she returned from the supermarket and found the children gone. Tala informed her that they had left with their daddy. She was deeply frustrated when he returned alone and said they would sleep over there. She knew it was because of the party issue. She begged and cried, but it was all in vain. He even sat her down to advise her, but she remained stubborn. He told her that if she could go to his family's house and bring the kids back herself, then fine. Not sensing the sarcasm, she went there two days before the event, only to find they had all traveled to Kumo. No one was at the house except the security guard. She wept bitterly that day. Izzatu became deeply furious with Hamza, swearing to retaliate whenever she got the chance.
Chapter 14
Tala widened her eyes, staring at Izzatu. "I swear I'm not lying!" Hajiya and Mama kept staring at them. As Tala was explaining, they heard Nana crying, calling out for Izzatu. They all headed towards the direction Tala had come from, with Hajiya leading the way. Hajiya's stomach churned violently at the sight: a child sitting on a potty, reaching out to be picked up, while next to them, someone looking like a skeleton ran forward to hug her. She could barely utter, "Hasbunallahu wa ni'imal wakil" (Sufficient is Allah for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs) before stepping back as if about to fall. Mama quickly caught her, also terrified, thinking that perhaps spirits (jinn) had blocked the door to prevent them from leaving. Tala said, "Do you see, Hajiya? I told you!" Nana came toward them, and so did Junior. Khalifa, who was lying down in the room, also came out due to the noise. Mama stared at the three "spirits" and said, "Hajiya, Elder Brother's house is unsafe." Izzatu was the last to enter; seeing the terror that gripped her in-laws, she burst into hysterical laughter, to the point of tears, eventually collapsing to the floor. Hajiya and Mama just stared at each other, wondering if the spirits had possessed her. After she laughed to her heart's content while they watched, she said, "Hajiya, it's just Nana and the kids. I dressed them up today for Halloween." In front of them, she removed their masks, still laughing. Hajiya and Mama were deeply offended. Tala walked up to the children and touched them, saying, "Khalifa, is it you?" She looked up and said, "Hajiya, it really is them." Mama looked at Izzatu. "Hallo... what did you call it?" Izzatu said, "Halloween. It's celebrated on October 31st. When we were living in Canada, we used to do it a lot." Due to sheer anger, Hajiya couldn't even speak. Izzatu had thoroughly insulted and humiliated them. Mama said, "Hajiya, let's just leave, because I see no reason for us to stay." Junior and Khalifa kept following them, saying they wanted to go with them. Neither of the women could pay attention to the children because their hearts were burning with rage. Izzatu said, "Come to the living room and have some water," as she didn't interpret their silence as anger. As they reached the doorway to leave, Mama's eyes caught a statue shaped like a human with goat legs and a horn on its nose. It was also part of the house's Halloween decorations. Mama's stomach turned, her heart skipped a beat out of sheer terror, and her legs gave out, causing her to fall to the floor. Hajiya quickly knelt and helped her up. Junior and Khalifa kept saying, "Sorry, Grams." As for Izzatu, another bout of laughter escaped her. In her heart, she felt that, if nothing else, she had retaliated for what they did by making Hamza cancel the birthday party. Furious, Hajiya raised her head in deep anger, about to confront Izzatu, when Hamza walked in with a greeting. Seeing Mama trying to stand up, he rushed over to her, asking what happened. Hajiya’s anger was already boiling; instead of answering him, she slapped him hard across the face. The living room went completely silent. Tala quickly retreated to Khalifa's room, shocked that her master had been slapped. The room remained dead quiet as Izzatu swallowed the rest of her laughter. Hamza placed both hands on his cheeks, looking at his mother in utter shock. Mama said, "Come on, Hajiya, why punish someone who knows nothing about what happened?" Hajiya gave a bitter smile and said, "In all my life, I have never experienced a humiliation that hurt me as deeply as this. HAMZA, beware of the day I curse you..." His eyes turned bloodshot, wondering why she called his name like that and what caused her extreme anger. He asked Izzatu, "What happened?" She shrugged slightly. "Nothing much. They didn't stay long after arriving before deciding to leave." Hajiya and Mama headed for the door while he kept apologizing and begging to know what happened, but they ignored him. He followed them all the way to the car. Only after the driver started the engine did Hajiya say, "I swear, as long as I am alive and healthy, Hamza, I will never set foot in your house again." Mama, who thought... [Text cuts off]
2. Summary of the Book Excerpt
The story explores the cultural friction, marital issues, and social contrasts within contemporary Hausa households.
Hamza & Izzatu's Household: Represents an upper-class, Westernized family. Izzatu is deeply influenced by Western culture (ordering fast food instead of cooking, wanting lavish birthday parties, celebrating Halloween). Hamza tries to balance his wife's demands with his conservative family's expectations, leading to immense marital friction, hidden secrets (like deleted business texts and covered-up family issues), and eventually a massive clash when Izzatu uses Halloween decorations to terrify and mock her traditional in-laws.
Zuhra's Household: Represents a lower-class, traditional family dealing with poverty and personal development. Zuhra starts off unrefined, unhygienic, and struggling at her Islamic school. Her father (Baba), despite his physical disability and poverty, motivates her to change by promising her a camera phone if she takes care of her hygiene and learns a trade (weaving). Zuhra transforms her habits, learns to carry herself better, and excels at her craft.
3. Description of Themes & Characters
Key Characters:
Hamza: A well-to-do architect torn between pleasing his modern, stubborn wife and respecting his traditional, religious mother.
Izzatu: Hamza's wife. Westernized, vindictive, and out of touch with local sensibilities. She sabotages her husband's work communication to keep his focus on her, throws tantrums when denied a party, and uses cultural differences maliciously.
Zuhra: A simple, gluttonous, yet deeply loving young girl who grows from an unkempt student into a clean, hardworking young woman out of love and empathy for her disabled father.
Baba (Zuhra's Father): A wise, humorous, and loving father who uses positive reinforcement (incentives) rather than pure force to correct his daughter's flaws.
Themes:
Cultural Imperialism vs. Traditional Values: The clash between adopting Western traditions (like birthday parties and Halloween) and maintaining local Islamic/Hausa modesty.
Marital Communication and Respect: Izzatu's deception (deleting texts) and defiance highlight a toxic marital dynamic.
Parenting Styles: The contrast between Baba's encouraging parenting style with Zuhra versus Izzatu’s spoiled parenting style with her children.
4. Analytics & Literary Analysis
The Symbolism of "Al'adun Wasu" (The Cultures of Others): The title directly manifests in the plot. Izzatu’s obsession with adopting foreign cultures acts as a destructive force in her marriage and extended family relations. The author frames the adoption of these cultures without local context as a recipe for alienation and disrespect.
Socio-Economic Parallelism: The author masterfully runs two parallel storylines—the rich household (Hamza) and the poor household (Zuhra). Ironically, the poor household achieves peace, hygiene, and self-improvement through communication and love, while the wealthy household disintegrates into hunger, deceit, horrific misunderstandings, and parental curses.
Climax and Irony: The slap Hamza receives from his mother is the ultimate structural turning point. The irony lies in the fact that Hamza is entirely innocent of the immediate offense (the Halloween prank), yet he bears the physical brunt of his wife’s psychological warfare against his family.
"Al'adun Wasu" (The Cultures of Others) by Batul Mamman (Mrs).
Chapter 11
Hamza was deeply lost in thought until he reached home. Surely, even the blind know that our country is going through economic hardship in this current situation. Yet, despite this, his family always finds a reason to host a party every year. Although this wasn't his preference from the beginning, he supported Izzatu in everything she did. However, he felt compelled to show her the errors of the lifestyle they had chosen for themselves, if only to improve their children's upbringing. Perhaps people had been insulting him behind his back, a thought that had never crossed his mind until today. He arrived home with a heavy heart. Izzatu had finished tidying up the room, which smelled wonderful, and she looked very beautiful herself. She told him to go take a bath.
Inuwa, the secretary, had read the documents in front of him countless times. He wanted to inform his boss but worried it might look like he didn't care about Junior's illness. In the end, he sent a text message containing full details regarding the agreement between them and the expatriates. After about ten minutes without a reply, he decided to call. At that time, Hamza was in the shower. Izzatu watched the phone ring until it cut off. It rang four more times. She hissed and picked it up. She didn't want anything to ruin the romantic night she had planned for herself and her husband. Moreover, Hamza never allowed his phone to be turned off, no matter how late. Inuwa greeted her and asked about Junior's health; she simply laughed and said he was getting better. He said, "I sent a message to Boss and wanted to know if he has seen it." Izzatu replied, "He is in the shower, but I will let him know." Inuwa thanked her and said goodnight.
Right after she dropped the phone, she went back and picked it up. She knew Hamza's habit: before going to bed, he would check his messages and reply to those that needed answers. As for her, tonight was dedicated to remembering their wedding anniversary. She didn't want anything to distract him. She checked his emails and opened them all so they would appear as read, and did the same for WhatsApp. Aside from Inuwa's text, the rest were from Etisalat and MTN. She selected and deleted everything, including Inuwa's text, because at the beginning of it, she saw: "MAY YOUR LIFE BE LONG, HOW IS JUNIOR'S HEALTH..." That was all she saw before deleting it and putting the phones on charge. She assumed it was just a get-well message. When he came out and checked his phone, there was nothing important, so they simply prepared for bed...
Zuhra returned from Islamic school pouting heavily. Even her greeting was muttered under her breath. Umma asked, "Who offended the mother of the house?" She threw her bag onto the mat, removed her hijab, and lay down. "Umma, I'm so hungry, it feels like I've eaten nothing." Baba came out of the restroom holding a plastic kettle (buta) and said, "May Allah save us from 'nothing'. Is that why you are lying down and pouting? Look at you, for God's sake, as if you aren't a woman. Lying on the floor. Look at the front of your dress, it looks like it's stained with palm oil." He touched her braided hair, which was fuzzy from being too old. "When was the last time this head was washed? Seriously, who will I find to marry you like this? No academic brain, and no endurance for hunger. You aren't even exceptionally beautiful. If I were rich, someone might marry you just for the weight of my pockets."
Zuhra started kicking her legs. "Umma, do you hear Baba? I take after you, honestly." He said, "Who? Me? Come on, girl, just because I'm starting to get old. Ask your mother how women used to chase me when I was young." Umma was washing rice, laughing at them. Zuhra said, "Even our walking style is the same." Baba laughed. "If that's true, you should be ashamed that a young girl like you walks like a man. I will look for a charm to attract suitors for you. Since you refuse to study, you might as well get married." His words provoked Zuhra further, and she began to cry, saying, "Umma, don't I look like you?" Umma covered her mouth in mock surprise. "From where? In our entire household, there is no one beautiful. You look exactly like your father. Look at Sima, Malam Basiru's daughter." They laughed at her heartily while she wept. She got up and went into the room.
Baba said, "You see, you've upset my mother (referring to Zuhra)." Umma replied, "Just because I supported you? But seriously, Zuhra's lack of a suitor worries me. Only the fishmonger from the corner comes by, and she says she doesn't like him." Baba said, "It worries me too. She doesn't care about personal hygiene, and that's your fault." Umma said, "I even beat her to unbraid her hair. I'm giving her until next week; while she's asleep, I'll use scissors on it so everyone can rest." Baba said, "I swear I don't agree to that. What if she luckily inherited your somewhat long hair and then you shave it off? Isn't she going to Faiza's house after Asr prayer?" Umma said, "Yes, she is going there." Baba said, "Then tell her to take one or two pairs of clothes to spend the night. You know Faiza; whether Zuhra likes it or not, she will unbraid and fix that hair." Zuhra, listening from the room, peeked through the window and said, "I've changed my mind about going to Aunty Faiza's house." Umma replied, "You two are close enough to sort it out."
Chapter 12
Only after she finished eating and drank water did she pick up her hijab, pack her clothes in a headscarf, and say, "Umma, I'm leaving." Baba stared at her. "Like this, Zuhra? You just came back from Islamic school, you haven't even bathed, and you put on clothes. Look at that hijab, it's not even ironed. You don't even know how to look stylish like other women. Can't you put your clothes in a small nylon bag instead of tying them in a headscarf? If we had grown up in a village, I don't think you would ever become civilized. Honestly, Zuhra's mother, you aren't doing right by me. You've left my girl to become completely unkempt." Umma replied, "Well, you are in this house and you see how much I struggle with her."
Baba said, "Come and sit down, Fadimatu (Zuhra)." She sat down, her lips pouting out extensively because of how upset she was. He said, "For God's sake, if you were a man and saw a woman like yourself, would you love her?" She said, "Well, it depends on the man." Baba said, "I didn't say it has to be a rich man, but Zuhra, let there be at least a decent presentation. You are the only child Allah gave me, so I must wish the best for you. Earlier, when you were eating, your handfuls of food were bigger than mine." The comment made her laugh too. She lowered her head. "Baba, I was just very hungry at the time." He said, "Alright, here is what will happen: I promise to buy you a nice phone with a camera if you will start making your hair and taking care of yourself."
"Alhamdulillah!" Zuhra said loudly, throwing herself onto Baba in gratitude. He said, "From what I can feel, you are the heaviest person in this house because of how much you eat." She stood up, jumping with joy. "From today, you will see a change, Baba." On the spot, she removed her hijab and headscarf and grabbed her wrapper to untie it. Baba quickly averted his eyes and said, "Go inside the room to do that." She skipped away like a little girl. Baba said to Umma, "Did you notice the armpit of her mother's wrapper? So dirty..." Umma replied, "Zuhra's father, you observe too many things. May Allah make this change last." After about ten minutes, she emerged wearing a wrapper tied across her chest, her hair looking wildly disheveled. She picked up her bathing basket and a small plastic bottle of shampoo, went to the well, and drew two buckets of water. While they were sitting there, she came out after about half an hour, having bathed and washed her hair. Umma said, "You even look a bit fairer now." She said nothing and went into her room.
She struggled a lot to comb her hair because it was very full. She applied hair cream everywhere, divided it into two sections, and made large braids. She rubbed lotion on her body and used the body spray Baba had bought for her. The only reason she hadn't been using them before was that she thought if they didn't finish, Baba would save his money for something else; she pitied him deeply because of a hand deformity/ailment he suffered from.
By the time Asr prayer was over, she emerged looking fresh. Her face was done up with powder and orange lipstick, and she had even shaped her eyebrows. Baba couldn't stop smiling when he saw her after returning from the mosque. He said, "Now this is more like it! May Allah grant you a good encounter on your way." Umma remarked, "Modern parents have no shame." He gave her two hundred Naira for transport; she thanked him and left. While walking, she tried to balance her steps so Baba wouldn't say she was walking like a man. After she left, Umma asked, "Didn't I see that you haven't bought the phone yet?" He replied, "Yes, leave her be. Let's see how she behaves for a couple of days before I give it to her. Keep an eye on her to ensure she keeps neat. She can go to Islamic school to learn, but she doesn't care about cleanliness."
Chapter 11 [Note: numbering in original text repeats/skips]
Aunty Faiza and the others laughed heartily when Zuhra told them the reason she ran into the house. Aunty Faiza said, "Your situation requires prayers, Zuhra. Why be rude after he apologized to you?" Zuhra replied, "He was apologizing to me from inside a car! The laughing they did at me is what annoyed me the most." Hajara said, "Well, they had to laugh; look at how you painted your face. Look at your eyebrows, as if they were painted with a brush." Zuhra asked, "Is it really like that, Aunty? Today you should have seen how happy Baba was, he even promised me a phone." From there, they continued chatting. Aunty Faiza brought up the topic of skin bleaching and scolded them against it. Zuhra said, "I even argued against it, I even asked Malama Rabia about the Islamic ruling on those who do it." She sat down and explained her discussion with the teacher. Aunty Faiza said, "Exactly. I knew you two hang out, and I was afraid she might teach you bad habits. You know what they say about bad company..."
After two days, while they were eating danmalele in Aunty Faiza's living room, they heard a greeting. Zuhra had pulled up her wrapper to the extent that her thighs were visible. Aunty Faiza was scolding her, so they didn't hear the initial greeting. Abba answered, and then Izzatu walked in. Because Zuhra was facing the door as she entered, their eyes met. Zuhra panicked, stood up quickly, and ran into the room. Aunty Faiza, surprised, said, "Welcome, Mother of Khalifa." Seeing Izzatu looking at the bedroom door and laughing, she added, "That's one of my sisters, she is full of silly antics." Izzatu replied, "Oh, we've actually met before. Did she tell you how she was almost hit by a car the day before yesterday?" Zuhra, from inside the room, licking her oil-stained hands, whispered to herself, "My wandering days are over today."
In the living room, Aunty Faiza asked, "Don't tell me she was rude to Alhaji Hamza? Hey, Zuhra, come out here!" Izzatu said, "I didn't come to complain. In fact, she amused me. You should have seen her eyes when he got out of the car. It looked like she was about to pee herself out of fear, but she still didn't stop talking." Aunty Faiza said, "If it's Zuhra, she is capable of worse. Come out and apologize," she called out to Zuhra from the room.
She came out sheepishly, greeted Izzatu, and said, "Please forgive me." Hajara was sitting aside, laughing at them. Izzatu said, "No problem. That day, you should have seen how angry he was. All the way through our trip and back, he was grumbling. Honestly, if you were to come with me to my house, I would just keep you around for entertainment." Zuhra looked at her in surprise. "So you mean you aren't angry about everything I said to him?" Izzatu replied, "Not at all." Zuhra didn't quite understand the English phrase mixed with her question, so she said, "If it were me, I swear I would have stepped out of the car and put an insolent person in their place." Hajara nudged Aunty Faiza and then looked at Zuhra, signaling her to drop it. Izzatu said, "I don't like drama. I knew he would handle everything, that's why I left it to him."
The statement deeply surprised Zuhra. To think another woman would be rude to your husband and you claim not to care! "Honestly, you are unique among women..." Aunty Faiza quickly covered her mouth. "You king of nonsense, she told you it's fine, yet you are insisting on causing an argument. Mother of Khalifa, please forgive her." Izzatu laughed, "Oh, it's really nothing."
They continued chatting, and Zuhra told them that Baba wanted to marry her off but said he preferred an educated husband. "As for me, as long as there is a house and food, I have no problem." Hajara said, "But you rejected the fishmonger? It's because you've never stood close to him, that's why you are talking. Aside from a fishy odor, he has nothing else going for him." Aunty Faiza joked, "Look at the hyena calling the dog a glutton. You who can't even spend three minutes bathing shouldn't reject your fellow unkempt person." Zuhra said, "Didn't you hear me say Baba is giving me a phone? From now on, I will be bathing very well." Izzatu was genuinely amused by Zuhra's antics. That was her primary reason for visiting the house that day, because usually, if she wanted Faiza, she would just call her.
Zuhra spent four days at the house before returning home with Hajara. Baba gave her six thousand Naira to take to her weaving teacher. Within a short time, she began to master it because it was something she loved. Additionally, her cleanliness sustained; she kept up with her baths. Her makeup, however, was still a bit basic. Baba fulfilled his promise and gave her the phone. The joy that day was indescribable. She went around the neighborhood showing it off. Hajara's mother was also happy. All their neighbors were very close, like family. It was a second-hand Tecno phone he bought from a guy on their street. Because they respected "Baban Yara" (as they called him), the seller gave him a major discount.
Architect Hamza was sitting in his office reviewing some documents when his secretary, Inuwa, knocked and entered. After exchanging greetings, Inuwa said, "Sir, I noticed you didn't say anything regarding the text message and the call I made to you." Hamza replied, "I'm sorry, a lot of things took up my mind. Izzatu told me everything. No problem, thank you." He felt ashamed that his wife had lied. Inuwa asked, "Sir, is there really no problem?" Hamza put down the papers. "Is there something else, Inuwa?" He assumed Inuwa had discovered that Junior was perfectly fine. "No, nothing, it was just about that matter." From there, he left. Since the boss didn't care about the terms of the contract, he figured he should stop worrying about it.
Chapter 12 [Note: numbering in original text repeats/skips]
At night, while he was asleep, he felt someone touching him. Startled, he woke up and fumbled for the bedside lamp. He found her sitting down with a pillow on her lap. "Sweetheart, wake up so we can discuss Nana's birthday."
"WHAT???" was all he could yell in anger. Izzatu said, "I said Nana's birthday party." He pointed at the clock. "Izzy, look at the time, it's almost 3:00 AM." She leaned against him slightly. "I always want us to plan everything, but you never come home early." He pulled himself away and said, "And because of that, you wake me up in the middle of the night? Come on, Izzy! Waking a husband up to talk at this hour only happens in movies. If it's a sensible discussion, it's done when we are awake."
"I think this is normal between couples. If something is bothering one person, they discuss it at night. By the way, do you know I saw that girl you argued with because you splashed water on her? Turns out she is Faiza's sister." At that moment, Hamza felt like screaming. With a completely dark expression, he said, "Now, Izzy, you wake me up late at night for a birthday conversation, and then tell me you saw that girl? Did I ask you? I have an early morning meeting tomorrow and I told you, yet you chose this moment to deny me sleep and ruin my mood." She just stared at him... wondering what was wrong with her "baby" making him yell like this.
As for Hamza, besides his anger, he saw this as an opportunity to follow his mother's (Mama's) advice to cancel the party. He said, "Forget about any party because it has been canceled. You can cook food and take it to the hospital or an Islamic school as charity." This time, she was the one who got upset. "What kind of talk is this? I've already raised the girl's hopes. Even the clothes she will wear that day, I've bought them all." Hamza said, "If it's just clothes, you can dress her up in them tomorrow." Izzatu began to cry. "Don't do this to me, Hamza, please." He said, "What's there to worry about? She's only turning two years old; she doesn't even understand these things." She wept heavily, and he hugged her, trying to comfort her. She said, "If it's because I woke you up, I'm sorry, but don't let my family laugh at me or make it look like you don't have money."
He hadn't realized that was how they viewed things until now. He said, "I have spoken, Izzy. No more parties. Look around your family for whoever needs help, and we will give them business capital. Mama and the others don't like what we are doing, and I too have realized our mistakes." She pushed him away and stood up. "I knew they had influenced you the moment you started talking! I don't know why your family hates me. Well, I swear it will happen, whether you like it or not!" Hamza said, "Are you speaking to me like that, Izzy? Just because I denied you one thing today, you show me disrespect? Without answering him, she stormed out of the room, slamming the door.
He held his head and sat on the edge of the bed. Truly, he had been too careless to let things reach this point. He had to find a way to fix his home so they could live in peace. His stomach grumbled with hunger. Today, like other Thursdays, Izzatu hadn't cooked dinner. She had ordered McDonald's for them. French fries and chicken were brought for them, including Tala (the maid) and the security guard. Hamza wasn't full at all, but they were used to this; even before they married, he had promised her to set aside one day a week where she wouldn't cook dinner and they would eat out or order food. He got up to follow her to her room, but found it locked, so he had to go back to bed. He could barely sleep because of hunger.
The next day, because she was angry, he didn't get breakfast. When he spoke up, she said she had stopped cooking until he reversed his decision on the party. He, in turn, told her to return his ATM card that was with her, stating the cancellation of the party was final. They parted on bad terms. She even called her mother to tell her, and her mother told her not to worry—if she didn't have money, she would send her brother to bring some to her.
Hamza saw that preparations were still ongoing. Cartons of juice and water were bought. Gifts were already packed in a bag featuring Nana's picture and kept in the store. He spoke to Izzatu again, and she said it wasn't his money being spent. Following his mother's advice once more, he packed up the children and took them to his family's house.
Hajiya and the others were surprised and happy to see that Hamza had listened to them. Ibrahim and Mariya were asked to bring their own children over too. Khalifa and his siblings blended in immediately with their cousins. When they spoke Hausa, you would swear they had just returned from Europe—they couldn't speak it well at all, only English. Nana, who couldn't talk much yet, attached herself to Adabiyya, calling her "Aunty Adab."
Izzatu was shocked when she returned from the supermarket and found the children gone. Tala informed her that they had left with their daddy. She was deeply frustrated when he returned alone and said they would sleep over there. She knew it was because of the party issue. She begged and cried, but it was all in vain. He even sat her down to advise her, but she remained stubborn. He told her that if she could go to his family's house and bring the kids back herself, then fine. Not sensing the sarcasm, she went there two days before the event, only to find they had all traveled to Kumo. No one was at the house except the security guard. She wept bitterly that day. Izzatu became deeply furious with Hamza, swearing to retaliate whenever she got the chance.
Chapter 14
Tala widened her eyes, staring at Izzatu. "I swear I'm not lying!" Hajiya and Mama kept staring at them. As Tala was explaining, they heard Nana crying, calling out for Izzatu. They all headed towards the direction Tala had come from, with Hajiya leading the way. Hajiya's stomach churned violently at the sight: a child sitting on a potty, reaching out to be picked up, while next to them, someone looking like a skeleton ran forward to hug her. She could barely utter, "Hasbunallahu wa ni'imal wakil" (Sufficient is Allah for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs) before stepping back as if about to fall. Mama quickly caught her, also terrified, thinking that perhaps spirits (jinn) had blocked the door to prevent them from leaving. Tala said, "Do you see, Hajiya? I told you!" Nana came toward them, and so did Junior. Khalifa, who was lying down in the room, also came out due to the noise. Mama stared at the three "spirits" and said, "Hajiya, Elder Brother's house is unsafe." Izzatu was the last to enter; seeing the terror that gripped her in-laws, she burst into hysterical laughter, to the point of tears, eventually collapsing to the floor. Hajiya and Mama just stared at each other, wondering if the spirits had possessed her. After she laughed to her heart's content while they watched, she said, "Hajiya, it's just Nana and the kids. I dressed them up today for Halloween." In front of them, she removed their masks, still laughing.
Hajiya and Mama were deeply offended. Tala walked up to the children and touched them, saying, "Khalifa, is it you?" She looked up and said, "Hajiya, it really is them." Mama looked at Izzatu. "Hallo... what did you call it?" Izzatu said, "Halloween. It's celebrated on October 31st. When we were living in Canada, we used to do it a lot." Due to sheer anger, Hajiya couldn't even speak. Izzatu had thoroughly insulted and humiliated them.
Mama said, "Hajiya, let's just leave, because I see no reason for us to stay." Junior and Khalifa kept following them, saying they wanted to go with them. Neither of the women could pay attention to the children because their hearts were burning with rage. Izzatu said, "Come to the living room and have some water," as she didn't interpret their silence as anger. As they reached the doorway to leave, Mama's eyes caught a statue shaped like a human with goat legs and a horn on its nose. It was also part of the house's Halloween decorations. Mama's stomach turned, her heart skipped a beat out of sheer terror, and her legs gave out, causing her to fall to the floor. Hajiya quickly knelt and helped her up. Junior and Khalifa kept saying, "Sorry, Grams." As for Izzatu, another bout of laughter escaped her. In her heart, she felt that, if nothing else, she had retaliated for what they did by making Hamza cancel the birthday party.
Furious, Hajiya raised her head in deep anger, about to confront Izzatu, when Hamza walked in with a greeting. Seeing Mama trying to stand up, he rushed over to her, asking what happened. Hajiya’s anger was already boiling; instead of answering him, she slapped him hard across the face. The living room went completely silent. Tala quickly retreated to Khalifa's room, shocked that her master had been slapped. The room remained dead quiet as Izzatu swallowed the rest of her laughter. Hamza placed both hands on his cheeks, looking at his mother in utter shock. Mama said, "Come on, Hajiya, why punish someone who knows nothing about what happened?" Hajiya gave a bitter smile and said, "In all my life, I have never experienced a humiliation that hurt me as deeply as this. HAMZA, beware of the day I curse you..." His eyes turned bloodshot, wondering why she called his name like that and what caused her extreme anger. He asked Izzatu, "What happened?" She shrugged slightly. "Nothing much. They didn't stay long after arriving before deciding to leave." Hajiya and Mama headed for the door while he kept apologizing and begging to know what happened, but they ignored him. He followed them all the way to the car. Only after the driver started the engine did Hajiya say, "I swear, as long as I am alive and healthy, Hamza, I will never set foot in your house again." Mama, who thought... [Text cuts off]
2. Summary of the Book Excerpt
The story explores the cultural friction, marital issues, and social contrasts within contemporary Hausa households.
Zuhra's Household: Represents a lower-class, traditional family dealing with poverty and personal development. Zuhra starts off unrefined, unhygienic, and struggling at her Islamic school. Her father (Baba), despite his physical disability and poverty, motivates her to change by promising her a camera phone if she takes care of her hygiene and learns a trade (weaving). Zuhra transforms her habits, learns to carry herself better, and excels at her craft.
3. Description of Themes & Characters
Key Characters:
Baba (Zuhra's Father): A wise, humorous, and loving father who uses positive reinforcement (incentives) rather than pure force to correct his daughter's flaws.
Themes:
Parenting Styles: The contrast between Baba's encouraging parenting style with Zuhra versus Izzatu’s spoiled parenting style with her children.
4. Analytics & Literary Analysis