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Chapter One
Yola / Jimeta
She sat quietly by the riverbank, her thoughtful expression obvious at a glance. A young girl, appearing to be no older than fourteen, walked past. She glanced at her and called out, "Jiddoh!"
The one called Jiddoh turned around, and only then could her appearance be fully seen. She was very fair in complexion, but one could tell at a glance that she was living in hardship. She could not have been more than fifteen years old, with a round face, a slender nose, and lips that were naturally reddish. Meeting the gaze of the passerby, she opened her strikingly captivating, deep-set eyes. She said nothing in return, but simply turned and walked away. Stooping down, she picked up the water container she had filled and set off in the direction her companion had taken.
She rushed into their compound, which consisted merely of grass huts, shouting, "Ammi! Ammi!"
A woman emerged from one of the structures, looking at her daughter with hands on her hips, and asked, "What is it, Hanne? Why are you calling me like that?"
Hanne snapped, "Didn't you send Jiddoh on an errand? Well, I saw her playing around Ardo’s cattle instead of going. When she saw me, she ran off!"
Before she could even close her mouth, Jiddo entered the compound with a clay water pot balanced on her head. She set it down and paused, noticing the harsh look directed at her. Ammi strode over, twisted Jiddo’s ear, and scolded her in broken Hausa: "So, I send you on an errand and you refuse to go? Because I didn't give birth to you, that's why you have the audacity to disrespect me like this! By God, when your Baffa returns today, he will deal with you—either him or me, since you've inherited your mother's stubborn ways!" With that, she shoved her hard.
Jiddo stumbled and burst into tears, though she was already well-used to such treatment. Ammi and Hanne retreated into the hut, leaving her crying outside.
Kano State
She picked up her iPhone 13 Pro Max, sat on the edge of her bed, and slowly, with an air of confidence, began dialing a number. When it rang out without being answered, she put the phone down, slipped on her shoes, and walked out into the parlor.
She found her mother sitting with a friend who was a frequent visitor to the house. She sat down beside Mami and greeted, "Mommy, good afternoon."
Mami smiled and replied, "Good afternoon, Shareefat. How are you and your studies?"
Laying her head on Mami's lap, Shareefat said, "Alhamdulillah. Where is Nihal?"
Mami answered, "They have orientation today, which is why she didn't come with me."
"Oh," Shareefat said. Then, looking at Mami, she added, "Mami, I called Sheikh, but he didn't pick up."
Mami replied, "Maybe he's busy with something. You can call him later. Have some food, Shareefat."
Pouting, Shareefat said, "By God, Mami, I'm full. I'll eat later."
"Okay," Mami said. Turning to Hajiya Zainab, she asked, "So what happened, Hajiya?"
Hajiya Zainab replied, "I was just telling you, it turns out the boy is a hacker. He got arrested, and now she won't stop crying."
Mami shook her head and said, "Poor Nihal. May Allah make it for the best."
"Ameen," Shareefat replied.
Noticing that the sun had set, Jiddo rose slowly and walked to what appeared to be their bathroom. She removed her Fulani attire, splashed some water over her body, performed ablution, and stepped back out. Finding a frayed palm-frond mat plagued by flies, she picked it up, spread it on the ground, and began her prayer.
As soon as she finished, she stood up with difficulty, her body aching from severe hunger. She stepped out of their hut and began walking blindly, knowing only that she was desperately hungry and had gone out in search of food. When her legs began to fail her, she found a spot, sat down, buried her face in her knees, and broke down crying. She sat there for about thirty minutes until sleep finally overtook her.
The cool breeze of dawn startled her awake. She sat up in a panic, looking around at the place where she had spent the night. With a weak body, she rose and made her way back to their compound. Everyone was inside the huts asleep; no one had even noticed she had stayed out all night. She entered her own small hut—the one where she slept entirely alone. There was nothing inside except the palm mat. She lay down on it, reflecting on her life: she had never known happiness, nor did she know what comfort felt like. The only reality she had ever opened her eyes to was a life of hardship.
Indeed, the loss of a mother is a profound vacuum in life; if she had a mother, she would have been spared some of this suffering. But she had never met her mother, for the Almighty had taken her life right at the moment of Jiddo's birth. From then until now, there was not a single pleasant thing in her life story. Carried away by these thoughts, sleep reclaimed her once again.
Shareefat stepped out dressed for school. Mami looked at her and said, "Shareefat, hurry up so you don't be late."
"Okay," she replied, setting down her teacup. "Bye, Mami."
Mami smiled and said, "Bye, dear. May Allah protect you."
Shareefat replied, "Ameen," as she headed out.
Jiddo bolted upright, startled by the cold water splashed over her. She stood there shivering from the cold, for it was the winter season. Hanne glared at her maliciously and snapped, "Are you going to move, or should I knock you down?"
Slowly, Jiddo slipped past her and stepped out, her body dripping wet. She grabbed her water pot and headed outside.
Laminu had been watching her ever since she stepped out. As she drew near, the young girl filled him with deep pity. Seeing her shivering from the cold, he asked, "Jiddo, why would you soak your body in this freezing weather?"
She merely lowered her head, wiping away the tears on her face. Seeing that there were not many people around, he asked, "Where are you going?"
Without looking at him, she replied, "I'm going to fetch water for Ammi."
He shook his head, knowing it was sheer cruelty that had prompted such an early morning errand. "Well, come on, I'll walk with you," he said.
Only then did she look up at him, her eyes red, and said, "Never mind, thank you."
He smiled and said, "Don't worry, Jiddoh, let's go."
She said nothing more and walked ahead, with him following behind until they reached the river. He took the pot from her, filled it with water, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and smiled at her, saying, "Let's go."
She simply said "Okay" and walked ahead while he followed. Realizing they were getting close to their compound, she looked back at him and said, "Give it to me before Haule sees you."
He didn't argue, as he wanted to avoid getting her into trouble. Handing the pot back to her, he asked, "Have you eaten anything?"
She merely nodded, then spoke in her soft, cool voice, "Thank you, Laminu."
He smiled and turned back as she walked away.
Upon entering the compound, she found Baffa standing outside, asking about her. She ran over and stopped in front of him, marveling at how long it had been since she last saw him.
He looked at her and asked, "Hauwa'u, where have you been?"
Smiling, she replied, "Baffa, I went to fetch water."
Baffa looked at Ammi and asked, "Hanne, is it proper to send her out at dawn all by herself to fetch water? Where is Haule?"
Ammi gave him a bold, defiant stare, twisted her mouth aggressively, and fired back in Fulfulde: "I won't send Haule! I saw that Haule was sleeping, and since Jiddo isn't her younger sister, it is only right that she helps out. You sit there asking why she was sent out in the morning—you know where she goes whenever she starts wandering around!"
Baffa simply shook his head, looked at Jiddo, and said, "Go and sit down."
She walked over and sat on the mat just as he told her, while he turned and walked out.
Upon leaving, Baffa walked over to a small cattle pen. He crouched beside a cow, milked it, and emerged with the milk. He found Jiddo right where he had left her, though Ammi had already retreated into her hut.
He sat down beside her, looked at her, and said, "Take this and drink, you hear?"
She didn't object. Taking the calabash from him, she tilted her head back and didn't lower it until she had finished every last drop of the milk, then set the calabash down. He looked at her with profound pity, knowing she had no peace whatsoever, and wishing with all his heart that he knew somewhere safe to take her so she could leave this place.
She looked up at him and whispered, "Baffana."
He smiled warmly and replied, "Yes, Hauwa'u."
She asked, "Tell me the story of my Ammi, Baffa."
He fell silent and said nothing. She pouted her lips slightly and asked, "Baffa, what are you thinking about?"
He turned to look at her, and she saw tears pooling in his eyes. Deeply distressed, she reached up to wipe them away, saying, "Please, Baffa, forgive me. I won't ask you again, okay?"
He took her hand in his and looked closely at her. She saw him break into a gentle smile, and she paused to admire him, for his smile possessed an extraordinary beauty, true Fulani that he was.
He said, "Every time I look at you, I feel like Hauwa'u is right in front of me, because you carry every single trait of hers. The way you are so patient—even when people mistreat you and you know they are doing it on purpose, you never show it. Furthermore, she never harbored grudges; she could forgive any offense, no matter how grave. I am certain that Hauwa'u was a child of Paradise. I want you to pick up right from where she left off, Hauwa'u. Know this: no one is ever wronged without Allah keeping account. Keep being patient, you hear? One day, your story will be told."
She simply wept and nodded slowly. He gently wiped away her tears, smiling as he said, "May Almighty Allah have mercy on Hauwa'u."
"Ameen," she replied.
Around noon, she was sitting inside the cattle pen, unbothered by the dirt on her skin. She found comfort nowhere else except around these animals whenever Baffa was away.
Haule walked out, looked around, and approached her, saying, "Hey Jiddoh, come, Ammi is calling you." Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked back inside.
Jiddo stood up and entered the compound. She found Ammi mixing fura and crouched respectfully before her, saying, "Ammi, I'm here."
Ammi looked at her and said, "Get up and go to Ardo’s house. Adda has an errand for you."
Without uttering a word, Jiddo stood up and left the house.
Sitting beside Mami while eating, Shareefat said, "So, do you really think Sheikh will agree to marry Nihal? You know how he is, Mami."
Mami looked at her and said, "I am the one who gave birth to Heesham; he didn't give birth to himself. This time around, whether he likes it or not, he will do as I say."
Shareefat curled her lip and said, "You know his character very well. Whatever he wants is what gets done. If Dad were here..."
Mami shook her head. "He has to do what I say. Even your father has no power to stop it."
Shareefat laughed and said, "Oh, Hajiya Mami! He even told me he's coming back to Nigeria tomorrow."
"What is bringing him back?"
"Maybe Dad called him, but he didn't specify. You know how elder brother Sheikh is."
The sound of greetings at the door made them fall silent. Nihal walked in, sat beside Shareefat, and greeted, "Mami, good afternoon."
With a bright smile, Mami replied, "Good afternoon, Nihal. How is your Mommy?"
"She is fine, she sends her regards," Nihal answered.
Mami smiled and said, "My greetings to her," before standing up to go upstairs.
Shareefat looked at Nihal and teased, "Our sister-in-law!"
Nihal laughed and warned, "Watch out, you'll make yourself upset."
Shareefat smiled and said, "I saw you guys the other day—wow, talk about a gorgeous couple!"
Nihal flashed her a mock glare and said, "I don't like this nonsense. What gorgeous couple?"
Shareefat stood up and said, "Please, let's go inside."
Jiddo watched Baffa as he finished dressing. He looked at her, noticed the way she was staring, and smiled. "What is it, Hauwa'u?"
She pouted and said, "Please, Baffa, don't stay away too long, okay?"
He stroked her head and said, "In sha Allah, Hauwa'u. But please, try to be patient a little longer. Everything will come to an end by the grace of Allah."
"Okay," she replied, picking up his belongings and saying, "Let me walk you to the path, Baffa." With that, she stepped outside.
As they reached the edge of the path, he looked at her and said, "Hauwa'u, turn back now, you hear?"
She smiled, but tears immediately followed. He looked at her and said, "I don't like it when you cry like this, as if I'm never coming back."
She said, "Baffa, may you return safely. May Allah protect and guard you."
He replied, "Ameen. May Allah bless your life."
Smiling, she said, "Ameen."
She stood and watched until he vanished from sight, then turned and began her journey home. Along the way, she spotted a small, beautiful necklace lying on the ground. She picked it up to examine it, recognizing it instantly as Baffa's, because it was the one he always wore around his neck.
She tied it around her own neck, saying, "When Baffa returns, I'll give it back to him," and continued on her way, humming little tunes.
Along the way, she ran into Laminu gathering dried sticks to make a fire. Smiling, she said, "Let me help you."
He shook his head and replied, "No, Jiddoh, you're a girl; how can you help me?"
She frowned, picked up the remaining bundle of sticks, and walked ahead of him. He just smiled and followed behind her.
The sound of commotion outside startled her into opening her eyes slowly. She was surprised to find that morning had already broken and Ammi hadn't come to wake her up. Sensing that the noise was growing louder, she sat up and stepped out of her hut. She looked around everywhere, but seeing no sign of Ammi or Haule, she headed outside the compound to see what was happening.
She spotted a crowd of people gathered in a circle around something, though she couldn't see what was in the center. She slowly made her way toward them, walking with her usual quiet step. As she drew closer, she heard the sound of weeping, and the people parted to clear a way for her.
There he lay, covered in blood—at a single glance, anyone could tell he had been murdered.
She rushed forward frantically, dropping to her knees and staring wide-eyed to confirm what she was seeing. She stroked his face like a madwoman, her voice trembling as she whispered:
"Ba... Baffa... Baffana..."
Then, she burst into a heart-wrenching, soul-crushing cry. She lifted her head and looked at him a second time, half-believing this must be a dream. "Baffa, wake up, please. Stop playing this kind of game. I know you can hear me—wake up so I won't cry."
She waited, but there was no response. Panic overwhelmed her entirely. She jumped up to run for help, but before she could take more than a few steps, her legs gave out and she collapsed unconscious to the ground.
Summary
In the remote settlement of Yola/Jimeta, a young Fulani girl named Jiddo (Hauwa'u) lives a life of relentless hardship and abuse. Orphaned at birth—her mother having died during her delivery—she is raised by her callous stepmother (Ammi) and stepsister (Haule), who treat her as a household slave. The only source of genuine love and comfort in Jiddo's miserable life is her adoptive father, Baffa, a kind and gentle man who treats her with profound tenderness and shares stories of her late mother.
Meanwhile, contrasting worlds away in Kano State, a wealthy and privileged young woman named Shareefat lives a life of ease, navigating family dynamics, university life, and the romantic pursuits of her circle, including her cousin/brother-in-law-to-be, the prominent Saudi-based scholar Sheikh Heesham Muhammad.
Tragedy strikes Jiddo's world when Baffa is brutally murdered by unknown assailants, leaving her utterly alone and vulnerable. Despised by her stepfamily and facing starvation, Jiddo becomes the target of predatory men in the village who corner and attempt to assault her. Through sheer bravery, she manages to escape into the dark night. Concurrently, Sheikh Heesham’s convoy breaks down due to an impending storm near Yola, drawing his elite entourage toward the very rural outskirts where Jiddo's harrowing night unfolds.
Description
Nanameera is a poignant, emotionally charged contemporary Hausa drama that explores stark social contrasts—the glaring divide between elite urban luxury and extreme rural poverty in Nigeria. The narrative centers on Jiddo, a resilient yet profoundly tragic young protagonist enduring structural neglect, emotional abuse, and unimaginable trauma, juxtaposed against the affluent, sheltered lives of characters like Shareefat and Sheikh Heesham.
The story deftly weaves themes of familial cruelty, orphanhood, innocence, and survival against the backdrop of traditional Fulani pastoral life and modern Nigerian-Saudi cross-cultural elements. Through rich character descriptions and heart-rending scenes, the novel sets up a compelling intersection of paths where the vulnerable outcast's desperate fight for survival is about to collide with a powerful, authoritative spiritual and medical figure.
