Of Northern Nigeria and the Girl-child: A Conversation with A’aisha Abdulkareem
Uchenna Emelife
A’aisha Abdulkareem (officially known as Aisha UMAR Muhammad) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Arts, Literature in English from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. She is a Lecturer with the Department of European Languages, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State Nigeria. She specializes in Gender literature with focus on Northern Nigerian Women Fiction. She teaches African Literature, Ecocritical Literature, as well as Creative Writing. A’aisha is as well a creative writer and all round literary enthusiast. Her works have been featured on several national and international literary and academic journals one of which — a short story 'Binle’s Emerald' earned her third place in the 2018 African Writers' Award. A’aisha has a special interest in the girl-child and most of her works revolve around the gender. She is a member of several professional and non-professional bodies like African Literature Association(ALA), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Literary Scholars Association (LSA), English Scholars Association of Nigeria (ESAN), Arewa Women Writers, Association for the Study of Literature and Environment (ASLE). She is also the Sokoto State coordinator of Hilltop Creative Arts Centre, Sokoto, where she mentors youths to discover and develop their potentials in the creative arts.
Her most recent publication"Yar’fari" is her first novel. It is published by Kraftgriots (March, 2020) and follows the story of a Fulani girl who struggles to answer to the obnoxious demands of the seeming misogynistic traditions that trail a Fulani firstborn girl-child.
Uchenna Emelife on behalf of Book O’clock chats with her about her debut “Yar’fari” and a number of issues surrounding Northern Nigeria and the girl.
First of all, congratulations on your new book. This is your debut novel. How do you feel knowing that in the nearest future the world would behold something that was once a mere idea in your head?
Thank you for having me on this interview. Yes, 'Yar'fari' is my first novel and I'm happy it is published.
How long did it take you in writing it?
Well, it took about six years. I must say that the manuscript was completed in 2011. And it’s been laying fallow, just like my other fragmented manuscripts. I must add, going to the press took another 8 years. There was also the dilemma of the publisher, satisfaction with editing, settling on a title, e.t.c which delayed the publication. However, my next publication will come within the next year.
I must say a lot of work went into the post-writing then and it's totally worth it. Can you share what 'Yar' fari' is about without revealing much spoilers?
The title Yar’fari is a Hausa word for firstborn(female). The work is inspired by the firstborn tradition in Hausa/Fulani culture in Northern Nigeria. It tells the story of a young girl’s struggle to survive obnoxious tradition and how destiny casted the journey of her success.
Interesting. My next question was going to be on the title. I had thought 'Yar’fari' translated to 'fair girl' in English and was curious to know the rationale behind it. I had even come up with a theory as to what may have inspired the titling but knowing that it means 'firstborn' instead, I feel it’s more contextual especially after reading the book.
I’m curious. What informed the story your book tells?
“The African woman is my focus, as a character, writer, and the ordinary woman on the street.”
Being in the area of gender and sexualities, the African woman is my focus, as a character, writer, and the ordinary woman on the street. The need for her to achieve self actualization and identity is my muse.
In my research in Gender studies in Northern Nigeria, and having taught the literature of the region and other regions over a decade, the revelations have been thought-provoking and this serves as the muse for my writings, building hope for the girl-child.
And you sure have done a great job doing that with this writing.
A predominant theme in your book is the neglect of the girl-child education, especially in Northern Nigeria. What do you think has largely contributed to this and is this neglect still prevalent in today's Northern Nigeria?
“The relegated position the female is placed in Northern Nigeria is such that, she is only seen as a good wife or mother.”
Cultural restrictions and patriarchy are responsible for it.
The relegated position the female is placed in Northern Nigeria is such that, she is only seen as a good wife or mother. Her education is not taken seriously. She is groomed from childhood on how to be a good wife. In marriage, her life is orchestrated by the husband and domestic responsibilities.
It is changing and that is one of the focus of 'Yar'fari'. A fictional Hausa Fulani society where the female can make decisions and have choices. Though the change is still relatively slow.
"Does my being a female exclude me from growing up to live a life of my dreams and desires?"
During my reading, I found this line very deep. Our girls are made to believe that there is no achievement beyond the marriage institution. You ask an average girl what she wants to be and it always comes back to wanting to marry a 'rich husband' with zero personal dreams and aspirations for herself. This is sad.
However, with literatures like yours that are feministic coupled with movements in the last decade, the narrative is changing. My question is, if you think there is more to be done. Or have we finally gotten to the point where our girls are beginning to aspire beyond marriage and not be viewed as 'spoilt'?
“Marriage is is a social necessity but self actualization is more important.”
There is more to be done. That's where mothers come in. Or rather any of or both parents. We should be role models to our kids and nurture them to believe in themselves and aspire to be great. For my protagonist, Teni, her father played the role, where her mother failed.
My kids are Hausas and there was family pressure at the peak of their education, but when I stood my ground, we triumphed. I brought them up not to see marriage as the ultimate. Marriage is is a social necessity but self actualization is more important.
I have read a couple of works from Northern Nigeria and I've noticed a trend in the themes.
They always discuss issues that have for long marred the north. Prof. Asabe's work for example discusses bigamy, yours discrimination against the girl child. Is this like a joint protest? Or is it a coincidence?
“Literature mirrors society, projects the future and serves as inspiration.”
This is it. The likes of Professor Asabe Kabir and I live in a contemporary world and the social reality of the time inspires our fiction. So it’s not a protest per say, but a duty to stir the waters of change.
I learnt of the Fulani tradition of parents alienating their firstborns from Hamza's book "Love Path". The lead character of your book is also a somewhat victim of that tradition. I'm curious. Is it still being practised by present day Fulanis?
Like I said, these practices are still there, they won't go away in a flash. But we believe that literature can help to stir the ship in positive directions. It is decreasing daily, due to education and Literary works. But it is still being practised.
Your protagonist, Teni eventually gets to make a choice of a husband for herself. Sadly, not everyone can be a Teni or would want to experience what Teni did before finding happiness. With this in mind, what's your advise to young ladies out there who are in marriages they never wanted?
“The reality of life now is that you are placed from the evidence of your achievements.”
They should stay focus, love themselves first. The reality of life now is that you are placed from the evidence of your achievements. In fact building up your self helps you to excel in all other social duties, including marriage. It is important that you be a role model to your child by being a celebrity in your own right. Life is full of ups and down, just like our destinies, our experiences are different, but our goal, seemingly the same.
For those in unfortunate marriages, try to do something with your life, that's the only chance at freedom and identity you may ever have. Lamentation didn't help me, and won't help you. Take your destiny in your own hands.
In one of your earlier responses, you said that your next publication will be due for next year, mind sharing what it will be?
“For me, writing is more about the girl-child anywhere in the world than any other other issue.”
I have a collection of poems, ongoing and a collection of short stories. Which ever one gets to the editor’s table first, gets published.
For me, writing is more about the girl-child anywhere in the world than any other other issue, it may sound selfish.
Great. I can’t wait. And it isn’t selfish. Even if it is, it is worth it. (Laughs)
Thank you so much for this interview. It was very informing. 'Yar’fari' is a great read and I can’t wait for everyone to lay their hands on it and enjoy it as much as I did.
My pleasure always. Thank you for being the first to air my voice.
'Yar’fari' by A’aisha Abdulkareem will be available in all major bookstores in Nigeria post–COVID-19. Read review here.
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Uchenna Emelife is a journalist, creative writer, content creator, and a literary enthusiast. He has written for Nigeria’s Nation Newspaper, the ICIR, Opinion Nigeria, Minority Africa and Punocracy. A third year student of Literature In English, Uchenna was awarded “Rookie Journalist Of The Year” by the National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) in 2019 and “Essayist of the year” by the local chapter of the NUCJ and “Campus Reporter of the year” by Pen Press UDUS.
In 2020, he co-pioneered a book club in his school, Book O'Clock UDUS where he reports and writes about books and currently serves as the deputy editor-in-chief of Pen Press UDUS and the Programs Director of Minority Africa.
