The beauty of Sallah in Hausaland
BY Hassan Ibrahim
(Nigerian Tribune)

The Sallah festival is a unique event in Hausaland which has a large Muslim population. Just like in other places where the day is highly revered by the Muslims, Sallah, which many referred to in the North as “bikin daya rana” (one day festival) is so attractive that people from far and near rush to their towns and villages to celebrate it with their immediate relations, childhood friends and other loved ones to re-ignite fond memories of the gone old days.

Although Sallah could either be the Eid-El-Fitr, the festival observed to mark the end of the 30 or 29 days of fasting of the month of Ramadan, or the Eid-El-Kabir, which marks the festival of sacrifice, the Eid-El-Fitr that was celebrated last week is usually celebrated with pomp and ceremony across the North. On Sallah eve, there usually are lots of comic displays across the markets and within the communities by various groups who entertained the public to bid the Ramadan month farewell. Interested members of the public, who derive pleasure from such performances, give the performers money, food and other valuables so that they too could be able to celebrate the Sallah with ease.

For the poor, it is mandatory that every family head must give out the Zakkat-El-Fitr in form of alms on behalf of himself and other members of his household to the have-nots in the society, before the Eid prayer on Sallah day. This serves as a means of helping the poor so that they too could prepare food and eat like any other Muslim in the morning of the festivities. It is recommended that what should be given must be in form of grains like maize, millet, guinea corn, rice or what is normally eaten by the people in the area in question so that the poor too will bid good bye to the fasting period on a good note. According to Islamic scholars, the reward of the fasting of those who did not give out this form of zakkat would be hanging in the balance and only the Almighty would decide what happens next to such faithful on account of the non-adherence to injunctions.

After a sumptuous meal usually of rice and stew with fried chicken or beef, Muslim faithful, in company with their kith and kin, irrespective of their sexes, move to the Eid prayer ground, usually outside the town, to offer the two rakaats of the Eid prayer which is accompanied by a long sermon by the chief imam or Emir as the case may be, admonishing the Muslims on good behavior and morals. It is usually a sight to behold as worshippers appear in beautiful wears and other regalia to add beauty and glamour to the festival.

Oftentimes, young worshippers sing beautiful religious songs and praises to the Almighty Allah on the way home after the prayers, while praise singers and other entertainers thrill the public with various performances such as kotso, duma, kidan dambe, kwambe, garaya, kalangu and in some communities, the age-long Fulani game of flogging, called sharo, in which the brave ones who display great endurance go home with beautiful Fulani girls that would eventually be their wives. All through the Sallah day, there would be exchange of visits, gifts and food by families and loved ones while affluent members of the communities would organise mini celebrations in their households where food, meat and drinks would be given out to the people.

Also, the rich in the community do use the opportunity to give out proper zakkat in form of money to the people, all in the spirit of the Sallah festivities.

In big cities like Sokoto, Kano, Zaria, Maiduguri, Katsina and several others that have Emirs, the Sallah day is another day of durbar which could be either the Hawan Daushe or Hawan Bariki, as the case might be, where the Emir and his lieutenants would mount horse backs in beautiful regalia to pay special visits to the state governor before returning to their palaces to stage a mini durbar to the delight of all.

In Zaria, for example, the Sallah durbar is gradually becoming a tourist attraction as people from far and near besiege the ancient city of Zazzau to witness the event. The Emir usually uses the occasion to counsel his subjects on the need for peaceful co-existence and respect for constitutional authorities.

Another important feature of the Sallah day is that it is a day of reconciliation, forgiveness and show of solidarity. It is not uncommon to see estranged couples coming together on this auspicious day, while parents of daughters ripe enough for marriage could give out their hands in marriage to people of their choice who may have the dowry paid for by others in the spirit of love and togetherness.
Evening time on Sallah day is always filled with excitement as young ones do gather at the town or village square called dandali where ladies dance to the kalangu music in beautiful Sallah attires, while their male admirers watch with delight, often spraying them with crisp notes specially reserved for such a great day. The occasion is another fertile ground for marriage proposals, but men are always advised to be careful of choosing a wife on Sallah day because they all look neat, while some could be very untidy on normal days.

Night time is always reserved for the immediate family to reminisce and thank the Almighty for the great month of Ramadan. prayers are offered for the repose of the souls of the departed and the next day, children and other younger ones visit family friends and relations for the traditional Goron Sallah.

Concerning Sallah day, it is always said that; bikin daya rana ta tafi ta bar wawa da bashi, Allah ya mai maita mana. This means; may we live long to see subsequent Sallah festivities.

Sallah spirit: The Emir of Zazzu,
Dr. Sheu Idris (right), receiving a visitor during a festivity.