The Months and Seasons (Watannin Ajamawa)


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Title The Months and Seasons (Watannin Ajamawa)
Author or Owner Unknown
Subject Astrology, Astronomy, Seasons of the Year, Months, Numerology
Content Watannin is the plural of wata (moon or month). The poem Watannin Ajamawa has as its subject matter the months and seasons of the year,  their corresponding names in Hausa, and the characteristics of some of the stars and planets, particularly as they relate to, or may influence, human affairs. We have excerpted the first two pages of this manuscript, which present the 12 months of the year and each of the four seasons. Also discussed are seven stars used by evildoers for various negative ends. This is a highly esoteric manuscript and we invite readers to offer any feedback/insights they may have.
Genre Poetry
Language Hausa
Script Hausa Ajami
Manuscript condition 2 leaves. 18 x 23. 5 cm. // 4 pp. of text.

Condition: Damp-stained, frayed and worn at edges. Vocalised and rubricated.Watermark, Tre Lune. Occasional marginal and interlinear glosses.

Type Handwritten
Publisher Unpublished
Provenance Kano, Nigeria
Source Reference Unknown, “Watannin Ajamawa” (nd). Courtesy of Northwestern University Libraries.
Access condition and copyright These materials are subject to copyright and are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 License, which permits non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. For use, distribution or reproduction beyond these terms, contact Professor Fallou Ngom (fngom@bu.edu).
Contributors Fallou Ngom, Jennifer J. Yanco, Mustapha Hashim Kurfi, Garba Zakari, Rebecca Shereikis, Daivi Rodima-Taylor, Babacar Dieng, Alison Parker, Shawn Provencal, and Mark Lewis.
Required citation information Fallou Ngom (PI), Jennifer Yanco,  Mustapha Hashim Kurfi, Garba Zakari, Daivi Rodima-Taylor, Babacar Dieng, and Rebecca Shereikis. 2022. “The Months and Seasons.” https://sites.bu.edu/nehajami/the-four-languages/hausa/hausa-manuscripts/falke-1107-wattanin-ajamawa/


Manuscript

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