Nana Asmāʾu: The Authentic Path (Nana Asmāʾu: Godaben Gaskiya)
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| Title | Nana Asmāʾu: The Authentic Path (Nana Asmāʾu: Godaben Gaskiya) |
| Author or Owner | Nana Asmāʾu (author) or Nana Asma’u |
| Subject | Belief, Exhortation, Prophet Muhammad, Female Poets, Nana Asma’u, Sokoto Caliphate, Judgement Day, Virtues, Rituals |
| Content | This manuscript is a panegyric poem composed by Nana Asma’u (1793-1864), the Daughter of Shehu Usmanu ɗan Fodio (1754-1817). The poem is written in Hausa Ajami, using the Maghribi writing style, and vocalized throughout. As with most Hausa Ajami poems nicknamed Tabbat Haqiqan (The Absolute Truth), the opening is a short introduction. The author first expresses her thanks to the Almighty Allah, Lord of the worlds, followed by prayers, seeking Allah’s blessings on the Prophet Muhammad.
This poem is essentially praise, appreciation, and greetings to Prophet Muhammad. It describes him as a trustworthy and chosen person, noble yet humble, generous, and compassionate. It also includes an admonition to humankind in general and to Muslims in particular to be faithful and abstain from sin. It further describes the various kinds of punishment reserved for sinners on Judgement Day. Finally, the poem discusses the luxuries in the hereafter reserved for those who fear Allah. It describes how the heirs to paradise will live happily ever after without death or any worry, and importantly, for eternity. |
| Genre | Poetry |
| Language | Hausa |
| Script | Hausa Ajami |
| Manuscript condition | 10 pages (pp 1-10). 17 x 21 cm. + front and back covers.
Condition: Fully vocalized. |
| Type | Offset MS |
| Publisher | Shina Commercial Press |
| Provenance | Zaria, Nigeria |
| Source Reference | Nana Asma’u, “Waƙoƙin Nana Asma’u” (nd). Courtesy of Northwestern University Libraries. Click here for the source link. |
| 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, Babacar Dieng, Rebecca Shereikis, Daivi Rodima-Taylor, Alison Parker, Frank Antonelli, Shawn Provencal, Eric Schmidt, and Mark Lewis. |
| Required citation information | Fallou Ngom (PI), Daivi Rodima-Taylor, Jennifer Yanco, Mustapha Hashim Kurfi, Garba Zakari, Babacar Dieng, and Rebecca Shereikis. 2022. “The Authentic Path.” https://sites.bu.edu/nehajami/the-four-languages/hausa/hausa-manuscripts/hunwick-95-1-godaben-gaskiya/ |
Manuscript
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Transcription and Translations
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