H A U SA G RA M MA R

“T T H

E XE R CI SE S , R E A D I NG S , A ND VO CA B UL A R I E S

C H AR L E S O B I NS O N, M A
H .

§ . .

L EC T URE R m H A U SA m m s v m v snsx w o r cm nx m c z , n o n . CAN ON

0 1? R i P O N, A UT H OR OF H A U SA m c rl ox n
'
v, st m
'
s
O F H A U SA L I TERAT U RE " ETC .
,

AND

M AJ O R J A L D E R B U R D O N M A
.
, . .
,

F OR M E R L Y H AU SA SC H O L A R O F CH R lST S CO L L EG E CA M BR l DG E
’
, ,

R ESI D E NT OF SO KO TO P R OV l NCE N Ni G ER l A , .

”
sun sani su sun y i tarki p. 1 28, I 3)
.

NE W A ND R E VI S E D E D I TI ON

Q
L O ND ON

K EG A N P A U L , TR E N CH , TR U B NER
D R Y D EN H OUSE , 43 , G ERRA R D ST R EET ,

1 905
 B Y TH E SA M E A U TH OR

A Dict io n ary of the H au sa Lan g u ag e . V ol . I .

H au sa Eng sh
-
li
Dem 8v o . y . 1 23 . n et. Vo lu m
I I E n g sh e . li
H au sa D em 8 v o
. y
95 n et. . .
(P u b lished by the C a d e mbri g
U n iv ersity ress )P .

S pecim en s of H au s a L ite r at u reC o n sistin g o f .

o e m s an d hi sto ri cal ex tracts re rod u ced in facsi m il e in the

p p
o ri gin al character tog ether w i th translation transli terati on an d
, , ,

n o tes . Sm al l 4to 1 0s n et (
.C am b ri d g e U n.i v er si ty
. P r ess ) .

H au salan d ; o r, Fiftee n H u n d red M iles t h ro u g h

t he S u d an T hi rd . Popu la r ii
E d t on . I llu st ated r . 23 . 6d .

( Sam pson Lo w C o ) .

Nig er ia : Ou r Latest P ro tecto r ate With M ap

.

an d n u m ero u s I llustrations .
5s .
(H o r a e M a shall
c C ) r o .

M o ham m ed an is m : H as it an y F u tu re ? W ith a
special referen ce to the p o spects o f r M oham m edan ism in
H ansal an d I s 6d
.
(W ell s G ar
.d er . n Co .
)
 P R E FA C E

TH E first e d ition of G ramm ar was p u bl ishe d in 1 89 7

this .

S in ce the n co n sid e rabl e ad d ition s hav e bee n m ad e to the

stu dy o f the l an g u ag e , bo th in E n g l an d an d in G e r m an
y .

I n the p r e p aratio n o f the p re se n t e d itio n , which d iffe rs in

m an y r e sp e cts fro m the fo r m e r I hav e o btain e d the co
,
-

o p e ratio n o f M a j o r B u rdo n , the p re se n t G o v e rn o r

o f S o ko to , who has l iv e d fo r m an ea r s in cl o se in te rco u rse
y y
with the n ativ e s M aj o r B u rd o n v e ry kin d ly bro u g ht o v er
.

to E n g l an d a we ll e d u cate d H au sa M all am , who se p re se n ce

-

in E n gl an d fo r six m on ths, d u rin g which the g ram m ar was

written was o f the g re ate st se rv ice E v e ry se n te n ce g iv e n
,
.

in the e x e rcise s an d in the key attached to the m has e ithe r

bee n su gg e sted o r app ro v e d by a H au sa n ativ e I d e sir e to
.

e xp r e ss m y in d e bte d n e ss al so to D r W M ill e r a m issio n ary

. .
,

o f the C M S in N ig e r ia who has k in d ly r e ad m an y o f the

. . .
,

p ro o fs an d m ad e se v e ral he lp fu l su gg e stion s ; the p roo f

shee ts hav e al so bee n r e ad by M r W H . B rooks, M A
. . . .
,
’
for m e r l y H au sa scho l ar o f C hrist s C o ll eg e , C am br idg e To .

M r B ro o ks I am fu rthe r in d e bte d fo r the gr e ate r p art o f

.

the N o te s o n H au sa P hon o l ogy which are in se rte d by

,

p e rm ission of the C am bridg e U n iv e rsity P re ss fro m the ,

H au sa D iction ary whe re they fi rst app eared The re ad

, .

“ ”
in g,
e n titl e d T he C o u n try W he re the S u n rise s ,

which app e ared in the fi rst editio n o f the G ram m ar ,

was su ppl ied to m e by M r H e r m an n H arris who
.
,

stu d ie d H au sa fo r m an y y e ars in N o rth A frica T he .

war so n g o n pp 1 2 5 1 3 6 was o btain e d by M aj o r B u r d o n

.
-

fro m a H au sa M all am at S o ko to I t affo r d s a rare e x am pl e

.
vi PR E F AC E

of the u se o f r h
y th m by th e H au sas . I am in d e b te d to the

gr am m ar p u b l ishe d by M isch lich ,

in B e r l in in 1 02
9 , fo r

se v e r al o f the H au sa p r o v e r bs in se r te d in this G r am m ar ,

tho u g h in m o st in stan ce s I hav e n o t bee n abl e to ad o pt the

m e an in g which the n ativ e s in T og o lan d app ar e n tly attac h
to the se p ro v e rbs . I am al so fu r the r in d e bte d to him fo r
o n e su g e stion ack n o wl e d e d o n p I h ad t th
g g 44 n ,
.n o e
.

o f see in g C ap t M e r r ick s in te r e stin g v o l u m e

’
o pp o r tu n it
y .

e n titl e d H au sa P ro v e rbs till the whol e o f this G r am m ar

“ ”

was in p r in t .

A s this G r am m ar is chie fl y in te n d e d fo r the u se o f o ffi ce r s

an d civ il se r v an ts be g in n in g the stu dy o f the l an g u ag e , e v e ry
e n d e av o u r has bee n m ad e to r en d e r it as sim pl e as p ossibl e ,

an d a key has bee n attache d to the e x e r cise s so that the ,

stu d e n t who is witho u t a te ache r m ay be ab l e to co r r e ct his

o wn m istak e s . Fo r the sam e re aso n the fi r st hal f o f the

G ram m ar has bee n p rin te d in R o m an characte rs an d the ,

se co n d hal f has bee n p r in te d in R o m an as w e ll as in the

H au sa characte rs I t is thu s p o ssibl e to re ad the who l e
.

witho u t acqu irin g a kn owl e dg e o f the wr itte n l an g u ag e ,

tho u g h this l atte r is str o n g ly to be r e co m m e n d e d to se r io u s

stu d e n ts o f t he l an g u ag e .

I wo u l d tak e this o pp o rtu n ity o f app e al in g to all stu d e n ts

o f H au sa who m ay be will in g to assist, for su gg e stio n s w hich
m ay he lp to m ak e this G ram m ar an d a n ew e d itio n o f the
H au sa D ictio n ary , p u blishe d by the C am br idg e U n ive rsity
Pr e ss, m or e g e n e rally u sefu l .

T he l e tter s A , B , C , & c u se d in the G ram m ar r e fe r to

.
,
“
the p o e m s d e n o te d by the se l e tte r s in the Sp e cim en s o f
H au sa L ite ratu r e , p u bl ishe d by the C am br idg e U n iv e rsity
P re ss T he u se o f brack e ts an d the sy ste m o f tran sl ite ratio n
.

ad o p te d is expl ain e d o n p 8 affi x e d to a wo rd d e n ote s

‘

. .

that it is n o t g e n e r ally u se d in the co ll o q u ial .

C H AR L E S H R O B I NSO N . .

L y n woo d , Lim psfi eld .

A ug u st, r 90 5 .
 C O NTE NT S

I NT R OD U CTI O N

C H AP .

T he perso n al pron o u n s, the

“ ” “
l .
-
v erb s to be an d to
”
hav e
I I — D em o n strativ e,
. re l ativ e an d in terrog ativ e pro n ou n s,
,

fo rm ation o f th e g en itiv e, the n eg ativ e

III .
— I n d efi n ite , r ecipro ca , l an d refle x ive p ro n o u n s, the
u ses o f m az an d m a
’

n ou n , ag en t,
IV .
—T he po ssessiv e pro n ou n s , separab e l an d in separab le
form s
V — T he . v erb ten se fo rm ation s, the l
v erb a su b stan tiv e

VI — The fu tu re ten se, the in fi n itiv e, u ses of ban an d

’

. saz

VlI .
-
T he passiv e v o ice, the im perativ e m oo d o f the activ e
an d passiv e v o ices, the n eg ative o f the su bju n ct iv e,

an d the im perativ e, par ticip es in l Me an d size

VII I — The ter m in al
. vo wel s o f H au sa v erb s, v ar io u s v erba l
su ffi x es , r ed u
p l icatio n o f v erba l fo rm s
1X . P repo sition s, v ar io u s m ean i ng s of the wo rd '
da

X .
— F orm ation o f the p l u ral , p atro n m ics,
y su b stan tiv es

en d in g in c/ u o r ta
’

—
X L T he n u m era s l
XI I — H au sa g en d ers, ist
. l o f sim p e l adjectiv es, past par
ticiples u sed as ad ectiv es, j d eg re es o f co m pariso n
XML— A dv erb s, co n u n ctio n s, an d
j in terjectio n s
X V
I — F o rm s . l
o f sa u tation , h ou r s of the d ay , d ay s o f the

week, m o n ths, poi n ts o f the co m pass,

n am es o f the

ex pressio n s u se d in b u y in g an d sell in g

XV — U ses o f the. su b stan tiv e v erb s a an d n a, id io m atic

M, abzm ra
“

of m g u m , an d c/zzzu o
'
' '

u ses y r, 7 .

U ses o f d am a, bah t , an d M a; so m e co ll oq u ial

e x pr ession s . P ro v erb s an d p r ov erb ial e x pression s
 CO NT E NT S

Key to E x ercises

H au sa A l phabet
T he Lo rd ’
s P ray er in H au sa
A War S o n g
T he C aptu re o f Khartu m d escr ib ed b y a H au sa Nativ e
T he O wl, the H awk, an d the K ite
T ran sl iteration an d tran sl atio n o f the H au sa poem facin g
l
tit e pag e
-

A Letter ad d ressed to the K in g of Z in d er

T he C o u n try where the S u n r ises

T he Cerem on ies perfo rm ed at M ecca

Notes on H au sa P hon ol og y
H au sa E ng l ish Vo cabu lary
-

E n g l ish H ausa V ocab u l ary

-
 H A USA G RAM M AR

I NT R O D U CT I O N

HAU SA is p ro babl y the m ost wid e ly sp o ke n l an gu ag e o n the

-

co n tin e n t o f A fr ica .The co u n try in habite d by the H au sas ,

e x te n d in g ro u g hly sp e akin g fro m lat 8 N to 1 4 N an d

, ,
. .

fro m l on g 4 E to 1 1 E an d in cl u d in g abo u t hal f a m ill io n

. . .
,

sq u ar e m il e s, co n tain s a p o p u l atio n which is e stim ate d at

twe n ty fi v e m ill io n s
-
O f the se abo u t fi ftee n m ill io n s are
.
,

b e l ie ve d to spe ak the H au sa l an g u ag e o r in o the r wo rd s, , ,

the H au sa sp eakin g p e o pl e fo r m o n e per ce n t o f the who l e

-
.

p o pu l atio n of the wo rl d H au sa m o re o v er acts as a so rt o f

.
, ,

l zng u a f r an ca an d as the l an g u age o f tr ad e far o u tsid e the

'

, ,

actu al l im its o f H au salan d S e ttl e m e n ts of H au sa sp e akin g

.
-

p e o pl e are to be fo u n d in pl ace s as far se p arate d fro m o n e

an o the r as S u akim , A l e x an d r ia T rip o l i T u n is, an d L ag os
, ,

an d H au sa carav an s are co n stan tl y p assin g to an d fro be

twee n all the se pl ace s an d H au salan d p ro p e r I t is by n o .

m e an s in con ce iv abl e that the d ay m ay y et co m e whe n fo u r

lan g u ag es will d o m in ate the e n tir e co n tin e n t o f A fr ica .

T he se will be E n g l ish Arabic, S wahil i an d H au sa E ngl ish

, ,
.

will be the l an g u ag e o f the so u th, A rabic o f the n o rth ,

whil st S wahil i an d H au sa will d iv id e betwee n the m e aste r n
an d we ste r n tro p ical A fr ica .

A p art fro m the wid e sp re ad o f the l an g u ag e in the

p re se n t an d its p r o sp e cts fo r the fu tu re , the stu dy o f Hau sa
m ay p ro v e o f in te re st o win g to its p o ssibl e co n n e ction in
B
2 H A U SA G RA M M A R

e ar ly tim e s with the S e m itic g ro u p o f l an gu age s I t is at .

p r e se n t su r ro u n d e d by so m e hal f d oze n o ther l an g u ag e s

-

n o o n e o f which has as et b ee n tho r o u g hl m a ste re d by

y y
an y E u r o p e an stu d e n t an d the stu d y o f which will n o
,

d o u bt thro w co n sid e rabl e l ig ht u p o n the p r o bl e m In .

so far as it is p o ssibl e to fo r m an y o p in io n o n the

co n n e ctio n be twee n H au sa an d the S e m itic l an g u ag e s ,

it wo u ld ce r tain ly see m that H au sa has so m e cl aim to

be r eg ard e d as a S e m itic l an g u ag e Q u it e a th ir d o
. f t h e

wo r d s which it co n tain s are o bvio u sly con n e cte d with

S e m itic r oo ts .

The sim pl e st fo rm s o f th e p e r so n al p r o n o u n s with two ,

o r p e r h ap s thr ee e x ce p tio n s ar e S e m itic ,

The co n n e ctio n .

b e twee n H au sa an d the S e m itic l an g u ag es— o r W hat he r e ,

co m e s to the sam e t hin g be twee n H au sa an d A r abic

,
— is
far cl o se r than can be at all satisfacto r ily e xpl ain e d o n the
su pp o sitio n that the fo r m e r has sim pl b ee n m o d ifi e d by
y
t he l atte r as the r e su l t o
,
f the sp r e ad o f M o ham m e d an ism
in the co u n try an e ve n t which has o n ly o ccu r re d with in
,

t he p r e se n t ce n tu ry A s an ad d itio n al r e aso n fo r assu m in g

.

the p o ssibil ity o f a S e m itic o r ig in fo r the l an g u ag e m ay be

m e n tio n e d the fact that the g e n e r al be l ief o f the H au sa
p e opl e is that in v e ry e arly tim e the ir an ce sto r s cam e fr o m
t he far e ast away be y o n d M e cca T he d ifficu l tie s o n the
.
,

o the r han d in the way o f r eg ard in g it as a d e fi n ite l y

,

S e m itic l an g u ag e ar e g r e at if n o t in su p er abl e
,
Two .

thir d s o f the v o cabu l ary be ar n o r e se m bl an ce whate v e r to

Arabic the harsh gu ttu r al so u n d s o f the A r abic are wan tin g
, ,

an d the e x iste n ce o f tr il ite r al r o o ts the d istin ctiv e char ac ,

teristic o f th e S e m itic l an g u ag e s is to say the l e ast , , ,

ex tre m e ly d o u btfu l .

I n atte m p ts which hav e bee n m ad e to cl assify the m o d e rn

l an g u ag e s o f A frica it has bee n the u su al cu sto m to p lace
t ho se as y et e x am in e d u n d e r o n e o f thr ee g r o u p s v iz ,
.

S e m itic H am itic an d B an tu
, ,
T he fi rst in cl u d e s A r ab ic
.

an d A ethio pic the l ast a l arg e n u m be r o f l an g u ag e s sou th

,
 H AU S A G RA M M A R 3

of the e q u ato r , the d istin g u ishin g character istic of the g ro u p

b e in g the abse n ce o f g e n d e r in fl ex io n , the u se o f n o m in al

p r e fi x e s fo r the p u r p o se o f d e si n atin
g g cl a ss an d the u se o f ,

p r o n o m in al p r efi x e s .

T he se co n d d iv isio n the H am itic was fo r m e rly tr e at e d

, ,

as a su bd iv isio n o f the S e m itic tho u g h it is n o w g e n e ral ly

,

r e g ar d e d as d istin ct fr o m it I t in cl u d e s C o p tic B e rb e r
.
, ,

an d p ro bab ly H au sa Po ssibly the H o tte n to t lan g u ag e s o f

.

S o u th A fr ica, which, u n l ike the B an tu l an g u ag e s by which

they ar e su rro u n d e d , p o sse ss a r eg u l ar g e n d e r in fl ex io n ,

b e ar so m e r el atio n to this g ro u p .

M Re n an sp e akin g o f the l imits o f this g ro u p , say s

.
,

We m u st thu s assig n the Egy p tian l an g u ag e an d civil iza

tio n to a d istin ct fam il y which we m ay call if we will ,, ,

H am itic To this sam e g ro u p be l o n g , d o u btl e ss the n o n

.
,

S e m itic d ial e cts of A by ssin ia an d N u bia F u tu re re search .

will sho w whe ther , as has b ee n co nj e ctu r e d the in d ig e n o u s ,

l an gu ag e s to the n o r th o f A fr ica the B e rbe r an d the ,

T n ar ek fo r e xam pl e which app e ar to r ep re se n t the L iby an

, ,

an d an cie n t N u m id ian o u g ht to be assig n e d to the sam e

,

fam ily . I t app e ar s at an y r ate as the r e su l t o f the

l ate st e xpl o r atio n s which have bee n m ad e in C e n tr al A fr ica ,

that the T u arek is sim pl y B e rb e r ap ar t fr o m A rab ic in

fl u en ce an d that a d istin ct fam ily o f l an g u ag e s an d p e o pl e s
,

e x te n d s in A fr ica fro m the E gy p tian o asis an d e ve n fro m ,

t he R ed S ea to S e n eg al an d fro m the M e d i te r ran e an to

, ,
” 1
the N ig e r .

U n for tu n ate ly n o stu d e n t e ithe r o f B e r be r o r of C o p tic

,

has as y et had the o pp o r tu n ity o f stu dy in g H au sa .

T he v ario u s d ial e cts to which the n am e B er ber has bee n

iv e n ar e sp o k e n thro u g ho u t the g r e ate r p ar t o f A fr ica
g
n o r th o f t he S ahara an d w e st o f an d in cl u d in g T r ip o li .

They in cl u d e the Tu arek spo ke n o n the bo r d e rs o f the

,

r e at d e se r t t h e K ab le sp o k e n i n A lg e r ia a n d G u an che
g y ,

1
H i tlair e aer lang u es sém ztiq ues, par E rn est R enan , 89
’
I . 2. .
4 H AU SA G RAM M AR

the l an g u ag e which was in u se in the C an ary I sl an d s at the

tim e o f the Sp an ish co n q u e st The p re se n t B e r be r d ial e cts
.

are the d e sce n d an ts o f the an cie n t L iby an o r N u m id ian ,

which o n ce p r e vail ed thr o u g ho u t the who l e o f N o r th A fr ica ,

to which S A u g u stin e r e fe r re d whe n he wro te

. in A fr ica
”
barbaras g e n te s in u n a l in g u a plu rim as n o v im u s T he
.

n u m be r o f tho se who s e ak B e rb e r in A l e r ia at the p re se n t

p g
tim e is B erbe r is u su ally writte n in the Arabic
characte r s, bu t trace s o f a d istin ctiv e alp habe t are to be m et

with am on g st ce r tain o f the Tu areks who sp e ak a d ial ect

ca l l e d T am a she k. This o rig in al alp habe t which b e ars n o
,

r e se m bl an ce to A r abic, was p r o babl a t o n e tim e co m m o n

y
to all the B e r be r d ial e cts, an d was d ispl ace d whe n the
-

in tro d u ctio n o f M o ham m e d an ism was fo ll o we d by the

in tro d u ctio n o f the K o r an an d o f the A rabic char acte rs .

The fo ll o win g p o in ts are o f in te r e st as te n d in g to thro w

so m e l ig ht u p o n the co n n e ctio n b e twee n H au sa an d B e rbe r

o r o the r n e ig hb o u r in g l an g u ag e s .

T he gen itive in H au sa is u su ally d e n o te d by n o r n a thu s

“
the d o o r o f the ho u se
”
wo u l d be k o fan g id d a o r ko fa,

n a g id d a . T his m e tho d of fo rm in g the g e n itiv e is co m m on

to b o th B e rbe r an d C o p tic .

U n l ike m o st o f the o the r l an g u age s by which it is su r

r o u n d e d , H au sa p o sse sse s a reg u l ar g en der f or mation , the

e n e r al r u l e b e in g that all wo r d s d e n o tin g the fe m al e sex

g ,

an d in ad d itio n all wo r d s e n d in g in a, ar e fe m in in e . I n on e
o r two in stan ce s the B e rb e r m e tho d o f fo r m in g the fe m in in e

by prefi x in g a t is to be m et with, thu s n ag ar i

“ ”
, g o o d ,

fem t ag ar i
. .

The n ou n agen t in H au sa is fo r m e d in a m an n e r cl o se ly
-

r e se m bl in g th e A rab ic, v iz by pre fix in g m a o r m ai to a

.

v er b , su bstan tive , o r adj e ctiv e .

I n the S e m itic l an gu ag e s p ro p e r the ver bal stem u n d e rg o e s

a se rie s o f chan g e s by the ad d itio n of v ar io u s p r e fi x e s by
, ,

d o u bl in g o n e o f the e xistin g co n so n an ts o r by m o d ifi catio n

,

o f the v o we l so u n d s I n this way so m e fi fteen v o ice s o r

.
 H AU S A GRA M M A R 5

chan g s o f e m ean in g of a similar charact r

e ar e o btain ed . In
the Be e l an g u ag e the r e are ten su ch v o ices tho u g h the ,

chan g e s in the v e rbal ste m d o n o t bear an y cl o se r esem

bl an ce to tho se o f A rab ic T he re d oes n o t ap pear to be

.

an y thin g par alle l to this in the F u lah l an gu ag e which ,

ex ists sid e by sid e with Hau sa in m an y parts o f W este rn

A fr ica I n H au sa the r e are app ar en tly traces o f fo u r o r
.

fi v e su ch chan g es bu t with on e e xce p tio n v iz the fo rm a

, ,
.

tio n o f the p assiv e v o ice the chan g e s in the so u n d o f the

,

wo rd s d o n o t co r re sp on d to an y u n ifo r m chan g e s o f m ean

in g . The fo r m ation o f the passi ve voice in H au sa be ars a
strikin
g r e se m b l an ce to the V I I th fo r m o f the A r abic o r th e

Niphal o f the H ebrew, bo th o f which are u se d in a m iddl e

o r re fl e x iv e se n se .

A ll the l an g u ag es by which Hau sa is su rro u n d ed an d ,

which I hav e bee n abl e to ex am in e at all fo r m the ir ,

n u mer als with fi v e as a base I n B e rbe r the base was

.
.

o r ig in ally fi v e , tho u g h fo r n u m be r s h ig he r than fo u r it n o w

e m pl oy s n u m er al s sim ilar to the A rabic I n F u l ah , .

B o r n u ese an d N u pe the thr ee m o st im p o rtan t l an g u ag e s

, ,

b o r d erin g o n H au sa the n u m e r als are fo r m e d o n a base o f

,

fi v e b u t e xce p t in the case o f the hig he r n u mbe rs, which

h av e been o bv io u sly b orr o we d within r e ce n t tim e s fro m
A rabic, they b ear n o r e se m bl an ce to the S e m itic n u m e ral s .

T he H au sas p o sse ss an o rig in al sy ste m o f n u m e ration

fr o m o n e to a tho u san d , tho u g h fro m twe n ty u p ward s
n u m b e rs bo rr owe d fro m A r abic are tho se m o st co m m o n ly

u sed . T he o r ig in al H au sa n u m e ral s we re app ar e n tly

fo rm e d with fi v e as a base .

T he person al p r on ou ns in H au sa with th ree e x ce p tio n s, ,

o n e o f which sh i he has p e r haps bee n bo r ro we d fro m

“ ”
, , ,

the B o rn u ese be ar a cl o se r ese m bl an ce to the A rabic, a

,

m u ch clo se r r e se m bl an ce , m o r eo v e r , than they b e ar to the

B erbe r The r est o f the p ron ou n s in F u l ah an d those in
.
,

N u pe an d B o r n u ese , be ar n o r e se m bl an ce to tho se in H au sa
o r in A rabic .
6 H AU SA GRAM MAR

T he ly coin ciden ces oeizveen t/ze H au sa an d Coptic v o cabu

on

l ary which I hav e bee n abl e to fi n d are the H au sa so which , ,

when con n e cted with a n u m e ral m e an s tim e o r tim e s

,
“ “ ”
,

cf u se o f C o p tic so
.
p. T h e H a u sa fu d u fo
, u r, see m s to b e
“
the C o p tic fl u an d the H au sa d u b u ,
”
,
tho u san d ,
m ay
p e rhap s be the C o p tic t/zoa, m e an in g ten tho u san d .

H au sa has been r e d u ce d to wr itin g fo r at l e ast a ce n tu ry ,

an d p ossibly v e ry m u ch l o n g e r . N ativ e schoo l s, in which
t h e chil d re n ar e tau g ht to r e ad an d write , e x ist thr o u g ho u t
the W ho l e o f the co u n try . T he l ite ratu r e e x istin g in the
co u n try co n sists ch ie fly o f r e l ig io u s an d warl ik e so n g s .

T ran sl atio n s fr o m A rabic histo rie s an d l egal d o cu m e n ts

,

ar e al so in circu l atio n . De sp ite the fact that the Hau sa

l an g u ag e is sp o ke n o v e r su ch an e n o r m o u s are a the ,

d iffer e n ce be twee n its v ario u s d ial e cts is co m p ar ativ e ly

sl ig ht . I n the to wn o f S o ko to t he l an g u ag e has bee n
in fl u e n ce d to a l arg e e x te n t by the F u l ah, b u t e v e n a
n ativ e o f S o ko to se l d o m e xp e r ie n ce s an r e al d ifli cu lt in
y y
m ak in g him se l f u n d e r sto o d e l se whe re .
 P R O N U N CI A TI O N .

TH E E n g l ish l e tte rs u se d in tr an sl ite ratin g H au sa in this

G r amm ar are p ro n o u n ce d as fo ll o ws
a as the a in f at/zen
b as in E n g l ish T he re are a few wo rd s su ch as d eb e to
.
,

d raw o u t, kwab e to m ix in which the o is pro ,

n o u n ced with a k in d o f in t e rr u p te d br e athin g ; as

the d iffe re n ce b e twee n the two o s is sl ig ht, n o

’

atte m p t has b ee n m ad e to d istin g u ish the m in this

r am m ar
g .

ch a so ft c!: as in clzu r clz o r cizer ry .

d as in E n g l ish .

1
( a har d (1, in the p ron u n ciatio n o f which the p o in t o f the
to n g u e to u ch e s the e d g e o f the u pp e r tee th a so r t ,

o f (i t, which so m e what r e se m bl e s the F r e n ch o r

G e r m an t .

e as the a in f ate .

f r e p r e se n ts u su all
y the E n g l ish j bu t in c e rta in wo
,
rd s ,

e g
. . fu sh i anger , the f re p r e se n ts a so r t o f bil ab ial
,

so u n d which m ig ht al m ost be wr itte n j/z

,
.

g a har d g as in g ate, n e v e r a so ft g as in gen iu s .

h as in E n g l ish al way s p ro n o u n ce d whe n in se r te d .

i as the i in ravin e o r as cc in f eet .

j as in E n g lish .

k as in E n gl ish .

is a su b pal atal
-

g u ttu r a l k . The
Hau sa te r m fo r it is
k m air u a i e the wate ry k it is so call e d be cau se
,
. .

the p e rso n p r o n o u n cin g this k p u ts his m o u th in to

su ch a p o sitio n that he app ear s to be shoo tin g o u t

wate r fro m the thro at .

kh a ro u gh fo r m of the S co tch ch in loch I t re se m bl e s .

the so u n d m ad e in try in g to raise so m e thin g in the

thro at .
8 H AU S A GRAMMAR

1 as in E n gl ish . w
The r e
( h e is he ar d al so an I
r e p e rfect

co n tact is n o t m ad e o f the b l ad e o f the to n u e with

g
the p al ate ) in te r m e diate be twee n r an d I ; thu s we
m ay write j ar ir i o r jar ili an in fan t , .

as in E n g l ish .

0 o as in mote .

p as in E n gl ish I n the H au sa wr itte n

. char act r e 1) an d 5
bo th app e ar as o; the so u n d s ar e fr e q u e n tly in te r
chan g e d .

r as in E n g l ish S ee al so u n d er 1
. .

s
as in E n g hsh .

sh

t as in E n g l ish .

u u as in fl u te
,
o r oo as in tool .

w w as in win .

y y as in y ar d . I t is n e v e r us e d ex ce p t as a co n so n an t .

2 as in E n g l ish .

ai as i in ice .

au as ow in flow .

Tlee gen er al r u les o

f tlze sy stem f
o tr an sliter ation adopted ar e .

() a all co n so n an ts are p r o n o u n ce d a s in E n
g l is h .

()
b a ll v o w e l s ar e p r o n o u n ce d a s in I ta l ian .

()
c v o w e l s a r e sho r te n e d in s o u n d b y d o u b l in g the

fo ll o win g co n son an t .

W her e the co n so n an t is r ep e ate d the actu al so u n d o f the

co n so n an t is in te n d e d to b e r e p eate d in H au sa th u s am m a , ,

bu t is p ro n o u n ce d am m a
,
W he r e the se co n d co n so n an t
-
.

is br acke ted it is in te n d e d to sho wthat the p r e ce d in g v o we l

,

is sho r te n e d , b u t that the con so n an t is n o t so u n d e d twice ;

”
t hu s t af( f ) i, to g o , p ro n o u n ce d l ik e the E n g l ish T affy .

T he actu al so u n d o f se v e ral o f the se l e tte r s e sp e ciall y o f ,

b d f k an d r can be acq u ir e d by in te rco u rse with

, , , , ,

n ativ e s o n l
y .
 C H A PT E R I .

1 . There is no ar ticle in Hausa .

.
Thu s m u tu m m e an s
m an , a m an , or the m an .

2 The dis
.
ju nctive per sonal pr onou ns which wo u ld be used
to an swe r the q u e stio n W ho ? are as fo ll ows

I u i we
tho u (m) . kai
()
f . he
he sh i

she ita they

3 . The obliqu e cases o f i be p er son al p r on ou ns, ie

. . tho s e
which wo u l d be us ed to an swe r the q u e stio n W ho m are
as fo ll o ws

me u i
thee (m .
) ka
f
()
. ki
him sh i (
o r sa )
1

h er ta

4 . The form s p e rso n al p ro n ou n s which are u sed

of the
will: the simplestf or m of tlze ver b to d e n o te the p e rfe ct te n se
(cf p. 2 7) ar e. as fo ll ow s

I na mun
tho u ( m ) ka .

(f k i n

y a
ta they su n

1 sa is a rar er form, an d shou d n o t he u sed by the beg n n er ex cept

l i
with the prepo s t on m a, to ; e g m asa, to him ; m ata, to her (see
ii . .

e x p an at o n , chap
l i .
I O H AU S A G RA M M A R

It will
ee n fr o m what has b ee n said that ther e
be s ar e

th ree d istin ct se ts o f p e rso n al p r o n o u n s They m ay . be

co m p ar e d with the co r re sp o n d in g thr ee se ts in F r e n ch

as su b
j ect o ver b f .

m oi u i me u i j
e n a
to i (
m .
) k ai te (
m .
) ka tu (m .
) ka
()
f . ke ()
f. ki ()
f . ki
sh i sh i y a
it a ta ta

“
5 . T he fo r m s of the su bstan tive ver b to be (
a m IS ar t,
ar e) which ar e m o st co m m o n ly us ed ar e , m asc .
,
n o or ke ;
fe m .
,
he or p ro n o u n s u se d with the m ar e
ch e . T he the
fi rst o r d isj u n ctiv e fo r m s Ex s h i n e s ar iki he is a he ad . .
,

m an t s o fu a ch e o r it a t so fu a ch e , she is an o ld
.
,

wo m an n i fal k e n e , I am a trad e r k u fat ak e n e , y o u

.
‘
.

“ ”
are tra d er s F o r the fu tu r e o f the v e r b to be se e p 3 2
. . .

The u se o f the su bstan tiv e v e rb a is e xpl ain e d l ate r o n .

“
6 T he ver b to bave m ay b e r e n d e r e d in H au sa by the
.

u se o f the se fo r m s, n e k e ch e fo ll o we d b th e p r e p o sitio n
y , , ,

d a with
,
Ex : u i k e d a d o ki I hav e a ho rse lit , I am
. .
, ,
.

with a ho rse .

7 A n o u n can n o t be u se d as the d ire ct su bj e ct of a v e rb

.
,

o the r than the su bstan tiv e v e r b A p ro n o u n m u st al so .

be u se d befor e the v e rb Ex : the m an we n t can n o t be . .

r e n d e r e d m u tu m t af f i bu t m u t u m f f i
() , y a t a () ,

VO CAB U LA R Y I .

d o ki ho r se
s ar iki he ad m an , or k in g
b awa sl av e
fal k e , pl fat ake . tr ad e r
m u tu m , pl m u t an e . m an
m ach e wo m an
y ar o ,
pl .
y ar a boy
 CHA PT E R II .

1 The demon str ative pr on ou n s are

'

this ( e ar b
y) ,
n w0 d(d) an an o r
pl the se
. wad(d) an an
wo g (g ) a wo d(d) an g a o r
wad (d) an g a

n an

wach an wo d (d) an ch an
that ( v e o )
r the r e ,
o r wad ( d ) an
pl those.

ch an

ch an

The fo rm s -
n a
g , -
r g a, -
lg a, are ed
us as su ffix e s to n o u n s ,

l atte r two fo r m s be in g su fl ix ed fe m in in e n o u n s
‘
the to .

thu s l it afi n g a, this bo o k k
o far g a, o r k o fal g a, this door .

The fo rm s n an an d ch an , which are the sam e in the

sin g ul ar an d pl u r al fo ll o w the n o u n to which they are
,

attache d whe re as the r e m ain in g fo r m s p r e ce d e it

,
Thu s .

wo n an lit afi o r l it afi n n an this bo ok wo ch an h ain y a ,

o r h ain y a ch an , that wa ;
y w o d(d) a n an m u t an e o r

m u t an e n an the se m en ,I n case s whe r e n an o r ch an

.

is u se d the p re ce d in g wo r d fr e q u e n tl y su fli x es 11
,
Ex .

m ach e n n an t his wo m an ; y ar o n ch an that boy ; ab u

, , ,

thin g be co m e s ab i n
,
Ex : ab in n an ab in ch an
. .
,
.

wo n an wo n an an d n an n an are e q u iv al e n t

to this that ; thu s k a s o wo n an l it afi k o wo n an ,

d id y o u wish fo r this b oo k o r fo r that ? T he e xp r e ssio n

 H AU S A GRA M M A R 1 3

sh i ke n an l
(it it
. is this) is v e r
y co m m o n ly u sed to d e n o te
all ri
g h t that is so .

2 T he or d in ary
. r elative p r on ou n (i e who , which
. .
, an d the
ob j e c tiv e w h o m ) is w a n d a f e m w a,d d a pl w
. ad(d) a n d a , . .

A ll thr ee fo rm s are fr equ e n tly con tracte d to d a which d oe s ,

n o t v ar
y fo r th e fe m in in e o r fo r t h e pl u ral B e f
.
o r e th e .

ab bre v iate d form of the r e l ativ e , d a the g e n itiv al n ( or,

fe m r ) is fre q u e n tly su flixed to the p re ce din g word

. Ex .

d o ki d a y a g u d u y a fad i o r d o k in d a y a g u d u y a
,

fad i the ho rse that ran away fe ll d o wn ; akwia d a k a

,

g a n i o r,ak w i a r d a k a g an i t he sh e g oa t
, w hich y o u sa w -
.

W he n the r e l ativ e p ro n o u n is u se d as a n o m in ativ e it m u st

be fo ll o we d by the p e rso n al pro n o u n , thu s, y ar o wan d a
y a g u d u
( y
n o t a r o w a n d a g u d u ), th e bo y w h o r an a w ay .

W he n the re l ativ e p ro n o u n d en otes the obj e ctive or accu sa

tiv e case a p e rson al p ro n o u n in the obj e ctiv e case is
,

u su all y ad d e d afte r the v e rb thu s, m u tu m , wan d a ka

n e m e sh i the m an who m y o u so u g ht (lit who m y o u
, .

so u g ht him ) .

ab in d a (fro m ab u , a thin g d a which) is u se d as a

,
-
,

r e l ativ e p r on o u n to sign ify

“
that which or what ”
.

3 I n terr og ative pr on ou n s
. The fo ll o win g p ron o u n s ar e
u se d in askin g q u e stio n s

singu lar .

masc.

who ? o r wa wan e n e wach e wa su wan e

}
, , su , ,

which ? wach e ch e su wan e n e

what ? mi m in e , ,

m in en e

The fo r m s m i , m in e , m in o n e d o v ary fo r the fe m i n ot

n in e o r fo r the pl u ral Ex : wan ch e wan an who is

. .
,

this ? kai wan e n e who are y o u ? su wan e n e which

, ,

are they ? wan e n e ch ik(k) i n su which o f the m ? ,

wach e ch ik (k) in su which wo m an am on g the m

,

I n in te rro gativ e se n te n ce s the p e rson al p r o n o u n is pl ace d

 1 4 H AU SA G RAMMAR

b efo r e the v e rb as we ll as the in te rro g ativ e p ro n o u n thu s , ,

wa y a fad (d) a m aka l ab ar i who to l d y o u the n e ws ? ,

wan e fe m wach e pl wad(d) an e is u se d as an adjec

, .
, .
,

tiv al in te r ro gativ e p r o n o u n thu s, wan e d o k i k e n an ,

wan d a y a g u d u what ho r se is it that has r u n away ? , ,

wach e m ach e ch e wo n an wad (d ) a t a 2 0 what ,

wo m an is it that has co m e ? wad(d) an e m u tan e k e n an ,

what m en ar e these ? T he pl u ral is al so e xp r e sse d by

i n v e rtin g the se n te n ce an d u sin g the pl u r al o f the d e m on
str ativ e p r o n o u n thu s wad( d) an an y a r a s u
,
w a n e n e , ,

who are the se boy s (lit the se b o y s, who are they ?) .

‘

4 T/ze g en itive is e xp r e sse d by pl acin g n a o r n be twee n

.
-

the obje ct p o sse sse d an d the p o sse sso r Th e n is the .

-

abbr e v iate d fo r m o f n a ; an d whil e t he l atte r is a wo rd in

itse l f t he fo r m e r (which is u se d the m o r e fre q u e n tly ) is
,

su fli x ed to t he wo r d which i t fo ll o ws i e h b e
,
t e o j ct p os . .

se sse d Ex : d o k i n a sar iki the ho rse o f the chie f,

. .
,

beco m e s in or d in ary co n v e r satio n d o kin s ar ik i the chie f s

’
,

ho rse I f the o bj e ct p o sse sse d is fe m in in e t a sho u l d b e

.
,

u se d in pl ace o f n a an d r or 1 in p lace o f n ; bu t whe n

,
- - -

the o bje ct p o sse sse d is pl u ral , n a o r n m u st al wa s b e

y
-

u se d Ex : ak wia t a b ak o the she go at o f the str an g e r ,

. .
,
-

o r akwi ar b ak o the stran g e r s she g o at, awaki n b ak o

l ’
-

, ,
’
the stran g e r s g o ats .

5 The p o sse ssiv e p ro n o u n W ho se ? is e xp re sse d by

.

pl acin g the n am e o f the o bj e ct p o sse sse d be fo re the in te r

r o gativ e p r o n o u n an d the n u sin g the g e n itiv al fo r m n a o r

-
n fem t a o r 1 o r r
, Ex : d o kin wan e n e ke n an o r
.
- -
. .

d o ki n an n a wan e n e who se ho r se is this ? d i ar wa ,

c h e ch e k i k e who se d au g hte r ar t tho u ? (i e wh o is y o u r

,
. .

m o the r ?)
6 T/ze n eg ative To e xp r e ss n eg atio n ha is pl ace d b efo r e
. .

the p r o n o u n wh ich is the su bj e ct o f the v e r b an d afte r

li
The m ascu n e form o f the co nn ect v e
1 i n i
is so met m es fo u n d where ,
str ct i ly
p g g i
s eak n , the fe m n n e o u ht to be i i u sed Ex
. m atan s ar k fo r
. i i
m atar san , the w fe o f the ng ki i ki .
 H AU S A GRAM M A R 1 5

e ith r e the v e rb or the who l e stat e me n t n egativ e d , as the

cas e m ay be . b a y a g an i b a, he d id n o t see
Ex . : ba .

y a g an i m u t u m b a , h e d id n o t se e th e m an T h e im .

“
r ativ e o r d e p re cativ e n e ativ e d t i e p e e te d
p e
g o n o s r r s n

by k ad (d ) a, which p re ce d e s the p e rso n al p ro n o u n Ex .

k ad (d ) a ka g u d u , d o n t r u n away ’
.

T he fi rst p e rso n al p ro n o u n , whe np re ced e d by the n ega

tiv e d r o p s its vo we l , so that b a n a be co m e s b an
, T he r e .

is ho we v e r, an o the r fo r m , b a n a, which is n e v e r co n tr acte d

,

an d which d e n o te s the fu tu r e cf p 3 2 ,
. . .

“
The conju nction tbat
”
e g he said that this is so is . .
,

n o t e xp r e sse d in H au sa .

I n the case o f the wo r d m u t u m a m an which e n ds in , ,

a co n son an t, an e app e ars b e fo re the g e n itiv al su fli x n -

.

Ex : m u tu m en sar iki the kin g s m an m u tu m en g a

.
,
’
.
,

this m an W he n m u tu m is fo ll o wed by n an o r ch an , it
.

is writte n m u tu m en n an m u t u m e n ch an , .

V O CA B U LA R Y II .

m ata
ko fa d oo r or g at e
l i tafi bo o k
h ain y a ro ad , p ath, way
(l a so n

da i d au g hte r
akwia she -

g o at
b ako str an g er
l ab ar i n e ws
ru a (m asc .
) wate r
i d
g ( )d a (m asc ) . ho u se
ab u , or ab in thin g

g u du t o r u n , ru n a way
n em a to s ee k
1
I n the ii
case o f trans t ve v erb s en d in g in a or u the fi n a l vo wel
hem mes e when fo llo wed by a p e rso n a lp ro n o u n .
1 6 H A U S A GRA M MA R

a
g y a to te ll , expl ain
ch e to say
fad a, fad i , or
to sp e ak , te ll
fauna.
to fi ght
fad i to fall

g an i ,
1
g a 3
fi to see
san i , ( ) i to kn o w
1
san n

bi to fo ll o w
i ss a to be su fli cie n t
ch ik k
() i n the in sid e
h ak (k) a th u s
m a 3 to (p r e p ) .

EX ER CI SE II .

m i y ar o y a fad a m aka ? y a ch e r u a b a y a is sa
ch ih(
k) in g i d (d ) a m ach e t a t af(f ) i ? wach e m ach e
.

ch e wadd a ta z o ? y ar i n i a d a k a g an i it a k e n an .

d o kin wa y a g u d u ? d o kin b ako me wo d(d) an an

.

m u t an e mi su n ch e m ak a ? b an 3 1 b a wan e .

l ab ar i sh i y a fad a m ak a ? y a ch e m u t u m wan d a

ka n em
a ba y a 20 ba sh i k e n an n a g an sh i . .

wa ke d a d o kin sar ik i ? b an san i b a, b an g a

d o ki b a .
y ar o n n an y a ch e b awan sar iki he ( or
,

sh i k e) d a d o k i . ab in d a k a g ay a m an i b a h ak (
k) a
ba ne wach e . h ain y a k a b i ? na b i h ain y ar
fat ak e wa y a g ay a m aka l ab ar i ? m u tu m wan d a
.

k a g an i ch ik (k) in g id (d ) a .

T his is the m an who m y o u so u g ht The stran g e r .

fo ll o we d the ro ad (of ) which y o u to l d him This wo m an .

1 T he fi na l i in g an i and san i q ly
is fre u en t o m tted , espec a ibefore i lly
the perso na pronou ns ; e g l . . n a g an sh , I sawhim
i .

3
W
hen the v erb to see is fo o wed by a n oun , g a is used in preferen ce
ll
to g an i .

Speciall y u sed before the personal pron ou ns . Ex . m ak a, to thee .

 H AU S A G RAM MAR 1 7

is the d au g hte r of that m an . T hat m an is the so n o f this

e
str an g r . W hose so n is this boy ? H e is the so n o f the
k in g s sl av e
’
T he g ir l d id n o t u n d e rstan d the n e ws which
.

y o u to l d her S he.sa y s t hat th e b oy h as r u n aw ay W ho .

to l d her so ? The sl av e who m y o u sawin the ho u se W ho .

ar e y o u ? I am a str an g e r W ho se so n ar e y o u ? I am
.

t he k in g s so n
’
Who is that ? H e is the trad er s slav e
.
’
.

W hat d id y o u he ar ? W hat I he ard is the n e ws that I

t o ld y o u . W ho se ho r se d id the kin g m o u n t ? The ho rse
o f the stran ge r who fo ll o we d o T h is w o m an has the
y u .

g ir l w h om y ou sa w .
 CH A P T E R III .

1 . TH E inde
fi n ite p r on ou n s ar e

f em .

so m e o n e , wan i wo ta o r wata wo d (d ) an su o r
so m e thin g ,
wad(d) an su ,

a ce rtain wan su wo su ,

p e rson o r o r wasu

thin g ( u se d

adj e ctiv ally

an d p r o n o
m in ally )
an y o n e , k o wa k o wa
, k o wa, k o wa
e v e ry on e, n en e ch e ch e

e ach on e
( u se d a s a
p ro n o u n )
an y ,
e v e ry , ko wo n i k o wach e (
n o t u se d in

e ach (u se d pl u ral )
as an ad

jectiv e )
an y t h i n g , ko m i , k o m i
e v ery thin g , n en e

whatso e v e r
it be , what
so e v e r

T here is a fu rthe r p ro n ou n wan e, m ean ing

, so an d so .

Ex e n n a wan e ? whe re is so an d so ? the n am e b e in g

 20 H AU S A G RA M M A R

pr o n ou n ( n a, 1 ka, ki , s a, t a, m u , ku , su ,
see cha p .

Thu s
I m y se l f mi d akain a
tho u thy se l f kai d akain ka or kai d akan ka
fe m . k e d ak ain ki or he d ak an ki
he him se l f sh i d akain s a o r s hi d akan sa
she he r se l f it a d akai n ta or it a d akan t a
we e lv e s
o u rs m u d akain m u or m u d ak an m u
y ou
y o u r se lv e s ku d ad ain ku or ku d akan ku
they the m se lv e s su d akain su o r su d akan su

The l ite r al tr an sl atio n of the fo r eg o in g p ro n o u n s wo u l d

b e, I by m y se l f, & c .

kain a, kan ka, k an s a, & c , are . us ed as e fl e x ive p ro n o u n s

r

in the ob j e ctive cas e . Ex . : y a b at a kan sa he d e stroy e d ,

him se l f .

4 . The H au sa is fo r m e d in a m an n e r which
n ou n -
ag en t in

cl o se ly r e se m bl e s the A rab ic v iz by pr e fix in g m ai pl ,
. .

m asu to v er bs an d su bstan tiv es Ex : g u d u to r u n ; . .

,

m aig u d u a fu g itiv e ; m asu g u d u fu g itiv e s g i d (d ) a a

, , .
,

ho u se ; m aig id (d ) a the o wn e r o f the ho u se

,
.

m a is u se d in a so m e what sim il ar way be fo re v er bs to

form (1 ) n o u n s o f the ag e n t Ex : s ak a, to weav e ; m a . .

s aki pl m asak a a weave r (2 ) N o u n s o f pl ace Ex

, .
, . .

s ap ha, to u n l o ad ; m as ap ki a l o d g in g ()
3 N o u n s o f t he , .

in str u m e n t Ex : d au ka to take ; m ad au ki a han d l e

. .
, , .

I n case s whe r e the v e rb to which m a o r m ai is p re fi xed

e n d s in a, the sin gu l ar o f the co m p o u n d fo r m e n d s in i .

The wo rd m aaik e (o r m aaik i) has a p assiv e m ean in g an d ,

d e n o te s the p e rso n se n t Ex : m aaike n al l ah , the . .

P ro p he t .

V O CAB ULA R Y III .

m u rn a g l ad n e ss jy
o ,

k ai h e ad
m ad au ki han d l e
1 i s is
Th u sed i n stead of the fo r m wa , cf .
p . 23 .
 H AU S A G R A M MA R 2I

m e sse n g e r
m o n ey (lit . co wr ie s)
d o n k ey
sad d le
to be at, hit
to d e stro y
to we av e
to car p e n te r

to u n l o ad , pu t d o wn , al ig ht

to take , tak e u p
to brin g
to wish, l ike , l ov e , be will in g
on e

bu t
p
o n , u on

to
with
where
an y whe re
whe n P
whe n e v e r at a
n
.
y tim e
n ow

im m e d iate ly
ho w
ho we v e r

EX ER C I SE I II .

wo n an m u tu m y a ch e b a y a san i ba wan d a y a
k awo lru r d i . kad (d ) a lra fad a m a ko wa l ab ar i .

wo n i y a h awa d o ki wo n i y a h awa j aki kai wa .

n en e ? n i n e y ar o n lra .
y au s h e m as asa i
k y a k aw o

m ad au ki ? b an san i b a .fatake su n bata ju n an su .

m u t an e su n sap ha k o wa y a taf(f ) i g id (d ) an sa .

ab i n d a n a fad a m aka kad (d ) a ka fad a m a k o wa

k) in
ch i k ( g ar i n k.a y ar o n a n y a a
g y a m an i s h i
22 H AU SA G RA M M A R

b ak o ne y a ch e ba wan d a y a san s h i . m aig i d (d ) a

y a c h e sh i d akan s a b a y a san i b a .

Som e fu g itiv e s o n the r oad to ld m e this n e ws. W hich

r o ad did the y foll o w ? So me fo ll o we d this r o ad
,
o th e r s

fo ll o we d that on e . Ev e ry on e k n o ws this . The re is n o

one who d o e s n o t kn o w him E ach m an bro u ght his
.

m on ey . E ach of the m we n t to his ho u se W he r e is this .

ho r se s sadd l e ? I t fe ll d o wn o n the ro ad
’
The o wn e r o f
.

the ho r se him se l f l o o ke d fo r it bu t d id n o t see it an y whe re

, .

W ho se d o n key d id the boy br in g The m e r chan t s The

’
.

boy s be at e ach o the r D o n t hit y o u rse lf

.
’
.
 CH A P T E R IV .

TH E u se of the
possessive pr onou ns in H au sa appears at
fi rst sight to be hig hly e l abo rate , bu t whe n carefu lly stu d ie d
it is seen to be co m parativ e ly sim pl e T he re ar e two sets o f .

p o ssessiv e p ron ou n s ; (1 ) se par abl e , (2 ) in separabl e T he .

fi rst co r re sp on d to a l arge exte n t tho u g h n o t in variably to

, ,

the E n g l ish p ron ou n s m in e thin e & c , o r the Fre n ch lo

, ,
.

m ien , le tie n , & c The seco n d , i e the in sep arabl e for ms,
. . .

co rr esp o n d to the E n l ish m

g y, th y, & c ,
an d the F r e n ch .

m o n , to n , & c .

1 The p
sear able p ossessive pr onouns are co m p o se d of two
p arts, the fi rst o f which is the g e n itiv al con n ectiv e n a fem , .

ta while the seco n d par t is the per so n al p ro n o u n

, T his .

g e n itiv al co n n e ctiv e al way s ag r ee s in g en d e r with the thin g

which is po ssessed Ex : litafi n aku n e the boo k is
. . ,

y ou r s,
bu t akwia taku ch e , the she go at is y o u rs
- The .

fo rm s of the p erson al p ro n o u n to which this g e n itiv al co n

n ectiv e is j o in ed in ord er to m ake the possessiv e pro n o u n
are

Of
( ) me - wa ( ) of us -
mu
thee , m .
-
ka y o u -
ku
f .
-
ki
-
sa, -
shi the m -
su
ta

NOTE .will be seen that the abo v e are the sam e as

— It
the o b liqu e case s of the p erso n al p ro n ou n giv e n in chap i . .

3,
w ith th e e x ce p tion o f the fi r st p e rson , wh ich is w a -

in stead of n i
24 H AU S A G RAM MAR

I n the fo ll o win g tabl e m an d f d e n o te the g e n d e r . . of th e

p osse sso r
w/zen object pos when ob ect
j p os

sesseei is m asc .

m in e or my , 111 . n awa
f . n awa
thin e or thy , m . n ak a
f
. n aki
n asa, n ash i
n ata
n am u

yo u rs o r y ou r n aku
the ir s or the ir n asu

Ex : u b a n aka n e it is thy fathe r , or, the fathe r is

.
,

thin e , shows that the p er so n ad d r e sse d is a m an I f the .

p e rso n ad d resse d is a wo m an it wo u l d be u b a n aki n e .

u wa t ak a c h e it is thy m o the r o r the m o ther is thin e ,

, , ,

sho ws t hat the p e r so n ad d re sse d is a m an I f the p e rson .

ad dr e sse d is a wom an , it wo u l d be u wa taki c h e .

2 The fo ll o win g are t he in separ able f or ms which are

.

su fli x e d to the su bstan tiv e s which they q u al ify They are .

for the m o st p art o b v io u s abbre v iatio n s o f the se p ar abl e

fo r m s H e re again it will be see n that the o n ly d iffer en ce
.
, ,

be twee n the abo v e an d the o bl iq u e case s as g iv e n in chap .

i 3 is that the fi r st p e r son is n a in ste ad o f u i (as in the

.

o bl iq u e case s) or wa (as in the case o f the se p arabl e

,
-

fo r m s) .

M an d f d e n o te g e n d e r of p osse ssor
. .

w/zen j
ob ect p os wlzen object pos
sessed is masc . sessed isf ern .

m y , m an d f . .
-
na -
ta
thy , m .
-
n ka r k a, llra -

f . n ki -
r ki, -
lki
-
n sa, -
sa, - sh i - r sa, -
l sa -
lshi)
o
n ta “
r t a, " lt a
 H AU SA GRAM MAR 25

wben ob ect
j p os wlzen ob ect
j p os

sessed is masc . sessed is f em .

-
n mu rm n ,
-
lm u
-
n ku -
r it u ,
-
lku
-
n su -
r su ,
-
l su

Ex . : u b an k a, thy fathe r (lit . the fathe r of th e ) ,

e
sh o ws that the p e rson ad d re sse d is a m an . I f the pe rso n
ad d r e ssed is a wo u l d be u b an ki u war ka thy
wo m an it .
,

m o the r sho ws that the p e rso n add re sse d is a m an

,
I
f the .

p e rso n add re sse d is a wo m an it wo u l d be u war ki .

The fo r m s n asa an d t asa his he rs are fre q u e n tl y . , ,

sho r te n e d to n ai an d t ai , b u t whe n the se shor te n e d fo r m s

ar e u se d the ir u se an d m e an in g is the sam e as that o f the

in se p ar abl e fo r m s They can n o t be u se d abso l u te ly fo r hi
.
s
,

h e rs & c
, .

V OCA B U LA R Y IV .

kasu a m ar ke t
c h i n iki tr ad e , barte rin g
wu r i place
ab o ki fr ie n d
g o n a
k ar atu or kar atu re adin g e d u catio n
,

m al am m all am te ache r
,

ru bu tu wr itin g
kay a, m . a l o ad l o ad s
,

m aikay a, pl m a . the o wn e r o f a l o ad
s u k ay a
m aid au kan kay a, a carr ie r

p ! m as u d.au k an

k ay a
kar e , to fi n ish , en d (u su a lly in tr an s ) .

g am m
( ) a to co m pl e te ,
fi n ish (tr an s ) .

fi t (t) a to g o o ut

fi t (t ) 0 to co m e ou t
26 H AU S A GRAM MAR

k o iy a (fo ll o we d to te ach
by m a)
k o iy o to l e arn
ba to g iv e
t ar e to g e the r
t ar e d a tog e the r with
d ag (g ) a fro m
aa no

EX ERC I S E I V .

i d
g () d an ga n aku ko n asu ne ? ba n am u ba n e,

n a s ar ik i ne wan d a ka g a d an sa c h ik k
() i n kasu a .

m u t an e n n an ba su ne su n f)i
t af( g ar i n k a t ar e
d a mi b a . m at ar wan e n e ke n an ? m at at a ch e .

ak wia n an t awa c h e . fat ak e su n y i c h in iki n s u ,

su n k ar e . en n a su k e y an z u ? y an z u su n fi t (t) a
d ag (g ) a kasu a s u n f ) i g ar i n su
t af( . en n a ab o kin k a ?

y a t a f f
() i wu r i n s ar iki n m u . ku r d i n an n ak a n e ko
n at a n e ? aa n as u ne ba n am u b a me .
g o n a da
n a g an i t ak u ch e k o ta wan e n e ? t am u ch e .

T he te acher say s that the boy who m y o u br o u g ht d o e s

n o t l ik e re adin g The m all am tau g ht his son to wr ite
. He .

has tau g ht m in e n o thin g . He bar te r e d his d o n k ey . I

g av e him m y ho r se . The k in g said to the tr ad er s that
they m u st n ot br in g the ir l o ad s in to his m arke t . T he
e
carr i rs p icke d up the ir l o ad s ; we n t o ff The l o ad s
they .

that the y to o k ar e m in e . The m an who o wn s this l oad

we n t away with y o u r frie n d . W he re are the l oad s ? I d o
n o t see m in e .
28 H AU S A GRAM MAR

Ex . : z am n a m u ka y i
m u k a taf(f ) i k asu a m u k a
c hin iki m u k a k o m o we we n t to the m ark e t, sat d o wn
, ,

trad e d an d r e tu r n e d
,
s aan d a m u ka t af( f ) i k as u a
.

m u k a z am n a & c whe n we we n t to the m ar k e t we sat

, .
,

d o wn , & C .

This te n se is al so u se d in d e p e n d e n t se n te n ces to e xp re ss
fu tu r e act io n as we ll as p ast Ex : i d an su ka z o g o b e . .
,

if they co m e to m o rr o w -
.

3 The pr esen t ten se e xp re ssin g p re se n t an d co n tin u o u s

.

action is fo r m e d by prefi x in g e ithe r to the sim pl e fo r m o r

m o r e freq u e n tly to the v e rbal su bstan tiv e for m e d fro m it ,

the fo ll o win g m o d ificatio n s o f the p e r so n al p r o n o u n .

W he the r the su ffix n a is actu al ly p art o f the p r o n om in al

fo r m o r so m e fo rm o f au x il iary v e r b n ee d n o t be d iscu sse d
he r e .

I (am ) in a
thou ( ar t) ,
m . kan a
f . ki n a
he (is) shin a, y an a, y in a y a k e , y
i k e

she i
()
s t an a
we (are) m una
y o u (ar e) ku n a
they (ar e)
l
su n a

The abo v e te n se m ay be u se d to e xp re ss co n tin u o u s

actio n , e v e n tho u g h the actio n b e co m pl e te ; e g sh e kar a . .

g o m a y a n a t a f f
() ia h ar u b an s a y a h a n n ash i , h e

had bee n trav e ll in g fo r te n y e ar s till his fathe r sto pp e d

him .

4 . T he ver bal su bstan tive, which r o u g hly co rre sp on d s to

the E ng l ish p e e
r s nt p articipl e is fo rm e d by su flix in g a to
,
-

ve rb s e n d in g in -
i, an d wa to v e rbs e n din g in a e
- -

,
-
,

or -
0.

1 na is o ften u sed where we shou l d hav e e xpected su n a ; e g m u tan e

. .

n a y in h a k (k ) a , the m en are d o i ng so . d awak i n a g u d u the horses

,
are ru n n i ng away .
 H AU S A G RA M M A R 29

The v e rbal su bstan tiv e fo r m ed fro m z o to co m e is z u a , , ,

c o m in g Ex : fro m taf(f ) i to go , an d taf(f ) o to co m e ,

. .
, ,

ar e fo rm e d the v e rbal su bstan tiv e s t af(f ) ia g o in g, ,

t af( f ) o wa co m in g ; thu s k an a taf(f ) ia tho u ar t go in g ;

, ,

i n a taf (f ) o wa I am co m in g ,
.

The re are m an y v e rbs from which v e rbal su bstan tiv e s d o

n o t app e ar to hav e bee n fo r m e d I n the se case s the for m s .

o f the p e rso n al p r o n o u n g iv e n abo v e can b e u se d be fo r e

t he sim pl e fo r m s o f the v e rb Ex : y i to d o o r m ak e . .
, .

m i kan a y i what are y o u d o in g ? i n a aiki o r i n a y in

, ,

aiki I am wo rk in g
, .

I n case s wh e r e the se fo rm s o f the p e rso n al p ro n o u n

ar e u se d with the sim pl e fo r m s o f the v e rb foll o we d
by a su bstan tiv e, a co n n e ctiv e n is g e n e rally su flix ed to -

the v e rb Ex : kan a y in aiki ? are y o u e n gag ed in

. .

wo r k
5 W he re an y o f the abov e te n ses or the v e rbal su bstan
.

t iv e is u se d in n egative statemen ts the fo ll o win g p r o n o u n s ,

m u st be u se d : n a o r u i ka ki y a o r sh i m u ku su , , , , , , .

Ex : b a y a z u a b a he is n o t co m in g
. b a m u taf(f ) i
, .

b a we d id n o t co m e
, b a shi d a abin c hi, he has n o thin g
.

t o eat .

6 . e n din g in ke are v e ry se l do m u se d with

The fo r m s -

v e r bal su bstan tiv e s T hey are m o st co m m o n ly u se d in

.

askin g q u e stio n s o r in the an swe r to a q u e stio n in which

this fo r m has be e n u sed Ex : m i ku ke y i what are . .
,

ou n s aiki m u ke y i, we ar e wo rkin g
d o in g ?
A I f this
y . .

state m e n t had n o t bee n the an swe r to a q u e stio n , it wo u l d

h av e b ee n m u n a y in aiki . I t is im p o ssibl e to g iv e de fi
n ite r u le s in r e ar d to the u se in an p ar t icu l ar in stan ce
g y
of the fo r m s in n a or ke . T his can on ly be satisfacto rily
acq u ir e d by p r actice .

The v e rbal p r o n o u n s e n d in g in n a whe n fo llo we d by -

t he p re p o sitio n d a with can be u se d to d e n o te po sse ssio n

, ,

i n the sam e way as the fo r m s n e k e c h e ; cf p 1 0 Ex , . . .

s h in a d a ab i n c hi he has so m e th in g to e at
, .
3 0 H AU SA G RA MM A R

V O C AB ULA R Y V .

g o i g
n , j o u rn ey in g , a j o u r n ey
wo rk
u se , ad v an tag e
wate r , r ain

ho u r , tim e
so m e thin g to eat, fo o d
br id l e
stirr u p

y e ste r d a
y
to d ay
-

to m o r r o w
-

k in d , so r t

tru th
fal se hoo d , a lie
n ig ht

y e ar

su n , d ay
ten

to r is e u
p, star t

to co m e
to sit d own
to e tu rn , to co m e back
r

to re tu r n , to go back
to p r ev en t, hin d e r
to e n te r , go in
to e n te r co m e in,

to be sp o il e d
to eat
to fi n d , o btain
to br in g
whe n , the tim e whe n
why P
becau se , be cau se o f, in e
or d r that
ag ain
 H AU S A G RA M M A R 3 1

EX ERC I SE V .

d ag (g ) a e n n a m u tu m e n n an y a taf(f ) o P y a fad a
m an i y a fi t (t) o d ag (g ) a kan o , b an san ab in d a y a
k awo sh i b a e n n a an fan i n g i d (d ) an ka b a y a h an n a
.

ru a y a sh i g (
g) a c h i k k
() i s aan d a . m u lra ko m o m u lra
g a k ay an m u d u k a su n b ac h e . en n a u b an lra ?
s h in a t af(f ) o wa . kan a so n t af(f ) i a tar e d a ni ? in a
so . mi su k e y i y an z u ? su n a c h i n ab in c h in su .

m i ku k e kawo wa ? abin d a m u ka sam u c h ilr(lr) in

k asu a . m in e n e ? su r d i d a l in z am i d a l ikafa d a
kay an d o ki d u ka, in a t af(f ) ia d a su wu r in s arikin

g ar i .

The m an who m y o w y e ste r day has co m e H e say s

u sa .

he is co m in g ag ain to m o r row My b oy say s that the rain

-
.

p r ev en te d his trav e ll in g W hat is the u se o f say in g this ?

.

I k n o w it is n o t tr u e Yo u are ly in g Yo u r fr ie n d gav e
. .

m e so m e thin g to eat ; y e ste rd ay I ate n othin g W he n we .

heard the n e ws we star te d ; trav e ll in g day an d n ight we ,

arr iv e d he r e .W hat is the u se o f this ho rse I t fe ll d o wn

y e ste r d a an d has fall e n d o wn again to d a
y y W h y a re
y.o u

sittin
g h e re ? I am l o o k in g fo r so m e thin g to e at T h e .

k in g is e n te r in g the to wn he is co m in g dire ctly W e we n t .

to the m ar ke t an d fo u n d e v e ry thin g we wan t W hen we .

e n te re d the ho u se we sat d o wn an d ate ou r foo d .

 CHA PT E R V I .

1 . e xp r e
T H E f u tu r e ten se is
sse d in H au sa in two p r in cip al
way s (I ) By prefix in g the p ar ticl e z a to the p er so n al
.

p r on o u n ; (2 ) by su ffi x in g the particl e a to the sam e -

fo r m s .

Thu s we hav e

I will za n -
i, z an , or (
n i a)
-
co n tr act ed to n i o r n i

thou wil t, m .
,
za -
ka (k a a ) -
ki
f .
,
za -
ki (k i a
-

)
he will z a sh i ,
-

sh i a) sh i
za -

y a (y a a,
-

y i ,

she will za -
ta (t a a) -
ti
we will za -
mu m u a o fte n -
mi
y o u w ill za -
ku ku a -

( e vne r co n tr act ed)

they will z a su
-
su -
a o fte n si

The two fo r m s hav e d istin ct m e an in g s, bu t are so m e tim e s

in ter chan g e ab l e T he fi r st, z a n i , co rr e sp o n d s to the
.
-

E n g l ish I am g o in g to , I am abo u t to ; the se co n d n i & c , , , .

to I will , I shall Ex : I am g o in g to star t z an tash i

. .
, .

A ll rig ht I ll star t, t o n i t ashi

,
’
, .

I n the se co n d fo r m the fu tu re is e xp re ssed by l ay in g

str e ss o n the p r on o u n t he v o ice be in
, g d istin c tly r aise d A .

fu r the r m e tho d o f e xp re ssin g fu tu r e actio n is by m e an s of

the p assiv e for m atio n s, an d will be r e fe rr e d to l ate r o n .

“ ”
The fu tu re o f the v e rb to be is fo r m e d by u sin g
z am ( m ) a to beco m e with e ithe r o f the fo rm s o f the fu tu r e
, ,

g iv e n ab o v e k i z a m. m
( ) a t a l ak a y o u w ill b e co m e p o or , .
 H AU S A G RAM MAR 33

2 . T/ze I fi n i ive
n t — . T he re ar e thr ee s e p ar ate u s s ofe the
i n fi n itiv e in E n g lish . I t is ed us

() a A s an abstr act su b stan tiv e , e .

g.to tr av e l is tr o u b l e

so m e .

()b I n c a se s w h e r e t w o v e r bs occu r the l atte r o f which ,

i s d e p e n d e n t u p o n the for m e r t he latte r be in g an in fi n i ,

t iv e e g I wish to g o
,
. . .

()
c T o e xp r e ss p u r p o se e g h e b
,
ro u g h t. fo
. o d t o e a t .

T his u se is call e d in m o d e rn E n g l ish g ram m ar s the g own

d ial in fi n itiv e .

T he re is n o in fi n itiv e fo r m in H au sa The ab o v e three .

E n g l ish u se s o f the in fi n itiv e are r e p re se n te d in H au sa as

fo ll o ws

()
a i s r e p r e s e n te d b y t h e v e r ba l su b s ta n t iv e (a s s ta t e d
b e fo r e chap v r u l e 4 there are m an y v e rbs in which
,
. .
,

t he sim pl e v e rbal fo r m is al so the su bstan tiv e fo r m e g ,

. .

c h i t o eat ; chi n ab in c h i the e atin g o f foo d )

, , Ex : To . .

t rav e l is tr o u bl e so m e t af(f ) i a t a y i wo h al (l ) a o r t af(

,
f ) ia ,

d a wo h al (l ) a t a ke Sl ee p in g is pl e asan t b er (i) c h i y a
.
,

y i d a d i o r b ,e r i
() c hi d a d a d i y a he o r b e r i
() c h i y a n a ,

d a d adL
()
b i s r e p r e s e n t e d e it h e r b y
()1 T h e v e r b a l s u b s ta n t iv e Ex : I w is h t
.o
g ,o i n a. s o n

t af(f ) ia I in te n d e d to g o d i z an i t af(f ) ia (lit fo rm e r ly

.
1
,
.

I was g o in g to g o ) .

O r by (2 ) a su bj u n ctiv e o r co nj u n ctiv e m o od fo r m e d by
p r efi x in g t h e fo ll o w i ng p r o n o u n s to t h e s im pl e v e r bal

fo r m
sing u lar .

2 em
( be fo re b ) ,
‘ ‘
en

m ka
f ki
m y a o r sh i

f ta

1
U n fu lfi lled i n te ti is ge e ally ex p e sed thu s by the u se of d i
n on n r r s .

2
T he v o we l whi h is s d ed b f e the n is p o babl y e ph i
c o un e or r u on c .

D
34 H AU S A G RAM MAR

Ex I wish to g o
.
in a so en f) i
t af(
I wish him to g o in a so sh i( or y )
a t af f
() i
? ka y i n u f f )i k a t af(f ) i
D id y o u in te n d to g o (

e
is p r e se n te d
()
c r

B h v e b l u bstan tiv e as in ( Ex I m
() y
I t e r a s b) 1 : a . .

p re p ar in g to tr av e l in a sh ir i n t af(f ) ia
,
.

() y
2 B t h e u s e o f th e su b j u n ctiv e m oo d , as in
()
b 2 .

Ex : I shall try to co m e back n i y i kok ar i e n ko m o

.
,
.

I se n t him to brin g the ho rse n a aike sh i sh i kawo d o ki ,

.

(3 ) y B t h e u se o f t h e fu tu r e fo r m s be in n in
g g w it h za ,

in tro d u ce d by r e l ativ e p ro n o u n s o r p ar ticl e s Ex : I se n t . .

a m an to brin g a ho rse n a aike (m u tu m ) wan d a z ash i

,

( o r z ay )
a k a w o d o k i T h e r.e is n o t hi n g f o r m e t o e a t ,

b a ab in d a z an C hi I tau ght him ho w to cl ean a g u n ,

.

n a k o iy a m asa y ad d ) a (o r k an d a, o r wad d a z a s h i
( () )
( o r z ay )
a w a n k e b i n d ig a .

(4 ) y B th e u s e o f v a r io u s c o n j u n ct io n s Ex I s e n t h
. im .

to br in g the horse n a aike shi d o n (o r d o m i n o r g ar i n )

, ,

shi k awo d o ki o r , n a aik e sh i g ar in kawo d o ki

, .

(5 ) W h e n t h e s u b j e c t o f t h e E n
g l ish in fi n it iv e i s t h e

sam e as the v e rb o n which it is d e p e n d e n t the co n n e ctiv e ,

wo rd in H au sa whe the r co nj u n ction o r p re p o sitio n is

,
,

fre q u e n tly o m itte d Ex : y a taf(f ) i n e m an d o ki he

. .
,

we n t to see k the ho r se n a t af f ) i h al b i
.
( I w e n t t o ,

“
sho o t I n bo th the se case s g ar in
. fo r the p u r p o se of,
,
”

m ig ht be in ser te d afte r the fi rst v e rb h al b i an d n e m a ,

be in g thu s tre ate d as v e rbal su b stan tive s .

3 T he p ar ticl e kan (k am be fo re b ) is a d efectiv e

.

au x il iary v e rb, an d is u se d to g iv e to the v e r b with which

it is u se d (1 ) a fre q u e n tativ e o r habitu al se n se ()
2 a su b
j u n ctiv e or co n ce ssiv e se n se ; (3 ) a se n se o f n ece ssity o r
ce r tain ty .

Ex : (1 ) sh i kan y i h ak (k) a he is in the habit o f

.
,

d o in g this al m aj ir i shi k an b i d (d ) a d e n g i n ai the

.
,

p u p il wou l d see k afte r his re l atio n s (cf B .

3 6 H AU S A GRAM MAR

sick n e ss
fear
poo r
to in te n d , p u rp ose , d e sire (v e rb
o r n ou n )
h al b i , h ar b i to sho o t

wan ke to wash cl e an,

b ison to see k se arch fo r

,

iy a l
to b e ab l e

ji n t s o r o to b e afraid fee l fe ar ,

akwo i the r e is the r e ar e

,

di , or di a o f o ld fo r m e rl y
,

ii , or i .
y e s

b ab u n o t hin g , n o t an y
en if
d o n , d o m in , as conj u n ction s, in o r d e r that
as p re p o sitio n s, on acco u n t of

y ad d
() ,
a k an d a,
wad (d ) a ho w, the way inwhich
all r ig ht
,
v e ry we ll

EX E R C I SE V I .

b an san i b a ab in d a z am u
y i y an z u i d an k a .

t af(f ) i wu r in sa y i fad a m aka l ab ar i ko wa y a z o .

id d
g ( ) an a u i kan b ash i ab in ch i . m ata c h an t a ch e
ba z ata t af(f ) i ba s ai mun 2 0. en b a ka b an i
g as k i a z an t af(f ) i .
y a c h e y i b ak u g ask i a i d an k u
k a g an sh i g o b e . k an a s o n t af(f ) i a d a r an a k o d a
d e r e ? t af(f ) i d a d e r e d a wo h al(l) a am m a i d an ka
so n i y i kok ar i . k a iy a t af(f ) ia ? b a n i iy a b a ;
in a so n b e r (i) ch i d o m in i d o n a y i n a ch iwo na .

1 iy a appears to be u sed as tho u gh it were m ean n g

a tran s t ve ii v erb , i
q l i
to be e u a to , atta n to , co m pass, an d can d iI eC I ly precede a su bstan t v e i
o r a v e r b al su b stan t v e I n se n ten ces whe re the n fi n i t v e 1 5 u sed in En
i i i li
g sh .

k a iy a I u b u tu , o r k a i y a y in r u b u t u . are y o u ab e to wr te ? l i
 H A U SA GRA M MAR 37

fad (d ) a m asa sh i kawo m an i b in d ig ata, y a ch e

z ash i wan ke ta .

I to l d him I wo u l d n o t se e h im till to m o r ro w b e cau se it

-

was u se l e ss to see him to day T he re is n o o n e in this

-
.

to wn who sp e ak s the tr u th D id y ou d o what I to l d y o u

.

to d o y e ster d ay ? N o I d id n o t d o it
,
W ill y o u d o what
.

I te ll y o u ? I can n o t T he se m en wish to te ll y o u the

.

tr u th b u t the y ar e afraid
,
W e are go in g away to mo r ro w;
.
-

if we co m e back we shall see y o u ag ain I am n o t go in g .

away ; I will await y o u r r e tu rn I am co n stan tly in the

.

habit o f go in g to the m arke t an d d o in g bu sin e ss with the

trad e rs I f I se n d a boy to brin g the m will they co m e
.
?
,

Yes . I wan t y o u to cle an this g u n I can n o t I in te n d e d

. .

co m in g to s ee y ou Did y o u in te n d to g o
.
 CHA P TE R V II .

TH E PA SSI V E VO I C E .

1TH E p assive v o ice is fo rm e d by prefi x in g an , aka, o r

.

an kato the sim pl e for m o f the v erb , the d istin ctio n be twee n
the thr ee fo r m s co r r s o n d in g
e p to the thr ee in dicativ e form s,
m u n , m u ka, m u n k a ; i e an d e n o te s the . . p e rfect . Ex
an kawo sh i , it is bro u g ht, it has bee n br o u g ht . aka an d
an ka d e n o te the d ep e n d e n t v e p ast Ex or n ar rati .

saan d a akakawo n i at the tim e whe n I was bro u g ht ;

,

ji a a k a y i w o n a n a b u y e st e r d ay ,th e th in g w a s d o n e .

2 A s will be see n fro m the se e x am pl e s, the su bj e ct,

.

whethe r su bstan tiv é o r p ro n o u n is place d after the v e rb in ,

the p assiv e . The for m s o f the p e r so n al p ro n o u n s u se d ,

which are the sam e for all te n se s of the p assiv e are the ,

fo ll o win g ni-
ka ki S h i ta m u
,
-
,
-

, ku su
-
,
-
,
-

,
-
,
-
.

3 T he p assive voice of tire con tin u ou s p r esen t is for m e d by

.

r efi x in a n a a k e t th im pl e f m f t h v e b T he e
p g o r o e s o r o e r s .

co r r e sp o n d to i n a an d n ike in the activ e v o ice The l atte r .

fo r m is chiefly u se d in askin g o r an swe rin g q u e stio n s, as in

the activ e v o ice ; cf V 6 . Ex : an ako r en i d a y u n wa
. .
1
.

I am be in g d r iv e n away by hu n g e r .

4 T his p re fix can al so be u se d with the v e rbal su bstan

.

tiv e . This for m atio n r ep re se n ts a kin d o fp assive imper son al,

an d co n se q u e n tly the su bj e ct is o m itte d Ex : an aka . .

wo wa they (it, & c ) are be in g bro u ght (lit ther e is be in g

, . .

d o n e a brin g in g ) .an az u a d a su they are be in g bro u g ht ,

(lit . t he r e is b e in g d o n e a c o m in g w it h th e m ) .

Th is may al so be expressed by an ako r an a, or an ako r at a .

 H AU S A GRA M MAR 39

In c r tain
e in stan ce s, ho we v e r, the su bj e ct, if a su bstan tive ,
can be ad d e d . an ak awo wan d awaki , the ho rses are
be in g bro u g ht (
l it . th ree is be in g do n e a br in g in g o f
ho rse s) .

When an a is p re fix ed to the sim pl e fo r m o f the v erb

a co n n ectiv e n is u su ally place d be twee n the ve rb an d its
su bj e ct Ex : an asam u n m u t an e , the m en are be in g
. .

fo u n d .

5 . The abo v e fo rm s, an , aka, an ka, an a, an d ake ,

can n o t be us e d with a n egativ e . The n eg ative o f the abo v e
ten ses of tbc passive is exp re sse d in all case s by prefix in g a
to the sim pl e fo r m o f the v e rb o r to the v e rbal su bstan tive .

Ex : b a ako r esh i b a he was n o t d riv e n o u t b e az u a

.
, .

d a sh i he is n o t be in g bro u ght
, .

6 The two fo r m s o f the f u tu r e ten se which are e xp re ssed

.

in the activ e v o ice by prefix in g the p articl e z a o r su flix in g

the p ar ticl e a to the p e rso n al p ro n o u n are e xp re sse d in
-

t he p assiv e v o ice by pre fix in g z a to the sho rte st p assiv e

fo rm ; v iz that in a o r by prefix ing a l o n g e m p hasized i

.

Ex : z aakash (sh ) e sh i he is go in g to be k ill ed ; i kash

.
,

( )
s h e sh i h e w i ll be
, k ill e d .

7 The imper ative mood of til e active voice is form e d b y

.

p r efix in
g t he p e r so n al p ro n o u n s k a ki s hi (y )
a t a m u , , , , , ,

ku s u to the sim pl e st fo r m o f the v e rb

, , Ex : ka b an i . .

wan an g iv e m e this T his m ight be tran slate d e q u ally

, .

we ll tho u d id st g ive m e this T hat the se n te n ce is ii 1

,
.

ten d e d to be im p e rativ e is sho wn by the in to n atio n o r by

the co n te x t .

I n the se co n d p e rso n o f t he im p e rativ e the p ro n o u n is

v e ry g e n erally o m itte d Fro m je to go are fo rm ed .
, ,

j e ka j ek i g o ! g e t o u t ! y ak a y a k i
co m e is a d e fe ctiv e v e rb These are app are n tly the o n ly .

two case s in which the p r o n o u n fo ll o ws the v e rb .

I t will be see n that the abo v e im p e rativ e p ro n o u n s are

the sam e as the su bju n ctiv e p ro n o u n s g iv e n in chap v i . .,

ru le 2 I n the se m i im p e rativ e u se o f the fi rst p e r so n le t

.
-

,
4o H AU SA GRAM MAR

m e , the j
su b u n cti ve en is us ed . en t ash i, let me
star t .

The imper ative mood of tbe passive voice is fo r m e d by pre

fi x in g sho r t 5 (to be d istin g u ishe d fro m the l o n g i o f the
fu tu re p assiv e ) an d su fli x in g the p e rson al p ro n o u n s as g iv e n
in ru le 2 of th is chap te r ; e g . . ak o r e sh i let him b e d r iv e n
,

away .

T he E n g l ish activ e im p e rativ e is fr e qu e n tly exp re ssed by

the u se o f the p assiv e fo r m s o f the v e rb T hu s ak awo sh i .
, ,

le t it be br o u g ht wo u l d fr e q u e n tl y be su bstitu te d fo r
,

k
( ) a k a w o s h i b r in g it , W h e n th e p assiv e fo r m s ar e
.

u se d the fi n al p r o n o u n is fre qu e n tl y o m itte d in case s

,

wh e r e th er e is n o r isk o f a m isu n d e rstan d in g arisin g .

Thu s ak awo lit let be bro u ght is fre qu e n tly u se d fo r

, , .
,

ak awo sh i .

8 T he passive voice of tlze su bju n ctive mood is fo r m e d in

.

the sam e way as the im p e r ativ e p assiv e , n am e ly , by pr e

fi x in g the sho rt 5 an d su ffi x in g the p r o n o u n s g iv e n in

r u l e 2 o f this ch ap te r Ex : b a n a so ako r e shi I d o
. .
,

n o t wish that he shou l d be d r iv e n awa ; o r I d o n o t wish

y ,

him to be d r iv e n away .

The n egative of til e su bju n ctive an d imper ative whe the r ,

activ e o r p assiv e is e xp r e sse d by k ad (

,
d ) a d o n o t, let n o t, ,

that n o t , l e st pl ace d b e fo r e the p ro n o u n in th e activ e,o r

,

be fo re the v e rb in the p assiv e A fte r kad (d ) a the p ron o u n.

o f the im p e r ativ e m u st n o t be o m itte d Ex : in a jin ts o r o . .

k ad (d ) a ak o r e n i I am afr aid l e st I m ay be d riv e n away

, .

y a C h e k a d d
() a e n y i h ak k
() a h e sa id th at I was n o t to ,

d o so y a . c h e k a d ()d a ay i h a k k
() a h e sa id t h is w a s ,

n o t to be d o n e k ad (d ) a ay i sh i, d o n t let it b e d o n e
.
’
.

kad (d ) a k u y i h ak (k) a d o n t d o so’

, .

9 The re are ce r tain v erbs which acqu ire a p assiv e or

.

in tran sitiv e se n se by chan g in g the l ast sy ll abl e in to ch e o r ,

sh e , an d which fo r m a p ast p articipl e p assiv e by add in g

this p assiv e te r m in atio n to the activ e fo r m The foll o win g .

are so m e o f tho se m o st co m m o n ly fo u n d
 H AU S A G RA MM AR 41

passive or

tr an sitive . in tr an sitive .
past par tici l
p p
e assive .

b ata, to p l
s oi b ach e , to be b atach e, pl . b at at u ,
s oip lt sp o il t

l al at a, to p l s oi l al ach e , t0 per ish l al at ac h e , pl . l al at a

(tr o.r in t r ) . tu , p e r ishe d

b u s a to b lo w
, b u sh e , to be d ry b u sash e o r b u sh e sh e ,

(t r o.r i n t r ) . d r ie d
p u

t afass a to bo il
, t afas su ( or ta tafas sash e , b o il e d
fassh e) , to
b o il (in tr ) .

r ik it a, to co n r ik i c h e , to be r ik it ac h e , l r ikit a
p .

fu se co n fu s ed tu . co n fu se d

fas (s) a, to br e ak fash e , to br e ak fasash e, pl

. fasasu ,
( tr o r
. in tr .
) b ro k e n

The p ast p articipl e passiv e m ay al so be fo r m e d by

r e d u pl icatio n
d affa, to coo k d affafe , pl d affafu coo ke d
.
,

nun a, to be ri pe n u n an e pl n u u an u r ip e n e d
, . ,

t ar a, to co ll e ct t ar ar e co ll e cte d
,

m u t u , to d ie , has a p ast p articipl e , m atach e pl m atatu , .

,

d e ad .

VO CA B ULA R Y VI I .

jia y e ste rda

y
sh e kar an 31 a the d ay be fo re y ester d ay
wata m o n th
watan jia l ast m o n th
watan g o b e n e x t m o n th

m an z o m e sse n g e r
y ak i war
r ag o

n am a
n e s a o r n i sa
4 2 H A U SA GRA MM A R

da n e sa, or d istan t ( e d
us adj e ctivall y an d ad v er bi
da n is a ally )
b e r (r ) i to l e ave l e av e al on e , all ow
,

kash (sh ) e to k ill

ko r e to d r iv e away
t am ah a to th in k su pp o se
,

t s am an i

y e n ka to cu t, l au ghter (of an im al s)
s

t am b ay a to ask
a at
awoje, woje o u tsid e (ad ve rb an d p re p ositio n )
g ar e to (u se d with the p e rson al p ron o u n )
h ar ab (b ) ad a fo r e v e r
tu k u n a as y et n o t y et, p r e sen tly
,

k ad (d ) a d o n o t that n o t l e st
, ,

EX E RC I SE VI I .

f)i
t af( wu r in ka g ay a m asa sh i aike m an
sar ik i

z o n s a g ar e n i in a so e n t am b ay e sh i ko am b ash i
.

ab in ch i y.a c h e am b as h i k u r d i am m a b a a b as h i
ab in ch i b a tu ku n a an z o d a m u t an e ?
. t u ku n a,
an az u a d a su . ka g ay a m asu kad (d ) a su ji t s o r o
ba z aak o r e su ba i b e r s u s u t af(f ) i ?
. i d an sar iki
y a c h e i b e r su , i b e r su . k an a t sam an i si (or su i )
zo c h ih watan n an ko wat an g o b e ? b a z asu
k
() i n

2 0 b a ch ih k in wat an n an u n a t af(f w k o ba
() s ) o a .

su f ) o wa b a ? n a kar e aik i n an sh e kar an jia

t af(
ab an i wo n i ak i a k a ? aa ak i b a a k ar e wa
y .
y r e y y
h ar ab (b ) ad a .

I f the r am has bee n k ill e d d o n o t let the m en e at the ,

m e at b e cau se if they eat they wo n t wan t to trav e l far

,
’
.

1
l i is o mi tted before the di rect obj ect if a perso nal p no n
The fi na ro u ,

an d o ccasi o nall y befo re the o bj ect if a su bstan ti ve ; thu s b erch i l ea e , , v

him al o n e bu t b er i m u taf(f ) i all owu s to go ; in the l atter case m u is

, ,

n ot the d i rect obj ect o f b e r i .

 C H A P T E R V III .

1 . I N the S e m itic l an g u ag e s p ro p e r the v e rbal ste m

u n d e r g o e s a se r ie s o f Chan g e s by the ad d itio n o f v ario u s
,

p re fix e s by d o u bl in g o n e o f the e xistin g con so n an ts o r by

, ,

m o d ifi catio n o f the v o we l so u n ds I n this way so m e fiftee n

.

v o ice s o r chan ges o f m e an in g so m e what re se m b l in g v o ice s

, ,

ar e o b tain e d I n the B e r be r l an g u ag e to which H au sa is

.
,

p ro bably all ied the r e are ten su ch v o ice s tho u g h the

, ,

chan g e s in the v e r bal ste m d o n o t be ar an y cl o se r e se m bl an ce

to tho se in A r ab ic I n Hau sa the r e app e ar to be trace s o f

.

fo u r o r fi v e su ch tho u g h with the e x ce p tio n o f th e o r d in ary

, ,

p assiv e fo r m ation it is d o u btfu l whe the r it is p o ssibl e to

,

co n n e ct the m with an y u n ifo r m chan g e s o f m e an in g .

2 T he o rd in ary fo r m o f the H au sa v e r b e n d s in a, e , i ,
.

O , o r 11 I t see m s im p o ssibl e to assig n an y d istin ct m ean

.

in g s to the fi r st thr ee te r m in atio n s which ar e al so fo un d in ,

N u pean d F u l ah M an y v e rbs see m to be u se d in d iff er e n tly

.

with e ach in tu r n I n ce rtain case s the ter m in ation e is

.

app are n tl y u se d whe n fo ll o we d by a d ire ct o bj e ct o n ly ,

an d the te r m in atio n a whe n this o bj e ct is q u al ifi e d by the

ad d itio n o f so m e su bsid iary Cl au se Ex : n a t u r e m u tu m. .
,

I p u she d the m an o u t n a t u r a m u tu m a r u a I p u she d

.
,

the m an in to the wate r 1

.

A s has bee n al re ad y state d in case s whe r e the sim pl e

.

fo r m o f the v e rb e n d s in a o r u this fo r m chan g e s its fi n al

,

l e tte r to e whe n fo ll o we d by a p ro n o u n which is its d ir e ct

o bj e ct Ex : n a s am u m u tan e I fou n d the m en ; bu t ,
. .
,

Cf M ischlich s
.
’
Lehrbu ch d er hausan ischen Sprache .
”
B erlin , 1 902 ,
P 47
 H A U SA GRA M M AR 45

n a s am e su ,
I fo u n d the m .
y a d au k a k a a
y , he to o k up

the l oad ; b u t, y a d au ke sh i , he to o k it u p T he re are a .

c e r tain n u m be r of e x ce p tio n s to this r u l e Ex : y a t ar a . .

m u tan e he co ll ecte d the m en ; y a tar asu he collected

, ,

t he m y a .k a r a s u b e in c r e a se d th e ir n u m,b e r .

3 I n case s whe re a v e r b u se s m o re than o n e o f the

.

te r m in atio n s a e , an d i the r e is u su all y so m e d istin ctio n

, ,

o f m e an in
g d e n o te d b y t h e d f
if e re n t fo r m s tho u h it d o e s
, g
n o t see m p o ssibl e to su gg e st an e e a l l e Ex a
y g n r r u s : y . .

f ad (d ) a m an i , he to l d m e ; bu t y a fad (d ) i g askia he , ,

t o l d th e tr u th y a fa d i h e fe ll d.o w n ; y a f a d i k as ()s a, ,

he fe ll to the gro u n d y a f a d a a r u a h e fe ll in to the

.
,

wate r ; bu t y a fad a r u a, he fl u n g him se l f in to the wate r

,
.

4 The ter m in atio n 0 su gg e sts m o v e m e n t to ward s the

.

s p e ak e r , o r so m e th in g d o n e fo r the be n e fit o f the spe ak e r .

E x : t af(f ) i to go ; taf(f ) o to co m e
.
,
kai , carry away ; , .

k awo brin g he r e ,
wan ke to wash ; wan lro wash it an d.
l
, ,

br in g it back n e m a to see k (n e m e be fo re a p ro n o u n
.
, )
n em o to see k an d br in g
,
k o iy a (fo llo we d by m a) to .
,

t e ac h ; ho iy o to l e arn I n so m e case s 0 is the o n ly

,
.

t e r m in atio n e m pl oy e d Ex : so to wish . .
,
.

5 The te rm in atio n 11 is g e n e rally u se d whe re a p assiv e

.

-o r in tr an sitiv e se n se is in te n d e d Ex : b u d e , to o p e n ; . .

b u d u to b e o p e n , o r to be O p e n e d
,
t ar a to co ll e ct .
,

( tr a n s ) t ar u. t o as se m b l e k ar a to in cre ase ; k ar u to b e
, ,
.
,

i n cr e ase d g a m m
( ) a t o . j o in t o g e t h e r ; g a m m
( ),
u t o b e ,

in e d to m ee t
j o ,

m u t u l e ss co m m on ly m ach e to d ie bo th in tran sitiv e

, , , ,

a n d s am u to fi n d , tr an sitiv e d o n o t co n fo r m to the abo v e

, ,

r u le s am u is ho we v e r u se d in a p assiv e o r in tr an sitiv e
.
, ,

se n se in the e xp re ssio n h ai n y a t a s am u , the re is a ro ad , ,

o r the r o ad is o btain e d i e the ro ad n o w ex ists . . .

6 Fr o m the se fo rm s in u ar e o b tain e d for m s in u wa

.
- -
,

which, in ad ditio n to the ir p assiv e o r in tran sitiv e m e an in g ,

1 There is a th rd fo rm , wo n a, u sed w th y i, wh ch d en o tes to

i k i i wash
t he who e b od , to bathe I t is pro bab a v erba su bstan t ve
l y . ly l i .
4 6 H A U S A G RAM M AR

al so d e n o te p o te n tial ity o r the o pp o site T he se for m s m ay .

be r egard e d as p assiv e v e rb al su bstan tiv e s an d ar e u se d ,

with the sam e p ro n o m in al fo rm s as the activ e v erbal su b

stan tiv es Ex : sh in a y in wa o r y u n wa, can it be d o n e
. .

b a sh i y in wa it can t be d o n e ,g u l a b e s u n a k ’
e t a r u w a .
,

can the r iv e r s b e cr o sse d ? b a t a am r u a o r au r u a she is ,

n ot m arr iag e ab l e b a n a d am u a, I am n o t to be
.

an n oy e d .

7 Ap art fro m the v ariatio n s o f the te r m in al v o we l

.

al re ady g iv e n a n u m be r o f su ffi x e s ar e u se d with ce r tain

,

v e rbs I t see m s im p o ssibl e to co n n e ct an y u n ifo r m chan ges

.

o f m e an in g with the u se o f the se su ffi x e s .

The fo llo win g ar e e x am pl e s o f su ch chan g e s

b a to g iv e
,
Ex : y a b ash i it a he gave her to him
. .
,
.

b ad a tak e s a p r e p o sitio n be fo re the in d ir e ct o bj e ct Ex .

y a b a d a i t a g a r e s h i ,
h e g av e h e r to h im W he r e .

the accu sativ e fo ll o ws the v e rb d ir e ctly b ad a is u se d in

'

p re fe re n ce to b a whe re the in d ire ct o bj ect fo ll o ws the v e rb

d ir e ctly b ad a m u st n o t be u se d Ex : y a b an i k u r d i . .
,

he g av e m e m o n ey ; bu t, y a b ad a ku r d i g a m u t an e , he
g a v e m o n e y t o t h e m e n I t is al s o u s e d id io m a t ica ll y
. th u s

b ad a g ir im a to ho n o u r ; b ad a g askia, to be l ie v e ; b ad a
,

l aih to accu se ; b ad a h ain y a to g iv e way bu t h ain y a

, , ,

t a b ad am u z u a g ar i the ro ad led u s to the to wn ; ,

b ay e s o r b ay ar to g iv e u p, r e store ,
W he n fo llo we d by .

an o bj e ct d a is ad d e d Ex : n a b ay es o r n a b ay es
1
. .
, ,

d a s h i I g av e it u p ,
.

t ar a to co ll e ct pu t to g e the r ; t ar as t ar d a o r tar as
, , , ,

d a to o ve r tak e , co m e u p with
,
Ex : n a tar d ash i I o v e r . .
,

to o k him t ar ie to m ee t g o to m ee t we l co m e
2
. .
, , ,

c h i to eat ; C h i d a o r c h i sh e (
,
fo ll o we d by p ro n o u n ) to ,

iv e t o a t Ex n a ch i sh e sh i I av e h im t at
g e : .
g . o e ; ,

c h i n y e , o r C h ai n y e , to eat u p .

z u b a, to pou r, be s p il t ; zu b aS , o r z u b ar (whe n fo llo we d

1
i
F o r the var ou s m ean n gs o f d a, cf chap i . . ix .

2
Poss b these fo r m s m ay be d er v ed fro m two d st
i ly i i i nct roo ts .
 H A U S A G RA M MAR 47

by an ob j e ct d a is add e d , as with b ay e s) , to pou r ; z u b d a,

to po u r ,
p se t (wate r)
or to u .

t ash i to r ise ; t ad a, o r tash e (be fo re a pe rson al pro

,

n ou n ) to m ak e to r ise raise
, , .

b at a to d e stroy b e sp o il t ; b at as b at as d a to d e stroy
, , , ,

b ach e to be sp o il t
,
.

kwan a to spe n d the n ig ht ; kwan t a, o r y in kwan ch e

, ,

to sl ee p lie d o wn to sl ee p
,
.

m an ta o r m an ch e to fo rg e t
, ,
.

sai y a ( be fo r e a p ro n o u n saiy e ) to bu y ; saiy ar , saiy e s ,

(w h e n fo ll o we d b
y an o bj e ct,
s a i y e s d a,
s ai y e r d a o r ,

sai d a) o r sai sh e (be fo re a p e rso n al p r o n o u n )

,
to se ll ; ,

s aiy o to bu y an d brin g back

1
.
,

8 The fo rce o f v e rbs is fre q u e n tly in te n sifie d by the re

.

d u pl icatio n o f the fi rst sy ll ab le Ex t sag a to te ar ; . .

,

t sat sag a to te ar to p ie ce s
,
C h ik (k) a to fill ; chich ik (k) a
.
, ,

to fi ll to the fu ll b u g a to strik e ; b u h u g a, to str ike

.
,

r e p e ate dly g u s a ,
to
.
g u sh o u t ; g u r g u s a,
to g u sh o u t

ab u n d an tly t ar a, to co ll e ct ; t at ar a to he ap u p
.
,
.

V O CA B U IA RY V III .

kasa, k as(s) a g r o u n d ,
e arth, lan d
y awo a wal k

y i n y aw o to g o fo r a wal k
g u l b i ,
pl g u l ab e r iv e r
.

d il al i br o ke r
z an
()
n e a p ie ce o f c o th
l
s au r a e
r st, r e m ain d e r
d aj i , or j ej i bu sh, scr u b, u n cu l tiv ate d fo re st l an d
en n u
() a shad e
zu ba to p o u r o u t, be p o u r e d ou t

t ar a to co ll e ct (tran s ) .

T here is n o v erba l su bstan t v e i fo rm ed fro m iya

sa , o r sa iye , to bu y .

Thus, sa iy e da saiy eru a ( or b uy i ng and selli ng .

4 8 H AU SA GR A M MAR

bu de to o pen
ru fe to S hu t

g am m
( ) a to jo in tog e the r ( tran s .
)
kar a to in cre ase
m u tu to d ie

k e t ar e to cr o ss
am r e , or au r e to m arry , m ar r iag e
l ai fi sin , o ff n c e e
S ha to d r in k

s aiy a to b uy
ki to re fu se ,
d e n y , h ate
s aiy ar , s aiy as , to se ll

s ai d a

k ar b a, k ar b i to r e ce iv e ,
acce p t
d am e to m ix , co n fu s e

EX E R C I SE V III .

kar a m an i ab i n c h i , b a y a i s sa b a t o , n i kar ash i . .

b awan a y a t af(f ) i n e m an y ar o b a y a sam e sh i b a,

k ai k a t af (f ) i ka n e m o sh i i n a s o k a k ai z an (n ) e
.

n an wu r in d i lal i sh i s ai d ashi , i d an y a s ay e r ka
k arb i ku r d i ka s ay o m an i r ag o k a k awo s au r an

ku r d i . d o ki n wa n e ? aa an say e s d a
an n a s ay e r

s h i ji a i n a s o e n s ay e r aku m i e n n a ak e s am u n s a ?
.

m asu r ak u m i su n a ch ik (k) in k as u a su n a s ay e d a
s ay e r wa g u.l b i n an s h i n a k e t ar u w a ? aa b a sh i
k e t ar u wa b a y a b u sh e wa h ar ab (
,
b ) ad a kan a s o .

s ar iki s h i b ak a j ir ig i d o m in ka k e t ar e ? s ar iki y a

c h e k a b a sh i ab i n s a t o n a b ay e s . .

M y fr ie n d we l co m e d m e -
ou the r o ad I m et the trad e r s
.

i n the b u sh e we r e l y in g in the
th y shad e I m ad e the m
.

t an d tak e m e to t he to wn G e t an d br in m e
g e u
p u
p g .

wate r to d r in k I fi ll e d m y wat e r b o ttl e this m o r n in g bu t

.
-

i t was sp il t o n the way ; m y bo y u p se t it H o w d id y o u .

 H AU S A G RA M M AR 49

p l this boo k
s oi I d o n t kn o w; I fo u n d it spo ilt
’
. Bo il m e
so m e wate r . T he wate r has bo il e d G iv e m e so m e bo il in g
.

wate r W he n the food is coo ked te ll m e G iv e m e so m e

.
,
.

coo k e d foo d .The m e at is coo ked G o to the m arke t an d

.

b u y m e a sad d l e . T he m an who has the sad d l e re fu ses to

se ll it
. A re the re n o sadd le s to be fo u n d in the mar ke t ?
G o to so m e o n e e l se an d b u y.
 CH A PT E R IX .

1 . The fo ll o win g are the pr eposition s m o st co m m o n ly

used
ma
a
g , g ar e

a
wa
da (see n o te o n var o us i
u ses o f d a bel o w)
n a, -
n , fe m . ta of

d ag (g ) a fr o m
d o n , d o m in on acco u n t o f
tu n , t u n d a as far as, sin ce , u n ti
l
sai ex ce p t, u n til bu t ,

b an d a, b am d a ap art fro m in ad d ition

,

I n add itio n to the abo v e a n u mb r o f

e wo rds are used as
p re p o sitio n s which ar e n o t str ictly su ch , e .
g

c h ik k
() i in , in to f
( m C h ik k i
n r o () ,
the in te rio r )
woje n o u tside (fro m woj e the ,

sid e)

g ab ()
b an in fro n t o f (fro m g ab (b ) a ,

the fro n t)
b ay an b e hin d , bey o n d (fro m
b ay a back),

b is (s) a, b is (s) an o n to p o f ( fro m b is (s) a ,

the to p)
5 2 H AU S A GRAMMAR

im ply in g te ll in g o r s n din ge . T he stu d n t can e on ly l e ar n

by p ractice whe n it is u sed o the r wise : n a d akan t a . Ex .

m a (o r wa) sar iki I waite d fo r the kin g , .

g a is fr e q u e n t ly c o m b in e d w it h o t h e r p ar t ic l e s Ex .

b i s (s) a g a u p o n ; hu s(s) a g a n e ar to ; b ay a g a be hin d ;

, , ,

g a b () g
b a a in f r o n t
, o f g a is u s e d b e f.o r e s u b st a n tiv e s ,

g a r e b e fo r e p ron o u n s I t is u se d to
. d e n o te p o ss e ss io n .

Thu s g are n i I hav e (lit to m e) The fo llo win g fo rm s o f

, , .
,
.

g a r e w it h th e t h ir d p e r son s in
g u l ar a r e fou n d
g a ru s an d
, g a r e th e l as t f o r m m a y b e a c o n t r a c t ion fo r

g a r e sh i c o m p,a r e m a i a n d m a s h i o r it m a y b e a n a b so l u t e ,

u se the p ro n o u n b e in g u n d e r sto o d
,
.

a at to , in
, ,
I t is al m o st eq u iv al e n t to g a bu t is o f
.
,

m u ch le ss fr e qu e n t o ccu r r e n ce I t is o fte n p re fix e d to .

the p re p o sitio n s g ar e c h ih( k) in an d b is (s) a P refix ed

, , .

to b ay a g ab ( ,b ) a kas (s) a it is u se d ad v e r bially ; thu s

, ,
,

ab ay a be hin d ; ag ab (
, b ) a in fro n t ; ak as(s) a o r akass , , ,

o n the gr o u n d awoje o u tsid e , .

wa is sp e cially u se d afte r v e rbs m e an in g to te ll Ex .

kad (d ) a ka g ay a wa ko wa d o n o t te ll it to an y o n e , .

I ts u se with o the r v e r bs is v e ry rare Ex : y a y e n ke wa . .

s ar iki ku n e he cu t o ff the k in g s ear

’
, I t can n o t be u se d .

be fo re p e r so n al p ro n o u n s .

na .F or u se s o f n a see chap I I 4 , I t is pl ace d be fo re . . .

the card in al n u m e ral s to fo rm the o r d in al s Ex : n ab in . .

,

fem t ab iu seco n d ; cf al so n ab ay a fem tab ay a that

.
,
.
, .
,

which co m e s afte r seco n d , .

d ag (g ) a is fr e q u e n tly co m bin e d with o the r p ar ticl e s .

Ex : d ag (g ) a ch ik (k) i fro m within ; d ag (g ) a b ay a

. , ,

fro m be hin d afte rward s ; d ag (g ) a ch an the n ce , y o n d e r ;

, ,

d ag (g ) a e n n a whe n ce ? d ag (g ) a n e sa fro m afar ; d ag (g) a

, ,

g a r e s u fr o m, th e m .

t u n tu n d a, The fo ll o win g ar e so m e o f its co m mo n est

.

u se s, so m e o f which ar e co nj u n ctiv al t u n d a safe sin ce .

,

the m o r n in g ; t u n h aifu an ka, t u n d a ak ah aife ka, or

tu n d a ka ke , sin ce y o u r bir th ; tu n y au sh e , sin ce whe n ?
 H AU S A G RA MM A R 53

ho wl o n g ? tu n d a d a d er e , sin ce last n ig ht ; tu n d ade wa,

lo n g sin c e ,
fro m a lon g tim e . tu n or tu n d a befo re n eg a

tiv es m ean s be fo re . Ex : tu n . b ai m u tu b a, e env before

he is d e ad .

sai . Ex am pl e s o f its u se are, sai wota r an a (fare well)

-

till an o the r day ! s ai anjim a good by e fo r the prese n t ,

-

sai g o b e ( farewe ll) till to m o rro w

, sai wan an o n l y this
-
, .

sai am b i deka ( wait) till y ou are so u ght fo r sai lafi a

, .
,

q u ite w e ll ( u s e d in a n sw e r to Sa l u ta tio n s) .

c hih( k) i n T he ex pre ssio n ch ik(k) in sa m ay e ithe r be

.

in sid e it, o r its in sid e .

woj e Ex : woje n ka with y o u

. . woj e n an , . v

d ag (g ) a woj e ch an o n this sid e , o n that sid e in a .

t af( f ) ia woje I am wal kin g o u tsid e, .

b ay an Ex : b ay an sa in his absen ce ; lit behin d him

. .
, . .

y a t a f f
() i b a y a n g a r i h e w e n t o u ts id e th e ,to w n .

”
“
b i s (s) a so m e tim e s sign ifie s co n cern in g E x : b is (s) a . .

zan che n an co n ce rn in g this co n v e rsatio n

, b is (s) a .

y e r d a n a l l a h b y th e w i
,ll o f G o d ,
o r ,
if G od w ill b i s ()
s a .

g a , in r e g a r d to m i Ir a c h e. b i s () g
s a a r e n i wha t d id ,

y o u say abo u t m e P
k) an in
t sak( . Ex . : y a z am n a k) an in m u , he sat
t sak (
d o wn be twee n us .

wu r in . Ex . na 2 0 wu r in ka I hav e , co m e to see y o u .

litafi n an y an a wu ri n a , this boo k is in m y po ssessio n .

an sa v van i wu r in sa , an o t he r was pu t in his pl ace .

g u n . Ex . : g u n c h an , o ve r the re .

g u r u b i n . Ex . : pl ace
g u r u b in s a, in his .

g ar i n . Ex : y a taf(f ) i g ar in y awo he wen t (o r, has

.
,

g o e) for
n a wal k n a fi t( t) o g ar i n sh an h iska I hav e
.
,

co m e o u t lit d rin k) the air

to e nj o y ( . .

akan . Ex : akan d o ki o r b is (s) a kan d o ki on

.
, ,

ho r se back .

y a zu a . zu a, an d l e ss fre q u e n tly y a zu a, are em

plo y e d with an y n u mb r e o r p e rso n to exp r ess to u n to , ,

.

Ex : su n t af(f ) i
. zu a ( y
or a z u a ) s o k o t o t he y wen t to ,
54 H A U S A G RAMMAR

So ko to h al y a z u a y an z u , e v e n to the p re se n t tim e
. .

m u n a g o d ia z u a g a al l ah , we g iv e than ks to G o d .

Ve rbs o f m o tio n su ch as taf(f ) i do n o t r e q u ire to be

, ,

foll o we d by an y e qu iv al e n t fo r the E n g lish “

to
”
whe n
u se d with n o u n s o f l ocal it Ex y a t af f i
() g a r i he
y : . .
,

we n t to to wn ; bu t y a taf(f ) i g a sar iki he we n t to the

, ,

k in g .

S ev e ral ad v e r bs o f pl ace e g ku s (s) a n e ar ; n e sa far ; ,

. .
, ,

aje r e in l in e ; d au r a (o r
, al o n g sid e (bu t n o t so
cl o se as to to u ch) whe n fo ll o we d by d a o r l e ss fre qu e n tl y
, ,

by g a o r g ar e ar e u se d as p r e p o sitio n s ; e g ku s (s)
, , . .

g a r e ka n e ar t,o y o u s u t s ay a d a u r a d a j u n a th e y stoo d ,

sid e by sid e .

2 The wo rd d a is u se d as ap r eposition conju n ction adver b

.
, ,

an d r elative pr on ou n The fo ll o win g are its chie f u se s

.

()
1 I n stru m e n tal Ex : y a s a r e sh i
. d a t a k o b i h.e cu t ,

him with a swo r d .

()2 C o m itativ e e sp e ciall

y,
w it h t ar e to g e the r Ex : y a , . .

2 0 t ar e d a n i he cam e with m e , .

I t is fr e q u e n tly u se d with v e rbs o f m o tio n Ex taf(f ) i . .

d a sh i g o o ff with it ; i e tak e it away

, y a 2 0 d a sh i
. . .
,

he cam e with it ; i e he br o u g ht it he re . . .

(3 ) F r o m th is c o m e s t he r e u l ar m e tho d o f e xp r e ssin
g g
p o sse ssio n in H au sa Ex : su n a d a b in d ig a they hav e
1 . .
,

a g u n ; lit they are with a g u n

. in a d a sh i o r n i k e d a .
, ,

sh i I hav e it
,
T he e xp re ssio n d a sh i is o fte n eq u iv al e n t
.

”
to th e re is .

I i e d d e n o te co m p e titio n o r co n te st Ex
(4) t s u s to : y a . .

y i f a d d
() a d a w a n i m u tu m h e fo u g ht with a ce r tain ,

m an .
y a fi n i d a k e a u h e ex ce ll e d m e in be au t
y ,n a .

5 s o (or fi s(s) o ) wo n an d a wo n an I pr e fe r this to that , .

fi b n tiv e s in o rd e r to fo r m ad ec
(5 ) I i p e x e d j
w
t s r to su sta
tiv es o r ad v e r bs Ex : d a an fan i u se fu l ; lit ith u se
. .
, . .

d a r ai al iv e , d a wu ri e ar ly
.
, .

For u se o f the su b stan t v e v erb i a, to d en o te po ssess o n , i cf chap . . xv .

 H AU S A G RAM M A R 55

6
() d a is al so us e d as a su ffi x to m an y v e rbs . Ex
s aiy e s , s aiy e sd a, to se ll .

(7 ) d a is al so
e d a s a s i m pluse c o p u l a t iv e w i th t w o o r m o r e
su bstan tiv e s I t m u st n o t be u se d as the E n gl ish wo rd
.

an d to co n n e ct se n te n ce s da d a d en o te s bo th
.

an d The exp re ssion hu s(s) a d a hu s(s) a (i e cl o se

. . .

an d cl o se P) is eq u ival e n t to hu s(s) a d a ju n a, clo se to each

o the r .

()8 d a is a l so u s e d a s a c o n j u n c ti o n o r a d v e r b m e a n in
g ,

whe n wher e o r if Ex : d a e n y i wo n an g ar a e n
, ,
. .

m u tu I wou l d rathe r d ie than d o this ; lit if I d o this it

, .
,

wo u ld be be tte r to d ie .

(9) d a d a a r e u se d i n h y p o t h e t ic a l s e n t e n ce s t h u s

d a n a san i d a b an y ish i b a had I kn o wn I wo u ld n o t

1
, ,

hav e d o n e it d a n i kai n e d a n a d awo iy o had I

.
,

bee n y o u I wou ld hav e r e tu rn e d he re

, .

( )
1 0 d a is a l so u s e d a s a r e l a t iv e p ro n o u n , m e a n in g
wh ich e sp e cially in the exp re ssio n , ab in d a the thin g
”
, ,

which saan d a o r sim ply d a is u se d fo r the tim e whe n

.
, ,

e n d a o r sim pl
, y d a f or
“
w h e re
”
, .

3 T he r e are two o the r wo rd s da an d d i form e d fro m

.
,

q u ite d istin ct r o o ts .

d a a so,n ,
i s u s e d i n t h e fo ll o w i n g w a y s

()1 M e a n i n
g s o n Ex : d a n u. w a n a m .
y b ro t he r ; lit , .

so n o f m
y m o t h e r .

()2 W h e n fo ll o w e d b y t h e n a m e o f a pl a c e it m e a n s a
n ativ e o f that pl ace
; e g d a n 2 0 2 0 a n a
. t i
. v e o f 2 0 20 , .

(3 ) I t d e n o t e s c h a r a c t e r o r o c c u p a t io n E x : d a n d a k i . .
,

a se rv an t ; lit so n o f the ho u se . d an y ak i a so ld ie r ; .
,

lit so n o f war
.
d a n g a r
. i a ci t i ze n ; li t s o n ,
o f t h e .

to wn .

(4) I t fo r m s t h e d im in u ti v e o f m a n
y n o u n s Ex : d a n . .

kasu a a l ittl e m ar ke t
, d an r u a a sm all stre am .
, .

1 T he ex pressio n d a n a san , had I k nown , is fre u ent u sed by i ly

q
i l
tse f to d en o te remorse g ir m an k ai d a d a n a sam .d a h ai in c hi ,

p i
r d e an d v a n ex cu ses an d i
d ece t i .
5 6 H AU S A G RA M M AR

(5 ) I t de n o te s the y o u n g of an im als . Ex . : d an tu m kia,

a l am b .

6
() I t m e an s o n e who is free , as O pp o se d to a sl av e . Ex
u i da no b a b awa b a, I am fr ee : not a sl av e .

(7 ) I t is us ed in v ario u s id io m atic way s Ex dan . .

g ar u m fa, o n e who carr ie s his o wn l o ad lit so n o f a straw .

hat .

da p r o n o u n ce d d i w i h l d e
( t a o n
g so u n
) m an s o f o ld ,

an d is fr eq u e n tl y u se d with l o kachi Ex : l o kach in d a . .

,

in o l d e n tim e m u t an e n d a m en of o ld
.
,I t is o fte n .

p r eced e d by n a Ex : kam an n ad a as o f o ld
. .
, .

I t is u se d id iom atical ly to e xp re ss u n fu lfi ll e d in ten

tio n Ex : d a z a u i y in h ak(k) a I had in te n d e d to d o
. .
,

this .

VO CAB ULAR Y IX .

ku n e ear

s afe e ar ly m o rn in g
h aifu a bir th
z an ch e e rsatio n
co n v

y e rd a will co n se n t
,

h i sk a air win d
,

t ako b i swo rd
ke au b eau ty , go o d n e ss
d aki ro o m

kan g o , pl . kan g ay e a r u in

g ar i to wn
t u m kia, pl . tu m aki Shee p
l ok ach i tim e
kiy au ta, kian ta a pre se n t
h au r i an e l e phan t s tu sk ivo r
’

y ,

t akar kar i a p ack o x

m ag an a wo rd
y i n m ag an a to tal k
 H A US A G R A M MA R 57

tu re , pl . tu ra wa a white m an , a fo reign er
tu b ali a m u d brick
y er d a to co n sen t

j er u to fo rm up in l in e
h aife to bege t
sar e to cu t

g ar a it is be tte r
d awo iy o to e tu rn he re
r

g i n a to b u ild
d aid ai al ike co rrect
,

d ab (b ) ar a, or d au r a alo n gsid e

EX ER C I SE IX .

in a so ka t af(f ) i wu r in sar iki Ira che da shi na

g o d e m as a s ab ()
b o d a k i y a u t a d a y a a ik o m i n i .

d ag (g ) a e n n a fat ake n an su ka fi t (t) o d ag (g ) a

y o l a , z as u k an o d a h a u r i t u n y au s h e s u
. k e

t af( f ) ia ? watan su b iu a h ain y a in a so r aku m i .

id an n a b aka d o ki ab akin r aku m in ka Ira y e r d a ?

aa b a u i da r aku m i da z an b aka sai t akar kar i . da
n a san i h ak (k) a d a b an zo -
wu rin ka ba . Ira g an
sh i ? ii d a na je i d
g () d an sa n a sam e sh i z am u c a
ko far i
g d (d ) a d a d an sa an ach e wa d a sh i
t ar e

y u su fu . d i m u t an e n kasan g a su kan y i fad (ql ) a d a

ju n a . ka g ay a wa m asu kay a su t ash i su tsay a
ej e r e da juna . aa b a b ak(h) au an ba . su j e ru

d aid ai b a n a so su tsay a d au r a d a juna .

G o to my frien d an d te ll him I am co m in g to him ; I

wan t to tal k to him abo u t the ho rse D u rin g the who le o f .

m y l ife I hav e
e v e r see n its l ike till to d ay The m en
n -
.

who m y o u see are p e o pl e go in g to the far m s ; they hav e

co m e o u t fro m the to wn they d o n t sl ee p o u tsid e the to wn
’

fo r fe ar o f war W hy are they still afraid ? No w that the

.

white m en hav e co m e the r e is n o m o re war We r e it n o t

,
.
5 8 H AU S A G RAM MA R

fo r war ,y ou wo u l d see to wn s clo se to e ach o the r all o v e r

th is co u n try ; n o w, e x ce p t fo r ru in s y o u see n o thin g in the

,

bu sh . This to wn was bu il t be fo re the war with Tu ku r ,

E m ir o f K an o ; it was take n be fo re y o u cam e W hat will
.

o u g iv e m e in e x chan g e fo r this ?
y
60 H AU S A GRA M MAR

singu lar l l
.
p u r a .

(5 ) i
g d (d ) a i d d
g () j a e ho u se , co m p ou n d
b is (s) a b is (s) ash e beast
ku d a k u d aje fly
k asa k as ash e e ar th l an d
,

The plu r al of nou ns end ing in i is fo r m e d

() 1 By chan g in g the fi n al i in to a or ai .

()
2 By an irr e g u l ar r edu pl icatio n o f the l ast sy ll abl e .

(3 ) B y chan g in g the fi n al i in to u n a o r ay e .

ra u
k ma
t ak al m a
ab o kai
m ach i z ai
g ar u r u a, g ar u r u k a
wu r ar e
d aku n a
kifay e

The plu r al of n ou n s en ding in e is u su a lly fo rm e d by

irr eg u lar r ed u plicatio n

kar (r ) e kar n u ka dog

h aske h asko ki , h askaikai l ig ht
The plu r al f
o n ou n s en d ing in o is fo r m e d

()
1 By chan g in g the fi n al 0 in to a or i .

()
2 By chan g in g t he 0 in to ay e , aje , un a, or an u .

B y ad d in g n i or r i to the sin u lar

(3 ) g .

(4) By ir r eg u l ar r e d u pl ication .

p lu r al .

()I y ar o y ara

m akafo m akafi
()2 kan g o kan g ay e
 H AU SA G RA M MA R 61

singu lar .

g ad o g ad aje

id o id an u , id an d u n a
(3 ) k af o kafo n i
m an z o m an z an i
o r ag r ag u n a

(4) r ag ()
g o r ag () j ,
g a e an id l e p e rso n
r ag (g ) una

t s o fo t so fafi , t so fi an o ld m an

The plu r al of wor ds en ding in u is u su a lly fo r m e d

ad d in g a o r n a to the sin g u l ar .

h an u h an u a han d
t ar u t ar u n a n et

M an y v e ral d iflere n t for m s o f the pl u ral

'

n o u n s u se se .

The fo ll o win g l ist will ill u strate so m e fu rther way s in which

plu ral s ar e fo rm ed

singu lar .

s ar iki sar aku n a, sar akai , he ad m an , kin g

s ar alri
l

kawu n a, k an u a
d awaki , d awakai
awaki
tu m aki
'

jak u n a, j akai
su r ad i , su r ad a, su r

d u n a, su r d o d i

b i r ay e , b ir ai , bi.
m o n k ey
r ar i

it ach e , or it e b e it at u a
j ir i g i i
j gr a e

m u tu m m u t an e
1 The x pres sion b a sar aki n sari ki is used to
e -
d en o te the o ffi cers o r
cou nsell o rs o f the k i n g s cou rt l l r aku n an sari ki
’
p u ra s a ,
.
62 H AU S A G RAM MAR

m at a wo m an
m az a, m az aje a m al e
b ay i , b ai sl av e
k ay ay e ki a l o ad
ay u y u ka, ay n ka, wo r k
aiko ki fi aiku n a
=

ir i 1 ir i i r i , ir ar e kin d , tribe
wu r i ku r d i cowry , sh e ll
kaz a k aj i a fo wl , he n

It will be o bs r e ve d that as a ge n e ral r u l e dissy llabl es ad d

a sy ll abl e in the p lu ral ; wo rd s o f m o re than t wo sy ll abl e s
sel d o m d o so .

A l m o st an y n o u n can be us ed co ll e ctiv e ly an d co n str u ed

as tho u g h it we re pl u r al ; thu s we m ay say m u t u m b i u , ,

o r m u t an e b i u two m e n sh e k ar a g o m a te n y e ars
, .
, .

P atr ony mics which are fo r me d in the Sin g u l ar by pr e fix

,

in g b a to a m o d ifi e d fo r m o f the n am e o f a co u n try m ake ,

the ir pl u ral by d r o pp in g the p r e fi x b a an d ad d in g the ter

m in atio n wa Ex : b ah au sh e pl h au sawa a H au sa
. .
, .
,

n ativ e b al ar ab e pl l ar ab awa an A rab

.
, b at u r e pl
.
, .
, .

t u r awa a white m an , B u t b afu l ach e a F u l an e fo r m s

.
, ,

its pl u ral fu l an i .

A bstr act su bstan tives u su ally en d e ither in c h i o r t a .

E g r ag o n c h i id l e n e ss, from r ag o id l e
. .
, dyi au c h i o r , .
,

dy i a n c h i f r ee d o m
,, fr o m d i a fr ee c h i wu t a s ic k n e ss , . , ,

fro m c h iwo ill m u g u n t a wicke d n e ss fro m m u g u bad

, .
, , , .

I n se v e ral case s fo r m s with bo th su fli x es are fo u n d ; thu s,

k u t u r ch i or k u t u r t a l ep ro sy , fro m k u t u r u
, to be , ,

l e p ro u s b au ch i b awan ch i o r b au ta sl av e ry , fro m
.
, , ,

b awa a Sl av e , .

T he sufi x ch i so m e tim e s d e n o te s the o fli ce o r wo r k o f a

'

1 When ir i m ean s k n d , the pron ou n u sed wth it ag rees in n u mber and

i i
g e n d e r w th the su bstan t v e wh ch fo o w
i s ir i E g w a n i
e i
r n m u tu m , ll . . . i i
what k nd of man ? wach e r n m ach e , what k nd of wom an ? wad
i i i i
l r n m u tan e , w
i i h k d f m ? i
()
g a n e a t n o en
 H A U S A G RA MM A R 63

pe rson o r thin g ; e g tu r an ch i that which be l o n g s to the

. .
,

Arabs the Ar ab l an gu ag e
,
tak a is u se d as a su fli x in a
.

som e what sim il ar se n se ; e g b ako n tak a the serv ice d o n e

. .
,

to a stran g e r fr o m b ako a stran g e r

, y i n b ak
,
o n t ak a to . ,

sho w ho sp ital it b ar an t ak a se r vice , fro m b a ta a

y .
, ,

se rv an t d iy an taka, free d o m , is u sed in the sam e way as

.

d iy au ch i .

EX ER C I SE X .

en n a m aisan d u n a n an y a t af f
() i ? kay an ka na wa
n e. su n a d ay awa . to ! t af(f ) i ka sh it i a ka k awo
kay e y e ki n k a d u ka m az a m az a . falke n n an y a
d e d (d ) e d a zu a ii y a y i sh ekar u d ay a
g ar in n an ?
wa d a z u an sa achik (k) in k wan akin n an z a y a
.

t ash i z u a gi d (
d ) an sa sar ik i y a y i d o k a y a ch e
.

m u t an e s u g e r a d aku n a ach ik (k) in g id (d ) aje n su .

ach ik (k) in kasan h au s a ak o i sar aku n a d ay awa .

b an d a s arik in g ar i m u t u m m aid u b an kasu a an ch e

da sh i s ar ikin kasu a, m u t u m m aijir an ko fa sh i n e

sar iki n ko fa, ako i wo d(d) an su ku m a d ay awa wad .

()
d an e I rI n b ir ai ne ab akin r u an b in u e ? ir i ir i
h ar b ab u iy aka ; wad(d) an d a su n 5 y awa su n a d a
fu sk o ki kam an kar n u k a ka aike wa m asu d awaki .

su y i s u r ad a da sau r i . an z o d a j ahu n a ? t u k u n a,
sai r ak u m a . zo m an a k a ag aje n i .

In H an sal an d the ho u se s are bu il t o f m u d bricks an d -

roo fe d with p al m stal ks an d g rass ; that is m e n s w o rk ; the

-
’

wo m e n be at in the floo r o f the ho u se A re ther e any fish .

in the m ark e t ? Yes The k in g has issu e d an o rd e r that

.

n o tree s are to be cu t d o wn clo se to the to wn ; n o w the

sl av e s hav e to g o so m e d istan ce to cu t an d br in g fi r e wo o d .

This is the kin d o f san d al s that I wan t The re is n o l ack .

o f to w n s in K an o te r r ito r
y T h e H au sas l iv e in to.w n s,
the

Fu l an i he rd sm e n l iv e in cattl e cam p s Te ll the he ad m an .

o f the can o e s to se n d m e all his can o e s to th is sid e ; I wan t

64 H AU S A GRAM MA R

to cro ss the riv er . These go ats are n o t m in e ; catch m y

at f r m e o u t o f the m an d d r iv e the r e st o u t o f the co m
g o o

pou n d . T he r e are a g re at m an y bl in d pe opl e in K an o ;

so m e o f the m we re fo r m e r l m a ll am s ; n o w they ar e u n ab l e
y
to te ach boy s to r e ad F ro m he re to Kan o , ho w m an y
.

d ay s m arch is it ? The r ain will be co m in g in a few

’

d ay s
.
 CHA P T E R XI .

N UM ER A LS .

d ai a 22 ash ir in d a b iu
b in 3 0 t al (l) atin
u ku 40 ar b ai n
fu d u , h u d u -

5 0 h am sin
b i ar , b i al , b i at 60 sittin

sh i d d
() a 7 seb
o b
() a1 n

b o k (k) 0i 80 tam an in
k) o s
to k ( 90 t i s s () ai n

t ar a 1 00 d ari m ia m in y a
, ,

g o m a zoo m etin , m e tain

g o m a Sha d ai a 3 00 d ar i u ku
g o m a Sha b iu 40 0 arb a m ia
ash i r in b iu b ab u , 5 00 d ar i b iar , h am sa m ia
ash i r in g ai r a b i u 600 d ar i shid (d ) a
ash ir i n d aia b ab u , 7 00 d ar i b o k (k) o i
ash ir in g ai r a d aia 800 d ari to k (k) o s
ash ir in , i sb i r in 900 d ar i t ar a
ash i r in d a d ai a
d u b u , alif, z am b ar
al u w m in y a
a 1

alu wa m etin
‘

d u b u (o r alif) d a d ar i u ku
al u wa ar b a m ia
al u wa h am sa m i n y a ( o r m ia
)
d u bu d a d ari shid (d ) a
d u b u d a d ari b o k (k) o i
al fi n g air a m e tin

1 A i
corru pt o n of the A rabic alif wa
, i
. e. a thou san d an d .

F
66 H AU S A GRAM MAR

al fi n g air a m in y a ( o r m i a) , al fi n

al fi n , al fai n , z am b ar b i u
" ‘
fl

tal (
l) at a, z am b ar u ku
ar b a, za m b ar fu d u
h am s a, z am b ar b iar
si tt a, za m b ar sh i d d
() a
s e b aa, z am b ar b 0 k (k) o i
tam an i a, z am b ar k) o s
to k (
zam b ar t ar a
z am b ar g o m a
z am b ar d ar i

za m b ar m otin
z am b ar d u b u , z am b ar al if

The wo rd g u d a co rr s o n d s to t he e p E n g l ish u n it It “
.
”

is u se d with n u m e r al s, thu s, g u d a u k u three in n u m be r ; ,

g u d a g u d a o n e a n
, o t h e r
(cf B s h i.

d o g u d a g u d a ta t si t o let him try to take o n e the

, , ,

o the r e scap e s g u
. d a g u d a is u se d l ik e d a ia d a i a f o r

o n e at a tim e g u.d a n a w a d e n o t e s h o w m a n
y P
I n the case of the n u m be rs 1 1 to 1 7 in clu siv e the word
g o m a is g e n e rall
y o m itt e d in c o n v e r sa t io n ; th u s 1 3 w o u l d
be sim pl y sh a u ku The two n u m be rs j u st be l o w the
.

d e cad e s are exp re sse d by u sin g b ab u n o thin g o r n o t o r , ,

g a i r a,
l e ss ; th u s t al l
() a,
t i n d a i a b a b u 2 9; d a r i g a i,r a
b iu 9 8
,
This sy ste m is o fte n appl ie d to the two d e cad e s
.

be l ow the hu n d r e d s Ex : m otin g air a ash i r in 1 80

. .
, .

T he r u le f or f or ming compou n d n u mber s is to pl ace the

l arge st n u m b e rs fi r st an d co n n ect e ach su ccee din g n u m er al
“ ”
by in ser tin g d a an d , Ex : d u b u d a d ar i t ok (k) o s
. .

d a ash ir i n d a d aia ,

T he n u mer als u sed to exp r ess the decades ar e tak e n fro m the
Arabic an d in m o st in stan ce s tho se u se d to e xp r ess hu n d re d s
,

an d tho u san d s I n so m e case s as will be see n fro m the

.
,

abo v e l ist, e ithe r the H au sa o r Ar abic fo r m s can be u se d .

T he card in al n u m be rs d o n o t ad m it o f g e n d e r They .
68 H AU S A GRAM MAR

EX E R CI S E XI .

r ak u m in n an k u r d in s a n awa ne ? y i n a d a ar ah a,

k u r d i n sa b a .
su d ay awa,
m b ar d ar i d a h am si n za

ne aa d a t sad a, y i m in i r o n g o m i
. t o n a r e g (g ) e .

m aka al fi n aa h am sa d ai
. t o , n a r e g (g ) e m ak a .

f al (l ) at a wa h am s a m ia . shi a y e r d a, z am
ke n an n

b ar d ar i d a ar b ai n d a sh id (d ) a d a k u r d i dar i b iar
ke n an . k ad (d ) a ka k ir g a k u r d in ka sh i d d
() a
sh i d d
() a, kir g as u b iar b ia r . sau n awa k a taf(f ) i
s o k o to ? b an t ab a t af(f ) ia S o ko to ba am m a n a
f) i
t af ( wu r n o sau u ku k ai m ad u g u r ab (b ) a k u r d i n
.

n an t sak ( k) an in m asu d au k an k ay a b ia su d u b u ,

d u bu . m u t u m u k u su t ash i b iu d ag (g ) a ch ik (k) in su
su d au ko r u a n a u k u n su sh i n e m o it ac h e
, d o ki .

n awa ak ak awo g u d a g o m a g u d a n aw a n e n ak a .

c h ik (k) in s u k o d ai a
. u i t al ak a n e k o wu r i b a u i
.

d a sh i .
y a u sh e z aka
y i w o n an aik i ? b a u i d a
d am a d a san u u i yi .

The p r ice of a cam el in the

K an o m ar ke t is fro m
to co wr ie s ; o f a ho rse fro m to ,

T he p r ice o f a d o n k ey is abo u t hal f that o f a ho rse W hat .

was the p r ice o f a sl av e befor e a white m an cam e to K an o ?

A g ir l u se d to be so ld fo r a bo y fo r
Ev e ry d ay y ou wo u l d see abo u t 5 00 sl i v e s in the m arke t .

I hav e g o t thr ee ho rse s ; o n e o f the m has a so re back ,

an o the r is l am e the thir d I hav e l e n t to a fr ie n d ; that is
,

the r e aso n fo r m y g o in g afoo t W hat is the p r ice o f an egg

.

in H an sal an d ? T he H au sas d o n o t eat he n s eg gs o n ly ’

,

u in e a fo wl s e g g s I
’
f stran g e r asks fo r he n s e g s the
’
g a .
g y
will br in g the m to him ; of the eggs that they brin g q u ite
h al f are bad Yo u hav e n o t to l d m e what I ask ed y o u , the
.

p r ice o f egg s T h e ir p r ice at L o koj a is hi h

.
g ; o n e co st s

1 00 co wr ie s ; bu t at K an o they co st 2 0 co wr ie s ap ie ce .
 CH A PT E R XII .

G END ER ; A DJ ECT I V E S ,
81 C .

1 . TH E
H au sa l an g u ag e u n l ike m an y o f the l an gu ag e s by
,

which it is su r rou n d e d p o sse sse s a distin ct g e n d e r fo rm a

,

tio n M an y o f the se l an gu ag e s kn o w o f n o d istin ctio n

.

e x ce p t that ex istin g in n atu re which is as a r u l e e xp re sse d

,

by a to tally d istin ct wo rd H au sa p o sse sse s two g e n d e r s

.
,

m ascu l in e an d fe m in in e A ll wo rd s which d e n o te the

.

fe m al e sex are fe m in in e , an d in add itio n n e arly all wo rd s

, ,

in the l an g u ag e e n d in g in a The fe m in in e sex is d e n o te d

.

by v ar io u s m o d ificatio n s o f the m ascu l in e te rm in atio n As .

in E n g l ish, the pl u r al fo rm s in cl u d e bo th g e n d e rs Ex : . .

s a bu ll ; san ia co w; sh an u
, , o x e n cattl e , , .

masC
fathe r m o the r
e lde r bro the r e lde r sist re
y o un
g r e bro the r y o e
u n g r sist re
m al e fe m al e
hu sban d wife
bo y irl
g
8 0h d au g hte r
kin g q u ee n
e v an t
s r fe m al e se r v an t

y o u th m aid v irg in
,

thie f
o ld m an o ld wo m an
d og b itch
ho r se m are
m al e cam el fe m al e cam el
he go at
- sh e -

g o at
7 0 H AU SA G RAM MAR

A s a g e n e ral ru l e , all wo rd s e n d in g in a ar e fe m in in e
e x ce p t those which d e n o te the m al e sex T he re ar e , ho w .
.

e ver exce p tio n s

,
Ex : t ab e r m a m at ; g u g a b u cke t ;
. .
, ,

r u a wate r b a k a a bo w; n am a fl e sh ; g id ( d ) a a ho u se ;
, ; , , ,

z u m a hon e
y ;
,
k a y a a l o ad ; k way a a g r ain , , .

I n ce rtain exp re ssio n s k ar i a fal se hoo d , an d g aski a , ,

tr u th ar e u se d as m ascu l in e
,
Ex : k ar ia n o it is a lie . .
, .

g a s ki a n e it is t r u e ,
.

T he wo rd safe e ar ly m orn in g has al so a fe m in in e fo r m

, , ,

s afi a s afe y a y i the m o rn in g cam e

. k o wach e s afi a
, .
,

e v e ry m o rn in g .

2 T he r e are v e ry few g e n u in e adjectives in H au sa M o st

. .

wo rd s u sed as su ch ar e e ithe r p ast p ar ticipl e s o f v e rbs o r ,

are fo r m e d by pr e fix in g ce r tain p re p o sitio n s o r o ther

p ar ticl es to n ou n s The adje ctiv e u su ally foll o ws the n ou n
.

which it q u al ifie s ; thu s m u t u m n ag ar i a goo d m an ; , ,

r u a had ( d ) an a l ittl e wate r I t is place d befo re the n o u n

, .

whe n it is sp ecially d e sired to e m p hasize the id ea con v ey e d

by the adj e ctiv e I n this case n is pl ace d b e twee n it
.
-

an d the n o u n fo ll o win g ; thu s b ab ( b ) an sar iki a gr e at , ,

k in g .

3 A dj ective s are in fle cte d in o rd e r to e xp ress g en d er

.

an d n u m be r T he mascu lin e gen der m ay en d in an y v o we l ;

.

the f emin in e e n d s in a o r in so m e m od ifi catio n o f a su ch , ,

as ia u a o r u n ia
, ,T he re is n o d istin ctio n o f gen de r in
.

the pl u ral the te r m in atio n o f which is u su ally y e o r u

,
.

n ag ar i g o od , for m s its fe m in in e t ag ar i
, .

4 T he fo ll o win g is an app r ox im ate l ist of all the simple

.

al g ash i alg asa al g asai , al g asu ree n

g
b ab (b) a b ab (b ) a m ain y a 1
gr e at
b ak (k) i b ak (k) a b ab ak u , b akake bl ack

1
Usuall y redu p licated ,
m ain y a m ain y a .
 H A U S A GRAM MA R 7 1

f em .

d ain y e d ain y a d ain y o y i , fre sh, raw

d ain y u
d ogu a d o g ay e tall
fara faru faru , far ar e white
g aj e r a or g j
a e ru sho rt

g ajer ia
g u r g u g u r g u a
ja ja
kad (d) a“ had (d ) an
k akahr a *
kakahr a
k an kan e kan kan wa k an k an a,
kan an a
k ar am i 1
k ar am a k ar am u
ko r e ko r i a kwo rr e *
g r ee n
m u gu m u g u n ia m iag u bad
raway a ra way a ra way u y e ll o w
sab o s ab u a sab u i , sab ab i n ew

sh u d i sh u di a sh u d o di bl u e
t s o fo t so fu a t so fli , t so fafi o ld

wo h 2
em pty ,b are ,

wo r thl e ss
5 . The fo llo win g are in stan ce s of p ast par ticiples u sed as

f em .

ch ikakia ch ik aku

wan kakia wan kaku

d afafi a d afafu
k o n an e lgo man ia lgo n an u
tafasash e t afasash ia tafasasu
tu y ay e , to y ay e t o y ay i a t o y ay u

6 . The p article s m o st co m m o n ly used as

1
kar am i freq u en t y borrows its p ura from kan ly m e
l l l . ‘

Th s word o u ght perhaps to be regard ed as a su bstan ti v e, bu t it is

i
o ften u sed adj ect va y
i ll E x : wo fi n m u tu m , a worth ess man
. . l .
7 2 H AU S A GRAM MAR

n ou n s in o rd er to fo r m adj e ctiv es ar e m ai , m a, d a,
m ar as . Wo rds to which m ai
p refi x e d form the ir is
pl u ral s by chan gin g m ai in to m asu ; wo rd s begin n in g
with m a for m the ir pl u r al s by a m od ificatio n o f the l ast
s ll abl e T h p e fi x m m e m m n d r as ( ) )
y e r . ar as (
fo r d fr o a a s a
for m s its pl u ral m ar as (s) a Wo rds co m p o u n d e d with d a .

hav e n o se p arate fo r m s fo r the pl u ral N o n e of the se .

co m p o u n d fo r m s hav e a se p arate fo r m fo r the fe m in in e .

The fo ll o win g are e x am pl e s of adj ectiv e s fo rm e d by the

ad d itio n o f p re fix e s

masc an d f em . .

m ai kar ifi str o n g

da kar i fi
m aike au m as u ke au
d a ke au
da r ai

m akafo m akafi
m ar as h an kal i m ar as (s) a h an k al i
m ar as ku m i a m ar as (s) a ku m i a
d a ar ah a
d a t s ad a

In e whe r e an adj e ctiv e wou l d be u sed in

m an y cas s

E n g l ish to d en o te co n ditio n o f m in d o r bo d y , the Hau sas

u se ji to fee l o r y i to m ake fo ll o we d by a su bstan tiv e
, , , ,
.

Ex : n a ji d ad i I am happ y lit I fe l t swee tn e ss n a y i

.
, ,
.
,
.

m u r n a I am g l ad lit I m ad e g lad n e ss
, ,
.
, .

7 A djectives d en oting colou r whe n r e p e ate d r e pr e se n t a

.
, ,

m o d ificatio n o f that co lo u r Ex : b ak (k ) i bl ack ; hak(kfi . .

,

b ak (k) i bl ack ish ; th is is al so u se d to e xp re ss d ark b l u e

, .

far i white ; far i far i, whitish, or d ir ty white

, j,
a r e d ; .

j j
a a r e d
, d ish sh u d i b l u e ; s h
. u d i s h u d i l ig h
,
t bl u e , .

k o r e g rass g ree n ; k o r e ko r e l ight g r ee n

, , .

T he fo ll o win g in te n siv e fo rm s o ccu r — far i fe t v e ry ,

white ja wu r v e ry red
. b ak (k) i k ir in v e ry bl ack
, .
, .
 H AU S A GRA M MA R 73

T he te r m in atio n s fet , wu r , an d k ir i n are n e ve r fo u n d

ex ce pt in the se co m bin atio n s.

I n m an y in stan ce s the H au sas u se in ste ad o f an adj e ctiv e

a su bstan ti ve fo ll o we d by the p r e p o sitio n g at e Ex .

ab in ch i n n g aran
esh i , z afi
t his fo od is h o t ; lit ,
this .

foo d , the re is he at to it T he state m e n t m ig ht al so be .

—
e xp r e sse d thu s z abi n ch in n an sh in a d a 2 3 6 .

8 . T he re is no r eg u l ar for m atio n in H au sa to exp re ss

deg r ees o f com par isorz

The fo ll o win g are so me o f the co m m o n e st fo rm s o f cir

cu m lo cu tio n which are u se d in o r d e r to e xp r e ss the id e a o f

co m p arison
()
a T h e co m p arativ e is g e n e r all y e xp r e sse d b y th e u se o f
the wo r d ii to e xce l , fo ll o we d by the su bstan tiv al fo r m o f
,

the co rr e sp o n d in g adj e ctiv e Ex : ab o ki n a y a h n i . .

t s awo m y frie n d is tall e r than I (li t

, su r p asse s m e in .
,

he ig ht) .The wo rd fl is al so u se d in man y o the r case s

whe re a co m p ar iso n o f so m e k in d is su g ge ste d Ex : n a . .

fi s o wan an d a wan an I pr efe r this to that m in e n e

, .

ka k e so wan d a y a fi wo n an what do y o u wan t be tte r ,

than this ? m afi ku n c h e n ar ro we r , o r v e ry n arro w ,y i .

,

fo llo we d by m a is u se d in a sim il ar way

, Ex : y a y i . .

m in i wiy a it is too diffi cu l t fo r m e

, y a fi n i w iy a th is . ,

thin g is too difli cu lt fo r m e .

()
b t he wo r d “
b e tte r
”
e tim e s exp re sse d by g ar a
is so m .

Ex : g ar a h ak(k) a it is be tte r so g wo rn a (o r g o m a o r
.
, .

g u m a ) is oc ca s io n a ll y u s e d in t h e sa m e w a y Ex : g w o m a . .

y a u d a ji a b ,e tt e r to d a y t h a n -

y e s te r d a y .

“ ”
()c B e tte r
,
i n t h e s e n s e o f im p ro v e m e n t i s e xp r e sse d ,

by d am a o r r o n g o m i Ex : ka ji d am a y a fi jia d o
. . ,

y o u fee l be tte r than

y e s te r d ay ? n a j i r o n g o m i y a u I ,

fee l be tte r to d ay -
.

()d T h e su p e r l at iv e is u s u a ll y e xp r e ss e d b y t h e u se o f fi

fo ll o we d by d u ka all Ex : allah y a fi su d u ka g ir im a
, . .
,

G o d is the g r eate st lit su rp asse s all in g re atn e ss

,
.
,
A .

r e d u pl icate d fo r m o f ii is so m e tim e s u se d in fo rm in g e ithe r

 H A US A GRAM MAR

a co m p arativ e or wan an m afi fi ch i
a su p e rl ativ e . Ex . :

d ag (g ) a wad(d) an an this is the be st o f the se , wan an .

y a fi d u k a n a n y i thi s is the h
, e a v ie st g a b b
() a b e fo r e .
,

is o ccasio n ally u se d in a som e what sim il ar way Ex : 8 11 ! . .

n e g ab ( b ) an su d u ka he is the gre ate st ; lit , he is g r e at

, .

be fo r e all fay e to abo u n d is u se d thu s : m ak afi su n

.
, ,

fay e t al au ch i bl in d m en are v e ry p o o r
, T he wo rd .

faskar e to o v e rco m e , is u se d as an im p e rso n al v e r b

, Ex .

y a fa sk a r e n i i t is b
, e y o n d m y p o w e r .

()
e E m p h asi s i s so m e tim e s d e n o te d b y th e r e p e ti t io n o f
the adj e ctiv e Ex : . . k ad (d) an had (d) an
a v e ry l ittl e .

EX ER C I S E XII .

k
ra u m i ka k e so ko t ag u a ka fi s o . n a fi so n
ra u m
k i d o n y a 5 tag u a k ar ifi g o d i an . n an ta fi
d o kin k a sam r in taf(f ) ia . akwi a t a fi b u n su r u an
fan i . wan e n e wan an ? dan u wan a n e u wa d aia .

u ba d aia ? aa u wa m u k a tar a k) in h au sa
ac h ik( .

wan d a ku ka t ar a g ar i d a shi id an k a g am u d a sh i
a wo t a k asa s ai k a c h e d a shi d an u wan ka
,
.

b ab (b ) an m u tu m b a sh i y i n h ak(k) a n an y i n k ay an .

n an y a fi kar ifi n a k ar ia n e b a sh i d a n an y i kam
.

m
( ) a n s au r an k ay a g ask i a n e am m a u i k.ar am i n

y ar o g ara k a b an i k ar am i n k ay a d a k i n n an k an .

!ran e n e y a y r m m i k u n c h e
.
b an i t afasash e n r u a . .

m asan n an ii t o y ay u n e
an t o y asu ? m u tu m e n .

wo fi b a y a tab(b ) a fad (d) an g askia b a, r esh in ku m ia

g ar e s hi .

T his swo rd is v e ry d e ar , its p rice is to o hig h fo r m e ;

sho w me on e that co sts l ess than this . W hat kin d o f foo d
d o bl ack m en eat ? The H au sas m ostly eat g u in ea cor n .

W hat is g u in e a cor n ? A kin d o f sm al l red grain ; the

wom en grin d it o n a ston e an d the n p o u n d it in a m ortar .

T he Yo ru bas eat y am s ; they can n ot carry m or e than hal f

 CH A PT E R XIII .

A DV ERB S , C O NJ UNCTI O NS I NTE RJ ECTI O NS , .

l T H E R E ar e a l arg e n u m be r o f Ad ver os in H au sa which

.

are u se d to d e n o te pl ace tim e m an n e r & c ,

T he fo ll o win g
, ,
.

l ist co n tain s tho se m ost co m m o n ly u se d S ev e ral o f the m .

are co m p ou n d s o f p r e p o sitio n s an d o the r ad v e rbs .

n an , n an afi <
n an y an g a, *
t ar e , to g e the r
he r e g ab () d
b a a i a, g ab b a ai
() d ,
ch an ch an afi ther e to g e the r , at the sam e tim e
'
<

d ag (g ) an an , he n ce , fr o m or pl ace
n a whe r e
he r e en ( ) ,

d ag (g ) ach an , the n ce d ag (g ) a en (n ) a whe n ce , ?

k u s (s) a, n ear , n e arl y k o e n (n ) a an y whe re
,

n e s a, n i sa, far awa

l 1
y

y an z u , w no b ar y au , y et (in n egativ e
y a n s h e whe n, state m e n ts) .

saan d a whe n , s aan an , the n

l o kach in d a wo kach in d a, ,
k ad ai , on c e, on ly
whe n kan a, be fo r e that, u n ti l
k o y an z u n ow i
,m m ed i the n
,

d iately h ar , h al , u n ti l
ko y au sh e , at an y tim e , t u n , t u n d a, whil e , while as
alway s e
y ,t sinc e
ku m a, again tu n i , tu n tu n i , *
lon g ago

1
Also used as a su bstanti ve to den ote di stance .
 H A U SA GRA M M A R 77

t u n y au sh e , ho w l on g ? ab (
b ) ad a, or h al ab (b) ad a,
t u k u n a,( ) n ot y et for e er v
t u n d ade wa l on g , sin c e ku lu m , al way s
d afar i , at fi r st n an da n an , 1 im m ed iate ly
da safe , in the m or n in g , sau d ay awa, *
o ft ne (lit .
,

e arly m an y tim e s)
d a m ar e ch e , in the e ven d a, o f o ld

in g k ar sh e, l astly *

M an ner .

h ak(k) a, t hu s b al (1) e , b alsh e , *

m u ch
h ak(k) an an , in this way l ess
y ad d
() ,
a wad (d ) a , how fach e , m u ch l e ss, howe v er
a a
k k , h o w? m az (z) a, q u ickly
awa, *
how s an u sl o wly , g e n tl
, y
d o l i , by fo rce b aki d aia toge the r all at , ,

k o kaka, an y how on ce

t i l as , by fo r ce d aid ai B p ro p er ly , u ni

d aki r , with d iffi cu l ty fo r m ly

sar (r ) ai ex actly , r ig htly
, m an a the n , , if y o u p le ase
l al (l ) e o f n e ce ssity , o f
, a sai o n ly ,

su r e t
y
Afi r matiou or n egation .

ai , r e ally l ab u d d a, e
c rtain ly , no

ash e , tru ly d o u bt
aa, no h akika, tr u ly
i , i i , y es wat ak ila , or wat akil a ,

n aam , y es 3
p e rhap s
T he p re p o sition d a is fre qu e n tly j o in e d e ithe r to an
adj e ctiv e o r a n o u n in o r d e r to fo rm an ad v e rb ; thu s d a ,

k ar i h p o we r fu lly
, d a h an kal i .
*
(o r ah an kali
) ca r e fu ll
y , , .

1 On ly u sed in narrat on .i
O I OI C 0

i word wi th daid ai
1 ,
3 Th s d aid ai t h is 3 m u st n o t be con fused - L g.
, , ,
“
a con tracted for m o f da a d a a, o ne at a t mei i i .

3
Used in respo nse to a summ ons ; e g yes, sir ! . . or here, sir ! No t
u sed in answ er to qu est on s i .
7 8 H AU S A G RA MM A R
da wu r i ear ly o f o ld The adve rb
, , . l au is on ly ed
us in
the e xp re ssio n l afi a l au v e r we ll
y , .

2 . T he j
con u n ction s m ost co m m on ly us ed ar e
d a, an d ( cf. p55 . kad (d ) an , k u r , if,whe n
da d a, bo th an d d o n b e cau se , in o rd e r that
,

am (m ) a, bu t t am kar t am kan l ike as

‘

, ,

ku a, k au , * kawafi al so ‘
kam (m ) an l ike as ,

d ad (d ) a, ag ain ham (m ) ad a l ike as, ao ,

ku m a, ag ain co rd in g as
ko , e ithe r , o r ev e n , awaf l ike as
‘

kad (d ) a l e st a *
l ik e a
,
kok , s

k o d a althou g h
*
, fa, the r e fo re (u se d as a su ffi x
en , if to im pl y e m p hasis)
i d an , if d ai the n
,

3 . The in ter/lemons in o r d in ary u se ar e

k ai , ho oh
’

arr , *
be
a
y , oh t it , al as l
wai , al as ! af, oh ! (an e xcl am ation of

h u b (b) a, b ab (b) a, us ed to r e co lle ction )

e xp r e ss asto n ishm e n t or oho , oho , it d oe s n o t co n

in d ig n atio n c rne me
m ad al a, in d ee d ! (an ex ah a, so ! (an e x cl am ation ot

p re ssion o f oy j ) satisfaction )
t o , all ri
g ht

kai is e d in callin g a p e rson in o rd er to attract his

us

atte n tion Ex : kai y ar o ho , boy ! I t so m e tim es im pl ie s

. .
,

d isg u st o r fe ar a i m t co m m o n ly m et with in the

y s o s .

exp ressio n , borro wed fro m the A r abic y a sid i sir, o r , ,

O , sir wai al as ! is u sed by itse lf (cf F I

.
, I t ex . .

p re sse s d o u bt o r in cre d u l ity ; it is ofte n e q u ival e n t to

”
they say so .

E X ER CI SE XIII .

k ai ab o kin a kad (d ) a k a t af(f ) i g id (d ) am u z am n a

t ar e , d a safe m u t ash i g ab (b) a d ai a ka iy a g ay a .
 H AU S A G RAM M A R 79

m i n i y ad (d ) a m u tu m e n n an y a m u tu aa b an san i
b a s ar ai , y an z u n a k o m o d ag (g) a wo n i wu r i m ai
n e s a ; am m a n a ji l ab ar i y a h au d o ki , y a taf(f ) i
k asu a, y a fad i , n an da n an y a m u tu , ash e ! ii
b ak (h) au an n e . k ai m ai d o ki j im a had (d) an h ar en

d awo iy o , b a z an taf(f ) i n e sa b a in a so d akan ta

m in i an an . z aka t af(f ) o d a m are ch e k o g o b e d a
s afe ? l al (l) e i n a z u a d a m ar e ch e y ar o n n an .

u b an dak i n sa y a s as h i sh i y i aikin g a, til as y a

y i sh i . d akir n a sam u h ain y a . en n a ka kwan a ?

n a kwan a wo n i g ar i b ir n i , d ag (g) a
s u n an s a s ab on
ch an n a b at a h ain y a m i y a s aka b ata h ain y a ?
.

r afi n e y a h an (n ) an i e n wu ch e l ab u d d a sau d a .

y aw a s hi k a n y i h a k k
( ) a k a g ay a w a m as u k a
.
y a
su tash i y an z u , in a so n t af(
f ) ia . ch ik k
( ) i n k asar

b ) a y in
h au sa b a t a t ab ( d ar i k am ar k asar en g l an d .

W hen d id y o u star t ? I starte d whe n I g o t y o u r l e tte r .

W hy hav e y o u bee n so l o n g o n the road ? y o u m u st have

trav e ll e d v ery sl o wly ; had y o u m ad e haste y o u wo u l d hav e
b ee n he r e l o n g ag o Whe r e am I to l ig ht the fi re ? L ig ht
.

it an y whe re an d d o n t wo rry m e ag ain u n til the fo o d is

’
,

co o k e d the n co m e back
,
H ere , carav an leade r ! Yes !
.

L o o k shar p an d co ll ect the trad er s T his riv e r is v ery .

d ee p ; the horse m e n ou g ht to g o in fro n t the d o n k ey m en ,

-

m u st fo ll o w the m car e fu lly T ie u p the l o ads p ro p e rl y so

.

that they wo n t fall in to the wate r

’
The d o n key s m u st n o t .

e n ter the wate r all at o n ce they m u st fo llo w each o the r an d

,

e n te r o n e at a tim e H o w l o n g hav e y ou bee n in the

.

H au sa co u n try ? W hat are y o u thin kin g abo u t ? I was

wo n d e r in g whe the r I shall be abl e to start to m o rro w I n -
.

so m e p ar ts it is al m o st as ho t in the n ig ht as in the d a
y .

Take care n o t to be l ate .

 CHA P T E R XIV .

SALU TAT I ONS , HO U R S O F TH E DA Y , & c .

1 . TH E fo ll o win g are so m e of the co m m o n e st f or ms f

o

san u , o r san u s an u , hail !

The wo r d s an u is ofte n r e p e ated a d o ze n o r m o re tim e s
in e to add e m p hasis to the gr ee tin g I t is j o in ed to
o rd r .

the se co n d p e rso n al p r o n o u n s Ex : san u n ku gr ee tin gs

. .
,

to y o u san u n ki hail l ady

.
, The fo ll o win g are e x am pl e s
,

of its u se

s an u da r an a g oo d d ay
s an u d a y am m a, o r g o o d e v e n in g !
s an u d a m ar e ch e

s an u d a aiki g r ee tin g s to y ou at y o u r work

s an u d a g aji a a g ree tin g to a we ary m an (lit .
,

g r ee tin g s to
y o u r we ar in e ss
)
g r ee t in s to
g y o u in th e r ai n

we lco m e
g oo d lu ck to y o u on
y o ur

j o u rn e y !
s an u d a k e wa g r ee tin g s to
y o u in y o u r be
r eav e m en t !
s an u g ee
r t in g s to
y o u ! ( u se d o n l y
in r e sp o n se to an o the r

g r ee tin
g)
san u d a kwan a a g r ee tin g afte r a p ro l o n g e d
abse n ce ( lit g r ee tin g s fo r
.
,

two d ay s)
 H A US A GRA M M A R 81

san u is al so us e xcl am atio n o f sy m pathy T hu s

ed as an . ,

whe n an y sm all accid e n t happ en s to any on e the by stan d e r s

wo u l d say , san u i e I ho p e y o u are n o t hu rt
, . . .

l ah a, he al th, is u sed in the fo ll o win g way s .

kan a (ku n a, m u n a, & c ) , are y o u we ll ho w d o y o u

l ah a do ?
ka k wan a l ah a, or kwa hav e y o u sl e p t well P goo d
lah a m orn in g !
l ah a l au . sai lah a q u ite we ll .

sau ka l ah a m ay y o u d ism ou n t safe ly !

(a far e we ll to a ho r se m an )

In e p e to the q u e stion kan a l ah a ar e y o u we ll ?

r s on s , ,

the re ply fre q u e n tly m ad e is aa sai l ah a the r e is n o thin g

, ,

the m atte r with m e (lit n o o n ly we ll ) .

, ,
.

T he word b e r k a lit bl e ssin g is e ithe r u se d by itse l f o r

, .
,

in co mbin atio n with o the r wo rd s T hu s .

b e rka hail
b e rk a d a zu a we l co m e !
b e rk a d a y i n i we lco m e to y o u fo r the who l e d ay

S ev e ral d iffe r en t fo r m s of g ai d a, g ai sa, or g ai sh e , to

g r ee t,
o ccur . Ex
ag ai sh e ka m ay y o u be sal u te d
m u n a g ai sh ek a, we l e
sa u t
y ou

o r m u n a g aisu a

k a g ai d a g i d (d ) a g iv e m y salu tatio n s to y o u r

T he wo rd s ai , till , is us ed thu s

g o b e g o o dby e till to m or ro w
- -

wo ta r an a far e we ll fo r a l o n g tim e ! (lit .

, til l
an o the r d ay )
an p m a g o od -
by e fo r the p re se n t ! i e I am . .

j u st com in g back, or com e back

q u ick ly
82 H AU SA GRAM MAR

sai k a d awo g o o d by e till y o u r e tu rn

-

sai an kwan b iu g o o d by e
-
fo r so m e ti m e ! (l it .
,
till
it has bee n l e p t twice )
s

O the r co m m o n for m s l
o f sa u tatio n ar e

m ar h ab a, m ar h ab i , we l co m e a sal u tatio n ed on
us

or m ar ab a m ee tin g afte r a l o n g abse n ce

en n( ) a l ab ari what is the n ews ?
s ai l afi a, or s ai all we ll
al b e r i
en n a g aj i a I ho p e that y o u ar e r e fre she d
l
( ,it.w he r e is y o u r we ar in e ss

b ab u g aj ia, or g aj i a I am n ot tir e d , or , I am fee l in g

d a s au k i l e ss tire d
kaka g i d (d ) a 1 ho war e the in habitan ts of y o u r

ho u se
k aka s ain y i ho w are y o u in the co l d ?
aa d a g o d i a I d o n o t fee l the co l d (lit .
, n o,

with than ks)

i n g we y a a l ad d r e sse d to an
sa u tatio n

im p o r tan t p e r so n ag e
b u tt at a Oh b e car e fu l
,
a co m pl i
m e n tary sal u tatio n ad d r esse d
to a k in g

I f a H au sa wishe s to b e tho u g ht l e arn e d ,

he will u su a lly
be g in with A rabic fo r m o f sal u tatio n s al am al aiku m
the , ,

p e ace be u n to y o u ! to which the p e rso n sal u ted is exp e cte d

to r e pl y , al aiku m sal am u p o n y o u be p e ace
, This fo r m .

o f sal u tatio n l s sp e ciall u se d o n e n te r in g a ho u se

y .

The fo ll o win g sal u tation s o r co m plim e n tary e p ithe ts

wo u l d be add re sse d to a kin g
z aki lit l io n t o r o n g iwa lit bu ll e le p han t allah
,
. .
, . .

s h i b ak a n as ( s) ar a m ay G o d g r an t y o u v ictory
, al l ah .

sh i d e d ( d ) i d a r an ka m ay G o d l e n gthe n y o u r l ife
, .

I t shou l d b e rem em b er ed that in a M ohamm edan co u n tr y no d i re ct

r efer en ce is ev er m ad e to a m an s wi fe o r chil d ren

’
.
84 H AU S A G RA M MAR

the A rabic n am e s for the M o ham m e d an m on ths, b u t as

the se ar e l u n ar m o n ths, an d co n se q u e n tl y al te r fro m y e a
r

to y e ar, thev d o n ot co rr esp on d to the E n g l ish m o n ths .

Tim e is g en erally reck o n ed by the se aso n s o f the y ear ,

which are as fo ll o ws
fu n tu r u , or l o k ach in The l d se aso n begin n in g abou t
co ,

d ar i De ce m be r o r J an u ary the
se aso n o f the har m attan win d

The ho t seaso n afte r the co n cl u

sio n o f the co l d o r har m attan ,

b eg in n in g abo u t M ar ch
b az at a, or b asar a The ho tte st p ar t o f the d ry se aso n ,

j u st as the r ain s ar e beg in n in g ;

the to r n ad o se aso n i e abo u t ,
. .

A p ril an d M ay
d am an a T he wet se aso n , J u n e J u ly an d , ,

A u gu st
ag az e r e , or ag aje r e T he ho t se aso n at the en d o f the
r ain s i e S e p te mb e r an d O cto be r
. .
,

T he harv e st se ason , i e O ctobe r . .

an d N o v e m b e r

T he p o in ts o f the co m p ass are as foll o ws

N o r th, ar e wa ; sou th, ku d (d ) u : e ast g ab (b) as, o r ,

g ab b
() ; az w e s t y a m m a ,
the r ig ht han d ,
h an u n d am a ;-

the l e ft han d , h an u n h ag u
-
T he in te rm ediate p o in ts o f
.

the co m p ass ar e e xp re sse d by the u se of k u su ru a o r ,

su k u r u a lit
, a co r n e r ; thu s, n or th we st is k u su ru a
.
,
-

y am m a d a a r e w a .

4 . E xpressions u sed in buy ing an d selling .

Bu y er : t ak u m i n an n a is this cam e ! fo r sal e ?

say e r wa ne

Se ll e r : i n a say e r wa y es, it is fo r sal e .

ne

B u y er : ba sh i su n a, o r n am e lit , g iv e it a
its p rice ( .

n am e
se su n a )
 H A U SA G RA M M A R 85

S e ll e r : z am b ar m etin co wrie s

wa h am sin
B u y e r : z am b ar d ar i (I o ffe r
)
S e ll e r : h u b b a m an a G o od g racio u s ! it is wo rth
y a fi z am b ar m o r e than No ,

d ar i alb e rka than k y o u

alb e r k a is used in sal u tatio n s

than k y o u for bu t in
“
the l an g u ag e of the m ar ket it is e q u iv al e n t to n o, than k
” 1
y o u .

en n a r o n g o m i are y o u g o in g to all o wm e ?
what (lit .
,

whe re is the d e d u ctio n ?) This is the u su al p hrase us ed

in askin g fo r the d isco u n t on a l arge r e ady m on ey tran s
-

actio n .

en n a ho w m u ch are y o u goin g to giv e m e in to

g ar a
the bargain ? (W he n a m an b u y s n u ts o r an y thin g e l se
in a sm all way , he ge ts his 5 0 o r 1 00 co wrie s wo rth an d
so m an y ex tr a thro wn in fo r l u ck This is called the g ara .
,

or ad ditio n ) .

l ad (d ) a woj e l ad (d ) a ch ik(k) i
2
,I f a m an sells an y .

thin g in the m arke t o r thr ou gh a bro ke r l ad ( d ) a woj e

li e w rd witho u t) he r e ce iv e s the who l e o f the m o n e
( t .r ,
a , y
p aid an d the b u y e r p ay s the m arke t fee or the bro ke r s
,
’

co m m issio n I f ho wev e r the tran sactio n is co n cl u d ed

.
, ,

l ad (d ) a chik (k) i ( lit , reward within ) , the r e v e rse o btain s

. .

T he u su al lad (d ) a i e d isco u n t is 5 per ce n t o n the who l e

, . . . .

am o u n t in v olv e d .

chi n r i b a to m ake p r o fi t , .

1 Compare the u se of the ren ch mer ci F .

9
i i i
I n some d str cts th s is pron o u n ced l a ad a ; it is to be d st ngu shed
‘
i i i
from l ad a, wh ch is u sed to d en o te wages paid to a serv ant
i .
 SOM E I D I O MA T I C USES .

T H ER E is a su bstan tiv e v e r b a u se d e sp e cially in Soko to ,

an d K atse n a in pl ace o f ke I t is u se d with all p e rso n s ; .

thu s u i ad d a shi I hav e it

,
kai (f k e ) ad d a sh i sh i
, . .
,

(f
. it a) m u
, k u s u ad d a,s h i I t m,ay fo ll o w,a n o u n .

d ire ctly Ex : k u r a ad d a sh i the hy en a has it I t is

. .
, .

al so u se d with n an Ex : g ar i an n an a to wn is ther e
. .
, .

I n e ach case whe re it is u se d the co n so n an t which fo ll o ws

it is re d u pl icate d s h i ab b ab a he is the gr e at m an
. sh i , .

ad d ai d ai , it is all ri
g ht . sh i as sar akin m u , he is ou r

k in g T he a m ay so m e tim e s stan d by itse l f

. . Ex . : sh i a
ab o kin m u , he is ou r fr ie n d n i a, is it I ? .

The e v e rb n e whe n u se d in r e ply to a q u e s

su bstan tiv ,

tion , is so m e tim e s p lace d afte r a co m pl e te v e r bal p hr ase .

T hu s in r e ply to the qu e stion W ho is it y o u wan t ? the

“ ”
,

an swe r wo u l d be , n a 2 0 wu r in ka n e it is y o u that I ,

co m e to I n r e pl y to a fo ol ish q u estio n the an swe r is

.

so m e tim e s m ad e n a s an i n e the m e an in g be in g , o
, y u ,

t hin k that y o u kn o w be tte r than I d o

”
.

T he v e rb y i to d o , o r m ak e is u se d in se v e ral d iffe r e n t
, ,

way s The fo ll o win g se n te n ce s ill u str ate its p rin cip al

.

u se s

y a y i s h i he d id it , y a y i it is sa tisf actor
.
y ( of E n
g l is h , .
,

it will d o ) y a y i .
g i r m a he h a s
g r o wn u
p s u n y i
, .

n awa ho w m an y we r e the r e ?
, r an a t a y i it is d ay ,

l ig ht y a y i sh e kar a fu d u he is fo u r y e ars o ld n a y i
.
, .
,

lit , I d id is ofte n u se d in an swe r in g a q u e stio n whe re we

.
,
 H AU S A G RA M MA R 87

sho u ld u se y es .
y i , fo ll o we d by m a, is u se d to d e n o te
too m u ch ( cf . p .
y i i s al so u sed to d e n o te eq u al ity ;

th u s, wan an wo n ch an this is e q u al to that

y a y i , .

an ay i d a shi he is set u p o n , .

t a is u se d id io m atical ly e sp e ciall y afte r y i as a con n e c , ,

tiv e p articl e Ex : k u y i ta taf(f ) ia m arch ! fo rward !

. .
,

k u y i ta y i go o n with what y o u are d o in g

, ku y i ta .

tu b a r e p e n t
,

T he v e rb ch i to eat is u se d id io m aticall y
, Ex : sar iki
, . .

y a c h i g ar i t h e k in g ca,p t u r e d th e t o w n a n a ch i n .

k asu a o r k as u a ta ch i the m arke t is be in g he l d

, , .

fatak e su n ch i r ib a the trad e r s m ad e a p ro fi t ,

T he .

e xp re ssio n n a ch i whe n u se d by g am bl ers, m e an s I wo n

, ,
.

k u ch i g ab (b) a go in fro n t , .

T he e xp r e ssio n abin d a n a g an i lit the thin g which I , .

,

saw is fr e q u e n tl u se d as an e q u iv al e n t fo r as far as I can

, y ,

se e,
or
,
i n m
y O p in io n Ex : a b i n d a n a g an i
. w a n d a .
,

y a fi a n fa n i s a i m u t af f
() i in m y o p in io n th e b e st , ,

thin g fo r us to d o is to g o .

I t is n ot co n sid H au sa to u se the wo rd s
e re d p o l ite in
c hiwo sick n ess, o r m u t u
, d ie d in re fe r rin g to the Sick , ,

n ess or d e ath o f a fr ie n d o r o f a p e rso n o f im p o r tan ce In .

pl ace o f m u t u the wo r d t as (s) u was lo st is u se d I n

, , . .

pl ace of ch iwo the e xp re ssio n b a , d a l ah a is

fre qu e n tly u se d Ex : sar ik i y a t as (s) u the k in g is
. .
,

d e ad .ab o kin a b a sh i d a l ah a m y fr ie n d is ill T he re , .

ar e se v er al o the r sim il ar p e r ip hrase s e m pl o y e d Ex .

waz ir in so ko t o b a y a g an i y an z u the wazir i o f S o ko to ,

is bl in d n o w .

Again adj e ctiv e s d e n o tin g p hy sical d e fects which are

,

appl ie d to m an ar e in m an y case s n o t appl icabl e to be asts .

T hu s, a H au sa wo u l d n o t say o f a hor se , g u r ag u n e he is ,

l am e bu t, b a sh i d a k af(f ) a lit he has n o t a fo o t ;

, ,

S im il ar l y in r e fe rr in g to a bl in d ho r se
, he wo u l d say b a , ,

shi d a i d o , lit .
,
he has n ot an ey e .

T he wo r d d ama (cf. cha p . x ii . 8 (c) ) is us e d with se v e r al

88 H AU S A GRA MMAR

d iffe re n t m e an in g s Ex : h an u n d am a the rig ht han d

. .
, .

ji n d am a to fee l b e tt
,e r s a m u d a m a to
.
g et a n O
pp o r ,

tu n ity ; e g g o b e in a z u a i d an n a s am u d am a I will
. .
,

co m e to m o rr o w if I g e t the chan ce g a d a m a to see fi t .

, .

Ex ka y i ab in d a ka g a d am a d o whate v e r y o u thin k
.
,

r i ht
g . d am a d am a m o d e rate l y , y a y i d am a it is .
,

be tte r so .

b ab u is u se d id io m atically in the p hrase , b a ab in d a

b ab u the re is n o thin g l ackin g
, .

sh a to d rin k , is u se d id io m atically ; thu s, sh an h i ska

, ,

to g o fo r a wal k ; lit , to d r in k th e win d

. sh an e n ( n)u a .
,

to e nj oy the Shad e sh an wo h al (
. l) a to g et in to tro u bl e , .

S O M E C O MM O N C O LLO QUI A L EX P R ESSI O NS .

y a y i ar z ik i was fo r tu n ate
it
en n a ( o fte n p ro what is the n e ws ?
n o u n ced i n a) l ab ar i

b an 1 1 k o m i b a I hav e n ot he ard an y thin g

m u t u m e n n an h an this m an is v e ry m u ch worrie d
k a l i n s a y a t a s h i (l it .
,
his wits hav e ar ise n )
sh ig (g) a h an ka l i n k a be reason abl e
y a s h ig (g ) a h an k a he has r e cov e r ed him se lf
l i n sa
kan a y i n m ag an a do y ou sp e ak Hau sa
h au sa
k an a jin h au sa d o y o u u n d e r stan d Hau sa
aa am m a i n a so ka n o ; bu t I wish y o u wo u l d te ach

k o iy a m in i h au sa me Hau sa
kad (d ) a k a y i m a do n o t sp e ak so fast
g an a h ak k
() a d a
s au r i

en n a m ar ab in wa what is the d iffe r e n ce be tween

n an d a wan ch an this an d that li
(t .
, whe re is that
which d iv id e s
 H AU S A G RAM MA R 89

b ab u m ar ab i tsak ther e is no differ e n ce be tween

k
() an i n s u d u ka the m ; they are all the sam e
d ai a ne

wan e l o kach i ne what tim e is it no w?

y an z u

r an a t an a d a z afi it is a ho t day
ba sh i kai h ak (k) a the p rice is too m u ch

n an ba
k an a jin z ab z ab i (or hav e y o u go t fe v e r ?
m asas(s) ar a)
na ji d am a k ad (d) an I fee l a l ittl e be tte r
kad(d) an
in a m u r n a d a g a I am g l ad to see y o u

n in lra

k an a iy a k at an t a can y o u r e ad this writin g ?

ru bu tu n g a
b an kar b a b a I d o n o t be l ie v e it
kaka su n an ka what is y o u r n am e
y an s h e z ak a kam a whe n are y o u go in g to start work
aiki
k a tabb a z u a s o ko t o hav e y o u e v e r bee n to S o ko to ?
m i y a sam e ka what is the m atter with y ou ?
b ab u r u an ka it is n o e
co n c r n o f y o u r s

e n n a r u an a da wa what hav e I g o t to d o with this ?

n an

b a y ar o n a ke au t a g iv e m y bo
y a p r e se n t
“
b er y ar o n ka y a k ar let y o u r bo y take his d ash .

b i tu k u ichi (t u ku i c h i is the tipg iv e n to the

m e sse n ge r who brin gs a p re se n t)

y a b at a m an i z u ch ia I am v ery so rry , I d id n ot wish
d a g aske b an so this to happ e n
akay i h ak (k ) a b a
ba n a r ikit u a I am n ot to be d e ce iv e d
z u ch iata ta fi r in I p r efer this to that
j ay a wo n an da
wo n ch an
9 0 H A U sA G RAM M A R
k a y i m in i g afer a e xcu se m e
b an ji d ad i b a I d on t fee l we ll
’

wan an en n a m aa what d o e s this m e an

n an sa ( or en n a
az e n ch in wo n an )
b ay e n n a (
or g y )
a a expl ain it to m e
m in i
ka zo i d an ka s am u if y o u hav e an o pp o r tu n ity , co m e
z ar afi he r e
r an a t a y i kwar ai the su n isv e ry ho t
i n a s o n t af(f ) ia d a I l ike to trav e l by m oon l ight
far in wata
kaka (or y y )
a a z ak a ho w are y o u go in g to m an ag e ?
y i
k ilikil i , d o kin a bu tte rfl y e
or .
g l it t r
()
2
al l ah , or m al am G o d s ho r se’

b u d e l itafi n ka o p e n y o u r bo o k h fl e i
(t e u tt r n g
o f a b u tterfl y s win gs b e in g su p
’

p o sed to re se m bl e the o pe n in g
an d shu ttin g o f a bo o k )
da b alatach e ne be fo re , he was a wo r thl e ss fe ll o w;
am m a y a y i kir iki bu t he is d oin g be tte r n o w
y an z u

ka y i sau r i n a k o sa hu rry u
p, I am tir e d of waitin g
(lit .
,
I am
p e) ri

k awo m an i k u n a r u a b rin g m e so m e p u r e wate r

muna so mu kar e we in te n d ed to fi n ish this bu ild in g ,

g i n i n an am m a bu t the rain p re v e n te d
a y a k wach e
ru

wo n i y a b an i l ab a a ce rtain m an to l d m e th e n e ws of
r in ab in d a ka y i what y o u d id ; he said to m e ,

y a ch e d a u i k a ji L iste n to m y n e ws 1

k a ji

y a r i g ay a y a t af f
() i he is g o n e al re ady
1
The x pression ka i i in
e a sen ten ce li ke this d en otes gossi p as o pposed
to co rrect i nformati on .
 H A U SA GRA M MA R

said whe n a m an g ain s so m e

be n e fit thro u g h no v irtu e of his
o wn
kar am b an in akwia it is no bu sin e ss of the g o at to
ta g aid a ku r a l e the hy e n a ; i e if a m an
sa u t . .

m e dd l e s with that which d oe s

n o t co n ce r n him h e h a o l
, s n
y
him se lf to than k for his m is
fo rtu n e
h au kan (or h au kar ) it is m adn e ss for the fo wl to m arr y
kaz a am r e n mu a cat ( the m e an in g is p racticall y

su r u the sam e as the p r ece d in g)

IO J I n i b a y a m ag an in bl o o d is 11 0 cu r e for thirst ; i e a . .

ki sh ir u a b a sim il ar thin g is n o su b stitu te fo r

the r eal thin g ; or , a thin g em

pl oy e d im p ro p e rly d o es n o go o d .

The l atte r u se su gg e sts the

im p o ssibil ity o f be n e fi tin g by
sto l e n g o o d s

ach ik hoard in g y o u r m on ey wo n t pay

’
b er i n kash i
k
() i b a y a m ag a y o u r d e bts

n in y u n wa

d er e r ig an m u gu n ig ht is a cl oak fo r the e v il m an
m ach e da tako b i a wo m an with a swo rd is a thin g
ab in t so r o o f fe ar ; u se d as a sn ee r at the

wo m an who tr ie s to ape the m an

ko wa y a y i k ar ia “
B e su r e y o u r sin will fi n d y ou
ta d am e sh i ou t
”
( ,
lit w h
.o e v e r te ll s a lie ,
it
will con fo u n d him )
1 5 o wa y a
k ch i sh in who ev e r e ats bo rrowed rice e ats
kai (f ) an r an ch e that which is his own ; i e . .

tasa y a ch i tho u g h y o u b o rr o w y o u r r ice ,

it is y o u r o wn that y ou eat ;
the m an who t rie s to l iv e o n
cre d it m u st pay e v e n tu ally ;
bor rowin g wo n t sav e exp e n se
’
 H AU S A P RO VE R B S 93
k o wa y a y i sam ak o he who star ts v e ry e ar ly m u st e
r st

y a fu t a d a r an a at m id day -

k ay an sam ak o da if y ou wan t to v e ry early y ou

star t

m ar ech e akan .
m u st m ak e r eady o v e r n i ht
g
d am r esh i (lit . th
, e load fo r an e ar ly
start m u st be tie d u i th
p n e

ev e n in g )
n m u n afi ki b a
“
y ak u a Fal se to o n e, fal se to all (lit ”
.
,

n a m u tu m d aia the se aso n in g o f a hy p ocr ite is

ne ba n o t fo r o n e m an al o n e
; it is

cu sto m ary fo r a far m e r who

g r o w s y ak u a to s e n d p r e se n ts

o f it to all his fr ie n d s : so too

, ,

d o e s the l iar with his l ie s)

m u gu n m i a b a ta bad so u p n e v e r g e ts fi n ishe d in
kar e wa atu ku n ia the po t ; i e thin g s which y o u
. .

d isl ik e y o u can n ev e r g e t
r id o f

20 ku r a ta g a s an i a the hy e n a see s a cow l ick in g her

tan a l ash e d ia cal f an d say s, tho se who hav e
t ata ta c h e ma can eat by d ay ; he who has n o t
”
s u ab u su kan ch i m u st l iv e in e xp e ctatio n ; the
da r an a, wan d a p ro v e rb is u se d to d e n o te ign o
ba sh i d a ab u sai r an ce
(a th h e n a im ag in e s
'

s e y
shi d an g an a (a that the co w is abo u t to eat her
v ar ian t o f the l ast cal f ) an d j e al o u sy

cl au se is m ar as ab u

sai d a d e r e )

l ifi d i y a fi kafadan a co at o f m ail is to o he avy fo r a

d ilal i a
g g ar a b a b ro ke r
’
s sho u lder ,
too b ig fo r
tu r e aj ia the A r ab as stock in trad e ; i e
- -
. .

the k in g
’
s u n ifo r m is n o t an
ar ticl e of tr ad e

ko b a ag wad a 1 ba ev en withou t m e asu re m e n t a

1 ag wad a, fro m gwad a , to m easu re or com pare the i

s ze of y i ng
an th .
 94 H AU S A GRAM MA R

l in z am i y a fi ba brid l e is( v ob
io u sl y) to o b ig fo r

a fo wl s m ou th ; u se d in r eg ar d
’
ki n k az a
to that which is o bv io u sly im
p o ssibl e
d a au r e n kar u a g ar a be tte r kee p aco ck to lay egg s than
kiwo n z akar a m arry a b ad wo m an ; i e y o u . .

can o btain so m e ad v an tag e fro m

a co ck whe n it fail s to lay e gg s

by e atin g it ; bu t y o u can o h
tain n o g o o d fr o m a bad wo m an
ba d u kan ru an I t is n o t the be atin g o f the r ain
sam m
( ) a ne da that hu r ts, bu t the d r ipp in g s
ch i wo ba r u an fro m tr ee s ; su pp ose d to b e said
g ai n y e by m o n k e y s who afte r she l ter
, ,

in g fr o m a r ain -
stor m , brin g
d o wn p o n the m se lv e s a sho we r
u

o f r ain d r o p s as the j u m p fro m

y
-

b r an ch to br an ch The m e an
.

in g is that it is the p e tty ills o f

,

l ife that h u r t m ost

2 5 t s o fo n d o ki m ai an o ld ho r se is cr afty
san ( n )e

h alb i awu t sia y a fi “

H al f a lo af is b e tte r than n o
ku sk u r e bre ad (li t .to ,
hit in th e ta il is

be tte r than to m iss)

c h iy e ch iy e y a fi to eat a l ittl e at a tim e is b e tte r

ch ain y e wa than to eat u p all at o n ce ; i e . .

y o u s h o u l d n o t s
q u an d e r
y o ur

r e so u rce s at o n ce

m u g u n g atar in k a y a a to o l that is y o u r o wn e v e n if it ,

5 sar i k a b a n i be bad , will ou t be tte r than a

borro we d o n e (lit , y o u r o wn .

“
bad axe cu ts be tte r than g iv e
me on e

aikin b an z a m akafo a fr u itl e ss task is l ike a b l in d m an

da waiwaiy e tu r n in g ro u n d to l oo k ; an ex
 9 6 H AU S A GRAM MAR

m u tan e d e m (m ) in m en are a bu n d l e of g r o u n d n u ts

g u j ia ne i . e . it is as im p o ssibl e to e
s cu re

u n ity am o n g st a n u m ber o f m en
as it is to tie a b n d le of
u
p u

nd nu ts
g ro u

r am in k ar ia ba sh i the ho l e of a lie is n ot d iffi cu l t to

wiy ar ku r e wa 1
p r o be to the en d ; i e it is e asy . .

to d e te ct a l iar in his l ie s

kwo d ay i m ab u d in v ain d e sire O p en s the d o or to

wo h al (l) a tro u bl e

4 0 r u b ab e n b ak o r i y a sp o il t tee th are be tte r than an

fi b aki wo fi e m p ty m o u th ; i e an ih . .

d iffe re n t thin g is be tte r than

no th in g at all
k afar wo n i b a t a y i the fo o t of on e m an can n o t walk
wa wo n i taf(f ) ia fo r an o the r ; i e . . no m an can

d o an o the r s wo r k
’

b an ji b a b a n g an i “
I d id n ot he ar , I d id n o t see ,

b a ta r ab (b ) aka d a e p ar ate s y o u fro m the pl ace o f

s

z an r e n tar a fi n e s ; i e kee p cl e ar o f m ischie f

. .

an d y o u will n o t b e l iab l e to
p u n ishm e n t
en ( )
n u ar i
g g i n i a n a shad o w o f fan p al m ! at a d istan ce -

k a(kan ) sh a m en e nj oy y o u (the k a o r kan

’

n e sa

ki is an abbre v iatio n fo r su kan ) .

T he fan p al m , owin g to the -

he ig ht o f its fo l iag e from the

r o u n d , throws its shad o w at a
g
d istan ce This p r o ve rb is ad
.

d r e sse d to a m an who l av ishe s his

bo u n ty o u tsid e his o wn ho u se
“ ”
(c f ch ar ity
. b e g in s at h o m e )
m ah aku r ch i m awa the p atie n t m an is the rich m an
d ach i

1 ku rewa u sed of l
a p ace fro m whi ch there is no ou t et l .
 H AU S A P RO VE R B S 97

45 y au d a g o b e k ay an to d ay an d to m o rro w are G od s
- -
’

allah p o ssession ; i e con tin u ity is the

. .

p rerogativ e o f G od
m ag an in kiy ey a t a the cu r e fo r hatr e d is se p aration
b u wa
ko wa y i ke ta kan sa the e v il that a man does (reco il s
on ) him se l f

r am ar b ashi ta fi the l e an n e ss o f a d e bt is be tte r

kib ar s a than its fatn e ss i e it is bette r . .

to pay off y o u r d e bts than to

m ak e the m g re ate r
sai an fas(s) a akan o n ly whe n a ro u t o ccu r s is a fast

san i
() b i d i hor se kn own
5 0 fad e fad e b a y i b a tal kin g is n o t d o in g
ne

j iki y a fi ku ne ji the bo dy su r p asse s the ear in

he ar in g ; i e if a m an will
. . n ot

l iste n , he will gain his ex

p er ien ce in his perso n

zu m u n ta akafa relation ship is a m atte r o f the

ke fee t ; i e if a p e rso n d o e s n o t
. .

tak e the tro u bl e to go to see

his r e l atio n the r e latio n ship
,

b eco m e s of n o acco u n t (cf ou t .

”
o f sig ht o u t o f m in d )

zu m u z u m a ne a re l ation is as ho n ey ; a pl ay o n
the wo rd s z u m u an d z u m a .

d u n ia m ach e the wo r l d is l ike a wo m an with

ch ik k i ch e chil d ; i e as y o u can n o t tell

() . .

whe the r a wom an will bear a

son o r d au g hte r , so y o u can n o t

te ll what fate has in sto re for

ou
y
55 wiy a m awu ch ia d iffi cu l ty is a thin g which p asses
m afu ch ia) away : a say in g attr ibu ted to

the b u sh cat ( m u su r u n t o fa)

H
 H AU S A GRAMMAR

whe n h e sitatin g whe ther to ru n

o u t of a b u sh -
fi re an d be kill e d
or be sin g e d
to stay an d

ab in d a akash u ka that which has bee n sown is that

sh i kan t sir a which will com e u p ; i e as a . .

m an sows, so shall he r e ap

y ar o b ai s an wu ta a b oy d o e s n ot k n ow the fi r e till
“
ba sai ta k o n ash i it has bu rn t him a bu rn t
chi
ld d r e ad s the fi re
z om o b a sh i ka a hare is n o t cau g ht by sittin g

m u wa d ag (g ) a d o wn
z am n e

san u ba ta san u g o in g S o l wly d oe s n ot p re v e n t

z u wa arr iv in g
60 ab in b an z a h an ch i a wo r th l ess thin g is a n o se witho u t
b ab u kafa n ostril s

b an z a far in id o a b rig ht ey e that can n o t see is

b ab u g an i wor thl e ss
“
mu j em u g an i m a let us g o an d see is the m ed i
g an i n m ak ar i ac h i cine for a l iar ; the witn ess of
a l iar n ee ds to b e su pp o rte d
by the e vid e n ce o f o n e s o wn ’

ey e s
“
m ag an in kad (d ) a aji the m e d icin e for let it n ot be
” “ ”
k ad (d ) a ay i he ard is let it n o t be d o n e ;
i e if y ou d o n t wan t a thin g to
. .
’

be he ard of, d o n t do it’

h an u m aim ia aka the han d that has sou p g e ts l icke d

l asa (o f c u p bo ar d l o v e )
6 5 m ag an a z ar ar bu n u a wo r d sp o ke n is as the p u ll in g
ou t o f thatch ; i e as a straw
. .

p u ll e d o u t of the thatch can n o t

be r e pl ace d , so a wo rd sp o k e n
can n o t be re call ed

y u n wa ab aki afu ta o h hu n g e r ,
, y o u h a v e h ad so m e
thin g g iv e n to y ou r e st ! (said ,
 I OO H AU SA GRA MM AR

b a d ad i tan a g i d “
n o t n ic e ”
k ee p s ho u se with “
I
”
d
() an n a k o shi am satisfi ed ; i e .o n l y.a m an

who l ive s in l u x u ry can affo rd

to say of an y thin g , I t is n ot

e (i a can
n ic . . affo rd to be d is
co n te n te d )

y u n wa m ag an in hu n ge r is the r e m e dy for b ad
m u g u n iar d af(f ) u a co o k in g ; cf.
“
hu n g e r is the
b e st sau ce
d o n h an u n k a y a y i be cau se y o u r han d sm e ll s badly ,
d o i b a ka y e n u d o n o t cu t it o ff o r thro wit
y o

ke wa ka y e s away ; i e y o u d o n o t aban d o n
. .

a r e l atio n be cau se he do e s a
l ig ht wro n g
s

l aifi du k n a ku r a a hy e n a has m an y fau l ts, b u t it

ne am m a b am d a d o e s n o t ste al strin g ; i e n o . .

satar wad (d) ar i m an is al tog e the r had

80 d o n t san an in y u n e v e n in stre ss of hu n g e r so u p is
wa b a ay i m ia da n o t m ad e of sp id er s ; i e how . .

g () g ()
i z z a i z z a e v e r g re at y o u r n ee d y ou m u st ,

u se su itabl e m e an s to aeco m

p lish y o u r en d
b ab (b ) an d a b a wu r i a g ro wn u p m an
-
who is witho u t a

y ar o ne wry is b u t a boy
co

fad in ru a ba z u rfi the wid th o f a r ive r is n o t (a gu id e

to its) d e p th ; i e a bro ad . . ri ver

is n o t n e cessarily d ee p , o r , ap

pearan ces ar e o fte n d ece p tiv e

k o wa y a k as kifi who e v er kill s a fi sh (it is for his
o wn ) baske t ; i e
’
g o r an s a a m an s acts. .

co m e ho m e to him se lf

b u kin wata d o ka the d e sire o f on e wo m an is plaite d

b u kin wata ku n hair the d e sire o f an o the r is a

,

du m i shav e n he ad ; ie diff e re n t . .

thin g s pl e ase d iffe r e n t p eo pl e

8 5 d akir na t sir a y a ( or with d iffi cu l ty I e scap e d ”
is
 H AU SA P RO VE R B S I OI

ta) fi d akir akaka be tte r than with d iffi cu l ty I

m an i was cau ght ”

aje (or ri k (k) e ) kan k ee p a d o g fo r y o u rs el f be cau se

,

()
r e n ka d o n k ar e n ’
o f the d o in an o th e r m a
g n s

i d
g () d an wo n i ho u se .i e be p r e p ar e d with
.

the sam e we ap o n s as tho se with

which y o u will be attacke d
“
( c f. se t a thie f t o cat ch a
”
thie f )
t al au ch i kan kan c h i p o v e rty is d egradatio n ; i e ther e . .

is n o thin g l ike p o v e rty to m ak e

a m an fee l sm all
m u tu m da g i sh i a m an who h as g o t sal t o f his o wn
r i u sa e n y a s o y a can co o k a ho r n if he pl e ase ;

d af(f ) a k afo i e a m an who is r ich can waste

. .

his sal t o n that which is u n

e atabl e
aiki n g o n a d a wiy a far m wor k is l abo rio u s, bu t whe n
kad (d ) an y a kar e it is fi n ishe d the e atin g is
d a d ad in ch i pl e asan t
9 0 tam ah a wad (d ) a ta it is exp e ctatio n that hin de rs the
h an (n ) a m alam m all am fr o m far m in g be cau se,

n om a sab b
() o d a of ( his ho p e for ) tithe co rn ; i e . .

h at sin z akka a m all am will n o t tak e to ag r i

cu l tu r e b e cau se he r e l ie s u p o n

o the rs to fee d him o r r e l ian ce

,

u pon o th e r s br ee d s im pr o v i

d e n ce
l afi ar j iki ar z iki ne he al th o f the bo dy is g o o d fo r
t u n e : u se d by a m an who has
fail ed in a d an g ero u s e n ter p rise ,

b u t who con so l e s him se l f that

he has e scap e d u n har m e d
ab o k in s ar ik i s ar iki the frie n d o f a k in g is him se l f
me k in g ; a p ie ce o f fl atte ry (b am
m ag an a) u se d to a cou r tie r
 1 02 H AU S A GRAMMAR

ko m i n i san d ere that which is far away at n ig ht

g ar i y a way e (will be n e ar whe n ) the day
d awn s i e ahid d e n m y ste ry will
. .

be co m e cl e ar if y ou o n ly wait
k wo r ia ta b i kwo r ia a cal abash sho u l d foll o w a cal a

en t a b i ako sh i t a bash ; if it fo ll ow a wo o d e n d ish

fas (s ) h e it br e aks ; i . e. a m an sho u ld
associate with m en of his o wn

c l ass ; if he asso ciate with those

of a h ighe r cl ass he will co m e
to gr ie f

95 d am a m u n s o zu a we wish all the m ore to g o to the

b i r n i b al (l ) e sa to wn n o w that the kin g o f the
r iki y a aiko to wn has se n t fo r u s ; a p ro v e rb

u se d b a m an who has trie d

y
su cce ssfu ll to p ick a q u ar re l
y
with an o the r b ir n i re p re se n ts
.

the o bj e ct in d isp u te sar iki the ,

p erson who has acce p te d the

chall e n g e to fig ht

tal au ch i ba za
y a p ov e rty o u g ht n ot to take away
kau d a y an ch i b a free d o m ; i e y ou o u g ht n o t to
. .

tak e ad v an tag e o f a p o o r m an
~

ba ja b a ne t u r an .
it is n ot the fo reign e r with a red
ch i m ai d u ki a sh i skin who is m aste r b u t the ,

ne ab b a r ich m an (o f w hate v e r n atio n

al ity he m ay be)
en k an a awo au n a if y o u wan t to m e asu re o u t an y
g a m ai t aik i thin g , g o to the m an who has
the bag an d m e asu r e ; i e if y o u . .

wan t an y thin g , ask the o wn e r

for it ; d o n o t ask his se r v an t
s ab o da m ay at a b e in g accu sto m e d to m isfo r tu n e is
m ag an in wo ta the m e dicin e fo r the ( u n k n o wn )

r an a fu tu r e ; u se d o f a r ich m an who
was form er ly p o or
 H AU S A GRAM MAR

so n has be l on gs to his m aster o r

fathe r
d an b an z a r ai r ai n e a wor thl e ss m an is l ike san d ; if
ko an d u n ku l a sh i y o u p r e ss it to e the r it fall s to
g
ma ya r u sh e p iece s again
kar am in san i ku sm all k n o wl e dg e is as the t in g o f
y
ku m i ’
a m an s han d to his n e ck ; i e a . .

l ittl e kn o wl e dg e is a d an g e rou s
thin g
kar (r) e ka m u tu da d og ! y o u will d ie o f y o u r spite
h au sh in ku r a again st the hy e n a Th e d o g .

hate s the hy e n a, bu t is n e v e r
ab l e to g et the b e tte r of it .

S aid with r e fe re n ce to u n su c
cessfu l atte m p ts by an e n e m y

to inj u re the S p e ak e r
1 10 kask a k a m u tu da tick ! y ou will d ie of y o u r sp ite
h an sh in kifi ag ain st the fi sh S im il ar to the
.

foreg o in g , ticks be in g u n abl e to

inj u r e fi sh
a r e sh in san i kaz a fo r lack o f kn o wl edge the fowl
ta kwan a akan sl e p t hu n g ry o n the bu n d l e ( of

d em i d a y u n wa co r n ) ; u sed of o pp o rtu n itie s

m isse d thro u g h ign oran ce

en d a wo n i y a ki the pl ace in wh ich on e m an re
d a y in i, n an wo n i fu se s to sp e n d the d ay , an o the r

y i k e n em a da cho o ses ( see ks fo r) fo r sl ee p in g

kwan a “
O n e m an s m e at is an o the r
’
in .

”
m an s p o iso n
’
.

S O M E C OMM O N SAY I NG S .

m ag an in p atie n ce is the wo rl d s m e d icin e

’
 H AU S A P ROV E R B S 1 05

k o m i m aiwiy a sh i e v e ry thin g that is d iffi cu l t co m e s

na d a m akar i n sa to an en d

g ad o n i d
g () d a al al the in he r itan ce of a ho u se is

g a r ag o a so u rc e of wo rry to the idle

m an
y u n wa ta ke m aid a hu n g er m ake s a boy in to an o ld

y a r o t s o fo m an
ko sh i sh i ke m aid a satisfactio n m ake s an o ld m an in to
t s o fo y ar o a boy
k o wa y a y i ch in iki e ve ry o n e who tr ad e s in l ie s wil l
k ar ia y a y i b ian hav e to pay tr u th ; i e he who . .

g aski a te ll s l ie s in j o ke will b e he ld to
his wor d to his co st
i d
g () d a b iu m ag an i n the r e m e dy ag ain st a co n fl agr atio n

g o b ar a is to hav e two ho u se s
k ad (d ) a k o wa y a let n o t an y co m pl ain o f an o the r ,

k u ka d a wo n i y a (i n d o in
g so ) he co m pl ain s o f

ku ka d a kan sa him se lf ; i e he is the cau se o f

. .

the inj u ry which has bee n d o n e

to him by an o the r
b alsh in ka y a j awo it is y o u r o wn to n gu e that d raws
m ak a m ag an a b a o u t e v il wo r d s n o t (that of )
,

wo n i ba an o the r . The m e an ing is the

sam e as that o f the p r ece d in g

en da m aig u d a y a je the trav e ll e r with p atie n ce will

an h an ku r a m ai arr iv e at the pl ace whithe r the
t af(f ) i a y a je m an who r u n s is g o in g
m u tu m e n y a c h e if a m an say s that he can swall o w
y a h ad i g at e r i an ax e (, do n o t v e x him by e x
r ike m asa k o ta pr e ssin g d isbe lief bu t co n cil iate
,

h im by o ff e rin g to) ho l d the ax e

han d l e ; i e it is o f n o u se to
. .

cau se n ee d l e ss v e x atio n to tho se

who bo ast
m ag an in g ar i da the r e m e dy fo r a d istan t town is
n e sa t af(f ) ia trav e l
1 06 H AU S A G RAMMAR

b a m u gu n sar iki sai no ev il is don e by a kin g (the ,

m u g u n b afad i r e sp o n sib il it
y fo r t h e ) e v il
be l o n g s to his co u n se ll o r s
b ab u l aifi b ab u t u whe r e the re is n o wro n g the re is
n an i n o r e m o r se

kar (r ) e b akin sa na the d o g l o o k s as if it wan te d so m e

z aki na wai ab a thin g to eat ; lit .
, the d o g , its
sh i m o u th of s wee tn e ss ,
it is said

let so m e thin g
be giv e n
ji i ba a baby wo n t tak e N o fo r an
’
1 1 n r y a san

b ab u b a . an swe r ; u se d as a r e ply to a
m an who p e rsists in askin g y o u
to d o that which is im p o ssibl e .
1 08 H AU S A G R AM MAR
’
the kin g sS l av e has the ho rse
W hat y o u . to l d m e is n o t so .

W hich ro ad d id y o u foll o w ? I fo ll o wed the carav an ro ad

(lit
. the
, t r ad e r s r o ad ) W ho to l ’
d y o u . the n e ws ? The
m an who m y o u saw in the ho u se .

m u tu m wan d a ka n e m a ke n an b ako y a b i .

h ain y a wad d a k a fad a m asa wo n an m ach e d iy ar .

wo n ch an m u tu m ta ke wo n ch an m u tu m (o r m o r e .

idio m atically m u tu m e n n an ) d an b ak o n an n e y a r o n .

n an dan wan e n e n e ? sh i dan b awan sar iki n e .

y ar i n i a b a t a ji b a l ab ar i d a k a f ad a m a t a t a .

ch e y ar o y a g u d u wa y a g ay a (o r fad a) m ata
.

h ak (k) a ? b awa wo n d a ka g an i ch ik (k) in g i d (d ) a .

kai wan e n e n i b ak o n e d an wan e n e k ai ? ni .

d an sar iki n e wan e n e wo n ch an ? b awan falke

.

ne . m i k a ji ? ab in d a n a ji sh i n e l ab ar in d a n a
a
g y a m ak a d o k i n w. a n e n e s ar iki y a h a u ? d o ki n

b ako wan d a y a b ika m ach e n n an ita (o r ta) ke d a

.

y ar i n i a w a dd a k a g an i .

III .

This m an said that he did n o t kn o w who brou g ht the

m o n ey D o n o t te ll an y o n e the n e ws
. O n e m o u n te d a .

ho rse o n e m o u n ted a d o n k ey
,
W ho are y ou ? I t is I , .

o u r bo W h e n d id the car p e n te r br in g the han d l e ? I

y y .

d o n o t kn o w The m e rchan ts r u in e d e ach o the r

. The .

p e o pl e d ism o u n te d an d ev e ry o n e wen t to his ho u se D o

,
.

n o t te ll an bod in o u r to wn what I to l d y o u T h is boy

y y y .

to l d m e that he was a stran g e r he said that n o o n e k n e w ,

him The m aste r o f the ho u se said that he him se l f d id n o t

.

kn o w .

wo su m asu g u d u ak an h ain y a su n fad a m an i

l ab ar in wach e h ain y a su n b i wo su su n b i
n an . .

h ain y a n an wo su su n b i wo n ch an k o wa y a .

san (i) ab in n an b a wan d a b a y a san sh i b a

. .

ko wo n i m u t u m y a k awo k u r d in sa k o wo n in su y a .
 K E Y TO E XE RC I S E S 1 09

t af(
f ) i g i d (d ) an s a . en n a su r d i n d o ki n n an .
y a fad i
akan h ain y a m aid o ki d akan sa y a n e m e sh i , am m a
.

b a y a g an sh i b a ko e n n a j akin wan en e y aro y a .

kawo j akin falke , o r , n a falke n e y ar a su n b u g a

. .

jun an su . kad (d ) a k a b u g a kan ka .

IV .

I s th is ho u se y o u rs o r the ir s I t is n o t o u r s, it be l o n gs
to the he ad m an who se so n y o u saw in the m arke t I t was .

n o t th s (
e e m en or , w h o w e n t w
the se are n o t the m en )
ith 1

m e to y o u r to wn W ho se wife is this ? She is m y wife

. .

This She g oat is m in e The trade rs fin ishe d the ir bu sin ess
-
.

( ,
lit the
.
y d id th e ir b u sin e ss ,
th e y fi n ishe d ) W h e r e ar e th e y .

n ow T hey hav e j u st g on e o u t fro m the m arke t an d go n e

to the ir to wn Wh e re is y o u r frie n d ? H e has g on e to
.

o u r he ad m an s pl ace I s this m o n ey o r he rs
’ 2
y o u rs .

Ne ithe r (lit , n o ) it is theirs, n o t o u rs I s the far m that I

. .

saw y o u rs, o r who se is it ? I t is o u rs .

m alam y a ka kawo b a y a so n
ch e y aro wan d a
kar at u (b a) , o r , b a y a so y a y i k ar at u (b a) m alam .

y a k o iy a m a d a n s a r u b u t u b a y a k o iy a m a n awa .

ko m i b a y a y i c hi n
. ik in jaki n sa n a b ash i d o ki n a .

sar iki y a ch e m a fat ake kad ( d ) a su kawo kay an su

ch ik (
k) in kasu ar sa m asu kay a su n d au ka kay an su .

su n t af(
f)i . kay a d a su n d au ka na wa ne . m aika
y an a
g y a t af f
() i t ar e d a ab o k in k a . en n a kay a b an
g an i k ay a n awa b a .

V.
W he n ce d o e s this m an co m
e H e to l d m e that he cam e
fro m Kan o . I do n t
’
k n o w what has bro u ght him (o r why ,

the su b ect to wh ch the re at v e refers is a perso na pro n ou n in

When j i l i l
i l i
the nomin at v e ease, the re at ve is o m tted in H au sa an d the re at ve dea is i l i i
x
e pressed by two co ord in ate sen ten ces in the same person
-
E x : u i ne . .

n af adi , it was I w ho fe ita clze ta g u d u , it was she who ran awa

ll Bu t y .

l
if the persona pron ou n is in the o b ect ve case, it is om tted in H ausa an d j i i
l
the re ativ e is u sed Ex n a n em a wan d a y af adi, I so ught him w
. . ho fe ll .

3
The H au sa tex t sho u d l read ku r d in .
I I O H AU S A G R AM MAR

he has co m e ) W hat (lit , whe re) is the u se o f y o u r ho u se

. .

I t d o e s n o t kee p o u t the rain (lit p reve n t the r ain fr o m .

,

e n te rin g the in sid e) W he n we cam e back we saw all o u r . ,

lo ad s sp o il t W he re i s y o u r fathe r ? H e is co min g D o
. .

y o u l ik e tr av e ll in
g w ith m e ? Y es W ha t are the
y d o in g .

n o w? T hey are e atin g the ir fo od What are y ou brin g .

in g ? W hat we go t in the m arke t W hat is that ? A .

sad d l e br id l e stirru p s an d ho r se tr app in g s co m ple te

, , ,I .

am tak in g the m to the he ad m an o f the to wn .

m u tu mwan d a k a g an i ji a y a z o y a c h e shi n a .

z u a ku m a g o b e y ar o n a y a c h e r u a y a h an.
()
n a
m asa t af(f ) ia e n n a an fan i n m ag an a ir in wo n an
.

n a san i b a g askia b a n e k ar ia k a ke y i
. ab o kin ka .

y a b an i ab i n chi ; ji a b an c h i k o m i b a s a an d a .

m u ka ji l ab ar i m u k a t ashi m u n a t af f
() i a d e r e da
r an a, m u ka zo n an . d o kin n an en n a an fan in sa, or ,

enn a an fan in d o kin g a ? i

j y a a f ad i y au ku m a y a
f ad i . d o m i kan a (or ka ke ) z am n a n an ? i n a n e m an
ab in ch i . s ar iki y an a sh ig (g ) wa o g ar i y an a zu a

y an z u . m u n taf(f ) i kasu a m u n sam u ab in d a m u

ke so d u ka . saan d a m u ka sh i g i d
(g) g ( )
a d a m u ka
z am n a m u k a ch i ab in ch i .

VI .

I do n ot kn o w what we are g o in g to d o n ow . I f y o u go
t o him , he will te ll y o u the n e ws E v e ry o n e . who co m es
to m y ho u se , I fee d him T hat wo m an say s she is n ot .

i ill w o me ( o r , said she w i ill w m e

g o n g t e c as n o t g o n g t e ca ) .

I f y o u d o n o t te ll (lit , giv e ) m e the tr u th , I shall g o (o r , I

.

am go in g ) H e say s that he will te ll y ou the tru th if y ou

.

will see him to m orro w D o y o u wish to trav el (o r , d o y o u

-
.

l ike trav e ll in g ) by d ay o r by n ight ? To trav e l by n ight is

t ro u bl e so m e (lit , with tro u bl e ) b u t if y o u l ike I will m ake
.
,

the atte m p t Can y o u trav e l ? I can n o t (lit , shall n o t be

. .

abl e ) I wan t to sl ee p fo r m y ey e is so r e (lit , sick ) I to l d

. . .
112 H A U S A G RAM MA R

n am a y an z u d o m in id an su ka (o r su n ) ch i b a z asu
f ) ia d a n e sa b a
s o t af( s aan d a m an z o y a 2 0 .

kad (d ) a ka b e r sh i ( or k ad (d ) a ab e r sh i) sh i shig ()
g a
i
g ()d d a s h i z a m n a a w o j e h a r n a k o m o e n n a a k e .

sam u (o r a n a sa m u ) a b i n n a n ? b a n s a n i b a b a
asam u ir in sa an an k ad (d ) a ka b e r y ar o n ka sh i
.

o r y a) h au r aku m in a d o m i n r don k d hi
( (
o ) a ()
d a s

fad i b an i r u a d ag (g ) a r ijiar chik (k) in g id (d ) an ka

.

(lit. w
,
e ll o f th e in sid e o f y o u r ho u se
) d o m i n b a n i d a ,

ab in d a z an sh a o r b a n i d a ko m i n a sh a (
, , lit I .
,

hav e n o thin g o f d rin k in g) ka g ay a m asa id an y a 2 0

.

wu r in a (lit to m y pl ace ; a l ite ral tran sl atio n o f the

.
,

E n g l ish g iv e n wo u l d n o t be id io m atic H au sa) g o b e b a

z an g a n sh i b a k ar i.a a k e y i b a a s am u n g a s ki a
wu r in su (b a) n a ji d ad i d a z u an ka
. .

V III .

G iv e m e m ore to eat, this is n o t en o u g h A ll r ight, I .

will in cre ase it M y sl av e has g o n e to see k the b oy , bu t

.

he h as n o t fo u n d him ; y o u , the re , g o an d see k fo r h im

an d br in g him he re I wan t y o u to take this p iece of clo th
.

to the bro ke r fo r him to se ll ; if he se ll s it take the m on ey ,

bu y m e a ram an d brin g back he r e the r e st of the m o n ey

, .

I s this horse for sal e ? N o ; it was so ld y e ste rd ay I wan t .

to bu y a cam e l W he re is o n e to be fo u n d (lit , whe re is it

. .

fo u n d ) ? The o wn er s o f the cam e l s are in the m ar k e t,

bu y in g an d se ll in g Can this r iv er be crosse d ? No , it
.

can n o t be cr osse d , it n e v e r d r ie s u p D o y o u wish the .

k in g to g iv e y o u a can o e in ord e r that y o u m ay cross ?

The kin g say s that y o u are to g iv e him what be l o n g s to
.

him All right, I will g iv e it u p

. .

ab o kin a y a tar ie n i a h ain y a . n a g am (m ) u d a

fat ako chik(k) in d aji su n kwan ta ( or su n a k wan ch e)

a ()
en n u a na t ar d asu d on kain i g ar i
su t ash i k a .

k awo m an i ru a en Sha . n a chik k a g o r an r u a d a

()
 KE Y T O E XE RC I S E S 1 1 3

safe am m a y a z u b a (o r z u he) y ar o n a y a z u b d ash i .

a
k k a k a b at a l it afi n an ? b an s an
()
n i b a n a s am e

sh i y a b ac h e . t afas (s) a m an i r u a. ru a y a t afas(s) a

(
or b an i t afas (s) ash en r u a. s aan da
an d afi a ab in ch i ka g ay a m an i b an i d aifafe n ab in
'
’
.

n am a y a d afl u f ) i kasu a ka saiy o m an i
'

ch i . t af( .

su r d i . m aisu r d i y a ki s ay e r wa ar assa su r d i
. ch ik

k
() i n k asu a . ka taf(f ) i g a wan i ka saiy o .

IX .

I wan t y o u to g o to the k in g an d te ll
I than k him that
him fo r the p re se n t which he has se n t m e W he n ce d id .

the se trad e rs co m e F rom Yo l a; they are o n the ir way to

K an o with iv o ry H o w l o n g hav e they bee n trav e llin g ?
.

They hav e bee n two m o n ths on the ro ad I wan t a cam e l ; .

if I g iv e y o u a ho r se in e x chan g e fo r y o u r cam e l will y o u ,

ag r ee ? No I hav e n ot a cam e l to g iv e y o u o n ly a p ack ,

ox . H ad I kn o wn this I wo u ld n o t hav e co m e to y o u ,
.

D id y o u see him ? Y es, whe n I we n t to his ho u se I fo u n d

him sittin g at the d oo r o f his ho u se with his so n who is ,

call e d J o se p h I n o l d e n tim e the m en o f this co u n try we r e

.

wo n t to fig ht with o n e an o ther Te ll the carr ie rs to g et .

a d stan d in l in e — n o , n o t l ik e that ; the m u t l i e

u
p n y s n u
p
I d o n o t wan t the m to stan d with in te rv al s be twee n .

f)i
t af( g a ( or wu r i n ) ab o ki n a ka fad a m asa (or

m ai) a g ar e sh i
in a -
zu . in a so
y i m ag an a
en d a
sh i b is ( t) u n d o ki
s) a h at ( . tu d a
n n i ke b an t ab (b) a l

g an i n ir in sa b an d a ( or s ai ) y au . m u t an e n d a k a
g an i m a s u z u a g o n a k e s u n fi t ()
t o d a g (g ) a c hik k
() i n

g ar i , b a s u k wa n a a wo j en g a r i d o n t so r o n y a k i .

d om i su ke ji n t s o r o y an z u t u n d a t u r awa su ka
zo b ab u s au r an y ak i ( it
l .
,
no re m ain d e r o f war) da .

b ab u y ak i d a k a g a g ar u r u a k u s (s) a d a k u s (s) a (o r
ku s (s) a d a j u n a) ko e n n a akasa n an .
y an z u b an d a

1
lit .
, to u ched i
th s is the u su a l way of translating ev er befo re a v erb .
1 1 4 H A U S A G R AM MA R

k an g o b a ka g a ko m i b a achik(k) in d ap
,
an g in a .

g ar i n n an g ab b
() an y ak i n t u k u r s ar iki n k an o , an

ch ish i t u n b a ka 20 ba . mi z ak a b an i m aim akin

(or am aim akin ) wo n an ?

X .

W he r e has the own e r o f the se sticks g o n e H o w m an y

l oad s hav e y o u ? I hav e m an y (lit , they are m an y ) All . .

r ig h t g o an d g et r e ady an d br in g all y o u r l o ad s he r e v e ry
,

q u ickly I s it l o ng sin ce this m e rchan t cam e to this town

.

Y es it is m any y ears sin ce he cam e

,
I n a fe w d ay s (lit , in
. .

t hese d ay s) he will start to g o to his hou se The king .

m ad e a p ro cl am atio n to the e ffect that the p e o pl e sho u l d

r e p air the hu ts in the ir co m p o u n d s I n the H au sa co u n try
.

the re are m an y kin g s ; b e sid e s the kin g o f the town , the

m an who l oo k s afte r the m arke t is call e d the kin g o f the
m arke t , the atte n d ant at the g ate is the kin g o f the g ate ;
the re are al so m an y o the rs W hat kin d o f m on key s are
.

the r e o n the ban k s o f the r iv e r B e n u e ? T he re are an

u n l im ite d n u m be r o f k in d s ; th o se that are co m m o n e st lit ,
( .

su r p ass as to pl e n ty ) hav e face s l ik e d og s S e n d to th e .

ho rse m e n (an d te ll the m ) to sad d l e u p (lit m ake sadd l e s) .

,

q u ickly H av e the d o n key s bee n brou g ht ? No t y et, on ly

.

the cam e l s C om e an d he lp m e
. .

ch ik ()
k i n h au sa an g i n a d ak u n a da tu b ali
an r u fe su d a tu ku r u a d a wa aikin
chi a m az a ke
n an m at a su kan d eb (b ) e chik(
k) in d aki . ako i kih
c h ik k
() i n kasu a ako isu . s ar iki y a y i d o ka
k ad (d ) a asar e it atu an ku sa d a g ar i , y an z u b ay i su
k an t af(f ) i n e sa su s ar o i tach e n wu ta wad (d ) a .

n an i r in t akalm an d a ni ke
b a ar assa g ar u ru a
.
so .

( g
or ar u r u ka) k
a as ar
(
o r ac h i k k
() i n k asar
) k an o .

h au sawa su kan z am n a chik (k) in g ar i fu l an i m asu

sh an u z am n a
su kan ch ik k
() i n ru ga. ka g ay a wa
(or m a) sar ikin j ir ig i sh i aiko m in i jir ag e n s a (o r
1 1 6 H A U S A G RA M MAR

u ku d ai a ch ik(k) in su y in a d a b ay a (lit has a back .

, ,

cf p
. 8 7 ) d aia ku m a b a sh i d a kaf(f ) a (lit has n o t a
. .
,

fo o t) d aia ku m a n a b ad ash i ar o g a ab o kin a sh i y a

, ,

sa n i k e t af( f ) ia ak as(s) a ku r d in k wo i n awa n e

.

ch ik ( k) in k asar h au sa (o r ch ik(k) in h au sa) h au .

sawa b a su ch in k wo i u kaj i sai n a z ab i i d an .

b ako y a tam b ay i kwo in kaz a su kan kawo m asa .

kwo in d a su ke kawo wa r ab (b ) in s a d u k b atach e

ne
(
lit sp o il.t) ,
h att u n .k u r d i n k w o i d a n a t am b a
y e k a b a k a g ya a m i n i b a ku r d in sa al o k oja.

d ay awa gu d a d ai a d ar i n e am m a akan o ku r d i
ash e r in ash e r in n e.

XII .

D o y o u p r e fe r a m al e o r fe m al e cam e l I p re fe r a m al e
cam e l , becau se it is stro n g e r than a fe m al e This m are is .

faste r than y o u r ho rse A she g o at is m o re u se fu l than a

.
-

he go at
-
W ho is this ? H e is m y bro the r H as he the
. .

sam e fathe r an d m o ther as y o u hav e ? NO ; we hav e

( y)
o n l t h e sa m e m o th e r I n H an sa.l an d , a n
y m an w h o

b e l o n gs to y ou r town (li t he with who m y ou hav e a to wn

.
,

in co m m o n ) if y o u m eet him in an o the r co u n try y o u wo u ld

,

al way s (lit , on ly ) call him y ou r bro ther

. A g e n tl e m an .

l
( ,it a.b ig m a n ) w o u l d n o t act th u s T h is l o ad is to
. o h eav y
for m e I t is a lie ; it is l ig hte r than all the o thers (lit , it
. .

has n o t we ight l ike the re st) I t is tr u e ; b u t I am a sm all

.

boy ; it is be tte r fo r y ou to g iv e m e a sm all l o ad T his .

r o o m is sm all ; it is ( to o ) co n fi n e d fo r m e G iv e m e so m e .

bo il in g wate r A re the cake s bake d ?

. Yes the y ar e ,

baked A wo rthl e ss m an n e v er sp e aks the tru th ; he is

.

u tte r ly sham e l ess ( lit ther e is a l ack o f sham e to him ) .

t ako b in n an d a t sad a y a ke (
or y i k e ), or t ako b in
n an y a k u r d in sa y a y i m in i y awa
fay e t sad a, .

n u n a m in i wan i wan d a y a fi wan an ar ah a wan i .

ir in ab in ch i b akake n m u t an e su ke ch i h au sawa
 KE Y TO E XE RC I S E S 1 1 7

su n fi ch i n d awa . m in e n e d awa ? wan i ir in jan

kway a k an k an e m ata s u kan n ik(k) a shi ad u ch i su

kan d ak (k) a sh i ac h ik(k) in tu r u m i .

y o ru b a wa su

k an d o iy a b a su iy a d an k an kay a d a b ah au sh e k e
ch i

d au k a sai r ab (b ) i h ak(k) an an h au sawa su k an ch e .

y au sh e z aakar e whe n will it be fi n ishe d ) ?

ab in ch i (lit .
,

in a jin y u n wa t so fo n n an d an u wan a n e an h aife m u

.

g ar i d ai a m at at a k
, an u a t as a c h e a c h ik k
() i n h au s a .

b a ach e b ab (b ) an m u tu m y in a ch iwo an h fad (d ) an

b a sh i d a l afi a n a jin t au say en ab in d a y a sam eka
. .

ab o kan m u S 5 y i m u r n a d a ko m o wan m u
. .

XIII .

M y frien d , do not g o to o u r ho u se ; let u s stay tog e the r

an d star t at the sam e tim e in the m o rn in g Can y o u te ll .

m e ho w t his m an d ie d No I do n ot kn o w e xactly , I hav e

on ly j u st re tu rn e d fro m a d istan t place ; bu t I he ard n e ws
that he m o u n te d his ho r se , we n t to the m ar ke t fe ll o ff an d , ,

d ie d str aig htway R e ally ! Ye s that is so

. H e re ho rse ,
.
,

boy wait a l ittl e till I co m e back ; I am n o t g o in g far an d

, ,

I wan t y o u to wait fo r m e he re W ill y o u com e in the .

e v e n in g , o r to m o rrow m o rn in g ? I am bo u n d to co m e
-

this e v e n in g T his boy s m aste r m ad e him d o this wo rk

.
’
,

an d he was co m p e ll e d to d o it I had g re at d ifficu l ty in

.

fi n din g the way W her e d id y o u p ass the n ig ht

. I sl e p t
at a to wn call e d sab o n b ir n i (lit -
I l o st the .
,

way fro m the re W hat cau se d y o u to l ose the way ? I t

.

was the r iv e r that p re v e n te d m e from cro ssin g (lit p assin g) .

,
.

Yes, that is so ; it ofte n d o e s so Te ll the carrie rs to g et .

u
p im m e d iate l y, as I w ish to star t I n H a n sal an d it is n e ve r
.

so co l d as it is in E n l an d
g .

y an sh e ( w an i l o k a
orch i) k a t a shi s aa n d a n a
s am u tak er d ark a saan an ( o r k an a n a t ash i d om i
) .

k a d e d (d ) e ah ain y a ab i n d a n a g an i ka y i t af(f ) i a
s far as I saw o u trav e ll e d d k
(i.e a .
y ) s an u s an u a a y i .
1 1 8 H AU S A GRAM MAR

s au r i , da k an a n an tu n d ad (d) e wa, or, d a ka

d e d (d ) e da zu a
. en n a z an fu r a wu t a ? fu r a
k o e n n a, kad (d ) a k a d am en i k u m a s ai ab in c h i y a
d af(f ) u , saan an ka ko m o . k ai m ad u g u ! n aam .

m az (z ) a k a t ar a fat ake . r afi n n an y a fay e z u rfi y a

k am ata m asu d awak i su ch i g ab b

() a m as u ja k ai s u

b i su ah an kal i . d au r a k ay a d ai d ai k ad (d ) a su fad a
ar u a k ad (d ) a j ak ai s u sh iga g ab (
(g)b ) a d aia sai su
a ru

b i j u n a s u sh i g (g ) a d ai a d ai a t u n y au sh e ka ke
.

ach ik ( k) in kasar h au sa ? m i ka k e t am ah a (o r
t sam an i) ? Ina t u n an i n a t ash i g o b e
ko n wo n i .

woj e z afi n d er e y a k u s ()
s a z afi n r an a k a d d
() a k a .

m akar a .
1 20 H AU S A GRAM MAR

L
8 f}5
g s? £ 2 P r on u n ciatio n
'

e tters.
5
.

3 8 133 8 :8

E n g lish ts, so m e
tim e s t al so fr e ,

qu e n tly u sed to
r e p r e se n t har d 4
1
or dt so u n d

ll; Tsa E n g l ish ts, v e ry

se l d o m u se d in
H au sa
w e Am Not p r on o u n ce d
G hain E n gl ish hard g

E n g l ish f

5 I,
t a su b -
p al atal gu t
‘
tu ral k
e) e} i E n g l ish 15

J J 1

L5 9
n y

The eade r who is acqu ain te d with A rabic will observ e

r

t hat a an d s, which r e p re se n t t}: an d a sor t o f p al atal d

U
e p e tiv e l in A r abic are p r on o u n ce d cl: an d l in H au sa
r s c y ,
.

The l e tte r Us is ho we v e r v e ry rare ly u sed

, ,
.

1
For fu ll er explan atio n of the so und of these letters , of. pp 7.
,
8 .
 H AU S A AL P H AB E T 1 21

TheA r abic l an g u age co n tain s se v e ral d istin ctio n s o f

so u n d which are n o t fo u n d in H au sa at alL T hu s n o Cl ear
o r u n ifo r m d istin ctio n is r e cogn ize d by the H au sas be tw ee n
an d 3 , an d an d
5 u ’
u
p ,
C
1.

The l e tter s H au sa sim ply as the

alif an d ain ar e u s ed in
b e are rs o f the v o we l so u n d s an d are fr e qu e n tly in te r -

chan g e d ; cf ita L a! an d C an she

.
; t h e p r e se n ce o f an al if
d o e s n o t n ece ssar ily im ply that the sy ll abl e is l o n g , o r
that the accen t r e sts on that sy ll abl e The l e tte r ain is
t
.

n o t at all co m m on l u se d b t h H a u sas e x ce p t in w o rd s
y y e

which they hav e bo rro we d fro m A rabic M an y wo rd s .

when they stan d at the en d o f a l in e o r sen te n ce e sp ecially ,

in p o e try hav e a fi n al l alif o r 6 y which they wo u l d n o t

,

o the r w ise tak e .

H au s a V o we l s — The vowe l so u n d s u se d by the H au sas

.

as in fathe r e (5 p ro n ou n ce d l1ke a 1 n fate , (5 1

0 0

are : a L
,

or as i in r av in e or cc in fee t, a sho r te n e d e or i , e g u U .

litafi o r letaji writin g ; it is al so u se d fo r i in a cl o se d

,

s ll abl e i e whe n it i s p re ce d e d an d fo ll o we d b a
y . .
y co n so

Li
n an t as in lin ke d to ro ll u p W he n o ccu rs in a cl o se d
, .

sy ll abl e it is so m e tim e s p ro n o u n ce d a as in r a m e ti m e
g so s
0 1 1
,

e as in b eg thu s f ar ifet u ,
) v e r
y w h it e T h e l o n
g , .

v o we l o is writte n th u s f » r og o
,
to ask ; 0 in a cl o se d

s
y ll ab l e writte n
is thu s li ns ko nga a plain ; the so u n d
’
,

u as in fl u te is wr itte n o r o ccasio n all thu s am

f , y , s u ,
.

to fi n d ; 11 in a cl o se d sy ll ab l e i s wr itte n thu s mu s/E

a
m u sk .

D ip h th o n g s — The d ip htho n g s are ai

. p ro n o u n ced
0

witchcraft ; au
; 1

l ike i in n ic e ,
thu s maita, pr o

w
1 00

n o u n ced l ike o in how, thu s U

) ! oau ta sl av e r
y; ,
an d L5
3

1
i
I n m odern A rab c the sou n d o f the I ta an e is o ften represen ted thu s li
cf Wright s i G
’ ”
. A rab c ram m ar , I 6, re m c T he so u n d o f . . .

i li
n c nes in l i
ater t m es an d i n certa n o ca t es fro m ato e, u st as that o f i l li i j
f a t/1 a d oes fro m if to e .
1 22 H AU S A G RAM M AR

o i, p ro n o u n ce d l ike o i in l o iter , thu s J » f onkoi sev en ; iu .

,
O

l ike e w in shr e w skin } sil e n ce D ip htho n g s in cl o se d

,
.

,
.

s ll abl e s ar e wr itte n with the fi r st v o we l o f the d ip htho n g

y
on l
y e,g L ;. fo.r h ai n y a L3
)
; fo r d aw ,
o i n y a .

A cc e n t s — A s the e m p hasis l aid o n d iffe r e n t sy llab l e s

.

d iffe rs a g o o d d e al in d iffe r e n t l o cal itie s v e ry sp ar in g u se ,

has b ee n m ad e o f acce n ts They have o n ly bee n e m pl oy ed

.

whe re the e m p hasis to be pl ace d u p on a sy ll abl e is v e ry

p r o n o u n ced o r s e cial l
p
‘

y l iab l e to be m ispl a c e d .

H am z a — The sig n Izamza

. which the H au sas hav e
n

bo rr o we d fro m the A rabs an d which d e n o te s the cu tting

,

o ff o f the stre am o f br e ath wh ich can p r e ce d e o r fo ll o w a

v owe l is m o re o fte n o m itte d than in se rte d

,
.

T he stu d e n t is e m in d e d that he m u st be p re p are d to

r

fi n d co n sid e rable varie ty in the sy ste m s o f writin g ad op te d

“

by difl er en t H au sa m all am s I n the sp e cim e n s o f Hau sa

'

wr itin g co n tain e d in this gr am m ar an atte m p t is made to

r e p r e se n t the m e tho d ad o p te d by the be st e d u cate d an d

m ost r e p re se n tativ e H au sas The d iv isio n s be twee n wo r d s

.

are al so d iffe r e n tly m ad e by d ifl ere n t wr ite r s ; p ro n o u n s

an d p r e p o sitio n s are so m e tim e s j o in e d o n to su bstan tiv e s o r
v e rbs an d so m e tim e s wr itte n as se p arate wo rd s .

I n the s el ecte d e ad in g s which fo ll o w n o atte m p t has

r

bee n mad e to co rr e ct the n ativ e wr itin g so as to p ro d u ce

u n ifo r m ity .
1 24 H AU S A GRAM MAR

A NA LYSI S NOTE S A ND .

u b am m u o u r fathe r m u I st p pl inseparable poss pron

, . , . . . .

( cf.
p . n m u is freq u en tl y pro n ou n ced (
-
an d so meti m es wri tten )
-
mmu .

:f
I

wan d a ke , who art . The fu ller fo rm of e xpression wo ul d be

wan d a ka ke, lit .

, who tho u art .

l: sam (m ) a, heav en , is a borro wed A rabic word d en oti ng the heaven s

o r the fi rm am en t .

“ atsarkake
z I

“
i f, , let it be san ct i fied . cf . E .
3 0 . mu tsark aka

z u ch i ar m u , we l
c ean se ou r hearts .

C / O l l

k ingdom The word sarau ta usually den otes

l

sar au tark a, thy .

the terri to ry gove n ed by a ki ng n o t the so vereign ty of the king To

r , .

ex press thi s latter id ea it wo ld be better perhaps to u se the A rabi c wo rd u , ,

m u lk i T he fem i n i e su ffix rk a is u sed as sarau ta is fem i nin e cf

. n -
, , .

P 24 .

,
L l
‘
ay i sf
h i , i ve im perativ e of p 40
let it be d on e . For u se o f pass , . . .

I f ( I f

J k am ar y ad (d ) a lik e as r the fem i ni n e fo m 1 o f the con n ec ,

, ,
.

ti v e is u sed i nstead of n as k am a liken ess is fem in ine ; the expressi on

, , , ,

kam an y ad (d ) a (o y ed (d ) a) is ho weve freq uen tl y heard r ,

r, .

0 0 J

I akey in sa lit let there be its do i n g The prefi x ake is u sed to

,

.
, .

d en ote the passi ve o f the con ti n u ou s presen t cf p 3 8 , . . .

f Oo o

r an an g a thi s d ay F or u se o f the d emon strativ e prono u n 4 1 3 8

, . ,

cf. p . 1 2.
0 0 1

ab in ch in y in i , the food of to d ay
- .
y in i is freq u en t y l u sed as

a v erb , m ean ing to y at a place for a day sta .

0 00
U guf k a g afart a th u d id st forgiv e
I

r , o .
g afar ta, or y in g afart a, to

fo rgi ve o r ex cuse ; cf g afar a pard o n .

,

,
ium am u , to u s . F or u ses o f m a, cf p 5 1 . . .

an k an y i . kan is u sed in a frequen tat v e i or hab tua i l sense ,

cf. p 5 34 . .

w) wu ri n , lit .
,
the p ace l o f, is v er y comm only u sed as a prepos t i i on ,

c f. p .
5 1 .

I I I

hfi jarab a, tr a i l or temptation .

” 5
o

L1. h at (or h al ) ab ad a, for ev er, from A rabi c Ari etern t iy .

 A WA R S O N G .

A SO NG o f A bdallah ,
the so n of F odio , on the occasio n of

the r e p u lse o f Yu n fa, kin g o f G obir, fro m an attack u po n

the to wn o f Rega Fako .

W
fi z z o / I 0 l ) C /

fl a)
e ’W alll d b
f w l
j
;

i
li » w s)
“.
f
b) lan
a
“

f
e h - s ;

/
)
o/ I 0 I

1 1 I I 1 1 I f t

0 I

f b I z I I 1 a z o I
I ) o /

b u) LA"? ab b lo g
“ . .

) g
u
.

I I / 0 I 1 [bx I 1 0 I
1 26 H AU S A G RA M MA R
z O I / I I I O I / I z I

I O I I 0 I
5
/

las s o ) ; b lo g U
“

I A . I

I 0 / / x I b I I o / o I I / z o

el : a) ;
w) e ;
r )
I 0 / O f f / 0 /

( z c, if x O I

lalac 3
u
f d m
I 0 I

"“J"
o I I I 0 I O I I
:
z

5 ; g
9
“ “
I . u
I / 1 6 I O I O s I

O z x
1 28 H AU S A GRA MM A R
I I I I ’ O
o O
?
c z / I I f

ai ls mu zz ‘
Jm
c
- -
J
I
1
I I 0
0/ 0
?
\S
/ /

;
I
O I I r

f z z / CM I / o I s
/

/ C / O I O / I O I

U) N"S N ew
? ? Q5
I 01
;
I I
[
I D o I

I /

o ,

TR A NSLtT E R A r I O N '
.

y an u wa mun g o d e m u n y i im an ch i d a
all ah s al l a

h ar j ih ad i d o n ka j all a m u n kassh e d e n g i n a
d al (l) a 1

su n s an i su su n yi t ar k i 2
 A W AR S O NG 1 29

mun ka(s) sh e alkafi su su ()

a ne g o b i r awa
ra wa
su n taf(f ) o d o n kad i su da sash in asb i
ra w a3 na w a 4

su n t af(f ) o su 5
du k da sar ki

c h an k wo to su su n b ab u fam a sai ta m ata

k az ata 6

su n be r o laim a da r ay i 7 kask o m u n ka(s)

m at a sh e t a

su n san i d o n b ab u d u m ki

b ab u sar u r u 3 wa y u n fa y a y i b o b o wa da
ku n fa
su n f)o
t af ( d u k b ab u su n k az ata h ar ma
kan fa 9 h aifa
su n b e ro s ash i g a m aiki 10

i n g ar am u su n ka b e r du k da r aku ma g a
su wan su
m ay y a m ay y a 1 1 mun s ar kaki 19
y a fan sh i
ka kassu wan su
m u n ka kas b ar d e 13 d a g ar ki 14

m as u l ifd i 15
du k na m u n ka kassu don
fad (d ) a 1 6
ib ad a
g u r g u r i 17
d u k ba m u d on mu sam r ib a da
tad a 1 8
l ad a
b ab 19 wo h al (l) a b ab u aiki

g o b i r a wa ku n y i r ak i ku n t af(
f)o ku du k
da z aki ”0

ku n ka za m ko ka 9 1
ku n y i sassaka 92 ta
tu m ak i j aki
y a b e r o fal k e d a t aik i

"I n
1
i
th s an d in m an y o ther cases the H au sa scr i be has wr i tten ad bu t
L (1 represen ts the co rrect p ron u n c iatto n .
1 3 0 H AU S A G RAM M AR

g o b i r awa ku n y i l a n a ‘
k u n taf(f ) o d o n kau d a
su n n a

ku n ka za m ku du k m asu d in i n i 24 m asu
kah u n n a 23
z an n a 9 3

m asu al ad a 26
g a s ar ki

d a ka ch e 1
?7 d ai ku y m u n d u wal 29 z in a 3 °
ta
tatu b a 28 so b a 3 1

h ar t am an taka 32 ta t u ku n y al b aw a 3 3 ta
b ab a 3 3 tab a
m u n k a( ) s s h e su 34 b ab u t s am ki

k o m a y au g am u z am u ko fi t(t) a su ba su

s am u

su n sh i g e ku n chi d a don ta t so r o n m asu

r am u 35 k am u
m asu war w ad a 3 6
d a k u l ki

d u kiy am m u 3 7 d au r i 38 en su n sam u

g am u n am u

don ta al l ah b a Su ab u k ad (d ) am s ai su y i
b am u takam u
z asu ch i n tar a d a g u m ki 39

y u n fa y a k an k an t a h ar s ar aki su n y i
du n y a ku m y a
su n s an i y a b at a y a g u d an o m as u c h i n

su my a 40
y a 4 1

b ab u l ifd i b ab u d o ki

y a g u d an o m asu y an hu w ar e f3 ‘
m asu
tag g o 42 fagg o 44

m asu y in d aki d a k al s u mk a ko re y u n fa
r ag g o

z as u g ad o wal sar aki

1 3 2 H AU S A GRAM MAR

The re at K wo to they T he r e was n o fig htin g ,

fl ed , sav e o f wo m e n ,

They l e ft (fo r us ) te n ts W e d e str oy ed l ife as

an d wo m e n , tho u g h it had bee n a
bo wl ,

T hey k n o w that the r e n o r e p air in g .

The re is n o o n e so fo o l ish He m ad e m u ch p lu tte r

s

as Y u n fa, in g an d fro th ,
They cam e all o f the m T hey fl ed e v e n to the ir
,

the r e was n o o n e l e ft bir th pl ace s -

at ho m e ,

They hav e l e ft hal f (the ir n u m be r ) to the vu l tu r es .

T he ir charg er s they l e ft The ir cam e ls ,

too , fo r
be hin d ,
o the rs ,

T he ir g r eat o n es we The tho r n bu sh -

sa ved
kill e d so m e ;
,

W e sl ew t he ir ho rsem e n bo th l ig ht an d he avy .

A ll the m ail -
c l ad co u n W e sle w the m in the
se rv ice o f God )
sello rs, ( ,

A ll the fo o t l d ie rs, we
-
so To g e t p ro fi t an d rewar d
d id n o t cho o se between
the m ,

W itho u t tro u bl e withou t l abo u r ,

.

Ye m en of G o bir, y o u Yo u cam e all of

y ou ,

we r e fe arfu l ; with y ou r l ion l ike

-

k in g ;
Yo u b ecam e l ike u n to Yo u r an away l ike a
Sh ee p ,
d o n key
T hat l e av e s be hin d (it) the m e rchan t an d its bag .
 A WAR SO N G 1 33

Ye m en of G o bir , y ou Yo u cam e in o rd r e to
hav e br o u g ht a cu rs e tu rn asid e the r ight

u po n y o u way ,

Yo u all b e cam e l ike W ho bl acke n (the tee th) ,

wo m e n an d ar e in fe m al e at
tir e ,
W ho m ak e ob e isan ce be fo re the kin g .

H ad y ou k n o wn , y o u T he g o l d e n br ace l e t of

wo u l d hav e e p e n te d
r Soba,
Ev e n the g ir d l e o f B ab a,
-
T he to b acco p ip e of

B awa ,

We hav e take n the m W itho u t a bl o w .

To d ay be ho l d
-
us ; we g o T h ey can n o t e v en g o

ev e ry whe re fo rth ;
T he thick bu sh an d ho l e s F o r fear of tho se who
d id they e n te r ,
take cap tiv e s
O f tho se ar m e d with hatche ts an d l
c u bs .

B e ho l d u s, b e ho l d our all , F o r m er ly ,
whe n they
fo u n d that which b e
l o n ge d to u s,

(Ev e n we said )
if fo r (F o r an y )
l ittl e thin g
’
G od s sak e they ,
d id they se ize d ( ou r
g o o d s ),
n o t g iv e it u s,

No w they will hav e to pay fi n e s an d ran so m s .

Yu n fa wou l d hu m iliate Ev e n k in g s fee l asham e d

the wo r l d
T hey k n o w that he d e H e fl ed fro m abare -
l eg g e d
stro e d sp id e r s we bs p e o pl e
’
y . ,

W ho had n e ithe r co at of m ail n or ho rse .

 1 34 H A U S A G RAM M AR

He fl ed f
(r o m ) the m en W ho l ive in r ee d hu ts,
with sho r t shir ts, who p o sse ss bu t a
wo m an s l o ad ,’

W ho m ak e th e ir hu ts T he se are they who d ro v e

ou t of the k al go tree ; -
away the co ward Y u n fa .

T hey will be the he rito rs of k in g s .

They who se app are l co sts T hey d ro v e away y ou r

b u t 3 00 co wr ie s ,
arm y ,
T hey will foll o w y o u to The ir p u rp ose is to seize
o r co u n tr , o u r co rn
y u
y y
T hey will fatte n whil e y o u tr e m b l e .

The re at K wo to we taste d T he r e the n ak ed fo u n d

the swee ts ( o f v icto ry ) ,
fi n e 910 th .

Ye m en o f G o bir y e hav e
,
W e are co m in g to A l ka
g u e sts wit h y ou l awa to war ;
W e who had to d riv e ou t the hare s ar e co m in g to
r ho u se s
(y o u ) .

Ye m en Yaku ba
of Ye cam e to cast the

y e shar p e n e d (y o u r s p e ar ,

swo r d s) ,

Ye cam e to co lle ct a d e bt ,
W e will d o that which is
ri
g h t witho u t d e l ay ,
T he re fo r e he ar it o p e n ly fro m m y m o u th .

So m e the re we r e wav e r T heir we al th was m ore

ers ; (t o th e m ) than the ir

r e l i io n ;
g
B e ho l d the m they hav e
, W e the p r in ce o f the
,

b eco m e pr o flig ates ,

b e l ie v e rs
W e hav e fo u n d an d m ad e him kin g .
1 3 6 H AU S A G RAMMAR
17
‘

da kach e is appa e tly equ i valen t r n to d a ku n san i , had you k o wn

n

( cf .
p 55 n) .

23 t at u b a
F o r th s u se o f ta cf p 8 7
. i . . .

n d u wa, pl m u n d ay e , a b race et l
519 m u
. .

3°
zi
n a, an o ther read n
g is z in ari a, which, ho wev er , s o s the rh thm
p i
y il .

zi n a is p ro bab
y a c on tra ct on fo r l n a r i e i zi .

31
Soba was the un c e o f Yu n fa l
The r ng an d o ther oo t m ent on ed . i l i
were vsell n o wn he r oo m s k il .

31 t am
an tak a, a Tu arek wo rd d en o t ng an sben g rd e i A i l .

3“
Babe an d Bawa were a so u nc es o f Yu nfa l l .

3‘
k a(s ) sh e , here u sed e chi , to captu re , n o t n ecessar m p y ng lik ily i l i
d estru cu o n .

“1 u n ch k i
is o ften app ed to the tho rn fen ce an d r am to the d tch li i i
su rro u n d n g a to wn i y k
“
T he passage may m ean , the hav e ta en refu ge
'

in sid e the r to wn s i
”
.

3“ w
arwad a o r walwad a, a o ng b ad ed hoe o r hatchet The referen ce l -
l .

i
is to the n ad e u ate weapo n s o f the F u an q l i .

37
d u kiy am m u , a eu phon c v ar at o n o f d u ki alm u The m ean n g is i i i . i
that the spea ers po ssessed n o th n g bu t that which the were wear n g
k i y i .

33
d au r , a sho rten ed fo rm o f d awu r i , fo rm er
i ly .

3”
gu m ki , the m o’n e pa d to ran so m a captu red s av e y i l .

su m a, sp d er s web y i
T he m ean n g apraren tly is, that in his hast i y
‘0
.

fl ght thro u gh the bu sh he b ro e the sp ders webs

i k i
’
.

m asu chin y a u an s in these d a s d id n o t wear tro users F l i y

‘1
The . .

Cf . F
r sans cu lottes
. .

11
m asu tagg o ; tag g o , an o ther fo rm o f tu g u e , a short, arm ess sh rt
“
l i .

43
h u war e , a u lan word d en o t n g the reed she ters u sed by ti c Fu an
F i i l l i
herd sm en .

‘4
fagg o , o r p ag g o , a u an wo rd den o t n g a wo man s u ggage carr ed F l i i l i
’

in a b ag o r n et .

45 a go k l ro m the bar . o f theF a g o tree are m ad e co rds to tie u p the k k l

reed s o f the hou se .

46
3 00 c o w r e s
, e ab ou t th pi
ree en ce i . .

47
san san , lit cam p, here u sed fo r arm i y .

i
sak , o r so n k , a v alu ab e d ar b u e c o th i l k l l .

‘9
y i n b ak o m e an s to h a v e a gu es t to sta y .

5°
alkal awa was the capi al o f o b r °
G i .

51 z
fi d (d ) a o m o , fo r m asu fi d (d ) a o m o T he m ean ng apparen t z . i ly
is, that the spea ers had o ri in ally to d ispu te the r tenu re w th an ma s
k i i i l .

T he here en d eav o u r to g ori y the r presen t su ccess by co m par n g it w th

y l i i i
their fo rm er in sign ifi can ce .

55
Ya u ba was the pred ecessor o f Y u n fa y a ku b awa s gn fies men o f
k i i
‘
.

G
o b ir .

53 ad a m ash , lit , thro w spear

y i
The e press o n is app ed to the
. . x i li
fi rst war waged by a ng after his access o n ki i
54 ha kka , A rab ic i s r ight . or tr u th .

55
ji ta : ta, refers to m ag an a, wh ch is . u n d erstood .

5“ A rabi c wav ere s I n this case an d in the three

m u z abz ab in a, ,
r . .

fo ll o wi ng li n es the a is ad ded to the A rabic for m fo r the sak e o f scan si on

,
.

57
d i n a A rabi c rel igi o u s wo rshi p (cf ad d in i )
, ,
. .

1“
fasikin a A rab i c pro fl igates , ,
.

59 a
m i ra l m u m in in a A abic a ti tl e gi v en to the Su l tan o f Sok o to
- -
,
r . .

T he H ausa fo rm i sar i k i n m u su lm i s .
 THE C A P TU R E O F KHA R TU M A ND THE
D E A TH O F G EN E R A L G O R D O Nl
.

l O z z b l l I z O I z / z z / z

c I I z o / I

I z 0 / I l l x 0 1 l / / I I 1 0/ / I

c. I I Q / I O
0

n GI )
o
e
9
2}
(o I t , o/
a

I l I I I / 1 x

b / I I z z I I

w l
d
b hf ) .
u
h; O 40
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I / / z I / c, I I O I
d M S‘f \ 3 ¢ a a
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m J x i“ it d d 0L
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u

[ b /
/

(a l l I t x / I z O I I / /

j )
: Lu j g ) . A
/
S v i;
/
M !

1 A i i
d escr pt o n by a H au sa n at v e in the M ahd i i s camp
’
.
1 3 8 H AU S A G RAM MA R
I O I I I Ofi I “I 0 I I I I

I O I I I I II I I I I III
,
S é j
‘
ail AM ca n a l)
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.

II II I I I II II II I I I o I I

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li : QS M

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d
a
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/ / I

b I o , OI OI I I I I II
f
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0 I I II O I I / o I I I I II I I II II

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I I I c, I I I II II

I 0 I I O I I I O/ I O I I I
: A “

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1

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I O I I I I t I II t

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1 40 H AU SA G RA M MA R

TR A NSLAT I O N .

O n the d ay o n which the city was cap tu r e d the fi ght was

car r ie d o n fr o m m o rn in g till n ig ht witho u t an y r e sp ite .

M an y Pasha s m en an d m an y o f the M ahd i s m en

of the
’ ’

we re kill e d T
( h is w e n t.o n ) till e v e n in g till t he e arl
y ,

d awn The Pasha s m en l e ft a ce r tain pl ace an d cam e to the

.
’

pl ace wher e the M ahd i was an d said we are tire d an d hav e ,

had n o r e st to d ay g iv e u s so m ethin g to eat

-
I f y o u co m e .

to the h o u se to n ig ht the Pasha will r u n away -

T he .

M ahd i said it is we ll ; we will d o so ; we will cap tu re him

,
.

T he M ahd i g av e the m g o o d s ; he said g o if y o u wish o r , ,

stay in m y cam p if o u d o n o t W ish to g o to y o u r o wn

y
to wn T hey r ej o ice d ; he bro u g ht the m cattl e they wer e
.
,

k ill e d ; a cam e l al so was k ill e d (fo r e atin g ) H e bro u g ht .

m u ch m o n ey he gav e it to the so l d ie r s
,
H e said it is we ll .
,

I d o n o t wish that he (the Pasha) sho u ld sl ee p be fo r e we

cap tu r e him by the p o we r o f G o d ,
.

T he n they ro se u p in the e ar ly m o r n in g H e cau se d .

his m en to g o to the e ast to ward s K har tu m o th e r s to ,

the n o r th the M ahd i him se l f was at the so u th

,
H e ro se .

u p an d b l e w a tr u m p e t the
y all w e n t to K har t u m
,
T h e .

m e n o f K hartu m ro se u p ; they m et they fo u g ht o n e with ,

an o the r They fir e g u n s they fight till the e v e n in g they

.
, ,
,

ar e n o t ab l e to e n te r The fi g ht we n t o n till br e ak o f d ay
.
,

till the e arly d awn ; ( the n ) the M ahd i e n te r e d the to wn .

W he n the Pasha s m en h eard this the ir heart fail e d

’
.

W he n the M ahd i s m en pie r ce d an y o n e (with a sp e ar) he

’

thr e w away his gu n A bo u t twe n ty m e n cap tu r e d the

.

Pasha H e said that he wo u l d n o t ru n away till he was

.

cap tu r e d He was sho t with a gu n he was cu t with a

.
,

swo rd The M ahd i said that his he ad was to be br o u g ht

. .

I t was cu t o ff an d take n ; h is bo dy was thro wn in to the

water , his he ad was take n to the pl ace wher e the M ahd i
was The M ahd i said , let his ey e s be shu t H e said , y o u
. .

hav e d o n e a wick ed thin g ; why d id y o u ki ll him H e was

an gry he ro se u p ; he r e tu r n e d to the cam p in the e ve n in g .
 TH E O W L , THE H A WK A ND THE K IT E , .
1

;
Q

:
I

Us} ; S L“ bk )
U d
' I 0 9 I II I I I

;
I I I t. I

G
i g -d d M E JX
‘
AQ M

Q
i : 15 ( Ki :
3
a l x t o
1
j
.

N
i s, » G
’

ssé g
/ l
;
d l a
e i
CI ;
t)

\ S as g (w a if .

his

b - A)
.

J
u l eQ J -a b
c gs /

I I I

b»
I I 0

C J
‘
w ) a
t l. 1

2 )
O I / I I I I / I I I I

11 \3 S S oto a
f la ) “ ii i };
a
.

J .

I I I II
L
I I LI

L M \ \ W (fa
b— ! a rt
J j
n l r S\
1 Written ll
by M a am A bd a Sam ad a, of K atsen a .
 1 4 2 H AU S A G RAM MAR
OI
“ M

b
e
} ?

"
at
"
ac ) .

l / O /

TR A NSL I T E R AT I O N
.

t asu n i a . m uji a tai s at a ta ka wo ch ik (k) in

k o g o n t a t a b o iy e . sb afo d a shir wa s uka t ar a
t su n t s ay e d uka s uka c h e ab i d o t a . e n b a su
s am o t a b a k a d ( d ) a su ko m o g i d (d ) aje n su m uji a
.

t a s a m u l ab ar i t a b o iy a ; su n a b i d an ta t a shig ( g) a
c h ik ( k) in ko g o n i c h e b a t a fi t (t) a s ai d a d ere : s h i r
wa d a sb afo s uka s ami l a b a r i muj i a n a tar e d a
i m i n a s uka k i r a j i mi n a s uka t am b a e t a : ji m in a
j : y
ta ch e b a t a d a l a b a r i s ai atam b ay i ka d a m uji a
t an a g i d (d ) an s a : su k a c h e aki r a ka d a : ka d a y a
c h e b a s h i z u a b abu r u an s a : s uka ch e s h i t af( f)o :
y a c h e b a s hi zu a : y a s hi g (g ) a c h i k k
() i n r u a : y a
b o i y a : s ar ki y a s am u l a b a r i y a ch e akam u s u
s h ir wa d a sh afo : s a r k i y a b a d a ku r d i t a r i : akay i
t e r k o : akkaam u su sar k i y a t am b ay es u e n n ) a lai fi n
(
m uji a : s uka c h e ta y i s at a : s a r k i y a c h e m i t a
s a t a : s uka ch e k wo i : sark i y a c h e e n ( n a m ailgwo i :
)
su k a y i sh i n : en ( n ) a m aik wo i : s uka y i shir in ,

sark i y a ka m a s u y a y e n kasu : a
y y a n s u s uka c h e

ko e n (n ) a suka g a muj i a su kas (s) h e ta : m uji a b a t a

fi t (t ) a s ai d a d e r e .
 T R A NSL I T ER AT I O N OF TH E EX TR A CT F R O M H A USA PO EM
F AC I NG TI T LE PAG E .

b ism i al l ah i e r r ah m an i e r r ah i m i sal l a
al l ah u al a say d i n m u h amm ad i n wa Al i b i wa
a
s ab b i h i wa sal am an t asl im an
h az alkitab al r ata l im an su b

b i sm i al l ah i al l ah s u n a (n e) na al l ah d a
fat awa n a kar at u kan y i afar a ai ki
y a all ah ra bbi ka mu n a zi kr i mu n a ad
b am u g amu kat ar ta du a m una sal l at i

y a a l l a h y a k h a l ik u y a m aab u d u y a r ab

y a a r z ik i b a i b an a sark i sar au ta
y a a l l a h k a s h i r i a m u kad (d) a m u ku rk u r a
mu y i ai ki sawab a mu y i abi n d a b a
sh i kam a b a

z amu fa h ad d ich i ni b a wan an d a kan J l sh i

akan m aj i a kal am i ba shi kalkad e b a
to m at am u al m aji r ai ku n a z i kr i ku n a ad
aku m ai d a
h i m (m ) a d
() u a k u n a s al l
() at i
ako i n e s a ku b er k ai ku b er t a r ad (d) a k u
d a k awo wa n a k ar i a b e r h as ad a d a an an
mi n c h i
ku J l c h o r o aho i r an r an a n a kum y a ka
g am u mu d a mu k e c h i k (k) i s ai t a
d a all ah bu de
an ab o iy a an ajac h ik wata r an a akan d a
k i n afas ad a m asa y a ka c h e b a
() a

y i b a
 H AU S A POE M 1 45

10 at ub a h akika ab o k i ab er r ik i c h i ab e r sh a

ab e r n a k ar i a g i a d a b am d buz a
a
ay i t ub a g a al l ah sh i k e t ub a k az a t an a

ab er t ub a m az o r o b aka (b aki ) b ai sak o

ba
m ait u b a m az o r o ba s ai zu n u b i s ai s an

sh i ish i ko wan i d u n a da su da sa rk a
ba
akan d ar m is h i b aib ai wu ta d a wu ta ta kan
ajash i d a b ir ki d awa wan y i d u ka b abu
kau c h e
ajashi an ad ak (
k) a h al c h i h(k) i n m ac h i c h i
ta y i n d o r awa az fi c h i h( k) i n g a m at a
ba k) in m asi b a
c h ik (

1 5 s h i n a k u k a s h i n a sh a az fib a an at ak u r a an a
s h as h aki ach ik ( k) i d an d ak asa k am al
kil ag o
ku m a ak a n k ai s h i s h i n a t su a s h i n a t a
( )
a k a n r at a i a g a ku r a k am al ku tar a
r in u n az a
ba
sh i ke n an fa d aim u ba mu tu a b al e s h i d o
b abu hta d ad ai ba shi sh i je s h i fu t a

m ait u b a b a sh i ko m o k u n ji fa mu n fad i
g a ai k i n ai n a sa o b y an d a ka n e m asa
b a kh il afa
ay i t ub a g a al l ah ab er ko i y a n a sh ai t an
ab o k i ab e r n a k ar i a da z as h i i d
g ( ) n
d a
az ab a
zo t ub a h akik a ab er r i ki i d an h aka y i g o be
chi b an z a
n a an ad u b u n ad am a
m ai su ab o iz an y a ki y a r u b u sh i y a ko r a
t ub a y a y i k h asa
ra kan s a c h ik k
() i n az i

ba
ku bi al l ah ku b e r bi k u n a azumi da sa lla
l a i mu d a shi d a
‘
ku n a z ak a da h aj i
n afs i
 1 46 H AU S A G RA M M A R

TR ANS LATI O N .

I n the n ame G od the Comp assion ate the M erci fu l

of , ,

m ay G o d bl e ss o u r l ord M oh ammed an d his

re lation s an d his friend s an d p e ace be (ratifi ed to them) ,
.

T h i s is wr i tten fo r the w arn in g of my re l ati on s .

I n the n ame G od G od is the b eg inning o f (my ) re ading ,

of ,

it is the n ame o f G od whi ch y o u mu st m ak e fast at the

b eg inn i n g o f ( you r) wor k .

0 G o d my L ord g ran t u s to o btai n o u r de si re w e u tter

, , ,

in v o cation s we o ff er su pp l ication s an d p r ayers

,
.

O G od cre ator an d su stainer o f T hy ser van ts O my L ord

, , ,

who ar t wor shi pp ed an d r u l e st o ver the king dom .

O G od p re p are u s th at we m ay wor k succe ssfu lly let u s

, ,

n o t fai l o r do th at wh i ch is u n fi ttin g

S we wi ll b e g in to sp e ak o u r p re ach i n g is for tho se who

.

l i sten to our words ; let n o t the m an who he ars cast

aw ay ( W h at he he ar s) .

Y e to o 0 women my di sci p l e s do y o u show di l ig en ce

, , , ,

in vo ke the n ame o f G od an d o ffer su pp li cation s an d

p rayer s .

T here is a far aw ay (j u dg m en t) l e av e o ff fal se de al in g le av e

-

, ,

o ff whi sp er i n g l e av e O ff j e al o u sy an d tal e be aring

,
-
.

B e afrai d there is a d ay o f mee tin g be tween u s an d G od ;

,

it is a d ay o f sh ame (wh ate v er) y o u ar e wi thin sh all be ,

re ve al ed .

T here is hiding there is crouchi n g there is wrong doing

, ,
-

o n ano ther d ay he is con fu s d h e is sorry th at he did

e ,

n o t do it .

1 0 My friend re p en t tr u ly an d l e av e o ff fal sehood l eave of?

, ,

de ce it l eav e o fi drin kin g g ia an d barn an d buza

'

, .

Rep en t to G od l e av e O ff rep en ti n g li ke a wil d cat ; it

,

re p en ts wi th the fow l i n its mo u th it p u ts it n o t ,

d o wn .
1 48 H AU SA G RA M M A R
pressio g am u katart a d e n o tes to o btai n a thi g w ith ease or to Obtain
n n ,

the o bje c t o f d esi r e e v e n as Katar o btai ned his wi he s fro m M o hamm ed

, s .

u j \ ar z iki p rosper i ty her e u sed as sou rc e o f p rospe ri ty The O k of

3
, , , .

the Arabi c I s usu ally pro n u n ced I n H au sa as thou gh it w e r e wri tte n e) k ‘

q
.

An othe r read in g he re is ayi r az iku n i e Arabi c eq u i valen t for sus , . .

tain er .

u ; orten ed form o f b ay i the pl Of b awa slave

b ai , a sh , .
, .

3 Arabi c worshipped , .

I I I

Arabi c that whi ch is right , .

3 0 0 , t o r

5;7 k u r k u r a for l “ to m iss the m ark I n shoo ting , .

U k am a fo r k am at a right fi ttin g , , , .

h b 15 su perfl u o us an d sho u l d be o m i tte d

‘
ji sh i b a T e a .
, .

a s h ad (d ) ich i cf sec on d form o f Arab i c an

» to e x plain ,
. c . .

L s‘
“
i
m aji a, an o the r forme n ers of f l. m asu n , l st .

7 L it gi e u
p t a k in g aw a
.y an d b ri n g ivg b ack d ece i tfu ll y n , Le gi v i n g
.

on e r eport to o n e pe r o n a d a d i ffere n t o n e to an other s n . Lg; k ari a

sho u ld be wri tte n l ) kari a g .

J l lit , the . re is far away i e , . . th e re

o e r world
is an th .

c h o r o The F u lahs who . fo r speak H au sa g e e rally u se c h o ro n

”3 1 t s
9 o r o .

9 C H; ja c h i k (k ) i d raggi n g the be lly ; an ex p re ssion su ggested by

“ ,

the c rawl i g o f a snak e o fte n applie l t the se c r e t app roach o f a thie f

n ,
o .

I I

y a k a c h e an i d i o m a ti c e p r e ss io n g e n er ally, u se d o f a m a n w h o x

regre ts w hat he has ju st d on e cf u se of d a n a san i had I kn own . .

, ,

p 5 5 n ote An other read ing 15 y a ka ch e d a b a y iwo b a

. . .

1° ts
) .
f ’ t g i a b a m b u z a th re e s i n tox i cati n g , d ri n k s g i a is , , .

m ade by soaki g gu in ea c rn in water for three days till it begi n s to Sprou t

n o .

I t is then bo i led an d c rushed b arn is palm w i n e O b tai ed by dire c t . n

in ci o n i n to the ste m o f the p alm

sI b u z a is mad e of salt hon e y an d .
, ,

wate r .

I ’I

m az o ro a wi ld cat ; the r epen tan ce o f a w il d cat is a H au sa

,

sy n o n y m fo r i nsi n ceri ty wi th a stole n chi ck en in its m ou th whi ch it has ,

n o in ten t o n of g i v i n g u p it say s I repe n t

”
I , ,
.

‘ h al ta
4
y i n F o r a s o m ew h at si m i la r u s e o.f t a cf grammar p 87 , .
, . .

1“ sh i n a sh a sh ash ak i the fi rst sh a shou ld be o m i tted sh ash ak i .

,

is u sed o f the g u rglin g sou n d m ad e by a go at w he n its thro at is cu t .

rin u p ro pe r ly an iron fork for to asti n g m eat

, .

}
l; tsu a, the n oi se m ad e by a m ou se when cau ght by a cat .
 H AU S A P O E M 1 49
I f
,

t k u t ar a, the m e of a tree ; the rafters m ad e from its wood are

na
e
h ated in the fi re in ord er that they m ay be ben t i n to shape .

18 G i g khil afa Arabic d i fferen ce i co nsisten cy ; i e w e te ll y u what

, , , n . . o

to d o n o e can te ll y ou any
,
n thi n g d i ffe re n t .

3° b ak a i h k k i
y fo r
; a ,a a y .

[ f I I I

U ni n ad am a Arab i c L b s re pe n tan c e rem o rse The m ean i g is I f

o

, , . n ,

y o u r ep e t to d nay y ou wi ll n
, o t sin ag a i to m orrow bu t y o u wi
n ll r ep
-
e nt ,

what has been d o n e .

n o ther r ead i ng is Lil

22
:r l l a i
anu Ar
‘
ab i c
, a cc u r sed , A . l a a b u ,
‘
,

Arabi c play i ng o f gam es

,
.
 A L E TT E R A DDR ESSE D T O THE KI NG O F
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1 5 2 H AU S A G RAM MAR

sal u tat ion s H e say s, m ay G od p ro l ong his l i fe After thi s

. .

he says w e an d tho se who ar e wi th u s l e ft Kano fo u rteen

,

days ago No ww e wi sh to come to you r town , w e beg o f y o u

.

t h at yo u all ow u s to en ter the m arket pl ace of you r town

-

th at we m ay tr ad e u n ti l ou r busin e ss is fi n ish e d : after thi s

w e wi ll g o for th as p ilg ri ms to M ecca W e wil l do e v ery
.

thi n g th at you te ll u s ; ou r stay here is i n yo u r h an d s o u r ,

g o in g f or t h hen ce is i n yo u r h and s T h e.
g ui de sa y s if yo u ,

say it is ne ce ssary fo r u s to ar i se we ll , w
, e will ar ise ; if yo u

say we ar e to do the bu sine ss th at w e h av e u n til it is

fi ni shed we ll we wi ll do it an d wi l l th e n th an k you m u ch
, , ,
.

T he g uide say s ag ain , d o n o t be li e ve e v ery th i ng th at is

said o f u s W e are i ndeed traders ; we are n o t b rig ands,
.

much l e ss do w e w i sh to steal in the m ar ket o f you r to wn .

W e beg o f you ag ai n that you wi ll say to you r men th at

they ar e n o t to for cibly di stu rb u s til l we h av e ob tained
p ro v i sion fo r the way in v ie w o f ou r jou rn ey Tog e ther .

wi th th is l e tte r I se n d two thousand ko la n u ts M ay G od

.
.

p ro l on g your life T he end I t is fi n ish e d

. . .
 TH E CO U NT RY WHE R E THE SU N RI SES .

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1 54 H AU S A GRA MM AR

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1 5 6 HA U S A GRAM MAR

gud a : y a wu ch e d u ka h ar y a i s(s) a g ar i n sh a

m u wa . da y asaan je g a r in s h am u wa a k o i wo ta
s h am u wa d a t a k e zu a g i d (d ) an sa t a ke y i k wo i
s aan d a y a f) i
taf ( g ar i n n a n s h am u wan n an ta

g n sh i
a : as h e s h am awa ag ar in s u m at an e ne en
z asu z o g ari n m u s u kan z am a t su n t say e : ta
d a u k e sh i t a k a i s h i g a b b
() a n s a r i k i s u k a g ai s a t a
k ai s h i g i d (d ) a akay i m as a k a l a c h i y a c h i : sh i
k u a b ai s a n s u b a s u ku a s u n s an sh i : y a tam
b ay es u y a c h e k u m u t a n e n n a n e nn a k u k a
s an n i ? s u ka c h e m u n s an ka : y a c h e k a k a k u k a

s an n i ? s u k a c h e m u n je g ar i n k u s u k a c h e m asa

e n d am u n a ta y i waql(gl) an e ts u n t say e n e 3 11 he
z u a g ar i n k u ?
y a c h e s h a m u w a : y a c h e k u n e

s h am awa ? s u k a c h e m u n e sh am u wa : s uka ch e

kai k u a atar a e nn a z aka ? y a c h e z an i e n g a n o

en d a r a n a ta k e fi t (t) o wa . s u k a c h e ka 2 0 ka
k wa n a d a safe k a wu ni : i d a n d e r e y a y i d a
jji ib k a t a f f
() i k a i s k e g u r i m a i d u f
.u y a c h e k a
wu ch e ka i s (s) a g u r i m aij a : y a je y a wu ch e y a
i s (s) a g u r i far ifet ko g in az u r fa y a d i b a k aqlqlan
az u r fa y a k u n s a h a n u n r i g a y a wu c h e y a fiaf(f ) i
wu ri m aij a ko g in z in ari a y a d ib a kaqlglan y a k u n s a
h a n u n r i g a y a i ske b ab (b ) an g u m ji y a wu ch e y a i ske
b ab (b ) an b au r e d a d u r u m i d a t sam i a d o g u a d a ita
y a i s () y
s a a t s ay a y ga an i fu fu n d a b a b b
() a n t s u n t su.

d a as ab a z aka r a y a y i c h ar a d a t an a z a t a fi t (t) o y a
ku m a c h a r a j im awa k addan y a sak e y in ch ar a
.

h at sau u k u ; s a a ma n m ai b u d u n k o fa y a 2 0 y a
b u d e y a c h e r an a z at a fi t (t) o y a k u m a fad (d ) a t a na
z at a fi t(t) o at ar u y a y i su k u a ka m in y a 2 0 g ar i n
.

sh am u wa r an a t a ho me sh i y a 2 0 d ak ir ( r ) y a s ab k a

s u k a y i m asa jin i a h ar y a wa rk e : fu fu n d a s a r i k i n
t su n t say e y ina d a kwo i g u d a d ai a t u n d a akatsir i
d u ni a y a y i kwo i n an y a h au ka n sa y i n a kwan ch i
b ai ke n lge (s) sh e b a sai r an d a d u ni a t a ka r e : wa n d a
 TH E CO U N R Y T W H E RE TH E SUN R I SES 1 57

y a y i k ik i y awan h al l i
() y a sh i g (g) a c u ()
n n a t as a
wan d a b ai y i k ikiy awan h al (l ) i b a y a z o n a ar an a
ko ko l u a t asa t a t afas (s) a y in a g an i ()
en n u an fu
fu n d a b a y a sh i g (g ) a b a .

T R A NSL ATI O N .

s e Cou n try f
o tile S tar ks .

A king soug h t fo r a m an to go an d see whe r e the su n

com es out . P r e se n t ly a p oo r de stitute m an c am e an d
said to the kin g I wi ll go , The ki n g said , we ll , go P r o
. .

v i sio n fo r the j ou rn ey was p r e p ared for him he we n t to his ,

hou se , he pu t the sadd l e o n his ho rse , he m o u n ted he we n t ,

fo rth fr o m the co u n t ry to go to the pl ace whe r e the su n

co m es fo r th H e we n t o n his j ou rn ey he sp en t on e m o n th ,
.
,

he p assed beyo n d e v e ry thi n g he cam e to the cou n t ry o f

,

the stork s W he n he c am e to the cou n t ry o f the sto r k s

.
,

the r e was a ce rt ai n stork who u se d to go to his own hou se to

lay egg s . W he n he cam e to thi s cou n t ry th is sto rk sawhim , .

The stor k s i n deed in thei r o wn cou n try are m en W he n .

they are about to co m e to o u r cou n t ry they beco m e bi rd s .

The sto r k ) took him an d b r ought him be fo re the ki n g , they

(
sal uted ; she took him ho m e , b r e ak fast was m ade r e ady fo r

him , he ate .H e , in fact , did n o t k n o w the m ; they kn ew

him , he asked the m an d said , you m e n he re , whe re did y o u
kn o wm e ? They said , we h av e k n o wn y o u ; he said ho w is
it th at y ou kn o w(m e ) They said , we go to you r cou n try
they said to him , whe n the wet seaso n occu rs wh at bi rd s ar e
those th at com e to you r cou n t ry P H e said , stor k s ; he said ,

are y o u stor k s ? They said we are sto r k s ; they said , y o u ,

,

A tar u , whe r e are y o u goi n g

‘

H e said , I co m e in o rde r to
see whe r e the su n co m e s out They said , co m e an d st ay
.

the n ight , whe n the m or n i n g (co m e s) , p ass the day , whe n

the e v e n i n g co m e s t ake y ou r j ou rn ey v e ry e ar ly (ti ll) y o u
,

arr i v e at a d ar k pl ace H e said , p ass o n ti ll y ou re ach

.
,

a r ed pl ace ; he we n t , he p assed o n , he c am e to a v e ry
 I 5 8 H AU S A GRAM MAR

whi te pl ace a si lve r r i ve r he took a l itt l e silve r b e

, , ,

fo l ded (it ) u p (in ) his sl ee v e (l it the h an d o f the c l o ak ) , he

.
,

p assed o n , he we n t to a re d pl ace , to a go l de n r i ver , he

-

took a l itt l e , he fo l ded (it ) u p (in ) his sl ee ve , he cam e to a

l ar ge gutta p e rch a t ree , he p assed o n , he c am e to a l arge
fig t r ee an d a d u ru m i t ree , an d a t am ar i n d t r ee wh ich
, ,

was t all . H e ar r i v ed he sto pp ed , he saw a l arge bi rd the ,

p h oen i x : in the e ar ly d awn the cock u sed to c r ow, whe n

the su n was abou t to co m e fo r th he wo u l d cr o w agai n
afte r a l itt l e he wou l d c ro w a thir d ti m e : the n the
o p e n er of the doo r wou l d co m e an d o p e n an d say , the
su n is co m i n g fo r th , he wou l d say agai n , the su n is
co m i n g fo r th : A tar u ga110p ed ti ll he cam e to the town
o f the sto rk s : the su n b u r n t him , he c am e with di th
cu l ty , he d ism ou n ted , they waited u p o n him (t ill ) he was
heal ed : the phoan ix is the ki n g o f bird s it has (had ) on e
,

egg si n ce the wo r l d began it l aid th at egg, it m ou n ted

,

(o n it ) ,
it sat o n it , it ha s n o t h atched the egg , (
it w i ll n o t
h atch it) till the day o n which the worl d e n d s : he who is
o f a goo d di sp o sitio n wi ll co m e u n de r its sh ado w, he who i s

n o t o f a good di sp o si tio n wi ll r e m ai n in the su n , h is b r ai n s

wi ll boi l , he wi ll see the sh ado w o f the p h oen ix , he will n o t

e n ter it .
1 60 H AU S A GRA M MAR
I O / I J
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 PILGR IM C E R E M O NI E S AT M E CC A 1 61

TR A NSL IT E R A T I O N .

su zo k u sa g a ru a na y e mm a su y i k am an
y e d d a m u tan e su ke y i wu c h e k u m a h ar sau
su

b o k (k) o : h ak (k)
i a su t af f
() o w u r i n k a a b a 1‘
su n a

d u b an claki sam r ai sh i n a m ag an a d a su kad (d ) an

2

s u n g am ( m ) a su r u fe id o su fi t (t) o su taf(f ) i wu r i n
t say awan an n abi i b r ah i m su y i sall a so b iu su
t ash i d u k a sam r ai n an s h i n a m ag an a d a s u k ad
d
() a n su n g am (m ) a s u r u fe i d o s u t af()
f i d a ki n

zu m zu m 3 su s h a su y i wan k a s u je woje n k o fan

4 k ad d an su n i
s afa () y k u s a d a b a k i n k o fa n s afa s u

k o m o su l ash i d u ts i su fi t(t) a s u t say a ab akin

5

k o fa su y i m ag an a s u sau k a su n a y i m ag an a s u
taf( f ) i wu r i n safa s u h au b i s (s) a su ch e b i sm i
M
 1 62 H AU SA G R AMMAR

all ah i al l ah u ak b ar . su s au ka su ej w u r i n g u d u

d u k a su y i g u d u had (d ) an su ts ay a su y i taf(f ) i a
s u t af ( f ) i wu r i n m ar wa s u h au b i s (s) a m ar wa s u
6

y i m a g a n a s u s a u k a s u y i h ak k
() a n a n s au b o k k
() o i
k an a su t af(f ) o su y i aski su k awo k u r d i m aiy awa
ab a s am ar i ak awo k u m a ab a wan z am i saan an s u
t af(f ) i g i d (d ) an su s u t u b e z an e .

i d an g ar i y a way e su t af(f ) i m i n a su z am n a s u 7

t af(f ) i ar afa 8
s u h au b i s ( s) a t u n d a h an t s i h ar r an a

t a fad i . l i m an y a c h e l ab (b ) aik m u t an e d u k a
9 1 0

su c h e l ab ( b ) aik h ar r an a t a y i z afi saan an d u k a
su t af(f ) i m i n a k o wa y a d au k i d u ts i b o k (k) o i b o k
()k o i y a j e fi s h e t a n : s u k o m o d u k a gi d d
() a m u t an e

m as u ku r d i s u s ai r ag u n a wo n i y a s ai d ar i wo n i
d ar i d a h am s i n wo n i y a s ai m e tin d u k a h ak (k ) a
n an z as u s ay a : ay e n k asu d u k a t u n d a safe h ar
l aasar : an az u b a wa ach ik (k) i n r am i m asu ch i s u n a
d i b a su n a s o iy awa : g o b e d a s afe k u m a ay e n ka
k am an n a ji a : m u t an e su t af(f ) i su j e fa d u t s i
b o k (k) o i b o k (k) o i su k o m o gi d (d ) a : g o b e d a s afe
r an a t a u k u s u k o m a su j e fa b o k (k) o i b o k (k) o i su
t af(f ) i k u m a s u j e fa n ab i u su k o m a n ank u su j e fa
’

k u m a su y i aski su k awo r ig a s u s a su s a wan d o

su sa fu l a su n add a r awan i ay e n k a r ag u n a
k am an n a sh e kar an jia d a l aas ar : r an a t a fu d u
m u t an e d u k a s u t af(f ) i wad(d) an su b i s (s) a d awaki
wad (d) an s u b i s s a jaku n a wad(d) an su b i s (s) a al fa
d ar ai wad (d) an s u b i s (s) a r ak u m a sau r a d u k a su n a
t af( f ) i a ak as a s u n a t af(f ) i a wu r i n d a ak ay e n k a
i sm ai l l l su y i a d d u a s u w u c h e zu a m u k ()
k a
ask ar awa d ay awa su n a b u g a m ad afa su sh ig (g) a
m ak (k) a s u s au k a .

TR A NSL A T I O N .

T hey co m e n ear to the wat er o n the we st , they do as the

ot hers do they p ass by se v e n ti m e s : thu s they co m e to
,
1 64 H AU S A G RA M MAR

ag ai n , they th r ow them a seco n d ti m e , they go back , a thi rd

ti m e they th ro w the m agai n , they sh av e , they br i n g thei r
r obe s they p ut the m o n they p ut o n t ro u se r s they p ut o n
, , ,

c aps they m ake u p their tu rb an s ; ram s are ki ll ed as o n

,

the d ay befor e y e ste rd ay in the afte rn oon .

O n the fo u rt h d ay all the m en go away , so m e o n hor ses,

so m e o n don key s so m e o n m u l e s so m e o n c am e l s, all the , ,

r e st go on foot : they go to the pl ace whe r e Ish m ae l 1 1 was

ki ll ed , they off e r p r aye r , they p ass o n to ward s Mecc a ; m an y
so l die r s fi r e o f? c an n o n , they com e i n to M ecc a they sit down ,

th er e .

NO T E S .

kaa a — F o r ex pl an atory d es riptio n o f the si tes vi si ted

1
b . y the c b
i l gr i m s to M e a, cf H ansal an d , pp 1 99 — 2 0 3
cc T he Kaa a, whi h b c
“ ”

p . . .

is eli e ed to h a e
b v een or igi n ally u il t
v by dam , is regard ed y the b b A b
Moham m edan s as the m ost sa red si te in the world c .

2
i e the sa r ed en l o su re fo rm i n g the Kaa a
. . c c b .

, the w ell eli e ed to ha e een di s o vered by H agar

b v v b c
3 z mz m
e e .

4
The h ill safa, to whi h the d oor o f the m osq u e call ed y the sam e c b
n am e l ead s, is a o u t fi fty p a es d i stan t b Before the ti m e o f Moham m ed it
c .

was re ered as the a o de of the i d o l saf

v b A .

5
i e the fam o u s l a k sto n e u i l t i n to the o u tsi de o f the K aaba
. . b c I t is b .

su ppo sed to h a e een or i g i n ally whi te an d to h a e

v b eco m e lack in v b b
co nseq u en e of the si ns of the pi lgri m s who ha e k issed it
c v .

6 M r
a wa is an o th er h ill n o t far fro m S afa T he gro u n d etween the . b
two was that traversed y H agar in sear h fo r water T he pil gri m is
b c .

d i r e ted to wal k se en ti m es o er it wi th an i n q u isi ti e air, n o w ru nn ing,

c v v v
now w alk i n g n o w stopp i n g an d l o ok i n g an x i o u sly
, a k I t is co ered b c . v
with shops at the presen t d ay F or referen e to S afa an d M arwa, cf . c .

K oran i i 1 5 3 . er ily S an d M are o f the i n sti tu ti o n s o f G o d

v ”
. . . .

7 m i n a i e Wady M i n a the p l a e wh ere

. raham d ro e the d e il c Ab v v
, , .

away y pel ti n g him wi th sto n es

b I n im i tati o n o f his ac tio n the pi lgr i m s .

h o w sto es at three pill ars erected here

t r n .

ar afa a h ill o u tsi d e M ecc a

8
, I t is her that the ser mo is p reached . e n

on the fi rst d a o f the p ilgri m age b y a pr eache r w ho is di rec ted to b e ,

m oved wi th fe i g an d c o m pu n cti o n This is pri or to the visi t to Wad y

e n .

M ina .

9 l i m an fro m A rab i c L“ I m am or pri est

P , , .

° l abb aik — T his is the form u l a o f r espo n se at the en d o f th

e p ray ers

I t c o m es fro m the A rab i c u "

1 . .

l ab i the sec o n d form o f whi ch m ean s to , ,

p on ou n ce the wor ds cg ) l abb aika her e I am for yo u r ser i ce

r . ,
“
v .
”

F or origi n f c sto m f R eligi o f S em i tes by R obertso S m i th

o u , c . n o ,
”
n ,

p 41 1
. .

A cc ord g to M oh am m edan trad t on Ab raham attem pted to o ffer

11 in i i ,

I shm ael n t I saac i sacri fi ce,

o , n .
 NOT ES ON HAU S A P HONO L O G Y .

TH E foll o wi n g are p eci m e n s of the chan ge s wh ich m an y

s

Arabic wo rd s an d l ette rs u n de rgo whe n ado p ted i n to Hau sa ,

both in r egard to thei r wr iti n g an d p r o n u n ci atio n .

The A r ar ticl e app ears in H au sa

. I U n chan ged .

O I
I

fr o m the A r fo r m , e g al k ali Ar . . . .

id,
. j udge ; Q, p r adi se ;
alj e n n a,
a l Ar . id .
,

ad d in i ail A r
3p , ,
r e l igio n ; o
,
f al so a dd
.
ua . ,

an n ab i an n ab an ch i,
2 A s the l ette r 1 e g . . , . .

l ad a half , Ar . wage s, a
p y ; l o k ac h i 6 13
453 ,
Ar . a} ;

., fi

K an u r i l o kt a, ti m e ; l ay a Ar a writi n g , a ch ar m ;

w
.

li s h a LE
J , Ar . a l, l ate e v e n i n g .
3 . As the lette r a, e .
g .

03 3 I o

assi m i l a
o

az u h u r Ar tl l
i- ; afte rn oo n 4 Wi th c l o ser
fl
. . .

'd ;
all e wa if
I

tio n in the c ase of wo rd s co n t ai n i n g 1 , e .

g . “,
OI

weet m eat s ; v u n de r U 5
I

Ar . s . .

S o m e o f the se A rabic wo r d s app e ar in Hau sa b oth with

an d without the ar ticl e tho u gh occasi o n al ly with a sl igh t
,

di ffe r en ce o f m ean in g e g aia ad a am r u al am er i I n

, . .
, , , .

the sam e way we e m pl oy in E n g l i sh ko ran an d al kor an ,

k al i (as in l e m o n k al i) an d al k ali F o r m odifi catio n s o f the
-
.

A rabic ar ticl e in E n gl i sh si m i l ar to tho se fo u n d in H au sa

we m ay n ote al coho l , which app e ar s in H au sa as k u lli
(a n ti m o n
y) , al k al i ,
al m ac a n t ar a n d al m age st Th i s l ast , , .

which is u sed in ast ro n o m y to de n ote P to l e m y s gre at co l ’

lectio n o f p r oble m s is a co m bi n atio n o f the A rab ic ar tic l e

,
“ ”
n d the G r eek p ey tm
'

J \ a g re ate st .
1 66 H A U S A G RAM MA R

Ani n te re sti n g ex am pl e of the m odi ficatio n o f the Arab i c

alp h abet in a m an n e r c l o se ly p arall e l to wh at occ u rs in
H au sa is aff or ded by the hi story o f the G reek
“
gob l et b o r ro wed by the A rab che m i st s it app e ars as
,

$4 1 an d 1 which with the A r articl e , 1 3

am b ik u n , . .

see n in the Fre n ch al am bic E n g l i sh al e m bic , whi l e a ,

fu r the r r eductio n o f the artic l e gi v e s the E n g l i sh l i m be ck ,

I t al i an l am bicco I ll u str atio n s o f thi s assim i l atio n an d

.

di sapp earan ce o f the artic l e m ay be fou n d in the E u ro p e an

l an g u age s the m se lv es th u s E n glish n e wt an ewt an , , ,

adde r a n adde r : 1 E n g l i sh ou n ce (a ly n x) Fre n ch ,

o n ce It al i an l o n za: E n gl i sh m an atee (a sea co w) , F re n ch

,

l am an ti n .

A redu p licated con son an t in A rabic ofte n app e ars in

H au sa as a si n gl e co n so n an t foll owed by an
R edu pli
al f thu s k al i ib , to di sregard Ar kall a
'

cated
; : .

G
r bi c
A a
s ab e b “
ba w to rev ile = Ar sa
consonan ts . J r : . .

Co n v e r se ly a sy ll ab l e o r igi n all y l o n g , app e ar s ,

as o n e e n di n g in a do u b l e co n so n an t ; th u s d afl a
'

in H au sa
.1 0

to coo k : Ar . u h ; fatill a lam p Ar .

The Ar . 9 b fre q ue n t ly app e ars in H au sa as f u ,

C c
'

occasio n ally as m ‘ ; thu s Ar . th au b u n u

i
t
Changes
in wo rd s beco m e s H . tu fa b} , a hi rt
s ; A r . l ab ad a J J ,
d eri ved
from H . l u fu d i a co at of m ai l ; A r . r aku b u n
A rabic .
Q J 0

H . ta u k mi a } ,
c am e l .

!
Ar . c; th is r egu l ar ly p ro n o u n ced ch in H au sa ; th u s
9 J

H . ch ab u r a, Ar .

J
t ro u bl e ; occasio n ally , howe v e r , it
5
app e ar s as t a or s
u fl
i thu s Ar . w th ab ata, H .

A n in tereresting pa allel to this 13 seen in m odern A r i tself comparing

r .
,
t o o
f c )

v iper with the classi cal A r “ y“ the vi per

o ,

n ) an “
a
.
. .
1 68 H A U S A G R AM MAR

c rawl ,
fro m A r .
o n .)
J
. I n a few i n st an ce s the u
é is ch an ged
by the H au sas to J 1; thu s H . fu l u l u , ar rogan ce , fr o m
a

n i
i

Ar . H . al al e ‘’ t r oub l e ,
fro m A r .

v
. So m e
ti m es the U
s is r et ai n ed in the wr itte n Hau sa ,
bu t is pr o

n o u n ced thu s as 1 ;
l u ll o p u r i fi c at i on fr o m A r , , ,
.

with ar tic l e p re fix ed A s an i n st an ce o f the v ar iet y .

b r ought abo u t by the j u x t ap o sition o f the l ) o f the A r .

.

ar tic l e an d s of in Diet u n de r all o wa al wal (l) a

u ,
. .
, ,

ar wall a an d l u ll o all de r i v ed fr o m A r
, , .

Ar L . e m p h atic t is r egu l ar ly p r on ou n ced t s in H au sa ;

e .
g . tsak a KL ,
m id st ; t say a
J} ,
to st an d . O cc asio n all y
in bo rr o wed wo r d s the pr o p e r A rabic p ro n u n ci atio n is
0

L
0 1

r et ai n ed ; thu s H . L; s h ai tan . An Ar . L s om eti m e s

a p e ars in H au sa as eg H tasa LA ; , cu p , fro m A r
p ;
o . . . .

2 L; H
) 0 9 )

.
,
b u tu lsh i
i n g r ati tu de ,
fr o m A r
db A ‘
ln . .

t en de n cy to p ro n ou n ce L as a m ay be see n in the su bsti

t u tio n o f the l atte r fo r the fo rm e r in wo r d s bo r ro wed fr o m

the A rab ic ; e .
g . H . sh e r ad i an agr ee m e n t , fro m A r .

Thi s l ette r L is ge n e rall y u sed by the bette r educated -

H au sas to re p re se n t the h ard d or d t sou n d p roduced whe n

the ton gu e touche s the edge o f the u pp er teeth ; e g 1L: . .

fad a o r fad (d) a a fi ght ; L

, L d ai a o n e (cf pp 7 , ,
. .
,

A r L we ak e m p h atic s app e ars in H au sa wr iti n g (1 ) u n

.

ch an ged ; e .
g . A 5 0 (p ro n o u n c ed t salim ch i) , deceit ,

fr o m A r oot AL : (2 ) as L , with wh ich it is the n mo re or

. r
,
l e ss iden tifi ed in p ro n u n ciat io n ; e g H tsalim i llL al so
r
. . .
,
'

fr o m the Ar r oot Llé .

(3 ) H au sa fo r m s of the sam e
r
.

o r igi n s ho w as we ll 3 z ; e g .B 59 E 36
.
, ,
zu u l mi
 NO T ES ON HA U S A PH ONO L O GY 1 69

d oubt , fe ar .
(4) In the Hau sa wo rd m in z e r i Lg
Jfl ,

9
sp ectacl e s, fro m A r .
x
1 ,
the 15 has beco m e z Thi s
we aken i n g of the sibi l an t s ren de rs i t so m eti m e s di ffi cu l t or

i m p o ssib l e to dec i de wi th ce r t ai n ty the exact o r igi n of

words deri v ed az u r fa L i lv e r , is
0

fro m A rab1 o ; thu s l,

0

s
J J
sted in
p robably de riv ed fro m the Ar . r oot u
)
;
(as sugge
001

the D iet bu t it m ay p o ssib ly co m e fro m the A r

. .

ei the r c ase the i n itial l ette r in H au sa re p r e se n t s an

atte n u ated fo r m o f the A r artic l e . .

Ar ain A s a ge n e ral r u l e , to wh i ch , ho we v e r , the r e

t
. .

are num e ro u s exce p t i o n s, the occ u rr e n ce o f this l etter in a

Hau sa wo rd suggest s th at it is bo rr o wed fro m A rab ic I ts .
-

occ u rre n ce in wo rd s which h av e bee n de fin i te ly in co rp o rated

i n to the H au sa l an gu age doe s n ot affect the p ron u n ciat i on ,
an d n o m ar k has ther e fo r e bee n u se d to r e pre se n t i t in
t ran sl ite rati n g I n wo r ds m e re ly bo rro wed fr o m the
.

A rabic an d whe re the A rab ic p ro n u n ciat ion is r etai n ed ,

its p r e se n ce is m arked by The Hau sas co n st an t ly i n te r ‘
.

ch an ge an d 1 ; th u s we h av e 1do 1c an d sl, e y e ita

8 , J
.
,

an d 131 , she ; i sh e an d to re ach . In C 22, 23,

wh at was o n ce the Ar art i c l e is s p el t wi th ; th u s,

t
.

1 5 1

alkawe li
‘ l
o

ag ree m e n t F ro m the Ar all am a L:

C
. .

the Hau sas get h al am a lé to m ark .

r ,

A1 k is so m eti m e s re pr e se n te d by the Hau sa

.

9 5 1
g
E ;

th u s, H g u fa L é b ask et fr o m Ar Lu ; H sh ir g a to
if ”
.
J
. .
, ,
.

o ve rch arge , from A r I n the co ll o qu ial A rabic sp oke n

.

in N A fric a an d in so m e p ar t s o f A rabia the A r

. is .

fr e qu en t l y p ro n ou n ced as g .

Ar . 1 h , the Ar . sh ah iy atu n , app e ars in H au sa as

£ 115 . s h ah u an d , s sb afo .
1 7 o HA US A G RAM MAR

The t re at m e n t of the sou n d f in H au sa cau ses m u ch

vari atio n in for m s, an d is str o n gly ch aracte r i stic
o f the l an gu age G en e ral ly sp e ak in g in E u ro p e
.
,

the f so u n d is p roduced by m aki n g co n t act of

-

the l ower l i p with the edge o f the u pp e r

teeth an d forci n g o u t the st re am o f air with audib l e fr ict i o n
o f the p assi n g bre ath 1 The H au sas ho we v er ex hib i t a
.
, ,

te n de n cy to av oid the co n t act refe rred to They si m ply .

d raw the l i p s n e ar o n e to an othe r , p rodu ci n g a bi l abial -

fr ic ati v e I n con se qu e n ce o f thi s l oo se r ar ticu latio n the

.

b arrie r betwee n thi s an d the other l abi al s is sl ight , an d o n

the l e ast occasio n , say th at o f a fo ll owi n g e xpl o si v e a ,

l ab i al sto p p or b is he ar d i n stead o f f Th u s a wo r d .

which , as we k n o w had or igi n ally o u r f tu f ka (A r

, , .

to pl ait m ay be corr ect ly p ro n ou n ced tu p ka or tu b ka ;

,

cf al so
.

h afsh i h ap sh i h ab s h i to b ark
s af k o s apko s ab k o to st ar t
taf k i tap k i tab k i a p oo l
t afshi tap sh i t ab shi so ft

Agai n the A r , L pl m o u se app ears in H au sa as

.
,
.
,

b e r a A 44 O ther e x am pl e s of thi s fl u ct u ation at the

, .

b egi n n i n g o f word s are

fal asa p al as a to r e v i l e
fan sa p an s a r e war d

fassh e p as sh e to br e ak

Fu rthe r , wor ds which m u st h av e co m e i n to the l an g u age

Q G o

with b h av e so m eti m e s ch an ged thi s to f; e .

g . Ar .

05 )
sh e i k app e ars as sh e fu C 46 n ote , so A r 1? as b u j a or , .

fu j a e x cu se
, F i n ally , an o rigi n al f m ay be we aken ed to a
.

1
D wight Whi tney , Life an d G ro wth of Laogu age , ”
p . 64 ; M ax
Mu ller S c of Lan g
, .
,
”
ii p. . 1 48 .
1 7 2 HA U S A G RAM MAR

p u re fr o m sub sidi ary breath s I f we p ro n o u n ce it l azi ly .

witho u t fu lly O pe n i n g the m o u th , the r e su l t is th at togethe r

with it a sl ight w sou n d is q uite u n co n sciou sly pr o n ou n ced
-

becau se the p o sitio n o f the to n g u e is al m o st exact ly the

sam e fo r k an d g as fo r w an d if the l i p s be n e ar l y sh u t an
,

i m p e rfect l abi al is n ece ssar i l y p r oduced : the k o r g so u n d

is fo ll o wed by a l abi al afte r so u n d a halbv ocalischer -

,
‘

l abi al e r Nachklan g Co rssen c all s it though the so u n d is a

’
, ,
” 1
ge n ui n e con so n an t I n the I n d o E u ro p e an l an gu age s
.
-

thi s labialism has r e su l ted in a ch an ge of the k o r g i n to

an othe r co n so n an t e g S an sk r it g au s G r Boss, O H G
,
. .
,
. . . .

ch u o I n Hau sa, ho we v e r , th is l abi al i sm is sti ll in an i n iti al

.

st age an d the afte r sou n d c au se s n o actu al ch an ge in the

,
-

co n so n an t which it fo ll o ws I n fact it is so u n fix ed th at it
.
,

m ay be i n t r oduced o r o m itted at we m ay say

k o d a o r k wo d a al though ; k o m i o r kwo m i an y thi n g ;
, ,

k o r i a or kwo r i a a gou r d ; takwo sh i o r tar ko sh i to go

, ,

l am e ; g o n d a o r g wan d a a p awp aw; g o z a or g waz a, a ,

sweet p ot ato ; ko i o r k wo i an egg The l ast e xam pl e if

, .
,

the iden ti fi catio n with the A r 55; chick an d 134 5 egg , b e .

,

r ight ,
hows ho w th rou gh for ce o f c u sto m the w is t re ated
s

as if it we r e n ot r adic al b ut p ar asi tic , be i n g o m itted or

r ej ected at pl e asu r e I n m o st , tho u gh n o t all o f the abo v e
.
,

i n st an ces, a r ou n ded v o we l of the o 11 c l ass fo ll o ws the , ,

l abi al i zed co n so n an t Thi s m ay p e rh ap s h av e te n ded to

.

faci l it ate the l abi al i zatio n , thou gh ho w far thi s has bee n so
it is di ffi cu l t to say The sugge stio n der i v e s so m e su pp o r t
.

fr o m the fact that in a few wo rd s a y sou n d is at t i m e s

hear d afte r k o r g whe n foll o wed by fro n t v o we ls (such
“ ”

as tho se in E n g be ll o r bal e )
. Thu s we m ay eq u ally say .

k etu or ky etu , a fli n t ; ke m r u or ky e m t u a r eed ; ,

ken wa or ky an wa cat ; g e r o o r gy e t o cor n

, , .

1
F o r fu t e r h r d i c ion of this prin c i ple cf B ugman n Comp Gram
s u ss , . r , . .

o f the n I do r
G e m an
-
i c Lan gu ages i 4 1 7 in Wrigh t s translation ; al so
,
”
.
’

M ax M iil ler , S ci c of L angu age i i 2 7 2

en e , . .
 NO T E S ON HA US A P H ONO L O GY 1 73

H e re the p ar asitic palatizin g gl ide i m p art s to k a sl ight ly

fr ic ati v e ch aracter o f the n at u r e o f the G e r m ach o r o f the .
,

“ ” “ ”
En g ky in d
. fo r ki n d or gy ir l fo r gi rl The r e is ,
.

an othe r I: in H au sa whe r e the back p al at al is a p u re l y

e xpl o si v e 15 fou n d in A rab ic wor d s with an d in so m e
c ases with b ack v o we l s o an d 11 Thu s we m u st d i sti n gu i sh .

k u r a h y e n a an d k u r a du st ; k u sa n ear an d k u sa
, , , , , ,

d u st .

The H au sa l an gu age p o sse sses the p al at al ch (as in E n g .

wh ich ) ; e g wo n c h am th at ; ch i n iki t rade ;

P alatals
. .
, ,
o

ch iwo sick n e ss ; c h o c h a an t ; al so sh ( , as in ,

E n g wi sh ) ; e g i sb i r i n t we n ty ; sh i g a g u sset ; an d in
. . .
, ,

“
additio n the i r voiced cou n te r p art s j (as in E n g j u n gl e) .

e g j awo
. . to draw ; j e fa to th r o w; an d j pro n ou n ced as
, ,

E n g 8 an d z in l ei su r e an d azu r e ; i e a ki n d o f jh ; e g
. . . . .

aje t r u ly , To the se m u st be added the gl ide y , who se

.

affi n ity with the p al at al s is e xe m pli fi ed in F 1 1 7 whe re ,

j u mwa y u n wa hu n ge r , .

H o w st ro n g thi s te n de n cy to p al at al i sm is we m ay see in
the H au sa p r o n u n ci atio n o f the A r Th at o f Ar ab .

sp e ake rs v ar ie s m uch in di ffe r e n t di st r ict s Thu s in Tr i p o li .

it is he ard as t ; e g b e i d tn e in two eggs ; whil e in E gyp t. .

1
,

it is p ro n ou n ced eith er as t o r s an d in Algie rs as t s 2

, .

Fro m wh ate v e r q u arte r A r ab ic l o an wo rd s cam e i n to H au sa -

the atte m pt to di ffe r e n ti ate ca fro m c a g av e occ asio n to its

p al ati zatio n as ch .

The fro n t v o we l s e i regu l ar ly ch an ge a p recedi n g t , ,

i n to ch ; e g ko tan ta an d ko tan ch i to co m p ar e ; m ata

. .
,

an d m ac h e a wo m an ; s at a an d s ac h e to ste al
, Thi s , .

ch an ge is m o st c l e arly see n in the c ase of p artici pl e s ; e g . .

m b atach e f b atach ia pl hat atu sp oi l ed ; m m at a

.
, .
, .
, .

ch e f m atac h ia pl m atatu de ad
, . U n de r the sam e , .
, .

ci rcu m stan ce s 8 beco m es sh ; e g t ar s a tar sh e an d . .

, ,

1
V o llers an d B u k tt, r i “
Mod Egypt D i alec t
. .
,
”
p . 8 .

2
M achu el, L A rabe P a é ,
’
rl pp 2 4 .
, .
 1 74 HA US A G RAM MAR

t ar sh i , to he lp ; k assa an d kassh e to k il l ; h au sa an d ,

b ah au sh e H au sa , .

The H au sas as be fo re r e m arked fr e q u en t ly p ro n o u n ce

, ,

i as t s but the assibi l atio n o fte n l e ad s to pal at al i zatio n ;

n ,

e g . .tsag a o r c h ag a to te ar ; t s ar ki o r c h ar k i p u rity ;
, ,

see Dict u n de r c h i r a
. &c W e m ay ad d as fu r the r
, .

e x am pl e s o f fluctu ati n g ar tic u l atio n in co n n ectio n with

p al at al s : sh ikkin (A 9 ) ch ikkin in ; s h at i r i j ar ir i , ,

chi l d ; s h e r e j e r e l i n e ; s h u r e j u r e to kick ; s au
=
, ,

r ar a j u r ar a to l iste n , .

Cl o se r e l atio n s sub si st bet wee n the t r i lled r an d l ate r al

l se m i v o we l s 1
I n H au sa as in m an y othe r
-

L i q u i ds ,
.

l an g u ages the o n e so u n d r ead ily r u n s i n to the

,

o ther Thu s the ch an ge see n in the F r ar m et E n g

. .
,
.

he l m et is co m m o n in H au sa cf
, ,
.

a
g gl a s s a a
g g r a s sa h ai r y
g al m a g ar m a a hoe
h alb i h ar bi to shoot
ts al k a t sar ki p u rity
O p en sy ll ab l e s, too thi s l i sp i n g , l i ke th at sati r ized in
In ,

t he W asp s (44) o f A r i sto p h an e s, m ay fre qu e n t ly b e

heard ; e g fas al a fas ar a to expl ai n
. . O f the co n n ec , .

tio n bet wee n 1 an d n we h av e i n st an ce s in l ad am a

n ad am a, re en tan ce l i m k n i m k a to fo l d p
'

p e C o m ar e . .

It al m a co n tracted fr o m the L at an i m a
.
,
. .

I n the c ase of F r , G e r m , I t t the p oi n t o f the to n gue is

. . .

t ouched to the edge o f the u pp e r teeth W e m ay how .

,

e v e r p r oduce an othe r t by p r e ssi n g the b l ade o f the to n gu e

,

ag ai n st the p al ate , as in E n gl i sh t A si m i l ar difleren ce is

'

to be fou n d in H au sa an d we m u st di sti n gui sh t fro m the ,

t e n e rgetic all y ar tic u l ated with to n gue an d p al ate , as in

,

ts a y a st and

r o te ! p ou n d
d akke t with d ifli cu lty
1
Cf . D wigh t Whi tn ey i bi d p , . . 66 Max M iiller, i bi d . 11 . p . 1 86 .
1 7 6 H A US A GRAM MA R

(w i th the acc i de n t a l e x ce p tio n o f the z h sou n d ) at the e n d

o f a wo r d , o r o f a s ll ab l e , b e fo r e a n othe r co n so n an t ; bu t
y
the P o ly n e si an d i al ect s, fo r e xam pl e , ad m it n o g rou ps o f
co n so n an ts an y whe r e an d en d e v e ry wo rd with a v owe l ;
,

the l ite rary Chi n e se has n o fi n al co n so n an t ex cep t a n asal ;

the G reek n o n e sav e v, or p (n s r ) ; the S an skr it all o ws
, , ,

o n ly abo u t h al f a do ze n an d al m o st n e v er a gro u p of m o re
,
” 1
th an o n e the I t ali an r are ly has an y fi n al co n so n an t .

The fo ll o wi n g are i llu stratio n s of vari atio n an d i n ter

c han ge am o n g the v o we l so u n d s
I n ter change The ch an ge fro m u to i when e ver it does ,

gigs? n o t a r i se fr o m m e r e c ar e l e ssn e ss see m s to t ake ,

pl ace th rough a m odi fic ati o n o f the u to a so u n d

r e se m bl i n g the F r 11 o r the G e r m ii
. cf . .

d u d u ge d id i g i hee l
fu kafu ki fi kafi ke fe athe r
r u fe ri fe to co v e r
t u lli ti ll i he ap
The ro u n di n g of a to o is m et with ; e .
g .

ke way e ke wo y e to go r ou n d
tu fafi tu fo fi shi rt s

waj e woj e q u arte r

An i is fre q ue n t ly t ran sfo r m ed i n to an e

n ote ) ; e .
g .

d alish i d al ash e to b e bl u n t
h albi h alb e to str ike
t si wa t se wa i n so l e n t
W he n 3 is fo ll o wed by the v owe l s e o r i the e ffect is ,

o fte n the p al at al i zi n g of the co n so n an t ; e g t ar sa tar sh e . .

, ,

t ar sh i to he lp ; fan s a fan sh e to r an so m
, , S o al so t , .

beco m e s ch ; cf d aid aita d aid aic h e to be o r m ake

. , ,

si m i l ar ; m ata m ac h e wo m an ; b at ach e pl h atatu

, , , .
,

de st royed .

1 D wi gh t Whi tn ey ibi d p
72 , . . .
 NO T ES ON HA US A P H ONO L O GY 1 77
“
the E n gl i sh v u l gar p ro n u n ci atio n o f y es a so r t o f
In
du ll a is heard By the ear al o n e it is h ar d to te ll whethe r
.

the v o we l be a or e as it re ally l ie s bet wee n the m S u ch

, .

an a o r e re p re se n ted in H au sa sc r i p t by
,
is fou n d
0 I

in wo r d s such b er i asto l e av e ; d e r e n ight ;

J O, O I ,

fe r k o begi n n i n g ; saye s w to se ll ,
.

The i n fl u e n ce o f v o we l s o n othe r v o we l s whe n sep arated

fr o m the m by co n so n an t s is see n in the ch an ge
V owel
a si m i l a f ro m E n g m an to m en o wi n g to the fo r m e r
s .

“ “ 0
p r e sen ce o f an i v o we l in the pl u ral e n di n g l
.

I n the wor d m en the a o f the si n gu l ar was n e v e r who lly

l o st b u t was m odi fi ed th r ough an tici p atio n o f the i o f the
,

pl u r al e n di n g B u t in Hau sa an d in so m e o f the o the r

.
,

A fr ic an l an gu age s thi s assi m i l atio n is c arr ied to a m uch

,

gre ate r deg ree W e m eet with i n t roductio n o r sub stitutio n

.

due to a fee l i n g fo r asso n an ce an d m ade in obedie n ce to a

h ar m on ic law Th i s is m o st c l e ar l y see n in the m o d ifi ca
.

tio n s o f the p re po sitio n m a to wh e n fo ll o wed by su ffi x ed , ,

p ro n ou n s : e g m i n i . m an i
. mu mu m am u ; m u k u
m ak u m u su ma su Case s l ik e fi till a. fatil l a a ,

l am p an d k u r u ch i a k u r ic h ia a clo v e are p e r h aps

,
z
, ,

i ll u str atio n s o f the sam e p r i n ci pl e ; cf al so m u g u je .

m agu j e fugiti v e , .

I n co n n ectio n with l i q uid s a p arasitic v o we l gen e rall y ,

assi m i l ated to t h at o f the sy ll ab l e is o fte n

P arasi ti c ,

O W I wi th i n t r oduced P ar all e l c ase s in othe r l an gu age s

Y
P .

hqm d s ‘

ar e p e r icu l u m p e r iclu m
,
lu cin u s Aii vos
x .

E xam pl e s in H au sa are
gi r b i g i r ib i to re ap
g i r m a g i r i m a g r e at
s ar ki s ar i ki ki n g
k u r ko n o k u r u ku n u gui n e a wo rm -

su l ku m i su r u ku m i bag
z ar m i z ar u mi z ar o m i o ffi ce r
1
D wigh t Whitn ey i bi d p , . .
71 .
1 7 8 HA U SA G RA MM AR

I n a l arge u m be r o f i n st an ce s wher e a v o we l p recede s

n

an d fo ll o ws a co n so n an t the l atte r is p ro n ou n ced

with an e m p h atic st re ss as if do u b l ed Th i s .

e n e rgetic doub l i n g is fou n d in A ram aic an d in

H eb rew; e g H eb co n st r pl in n ebhé grap e s I n H au sa
. . . . .
,
.

we m ay co m p are b akk i b lack ; san n i to k n o w; ch i k k a, , ,

to fi ll ; g i dd a hou se ; t o k k o s eight ; g o d d a to sho w;

, , ,

t su kk e to che w , A s be fo r e st ated in the se case s whe r e

.
,

the doub l i n g o f the co n so n an t is u n ce rt ai n o r wher e it is ,

p ro n ou n ced but n o t wr itte n the seco n d co n so n an t wi ll b e ,

fou n d in the G r am m ar with a bracket thu s

The n u m be r o f co n so n an t s which can be u sed at the en d
o f a wo r d in H au sa is e x t r e m e ly l i m ited .

The v e ry few wo rd s wh ich are fou n d e n di n g

in b are A rabic ; e g m ag ar u b we st ; aju b . .
, ,

wo n de rfu l .

f .The wo rd jifji f m o rn i n g B 5 6 is p oetic al ; al i f , , , ,

t hou san d is A rabic ,

.

k The chie f an d al m o st o n ly e x am pl e is d u k all an

.
, ,

abb r e v i ated fo r m o f d u k a I t is v e ry o fte n e m pl oyed an d .

,

the p r e se rv atio n o f the k see m s he lp ed by the e m p h asi s

n atu r al to its m e an i n g
; s o ,
too w ith t u t u k o n which se e , ,

be l o w .

1 .A fin al 1 occ u rs rare ly ; e g c h i s al a di se ase ; fu l . .

,

an d p u l v e ry m an y ; r o t e l a p ou n d an d h al al l awfu l
, , , , ,

are A rabic .

111 The re are a fe wi n st an ce s o f fi n al rn e g an i m be

. . .
,

sought B 1 5 5 a p oetic al u se ; b am
, ,
p al m wi n e ; b am b am , ,

di ffe re n t ; d ab am id d an kam fo r e v e r ; d u n g u m m uch

, , , .

Fro m the A r abic are h ar am l awfu l ; k u l l u m alway s , , .

11 F i n al 11 is app ar e n tly but n o t r e ally co m m o n I t is

. .

u sed as an abb r e v i ated fo rm o f n a o f as a co n n ecti ve ; , ,

e g ab i n m am ak i a thi n g o f wo n de r h ik k i i d d
. .
; c , () n g () a ,

o n the i n side o f the hou se I n the c ase o f a p r o p e r n am e .

n o d ifli cu lty is fel t ; e g s u d an ; fo r othe r i n st an ce s cf

. . .
,

n an ke r r i n
, .
1 80 HA U S A GRAM MAR

fe m i n i n e sub st an ti v e s e g d u kiar k a (thy goods) o r d u . .

-

k i al ka d u k iat k a d u k ia tak a
- - -
.

The wo r d far ifet v e ry white is p rob ab ly to be explai n e d , ,

in thi s way as bei n g e q ui v al e n t to the r edu pl ic ated fo r m

far ifar fo r far i far i S o al so in far for fad fad (d) a .
:
,

fi ght F 1 90 the de n t al is i n te rch an ged with the fi n al r

, ,
.

The fo ll o wi n g are i ll u st ratio n s o f the sho r te n i n g o f

fi n al v o we l s an d sy llab l e s which is so m eti m e s
A poco pe
fou n d
.

d au an d d o fo r d au k a to t ake ,

d u fo r d u ka , all
fau , to m ou
an d n t , fr o m h awa
h au ,
p u ,

l ai an d I an v e ry (we ll ) , fro m l afi a
,

m a g re at fo r m ain y a an d m a to thee
, , , , ,
fo r m ak a
ra an d r an fo r r an a, d ay .

The fo ll o wi n g ar e i n st an ce s o f wo rd s co m m o n to Hau sa
an d E u ro p e an l an gu age s m o st if n o t all o f ,

which h av e co m e i n to H au sa th rough the

A rabic .

F r o m G reek o r Z aria z in ar ia go l d fro m G rk q éptov , ,

.
,

L at de n ar iu s ; k au we r a a fl at pl ace G rk xu pa ; sab u n i
’
.
, . i ,
,

so ap G r k o dm v ; t ak ar d a p ap e r G r k dpm s
,
. u
x , ,
. .

Fro m I talian b u m b u a chi l d carr ied o n the back

.
, ,

p robab ly fro m I t b am bi n o ; b i n d ig a a gu n p o ssib ly a

. , ,

co r ru p tio n o f I t V en ed ig o (see D ic t u n de r bi n d ig a) ;
. .

au g u l u o r ag u l u a v u l tu re fro m I t agug l i a, L at aq ui l a
, ,
. .

ar ah a che ap p o ssib l y fr o m I t ar ra L at arr h a e ar n e st

, ,
.
,
.
,

m o n ey .

Fr o m Spm zzsiz : l i ar a do ll ar app ar e n t l y an i n ve rted

’

, ,

fo r m o f r i al ; t am b ar i a d r u m S p t am bo r in B ar bary , , .
,
3 01

F r o m F r an c/z k an kan ch i q u arr e ll i n g p o ssibly an , ,

A rabicized fo rm o f c an can id l e go ssip ; an d p e rh ap s sam ,

b az ai san d al fr o m F r sav ate

, , . .
 NO T ES on HA U S A P H ON OL O GY 1 81

Fro m Ger man : t al ash i , sati n ; G erm A t l ass,

. fr o m A r .

wllol .

The wo rd t ak as a badger is the L at t ax u s t ax o , ,

.
,

(A ugu sti n e ), I t t asso ,

G e r m d ach s t a
.k an d a su g ar c an e ,
. .
,

.I °

wa
l

is the Ar . E ng . c an dy . s am fal , a bl u e be ad ,
is

prob ab ly the Eng . sa pp hi r e .

The cu rso ry study of the H au sa D ictio n ary wi ll

m o st
se rv e to sho w to the A r ab ic scho l ar th at the re
Con n ecti on
are n o t o n ly n u m e rou s wo rd s b o rro wed d i r ect
0

between
c
53:1?? fro m A rabic but th at the r e are al so a l arge
n u m b e r o f i dio m s an d o f m ethod s of wo rd
,

bui ldi n g an d co n str ucti o n whic h m u st h av e had a S e m itic

sou r ce u n l e ss the h y p othe si s be ado p ted th at the H au sa

l an gu age was it se l f S e m itic Thi s l atte r h y p othe si s m ay .

so m e d a co n cei vab l y be e st ab l i shed , bu t at p r e se n t the

y
fact th at two thi rd s o f the H au sa v oc ab u l ary p r e se n t n o
-

si m il ar ity to an y S e m itic l an gu age fo r m s an al m o st in

su p e r abl e ob st ac l e to the ac ce p t an ce o f th i s theo ry u n ti l

such ti m e as a c ar e fu l study o f the su rr ou n di n g l an gu age s ,

an d m o r e p articu l ar ly o f the l an gu age s which ar e sp oke n in

an d o n the bo rde rs o f the S ah ar a De se rt , e g B e rb e r . .
,

Tu ar eg S o n gai , & c , m ay p r o v e either the e x i ste n ce o r

, .

n o n e x i ste n ce
-
of co n n ecti n g l i n k s bet ween H au sa an d
A rabic o r an y othe r S e m itic lan g u age I
.

The q ue stio n sti ll re m ai n s in r egard to the l arge n u m be r

o f wo r d s which h av e ob v iou sl y bee n bo rr o wed o r added to

the H au sa l an g u age fro m the A rabic as it n o w ex i st s,

fr o m wh at e x act sou r ce s did the H au sas obt ai n the wo r d s,
so m an y o f whic h they h av e i n co r p o rated i n to thei r
l an gu age The an swer which we sho u l d n atu rally exp ect
to thi s q u e stio n wou l d be fro m A rab t rade rs o r t r av e ll e rs ,

1 rgu men ts for and agai nst this su ggested c on nectio n the st d en t
Fo r a u

m ay c on s l t R enan H i sto i r e d es Lan gu es S ém i ti ues i 2 8 9 P ro f

”

q
u , , .
, .

W righ t Co m p G ram m f the Sem Languages p p 33 3 4 ; D wi ght

, . . o .
,
’
.
,
ne ,
—
W hi t y ih pp 48 2 5 3 M a M iiller ih p 3 2 6
2 . . x , . . .
 1 82 HA US A G RAM MAR

who m an y ye ars ag o m ay h av e v i sited the co u n t ry an d

h av e i n t roduced artic l e s p re v iou sl y u n k n own l eav i n g ,

behi n d n o t o n l y the artic l e s but thei r A rabic n am e s A n

,
.

e xam i n atio n o f the Dictio n ary wi ll howe ve r sho w th at

, ,

th at such an an swe r is al togethe r i n correct The m aj o r ity .

o f the H au sa p r o n ou n s an d m an y othe r wo rd s o f e v e ry d ay
,

u se , though ob v iou sl y de ri v ed fr o m A r abic ar e e x t r e m e l y

,

u n l ikely to h av e bee n i n t r oduced by t rade rs S e v e ral .

an i m al s which we r e p r ob ab ly i n t roduced fro m A rabic

sp e aki n g cou n t r ie s do n o t app e ar to h av e S e m itic n am e s .

M or eo ve r, the A r abic wo r d s bo rr owed o r i n co rp o rated by

the H au sas ar e n o t in m o st c ase s t ake n fro m the co ll o q ui al
, , ,

but fro m the c l assic al A r abic The cam el fo r e xam pl e

.
, ,

which is c l e arl y an an i m al i n t rod u ced by A rab s, does n o t

bear the n am e u n i v e rsal am o n g the Ar ab s but is a m o difi
,

c atio n o f a wo rd which is so m eti m e s u sed in c l assic al A rabic

fo r c am e l ; cf u n de r r aku m i
. A v e ry l arge p rop o rtio n o f
.

the wo rd s bo rr o wed fro m A r abic an d n o w un i v e rsally

ado p ted by the H au sas h av e bee n bo r r o wed fr o m wr itte n
as co n t r asted with sp oke n A rabic an d n o t o n l y fr o m the
,

K o ran , but fr o m othe r l ite r ary wo r k s cu r re n t am o n g the

A r ab s M oh am m ed an i sm had v e ry l itt l e ho l d in H au sa
.

l an d u n ti l the begi n n i n g o f the p r e se n t ce n tu ry , whe r e as

l o n g befor e thi s it is ce rt ai n th at the H au sa l an gu age
co n t ai n ed m an y o f the wo rd s co n n ected with Ar abic r oot s
which are n o w fou n d in it .

I t is j u st co n cei vab l e th at the i n t roductio n o f m an y

S e m itic wo rd s i n to H au sa an d so m e othe r We st A fr ican
l an gu age s m ay be t raced b ack as far as the Carth agi n ian
'

“ ”
exp editio n de sc r ibed i n the P e ri pl u s of H an n o A c .

co r di n g to P l i n y , thi s was se n t out Carthag in is p o te n

“

”
t ia fl o ren te ( 5 00 I t co n si sted o f si x t y sh ip s

with fi fty o ars e ach co n t ai n i n g

, m en an d wo m e n
co l o n i st s Th at they re ached as far as the Co n go see m s
.

ce r t ain fro m the desc ri p tio n gi ve n o f go r i ll as, thr ee ski n s

o f which we r e afte r ward s hu n g u p in the te m pl e o f
 V O C A BU L A R Y

HAU SA EN GLISH -
.

WO R D S expl ai n ed in the n ote s att ached to the se lected

r e adi n g s ar e n o t as a r u l e i n c l uded in the v oc abu l ar n or
y ,

ar e the l e ss co m m o n wo rd s co n t ai n ed in the co ll ectio n o f

p ro v er b s F o r the se the stude n t is r e fe rred to the H au sa
.

dictio n ary afte r a wo rd m e an s th at the wo rd is n o t

.

u sed in co ll o q ui al H au sa .

a, at ; cf p 5 2 . . add u a, pr ay e r
a o r aa, n o af oh ! an e x c l am atio n o f
,

ab akin , in
e x ch an ge fo r r eco ll ectio n

ab (b ) ad a o r h al ab (b ) ad a ,
ag ai sh e ka h ai l to you ,

fo r e v e r fro m g aish e to sal ute ,

abd u g a cotto n , cotton

, ag aj e to he lp
,

pl an t ah a so ! an e x c l am atio n o f
,

abi n d a the thi n g which

, ,
sati sfactio n

which ; cf ab u . ai r e all y
,

ab in ch i so m ethi n g to eat
, ai ki pl ay u y u ka ay u k a
, .
, ,

ab i n sh a so m ethi n g
, to wo r k ; Cf p . .

dri n k ai ki o r y i n aiki to wo rk ,

abi s (s) a cf b i s (s) a

, . aiy ar i c arav an,

ab o ki pl ab o k ai fr ie n d
, .
, aje r e in l i n e
,

ab u co n n ecti v e fo r m ab i n
, ,
ak an *
,
if
pl ab u b u a thi n g
.
, ak an o n u p o n ; cf p 5 1
, ,
. .

ach ik (k) e f ach ik k a pl akass fo r a k asa o n the

() , .
, .
,

ach ik(k) u fu ll cf al so , . g r ou n d
chik ak e ak wi a pl awak i she go at
, .
,
-
 H A U SA E NG L I -
SH 1 85

ak wo i or ako l , the re is, az u m i , fast ; y in az u m i ,

the re ar e to fast
al fad ar i , m u l e
al g ash i , f . al g asa, pl . al ba b a n ot ,
'

a
g su gr ee n , b a to giv e
,

al i f thou san d ; al fi n
, two , b a p re fi x to de n ote an
,

thou san d cestry ; cf p 6 2 . .

aljifu p ocket sm all bag

, ,
b ab a i n digo,

al l ah G od , b ab (b ) a pl m ain y a gr e at
, .
,

al u r a pl al u r ai n eed l e
, .
, b ab e l ocu st,

am ( m ) a but , b ab u n othi n g without ; a

, ,

am r e o r au r e to m arry , , co n t ractio n o f b a ab u ,

m ar r i age n o t an y thi n g

an fan i u se ; d a an fan i
, , b ach e to be de st royed o r
,

u se fu l sp oi l t ; cf p 4 7 . .

an ji m a a l itt l e whi l e ; cf
, . b ad a to gi v e ; cf p 4 6
,
. .

p 81
. b a h au sh e a H au sa n ati v e
-

ar ah a che ap n e ss ; d a ar a
, b ai a co n t ractio n o f b a y i
,

h a che ap ,
or ba y a y i
ar b aa fou r ,
b ai a, cf b ay a .

ar b ai n for ty ,
b ak a m asc a bo w
, .
,

ar b a m i a fou r h u n d r ed , b aki pl b ak u n a m outh

, .
,

ar iawa n o r th , b ak i d ai a togethe r all at , ,

ar o a l o an ; b ad a ar o to
, , o n ce
len d hak(kfi f hak (k ) a
. p l .
. .

be o fl
'

*
ar r , b ab aku b l ac k ,

ar z iki good fo rtu n e cf

, . b ak o pl b ak i st ran ge r
, .
,

al so D 3 n ote , b ako n t aka o r b ako n ch i ,

as h e r e all y , t r u l y
, the se rv ice do n e to a
as h i r i n o r i sb i r i n , , st r an ge r ; y i n b ak o n

t we n ty t ak a to sho w ho sp it al it y
,

as su b a e ar l y d awn cf p 8 3, . . . b a l ar ab e pl l ar ab awa
-

,
.
,

awa *
l ike as
, an A rab
awoje out side (ad v an d
, . b al (l ) e m uch l e ss
,

p rep ) b an d a o r b am d a be side s , ,

az u r fa si lv e r , ap art fro m in additio n to ,

 H A U S A G RA M M A R

b an z a in vai n wo r th l ess
, , b i s (s) a or bi s (s) an , on to p
b ar a f b ar an i a hi r ed
, .
, of

se r v an t bi s (s) a pl b i s (s) ash e

, .
,

b ar an t aka se rv ice , b east

b ar ao f b ar au n i a thie f
, .
, b iu o r b i y u two ,

b as h i to gi ve u p to d el i v e r
, , b o iy a secr et ,

u p to b o iy e to hide ,

b at a to de st r oy to sp oi l be
, , ,
b o k (k) o i se v e n ,

de st royed ; cf p 4 7 . . b u d e to O p e n ; b u d u to
, ,

b atas b atasd a to de str oy

, . be o p e n
b at (t) u co n v e r satio n , b u d u r u a m aid , ,

b at (t) u n with r e fe r e n ce to , b u g a to st r ike

, b u ga
b atu r e white m an st ran ge r
, , , b u g a to st r ike re p e ated ly
,

A r ab ; cf p 6 2 . . b u g a bi n d i g a to shoot ,

b au ch i b awan ch i , or , b u n su r u he go at ,
-

b au t a sl av e ry , b u sa to b l o w
,

b au r e fig t ree ,
-
b u sh e to be d ry ; cf p 4 1
, . .

b awa pl b ayi b ai sl av e
, .
, ,

b ay a the b ack ,
ch an the r e th at , tho se
, ,

b ay an behi n d bey o n d ; cf ch e to sa
, ,
. ,
y
5 2 ch i to eat , to t ake fo rcib l e
p .
,

b e r (r ) i to l e av e or he r , ,
p o sse ssio n of & c cf ,
. .

l e av e al o n e , to all o w; cf .
9 .8 7
p 42. n ote ,
ch i awa, grass
b e r i ch i o r b e r ch i to sl ee p , ,
c h i da , to g i v e
to eat ; cf .

sl ee p p 46
.

b e r k o n o p e pp e r , c h ik ( k ) a to fi ll fu ll ; ch i , ,

bi to fo ll o w
, c h ik ( k ) a to fi ll q uite fu ll ,

b i ar b i al o r b i at fi v e
, , , cf p 4 7
. .

b i d (d ) a to seek , se arch fo r, ch ikake fu ll ; cf p 7 1 , . .

b ig (g ) e r i i n ste ad o f , ch ik( k ) i the in ter io r ,

b i n d i g a pl b in d ig o g i
, .
, c h ik ( k) i n o r achik (k) in in , ,

g un withi n ; cf p 5 3 . .

b iri pl hi r ay e
, .
,
bi r ai , c h in iki t rade , b ar te ri n g ;
,

m o n key y i n c h i n i k i to do b u si ,

b i s (s) a the to p , n e ss
1 88 HA U SA GRAM MAR

i
dy an t ak a, i
dy au c h i , fr ee fan sa o r p an sa, re ward
dom far a, pl far u n a o r far o r i , .

d il al i ,
b roker ; y in d il al i , l ocu st
to t rade far awa begi n n i n g ,

d o g o f d o g u a pl d o g ay e
, .
, .
, far i f far a pl far u far u
, .
, .
,

t all far ar e white ,

d o iy a, y am fas (s) a to br e ak tr , ,
.

d o ki pl d awaki o r d awa
, . fash e to b re ak tr
, an d ,
.

kai ho rse , in tr .

d o m i why , faskar e to o ve rco m e ; t o ,

d o m i n o r d o n bec au se be , ,
be u n ab l e to do an ythi n g
c au se o f in o rde r th at , cf p 7 4 . .

d o r i n a pl d o r in ai hi pp o
,
.
,
fawa to sl aughter ,

p o tam u s fay e to abo u n d ; cf p 7 4

, . .

d o r o swe ll i n g o n the b ack ,

,
fe t v e ry u sed as a su ffi x ;
, ,

hu m p cf p 7 2 . .

d u b u thou san d
,
fi to e x ce l to su rp ass
, ,

d u c h i pl d u atsu a sto n e
, .
,
fi t (t) a to g o o u t ,

d u k a all e v e ry
, ,
fi t (t) o to co m e o u t ,

d u k i a good s , fu ch e cf wu ch e , .

d u m (m ) i n oi se , fu d u fou r ,

d u n i a wo r l d , fu fu n d a p h oen i x ,

fu l a, cap , fez

en if
fu r e , pl fu rar e o r fu r ay i .
,

a flo we r
,

en n ( ) ,
a whe re ? k o e n (n ) a,
fu s h i fh u sh i an ger
an ywhe re
, ,

fu ska pl fu sk o ki face
() a, h ade , .
,
en n u s
fu t a to re st ; fu t awa r e st ,
, ,

r e sti n g

fa, the n the r efo r e ; cf p 7 8

, . . fu t (t) o wa co m i n g o u t ; cf , .

f ach e m uch l e ss ho we v e r
, , fi t (t) o
fad (d ) a o r fad (d) i to sp e ak , ,

te ll a
g , to ,p 52 fo r ; cf. .

fad (d ) a to fight , g a to see ; cf p 1 6 11

, . . .

fad i o r fad a to fall , g ab (b ) a the fro n t ,

fal k e pl fatake t r ad e r
, .
, g ab (b ) an in fro n t of ,
 H A U SA E N G L I S H
-
1 89

g ab b
() d
a ai a o r g ab ()
b ad ai , g ay a to te ll e xpl ai n
, ,

together g e r a to p r e p are , m ake

,

b b r e ad
g a () az e ast , y
g ad o pl ,g ad o d i .
, hog ; g id (d ) a pl g id (d ) aje m
, .
, .
,

g ad an i a, so w hou se
g ad o , pl .
g ad aj ,
e bed g i gi n i a f a n ,p a l m
g é fe r a, e x cu se m e ! par gi n a to bu il d
,

don ! g i r i m a g r,e at n e ss ; b ad a

g afe r t a, to fo rgi v e g i r i m a to ho n ou r,; y i n

g ai d a to sa,l u te ; cf p 8 1 . .
g i r i m a to g r ow ,

g ai r a l e s
,s ; c f p 66 . . gi wa pl g i way e e l e p h an t
, .
,

i
g sa cf g ai d a
a , . g o b e to m or ro w
,
-

g ai s u a sal ut atio n
, g r eet ,
g o d e to th an k
,

in g g o d i a th an k s ; y in g o di a
, ,

g aj e r e f g aj e r a g aje r ia
, .
, ,
to th an k
pl g aje r u sho r t
.
,
g o di a m are ,

g aj i tir ed
, g o m a pl g o m i a ten ; cf
, .
, .

g aj i a we ari n ess ; a g aji a

, ,
p 66
.

to feel ti red g o n a pl g o n aki far m

,
.
,

g am (m ) a to co m pl ete , , g o r o ko l a n u t
,

fi n i sh j oi n togethe r
, g o u m a bette r ; cf p 7 3
, . .

g am m a becau se o f , g u d a u n i t ; cf p 6 6
, . .

g a m m
( ) u to m eet wi th , g u d u to ru n , r u n away
,

g an g a pl g an g u n a d r u m
, .
, g u ga m a bucket
, .
,

g an i to see cf p 1 6 n
, . . . g u lb i pl g u l ab e r i ver
, .
, ,

g ar a g wo m a bette r ; cf
, , . deep r av i n e
P 73 with ; of p 5 3 . .

gar e t o , u se d wi th the
, gu r gu f g u r g u a pl g u
, .
, .

p e rso n al p r o n ou n r ag u l am e
"
,

gar i pl g ar u r u a or g ar u
, .
g u r u b in fi i n ste ad o f
r u k a to wn , gu sa to gu sh out g u r
,

g ar i n o n a ccou
, n t o f gu sa to gu sh o u t abu n
,

gaski a m , t ruth ; b a g as
, . d au t ly ; cf p 4 7 . .

kia to sp e ak the t r u th ;
, gu z u r i p r o vi sio ns for a
,

d a g ask i a t r u e t r u ly , , j ou r n ey
gata th ree d ay s he n ce
, g w o m a bette r
, cf g o u m a .
 1 9 0 HA U S A G RA M MA R

h ai fe , to beget h i sk a, air , win d

h aifu a bi r th , h u b (b ) a b ab (b ) a an ex , ,

h ain y a pl h ain y o y i r o ad ,
.
, ,
c l am atio n expr e ssin g as
path , way ; b ata h ain y a , ton ishm en t or i n dign a
to l o se the way tio n
h aj i to go o n the p i l gr i m age
, b u d u cf fu d u , .

h ak (k ) a o r h ak(k) an an b u j a afl air r e aso n

'

, , ,

thu s l ike wi se , h u sk a cf fu ska , .

h ak ika t r u ly ,

h ak (k) o r i tooth ; h ak (k ) o ,

r i n gi wa i v o ry
i o r i i y es ,
,

h al b i o r h ar b i to shoot
id an if ,
,
i d o pl id an u i d an d u n a,
h al (l ) i di sp o si tio n ,
.
,
,

ey e
h am z a fi v e ,

h am s i n fi fty
ik o , p o we r
,
i r i pl ir i ir i i r at e ki n d
h an k ak a pl h an kaki a ,
.
, , ,
, .
,

l arg e c ro w with white t r ibe cf 6 2 n . .

i s h e to su ffice
b re ast an d wh i te rim r ou n d ,

its n eck
i sk e o r i sh e to arr i ve at ,

h an k ali i n te llige n ce , c ar e
i ssa to r e ach to be e qu al
, ,
,

fu l n e ss da h an k al i
to to be su ffi cie n t ; d a
,
,

se n si bl e y a i ss a e n ough ,

ita she ; cf p 9
h an n a to p r e v e n t hi n de r , . .

, ,

h an t s i two ho u rs afte r i tach e o r itch e pl itatu a , .

,
,
a t ree ; a b ran ch cut fr o m
d awn
a t r ee
h an u pl h an n a h an d
, .
,
iy a to be able
b ar o r h al u n ti l ,
,

h ar ab (b ) ad a fo r e v e r iy ak a bo u n d ary en d
, ,
,

h ar i o agai n ,

h asad a j e al ou sy , ja pl j aj ay e red
, .
,

h ask e pl h asko ki o r h as
, .
j a to
, d r ag
k ai k ai l ight , j ag ab a g u ide ,

h au ia t we n ty cf p 67
, . . j ak i pl jaku n a o r j ak ai
, .
,

h au r i i v o ry
, ass
h awa b awo
, h au to , , j ab afi
ar te m p t at io n “

m ou n t j ar i r i jar ili an i n fan t

, ,
1 9 2 HA U S A GRAM MAR

k ar e to fi n i sh , en d (u su ally
, ko , either o r , e v e n ; al so ,

i n t ran si ti v e ) u sed in aski n g a q u e s

k ar i a m asc
, fal sehood ; .
,
tio n
y i n
k a r i a to m i ss fi r e , k o d a al though
,

kar ifi st re n gth ; d a kar i fi

, , k o e n n a an y whe r e ,

p o werfu ll y k o fa doo r
,

k ar (r ) e f k ar (r ) i a pl kar
, .
, . k o g o ho l e ho ll o w
, ,

n u k a dog , k o iy a to te ach (fo ll o wed by

,

k ar sh e en d ,
m a)
k asa pl k asash e e ar th
, .
, ,
k o iy o to l e arn,

l an d k o kaka ho we v e r ,

ka(s) sh e to ki ll , k o kar i atte m p t e n de av ou r

, ,

k asu a m ar ket ,
, m arket ko k o l u a o r ko l u a sku ll , ,

pl ace b rai n s
k awo to b r i n g , k o m a to go b ack retu r n
, ,

kawo wa b r i n gi n g , k o m i o r k o m i n e an y th in g , ,

k ay a o r k ai a pl ka , . e v e ry thi n g ; b ab u k o m i
y y a e ki m as c ,
a l o ad,,
. o r b a k o m i b a n othi n g ,

l o ad s k o m o to co m e b ac k
,

k az a pl k aj i fo wl hen
, .
, ,
k o n an e f k o n an ia pl
, .
, .

k az a such an o n e ; k az a
,
ko n an u bu rn t ,

d a k az a so an d so , k o n e to bu rn
,

k e au o r kiy au be auty , ,
k o r e f k o r i a pl k wo rr e
, .
*
, . ,

good n e ss ; d a k e au good , gr ee n
ke n ke sh e to h atch , k o r e to d r i v e away
,

k e tar e to c ro ss , k o r o r o a bag o f co wr ie s ;
,

ki fem thou of p
, .
, . . cf p 6 7
. .

ki, to r e fu se ko t an c h i m e asu r e o r l i ke ,

k i b i a pl ki b o arro w n e ss k o t an ch in h ak k) a
; (
"
,
.
, ,

kifi pl kifay e fi fi sh
, . l i ke thi s
kil ag o ski n co w hide , ,
-
k o wa e v e ry o n e an y o n e
, , ,

k i l g a, k i r g a k e d ay a to , , an y ; b ab u k o wa or b a

cou n t k o wa b a n o o n e ,

k i r i n o r k e r (r ) i n v e ry ; cf , . ko wan e o r ko wan e n e a ,

st r e n gthe n ed fo r m Of
P 73
k iy au t a, a p re se n t k o wa ; cf p 1 8 . .
 H AU SA -
E NG L I SH 1 93

ko y au sh e , at an y t im e , k way a m asc , a gr ai n , , . ear

whe n e ve r o f fr u it

ko y an z u , no w, im m ed i k wo i egg , eggs,

ate ly
ku , y o u ; cf p 9
. .

l ab u d d a, ce r t ai n ly , no
ku a, al so
d oubt
hu d a , pl k u d aje fl y .
,
l ab ar i , ews n
ku d (d ) u south
l afi a he al thy ; fo r u se in
,
,
k u k a cry lam e n t
sal ut atio n s cf p 8 1
, ,
. .
,
k u l (l ) a to c are for
,
l aifi sin O ffe n ce b ad a
k u l u m al way s , ,

l ai h to co n de m n
,
,
k u m a ag ai n
,
l al ata to sp oi l (t ran s an d
,
.

k u m i a, sh am e
i n t ran s ) l al ach e .to ,
k u n ch e to l oo se n ,
p e ri sh cf p 4 1 . .

k u n e ear
,
”
l al (l) e o f n ece ssity
,
ku r if ; cf kad (d ) an
l asso t we n t y
.
,
,
k u r d i o r k u di m on ey , ,
l au v e ry ; cf p 7 8
p r ice ; cf wu r i
.
, .

l ikafa sti rru p

ku s (s) a n e ar n e arly ; ku s
,
, ,
l in z am i b r idl e ,
sa g a n e ar to
l itafi wr iti n g b ook
,

ku tu r ch i k u t u r t a,
, ,
or
l o k ach i ti m e
l e p ro sy ,

k u tu r u l e prou s ,

k wad o pl kwado di o r
, . m a, to ; for u se of, cf p 5 1 .

kwad u n a to ad frog , , m a v e rbal p r e fi x ; cf p 2 0

,
. .

k wan a to p ass the n ight ;

, m aaikach i wo rk m an ,

cf p 4 7
. . m aai k e m esse n ge r ,

k wan a pl,
k wan aki .
, m ach e pl m at a wo m an , . , ,

d ay fe m al e ; cf m at a .

kwan ch e , to l ee p to li e
s ,
"
m ac h i c h i fi sq uee zi n g
do wn cf p 4 7 . . . m ach iji pl m ac h ijai , .
,

k wan ta to l ie do wn , sn ake

k war a g r ai n fruit , ke rn e l
, ,
m ad al a i n deed ; cf p 7 8 , . .

k wat ai r ight ly , p ro p e rly

, m adau ki, h an d l e
k war ik was sa t r av e ll i n g , m ad u gu c aravan l e ade r ,

an t s m afau ch i butche r ,

O
1 94 H A USA GRA M MAR

m ag an a wo rd ; y in m a , m as(s) a a sm all c ake ,

m ata wi fe ; al so u sed as a
'

g an a to t al k , ,

m ai a p r e fi x ; fo r u se o f cf
, ,
. plu ral o f m ac h e
p 20
. m az (z ) a q uick ly ,

m aib arr a beggar , m e tin m e tai n two hu n, ,

m aid a to ch an ge ; m ai d a
, d red
h i mm a to t ake c are o f , m i m i n e o r m in e n e
, , ,

m aidau kan k ay a a c arr ie r , wh at P

m aig i d (d ) a o wn e r o f hou se , m ia m i n y a hu n d red
, ,

m aig ir im a on e who is , m ij i cf n am ij i
, .

gre at m u we ; cf p 9
, . .
'

m aig u d u fugiti v e , m u gu f m u g u n ia
, pl . , .

m aikay a the o wn er o f a , m iag u bad e v i l , ,

l o ad m u j i a o wl ,

m aim ako or m aim aki , in m u r n a g l ad n e ss joy , ,

ex ch an ge for ; cf p 5 1 . . m u t an e cf m u tu m , .

m ai r o ko , begg ar m u tu to die ,

m ai z in i sh ar p , m u tu a de ath ,

m ak afo pl m ak afi bli n d
, .
, m u t u m o r m u tu m e pl , .

m akar an ta schoo l ,
m u tan e , m an
m al am m al l am te ache r
, ,

m am ak i an y thi n g wo n de r
,

fu l ; jin m am aki to wo n ,
n a or -
n , of ; cf. p . 14

d er ; y in m am aki to ,
-
n a, my ; cf . p . 24

m ake to wo n de r n aam , y es; cf p 7 7 n . . .

m an a the n , if y o u pl e ase
,
n ab aia, f t ab aia, secon d , .

m an c h e o r m an ta to fo r , th at which co m e s after
get n ab iu f t abi u seco n d
, .
,

m an z o pl m an z an i m es
, .
, n ad( d) e to r o ll u p ,

se n ge r ()
n ad d u to be r o ll,ed u p to ,

m ar as witho u t wan ti n g ;
, ,
r o ll o n e se l f u p

u sed as a p r e fi x n afar i f t afar i fi rst

, .
,

m ar e ch e e ven in g da
, n am a fle sh
m ar e ch e in the e v e n i n g , n am ij i o r m ij i pl m az a , .
,

m asab ki a l odgi n g pl ace, m az aje a m al e ,

m asak a weave r , n an he re ; cf p 1 2 thi s

, . .
,
1 9 6 H A U S A GRA M MAR

sa b k a o r s ap ka to u n l o ad , , sar k a pl sar ku n a o r sar

,
.

to al ight k o k i ch ai n ,

sab o f sab u a pl sab u i

,
.
,
.
,
s ar m ay i pl sam ar i , a
, .

sab abi n ew ,
youth 5

safe earl y m o rn i n g ; d a s ar ( r ai e x act l r ight l

, ) y , y ,

safe in the m o rn i n g
, s asafe v e ry e ar ly in the
,

s afi a a fe m ,
fo r m o f the . m o rn i n g
p recedi n g s asak a to c arp e n te r ,

sai q u ite o n l y e xce p t u n

, , , ,
sat a the ft
,

ti l but ; cf pp 3 5 5 3 , 8 1
, . .
,
s au , u sed wit h n u m eral s
saiy a, to buy ; cf p 4 7 . . thu s sau d ai a, o n ce
s aiy ar s aiy e s , s aid a; to
,
s au b iu t wice ,

se ll sau r a r e st re m ai n de r
, ,

sak a to we ave
,
s ay e s o r s ay e sd a, to sell

sal l a p r ay e r
,
s ay i o r s ai d a to bu y ,

s am ( m ) a pl sam (m ) a o r , . se v e n ty

sam an i a the he av e n s ,
sh a to d r i n k ; cf p 88
,
. .

s am r i sau ri ,
qu ick n e ss ; ,
sb afo a kite ,

d a sam r i q uick ly ,
sh ag ( g) e l i o r s h u g g e l i pl , .

s am u to fi n d to obt ai n
, ,
sh u g u l g u l a bu si n e ss ,

san d a pl s an d u n a stick
,
.
, sh am u pl sh am u wa sto r k
,
.
,

s an i a co w ; cf s a
, . s h an u o x e n ; cf s a
, .

san ( n ) i o r san i to k n o w
, , s h ash i , h al f

san san ch i to u n de rst an d s h e k ar a pl sh e k ar u , e ar

, , y .

we ll sh e kar an ji a the d ay be for e ,

san san ( n i c am p
) ,
ye ste rd ay
san u h ai l cf p 80 . . sh i , he ; cf p 9 s h i k e . .
,

s an u sl o wl y ge n t ly
, ,
n an the r e is it is so
, ,

s ap ka, to u n l o ad p ut do wn , ,
shi d ( d ) a six ,

al ight shi g ( g) a to e n te r, go in
,

s ar au n i a q uee n ,
sh i g ( g) 0 to e n te r
,
co
,
m e in

s ar an t a, ki n gdo m sh i r i , pr e p aratio n

s ar e t o cut
,
shir wa o r sh i r u a a h awk ,

sar iki o r sar ki pl s ar ak ai , . sh i u o r sh i r i n sil e n ce ,

o r s ar ak u n a k in g he ad , ,
sh u d i f sh u dia pl sh u
,
. .
,

m an d o d i b lu e ,
 HA U SA E N G L I S H -

s i tti n
,
i x t y s tak ar k ar i, p ack o x
so ,to l ike l o v e wi sh be , , , tak i you r ; cf p . . 24

ll i n g tako b i , pl . t ak o b a or ta
k u b a swo r d
.

s o k i to pi e rce
, ,

su they ; cf p 9
, .
. tal ak a a p oo r m an
,

su a pl su an e n e who P
, .
,
t al au ch i p o v e r ty ,

which P W h at tal ( l) atin thi r ty ,

s u ab o o r s wab o e v i l ; y in ,
t am ah a to thi n k su pp o se, ,

s u ab o to r e v i l e ,
tam an in eighty ,

su k n a, g all o p i n g tam b ay a to ask ,

su n a n am e ,
t am kar l ike as ,

su r di pl s u r adi , su r ad a
, .
,
t ar a n i n e
,

su r d u n a s u r d o d i sadd l e , ,
t ar a to co ll ect ; tatar a to
, ,

he ap u p ; cf pp 4 6 4 7 .
.

t a, ; p
she 9 cf. . t ar as t ar d a t ar as d a to
, , ,

-
t a her ; cf p 2 4
, . . o ve rt ake to co m e u p ,

t a u sed idio m atic all y

, ; cf . p . wi th ; cf p 46 . .

87 tar e togethe r ; t ar e d a to
, ,

tab a, to touch ; cf. pp . 89 , gether with

1 1 3 n . t ar i to m eet to go to m eet
, , ,

tab e r m a a mat to pu t togethe r with

t ad a, to ra s i e up t ar o pl t at o r i m u l titude ,
, .
,

t afas s ash e , f t afass ash i a, . abu n d an ce

pl . t afassash u , boi l i n g t ar u pl t ar u n a n et
,
.
,

t afassa, to boi l tr ; tafas ,

. t ar u to asse m b l e
,

su i n t r ,cf p 4 1 . . . t ash i to r ise u p st ar t

, ,

t af( f) i to go ; taf(f ) i d a
, ,
t as u n ia sto ry t al e , ,

to t ake away t af(

f)ia ,
tat aka to t r ead do wn
,

goi n g j o u rn ey ,
t au say e p ity so rr o w , ,

taf(f ) 0 , to co m e ; t af(f ) o t i l as by fo rce

,

wa co m i n g ,
t ir al as !
,

t ag u a pl tag u ai fe m ale
, .
,
t i s sai n n i n et y ,

c am e l t o we ll
,
all r ight
tak a thy ; cf p 2 4
, . . to k ( k) o s eight ,

tak al m i , pl tak al m a shoe .

, ,
to r o n g i wa a m al e e l e ,

san d al p h an t
1 9 8 HA U S A G RA M M A R
t o y ay e , f . t o y ay i a, pl . to "
t u n i t u n t u n i fi l o n g ago
,

y ay a baked ,
t u n y au sh e , ho w l o n g ?
tsad a o r t sad a, dearn e ss ;
, t u r an ch i , the A r ab l an gu age
d a t sad a dear , e xp e n si v e , tu r e , pl . t u r awa, a white
t sag a to te ar ; t sat s ag a
, ,
m an , a fo r eig n e r
to te ar in p iece s ; cf p 4 7 . . t u r u m i , a m o r t ar
t s ak ( k) a o r t s ak (k) an i the ,

m id st u b a,pl n han e .
,
father
t s ak ( k) an o r t sak (k) an in ,
u k u th ree
,

in t he m id st o f, bet wee n ; u wa m othe r,

cf p 5 1
. .

t sam an i to thi n k su pp o se , ,
wa, to cf p 5 2 ,
. .

t sawo l e n gth ; d a t sawo , ,

wa o r wan e m who ? ,
.
,

l o n g t all ,
wm ch P wh at ? cf p 1 3 . .

t say a to r e m ai n to st an d
, ,
wa e lde r b rother
,

sti ll , to be fi n i shed wac h e f who ? which ? ,

.

t s o fo f t so fu a pl t so ffi ,
,
.
,
. wh at ?
t so fafi , o ld wad (d ) a ho w the way in , ,

t so fo , an ol d m an ; t so fu a ,
which ; cf p 7 7 . .

an Ol d wo m an wai alas ,

t so r o fe ar ; jin t s o r o to
, ,
wan d o pl wan d u n a t rou ,
.
,

be afr aid se r s

t su n t su a ( o r z u n z u a) pl ,
. wan k e to wash c l e an fo r , ,
°

t su n t s ay e bi r d u se o f wan k o cf p 4 5 . .
,

t u b a to r e p en t
,
wat a m o n th ; watan 1 1 a,
,

tu b al i a m u d b r ick ,
last m o n th wat an g o b e ,

t u b e to t ake o ff n ex t m o n th
,

t u fa pl
,
t u fo fi shi r t
,
.
,
watak il a p er hap s ,

c l othe s way e to d awn ; g ar i y a

,
'

tu k u n a ( n ot
)y et ,
way e the d ay d awn s ,

t u ku n i a p itche r ,
wiy a wu y a di ffi cu l ty
, ,
.

t u m k i a pl t u m ak i shee p ,
.
,
wo ch an cf wo n ch an ,
.

tu n or t u n d a as far as, , wo dan g a cf wo n g a ,

.

whi l e as yet , u n ti l si n ce , , wo d(d an an cf wo n an , ,

.

be fore ; cf p 5 2 . . wo fi e m p ti n ess wo r th l e ss
, ,

t u n d ad e wa l o n g si n ce , n e ss cf p 7 1 . .
2 00 H AU SA G RA M M AR
z am b ar thou san d , zu a, p re p . toward s ; cf
.

z am n a to re st sit do wn to
, , , P 53
r e side r e st
,
in ter m is
,
zu b a to p o u r out be
, ,

sio n p ou red out ; fo r z u b as ,

z an ch e co n ver sation
,
z u b as d a of p 46 ,
. .

z an g u
,
a hu n d r ed co w r ie s z u b d a to p ou r o r u p set
,

cf p 6 7
. . z u ch ia he ar t
,

z an n i pl z an n a a p iece z u m a z u m n a m asc ho n e
() ,
.
, , y ,
.
,

o f c l oth z u n g o h al ti n g pl ace fo r the

,

th re ad n ight

2 0 to co m e
,
z u n u fi sin e v i l
, ,

z on a, cf . z am n a z u n z u a a bi r d ; cf,
t su n .

zu a, c om i n g zu a or y a t su a
 E N G LISH HAU SA
-
.

N o n a— W hen m o re th an on e r e n de ri n g is gi v e n fo r an
E n g l i sh wo rd it is n o t sugge sted th at the word s gi ve n are
,

sy n o n y m ou s F o r thei r ex act m e an i n g r e fe r e n ce m u st b e
.

m ade to the H au sa Dictio n ary .

abl e , to be , iy a al o n e , k ad(d) ai
abo v e , bi s (s) a abi s(s) a ,
al so , ku a
acce p t to k ar b a, , al way s, k u lu m ,
k o y au sh e
acco m plish to k ar e ch i k ( k) a, , ,
am id st , t sak (k ) an , tsak
acc u sto m ed , to be s ab a ,
k
() an in

ad van t age an fan i ,

an d , d a, cf p 55 . .

afraid , to be ji n t so r o , an ge r , fu s h i (p ro n ou n ced
afte r b ay a b ay a g a
, ,
fh u sh i )
afte rn oo n az u h u r l aasar , , , an g ry , to be y in fu sh i d a , ,

cf p 8 3
. . fu sh i
afte r war d s, b ay an h ak ( k) a , an k l e i d o n k afa
,

b ay an an an oin t , sh afe
ag ai n k u m a h ar i o an othe r wo n i wo n i k u m a
w
, , , ,

agr ee to y in ,
b ak i d ai a
, , , an swe r am s a, to an s e r
, ,

y in d ai d ai y i n am sa
aid , to t say a , an t , g ar a kwar ikwas(s) a
,

air , h i sk a an y , k o wa ko wan e
al as, wai an yho w, k o hak a
aligh t to sab k a sh id (d ) o
, , ,
an ythi n g k o m i ,

al i ke , d u k a d ai a, d aid ai an y whe r e ko e n n a ,

al i v e d a r ai
, app ro ach , to , y in k u s(s) a
all d u k a
, A rab b a l ar ab a pl l ar a
,
-
,
.

all igato r k ad a pl k ad o di
, ,
. b awa ; the A rabic lan
al l ow b e r i h e r
. , g u age tu r an ch i
,
2 02 H AU S A G RA M M A R

ar i se , t ash i bette r m afi fi ch i d ag (g) a ;

,

arou se t ad a ,
cf p 7 3 5 9
. . .

arr o w k i b i a, pl k i b o
,
. bet wee n , t sak(k) an in
as k am m a k am m an d a
.
,
bi n d to d am r e dar im e
, , ,

ass j ak i
,
bi r d tsu n t su a
,

at a
, Cf pp 57 ' ’ bi r th h aifu a
,

atte m p t to y in k o k ar i , ,
bitch k ar (r ) i a
,

await to j i r a , ,
bite to c h i z o
,

awake to falk a far k a , , ,

bitte r d o ach i t sam i
, ,

ax e , g é t ar i bl ack b ak (k) i
,

b l i n d k afo b p er so n m a
, , .
,

back ,
b ay a k afo
bad , m u g u , pl m iag u . b l o w to b u sa
, ,

bag j e k (k ) a k an k an di
, ,
blu e sh u d i
,

b an an a ay ab a , body j iki ,

b an k r afi , boi l i n g t afas sash e ; cf p 4 1

,
. .

b asi n k ask o (m ade o f cl ay) ,

, bo w, b ak a
ak o sh i (m ade o f wood ) boy y ar o sam r ai pl sa
, , ,
.

b asket sam fo k wan d o , , m ar i

be to n e k e ch e ; cf
, , , , . b r e ak to fas(s) a
, ,

p 10 .
b rid l e lin z am i
,

be ast b i s(s) a n am an d aji

, , b ri n g to k awo, ,

(w i l d ) b r o ad , fad i m aifad i ,

be at to b u g a d ak (k ) a
, , , b rothe r dan u wa ; el de r b ,
,
-
.

beaut ifu l d a k e au , wa ; you n ge r b , k an e .

becau se d o n d o m i cf , , . bucket gu g a ,

p 50 . bui l d to gi n a k af(f) a
, , ,

before g ab (b ) a g ab (b ) a g a
, , bu ll sa
,

beget to h aifi , , bu rn to k o n e
, ,

begg ar m aib ar r a m ai , , bu ry to bi sme b iz n e

, , ,

r o ko bu si n e ss sh ag (g) e l i ; it is
,

begi n to far a begi n n i n g

, , , , n o t y o u r bu si n e ss, b ab u

fat awa ru an k a
behi n d b ay an d ag (g) a
, , bu t, am m a
b ay a ; cf p 5 2 . . butte r, m ai n s h an u
b esi d es, b am d a b uy , to s aiy a ; cf p , . .
47
2 04 H A U S A G RA M MAR
dr i ve , to , k o r e e vi l m u g u
, ,
f m u g u n ia,
. pl .

d ru m kid (d ) i , g an g a
, m iag u
d ry kekash e
, e x ce p t , sai saidai ,

d ry se aso n r an i ; cf p
-

, . . e xcu se to g afer a , ,

du st , k u r a expl ain , to way e, b ay e n n a ,

eye , id o , pl id an u .

e ach k o wa ko wan e ; of
, ,
.

p 18
. face fu sha ,

ar k u n e pl k u n u a
, fall to fadi
, .
, ,

early , d awu r i ; v e ry e arly fal sehood k ar i a , ,

s asafe d a wu r i wu r i , far n e sa n i sa , ,

e arth the d u n i a ; soi l k asa farm g o n a

, , , ,

e ast , g ab (b ) as ; cf p 84 fathe r u b a . .
,

e at to chi
, , fear tso r o ; to f , 1 1 11 t so r o ,
.

eg g k wo i
. fe ast b u k i ,

eight t o k (k) o s
, fee l , to , ji
eighty tam an in ,
fe m al e m ac h e ,

e l e p h an t to r o n g i wa
,
fe v e r , m as(s ) asar a, z az
e l e v e n g o m a sh a d ai a
, ()
z abi

en d ,
m ak ar i f w ad(d an
e k l
,

e n deav o u r to y in k o k ar i fi ftee n , g o m a sh a bi ar
, ,

e n e m y , ab o k i n g i b a m a fi fty h am si n ,
.
,

k iy i fight , to , fad (d ) a
e n ough i t is, y a i ss a y a fill, to , ch i k (k ) a
, ,

k o sh i fi n d to , s am u ,

en te r , sh ig (g ) a fi n ge r y as a ,

e q u al d aid ai ; to m ake fi n i sh to , k ar e g am (m ) a
, , ,

e q u al d aid ait a
,
fi re wu t a ,

e sco rt , r ak i a fi rst , n afe r ko n afari ,

e v en i n g m ar ech e ; cf p 8 3 fi sh kifi
, . .
,

e v e r , e g h ave you e ve r fi v e b i ar , bi al
. .
,

don e so ? ka t ab a y in fl e sh n am a ,

h ak (k) a fly , k u d a, pl ku d ash e .

e v e ry , k o wa ko wan e ; cf foll o w to , bi
, .
,

p 18
. food , ab i n ch i
e v e ry thi n g d u k a k o m i foot k afa
, ,
 E N GL I SH -
H A U SA 2 05

fo rce , kar ifi by f .
,
til as h al f sh ash i , r ab (b) i
,

for e st , d aj i h an d h an u ,

fo rget to m an ch i
, ,
h an g r atay a t atai a
, ,

fo rty ar b ai n
,
h arve st k ak a ,

fou r fu d u
,
h atchet , fan tar ia, gi tari
fou r tee n , g o m a sh a fu d u h ate to ki, ,

fo wl k az a pl k aj i
, , . he , y a sh i ; cf p 9 ,
. .

freedom diy an ch i ,
head kai ,

fri e n d , ab o k i he al th l afi a ,

fr ighte n b ad a t so r o ,
hear to ji , ,

fr o m d ag (g ) a
,
he art z u ch ia ,

fu ll ch ik ake ; cf p 7 1
,
. . he at , z afi
heathen , kafi r i pl kafi r , .

gai n , r i b a awa ar n a ,

gi ft , ke au t a he av e n , sam (m ) a
gi rl , y ar i mi a he lp tay a,

gi v e , to b a b ad a b ash i ;
, , , he n ce , d ag (g ) an an
cf p 4 6
. . her , t a n ta ; cf pp 2 3 , 2 4
-

,
-
. .

go , to t af(f) i , je
,
here , n an wu r i n n an ,

go at ak wi a ; he go at , b u n
,
hide to , b o iy e
,

su ru hi n de r to h an n a , ,

G od , al lah hi pp o p ot am u s, d o r i n a
go l d , z in ar ia his s a n s a ; cf pp 2 3 2 4
,
-

,
-
. .
,

good n ag ar i , f tag ar i
,
. ho l d , to r i k (k ) e ,

goods d u k i a ,
ho n ey z u m n a ,

g ran dfathe r k ak a ,
ho r se , d o k i f g o d i a ,
.

grass ch i awa
,
hot d a z afi ; hot wate r,
,

grav e , ku sh ey a r u an d i m i

gr e at , b ab (b ) a d a g ir im a ,
hou r , of p 8 3 .
-
.

g r i n d to (e g co rn ) n i k (k ) a
,
. .
,
ho u se gi d (d ) a ,

grou n d k asa ,
ho w k ak a,

g ro w y i n g i r i m a
,
ho w l o n g t u n y au sh e ,

guide , j ag ab a hu n d red , d ar i m ia ,

g ui n e a co rn
,
d a-
w a hu n ge r , y u n (g ) wa
g u i n e a fo w l z ab
-
u a ,
hu sb an d m ij i ,

g u n ,
bi n d i g a hy aen a k u r a ,
2 06 H A U S A G RAM MAR

I ni n a;
, , cf . p .
9 l ie do wn to k wan ta
id l e r ag o , l i fe r ai
,

if, en ,
k ad (d ) an , id an l ight h aske ; to l a fi re
,
.
,

i ll ,
m aich iwo ; cf p 8 7
. . h as(s) a wu ta, fu r a wu t a
in , ch ik (
k) i n l ike k am (m ) a, tamk a
,

i n c re ase to k ar a , ,
l io n z ak i
,

i n stead o f ab akin m ai , ,
l itt l e k ar am i , kad(d) an
, ,

m ak o cf p 5 1 . . k an k an i
i vo ry h ak(k) 0 r in g i wa
, ,
l izar d k ad an g ar i g u s a
, ,

h au r i n g i wa l oc u st far a ,

l o n g d a tsawo d o g o
, ,

j oi n to g am (m ) a
, ,
l oose to k u n ch e
, ,

j ou rn ey t af(f) i a ,
l o v e to s o
, ,

jyo m u r
,
n a
m ake , to , y i
kee p to r i k (k ) e , ,
m al e , n am i ji m iji ,

ki ll to , k a(s ) sh e
,
m an ,
m u tu m , m u tu m e ;
ki n g s ar i k i ,
pl m u tan e
.

ki n gdo m sar au t a ,
m an y d ay awa ,

k n o w to san (n ) i , ,
m ar e g o di a ,

ko l a n u t g o t o
-

,
'
m e an i n g m aan a ,

m eet to i sk e , g am (m ) u d a
, ,

l am b , dan tu m kia m esse n ge r, m an z o

l an d k as a ,
m idday r an a t sak (h) a
,

l arge b ab (b ) a , p 8 3
l augh to y in d ar i a , ,
m ilk, n on o

l e ad d al m a ,
m o n ey , k u r di ; cf p 62 . .

l e ader of c aravan m ad u gu ,
m o n key bi r i ,

l e arn to , ko iy o . m o n th , wata
l e av e to b e r b er i
, , , m oo n , wata
l eft h an d , h an u n , h ag (g) u m m o rn i n g safe , safi a , cf.

l eg k afa , p 8 3
l en d to b ad a ar o
, ,
m othe r , wa u

l e p er , k u tu ru m ou n t , to h awa , ,
h au
l e p r o sy k u tu r ta , m uch d ay awa ,

l e st k ad (d ) a
, my , -
n a, f
.
-
ta ; cf. pp . 2 3 , 24
2 08 HA U S A GRA M MA R

qu e stio n to , ,
t am b ay a say , to ch e fad (d ) a , ,

q uick ly d a ,
sau r i , m az (z) a seco n d n ab iu f t abi u , ,
.

m az (z ) a seed ir i ,

seek to n e m a bid (
,
d)a , ,

i
ra n , r u a se ll to say e s say e sd a ;
, , ,

r ai n y se aso n
-

,
d am an a ; cf
. cf p 4 7 . .

84 se n d to ai k o ai k i
9.
, , ,

ra si e to tad a
, ,
se p arate , to r ab (b) a ,

r am r ag o
,
se rv an t b ar a ,

r e ad , to , y i n k ar at u se v e n b o k k o i
() ,

r ecei ve , to s am u k ar b a , , sew to d u m k e
, ,

sh ade e n n u a
t ed j a
, () ,

r e fu se to ki , ,
sh am e , k u m i a

r e l atio n d e n g i she t a it a ; cf p 9
, ,
. .
,

r e m ai n de r s au r a ,
shee p t u m k i a ,

r e p e n t to t u b a shoot to h al bi b u g a b in
,
, , , ,

r e st , to fu t a ,
di g a
r etu r n hithe r , to k 0 m 0 d a , ,
sho r t g aj1 r i ,

wo iy o sho w to n u n a g o d a
, , ,

r etu r n thithe r to k o m a d a , ,
shu t , to r u fe ,

wo iy a sin , z u n u fi , l aifi
r i ce sh i n k afa
,
i g to y in wak a
s n , ,

r ight h an d d am a
-

,
si ste r e l de r y a ; y ou n ge r
, , ,

ri n g z o b e
,
k an u a
r i se to tas h i sit to z am n a
, ,
,

ro b , to , sach e , y in sata six sh i d (

,
d) a
r oo m , d ak i sky , s am ( m)a
r u n , to , g u d u sl ave , b awa ; pl b ay i .

sl av e ry b au ch i b au t a b a , ,
,

sack jik(k) a taiki b u h u

, , ,
wan c h i
sadd l e s u r d i ,
sl ee p to y i n b e r ic h i
, ,

sal t , g i sh i r i sl o wl , s an u san u
y
sal ute to g ai d a g aish e ;
, , ,
sm all , k ar am i cf p 7 1 . .

of p 8 1. . sn ake m ach iji ,

sati sfi ed , to be k o sh i ,
so h ak ( k ) a h ak (k) an an
, ,

sav e to ch e c h e
, , so l die r , d an y ak i
 E N G L I S H HA U SA
-
2 09

so m e , wo n i wo n i , the re ch an wu r i n c h an
, ,

wo su , wo d (d) an su ; cf . therefo r e d on wo n an , ,

P . d o m i n h ak (k ) a
so m et1 m es, wo n 1 a 1
y y , thie f, b ar ao m ai sata ,

wo n i l o k ac h i
'

thi n g , ab u pl ab u b u a ; cf ,
. .

so n , da p 12 .

south , k u d ( d)u thi n k to t am ah a z e t (t) 0

, , ,

sp e ak to y in m ag an a
, , ,
thi rst , ki shir u a
f ac 1< 1!
< a thi rty , tal (l) at in
sp ide r gi z (z 0
)
,
thi s wo n an n g a wo n g a
, ,
-

, ,

sp in to k ad i
, ,
n an ; cf p 1 2 . .

st an d to t s ay a
, , thou , ka f ki ,
.

st e al to s ac h e y i n s at a
, , ,
thou san d , d u b u z am b ar ,

sto n e d u ch i ,
pl d u at su . al i f ; of p 6 5 . .

st r an g e r b ak o , th r ow to j e fa y esd a , , ,

st r i k e , to b u g a ,
thu s h ak (k ) a h ak (k) an an
, ,

su n , r an a ti m e l o k ach i
,

su n r s
-
i e g ar i , y a way e ; cf
. to g a g ar e z u a cf pp
, , ,
. .

p 8 3
su n set fadu ar r an a
, tobe r i g a ,

su r p ass, to fi fay e , ,
togethe r tar e g ab (b ) ad aia , ,

swee p , to , sh ar e to m o rro w g o b e
-

sweet , d a z aki d a d ad i ,
too ku a,

swo r d t ako b i tooth h ak (k ) o r i

, ,

touch to , t ab (b ) a ,

to wn b i r n i g ar i
, ,

t ake to d au k a, k ar b a
,
t rade r fal k e m aic h in iki
, , ,

t all , d o g o d an k as u a
te ach to k o i y a
, ,
t ree i t ac h e
,

te ll , to , fad (d ) a t roub l e wo h al (l) a ,

te n , g o m a t r u e d a g ask i a
,

th an k to , g o d e
,
t r u ly ash e ,

th at c h an wo n ch an
, , try , to y in k o k ar i ,

th e ft s at a
,
t we lv e g o m a sh a b iu ,

t he n , saan an t we n ty ash e r in i sb i r i n , , ,

the n ce d ag (g) a ch an,

h au ia l as so ; of p 6 7 ,
. .
 HA U S A G RA M MA R

t wice ,
s au b iu why d o m i
,

two , b iu wide fad i ,

wi fe m at a
,

wi n d h i sk a i sk a
un de rst an d , to , 1 1 , ,

wi sh to so
u n l e ss sai s aidai , ,

with d a t are d a
, ,

u n ti l h ar h al , ,

without
, ,
b ab u b am d a
u p set to ji r ikich e
, ,

m ar as to be w t abi
, ,

mu
.
,
u s,
wo m an m ac h e
u se , an fan i ,

wo n de r to jin m am aki , ,

wood , i t ac h e i tch e ,

wait to , 1 1 m
, wo rd m ag an a
,

wal k , to , y in y awo wo rk aiki ,

war , y ak i wo r l d d u n i a ,

wash , to , wan k e wr ite to y in ru b u t u

, ,

wate r r u a ,
wro n g, l aifi
we ll , r ij i a
we st , y am m a y am ,
d o iy a
wh at ? m i m i n e , m in e n e , ; y ear sh ek ar a ; l ast ye ar
, ,

cf . p . 1 3 b ar a n ex t y e ar , b ad (d) i
whe n ? y au sh e thi s ye ar b an (m) a ,

whe n ce ? d ag (g ) e n n a ye ll ow r awaiy a ,

whe re e n n a , y es,
i h ak k
(),
a n a n s h i k e ,

which , wo n d a, d a, abi n d a n an
whi l e , tu n d a, tu n ye ste r day 1 1 a ; the ,
d ay be
whi sp e r r ad (d ) a ,
fo r e ye ste rd ay ,
sh e ka
white , far i , far ife t r an j1 a

who P wa ,
wan e n e ; cf
.
y o n ku,

P 13
y outh ,
s am r a i ; pl . sar

who , wo n d a ; cf
. p . 1 3 m ay i