IDAN BA KE COMPELET 

HAUSA NOVELS DOCUMENT WRITING BY NIMCEY SARAUTA 

BOOK DESCRIPTION 

The wind blowing was what caused Dajeno to wake up from the forced sleep that the snake had put her in. She stood up, clutching her aching head, and in a quiet voice, she called, “Miyyati Allah.” Shatu, who was beside Dajeno, tying a goat in the pen next to her hut, replied, “Nassu, come inside.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Dajeno stayed still as if trying to remember something, then suddenly widened her large eyes and asked, “Shai, Shatu, where is Dad? Has he woken up yet?” Shatu answered, “Yes, he’s been calling you, but you didn’t come back. His illness has flared up, and he’s in a lot of pain.”

 

Dajeno quickly entered the hut, where her eyes fell on her mother (whom she called Dada), lying down, covered with a white cloth, her body shivering. Dada was very fair-skinned, but the way her body looked was like someone aged around 60, though she wasn’t older than 50 if at all. “Oh, Dada, oh dear Dada,” Dajeno said. Dada struggled to open her eyes and whispered, “May blessings be upon you, Halisa. Always stand by the truth and honesty. Be patient, and avoid being quick-tempered and disrespectful.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Dajeno and Shatu exchanged glances. Halisa, known mostly as Dajeno, asked, “Dada, why are you talking like this?” Dada looked at Shatu, then turned and held both Dajeno’s and Shatu’s hands together. “Why shouldn’t I talk like this?” Dada said. “Shatu, you are the younger one, while Halisa is the elder, but she has a hot temper. Her weakness is where she needs strength, and now I must leave her.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shatu hurriedly looked at Dada, saying, “Where are you going, Dada? We only have the Rugan Rome (Rome’s settlement). Where else could we go?” Dada sighed and replied, “There’s nowhere else better than this Rugan. I am going to my Creator, who created the Rugan Rome. This illness won’t leave me; it is my destiny, especially for you, Halisa.”

 

• Dajeno couldn’t say anything; she just stared at Dada with her wide eyes, her heart filled with fear. “Dada, you won’t die. If you die, who will take care of us here in the Rugan? Who will look after us?” Dajeno finished her words softly, her entire body feeling weak. Dada was silent for a moment before asking, “Has Hamma Yabi returned?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“No,” Dajeno replied. “The city is far away, Dada. He said he would take you to the hospital there tomorrow.” Dada nodded slowly. Dajeno got up, telling Shatu to take care of Dada while she went to the village chief to get medicine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• With her usual calmness, Dajeno walked with her head down, as she rarely looked directly at people. From the way she moved with such restraint, one would think she was indifferent, especially with her face appearing as serene as that of a pious person. But beneath that, Dajeno had a hot temper and was stubborn and determined in her ways. If she said she would do something, she would definitely do it, but if she said no, no one could make her change her mind—not even Dada, who could only look at her with patience.

 

One admirable quality about Halisa (Dajeno) was her quickness to forgive, her compassion, and her humility. Moving slowly, she reached a hut larger and more beautiful than all the other huts in Rugan Rome. “Shai, shai! What’s this, like a blind person stumbling around? Should I smack you with this stick, Aradu (thunder)?” Gwaggo Niyabi, who was sitting and spinning cotton, scolded. Dajeno rolled her eyes without responding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing Dajeno’s silence, Gwaggo continued, “Are you deaf?” Dajeno replied, “I came to get medicine for Dada.” Gwaggo Niyabi replied, “He’s not here.” Dajeno remained silent as if she wanted to say something but instead turned to leave. As she walked away, Gwaggo Niyabi called out, “Hey, Dajeno, wait.”

 

• Dajeno stopped, as she and Gwaggo did not get along. Gwaggo smiled broadly before taking a deep breath and saying, “When you get back, ask Dada who your father is. Ask her why she didn’t leave Rugan Rome after he died, to go to her family or your father’s relatives.” With confusion, Dajeno asked, “Why should I ask about Baffa (Dad) after he’s dead? Stop talking about my parents.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gwaggo stood up, looking at Dajeno. “Well, trouble is coming to Rugan Rome, and we don’t want anyone without a place here.” Dajeno threw her a harsh look and said, “Miyidi saro’am” (meaning “I love my parents”). Gwaggo replied, “Look at you with your big mouth and huge eyes,” as Dajeno turned and dashed back to her hut.