Umma Aliyu Musa’s upcoming online lecture on April 16, 5 p.m. (CET) is titled Hausa Folktales and Proverbs on Witchcraft: Cultural Perceptions and Social Reflections.
Abstract
Like in many cultures, folktales and proverbs are an integral part of Hausa oral tradition, providing a valuable window into beliefs, values, and social norms upon which the society stands. These oral traditions not only entertain but also reflect deeper cultural perceptions. One prominent theme in Hausa oral tradition is the concept of witchcraft (maita), a phenomenon that continues to be viewed with caution and suspicion, despite the influence of religion and modernity.
This presentation will explore Hausa folktales and proverbs centered on the theme of witchcraft, examining the specific features associated with witches and how they reflect broader perceptions of supernatural powers within Hausa society. Through these oral traditions, we see how ideas of witchcraft are intertwined with cultural fears, moral lessons, and social order. Despite the spread of religion and the impact of modern education, traditional beliefs about witchcraft remain resilient, suggesting a complex negotiation between tradition, religion, and modernity.
This study will also raise critical questions: What do these oral traditions reveal about the Hausa people’s perceptions of witchcraft? How have these beliefs evolved—or remained unchanged—under the influence of religious teachings and modern social changes? To what extent does tradition continue to shape these beliefs in comparison to religion and modernity? Furthermore, the presentation will draw on examples from real-life events reported in news media and videos, highlighting instances where beliefs in witchcraft continue to shape social behavior and community responses in contemporary Hausa society.
By analyzing these oral traditions alongside real-world examples, this presentation seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the persistence of traditional beliefs and their intersection with modern life. It will also explore how oral narratives serve not only as cultural artefacts but as active forces that continue to influence societal attitudes and actions today.
Short biography
Umma Aliyu Musa is a Hausa lecturer at Universität Hamburg. She has her B.A. and M.A. from Bayero University Kano in Nigeria, and a PhD from Leipzig Universität in Germany. Apart from being a poet, her research interests include African literature, oral literature, popular culture, linguistics, gender studies, emotions, and manuscripts. Her book Emotions in Muslim Hausa Women’s Fiction: More Than Just Romance (2019) talks about emotions in female Hausa fiction narratives.