THE HAUSA (Bayajida and Daura)

According to dictionary.com, myths are traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of the society. Myths, to an extent, help to set up the political and social framework of the society today. In this myth, Bayajida’s heroic act of killing the snake gave him the position of marrying the queen. This myth plays a major role in the Hausa society today as heroes and great warriors are granted a special reward in the Hausa community such as joining the ruling class.
Myths contribute to the cultural heritage of a place or ethnic group. The culture of some ethnic group is clearly reflected in some folktale stories. This conveys a sense of cultural background to the people of the human society today, and helps them remember and maintain their traditions, beliefs and practices which are the focus of most myths. We are told in the myth that Bayajida had passion for horses. Horses, up to till today, is a major component of the Hausa culture. Myths are also told as folktales especially to children. Most myths contain moral and religious ideas which could help in shaping the character of a child. The imaginative life of children is based and directed towards good through the reading and hearing of myths and folktales with good moral lessons.
Furthermore, myths go a long way to influence our way of life. The Bayajida myth shows that the six Hausa cities came from one family, Bayajida and the Queen of Daura. This basis is portrayed in the Hausa communities as there is love and brotherliness among the states of the Hausa land. The typical Hausa life involves caring for the family and showing love and concern to his or her fellow Hausa people who they see as their brothers. Furthermore, Islamic religion is the dominant religion in the Hausa land. In the myth, it is told that Bayajida brought with him a sword from Baghdad which had inscriptions from the Koran. The happen to be a link between Bayajida and the dominant Muslim religion in Hausa land.
The myth, Bayajida and Daura, conveys a story that the Hausa communities are the descendants of the son of Bayajida, Bawo. Bayajida who was the prince of Baghdad fled from Egypt when he was hunted by the king’s men for possessing a horse that answered to the cry of the King’s horse. He settled in Daura and later married the Queen as a reward for killing a great snake, Dodo, which lived in their well and controlled their water supply.
Myths of the modern societies are not similar to myths of the ancient society. The advent of science and technology has influence present day myths to take other forms. Myths of the modern societies are based on science and research works such as the myth which talks about Armageddon. This modern myth states that some group of men traveled into space to save the world from coming to an end by destroying a big asteroid. Other modern myths include the visit of aliens from other planets to the earth and the existence of vampires. These myths are far from ancient myths which in most cases are morally based.
Ancient myths in different places are very similar. They are mostly focused on heroism, religious beliefs and ancestral issues. A similar myth which also portrays a heroic act is a very common tale in my place, Calabar in Cross River State. It is believed that a hunter named Ekpo Motufe fought a water spirit named Atim Ekpo Obot to take back the king she kidnapped in the river. Ekpo Motufe was rewarded handsomely and was given a place in the King’s palace. Ekpo Motufe’s heroic act is similar to Bayajida’s heroic act against the serpent.
The myth on Bayajida shows the structure of the Hausa society. The Hausa cities which include Kano, Katsina, Zaria and so on which descended from a single line, Bayajida, are found in the same region of the society. They share so many things in common such their religious beliefs, dress code, communication and general way of life.
Bayajida and Daura is not a parable intended to teach some values but more of information on the origin of the Hausa community. However, it teaches some moral values which have to do with showing concern for others. Bayajida did not only kill the snake because he wanted water but also because it was a menace in the kingdom of Daura. This myth further encourages bravery, which will likely have a reward attached.