Asirai
Permanent Link
http://hdl.handle.net/2144/11722Abstract
The material, called Asirai ('Secrets' in Hausa), contains a collection of manuscripts on local Hausa traditional alternative medicine inherited by Sayyida Raliya Muhammed, the daughter of famous local diviners. Muhammed, the owner, calls the materials Asirai because of the high-esteem and respect that she has for them. They were entrusted to her because of her hard work and rectitude. The materials are not dated. The collection contains materials on talismanic resources, religious resources, medical treatments, and techniques for diagnosing ailments and illnesses. These techniques include istikhaara (Islamic divination), assisting people seeking wealth, good health, protection from evil spirits, reconciling disputing couples, cures for women's and children's illnesses, and means to enhance men and women's potency and sexual performance. Hausa divination in Ajami writings continues to be widely practiced by men and women in northern Nigeria and there is specialization among practitioners. The collection contains 136 pages in total.
Description
Date created: unknown. The entire manuscript is available for download below as a single PDF file. Because of the large size of this manuscript, it is also available in three partial PDF files. In addition, each page is available as a separate, larger, JPG file. If higher-resolution JP2 files are needed (WARNING: files average 11-14MB in size), please contact open-help@bu.edu. Fieldwork Team: Mustapha Kurfi (PI, Hausa Ajami Scholar), Abdurra'uf Hashim (Research Assistant) and Bara'u Musa (Research Assistant). Technical Team: Vika Zafrin (Institutional Repository Librarian, Boston University Libraries), Dr. Fallou Ngom (Director, African Language Program), Dr. Peter Quella (Assistant Director, African Studies Center), and Zachary Gersten (Coordinator, African Language Program). This collection of Hausa Ajami materials is copied as part of the African Studies Center's African Ajami Library. This project is funded by the Boston University African Studies Center. We thank Prof. Tim Longman, Director of the African Studies Center, and the entire African Studies Team for their support. Access Condition and Copyright: The materials are subject to copyright. Access is for research and educational purposes only. Materials are not to be reproduced without written permission. Citation: Kurfi, Mustapha and Ngom, Fallou. 2015. African Ajami Library: Digital Preservation of Hausa Ajami Manuscripts of Nigeria. Boston: Boston University Library: http://hdl.handle.net/2144/11722 For Inquires: Please, contact Professor Fallou Ngom (fngom@bu.edu).