Hausa Language: A couple of interesting facts about Nigeria's most widely spoken language

The Hausa Language

Hausa language is a Chadic language, being a branch of the Afroasiatic language family. It is spoken as a native-tongue by around 35 million people, and a second language for at least 41 million people. Spread across many regions in Africa, Hausas are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, with the tribe's largest population concentrations being found in Nigeria and Niger Republic.

The Hausawa or Hausa people trace their origin to Daura city and the town predates all the major Hausa town in tradition and culture.

Horses play a significant role in Hausa culture, specifically with the monarchs, as the Hausa aristocracy had historically developed an equestrian-based culture. Curiously, even today, horses are regarded as a status symbol of the traditional nobility.

Let's keep it going and look at some other interesting facts about Hausa.

1. Hausa has an advanced writing system.

Hausa is undoubtedly one of the most advanced languages ​​in Nigeria and the whole of Africa. The language was once written in a different type of Arabic script called Ajami, but is now written in a Latin script called Boko. There is also a Hausa Braille system. The first Boko was invented by Europeans in the early 19th century and developed by British (mainly) and French colonial authorities in the early 20th century. In 1930 it became the official Hausa alphabet, and Boko has been the main Hausa alphabet since the 1950s. Therefore, Ajami (Arabic script) is now used only in Islamic schools and Islamic literature.

2. Hausa is a widely spoken Nigerian language.

Hausa is arguably the most widely spoken Nigerian language as it is spoken in communities outside the country. Although the vast majority of native speakers of Hausa are found in northern Nigeria, Chad and the Niger Republic, it is also used as a commercial language in parts of West Africa such as Benin, Ghana, Togo and Ivory Coast. Hausa is also spoken in the Central African Republic, Cameroon and Gabon, as well as in northwestern Sudan.

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