COMMUNIQUÉ OF AN
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON "THE LIFE AND SONGS OF ALHAJI SAIDU FARU"
ORGANIZED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES AND CULTURES, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GUSAU MAY 3-6, 2024
This communique serves as a record of the proceedings and outcomes of the International Conference on "The Life and Songs of Alhaji Saidu Faru: 4 Decades of Hausa Royal Songs," held at the Federal University Gusau, Nigeria, from May 3-6, 2024. Organized by the Department of Languages and Cultures, Federal University Gusau, the conference brought together scholars, artists, and enthusiasts of Hausa Language, Literature and Culture from around the globe to celebrate the life and legacies of Alhaji Saidu Faru, a renowned Hausa singer and composer of royal songs.
This international gathering transcended the boundaries of geography, bringing together scholars, artists, and enthusiasts to delve into the rich, understudied knowledge embedded within Saidu Faru's songs. Presentations exposed students to diverse perspectives, enriching their understanding of Hausa culture and highlighting the unique relationship between Faru and the 19th Sultan. By focusing on "The Life and Songs of Alhaji Saidu Faru," the event celebrated his four decades of dedicated service, exploring his impact on Hausa literature, language, culture, and history. This focus guided the selection of papers and presentations, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of his life and work, ultimately deepening our knowledge of Hausa royal music and its cultural significance.
The opening ceremony
of the "Life and Songs of Alhaji Saidu Faru" conference was a grand
affair. Royal fathers, government officials, scholars, artists, and media
representatives gathered to celebrate the renowned Hausa singer. A captivating
performance set the tone, followed by the Vice Chancellor's remarks commending
the event's organizers and emphasizing the importance of preserving Saidu
Faru's legacy and reviving Hausa culture. This marked a vibrant start to the
conference, setting the stage for insightful discussions.
Lead Paper Presentation
1. Prof.
Abdullahi Bayero Yahya, Department of Nigerian Languages, Sokoto State
University, Sokoto.Title:
Title: SASSAN WAƘA “TA TSARU” A ‘KANA SHIRE BABAN ‘YAN RUWA
2. Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim ÆŠanmadamin Birnin Magaji, Emir’s Palace Birnin Magaji,
Zamfara State.
Title: Takalmin Kaza: Mutuwa Ka
Raba Dangantakar Marigayi Mai Alfarma Sarkin Musulmi Alhaji Muhammad MacciÉ—o Abubakar III Da MakaÉ—a Sa’idu Faru
3. Prof.
Aliyu Muhammad Bunza, Department of Nigerian Languages, Usmanu ÆŠanfodiyo University, Sokoto
Title: KUKAN KURCIYA JAWABI NE SAI
MAI SANI KA GANEWA (Sarkin Musulmi Muhammadu MacciÉ—o a Ma’aunin Maka]a Sa’idu Faru)
The
conference featured four distinct sessions:
I. Language: 24 papers were presented, delving into
various aspects of language related to Alhaji Saidu Faru's songs.
II. Literature: 20 papers explored the literary
significance and themes within Saidu Faru's work.
III. Culture/Literature: 35 papers examined the broader
cultural context and literary value of Saidu Faru's songs.
IV. Virtual Presentations: An additional 15 papers were
presented virtually, further enriching the conference discussions.
Base on the presentations and contributions by the
keynote speaker, Lead paper presenters and other participants, the following
observations were made.
Observations:
1. Historical
Knowledge: Oral songs like those of Saidu Faru hold significant historical
knowledge often revealed by the artists themselves.
2. Underexplored
Depth: Faru's extensive work requires further research to fully uncover the
embedded knowledge, philosophy, and history.
3. Royal Legacy:
Saidu Faru's talent and dedication as a royal singer are undeniable.
4. Incomplete
Documentation: Only a fraction of Faru's compositions dedicated to the 19th
Sultan remain accessible, highlighting the need for comprehensive
documentation.
5. Linguistic
Insights: Faru's songs offer valuable insights across various linguistic areas,
enriching our understanding of Hausa language.
6. Cultural
Significance: Oral songs like Faru's serve as powerful portrayals of a people's
culture, showcasing a strong cultural affinity between court singers and
society.
7. Language
Preservation: Oral singers act as custodians of the original language, making
their study crucial for language preservation.
8. Philosophical
Guidance: Oral songs can offer valuable philosophical and moral lessons that
can address contemporary societal challenges.
9. Endangerment Risk:
Hausa cultural studies, including language, literature, and culture, require
documentation and reference materials to avoid endangerment.
Recommendations:
1.
Educational Integration: Encourage Hausa language use at all levels of
education and advocate for its national and international recognition.
2.
Government Support: Advocate for government support in promoting Hausa and
systematic documentation of oral traditions.
3.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrate Hausa as a General Studies course to
utilize its knowledge across various academic disciplines.
4.
Historical Connections: Foster interdisciplinary research exploring historical,
political, and religious connections within Hausa oral traditions.
5.
Collaborative Efforts: Encourage collaboration between the Ministry of Art and
Culture, Centre for Research and Historical Documentation, and other relevant
bodies for Hausa language and cultural heritage preservation.
6.
Technological Preservation: Utilize 21st-century technology through research
and historical documentation centers to comprehensively document and preserve
Hausa oral songs.
7.
Linguistic Research: Conduct further research on Saidu Faru's work to fully
understand the embedded knowledge, philosophy, and history within his songs.
8.
Philosophical Exploration: Analyze the philosophical and moral teachings
embedded in oral songs like Faru's, exploring their potential solutions to
contemporary challenges.
9.
Comprehensive Documentation: Create an encyclopedia or reference books
encompassing diverse areas of Hausa cultural studies to prevent the
endangerment of the language, literature, and culture
Conclusion:
This
international conference on Alhaji Saidu Faru's life and songs highlighted the
need for further research, preservation, and educational integration of
Hausa language, literature, and cultural heritage to ensure their continued
vibrancy and significance
Note: The conference was
sponsored by Dr. Abdulmalik Zubairu, Member representing Maru/BunguÉ—u Federal Constituency, Zamfara
Dr. Nazir Ibrahim
Abbas
Chairman, LOC
Dr. Adamu Rabi’u
Bakura
Head of Department
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