FreeFreeDescription
1. English Translation
Part 1: The Village Scene
"Laughing at me?"
"Whatever happens, if I go and slap her silly, she will tell me why. Besides, I'm looking for trouble, I am looking for Kundunbala's match."
Hearing this, Iya Mairo grabbed her hand. "Hold on, have some patience! You know Saude's kindness and patience; you know she would never plot for Bulkuma to go and laugh at you. In fact, when did she even see you to laugh at you? Forget about that silly, crazy girl."
"That's true. Actively looking for your own trouble is better than sitting around doing nothing. Even though the townspeople have branded me an outcast, I don't care about anyone; I'm trying to make a living for myself, yet they follow me with envy and malice. For instance, Hashiya, Hamisu's wife, brought me some items and claimed she was in dire need of cash. I didn't have money, but out of pity, I took a loan from Assubi's house—she runs away—and Hashiya sold the items to me very cheaply. Lo and behold, they were stolen goods! While I stood watching, the goods were seized, the debt bounced back on me, and the money I gave Hashiya was handed over to the owner of the goods as compensation for the distress caused. Right before my eyes, I was forced into a total loss."
Iya Mairo responded with, "Oh..." But as soon as they parted ways, she twisted her mouth and muttered, "Useless liar! You knew full well those were stolen goods when you bought them. You're just a fool, a sitting thief! I'm glad you were denied your money; tomorrow you'll go buy stolen goods again."
Part 2: Kofar Durbi — Bello’s House
Bello is a wealthy young man whom God blessed with doors of provision from a very young age. Originally from Borno State, it was the almajiranci (seeking Islamic knowledge) system that brought him to Katsina town. Life wasn't easy for him at first; he worked as a manual laborer, sold pure water, and even pushed a water-cart (garuwa). But through patience and perseverance, God blessed his small business ventures, and he became a wealthy merchant in the market.
His life changed drastically when Boko Haram ransacked his village, killing his parents, siblings, and relatives, leaving him with no one. This painful event made him decide to settle permanently in Katsina and focus entirely on his business.
With the wealth he accumulated, he entered into a marital rivalry with his friends. He didn't stop at one wife; he married three: Rukayya, Zuhra, and Yusrah. Though he had enough money to buy a massive plot of land and build a huge mansion, his humble beginnings led him to build a modest house luxuriously furnished inside. Each wife had her own small apartment, but it was filled with luxury, though physically small.
Rukayya was the first to give birth among them, but unfortunately, the baby passed away. This tragedy shook their marriage to its core; love faded, peace vanished, and eventually, separation loomed. He was left with two wives: Zuhra and Yusrah.
During the days he lived with Rukayya, when their marriage began to wobble, their lives changed completely without warning. At first, they lived peacefully, respecting each other like close relatives. But gradually, Rukayya’s heart filled with suspicion and grief, especially after the death of her daughter. This sorrow warped her thinking, and she began seeking solutions through improper means.
She plunged into consulting traditional spiritualists (bokaye), seeking answers to the questions haunting her mind, while Satan egged her on. That was where she was brainwashed into believing that her daughter's death wasn't destined, but rather the result of foul play involving others. From then on, she began directing her suspicions and blaming Zuhra and her co-wife.
This shocked them deeply. They felt hurt by her words, and her accusations came as a complete shock, making them feel betrayed since they had also deeply mourned the baby's death. Despite this, fearing things would get worse, they formed an uneasy alliance—a forced unity—standing firm to prove her suspicions wrong.
However, all this patience couldn't prevent total collapse. Rukayya walked out of the house, leaving behind a vacuum that felt like a core piece of their peace had been ripped out. From then on, things were never the same.
Even though they never had a genuinely great relationship, after Rukayya's departure, petty and major squabbles emerged. Fights were an everyday occurrence—today's argument different from tomorrow's.
It reached a point where they could go three solid days without speaking to each other.
Yusrah focused entirely on her business, while Zuhra was studying for a first degree at the university.
Zuhra’s mind was rarely at ease. Often, she would sit in class while her thoughts remained at home. With books open before her, her mind was filled with questions: Will this conflict ever end? Will we ever live like before? She wanted peace, but she also possessed a stubborn, fierce streak.
Whenever their fights broke out, they caused massive chaos, screaming and shouting until they literally "stirred up demons." The house would turn upside down with senseless noise.
There was a day their screaming and chaos became so bad that their neighbor, Maman Yasmin, came to separate them. They turned on her and beat her so badly that her husband reported them to the police station, where they ended up staring wildly like owls (zare na mujiya). Maman Yasmin swore that even if she heard them screaming bloody murder, she would never step foot near their house again, let alone try to save them.
It was with great difficulty that Bello managed to bail them out after they signed a written undertaking. Realizing things had reached an intolerable level, he resolved to take firm action. He called them and delivered a harsh warning, cautioning them in a loud voice that he would not tolerate such behavior, and that if they ever repeated it, he would take actions that would make them regret it forever.
This warning shook them. Not because they wanted to change, but out of fear of the consequences, they reined themselves in. The noise reduced, and the "demons" stopped being stirred up in the house.
On the surface, everything changed; they greeted each other with cheerful faces and exchanged smiles as if nothing had ever happened. If you didn't know their history, you would swear peace had returned to the home.
But in private, reality was entirely different. They smiled outwardly, but deep inside, resentment burned.
In their hearts, the fire of enmity continued to rage. Their smiles carried hidden meanings, and their words had double entendres. Each hid her true feelings behind a facade of cheerfulness.
When they met in the parlor, they spoke cheerfully, but as soon as each retreated to her room, grumbling followed.
Thus, household life turned into a performance: peace on the face, but an ongoing, hidden psychological war raging behind the scenes.
Part 3: The Village
Gwoggo Saude knew nothing about the "eight-legged demon" commotion. She was lying down in her room, enjoying the deepest sleep she had had in ages—she had forgotten when last she slept so soundly.
When she woke up, she peeked into Bulkuma’s room and saw her sleeping, which surprised her. It wasn't until Iya Mairo came back wiping away tears that she narrated what happened in town. "She said she saw an eight-legged demon, and that's how we were running so it wouldn't drink our blood. Today we witnessed terror."
Gwoggo Saude exclaimed, "Glory be to God, may God protect us!" Iya Mairo replied, "Amen." Right then, she shared how she handled Lantana the Broker. Gwoggo Saude said, "I knew it! The moment she stepped out, I knew she'd stir up trouble just to satisfy her curiosity. As if she could see something and look away! Well, today I'll deal with her."
She fetched a rope and tied Bulkuma’s legs. However, when Bulkuma woke up and found her legs bound, she opened her mouth and wailed, "My destiny is ruined! The crushing demon tied me in a knot!"
Gwoggo Saude marched into the room and barked at her, "Shut your mouth right now! That’s not a crushing demon; it’s me who tied you because I am tired of the gossip you cause in town! Girls your age are all getting married, but you can't find a single suitor because everyone avoids taking on foolishness and lack of sense. You better pull yourself together, or I will hand you over as a bride to Bala the Madman!"
Bulkuma burst into laughter, saying, "Tch! His mother won't allow it. The other day I heard Iya Sabura saying even she wouldn't let him marry me. Besides, I am not a match for local men; I am meant for a city man with a sleek car!"
Gwoggo Saude slapped her head in disbelief, crying out, "Now the townspeople's hatred for you has reached this level?!"
Seeing that Bulkuma wasn't bothered and was just laughing infuriated her further, so she nudged her foot. "Shut that cursed mouth of yours! We are talking about the townspeople running away from you—even a mother with a mad son—and yet you are unbothered, talking about a city man! If you don't watch it, even a village man won't want you!"
She stormed out, brought back food and water, and shoved her head roughly. It was dried yam (doya) and groundnut cake (kulu). Since Malam Garba was living in Lau, Taraba State, making money, their house never lacked yam, and they often gave extras to neighbors.
Part 4: Bello and His Friends at the Market
Bello, along with his friends Musa and Garzali, was sitting at the back of his pickup truck chatting. Nearby, the sun beat down on his shop roofs while a trailer full of maize was being offloaded at his store. Workers were bustling about, throwing sacks and counting goods, but the three friends were engrossed in conversation like men lounging in a parlor.
Musa adjusted his sitting position, stretched his legs, and chewed on a stick of sugarcane, saying, "I have never enjoyed marriage like this village girl (kwaila) I married. A true village girl is the ultimate life!"
Garzali popped his eyes wide open. "Life?! A village girl is life? Did you marry her to raise her or what? You better prove this claim to us before I believe you!"
Before Musa could reply, Bello cut in with a laugh, his mouth full of sweet sugarcane juice. "I knew the moment he used the phrase 'a village girl is life' we were going to hear a long tall tale. Though maybe the sugarcane hit his throat, so instead of saying 'sugarcane is life,' he said 'a village girl is life'!"
Musa shot him a playful glare. "Classic Bello! A man hasn't even finished speaking, and you've already judged him. Listen to us first!"
Bello raised an eyebrow. "A village girl is life! Me, I prefer marrying an educated girl who speaks English and understands modern life. Everything they do is calculated: cooking has a time, chatting has a time, even laughing is timed so you look good. Especially Zuhra—she is always trying out modern recipes, and when they taste good, we savor the deliciousness..." He paused with a smile, pulled out his phone, and showed them pictures of her meals. "Every day she cooks something different, dishes you don't even know the names of, but you eat and feel it hit your core. The other day she made this wicked chicken dambu that makes your ears wiggle! Those kinds are better to live with so you can enjoy your money without eating out all the time, unlike a village girl who only knows koko [pap] and tuwon dawa [guinea corn swallow]. An educated city woman is life; even if you aren't sophisticated, she will refine you because she won't let you be looked down upon."
Garzali said, "Well, we’ve heard your argument, but let’s hear the defense for marrying a village girl first."
Bello burst out laughing. "I think so too. Musa, give us your arguments!"
Musa grabbed a piece of sugarcane and said, "Listen and learn! The other day Uwani cooked something, and when I asked her what it was called, she said, 'Just eat; names don't stop food from tasting good!' Wallahi, when I ate it, I nearly forgot my own name."
Garzali asked, "So what is your name now? Don't forget it!"
They all burst into laughter.
Musa continued, "I told her, 'In that case, keep hiding the names of your dishes.' I’m sold on the taste alone!"
Bello said, "Yes, but what about the local habits and lack of cleanliness? Me, I abhor any form of untidiness, which is why I handpicked modern, stylish women for my wives."
Garzali added, "Exactly! Imagine cooking and finding a maggot inside, then coming to the market to brag about it—wallahi tallahi!"
Musa shook his head, laughing. "Don't underestimate me. Uwani, the village girl, is a cure for heartbreak! If you enter the house stressed, she’ll do some silly thing that makes you burst into laughter, and boom!—your stress is gone."
Garzali, looking for trouble, asked, "What kind of foolishness?"
Musa adjusted his posture. "The other day I came back, and she rushed me crying that I must carry her on my back. So I carried her like a baby, running around the parlor while we laughed."
Bello nodded, "Okay, there's definitely entertainment in that."
Musa raised his hand like a teacher, "My friend, when she acts silly, you lift her up and spin her around. Play like children. That's the secret of marrying a village girl."
Garzali joked, "You're talking like a marriage counselor."
Musa replied, "I am a practical marriage counselor."
Bello lowered his head in thought, "You know, you're starting to catch my attention."
Musa leaned closer, lowering his voice, "And when Uwani is angry, she can't hide it. You'll see everything on her face. Not like those educated girls who say 'I'm fine' while frustration is tearing them apart inside and they feel like beating you up."
Garzali agreed, "Ah, that 'I'm fine' is a disaster! You spend the whole day without a single smile, and when you ask, they say 'I'm fine, nothing is wrong'—which is a blatant lie."
They burst into laughter again.
Just then, a huge sack was tossed near them, kicking up dust. Garzali coughed, joking, "Is that sack a village girl or a city girl? Because it landed with so much force!"
More laughter erupted.
Bello stood up, wiping his eyes. "True. I think I might go try marrying a village girl myself and see what it's like."
"When are you going to inspect the cotton you want to buy?" Musa asked Bello.
"Tomorrow," Bello replied casually.
Garzali raised an eyebrow. "Well, you should scout for a village girl for us while you're there! But before that, make sure you prepare your psychological defenses against Zuhra's camp, because wallahi, if those demons get stirred up again, I'm not coming to help you!"
Musa chimed in, "Forget about this husband of theirs; he's married and still hasn't added a new wife, just busy with phones and young girls."
Garzali said, "Well, once Bello experiences village marriage, he'll report back, and maybe I'll get one myself."
Bello laughed heartily. "Indeed, let's go experience this 'heartbreak cure' in action."
Musa shook his head. "Just take Garzali's advice and get permission from Zuhra and co first, so you don't stir up demons and annoy us with endless phone calls."
Bello sat back down. "Man, I control my house! Ever since I issued them a warning, they've fallen in line. Now, if I just put on a scowl, no matter how fierce their fights are, they instantly revert to being best friends."
Garzali widened his eyes in disbelief. "Man, your style has some deep secrets hidden in it!"
Bello adopted a lecturing tone. "Come see for yourself. I enter the house with a scarier face and stay silent like I'm deeply upset... wallahi, in less than five minutes..."
Garzali interrupted, "They start begging for forgiveness?"
Bello replied, "No, even better! You'll see them force artificial smiles, and one will sweetly ask, 'Brother, how are you?' in the softest voice..."
Garzali clutched his stomach, laughing. "So, from fighting straight to absolute submissiveness!"
Bello continued, "Then the other will reply, 'I'm fine, my younger sister'... even though it's a complete lie and resentment is burning inside them, just to avoid your scowl, they act like bosom buddies."
They burst into laughter once more.
Garzali said, "Bello, you manage your house like a remote control!"
Musa added, "I have to come witness this with my own eyes. Don't sell us tall tales."
Bello raised his hand, laughing. "Come over, but come with a strong heart, because the laughter won't let you handle how the game plays out when we put on our scowls!"
Musa stood up, dusting his shirt. "Alright then, tomorrow cotton, and then... village marriage!"
Garzali said, "As for me, I'm bringing a notebook to write down Musa and Bello's masterclass: How to control a village wife without fighting."
Laughter echoed behind the truck once again, leaving the workers shaking their heads in amusement at the trio's antics.
Part 5: The Village (Bulkuma’s Escape)
Since yesterday, Bulkuma had been pleading endlessly with Gwoggo Saude, begging her pitifully to untie her so she could get some fresh air. She wanted to go collect the sugarcane Anna had promised her. The previous day, she had gone to the stream to help Anna fetch water, and in return, Anna had promised her a huge stalk of sugarcane.
Gwoggo Saude turned a deaf ear and refused completely. Even her food was brought directly into the room without untying her. In Gwoggo's view, she couldn't handle town gossip; if she let her out, she knew Bulkuma all too well—the moment she stepped outside, she would start another fight that would require endless swearing ("wallahi, tallahi"). Even though she remained silent about the "eight-legged demon" incident, she suspected something was up. She preferred to keep quiet to avoid bringing trouble to her own doorstep.
The next morning, Bulkuma woke up with immense bitterness, her lips puffed out in a pout. Gwoggo Saude said, "Even if you pout so much your lips reach the edge of town, I am not untying you, let alone letting you cause trouble in the village."
Bulkuma protested, "Honestly, whose feelings am I hurting in this village? I don't provoke fights, I don't harbor malice toward anyone, yet you tied me up with a rope like a goat!"
Gwoggo Saude shot back, "You have no manners, you don't provoke fights, you don't harm anyone—except for your cursed laughter whenever you see a spectacle, and your crazy, headlong sprinting whenever you see hawkers or flour-grinding queues! It’s your foolishness that constantly brings trouble to my doorstep. The way you’ve disgraced yourself in this town, even if someone had no nose, they wouldn't want to sniff your reputation!"
Bulkuma opened her mouth to start a fake crying fit, but Gwoggo Saude barked a sharp command, and Bulkuma instantly clamped her mouth shut.
Realizing there was no sign Gwoggo would change her mind or untie her no matter how much she begged, Bulkuma ate her breakfast unhappily and began plotting an escape route. Her eyes darted around the room looking for something to cut the rope, but there was nothing. After pondering several ideas, a brilliant plan struck her.
By this time, Gwoggo Saude had drifted off into morning sleep, snoring deeply. Amidst her slumber, she heard a terrifying shriek coming from Bulkuma’s room—a scream that filled the entire house.
"Oh, my stomach! I'm dying!" Bulkuma screamed at the top of her lungs, writhing around as if in agonizing pain.
Startled out of her sweet sleep by the cries of her foster granddaughter, Gwoggo bolted upright, her heart pounding. She rushed straight to Bulkuma’s room and found her thrashing in agony.
Gwoggo Saude rushed to her side, asking frantically, "What is wrong with you, Nana? Are you okay?"
Bulkuma put on a masterclass of fake trembling, continuing to scream as if it were real. Terrified by her condition, Gwoggo didn't hesitate a second; she knelt hurriedly and began untying the ropes binding Bulkuma's legs, her heart filled with pity and fear.
Bulkuma was fully prepared. The moment she felt her legs were free, she plotted her breakout.
Swiftly, before Gwoggo Saude could react, Bulkuma sprang to her feet and headed for the door. Taking just three strides, she burst outside and bolted like the wind.
"Gwoggo, I'll be back!" she yelled mid-stride without looking back.
Gwoggo Saude sat flat on the floor in the middle of the room, holding her chin, staring at the door Bulkuma had bolted through with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. She shook her head with a smile and muttered, "May God guide you, Nana."
She stood up, walked back to her own room, and lay down to resume her interrupted sleep. In her heart, she was certain that given how Bulkuma had sprinted blindly outside, she was bound to collide with morning grain-haulers or street hawkers along the way.
This was precisely why she appreciated Malam Garba sending loads of yams—she used the yams to pacify people who came to complain about Bulkuma knocking them over in the streets, giving them extra portions while keeping some for themselves.
Safare and her friend Rama were walking back from the grinding mill. Safare complained, "I am tired of this daily swallow (tuwo) we eat; it's driving me crazy. You eat it, and it feels like it's eating you right back!"
Rama replied, "Girl, whenever I'm sick of swallow, I head over to Bulkuma's house. If I run into her, I go inside and they give me yam and groundnut cake to take home and boil."
Safare stopped walking and said, "I'll do the exact same thing. Come on, let's change our route and pass by..."
2. Summary
- The Village Gossip & Trouble: Bulkuma remains a chaotic nuisance in the village, known for her bizarre laughter and reckless sprinting. After getting tied up by her guardian Gwoggo Saude for causing yet another public uproar, Bulkuma fakes a severe stomach illness to trick Gwoggo into untying her, promptly escaping to hunt for snacks like sugarcane. Meanwhile, townspeople like Iya Mairo and neighbors deal with petty dramas and market scams.
- Bello's Polygamous Household: In Katsina, wealthy merchant Bello reflects on his chaotic domestic life. After the tragic death of a child and subsequent betrayal by his first wife Rukayya (who consulted spiritualists and blamed co-wives), Bello rules his remaining two wives—Zuhra (a university student) and Yusrah (a businesswoman)—with an iron fist. Though peace exists on the surface through forced compliance, deep resentment and psychological warfare simmer behind closed doors.
- The Debate on Marriage: At Bello's warehouse, Bello and his friends Musa and Garzali debate the merits of marrying "village girls" (kwaila) versus "educated city girls" ('yar boko). Musa praises the chaotic charm and emotional transparency of his village wife Uwani, while Bello defends the sophistication and culinary skills of his educated wife Zuhra, leading to lighthearted banter about household control and marital dynamics.
3. Description
This narrative excerpt is a rich slice-of-life contemporary Hausa domestic drama interspersed with rustic village comedy and urban merchant banter. It paints a vivid portrait of contrasting social spheres in Northern Nigeria:
- The Rural Setting: Characterized by gossiping neighbors, traditional guardians like Gwoggo Saude, eccentric youth like Bulkuma, and slow-paced village survival.
- The Urban Merchant World: Set against bustling grain stores, trailer offloading sites, and modern polygamous homes where financial success clashes with complex emotional and psychological marital tensions.
- Character Dynamics: Highlights female resilience, stubbornness, marital rivalry, and the coping mechanisms men use to navigate domestic stress.
4. Analytics
Character Profiling & Archetypes
- Bulkuma: The quintessential village misfit. Prone to erratic behavior, social alienation, and comical rebellion, yet clever enough to outsmart her guardian using theatrical fakery.
- Gwoggo Saude: The stern, exhausted traditional guardian who uses tough love, ropes, and bribes (yams) to manage her ward and keep the peace in the village.
- Bello: A self-made businessman who rose from poverty (almajiranci, manual labor) to wealth. He governs his turbulent household through stern intimidation and psychological dominance.
- Zuhra & Yusrah: Educated, sophisticated co-wives caught in an icy, passive-aggressive truce. They maintain a facade of peace to avoid their husband's wrath while nursing silent grudges.
- Musa & Garzali: Bello’s witty friends who provide comic relief, offering contrasting philosophies on marriage (rustic charm vs. modern refinement).
Thematic Elements
- Dual Realities (Surface vs. Depth): A recurring motif across both settings—Bulkuma pretending to be sick to escape; Bello's wives smiling outwardly while warring internally; the superficial peace in Bello's house.
- Class & Cultural Contrast: The cultural divide between traditional rural life (kauye) and modern urban sophistication (birni), explored through the debate over village wives versus educated city wives.
- Resilience & Trauma: Bello’s backstory highlights the psychological scars left by insurgency (Boko Haram) and how trauma shapes adult coping mechanisms and wealth accumulation.
