Names Of God In Hausa Language And Their Meanings

Interested in knowing the names of God in Hausa language and their meanings. The Hausa tribe is one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria out of the three and also one of the largest tribes in the whole of West Africa. It is noted that the Hausa people have several practices that are exclusively found among them.

The essence of this article is to outline the names of God and their meaning in the Hausa language so as to aid and enhance the knowledge of many who do not know what names of God are in the Hausa language. Names of God in Hausa are beautiful and carry a deeper meaning. The Hausa people have their own unique way of calling, naming, and describing God in their language. Several names of God in Hausa language and their meanings have been gathered. God is a very important being highly revered and worship in every culture. Additionally, whenever you want to praise Him in the Hausa dialect, you can learn these Hausa names of God and their meanings.

List Of Names Of God In Hausa Language And Their Meanings 

  1. Ubangiji – It means the Supreme Being.
  2. Sarikin Salama – It means Prince of Peace.
  3. Mai Taimako – It means the Helper.
  4. Allah Mai Iko – It means Powerful God.
  5. Tushen Rai – It means the author of Life.
  6. Uba Madau Kaki – Meaning the Father of Glory.
  7. Masoyina – meaning my lover
  8. Ubangijin Duniya – It means Master of the World.
  9. Maicetona – meaning savior
  10. Sarkin Sarakuna – meaning King of kings
  11. Mai Samar da ni – meaning my provider
  12. Ruhun Hikima – It means Spirit of Wisdom.
  13. Mai kare in – meaning my protector
  14. Mai kula da ni – meaning my sustainer
  15. Mabuwayi – meaning the Almighty
  16. Tsohon Zaman in – the meaning of Ancient of days
  17. Ubangijin iyaye – meaning Lord of lords
  18. Allah madawwami – the meaning of Everlasting God
  19. Tsarki ya tabbata ga Allah – meaning Glorious God
  20. Almasihu – meaning Messiah
  21. Allah mai Tsarki – meaning The Holy God
  22. Mai Girma – It means Great God.
  23. Allah Marar musanya – meaning unchangeable God
  24. Mahaliccin – meaning the creator 

Facts About Hausa

  • History

The Hausa people are found in various parts of West Africa and an especially large number of them located in Nigeria especially in the north-western and North-Eastern part of the country, an area commonly known as the “Hausaland”; followed by the ones residing in the adjoining southern Niger with significant numbers also living in parts of Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Togo, Ghana, and Sudan. The majority of the towns and cities in the Northern part of Nigeria are predominantly occupied by the Hausa People, before the conical Era to the present age. Birnin Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Abuja, Bauchi, Lafia, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Suleja, Yola Zaria, Funtua, etc. are cities highly and predominantly populated by Hausa people.

  • PEOPLE AND CULTURE

The cultural practice of the Hausa people have been sustained and thrived for many years due to the strong native systems of government they have, distinct from other tribes whose culture and tradition is gradually fading out due to adopting foreign culture and lifestyle. The Hausa religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all peculiar.

  • RELIGION

The Islamic religion is highly practiced by the Majority of the Hausas. This form of religious practice was brought down to them by traders from North Africa, Mali, Borno, and Guinea. During trading, virtually all of them (the Hausas) accepted this religion, and ever since, they have been holding dearly and are committed to it. Muslim or Moslem is the name called the Followers of Islam and their practices are based on the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, as recorded in their Holy Book, the Qur’an. The mosque is the place where they hold their worship and have the practice of praying five times a day. The Hausa people also accept, believe, and trust in the existence of the Supreme being or Almighty, A Supreme God, whom they call Allah while the remaining minority practice traditional religion, known as Maguzawa, usually said to belong to some local cults.

  • LANGUAGE

The Hausa language is principally spoken In Sub-Saharan Africa more than any other language in the region making it one of the popular languages and highly used in the region. It has been estimated that there are 35 million first-language speakers and 20 million second-language speakers. The main Hausa-speaking area in Nigeria is the North and Niger.

Furthermore, in Chad, northern Cameroon, Cote d’ Ivoire, and Sudan and among Kanuri, Fulani, Tuareg, Gur, Shuwa, Arab, and other Afro-Asiatic speaking groups, the Hausa language is predominantly spoken. The language is written in Arabic characters, and about one-fourth of Hausa words come from Arabic. The majority of the Hausas are Arabic literate and fluent in speaking the language and Many can also speak either French or English. The majority of Hausa speakers, no matter their ethnic-affiliation, are Muslims and the language often serves as a major language among Muslims in non-Hausa areas.

  • FOOD

The Hausa people are unique and are very rich when it comes to food. Foods such as grains which comprise of millet, rice, maize, or sorghum which are grounded and processed into flour for food popularly known as “Tuwo” which can be eaten with soups such as Taushe, Kaka, Dagedage, etc are the familiar foods among Hausa people. To add to the cuisine, Beans is grounded and processed to prepare beans cakes called Kosai or wheat flour fried and eaten with a sugar called Fankasau can be eaten as breakfast, porridge, and sugar called Koko including Waina and Massa.

The Hausas are lovers of meat of which there is an abundance of meat, especially meat like beef since they are into cattle rearing (especially the nomads or Fulani). Their grilled beef delicacies such as Suya, Kilishi, etc. are popular. Fresh cow milk known as Nunu taken with Furla or dambo is also one of their frequent and treasured meals widely taken by every Hausa person. They also have plenty of root vegetables such as onions, carrots, etc.

  • DRESSING

The Hausa people are lovers of fancy and elaborate dressing. Their dressing code is restricted largely due to their religious beliefs. Babban Riga a large flowing gown is worn by their men and a robe-like dress with designs called ‘Jalabia’ or ‘Juanni’. Also, the men often (though not every time) wear caps known as ‘Fula’. The women are identified by their wrappers called ‘Abaya’, blouses, head ties, shawls, and hijabs (which serves as an identity to recognize easily a Hausa lady or a Muslim lady). They also wear Hausa weaves as their common hairstyles. Hausa women are lovers of jewelry, ornaments, and paintings which is a great deal. The Lalli or henna paintings and drawings on (on their hands and legs) are also an integral part of their make up. They also draw tribal marks that are mainly drawn on the face and sometimes other parts of the body. The essence of drawing the tribal marks was for easy identification. As such every village/clan had its own distinct tribal marks that made it easy for either of them to identify their children and other relatives especially during events like an invasion, war, getting lost, or captured for slavery. This gradually began to fade due to some capitalist who became creative and making unnecessary tattoos on their bodies, especially the women.

  • MARRIAGE

Marriage in Hausa land has its own peculiarity. The native or traditional marriage of the Hausa people is similar to that of Islamic marriage, and it is not as time-consuming or expensive as the Igbo and Yoruba traditional marriage ceremonies. Early marriage and polygamy is a norm and common practice among the Hausa people.

Nevertheless, there is a little similarity in the process leading to marriage among the Hausas such as obtainable in other parts of Nigeria. Firstly, the man seeks permission from the parents of the girl he wants to marry. Then the family of the bride-to-be will then carry out an investigation on the man so as to know and determine his religious beliefs, ethics, moral and family customs, as well as every important detail concerning his growing up and upbringing. The groom-to-be if approved by the woman’s family, is allowed to see her briefly on several occasions so as to be familiar with one another but void of any form of physical contact, romance, or courting before marriage is highly discouraged and not permitted. This because the purity of the marriage is to be kept before marriage. Once the woman accepts the marriage proposal of the groom-to-be, he tells his people and sends his parents or guardians as well as elderly relatives to formally ask for her hand in marriage from her parents or guardian. In this visit, the man declares his openly his intentions while the proposed bride’s parents give their consent, consent. This act is known and called an act of GAISUWA.

Related: 

CONCLUSION ON NAMES OF GOD IN HAUSA LANGUAGE AND THEIR MEANINGS

It is clear that Hausas are unique and special in their own way particularly their culture and tradition and their cuisine. Also, we have seen several beautiful names of God in the language which can lbs learned so as to communicate God in the Hausa language to the indigenes and outsiders who understand and willing to learn the language.

Tags: Names Of God In Hausa Language And Their Meanings