The term Hausa refers to a language that is most widely spoken in sub-Sahara Africa. The northern part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the southern part of the Republic of Niger is known as Hausaland. Central to Hausa culture is Islam. Although Islam seems to be the dominant religion in this area, there are smaller subcultures surrounding Hausaland that practice their own religions and have their own culture. One such subculture is the Maguzawa Hausa who are pagans based in southern Katsina and are considered to be the scattered descendants of the original Hausa population. The essence of Maguzawa religion is the veneration and sacrifice to various spirits, or iska, meaning “wind” or “air.” Many of the spirits have their own names, characteristics, and powers. The majority of iska are directly responsible for causing illness, which must be alleviated by supplication, sacrifice, and medicines derived from plants and trees associated with the places that the spirits frequent. Through the manipulation of these powers, the Maguzawa try to control their world and moderate the misfortunes that face them.
Map of Hausa Territory in Niegera, Light Yellow Areas
The bori are those spirits, which cause spirit possession, and thus enter into a special relationship with the humans they afflict, especially women. The bori cult is the social and religious institution that centers on inducing, maintaining, and regulating this intercourse between the spirit world and the members of the possession cult, called ‘yam bori’ translated to “the children of bori.” Possession usually manifests itself first as a slight coughing, accompanied perhaps by the twitching of an extremity. These build up to violent performances of coughing and muscle spasms until the characteristics of the individual spirit take noticeable shape out of the movements. During possession-trance, an individual’s personality disappears and their gestures and speech are interpreted as belonging to the possessing world.
Hausa Shamanic Ritual
Hausa medicine believes in two basic etiologies of illness. It is either due to inanimate, unconscious forces in the physical environment, or it’s the result of the intrusion of some conscious, malevolent power. The former consists of ailments that “just happen,” and are sent as the result of the ineffable will of God. The latter includes those illnesses that arise from the influence of witchcraft, sorcery, or evil spirits. The most common malevolent influences causing sickness are the spirits.
