‘Tsaraka’ (Good Luck Charm): An Expository Appraisal of its Usage in Sarkanci

Autor: Dr. Musa Fadama Gummi
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: South Asian Research Journal of Agriculture and Fisheries. 5:16-22
ISSN: 2664-6730
2664-4010
DOI: 10.36346/sarjaf.2023.v05i02.001
Popis: Hausa land lies within the North-West of Nigeria and the southern part of Niger. Despite the low nature of rainfall distribution and the insistent drought which befell the zone, there exist streams, rivers, and lakes, which traverse the area. These water phenomena are filled up with water during the rainy season. This provides quite a good number of fishing grounds stocked with freshwater fish. Examples include among others, the river Rima, Haɗejiya, and the river Niger which entered into Nigeria at Bahindi, having crossed several West African countries. The natural lakes that exist include the Nato, Kalmalo, and Saru, to mention but a few. There are also several man-made dams, examples of which include among others, Bakalori, Goronyo, and Kainji. Smaller earth dams also abound. The availability of fishery resources paved the way for fishing activities to strive in Hausa land. Hausa professional fishermen ‘Sarkawa’ put into practice some cultural traits among which is the ‘tsaraka’, a good luck charm that they prepare to solicit for luck and success of getting a good catch during fishing expeditions. It is this culture of ‘tsaraka’ practiced by the ‘Sarkawa’ (professional fishermen) while executing ‘sarkanci’ (professional fishing) that this paper explored and analyzed. The primary information is sourced directly from Sarkawa through a survey. Obtained data is completely analyzed and discussed. The paper has found out that despite deep acceptance and practice of Islam as the religion of ‘Sarkawa’, up to the present time, various forms of good luck charms are still being prepared and put to use by the Hausa Fishermen, to invite luck and enhance good catch while fishing.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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