Communique of an International Conference on "The Life and Songs of Alhaji Saidu Faru"

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 Ɗanmadamin Birnin Magaji, Emir’s Palace Birnin Magaji, Zamfara State.

Title: Takalmin Kaza: Mutuwa Ka Raba Dangantakar Marigayi Mai Alfarma Sarkin Musulmi Alhaji Muhammad Macciɗo Abubakar III Da Makaɗa Sa’idu Faru

3. Prof. Aliyu Muhammad Bunza, Department of Nigerian Languages, Usmanu Ɗanfodiyo University, Sokoto

Title: KUKAN KURCIYA JAWABI NE SAI MAI SANI KA GANEWA (Sarkin Musulmi Muhammadu Macciɗo 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/Bunguɗu Federal Constituency, Zamfara

Dr. Nazir Ibrahim Abbas   
Chairman, LOC

Dr. Adamu Rabi’u Bakura 
Head of Department