15.
Listen to the following conversation between two people and repeat after the
speakers. Follow along in the workbook, and then answer the questions that
follow. Check your work with the Answer Key.Lesson 9 Activities 15 and 16
Visits and Greetings:
Paying a visit or dropping in are very important parts of Hausa culture. A good community member is someone who makes an appearance at all of the celebrations for birth, naming, marriage, death, and so on. To neglect to go and greet someone you know on any of these occasions is very rude. It is not necessary to have an extravagant gift, but a greeting and a little money as a gift are important. These greetings can be very simple. It is not necessary to spend the afternoon at the celebration of someone who is not a good friend, but a quick greeting goes a long way, especially for a foreigner. Each occasion has its own greetings that are appropriate, and it is important to know at least the basic greeting for each occasion. Below is a list of the most common occasions and a proper greeting for each.
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English |
Hausa |
Greeting
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|
Birth |
Haifuwa |
Ina ɗan baƙo?/ Ina ƴar baƙuwa? These questions ask, “How is the little guest?” Also, “Allah ya raya” could be added if you want to say, “May God grant the child life.” A small gift of money usually accompanies this greeting.
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Naming |
Suna |
“Barka da suna.” The naming ceremony takes place six days after the birth. On this day, the father serves food, and friends and neighbors come to eat and take part in the prayer. The religious leader says a prayer for the child and pronounces the name of the child. The parents usually take part in the choosing of the name, but the choice is sometimes left to the religious leader. In any case, the name is only official once it is announced in this way.
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Marriage |
Aure/ Arme |
“Barka!” “Allah ya bar ku tare.” (May God leave you together.) “Allah ya sa ku yi zaman lafiya. (May God cause you to live together in peace.) In Muslim Hausa culture, a man is allowed up to four wives. Women generally marry young and are taken to live with their new husband. There is a separate ceremony that takes place before the wedding in which the marriage is agreed to and a bride price is set. At the actual marriage ceremony, the bride is prepared and taken to her husband’s house. The groom has a separate celebration with friends during this time.
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Death |
Mutuwa |
“Ina abin da ya samu?” means “How is the thing that has happened?” After the bereaved has responded, one could add “Allah ya bada haƙuri,” (May God grant you patience). Beyond this, one could add Sannu several times, which in this situation means “my condolences” or “I’m so sorry.” Again, money is often given. This use of money as a condolence gift may seem somewhat crass to our Western sensibilities, but it is truly acceptable and expected. |
15.
Listen to the following conversation between two people and repeat after the
speakers. Follow along in the workbook, and then answer the questions that
follow. Check your work with the Answer Key.
|
A. Barka da rana Zabairu! Akwai bikin ranar tuna haifuwa a ranar 6 ga watan Mayu. |
|
A. Ka bi babbar hanya har ka kai Hanyar Malamai. A nan sai ka yi hagu. |
1. What is the occasion for the invitation?
2. What is the date?
3. What time should he arrive?
4. What is the address?
5. What directions is he given to get there?
6. What should he bring?
16. Work with a partner. Invite him or her to your house to celebrate a holiday. Give him or her directions how to get to your house. Use the dialogue above as a model.