Cultural Model of Romantic Love in Hausa Society as a Form of Defiance: A Lyrical Analysis of Hamisu Breaker’s “Jarumar Hausa”

Abstract

The article is a lyrical analysis of Hamisu Breaker’s “Jarumar Hausa” in search for a cultural model that defines romantic love in Hausa society. Using the content analysis method, the article looks at the themes derived from the lyrical text of the song, and songs overriding idea which presents a unique insight into the cultural conception of romantic relationships in Hausa society of Northern Nigeria. The findings from the analysis shows that romantic love in Hausa society as depicted in the songs is characterized by shared adamancy and defiance. The dominant trope in the song is one of resilience, and Breaker’s persona portrays the lovers as being confronted by adversities – human and environmental – that

are (bound to be) bent upon tearing them apart, and whom the lover vows to withstand. The analysis also shows that a recurring theme an couple or relationship as depicted in the song is that it is a struggle against external forces. Other themes that emanated from the analysis is the use of words like “Life” to buttress the importance of Love implying that love transcends the heart – it is a matter of life. There is also an explicit eulogy of the Hausa female in the song as exemplified in all the verses. The study concludes that the song’s overriding idea in the assessment of romantic love in the Northern Nigeria is the central role of defiance against all odds in seeking for love relationship. Hence, in Hausa society, lovers must contend with external elements, and no love affair can succeed unless the parties involved are able to tackle their enemies, even if these are imaginary and contrived.