The gradual extinction of our indigenous languages over the years in preference for English and a few other foreign languages has already spread its fangs into the increasingly booming Nigerian literature. As Nigerian literature continues its upward surge, with Nigerian writers home and abroad winning prizes even against some of the best in the continent and the world over. It does so at the detriment of writing in our indigenous Nigerian languages.
Indigenous writing in Nigeria is on the decline. None of our emerging budding writers are interested in writing in indigenous Nigerian languages because of its limited reach and acceptability beyond its primary enclave. Inspite of its obviously important roles in defining our identity as a people, interest by both the old and younger generation of writers is waning. “Why should I waste my time writing in my language? Who will read it? How many people can even read or speak these indigenous languages self? It’s a waste of time and effort, my brother” was a writer friend’s response when asked when asked why he is not writing in his Ebira language.
In recent time, there has been no conscious effort to promote the art of indigenous literature in Nigeria. Publishers for the fear of its limited reach and marketing consideration are no longer interested in engaging indigenous writers, unless its is for some scholarly reasons. The few existing indigenous writings are not in circulation, either as a result of poor quality of production of the work or for some other reasons.
Hence, in a little less than three years ago, a literary seed was sown. Today, beyond anyone’s expectation, that seed – The Karaye Prize for Hausa Literature which was inspired by a loving and committed wife’s quest to immortalize her late husband has become a household name, not only in Abuja and the north but across Nigeria and far beyond. Most importantly, it has advanced the course of indigenous writing in Nigeria, especially within the Northern hemisphere.
It is in this vein that the magnanimity of Hajiya Bilkisu Bashir and the ingenuity of ANA Abuja should be commended in establishing the annual Karaye Prize for Hausa Literature which is already in its third year. Though the real intention was ensure that the memory of Engineer Mohammed Bashir Karaye never fades, but the prize has created a renewed interest in indigenous writings, especially Hausa writing.
The maiden edition of the Karaye prize was greeted with mix feelings when it was first announced by the Association of Nigerian Authors, Abuja Chapter in 2007. Even members of the Nigerian literati and the academia are skeptical of the seriousness behind the prize, and most importantly, its sustainability. The financier of the prize and widow of Engineer Mohammed Bashir Karaye was never known to be a lover nor patron of the art. Those who know her only know her as the Executive Secretary of Federal Judicial Service Commission and may be just a reader, whenever she ever finds the time to do so. Nothing more!
I was recently in Kano and was marveled at the level of popularity and acceptability of the prize after just two editions. Indigenous writers who are able to recognize myself and Patrick Oguejiofor could not hide their appreciation and so commended the chapter for establishing the prize. One of them even suggested that subsequent edition of the prize should be for unpublished works so as to give the myriads of unpublished Hausa manuscripts locked up in their writers crest the opportunity to get published (with the prize money or a publishing contract in addition to the prize money)
Buoyed by the achievement of the Karaye Prize in promoting Hausa literature in just two years of its establishment, the National Executive of the Association of Nigerian Authors, in addition to two international colloquiums held in honour of Professors Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, not only recently held one in honour of the patriarch of the Hausa literature, the late Abubakar Imam to make case for indigenous writing in Nigeria, but has concluded plans to organize a creative writing workshop for Hausa writers in Kano later in the year.
Prior to the establishment of the Karaye Prize, little to nothing is been done by relevant government establishment, literary organizations, publishers and wealthy individuals to promote indigenous writing. More effort has been concentrated on the English literature. There are a handful of literary prizes, creative writing workshops and other activities for English writers and writings to the detriment of indigenous writings.
The Karaye Prize, as it is today is gradually bringing to indigenous writing the same glitz and glamour that has been synonymous with creative writing in Nigeria and other parts of the world over the years. As Nigerian Writers today look forward to the NLNG Prize, the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature and the various Association of Nigerian Author’s Prizes amongst others, year in – year out; indigenous writers in Nigeria and in the diaspora now looks forward to the Karaye Prize.
The current edition of the Prize as a measure of its success, like the two previous editions has elicited unprecedented response as some writers are said to have already translating their works from English to Hausa languages while the younger ones are also perfecting their writing knowledge of the language to be able to give the prize, which according to endower of the prize will continue to appreciate, a shot.
While the deadline for submission has been extended by one month on popular demand, to enable some interested writers put finishing touches to their works to enable them make their submissions. The prize has attracted several high personalities who are said to have submitted their works. One of such is the NRC Presidential candidate in the 1993 general elections, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, who recently launched eight books, all written in Hausa.
The award ceremony for this year’s edition of the prize is scheduled to hold on October 18 and for the first time at the home country of the late Engineer Mohammed Bashir Karaye, in the ancient city of Kano and I am sure that by the time it is over, it would have added another value to Hausa literature and indigenous writing in Nigeria as a whole.
Indigenous writing in Nigeria is on the decline. None of our emerging budding writers are interested in writing in indigenous Nigerian languages because of its limited reach and acceptability beyond its primary enclave. Inspite of its obviously important roles in defining our identity as a people, interest by both the old and younger generation of writers is waning. “Why should I waste my time writing in my language? Who will read it? How many people can even read or speak these indigenous languages self? It’s a waste of time and effort, my brother” was a writer friend’s response when asked when asked why he is not writing in his Ebira language.
In recent time, there has been no conscious effort to promote the art of indigenous literature in Nigeria. Publishers for the fear of its limited reach and marketing consideration are no longer interested in engaging indigenous writers, unless its is for some scholarly reasons. The few existing indigenous writings are not in circulation, either as a result of poor quality of production of the work or for some other reasons.
Hence, in a little less than three years ago, a literary seed was sown. Today, beyond anyone’s expectation, that seed – The Karaye Prize for Hausa Literature which was inspired by a loving and committed wife’s quest to immortalize her late husband has become a household name, not only in Abuja and the north but across Nigeria and far beyond. Most importantly, it has advanced the course of indigenous writing in Nigeria, especially within the Northern hemisphere.
It is in this vein that the magnanimity of Hajiya Bilkisu Bashir and the ingenuity of ANA Abuja should be commended in establishing the annual Karaye Prize for Hausa Literature which is already in its third year. Though the real intention was ensure that the memory of Engineer Mohammed Bashir Karaye never fades, but the prize has created a renewed interest in indigenous writings, especially Hausa writing.
The maiden edition of the Karaye prize was greeted with mix feelings when it was first announced by the Association of Nigerian Authors, Abuja Chapter in 2007. Even members of the Nigerian literati and the academia are skeptical of the seriousness behind the prize, and most importantly, its sustainability. The financier of the prize and widow of Engineer Mohammed Bashir Karaye was never known to be a lover nor patron of the art. Those who know her only know her as the Executive Secretary of Federal Judicial Service Commission and may be just a reader, whenever she ever finds the time to do so. Nothing more!
I was recently in Kano and was marveled at the level of popularity and acceptability of the prize after just two editions. Indigenous writers who are able to recognize myself and Patrick Oguejiofor could not hide their appreciation and so commended the chapter for establishing the prize. One of them even suggested that subsequent edition of the prize should be for unpublished works so as to give the myriads of unpublished Hausa manuscripts locked up in their writers crest the opportunity to get published (with the prize money or a publishing contract in addition to the prize money)
Buoyed by the achievement of the Karaye Prize in promoting Hausa literature in just two years of its establishment, the National Executive of the Association of Nigerian Authors, in addition to two international colloquiums held in honour of Professors Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, not only recently held one in honour of the patriarch of the Hausa literature, the late Abubakar Imam to make case for indigenous writing in Nigeria, but has concluded plans to organize a creative writing workshop for Hausa writers in Kano later in the year.
Prior to the establishment of the Karaye Prize, little to nothing is been done by relevant government establishment, literary organizations, publishers and wealthy individuals to promote indigenous writing. More effort has been concentrated on the English literature. There are a handful of literary prizes, creative writing workshops and other activities for English writers and writings to the detriment of indigenous writings.
The Karaye Prize, as it is today is gradually bringing to indigenous writing the same glitz and glamour that has been synonymous with creative writing in Nigeria and other parts of the world over the years. As Nigerian Writers today look forward to the NLNG Prize, the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature and the various Association of Nigerian Author’s Prizes amongst others, year in – year out; indigenous writers in Nigeria and in the diaspora now looks forward to the Karaye Prize.
The current edition of the Prize as a measure of its success, like the two previous editions has elicited unprecedented response as some writers are said to have already translating their works from English to Hausa languages while the younger ones are also perfecting their writing knowledge of the language to be able to give the prize, which according to endower of the prize will continue to appreciate, a shot.
While the deadline for submission has been extended by one month on popular demand, to enable some interested writers put finishing touches to their works to enable them make their submissions. The prize has attracted several high personalities who are said to have submitted their works. One of such is the NRC Presidential candidate in the 1993 general elections, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, who recently launched eight books, all written in Hausa.
The award ceremony for this year’s edition of the prize is scheduled to hold on October 18 and for the first time at the home country of the late Engineer Mohammed Bashir Karaye, in the ancient city of Kano and I am sure that by the time it is over, it would have added another value to Hausa literature and indigenous writing in Nigeria as a whole.
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