Feeryal Part 1 Complete Book

Description

Literary Analysis and Overview: Hamdah (Book One) by Rasheeda S. Director

1. English Translation of the Excerpt

The sound of a car horn made me quickly wash the soap lather off my face. I jumped up in a hurry, grabbed the iron window frame of the bathroom, climbed onto the toilet seat, and peeked out. I made a joyful sound, even jumping a little, nearly missing and slipping into the toilet.

I quickly climbed down, grabbed my sponge, and rushed to wash my body. I didn’t even rinse properly in some spots, grabbed a bowl of water, and poured it over myself in a rush. I quickly pulled my wrapper on, ran out of the bathroom, slipped into my hijab, and ran outside.

At the door of the parlor, I bumped into Aunty Rafee'at. I jumped and latched onto her body, hanging onto her and saying, "Oyoyo (Welcome), Aunty Rafee'at!" Ummi, who was following closely behind, said, "You girl, let her go! What kind of behavior is that?" I got down from Aunty Rafee'at and immediately leaped onto Ummi, crying, "Oyoyo, my Ummi!" as I clung tighter to her. Ummi said, "For God's sake, let me go. You really have no sense at all."

When I saw Abba, Abbu, Mamie, Aunty Jaleela, Masa'ud, Nusaiba, and Fauzan, I let go of Ummi and ran straight toward them, diving right into their midst. Everyone ended up with me hanging onto them—even Fauzan and Nusaiba! We all tumbled to the floor together.

Aunty Rafee'at pulled me up by my collar, laughing as she said, "Kai, Hamdah! You're going to break their bones. You have no maturity. Who knows when you'll ever grow up?" I grinned and said, "Abba said I'm almost all grown up, and soon I'll be moved to the big house like the one brought for Inna. Look, I'm almost as tall and big as you and Aunty Jaleela now!"

Aunty Jaleela glared at me, walked into the parlor, and sat down. The others had already settled. Holding Aunty Rafee'at's hand, I walked over and sat down. Ya Masa'ud said, "Well, look at you, you're almost catching up to Jaleela, Inna’s favorite girl!" I burst into laughter again and asked, "Really, Ya Masa'ud?" He replied, "Very much so!" Aunty Jaleela snapped, "Masa'ud, we are going to have issues if you keep spoiling this girl." She frowned deeply.

Ya Masa'ud chuckled softly and retorted, "And how much older are you than Hamdah?" Mamie intervened, "Kai, Masa'ud! Are you starting with her already? Right from the car, you've been teasing her." Masa'ud said, "Haba, Ammi, don't let her get too comfortable thinking she's a grown-up. She's only fifteen years old, so stop acting like an adult." Aunty Rafee'at added, "Why don't you state the exact age gap yourself instead of just saying fifteen years?" He said, "By Allah, Aunty Rafee'at, look at this girl—even if a boil heals her body, because of her obsession with being grown-up, if she were older than me, I swear she'd walk around with a whip every day beating me!" Jaleela chimed in, "Well, you're giving us reasons to beat you right now, and I won't even judge you for it!"

Inna called out, "You troublesome lots who know each other's secrets inside out, have you finally arrived?" Ya Masa'ud answered, "Yes, we have arrived, Inna of complaints!" Inna scolded, "Kai, Masa'ud! Stay out of my business, you ungrateful young man. Anyone who comes here looking forward to seeing you is met with immediate quarreling. I might as well go back to where I came from!" Masa'ud pretended to stand up, saying, "Go ahead and hit the road then!" She retorted, "Off you go!" He sat back down and said, "Nowhere am I going, especially since you forget how Abdullahi and I pooled our money to build this house. I just want to see the town and lounge around."

Abba scolded, "Kai, Masa'ud, watch your tongue! That is our mother you are talking to like that." Ya Masa'ud laughed and said, "Abba, this old woman complains too much. The moment a visitor arrives without bringing gifts, she starts screaming. I'd rather go outside." He walked out laughing.

Inna muttered, "Children these days only know how to talk back since you brought Lantai into our lives. You are all doomed! If only that stubborn woman had died before coming to take my prestigious and wealthy daddawa (locust bean cake) trade... when I sent Barba to her, she insulted me terribly."

Mamie smiled and shook her head. By this time, she was completely unfazed by anything Inna said about her mother; for some thirty years, Inna had repeated this same story without fail. From worrying about it initially, Mamie had long since let it go. Hearing Inna start on this tirade, Abbu pulled money from his pocket, handed it to Inna, and said, "Inna, here is the money for your daddawa." She took the money, threw it aside onto the cushion she was leaning on, and mumbled, "Well, the damage to the owner has already been done." No one dared correct her further.

After the usual greetings and pleasantries, casual conversations followed. My mouth wouldn't stop running out of excitement at seeing my parents and siblings. I stayed glued to Aunty Rafee'at because we get along best. Aunty Jaleela, however, sat stiffly in a corner, endlessly scrolling on her phone. Whenever I spoke, she glared at me, thinking I talked too much. I twisted my lips back at her because we simply don't get along.

Before the time for prayer arrived and Abba and Abbu stepped out, Aunty Rafee'at said, "Hamdah, let's go to your room so I can pray there. I assume it's clean?" I laughed and said, "Haba, Aunty Rafee'at! Every single day I clean my room and even use air freshener. Come and smell it right now!" I pulled her hand, and we went into my room. Aunty Rafee'at exclaimed, "Ah, indeed, Inna's girl really knows how to clean!" I laughed again, filled with joy at her praise.

After we prayed, we sat on the edge of the bed. I asked, "Aunty Rafee'at, are you guys sleeping over this time?" She replied, "No, we are going back today." My face dropped, I pushed out my bottom lip, and said, "You're leaving today? Then I'm coming with you!" She said, "No, wait until Ya Salim's wedding, then you can go with Inna." I opened my mouth to reply, but Aunty Jaleela walked in, headed straight for the bathroom to make ablution, came out, and climbed onto the prayer mat.

Back in the parlor after Abba returned from the mosque, they found Inna, Ummi, and Mamie. Nusaiba and Fauzan were inside the parlor's guest bathroom area. Abbu and the others sat down and chatted lightly. Abba sighed and said, "Inna, please keep a close eye on Hamdah. You see she is growing up now, and we must watch her closely." Inna snapped, "Are you implying I don't know how to raise children, or what? It's not just Hamdah—even you were raised by me!" Abbu replied, "No, Inna, that's not what he meant." She continued, "Well, I don't want any foolish arrogance. The moral training I give this girl is something none of you could ever match!" They began pacifying their mother until they saw she had calmed down.

After Asr prayer, they came out to return home, adhering to their routine of gathering the family at the end of every month to spend the day with Inna and return in the evening. I watched them leave before heading back inside.

The Following Day (Sunday)

Around 1:00 PM, school was dismissed. As we walked out of the school premises, we headed straight for a tomato garden near the school. Rabi shouted, "Today I am the one starting to water this garden since you did it yesterday!" I retorted, "As if! Baba the gardener will give the hose to me first!" Right then, we rushed into the tomato patches, trampling all over the crops as we ran.

The elderly gardener watering his crops turned around hurriedly. Before he could say a word, we snatched the hose from his hands, pulling back and forth as I yelled, "You better let go because by Allah, I am going first!" Seeing us destroying his tomatoes, Baba the gardener quickly snatched the hose back from our hands and said, "Rabi'atu, let her start today, and tomorrow you will start." I jumped for joy, rolled up my hijab, tucked it in at the back, and rolled up my trousers.

Baba the gardener handed me the hose. I went row by row, watering the plants while humming a little tune because I loved it so much—just like how at home, I would waste time playing with water whenever I took a bath. After watering a fair portion of the garden patch, I walked over and handed the hose to Rabi, smiling because I went first. She took it and similarly watered another section before handing the hose back to Baba the gardener. He said, "Alright, off you go home, and see you tomorrow." We said goodbye, stepped out, and Rabi headed towards her house while I headed towards ours.

The moment I took the path home, my heart began pounding because I knew it was already 3:00 PM, and we had been dismissed since 1:00 PM. I stopped by the gate and peeked in; I caught sight of Fatu hanging clothes on a clothesline. I hurried inside. Seeing me, Fatu opened her mouth to speak, but I quickly put my finger to my lips, gesturing for her to stay quiet. I crept past her and whispered, "Fatu, is Inna in her room or outside?" She whispered back, "She's in her room."

I hurried past, checked to ensure she wasn't in the courtyard, and stealthily slipped into the parlor and straight into my room. I let out a heavy sigh of relief—thank goodness Inna would have made a crowd out of me had she seen my arrival. I stripped off my hijab, headed into the bathroom to perform ablution, came out, performed the Zuhr prayer, and without even bothering about food, I climbed onto the bed and closed my eyes. I did this so that if Inna walked in, she would assume I had returned long ago. Before I knew it, sleep overtook me.

"Hamdah! Hamdah! Hamdah!" Deep in my sleep, I heard Inna calling out repeatedly. Enjoying my sleep, I shifted and curled up tighter. Inna shoved the door open with her foot, shouting, "God curse your laziness! Imagine a girl with no chores just sleeping away. Look at her uniform—she hasn't even taken it off out of sheer laziness!" Right then, Inna reached the edge of the bed and gave me a sharp slap on the back.

Startled, I jerked awake and sat up quickly, rubbing my eyes. Inna barked, "Get up! For God's sake, you have no chores to do except sleep. How will your body ever get strong when you walk around like a limp jellyfish all the time?" I pushed out my bottom lip and asked, "Well, what should I do once I wake up?" She snapped, "Go sweep or do something useful instead of just lying around! And the sweeping needs to be done before evening sets in, unless you want to attract dark spirits!" "Kai, Inna, for God's sake just let me sleep! Look at Fatu—you didn't tell her to sweep. You just hate seeing anyone rest without digging up some chore for them." Inna yelled, "To hell with your household! If it weren't for people like you doing nothing, lazy youth of today..." I pushed my lips out further and stood up. My stepmother simply hates seeing anyone rest; she always wants everyone standing at attention like soldiers.

I stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door shut loudly. Inna walked out of the room, continuing her rant, "Useless behavior..." I took off my uniform, bathed, performed ablution, wrapped a towel around myself, and walked out into the courtyard.

There I found Inna sitting on a woven mat, reciting her tasbih. I walked past her, went to the kitchen, scooped some food, and came back to sit near her while eating. A greeting was heard, and we both looked up. It was Rabi, who walked over and greeted Inna in a barely audible whisper. Inna responded coldly. I shifted to make room and said, "Rabi, sit down and let's eat." She replied, "No, I'm full. I just came to ask you to accompany me down the lane; Mama sent me." I said, "Let me finish eating quickly, then we'll go." "Go to whose house?! You, Rabi, get up and vanish from my sight! Are you bringing your foolishness here to drag my girl around the neighborhood lanes? Next thing you know, people will smear chicken dung on my name and say I can't raise a child properly, right up to her father's ears! No, she is going nowhere. Get up and leave immediately!" Inna shouted, pointing the way out to Rabi.

Rabi stood up and left. I protested, "Haba, Inna! Why do you act like this? For God's sake, it was just keeping her company down the lane!" "Oh, so I should sit back and watch you roam this wicked world where people have gone corrupt? Look at your father hovering over me because of you, acting like he gave birth to me! And as for that Rabi dragging her feet like a crane, she doesn't sit well with my spirit. You can't even trust youth these days, let alone their peers!"

I pushed my food plate away, stood up, and went inside. Inna shouted at the top of her lungs, "Foolish nonsense!"

Monday

The next day, Monday, I finished getting ready early for school, grabbed my school bag, and stepped out. I walked to school on foot since it was nearby. At the school entrance, I ran into Rabi because we attended the same western school. We entered together. When school was dismissed, we came out. Just as I started heading home, Rabi chased after me quickly, calling my name. I stopped. She hurried over and said, "Hamdah, please accompany me to Adda Samira's house; Mama sent me there yesterday." I said, "Okay, let's hurry. You know Inna keeps track of our closing time. If she notices I haven't returned home on time, she'll come after me." She said, "Alright."

We turned around quickly and set off for her elder sister's house on foot. We walked a very long distance until we were utterly exhausted before reaching the house. Unfortunately, we had terrible luck—she wasn't home! I felt like crying from anger at our wasted effort. I didn't even allow us to sit down before saying we had to turn back, as my mind was entirely consumed by anxiety over home.

We trudged back on foot, and the fatigue was immense. I was dragging my feet because my legs were sore and stiff, and my thighs chafed against each other, aching terribly by the time we barely made it home.

In the courtyard, I found Inna with a scarf over her head. Her mouth fell open as she stared at me. I walked past her, rushing into the parlor. She followed right behind me, shouting, "What am I seeing?! Hamdah, what kind of walk is that?!" She started invoking God's name and slapping her hands together, crying out, "I am finished! A'i, what kind of demonic entity did you cross paths with to suffer such affliction? Today I am going to slaughter you before your father returns to finish the job! Ever since I saw that closing time had passed and you hadn't returned, my heart refused to rest. As expected, you've brought us public shame!"

My eyes widened as I stared at Inna in shock. Then I looked down at my body and back at Inna, who was beating her chest and sniffing loudly, declaring she was going to slaughter me. Terror washed over me when I realized what Inna meant. Inna began shouting for Fatu to bring her a knife!

I let out a scream and leaped, darting around the parlor while pleading, "Fatu, don't bring it! By Allah, Inna, I didn't misbehave! Don't slaughter me!" Inna grabbed me and demanded, "Tell me whose son he is!" I cried out, "By Allah, Inna, there was no boy! I just accompanied Rabi to her sister's house on foot, and now my legs are aching!" Inna let out a heavy breath and finally let go of me. I darted into the room, glancing back at the door just in case Fatu appeared with a knife.

As soon as I entered the room, I climbed onto the bed. Scarcely 10 minutes later, Inna walked in carrying a plate of food. I knew it would be like this—Inna is the type of person who loves to scold; right now she would yell at me, and when she sees my gloomy face, she will come over and soothe me. But that won't stop her from exploding in anger later! Moreover, she hates anyone else disciplining me. Every single time Inna scolds me, she says the same thing: she is trying to protect me so she can hand me over safely to my parents or my husband. This constant fear in Inna stems from a former neighbor's daughter who got pregnant out of wedlock, leaving Inna perpetually on guard with threats.

Inna placed the plate of food down, sat on the edge of the bed, and said, "Get up and eat, my twin. You know going hungry is no good..."

The Unfolding Aftermath

Huf, I sat up, because hunger was gnawing at my stomach. I started eating before Inna left the room. When I finished, I washed my hands and went back to lie down.

Then I heard Inna bursting into exclamations of shock, followed by low-toned voices. I quickly sat up upon hearing Goggo Hauwa's voice accompanied by the sound of weeping. Hurryingly, I hopped off the bed and came out. My eyes widened in shock upon seeing Goggo Hauwa sprawled in the middle of the parlor, breathing heavily, one breath after another. I clutched my chest as I looked down at where she lay and saw blood soaking through her wrapper!

Inna exclaimed, "Subhanallahi! What am I seeing, A'i? It's over—she has had a miscarriage!" Hearing Inna use that word made me stare at her intently. "Miscarriage"—I repeated the word in my mind. Inna looked at Fatu, who had just entered, and said, "Quickly go hire a transport bike for us so we can go to the hospital!"

Fatu ran out immediately, and Inna went inside the room, coming out with a wrapper to try and change Goggo Hauwa's soaked clothing. I let out a scream as Inna turned Goggo Hauwa over. Seeing all the blood pooled where she had lain, I rushed to Goggo Hauwa, crying, "Wayyo Allah, Goggo Hauwa, please don't die!" Fatu rushed back in and said, "Inna, I've gotten the transport bike."

Inna and Fatu lifted Goggo Hauwa and carried her out. I followed them closely, but Inna ordered me to stay behind. They mounted the bike and sped off to the hospital. Upon entering the house, I retreated straight to the room because seeing all that blood had terrified me.

By evening, Inna returned. Hearing her arrival, I came out, since I had stayed locked in my room ever since they left. I asked, "Inna, where are Goggo Hauwa and the others?" She replied, "She is at her house. I left Fatu behind to stay with her for seven days until she recovers." I asked, "Inna, has the pain of the miscarriage healed already?" She merely nodded. Just as I turned to leave, I quickly spun back and asked, "Inna, did you say Fatu is staying for seven days? Then who is going to do the washing, sweeping, and cooking?" "You, of course! Who else? You will do the chores until she returns."

It felt as though Inna had dropped a heavy boulder onto my head. I detested sweeping and washing dishes; I wouldn't mind cooking just so I could move around. I pouted and said, "Inna, all by myself? How on earth will I manage?" She said, "Well, nobody was born knowing how to do everything. You will do it until you learn, you lazy girl!" "By Allah, Inna, I can't do it. Just call Fatu back since you said Goggo Hauwa's miscarriage pain has healed!" I quickly turned and bolted into the room. Inna called out behind me, "This girl is obsessed with laziness, always lying in bed like someone with a broken back!" I ignored her and stayed put in the room.

The Visit of Ya Saleem

The next morning, Inna walked into the room. The moment I heard her enter, I quickly squeezed my eyes shut. She came over and started tapping me, saying, "Hamdah, you forgot you have school! Get up and go put water on the stove for breakfast. And remember, sweeping and washing need to be done since Fatu isn't around!" I quickly sat up. "Inna, I'm late!" She retorted, "And whose fault is it that you were sleeping?" Huf, I jumped down from the bed and dashed into the bathroom to avoid hearing any more talk about chores and sweeping.

After finishing my preparations, I walked into the kitchen and found Inna had already prepared breakfast. I ate quickly, and she handed me 50 Naira. Overjoyed, I rushed outside.

By 12:00 PM, school was dismissed. As I stepped into the house, Inna instructed me to quickly change out of my uniform and do the sweeping, noting that since my back wasn't feeling well, she would stand over me and ensure I did every single stroke of work. True to her word, she hovered over me until the sweeping was completely done!

Once I finished, I ate quickly, got ready for Islamic school, and set off even before the official time. I stopped by Rabi'et's house, picked her up, and we headed to Baba the gardener's patch. There we played until we heard the noise of students, prompting us to head toward the school grounds.

Upon reaching the school courtyard, we found the students gathered. My jaw dropped because I had completely forgotten that today was the day our holiday break began! I felt utterly disappointed because school was the only way I ever got out to play. Dejected, I headed back home with a heavy heart.

As I approached the front of the house, I saw two young men standing outside. As I moved to pass them, one of them asked, "Um, excuse me, is this the house you're entering?" I nodded in response. He said, "Alright, please tell them Saleem is asking for them."

I turned to go inside, but the other man asked, "Um, what's your name?" "I forgot, let me go ask," I replied sarcastically, slipping inside while grumbling to myself, "They've parked themselves here and keep asking questions like they're reporters! Do they expect me to go all the way to Bauchi to call Ya Saleem just because they asked me to deliver a message?"

Stepping inside, I froze in shock upon seeing who was sitting there. He was sitting on a woven mat while Inna sat nearby on a chair, turning an invitation card over in her hands. I beamed, "La! Ya Saleem, so you're the one who came? That's why those guys outside wanted me to call you!" I hurried over to Inna and grabbed an invitation card bearing the names: Saleem Abdallah and Na'ima. I smiled even wider and said, "Oh, so this is your wife's name, Ya Saleem?"

He gave me a look that made me immediately snap my mouth shut. Inna remarked, "Well, Mr. Scholar, instead of coming with kola nuts to share with the neighborhood well-wishers, you bring these cards. Now how am I supposed to go around distributing cards to neighbors? I might as well just buy kola nuts to share with them instead!"

Wearily, he said, "Well, actually, these aren't yours; they are for the general guests." He reached into his pocket, pulled out some money, handed it to her, and added, "Here, use this to buy the kola nuts to distribute to your people." I eagerly said, "Haba, Inna! Look at modern corporate stuff—why talk about kola nuts? Let me just take this to Rabi's house to show her!" I set my bag down and quickly turned to leave. "You, come back here!" Inna commanded.

Slowly, I turned around and walked a short distance toward him. He extended his hand as though expecting me to hand something back. Before he could take it, I tossed it down, turned away with a pout, and purposely kicked his leg as I walked past.

2. Summary of the Text

This excerpt from Rasheeda S. Director's novel Hamdah (Book One) portrays a slice-of-life narrative centered around a vivacious, mischievous, and occasionally lazy fifteen-year-old girl named Hamdah.

• The Family Reunion: The narrative opens with Hamdah's exuberant joy upon the monthly arrival of her extended family members (including her father, step-mother Mamie, siblings, and older relatives like Aunty Rafee'at, Aunty Jaleela, and Ya Masa'ud). The household erupts into lively banter, playful teasing between Masa'ud and Hamdah, and Inna’s characteristic complaining and historical grudge-bearing regarding her late rival.
• Daily Adventures & Domestic Friction: Hamdah attends school and Islamic classes, frequently escaping into playful antics—such as playing in a gardener's tomato patch with her friend Rabi. Back home, she constantly locks horns with her strict and vocal step-grandmother/guardian, Inna, who detests laziness and forces Hamdah to perform rigorous household chores.
• The Miscarriage Crisis: Tension rises briefly when Hamdah is wrongly accused of wandering off when she merely accompanied Rabi, narrowly avoiding Inna's wrath. Shortly after, drama strikes the household when Goggo Hauwa suffers a sudden miscarriage, prompting Inna and Fatu to rush her to the hospital and leaving Hamdah burdened with extra chores.
• The Arrival of Ya Saleem: The excerpt concludes with the abrupt arrival of Ya Saleem, who brings wedding invitation cards bearing his name alongside Na'ima's. True to form, Hamdah reacts with characteristic childish innocence and petulance, getting scolded by Inna and playfully lashing out at Ya Saleem before storming off.

3. Description and Character Analytics

Character Profiles

• Hamdah: The protagonist and narrator-observer. She is fifteen years old, high-spirited, energetic, and prone to childish tantrums and procrastination. She detests domestic chores (especially sweeping and washing) but loves outdoor play and social gatherings. Her relationship with Inna is a mixture of fear, frustration, and underlying affection.
• Inna: The stern, traditional matriarch of the household. She is fiercely protective, highly vocal, and constantly suspicious of modern youth. Though abrasive and quick to complain, her harshness stems from a deep-seated desire to instill discipline and shield the younger generation from moral failure.
• Ya Masa'ud: A witty and teasing older relative who enjoys poking fun at Hamdah's obsession with growing up quickly, serving as a humorous foil to her theatrical outbursts.
• Aunty Rafee'at & Mamie: Soothing, balanced figures in the family who provide emotional warmth and act as buffers against Inna's intense personality.
• Aunty Jaleela: Aloof, modern, and easily annoyed by Hamdah's chatter and energetic presence.

Thematic Elements

• Generational Conflict & Discipline: The clash between traditional disciplinary values (represented by Inna) and youthful autonomy/resistance (represented by Hamdah and her peers).
• Domestic Realism: Vivid depictions of Northern Nigerian household dynamics—spanning communal family visits, Islamic school routines, neighborhood errands, and traditional domestic labor.

4. Comments and Conclusions

Comments

Rasheeda S. Director employs a deeply authentic and conversational Hausa-English narrative style that captures the distinct flavor of domestic life. The dialogue is snappy, natural, and rich with colloquial humor—particularly in the interactions between Hamdah and Inna, or the playful sibling rivalry with Masa'ud. The transition from lighthearted comedy (such as Hamdah's tomato-patch escapades) to stark realism (Goggo Hauwa's sudden medical emergency) highlights the unpredictability of daily life in a bustling extended-family compound.

Conclusion

Hamdah (Book One) successfully establishes a relatable coming-of-age portrait. Through Hamdah's eyes, the reader experiences the universal growing pains of adolescence—balancing the desire for independence and play with the inescapable responsibilities of home and societal expectations. Despite Inna's abrasive exterior, the underlying theme remains one of familial cohesion, protection, and the enduring bonds that tie a complex family together.

What specific aspect of Hamdah's character development or domestic relationships would you like to explore further in the next analysis?