Hauwa kulu Book 1 Sumayya Abdulkadir Takori

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HAUWA KULU BOOK 1 COMPELET 

"They stopped in front of them, and she told him 'Kurna'. It wasn’t because she knew anyone in Kurna, but rather because she knew it was far from the city center, moving towards the outskirts of Kano city. The driver charged five Naira. Even though Inna knew he was overcharging them because they looked stranded and helpless, she didn’t even argue for a discount; she grabbed Hauwa’s hand, and they climbed in with their large sack of belongings.
When they arrived at Kurna, she was confused about where to tell him to drop them off. The driver, tired of driving them around Kurna, said, 'Should I take you to the motor park if you are leaving town?' Inna found herself saying 'yes', so he drove them to the old motor park, Tashar Kuka, and dropped them off.
Inna held Hauwa’s hand. They were both disheveled, exhausted, and hungry. They approached a tea seller's stand just as the mid-morning sun began to intensify. She seated Hauwa on an empty bench. The tea seller approached them and said, 'Old woman, is everything alright? No begging is allowed on my bench; this is a place of business.'
Hauwa rolled her large eyes up and down, making sure he knew she was glaring at him. There was nothing she hated more than being associated with the word 'BEGGAR' just because she was blind. Had it not been for the good upbringing Inna gave her about not interrupting elders' conversations, she would have insulted him. The tea seller added, 'Servants of Allah, please move along. Don’t ruin my business with that big sack of yours that smells like old rags.'
Inna endured it and said, 'Please, pour some tea for her to drink, I will pay you. How much is a cup? Cut some bread for her.'
At this point, Hauwa could no longer hold back. She said, 'Inna, even if this is the only tea left in the world, or if hunger is going to kill me, I will not drink it since he called us beggars.' She burst into tears, stood up, fumbled for their sack, picked it up, and placed it on her head. Inna stood up, took her hand, and they walked away while the man scoffed, 'Good riddance! Blind people are always so full of pride and have bitter hearts like lepers. I don’t like dealing with beggars and disabled people.'
Inna spotted the food stand of a woman selling food. There weren't many people there, so she pulled Hauwa toward it. The woman was busy attending to three customers at a table. From her appearance, you could tell she was a former 'Kano-to-Jeddah' deportee. Inna greeted her, and she replied respectfully, saying, 'Welcome, Mother. Are you buying food?' Inna replied, 'Yes, pour enough for her to eat to her fill, and add pieces of meat. How much is a plate of rice and stew?' The woman said, 'Seven Naira.' She served Hauwa a hearty, vibrant plate of food, ushered her into a less crowded area of the tent, and gave her water to wash her hands.
Inna sat deep in thought, lost in worry. She didn't even feel hungry because of the darkness in her heart and the sorrow over what Zakari had done to them. She loved her home deeply; her entire history, memories of her husband, her children, the essence of her married life, and her life’s happiness were tied to that house behind the city wall (Badala). But to think that today, in a single day...??? She used the edge of her wrapper to wipe away her heavy tears, a sound that Hauwa caught.
Hauwa turned her large, sightless eyes toward the direction of Inna’s sniffing. 'Inna, aren't you going to eat?' 'Eat, Kulu, and leave me be. I cannot even bring water to my mouth today.'
Hearing this, Hauwa also pulled her hand out of the food, leaned against the wall just like Inna, wrapped her arms around herself, tucked her head into her knees, and said, 'Alright then, I won’t eat either, since you aren't eating, Inna.'
Inna said, 'Kulu, I am simply not hungry at all.' Hauwa replied, 'I know anger and sorrow have stopped you from eating. But there is one thing I want you to remember, Inna: even if Kawu (Uncle) Zakari demolished our house and took it by force through his sheer wickedness, Allah is not unjust to His servants, and He never forgives the rights of the oppressed. I will never cease to lay my complaints against him before the Almighty during my prostrations in the five daily obligatory prayers. Inna, forget about Baba Zakari; let us focus on what will save us. If possible, Inna, let’s start a food business ourselves in this motor park, since I noticed you have some money on you.'
Inna said, 'Yes, I have money—the money that young man, Jamilu, gave me before he left. But Hauwa, you don't just start a business out of nowhere without sitting down to understand the environment, the people, the dynamics of the area, their habits, and how they interact. How can we live in a motor park when it is a breeding ground for misfortune and bad behavior for young women? Just let us move further ahead; if necessary, we can sleep in mosques.'
All this conversation was being overheard by Hajiya Ladi, the food seller, who was counting her morning sales while listening with one ear. She had finished her morning cooking, was calculating her profits, and was about to prepare the afternoon meals. She felt deep pity for Inna and was highly impressed by Hauwa. Even though those eyes of hers clearly couldn't see, her spirit was not dead. She didn’t suggest that they resort to begging in the motor park just because she was blind and could easily become a source of income for her mother. Moreover, despite being a beautiful young woman sought after by many, she was the one urging her mother to start a business.
Hajiya Ladi walked over to where they were sitting and said, 'I overheard everything you discussed. Even though I don't know where you are coming from, I will give you accommodation in the house where I live. I will also give you work at my food business so you can assist me. We will come here together every day, and once we finish selling, we go home together. I will also provide you with food three times a day. I won't lie to you about paying you a single cent; the food you eat and the place to sleep will be your wages. Later on, when you understand how food is sold here at the motor park, you can set up your own table. My servants of God, those of us whom Allah has destined to earn our living in a motor park didn't choose it. It’s true there are criminals and various bad things here, but what can you do when Allah has destined that your sustenance is located here?'
Inna and Hauwa showered Hajiya Ladi with gratitude. From that day on, she gave them a room in her house located in the Rijiyar Lemo neighborhood, cleared out the clutter, and told them to sleep there. However, they had to wake up early to go to the motor park to set up the morning food, and by 4:00 PM, after selling the afternoon food, they would return home together.
She taught Inna the varieties of meals she cooked. To her amazement, she found Hauwa’s mother to be an expert in cooking—even more skilled than herself. Combined with her personal and environmental cleanliness, Hajiya Ladi grew even fonder of Inna.
From that day on, they began working for Hajiya Ladi. Even Hauwa wasn't left idle; she was responsible for washing the used dishes. She washed them thoroughly, rinsed them, and turned them upside down in the basket. Within a week, they became highly proficient in Hajiya Ladi’s food business and got along well with her two other workers, Zulai and Amuna.
Hajiya Ladi suffered from asthma. On days when it flared up, she couldn't do anything but lie down and cough. She handed over full control to Inna, seeing that she was mature, older than Amuna and Zulai, and possessed better judgment and care. This angered Zulai, who eventually quit the job because she felt that newcomers were being favored over her.
This left only Amuna and Hauwa to handle the remaining tasks. Hauwa learned to do chores one wouldn’t expect a blind person to handle, such as cutting spinach and lettuce without cutting her hands. Any task that could be done while seated was given to her by Inna.
A severe asthma attack left Hajiya Ladi bedridden. The poor woman began to fear that she might die without anyone knowing her background. She deeply regretted her past life and her youth, which she had wasted in the 'Kano-to-Jeddah' lifestyle. She even began to wonder if her parents were still alive.
Hajiya Ladi started seeking forgiveness from her bed. One night, she woke up and called Hauwa's mother. Crying, she began to tell Inna about her true origins. She said she was a native of Billiri village in Gombe, and she was the daughter of the village head of Billiri at the time. She explained that a forced marriage was what drove her away from home; she found a patroness who helped her sneak away to Mecca. They spent a long time living the 'Kano-Jeddah' life until they were eventually caught and deported back to Nigeria. That was how she took up the food business because she feared falling into prostitution in Kano, especially due to the Islamic Sharia law established at the time. To this day, she hadn't been able to return home.
She said, 'If Allah takes my life, I leave this shop to you to continue renting it because of your trustworthiness. We haven't been together long, but I trust your good character. I want you to continue my business, but gather all my belongings and take them to my father; ask for his forgiveness on my behalf. I also want to urge you to protect the honor of your blind daughter in this motor park environment because there are bad people, and she is fully grown and attractive. May Allah help you look after her.'
Inna felt a heavy heart and said, 'Hajiya Ladi, go and seek your father’s forgiveness yourself while you still have some strength. Illness does not mean death. Parents are above everything, and you will never find peace of mind unless you get their blessings. It is not too late for you, Hajiya Ladi.'
Two days after Inna and Hajiya Ladi had this conversation, Inna woke up at dawn for prayers and noticed that Hajiya Ladi hadn't woken up for dawn prayers as they usually did. At first, she thought the illness had flared up and caused her to oversleep. But by daybreak, Hajiya Ladi still hadn't moved. When Inna approached to check on her, she realized Hajiya Ladi was gone. Her soul had passed away.
Inna stood firm and ensured that Hajiya Ladi’s corpse was transported to her father's house—the house of the Village Head of Billiri. She fulfilled the deceased’s wishes by handing over all her money from her purse. The father showered Inna with countless blessings. He asked where she was from because she didn't look like the usual 'Kano-Jeddah' crowd. Inna told him they came from inside the Badala (city wall) of Kano, looking for a means of livelihood after her husband went missing. That was how they met Hajiya Ladi through her business, and she helped them at a time when they had no helper but Allah. She told him they lived together in absolute trust and detailed all the assistance Hajiya Ladi had given them. He declared that out of respect for Inna's honesty, he had forgiven Ladi in this world and the next, and would pray for Allah’s mercy upon her.
He noted that Hajiya Ladi had left her food shop to Inna to take over, and since she had the capital, they would return to Kano. He wished her well and expressed his gratitude. After the third-day charity prayers (Sadakar Uku) for Hajiya Ladi, they returned to the rented house where they lived, since the annual rent paid by Ladi wasn't even halfway through.
Inna withdrew her savings and bought groceries, preparing food just as they used to do during Hajiya Ladi's lifetime. From that day on, she continued running the food business seamlessly, as if Hajiya Ladi were still alive.
They enjoyed massive patronage from Hajiya Ladi's old customers. Every single day, she would cook three measures (tiya) of rice, and they accumulated a substantial amount of money. Consequently, Hauwa suggested they move to a slightly better house, as their savings were enough to rent a place since Hajiya Ladi's rent period was ending. Hauwa suggested they find a house within Kurna or somewhere close to Tashar Kuka.
And so it was done. Inna rented a small, neat house—cleaner than Hajiya Ladi's—with two rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen in an alley within the Kurna neighborhood.
Inna's food business continued to flourish, as no one in the entire Tashar Kuka served food as good as theirs. It reached a point where Inna hired two workers under her, Saude and Hajara, both divorcees, who went to the shop at dawn to start cooking before she arrived. Inna would perform her mid-morning (Duha) prayers before joining them as daylight broke. Usually, she would find they had finished cooking and dishing out the food, and she would sit down to handle the sales herself.
Not long after settling in Kurna, seeing that their lives had stabilized and their income had multiplied, Hauwa raised the issue of returning to her school. Years were passing her by, and the qualifying exams were approaching. Since they were making good money now, Inna would easily afford her school fees. Fortunately, her school bag and everything else were still intact; she had never discarded them. Even her uniform, photochromic glasses, and shoes were still inside the bag.
Inna said, 'Hauwa, from here in Kurna to your school is quite a distance, and I cannot personally take you and pick you up every day. With the food business that we rely on, how can I balance cooking with taking you to school and bringing you back?'
Hauwa replied, 'Inna, why don't we find a commercial motorcycle rider (Achaba) who lives in this neighborhood, whose family house and background are well-known? You can negotiate a price with him so he can drop me off and pick me up every day, and he will be paid at the end of every month.'
Kulu's advice was well-received by Inna, who already knew that her Hauwa-Kulu was exceptionally sharp-minded. And that was exactly what they did.
Hauwa successfully returned to her school—the Special School in Kano—on a Monday. Both her teachers and fellow students were thrilled by the return of Hauwa Bilyaminu after a six-month absence.
Despite her long absence, because of Hauwa’s brilliance, her teachers did not make her repeat the class; they were confident she would soon catch up on everything she missed. A corps member serving as a teacher, named Teacher Amos Hedimasta, offered her free lessons out of sheer goodwill due to her intelligence, teaching her for an hour every day after school. This helped her tremendously to catch up with her classmates. Whenever a new topic started, Hauwa grasped it instantly, especially because she was highly motivated, passionate, and terrified of becoming a BEGGAR due to her blindness.
Hauwa was deeply dedicated. Even when she returned home, she wouldn't sleep; you would find her reading her Braille materials until Inna would forcefully take her books away, turn off the light, and say, 'That's enough reading, the night is meant for a servant to rest.'
Not long after her return to school, the qualifying exams were held, followed by a vacation. Upon their return, Hauwa and her peers would enter their final year of senior secondary school (SS6/SS3).
When the results of the qualifying exams were released, hers was the best and most prestigious in the entire school, boasting only 'A's and 'B's. By this time, adolescence had fully shaped Hauwa Bilyaminu into a beautiful Kano maiden, thriving under her mother's care, proper hygiene, and a highly nutritious diet.
Before Hauwa returned from the holidays to start her final year, they stopped selling food at Tashar Kuka and relocated to the Kano-Line motor park. This was solely because it was closer to Hauwa’s school and because the young men at Tashar Kuka had started bothering Hauwa, expressing interest in her, with some even making foolish advances right under her mother's nose.
This troubled Inna deeply. She saw the necessity of leaving Tashar Kuka for a place where they knew no one, even if it meant sacrificing some profit, just to protect Hauwa’s dignity. Many local men used their familiarity and good relations with Inna to hint at marrying Hauwa. Because Inna was kind and always welcoming to every customer, she drew large crowds—mostly travelers, people coming into Kano through their park, and drivers who ate at her stand. As for Hauwa herself! No matter how arrogant a customer was, no one dared approach her with any topic outside of buying food, because she gave absolutely no room for familiarity. She could go the whole day without a single smile. What Uncle Zakari had done to them had deeply scarred her heart and stripped away her playfulness. Such was 'Hauwa-Kulu-Majadun'.
Although they moved to the Kano-Line motor park and rented a two-room house in the Unguwa Uku area, their sales had actually been much higher back at Tashar Kuka. Some people used to buy Inna's food at Tashar Kuka not out of hunger, but simply to catch a glimpse of her beautiful blind daughter, who always assisted her mother with the chores and sales as soon as she returned from school.
By that time, Hauwa was fully of marriageable age and on the verge of writing her senior secondary school leaving examination (SSCE). She enjoyed an opportunity that many young girls of her era were denied, as most were pulled out of school for early marriage. But Inna gave absolutely no room for anyone to bring up the topic of marrying Hauwa, and Hauwa herself showed no interest whatsoever. Inna constantly reminded her, 'If you hadn't given Jamilu the green light to visit you under the guise of courtship in the first place, we would still be living in our home in dignity, privacy, and peace of mind, and we wouldn't have ended up as motor park food sellers.'
Hauwa would then pout her lips and mutter, 'But Inna, isn't Yaya Jamilu my brother? You just hate Yaya Jamilu as if he were Baba Zakari. What is his fault? His character is entirely different from his father's.'
Inna gasped, opening and closing her mouth in absolute shock at Hauwa's awareness of love. She said, 'That's true, he is your brother, a blood relative indeed. But I swear to Allah, even if he were the last man left on earth and you were the last woman left in this entire world, as long as I, SAFIYA, gave birth to you and am still alive, you will never marry. Even on my deathbed, I will leave a final instruction to anyone I find that no offspring of mine shall ever intermarry with Zakari's lineage.'
Hauwa pouted even more and said in another round of muttering, 'Well, I didn't ask anyone to marry me anyway. If it's about marriage, Inna, I just know that blood is thicker than water. Yaya Jamilu is my brother whom I love, since no other relative has ever shown me affection except him. Even if I see him tomorrow, by God, I will attend to him. I will kneel down to the ground to greet him because I can never forget his kindness to me, and I have no other lover in this world after you except him.'
Inna flew into a rage. Today, because of Jamilu, Hauwa was talking back to her? She said, 'That blood of yours will be severed, even if it means scrubbing it away with a steel sponge, white detergent, and heavy soap! The ties of that blood will break even if it leaves you bruised and scarred, you foolish, disrespectful girl! I ran away from that family line and your so-called love, and I trampled over it barefoot!'
Hauwa burst into laughter and said, 'In all honesty, Inna, I’ve never known you to blame someone for a fault that isn't theirs. Even so, Inna, may Allah calm your heart. I am no stranger to your anger regarding Yaya Jamilu. How could I even think of marriage when I am blind? I simply love Yaya Jamilu in my heart because out of all Baba Zakari’s children, who else has ever shown me pure, unconditional family love if not him? Think about it, Inna, reduce your hatred for Yaya Jamilu. His father’s sins are what stained him, making you see him in a bad light. That’s why nothing he does will ever impress you because Baba Zakari has already ruined his image in your eyes, but he is completely innocent.'
Frustrated, Inna went silent and ignored her completely, knowing full well that even if people spent the whole night criticizing Jamilu, Hauwa would never tire of defending him.
Life continued smoothly for Hauwa and her mother under Allah's protection at the Kano-Line motor park, where they ran their business. Today, Hauwa has finally started writing her WAEC exams, popularly known as the SSCE, in this current month. Once completed, Hauwa will say goodbye to her special education college.
Hauwa’s constant thought now is: what will life look like after secondary school? Especially since her mother insisted she would never let her marry like other women—something she desired most at this stage. She knew Inna wasn't doing this out of spite, but rather to protect her dignity, honor, and peace of mind. Inna was shielding her from the hardships of a marital home while navigating such a major disability. Furthermore, Inna was preventing her from going to the university to protect her from falling in love with any man who might exploit her as a young, vulnerable girl with a visual impairment, given she wasn't even twenty years old yet.
At this juncture, where Inna knew that marriage was the only thing left for Hauwa-Kulu—and recognized her unspoken desire to marry her cousin Jamilu—she was determined never to let Hauwa fall into any trouble. With all her might, she would protect her Hauwa-Kulu from any love that would not benefit her.
Inna promised herself that she would not let Hauwa-Kulu go to the university, even if she had normal sight like everyone else, let alone being BLIND! She would not tolerate her entering the university to prevent her mind from being corrupted, or to stop a smooth-talker more clever than Jamilu from deceiving her and plunging her into a crisis she couldn't escape from.
She was deeply convinced that just as the Almighty intended for her to acquire a secondary education without her own planning, and designed her life to navigate disability without being degraded or humiliated (as her paternal uncle had wished for them), and just as the absence of her father did not stop them from living and breathing under His divine grace, she was certain that the King of all destiny (the Almighty) had not forgotten her. He would continue to orchestrate her future just as He beautifully orchestrated her past in ways she could never have imagined or planned, for He is the Lord of EVERYONE. When she says EVERYONE, she means everyone, including HAUWA-KULU!
This means that both the able-bodied and the disabled belong to Him. He creates what He wills, for He is 'The Doer of what He intends'. He, our Lord, is full of wisdom regarding the lives of all His servants. He does not..."

2. Summary

The narrative follows Inna (Safiya) and her beautiful, brilliant blind daughter, Hauwa (Hauwa-Kulu), who are forced into homelessness and vulnerability after a malicious relative, Uncle/Baba Zakari, evicts them and seizes their ancestral home behind the city walls (Badala) of Kano.
Stranded at the Tashar Kuka motor park, they experience cruel discrimination from a tea seller who dismisses them as worthless beggars. However, their fortunes change when Hajiya Ladi, a kind food seller and former deportee, takes them in, providing shelter and a partnership in her business. When Hajiya Ladi succumbs to a chronic asthma condition, Inna honors her final wishes by returning her savings to her estranged father in Billiri, Gombe. Out of gratitude, Ladi’s father blesses Inna and hands the food business over to her.
Under Inna’s diligent management, the food business thrives, allowing them to rent a clean home and fund Hauwa’s return to a Special Education High School after a six-month absence. Despite her disability and time away, Hauwa excels as the top student in her qualifying exams, supported by her fiercely protective mother and a kind volunteer teacher.
To shield Hauwa from predatory men and unsolicited courtships, Inna relocates their business to the Kano-Line motor park. The story culminates during Hauwa's final WAEC exams, exploring the deep psychological conflict between mother and daughter regarding Jamilu (Zakari's kind son, whom Hauwa loves but Inna fiercely rejects due to ancestral trauma). The text concludes with a profound philosophical reflection on divine providence, highlighting Inna’s absolute faith that God will protect her disabled daughter without needing to rely on a university education or systemic dependencies.

3. Analytics

Cultural & Socio-Economic Context

• The Motor Park Economy: The setting (Tashar Kuka and Kano-Line) serves as a microscopic view of urban northern Nigeria. It highlights the fast-paced, high-risk environment where marginalized individuals—particularly women and the disabled—must navigate survival.
• "Kano-to-Jeddah" Subculture: The mention of Hajiya Ladi’s past highlights the historical socio-economic migration pipeline between Northern Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, touching on forced marriages, illegal migration, and eventual deportation.

• Sharia and Urban Shifts: The historical backdrop of Kano's implementation of Sharia law is mentioned as a catalyst that deterred vulnerable, displaced women like Ladi from turning to vice, forcing them into honorable manual labor like commercial cooking.

  Literary Devices & Themes

• Irony of Visual Impairment: While Hauwa is physically blind (makauniya), she possesses the sharpest analytical mind and moral vision in the narrative. Conversely, the able-bodied characters (like Uncle Zakari or the abusive tea seller) suffer from spiritual and moral blindness.
• The Motif of "Bara" (Begging): The text aggressively tackles the societal stereotype that associates physical disability automatically with street begging. Hauwa’s intense rage at being labeled a beggar underlines her deep-seated desire for agency, dignity, and intellectual validation.

• Intergenerational Trauma vs. Tribalism: Inna’s absolute refusal to allow a marital union with Jamilu showcases how parental trauma can breed irrational bias. Jamilu is objectively kind, yet he is completely erased from grace in Inna's eyes because he carries the blood of her oppressor, Zakari.

  4. Character & Character Description

  Character NameRoleCore Attributes & DescriptionInna (Safiya)Mother / ProtagonistFiercely independent, resilient, and deeply protective. She carries the emotional scars of betrayal by her family-in-law. While she is an exceptional culinary expert and reliable businesswoman, her trauma manifests as extreme overprotectiveness, leading her to block her daughter's paths to higher education and marriage out of fear of exploitation.Hauwa (Hauwa-Kulu)Daughter / Co-ProtagonistA visually impaired teenage girl characterized by exceptional intelligence, unmatched determination, and striking physical beauty. She refuses to let her disability define her, mastering household chores, excelling academically via Braille, and maintaining a pure, objective heart that separates her cousin Jamilu’s kindness from his father's wickedness.Hajiya LadiBenefactorA former "Kano-Jeddah" deportee running a food business at the motor park. Suffering from severe asthma, she serves as a compassionate deus ex machina who rescues Inna and Hauwa from destitution. Her character arc embodies repentance, trust, and the struggle of women seeking honorable livelihoods in tough environments.Kawu ZakariAntagonist (Absent)Inna's brother-in-law whose tyrannical greed drives the plot. By illegally seizing and demolishing Inna’s home, he acts as the catalyst for their migration, representing patriarchal oppression and familial betrayal.JamiluAlly (Absent)Zakari’s son. Unlike his father, he is empathetic and generous, providing Inna and Hauwa with financial aid before their displacement. He represents unconditional familial love and acts as a point of romantic and moral contention between Hauwa and her mother.

"They stopped in front of them, and she told him 'Kurna'. It wasn’t because she knew anyone in Kurna, but rather because she knew it was far from the city center, moving towards the outskirts of Kano city. The driver charged five Naira. Even though Inna knew he was overcharging them because they looked stranded and helpless, she didn’t even argue for a discount; she grabbed Hauwa’s hand, and they climbed in with their large sack of belongings.
When they arrived at Kurna, she was confused about where to tell him to drop them off. The driver, tired of driving them around Kurna, said, 'Should I take you to the motor park if you are leaving town?' Inna found herself saying 'yes', so he drove them to the old motor park, Tashar Kuka, and dropped them off.
Inna held Hauwa’s hand. They were both disheveled, exhausted, and hungry. They approached a tea seller's stand just as the mid-morning sun began to intensify. She seated Hauwa on an empty bench. The tea seller approached them and said, 'Old woman, is everything alright? No begging is allowed on my bench; this is a place of business.'
Hauwa rolled her large eyes up and down, making sure he knew she was glaring at him. There was nothing she hated more than being associated with the word 'BEGGAR' just because she was blind. Had it not been for the good upbringing Inna gave her about not interrupting elders' conversations, she would have insulted him. The tea seller added, 'Servants of Allah, please move along. Don’t ruin my business with that big sack of yours that smells like old rags.'
Inna endured it and said, 'Please, pour some tea for her to drink, I will pay you. How much is a cup? Cut some bread for her.'
At this point, Hauwa could no longer hold back. She said, 'Inna, even if this is the only tea left in the world, or if hunger is going to kill me, I will not drink it since he called us beggars.' She burst into tears, stood up, fumbled for their sack, picked it up, and placed it on her head. Inna stood up, took her hand, and they walked away while the man scoffed, 'Good riddance! Blind people are always so full of pride and have bitter hearts like lepers. I don’t like dealing with beggars and disabled people.'
Inna spotted the food stand of a woman selling food. There weren't many people there, so she pulled Hauwa toward it. The woman was busy attending to three customers at a table. From her appearance, you could tell she was a former 'Kano-to-Jeddah' deportee. Inna greeted her, and she replied respectfully, saying, 'Welcome, Mother. Are you buying food?' Inna replied, 'Yes, pour enough for her to eat to her fill, and add pieces of meat. How much is a plate of rice and stew?' The woman said, 'Seven Naira.' She served Hauwa a hearty, vibrant plate of food, ushered her into a less crowded area of the tent, and gave her water to wash her hands.
Inna sat deep in thought, lost in worry. She didn't even feel hungry because of the darkness in her heart and the sorrow over what Zakari had done to them. She loved her home deeply; her entire history, memories of her husband, her children, the essence of her married life, and her life’s happiness were tied to that house behind the city wall (Badala). But to think that today, in a single day...??? She used the edge of her wrapper to wipe away her heavy tears, a sound that Hauwa caught.
Hauwa turned her large, sightless eyes toward the direction of Inna’s sniffing. 'Inna, aren't you going to eat?' 'Eat, Kulu, and leave me be. I cannot even bring water to my mouth today.'
Hearing this, Hauwa also pulled her hand out of the food, leaned against the wall just like Inna, wrapped her arms around herself, tucked her head into her knees, and said, 'Alright then, I won’t eat either, since you aren't eating, Inna.'
Inna said, 'Kulu, I am simply not hungry at all.' Hauwa replied, 'I know anger and sorrow have stopped you from eating. But there is one thing I want you to remember, Inna: even if Kawu (Uncle) Zakari demolished our house and took it by force through his sheer wickedness, Allah is not unjust to His servants, and He never forgives the rights of the oppressed. I will never cease to lay my complaints against him before the Almighty during my prostrations in the five daily obligatory prayers. Inna, forget about Baba Zakari; let us focus on what will save us. If possible, Inna, let’s start a food business ourselves in this motor park, since I noticed you have some money on you.'
Inna said, 'Yes, I have money—the money that young man, Jamilu, gave me before he left. But Hauwa, you don't just start a business out of nowhere without sitting down to understand the environment, the people, the dynamics of the area, their habits, and how they interact. How can we live in a motor park when it is a breeding ground for misfortune and bad behavior for young women? Just let us move further ahead; if necessary, we can sleep in mosques.'
All this conversation was being overheard by Hajiya Ladi, the food seller, who was counting her morning sales while listening with one ear. She had finished her morning cooking, was calculating her profits, and was about to prepare the afternoon meals. She felt deep pity for Inna and was highly impressed by Hauwa. Even though those eyes of hers clearly couldn't see, her spirit was not dead. She didn’t suggest that they resort to begging in the motor park just because she was blind and could easily become a source of income for her mother. Moreover, despite being a beautiful young woman sought after by many, she was the one urging her mother to start a business.
Hajiya Ladi walked over to where they were sitting and said, 'I overheard everything you discussed. Even though I don't know where you are coming from, I will give you accommodation in the house where I live. I will also give you work at my food business so you can assist me. We will come here together every day, and once we finish selling, we go home together. I will also provide you with food three times a day. I won't lie to you about paying you a single cent; the food you eat and the place to sleep will be your wages. Later on, when you understand how food is sold here at the motor park, you can set up your own table. My servants of God, those of us whom Allah has destined to earn our living in a motor park didn't choose it. It’s true there are criminals and various bad things here, but what can you do when Allah has destined that your sustenance is located here?'
Inna and Hauwa showered Hajiya Ladi with gratitude. From that day on, she gave them a room in her house located in the Rijiyar Lemo neighborhood, cleared out the clutter, and told them to sleep there. However, they had to wake up early to go to the motor park to set up the morning food, and by 4:00 PM, after selling the afternoon food, they would return home together.
She taught Inna the varieties of meals she cooked. To her amazement, she found Hauwa’s mother to be an expert in cooking—even more skilled than herself. Combined with her personal and environmental cleanliness, Hajiya Ladi grew even fonder of Inna.
From that day on, they began working for Hajiya Ladi. Even Hauwa wasn't left idle; she was responsible for washing the used dishes. She washed them thoroughly, rinsed them, and turned them upside down in the basket. Within a week, they became highly proficient in Hajiya Ladi’s food business and got along well with her two other workers, Zulai and Amuna.
Hajiya Ladi suffered from asthma. On days when it flared up, she couldn't do anything but lie down and cough. She handed over full control to Inna, seeing that she was mature, older than Amuna and Zulai, and possessed better judgment and care. This angered Zulai, who eventually quit the job because she felt that newcomers were being favored over her.
This left only Amuna and Hauwa to handle the remaining tasks. Hauwa learned to do chores one wouldn’t expect a blind person to handle, such as cutting spinach and lettuce without cutting her hands. Any task that could be done while seated was given to her by Inna.
A severe asthma attack left Hajiya Ladi bedridden. The poor woman began to fear that she might die without anyone knowing her background. She deeply regretted her past life and her youth, which she had wasted in the 'Kano-to-Jeddah' lifestyle. She even began to wonder if her parents were still alive.
Hajiya Ladi started seeking forgiveness from her bed. One night, she woke up and called Hauwa's mother. Crying, she began to tell Inna about her true origins. She said she was a native of Billiri village in Gombe, and she was the daughter of the village head of Billiri at the time. She explained that a forced marriage was what drove her away from home; she found a patroness who helped her sneak away to Mecca. They spent a long time living the 'Kano-Jeddah' life until they were eventually caught and deported back to Nigeria. That was how she took up the food business because she feared falling into prostitution in Kano, especially due to the Islamic Sharia law established at the time. To this day, she hadn't been able to return home.
She said, 'If Allah takes my life, I leave this shop to you to continue renting it because of your trustworthiness. We haven't been together long, but I trust your good character. I want you to continue my business, but gather all my belongings and take them to my father; ask for his forgiveness on my behalf. I also want to urge you to protect the honor of your blind daughter in this motor park environment because there are bad people, and she is fully grown and attractive. May Allah help you look after her.'
Inna felt a heavy heart and said, 'Hajiya Ladi, go and seek your father’s forgiveness yourself while you still have some strength. Illness does not mean death. Parents are above everything, and you will never find peace of mind unless you get their blessings. It is not too late for you, Hajiya Ladi.'
Two days after Inna and Hajiya Ladi had this conversation, Inna woke up at dawn for prayers and noticed that Hajiya Ladi hadn't woken up for dawn prayers as they usually did. At first, she thought the illness had flared up and caused her to oversleep. But by daybreak, Hajiya Ladi still hadn't moved. When Inna approached to check on her, she realized Hajiya Ladi was gone. Her soul had passed away.
Inna stood firm and ensured that Hajiya Ladi’s corpse was transported to her father's house—the house of the Village Head of Billiri. She fulfilled the deceased’s wishes by handing over all her money from her purse. The father showered Inna with countless blessings. He asked where she was from because she didn't look like the usual 'Kano-Jeddah' crowd. Inna told him they came from inside the Badala (city wall) of Kano, looking for a means of livelihood after her husband went missing. That was how they met Hajiya Ladi through her business, and she helped them at a time when they had no helper but Allah. She told him they lived together in absolute trust and detailed all the assistance Hajiya Ladi had given them. He declared that out of respect for Inna's honesty, he had forgiven Ladi in this world and the next, and would pray for Allah’s mercy upon her.
He noted that Hajiya Ladi had left her food shop to Inna to take over, and since she had the capital, they would return to Kano. He wished her well and expressed his gratitude. After the third-day charity prayers (Sadakar Uku) for Hajiya Ladi, they returned to the rented house where they lived, since the annual rent paid by Ladi wasn't even halfway through.
Inna withdrew her savings and bought groceries, preparing food just as they used to do during Hajiya Ladi's lifetime. From that day on, she continued running the food business seamlessly, as if Hajiya Ladi were still alive.
They enjoyed massive patronage from Hajiya Ladi's old customers. Every single day, she would cook three measures (tiya) of rice, and they accumulated a substantial amount of money. Consequently, Hauwa suggested they move to a slightly better house, as their savings were enough to rent a place since Hajiya Ladi's rent period was ending. Hauwa suggested they find a house within Kurna or somewhere close to Tashar Kuka.
And so it was done. Inna rented a small, neat house—cleaner than Hajiya Ladi's—with two rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen in an alley within the Kurna neighborhood.
Inna's food business continued to flourish, as no one in the entire Tashar Kuka served food as good as theirs. It reached a point where Inna hired two workers under her, Saude and Hajara, both divorcees, who went to the shop at dawn to start cooking before she arrived. Inna would perform her mid-morning (Duha) prayers before joining them as daylight broke. Usually, she would find they had finished cooking and dishing out the food, and she would sit down to handle the sales herself.
Not long after settling in Kurna, seeing that their lives had stabilized and their income had multiplied, Hauwa raised the issue of returning to her school. Years were passing her by, and the qualifying exams were approaching. Since they were making good money now, Inna would easily afford her school fees. Fortunately, her school bag and everything else were still intact; she had never discarded them. Even her uniform, photochromic glasses, and shoes were still inside the bag.
Inna said, 'Hauwa, from here in Kurna to your school is quite a distance, and I cannot personally take you and pick you up every day. With the food business that we rely on, how can I balance cooking with taking you to school and bringing you back?'
Hauwa replied, 'Inna, why don't we find a commercial motorcycle rider (Achaba) who lives in this neighborhood, whose family house and background are well-known? You can negotiate a price with him so he can drop me off and pick me up every day, and he will be paid at the end of every month.'
Kulu's advice was well-received by Inna, who already knew that her Hauwa-Kulu was exceptionally sharp-minded. And that was exactly what they did.
Hauwa successfully returned to her school—the Special School in Kano—on a Monday. Both her teachers and fellow students were thrilled by the return of Hauwa Bilyaminu after a six-month absence.
Despite her long absence, because of Hauwa’s brilliance, her teachers did not make her repeat the class; they were confident she would soon catch up on everything she missed. A corps member serving as a teacher, named Teacher Amos Hedimasta, offered her free lessons out of sheer goodwill due to her intelligence, teaching her for an hour every day after school. This helped her tremendously to catch up with her classmates. Whenever a new topic started, Hauwa grasped it instantly, especially because she was highly motivated, passionate, and terrified of becoming a BEGGAR due to her blindness.
Hauwa was deeply dedicated. Even when she returned home, she wouldn't sleep; you would find her reading her Braille materials until Inna would forcefully take her books away, turn off the light, and say, 'That's enough reading, the night is meant for a servant to rest.'
Not long after her return to school, the qualifying exams were held, followed by a vacation. Upon their return, Hauwa and her peers would enter their final year of senior secondary school (SS6/SS3).
When the results of the qualifying exams were released, hers was the best and most prestigious in the entire school, boasting only 'A's and 'B's. By this time, adolescence had fully shaped Hauwa Bilyaminu into a beautiful Kano maiden, thriving under her mother's care, proper hygiene, and a highly nutritious diet.
Before Hauwa returned from the holidays to start her final year, they stopped selling food at Tashar Kuka and relocated to the Kano-Line motor park. This was solely because it was closer to Hauwa’s school and because the young men at Tashar Kuka had started bothering Hauwa, expressing interest in her, with some even making foolish advances right under her mother's nose.
This troubled Inna deeply. She saw the necessity of leaving Tashar Kuka for a place where they knew no one, even if it meant sacrificing some profit, just to protect Hauwa’s dignity. Many local men used their familiarity and good relations with Inna to hint at marrying Hauwa. Because Inna was kind and always welcoming to every customer, she drew large crowds—mostly travelers, people coming into Kano through their park, and drivers who ate at her stand. As for Hauwa herself! No matter how arrogant a customer was, no one dared approach her with any topic outside of buying food, because she gave absolutely no room for familiarity. She could go the whole day without a single smile. What Uncle Zakari had done to them had deeply scarred her heart and stripped away her playfulness. Such was 'Hauwa-Kulu-Majadun'.
Although they moved to the Kano-Line motor park and rented a two-room house in the Unguwa Uku area, their sales had actually been much higher back at Tashar Kuka. Some people used to buy Inna's food at Tashar Kuka not out of hunger, but simply to catch a glimpse of her beautiful blind daughter, who always assisted her mother with the chores and sales as soon as she returned from school.
By that time, Hauwa was fully of marriageable age and on the verge of writing her senior secondary school leaving examination (SSCE). She enjoyed an opportunity that many young girls of her era were denied, as most were pulled out of school for early marriage. But Inna gave absolutely no room for anyone to bring up the topic of marrying Hauwa, and Hauwa herself showed no interest whatsoever. Inna constantly reminded her, 'If you hadn't given Jamilu the green light to visit you under the guise of courtship in the first place, we would still be living in our home in dignity, privacy, and peace of mind, and we wouldn't have ended up as motor park food sellers.'
Hauwa would then pout her lips and mutter, 'But Inna, isn't Yaya Jamilu my brother? You just hate Yaya Jamilu as if he were Baba Zakari. What is his fault? His character is entirely different from his father's.'
Inna gasped, opening and closing her mouth in absolute shock at Hauwa's awareness of love. She said, 'That's true, he is your brother, a blood relative indeed. But I swear to Allah, even if he were the last man left on earth and you were the last woman left in this entire world, as long as I, SAFIYA, gave birth to you and am still alive, you will never marry. Even on my deathbed, I will leave a final instruction to anyone I find that no offspring of mine shall ever intermarry with Zakari's lineage.'
Hauwa pouted even more and said in another round of muttering, 'Well, I didn't ask anyone to marry me anyway. If it's about marriage, Inna, I just know that blood is thicker than water. Yaya Jamilu is my brother whom I love, since no other relative has ever shown me affection except him. Even if I see him tomorrow, by God, I will attend to him. I will kneel down to the ground to greet him because I can never forget his kindness to me, and I have no other lover in this world after you except him.'
Inna flew into a rage. Today, because of Jamilu, Hauwa was talking back to her? She said, 'That blood of yours will be severed, even if it means scrubbing it away with a steel sponge, white detergent, and heavy soap! The ties of that blood will break even if it leaves you bruised and scarred, you foolish, disrespectful girl! I ran away from that family line and your so-called love, and I trampled over it barefoot!'
Hauwa burst into laughter and said, 'In all honesty, Inna, I’ve never known you to blame someone for a fault that isn't theirs. Even so, Inna, may Allah calm your heart. I am no stranger to your anger regarding Yaya Jamilu. How could I even think of marriage when I am blind? I simply love Yaya Jamilu in my heart because out of all Baba Zakari’s children, who else has ever shown me pure, unconditional family love if not him? Think about it, Inna, reduce your hatred for Yaya Jamilu. His father’s sins are what stained him, making you see him in a bad light. That’s why nothing he does will ever impress you because Baba Zakari has already ruined his image in your eyes, but he is completely innocent.'
Frustrated, Inna went silent and ignored her completely, knowing full well that even if people spent the whole night criticizing Jamilu, Hauwa would never tire of defending him.
Life continued smoothly for Hauwa and her mother under Allah's protection at the Kano-Line motor park, where they ran their business. Today, Hauwa has finally started writing her WAEC exams, popularly known as the SSCE, in this current month. Once completed, Hauwa will say goodbye to her special education college.
Hauwa’s constant thought now is: what will life look like after secondary school? Especially since her mother insisted she would never let her marry like other women—something she desired most at this stage. She knew Inna wasn't doing this out of spite, but rather to protect her dignity, honor, and peace of mind. Inna was shielding her from the hardships of a marital home while navigating such a major disability. Furthermore, Inna was preventing her from going to the university to protect her from falling in love with any man who might exploit her as a young, vulnerable girl with a visual impairment, given she wasn't even twenty years old yet.
At this juncture, where Inna knew that marriage was the only thing left for Hauwa-Kulu—and recognized her unspoken desire to marry her cousin Jamilu—she was determined never to let Hauwa fall into any trouble. With all her might, she would protect her Hauwa-Kulu from any love that would not benefit her.
Inna promised herself that she would not let Hauwa-Kulu go to the university, even if she had normal sight like everyone else, let alone being BLIND! She would not tolerate her entering the university to prevent her mind from being corrupted, or to stop a smooth-talker more clever than Jamilu from deceiving her and plunging her into a crisis she couldn't escape from.
She was deeply convinced that just as the Almighty intended for her to acquire a secondary education without her own planning, and designed her life to navigate disability without being degraded or humiliated (as her paternal uncle had wished for them), and just as the absence of her father did not stop them from living and breathing under His divine grace, she was certain that the King of all destiny (the Almighty) had not forgotten her. He would continue to orchestrate her future just as He beautifully orchestrated her past in ways she could never have imagined or planned, for He is the Lord of EVERYONE. When she says EVERYONE, she means everyone, including HAUWA-KULU!
This means that both the able-bodied and the disabled belong to Him. He creates what He wills, for He is 'The Doer of what He intends'. He, our Lord, is full of wisdom regarding the lives of all His servants. He does not..."

2. Summary

The narrative follows Inna (Safiya) and her beautiful, brilliant blind daughter, Hauwa (Hauwa-Kulu), who are forced into homelessness and vulnerability after a malicious relative, Uncle/Baba Zakari, evicts them and seizes their ancestral home behind the city walls (Badala) of Kano.
Stranded at the Tashar Kuka motor park, they experience cruel discrimination from a tea seller who dismisses them as worthless beggars. However, their fortunes change when Hajiya Ladi, a kind food seller and former deportee, takes them in, providing shelter and a partnership in her business. When Hajiya Ladi succumbs to a chronic asthma condition, Inna honors her final wishes by returning her savings to her estranged father in Billiri, Gombe. Out of gratitude, Ladi’s father blesses Inna and hands the food business over to her.
Under Inna’s diligent management, the food business thrives, allowing them to rent a clean home and fund Hauwa’s return to a Special Education High School after a six-month absence. Despite her disability and time away, Hauwa excels as the top student in her qualifying exams, supported by her fiercely protective mother and a kind volunteer teacher.
To shield Hauwa from predatory men and unsolicited courtships, Inna relocates their business to the Kano-Line motor park. The story culminates during Hauwa's final WAEC exams, exploring the deep psychological conflict between mother and daughter regarding Jamilu (Zakari's kind son, whom Hauwa loves but Inna fiercely rejects due to ancestral trauma). The text concludes with a profound philosophical reflection on divine providence, highlighting Inna’s absolute faith that God will protect her disabled daughter without needing to rely on a university education or systemic dependencies.

3. Analytics

Cultural & Socio-Economic Context

• The Motor Park Economy: The setting (Tashar Kuka and Kano-Line) serves as a microscopic view of urban northern Nigeria. It highlights the fast-paced, high-risk environment where marginalized individuals—particularly women and the disabled—must navigate survival.
• "Kano-to-Jeddah" Subculture: The mention of Hajiya Ladi’s past highlights the historical socio-economic migration pipeline between Northern Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, touching on forced marriages, illegal migration, and eventual deportation.

• Sharia and Urban Shifts: The historical backdrop of Kano's implementation of Sharia law is mentioned as a catalyst that deterred vulnerable, displaced women like Ladi from turning to vice, forcing them into honorable manual labor like commercial cooking.

  Literary Devices & Themes

• Irony of Visual Impairment: While Hauwa is physically blind (makauniya), she possesses the sharpest analytical mind and moral vision in the narrative. Conversely, the able-bodied characters (like Uncle Zakari or the abusive tea seller) suffer from spiritual and moral blindness.
• The Motif of "Bara" (Begging): The text aggressively tackles the societal stereotype that associates physical disability automatically with street begging. Hauwa’s intense rage at being labeled a beggar underlines her deep-seated desire for agency, dignity, and intellectual validation.

• Intergenerational Trauma vs. Tribalism: Inna’s absolute refusal to allow a marital union with Jamilu showcases how parental trauma can breed irrational bias. Jamilu is objectively kind, yet he is completely erased from grace in Inna's eyes because he carries the blood of her oppressor, Zakari.

  4. Character & Character Description

  Character NameRoleCore Attributes & DescriptionInna (Safiya)Mother / ProtagonistFiercely independent, resilient, and deeply protective. She carries the emotional scars of betrayal by her family-in-law. While she is an exceptional culinary expert and reliable businesswoman, her trauma manifests as extreme overprotectiveness, leading her to block her daughter's paths to higher education and marriage out of fear of exploitation.Hauwa (Hauwa-Kulu)Daughter / Co-ProtagonistA visually impaired teenage girl characterized by exceptional intelligence, unmatched determination, and striking physical beauty. She refuses to let her disability define her, mastering household chores, excelling academically via Braille, and maintaining a pure, objective heart that separates her cousin Jamilu’s kindness from his father's wickedness.Hajiya LadiBenefactorA former "Kano-Jeddah" deportee running a food business at the motor park. Suffering from severe asthma, she serves as a compassionate deus ex machina who rescues Inna and Hauwa from destitution. Her character arc embodies repentance, trust, and the struggle of women seeking honorable livelihoods in tough environments.Kawu ZakariAntagonist (Absent)Inna's brother-in-law whose tyrannical greed drives the plot. By illegally seizing and demolishing Inna’s home, he acts as the catalyst for their migration, representing patriarchal oppression and familial betrayal.JamiluAlly (Absent)Zakari’s son. Unlike his father, he is empathetic and generous, providing Inna and Hauwa with financial aid before their displacement. He represents unconditional familial love and acts as a point of romantic and moral contention between Hauwa and her mother.