Food Security and Economic Diversification in Musa Dankwairo’s Wakar Noma Babbar Sana’a

Citation: Abba, M., Adamu, Y.M. & Mohammed, M.U. (2025). Food Security and Economic Diversification in Musa Dankwairo’s Waƙar Noma Babbar Sana’a. Tasambo Journal of Language, Literature, and Culture, 4(1), 48-54. www.doi.org/10.36349/tjllc.2025.v04i01.006.

FOOD SECURITY AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IN MUSA DANKWAIRO’S WAƘAR NOMA BABBAR SANA’A

Mahmud Abba

Yusuf M. Adamu

Murtala Uba Mohammed

Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano

Abstract

From the academic point of view, oral songs are storehouse of the ideals, customs and traditions of the society; they are also repositories for epistemology and philosophy. Since most of the Hausa oral songs generally uphold patriotism, unity, self-sufficiency, hard work and obedience amongst the people, they can thus be employed as catalysts for economic growth and development in Nigeria. The song Noma Babbar Sana’a aptly explained the fundamental role of agriculture in guaranteeing food security and diversification of the Nigerian economy. At least two dimensions of food security were clearly explained in the song. The availability aspect and the utilization element of food security were appropriately captured in a number of stanzas, while the remaining two elements which are food accessibility and food stability were not seen in the song. However, all the three dimensions of economic diversification which are the expansion of economic sectors, export diversification and fiscal diversification were clearly expressed in the song. Though the singer Alhaji Musa Dankwairo is not educated in the formal Western way, nevertheless his song echoes many scholarly topics connected to food security and economic diversification in Nigeria.

Keywords: Oral Songs, Hausa, Agriculture, Economy, Dankwairo

1.0 Introduction

Song is one of the major perhaps the most important genres of Hausa literature. Poetry propels social direction. As a repository of the values, norms and customs of the society, oral songs in the intellectual area are a reservoir for epistemology and philosophy. Through songs people discover, laugh, grieve, teach, comfort each other, motivate one another and at times pass secret messages (Akivaga & Odaga, 1982 p. 69).

Present-day songs are composed on diverse issues, and they are also an extension of the past songs with an addition of current issues. Hausa oral songs can be used as catalysts for economic growth and development in Nigeria. This is because most of the songs are usually promoting nationalism, togetherness, self-reliance, hard work and discipline amongst Nigerians. These are essential elements for economic development, thus for the country to achieve economic development and diversification it has to instill these ideals in the minds of its citizenry (Chamo, 2013).

There are a number of studies that investigate the role of Hausa oral songs in tackling various issues of national development in Nigeria. For instance, studies conducted by Dandatti (1975), Daba and Sheme (2006) were on the role of oral singers in society. Chamo (2013) examined the importance of oral songs in national integration and development in Nigeria. Zaki Azzay dealt with the issue of nationalism in his song titled “Nigeria”. The song cantered on the vast natural and human resources the country is blessed with and how Nigerians should appreciate these and unite to benefit from the God-given resources (Chamo, 2013).

Hausa traditional musicians, and by extension their songs, were generally divided into four groups. The first group was makaɗan yaƙi (war musicians), the second category, was makaɗan sarakuna (emir’s palace musicians) and the third category was makaɗan sana’a/maza (those who sang for members of specific occupational guilds and professions, predominantly male) (Adamu, 2019). Although Alhaji Musa Ɗanƙwairo (1909–91) was primarily a palace musician, yet he used his talents in singing on economic and socio-cultural issues (Adamu, 2019). The song Noma Babbar Sana’a captured the essence of agriculture for ensuring food security and diversification of the economy in Nigeria.

2.0 Methodology

This paper employs a qualitative methodology, combining textual analysis and literature synthesis. The research team listened to the song multiple times, then transcribed and translated it into English for formal analysis. In interpreting the song, the team relied on their mastery of the Hausa language, in which the song was rendered, supplemented by knowledge of history and political economy relevant to the song's context and time of production. Additionally, the team drew on existing literature to guide the synthesis of the song's themes. A textual analysis involving coding and thematization was used throughout the study.

3.0 Defining Food Security

Food security is a flexible concept as reflected in the many attempts at definition in research and policy usage. Even a decade ago, there were about 200 definitions in published writings. The most recent careful redefinition of food security is that which was negotiated in the process of international consultation leading to the World Food Summit (WFS) in November 1996 (Maxwell & Smith, 1992).

Food security as a concept originated only in the mid-1970s, in the discussions of international food problems at a time of global food crisis. The initial focus of attention was primarily on food supply problems - of assuring the availability and to some degree the price stability of basic foodstuffs at the international and national levels (Overseas Development Institute, 1997). The initial focus, reflecting the global concerns of 1974, was on the volume and stability of food supplies. Food security was defined in the 1974 World Food Summit as:

… availability at all times of adequate world food supplies of basic foodstuffs to sustain a steady expansion of food consumption and to offset fluctuations in production and prices (FAO, 2002 p. 7).

In 1983, FAO expanded its concept to include securing access by vulnerable people to available supplies, implying that attention should be balanced between the demand and supply side of the food security equation:

… ensuring that all people at all times have both physical and economic access to the basic food that they need (FAO, 2002 p. 10).

3.1 The Four Dimensions of Food Security

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (World Food Summit, 1996). For food security objectives to be realized, all four dimensions must be fulfilled simultaneously as shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Dimensions of Food Security

Dimensions of Food Security	Description of the Elements
Physical AVAILABILITY of food	Food availability addresses the “supply side” of food security and is determined by the level of food production, stock levels and net trade.
Economic and physical ACCESS to food	An adequate supply of food at the national or international level does not in itself guarantee household level food security. Concerns about insufficient food access have resulted in a greater policy focus on incomes, expenditure, markets and prices in achieving food security objectives.
Food UTILIZATION	Utilization is commonly understood as the way the body makes the most of various nutrients in the food. Sufficient energy and nutrient intake by individuals is the result of good care and feeding practices, food preparation, diversity of the diet and intra-household distribution of food. Combined with good biological utilization of food consumed, this determines the nutritional status of individuals.
STABILITY of the other three dimensions over time	Even if your food intake is adequate today, you are still considered to be food insecure if you have inadequate access to food on a periodic basis, risking a deterioration of your nutritional status. Adverse weather conditions, political instability, or economic factors (unemployment, rising food prices) may have an impact on your food security status

Source: FAO (2008)

3.2 Economic Diversification

Economic diversification is the process of shifting an economy away from a single income source toward multiple sources from a growing range of sectors and markets. Traditionally, it has been applied as a strategy to encourage positive economic growth and development. It takes on a new relevance as a strategy to diversify away from vulnerable products, markets, and jobs toward income sources that are low-emission and more climate-resilient (Nairobi Work Programme, 2018).

Economies that are not diversified experienced a decline in growth, accompanied by weak institutions, as well as stunted efforts at structural and economic transformation. Economies weakened by a lack of diversification are susceptible to global crises such as a pandemic (Ndung’u, 2020). Closely associated with the process of structural transformation from lower to higher productivity sectors, economic diversification has three eident dimensions.

(a)   The first relates to the expansion of economic sectors that contribute to employment and production or gross domestic product (GDP) diversification.

(b)  The second is associated with international trade or export diversification.

(c)   The third dimension is fiscal diversification. This fiscal element involves expanding government revenue sources and public expenditure targets and can therefore play a central role in helping to catalyze broader economic transformation through the expansion of activity in specific industries and sectors (Usman & Landry, 2021).

4.0 The Song of Noma Babbar Sana’a (Farming, a Great Enterprise) and Food Security

Even though the main theme of the song is the significance of agriculture to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, the issue of food security also featured prominently in the song. At least two dimensions of food security identified earlier can be found in some stanzas of the song. The food availability dimension is expressed as the supply of food which is determined by the level of food production and the amount of food reserve. The availability element is aptly captured in a number of verses stanzas. The only way to ensure adequate food supply for the country as it was obtained in the past is to go back to agricultural food production, this is expressed in the following stanza:

To ku ‘yan Nijeriya,

Yanzu me za mu komawa,

Gara mu koma kan noma,

Gara mu koma gun noma,

Mu tara abincin ƙasarmu,

Mu samu abinci da za mu ci...

 

Oh you Nigerians,

Now to which sector should we turn?

It is better to focus on farming,

It is better to turn to farming,

To stockpile food for our country,

Hence have food for our consumption...

Availability of food can only be achieved when Nigerians pay more attention to the agricultural sector of the economy. Through this Nigerians can produce enough for the country’s consumption and even have a surplus to be stored in the reserve. The availability dimension of food security was further explained in subsequent verses:

Sai mun aje gero mun aje dawa,

Ga masara ga alkama,

Ga shinkafa ga masara,

Idan abinci yat taru,

In yai haka nan ya yi daidai...

 

We must stockpile millet and sorghum,

Stock up maize and wheat,

Stock up rice and guinea corn

When the food stock is accumulated,

Whoever does this is doing the right thing...      

Another element of food security that was in some way dealt with in the song was food utilization. This is how the body makes use of the various nutrients available in the food. Sufficient energy and nutrient intake by individuals is the result of feeding practices, food preparation and diversity of the diet. Although the element was not explained in detail, however, an aspect of it can be gleaned from at least one verse of the song:

Dankwairo na sha dariya,

Na iske Bahillacen daji,

Ya na ta kiwon shanu nai,

An ba shi furag-gero yas sha,

Da nan sai yac ce miyatti,

Garɗi ne yar ratsi kai nai,

Garɗi ne,

Yar ratsi kai nai,

Noma babbar sana’a,

Kwayyi ta ya bar rasawa. 

 

Dankwairo I have laughed enough,

I came upon a Fulani nomad,

He was rearing his cattle,

He was offered fura made from millet and he drank,

There and then he said thanks,

 He was enthralled by its taste,

Indeed its taste,

Have enthralled him,

Farming is a great enterprise,

Whoever engages in will never lack. 

Even though the verse is a pun on Fulani nomads, nonetheless it touches on food preparation, feeding and dietary. Fura is a millet dough ball. It is locally prepared as a drink by mixing the dough with fermented milk and sugar. The drink is highly nutritious as it contains carbohydrates, protein and fibre. The Fulani nomad mentioned in the song was mesmerized by the food’s delicious taste and the nourishment it gives, these made him to be instantly grateful.  

4.1 Economic Diversification in the Song

First of all, the singer reminded us with nostalgia, about Nigeria’s prosperity in food production in the past. This prosperity was punctuated by the discovery and subsequent exploitation of crude oil in the 1950s. This development led Nigeria to neglect agriculture; its initial economic base, in favour of oil-based mono-cultural economy.

Can dauri Nigeriya qasarmu,

Allah Ya bat a arzikin noma ƙasan nan,

Mu noma mu noma dawa,

Ga shinkafa ga gyaɗa,

Ga auduga mu na noma,

Ga masara kuma ga shinkafa,

Ga acca kuma ga shinkafa,

Ga alkama mu na noma,

Arzikin mai fetur ya motso,

Kasuwar man fetur tattashi,

Duk mun ka watsar da noma,

Mun ka koma a kan kwangiloli,

To ga shi arziƙin fetur,

Yanzu ya ƙare ƙasar nan,

Can ƙasan da mu ke kaiwa,

Can ƙasashen da mu ke kaiwa,

Kasuwar mai ta faɗi...

 

In the past, our country Nigeria,

It was endowed with rich agricultural resources,

We cultivate millet and sorghum,

Rice and groundnut as well,

Maize and again rice,

We cultivate fonio and millet,

We also cultivate wheat,

Then came the oil wealth,

There was a boom in the oil market,

Thus we neglected agriculture,

We embraced contracts,

Now, the oil wealth,

Had declined in the country,

The country to which we export,

All the countries to which we export,

The oil market has declined...

The first category of economic diversification has to do with the increase in the sectors of the economy. This diversification contributes to employment generation and increases production or gross domestic product (GDP). This is adequately captured in many verses as follows:

Wada duk mu ka so Nijeriya,

Mutane dun na hore ku,

Manyan garuruwanmu,

Kowanne gari kaz zo,

Ka hangi dala ta gyaɗa,

Ka hangi dala ta auduga,

Kowane dummun tara.

 

As we all love Nigeria,

I enjoin you all people,

All our major towns,

Each town you arrive at,

You should see a groundnut pyramid,

You should also see a cotton pyramid,

All these we have accumulated.

The economy of the country can be diversified through an increase in food production which will consequently lead to an increase in the country’s gross domestic product. The increase in the production of agricultural goods will allow the stocking of both food crops and cash crops which can be traded.

The increase in international trade or exports of goods is another dimension of economic diversification captured in the song. Millet and sorghum were identified as the main food crops grown chiefly for domestic consumption. However, as the economy is not only limited to the production of food crops, two major cash crops were also identified. These crops are produced mainly for export to foreign countries. 

Kun san gero da dawa,

Da sauran abin da za mu ci,

Shi mu ka ci a Nijeriya,

Amma auduga da gyaxa,

To ita ce za mu ɗauka,

Mu kai ta can ƙasashen waje...

 

You know that millet and sorghum,

And other food crops,

Are what we consume in Nigeria,

As for cotton and groundnut,

Are what we export,

We export them to foreign countries...

The financial aspect of economic diversification entails increasing the government’s sources of income and municipal spending thus performing a vital role in catalyzing wider economic change through opening out of activity in specific industries and sectors. These aspects were also adequately described in the song.

Amma auduga da gyaɗa,

To ita ce za mu ɗauka,

Mu kai ta can ƙasashen waje,

Mu sayar mu samo kuɗɗi,

In dai mun ka samo kuɗɗi,

Mu gina asibiti,

Domin kiwon lafiyarmu,

Mu kare mutunci na kanmu,

Mu kare mutuncin kasagga,

In mun samo kuɗɗi mun tara,

Ka na mu gina godabe,

Ma su zagaya Nijeriya,

Kayan unhwanin gona,

Ko’ina aje a kai,

Mu kare mutuncin kasagga,

Mu kare mutunci na kanmu...

 

 As for cotton and groundnut,

Are what we export,

We export them to foreign countries,

We sell to generate income,

When we generate enough income,

We can construct hospitals,

For our healthcare,

To protect our integrity,

And uphold the honour of our country,

When the income is accrued,

We can construct roads,

That liked-up Nigeria,

Thus the farm products,

Will be transported to every place...

5.0 Conclusion

Although Alhaji Musa Dankwairo had no formal Western education. However, his songs reflected many academic issues related to food security and economic diversification. Two determinants of food security; availability and utilization, are conspicuously found in the songs, while the last two were not indicated. However, all the three dimensions of economic diversification are clearly described in the song.

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