DIWANIN WAƘOƘIN AMINU LADAN ABUBAKAR (ALA)
Na
Salisu Ahmad Yakasai
Abu-Ubaida Sani
Human dignity and worth are what define a person's place in society. Dignity carries within it a set of qualities that touch upon character, thought, beauty, and social interaction. Indeed, the matter of worth and dignity goes far beyond physical appearance; it is the inner attributes that complete a person.
The first of these attributes is humility. A humble person is
easy to relate with and causes no difficulty in social interactions. Yet how
often do we meet such a person? Such an individual is content and knows proper
conduct. He is not quick to anger nor lazy, and his smile or cheerful demeanor
improves every gathering. He offers support and encouragement to the community.
His doors are always open; he is ready to listen and give good counsel, and
wherever he goes, he is never hidden. Thus, he becomes a trusted friend whom
people approach for advice on life's matters—not because of wealth, but because
of good character.
Do our own habits help us interact with one heart, and does that
lead to positive outcomes in our daily relationships? Without doubt, whoever
navigates life with ease will find people surrounding him with trust and
loyalty.
Another quality is courage—not the courage of physical strength,
but the courage of integrity, good manners, and obedience. In the fabric of
life, nothing is more needed than the courage to speak the truth. We need
courage especially when we find ourselves choosing between right and wrong when
no one is watching. We need courage to remain honest and just in our dealings
with others. When a community has a person of courage as its leader, that
community lives in harmony. This kind of courage is the pinnacle of true
manhood.
There is also diligence and obedience in work or duty. We can
distinguish between a diligent person and an obedient one. Obedience submits to
a task or command, while diligence is the enthusiasm to achieve what is set
before us. When these three qualities—humility, courage, and diligence—come
together in one person, something excellent has been prepared. They are the
guides for navigating life. Diligence and submission are the secrets of
self-building; through diligence, a person is truly built.
Then there is compassion. We often find ourselves loving and
drawn to compassionate people. There is no path to happiness quite like showing
compassion. Happiness may come quickly but does not last; joy, however, resides
in the heart. The Messenger of mercy often taught us to give rather than
receive, for the giving hand is superior to the receiving hand. The world takes
pride in the compassionate, for success is not achieved except through
compassion. Indeed, the compassionate are the truly wealthy in this world and
the next. Because they have poured the gift of compassion upon the community,
their hearts are filled with light.
It is true that the face is one's garment—one must always
present a complete and dignified appearance. The love of fine clothing and
adornment is not new among poets. Indeed, those who take care with their attire
often say that a well-kept body carries good character along with it, and
eventually, the whole person is elevated. A person who wears beautiful clothes
carries a special dignity. Such people increase their own commitment and
diligence in work and generosity, and they are long remembered in the community
for the good deeds they are known for.
Such is the nature of human character, and it fits perfectly
with the life and work of Aminu Ladan Abubakar (ALA), the renowned poet whose
biography and poems are presented in this book, titled Diwanin
Waƙoƙin Aminu Ladan Abubakar (ALA).
To present a complete account of ALA's life and poetry, this
book is divided into thirteen chapters.
After an introductory section, Chapter
One presents the birth of ALA—his homeland, ancestors, and
family members. It also covers his marriages, children, education, and the
struggles of his parents.
Chapter Two discusses
ALA's position in the world of poetry—when and why he began singing, the role
of his father, his aspirations, fears, last wishes, and his fame within the
poetic tradition.
Chapter Three begins
the treatment of thematic categories in ALA's poetry. Since the themes are
numerous, this chapter focuses on poems of warning and awareness.
Chapter Four presents
ALA's poems with political themes.
Chapter Five collects
poems of love and romance, where the purpose is to express
both desire and affection within the experience of love.
Chapter Six turns
to the theme of leadership or traditional rulership—a
system that, when approached, must be navigated carefully. This chapter
contains ALA's poems on chieftaincy and authority.
Chapter Seven features
poems of praise and commendation.
Chapter Eight presents
poems focused on seeing opportunity (optimism
and foresight).
Chapter Nine is
closely related to the previous theme and contains poems of advertising
and promotion (praise for services, goods, or virtues).
Chapter Ten gathers
poems of market satire—a genre where, as the wise saying
goes, one learns to insult in the market and thereby knows whom he is dealing
with.
Chapter Eleven presents
ALA's poems on marriage, which is considered
the first major stage of adult life.
Chapter Twelve contains
poems of condolence and consolation.
Finally, Chapter Thirteen presents poems of exaltation and glorification. This chapter includes historical poems, those of struggle and resistance, poems of fame and reputation, poems of challenge, and poems celebrating parents within the category of triumph and success.
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