X.1 Background
This book presents the internet as an independent “world.” Within this virtual realm, daily activities occur in ways that mirror life in the physical world. On the internet, there are individual participants (personal accounts and platforms) as well as communities (forums and collective platforms). These combine to create virtual neighborhoods, towns, and even countries. Activities within these areas form a self-sufficient ecosystem, much like a parallel world. In this internet world:
a. Economic and commercial
transactions take place similarly to those in the physical world (markets,
shops, traders, etc.).
b. Social interactions exist
in ways that feel dreamlike - such as communities connecting from across the
globe despite never meeting in person.
c. There are schools,
classrooms, and even libraries.
d. Structures and spaces
replicate physical utilities, akin to those in real-life human existence.
Essentially, activities on
the internet parallel those in the real world, and there is an interplay
between the two realms. Physical devices allow individuals to access the
internet, and at times, interactions from the virtual world translate back into
real life. For example, the internet-fostered romance between Isa Suleiman
Fanshekara from Kano, Nigeria, and Janine Sanchez, an American, materialized
into real-world marriage (see BBC, 2020, para. 1).
Interestingly, people not
only live but also "die" in the internet world. A BBC report from
2016 described Facebook as a vast cemetery. The report, titled “How Facebook
Became a Virtual Graveyard,” stated that within just eight years of its launch,
the platform had accumulated over 30 million deceased users. By 2012, about
8,000 Facebook users were passing away daily (BBC, 2016, para. 1). This figure
continues to grow as Facebook’s user base expands.
There is a pressing need for
representatives of Hausa culture in the internet world, just as there are
ambassadors for nations and cultures in the physical world. This book explores
the intersection of Hausa culture and the internet, highlighting the need for
cultural representation in the digital world.
X.2 Scope of the Book
This book is dedicated to
exploring the intersection of Hausa culture and the internet, with a scope
strictly confined to the digital realm. Even within the vast landscape of the
internet, the study narrows its focus to platforms that are directly relevant
to Hausa culture. For other internet platforms, the analysis is limited to
assessing their representations of Hausa culture by evaluating the influence
these representations exert on Hausa traditions. Specifically, the book tracks
these platforms to discern what they convey or portray about Hausa culture.
This objective has been pursued through the following methods:
i. Analyzing written
content;
ii. Examining images;
iii. Studying videos;
and
iv. Interpreting
symbols.
The book does not impose a
fixed limit on the number of platforms reviewed. This is due to the sheer
magnitude of the global internet, which comprises over 1.75 billion websites as
of 2020 (Internet Live Stats, 2020, para. 2). Restricting the analysis to a
small subset of platforms risks omitting critical insights and discussions.
Such an oversight could occur if platforms containing essential cultural
information are excluded from the analysis.
Concerning the influence of
these platforms, this book endeavours to identify their impact on the life of
the Hausa individual, particularly in terms of preserving, promoting, and
adapting Hausa traditions in the digital age.
For platforms specifically
associated with Hausa culture, the focus remains on cultural elements. The
study seeks to:
a. investigate how Hausa
culture is preserved and promoted online;
b. evaluate the current
status of Hausa traditions as reflected on Hausa-centric internet
platforms;
c. identify challenges or
threats that Hausa culture faces in the online environment; and
d. propose strategies and measures for improving the effectiveness Hausa-centric platforms.
X.3 Chapters of the Book
The book consists of five
chapters:
1. Introduction – overview
of the internet's emergence and growth, alongside a discussion of the term
"culture" to lay the groundwork for the book. It also explores how
the internet influences global communities.
2. Hausa Culture and the
Internet –examination the growth of Hausa cultural presence on the internet,
highlighting major platforms like Facebook and the broader impact of the
internet on Hausa language and traditions.
3. Spread of Hausa Culture
Online – Analysis of how various aspects of Hausa culture are disseminated
online, often becoming visible when related queries are searched on internet
engines.
4. Benefits and Drawbacks of
the Internet for Hausa Culture – Discussion on the internet's positive
contributions, such as enhancing connectivity, promoting the Hausa language,
and preserving traditions. It also discusses its negative effects such as moral
degradation, time wastage, and opportunities for fraud. It acknowledges
challenges posed by the internet and suggests strategies for addressing them.
5. Achievements and
Challenges of Hausa Internet Platforms – Discussion of the growing influence of
Hausa online platforms in areas like commerce and education. It also highlights
persistent challenges, such as limited support from experts and authorities, as
well as cultural and environmental constraints within Hausa society.
This book serves as a pioneering effort to bridge Hausa culture and the internet, offering insights into how traditions can be preserved, adapted, and represented in the ever-expanding virtual world.
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