Nayi Nadama Book One Complete Hausa Novel
Nayi Nadama Book One Complete Hausa Novel introduces the large and respected family of Alhaji Muhammad Babayo, popularly known as Malam Babayo and honoured with the traditional title of Sarkin Shanu.
Malam Babayo originated from the Mambilla region of Taraba State. He had two wives and five children—four sons and one daughter.
The Children of Malam Babayo
His first wife, Innayi, had three children: two sons and one daughter.
The eldest was Barrister Muhammad Bello Muhammad, followed by Dr Aliyu Muhammad and their younger sister, Aisha Muhammad.
Malam Babayo’s second and younger wife had two sons. Amadu was the elder, while Hamisu was the youngest.
Although Malam Babayo was not Fulani, he never relaxed his efforts to provide his children with modern education. Through his determination, they received excellent and advanced education.
Barrister Muhammad Bello’s Family
Barrister Muhammad Bello Muhammad, popularly called Baba Bello, had one wife named Nenne.
Nenne had given birth twelve times, but only three of her children survived because she repeatedly experienced the painful loss of her babies.
Sadiya was her first child. After giving birth to Sadiya, Nenne had five more children, but none survived.
Her seventh child was a boy named Ahmad, who was named after his father’s younger brother, Amadu.
After Ahmad’s birth, she lost another four children. During her twelfth delivery, Allah blessed her with a surviving son named Rabi’u.
Dr Aliyu Muhammad’s Family
Dr Aliyu Muhammad, whom the family called Abba, was married to Ummi. They had four children.
Yusuf was their eldest son, followed by Abubakar and Usman, while Aisha was their youngest child.
Goggo Aisha’s Family
Goggo Aisha was married in Yola to Dr Umar, who was one of her brother Dr Aliyu’s closest friends.
They had three children: Adam, Haidar and Maryam.
Amadu and Hamisu’s Families
Amadu, whom the younger members of the family called Baba, had one wife and two children named Abdul and Amira.
Hamisu also had one wife and a single son named Sadiq.
The Prosperous Kamanni Family
The Kamanni family had received extraordinary blessings and mercy from Allah. They possessed education, beauty, wealth, peace, mutual affection, closeness and genuine compassion for one another.
Innayi’s younger sons did not pursue formal education as far as their elder brothers. Instead, they entered what the family jokingly called “Dangote’s school”—the world of business and commerce.
Baba Bello and Abba established a large buying-and-selling enterprise for them called Kamanni Family.
Amadu and Hamisu lived with their parents in Mambilla, while Baba Bello and Abba lived in another part of Taraba State with their wives and children.
Despite the distance, they made a family promise to visit their parents and younger brothers every weekend.
Adam, Yusuf and Ahmad
Adam, Yusuf and Ahmad were almost exactly the same age.
Yusuf was born on the day Adam’s forty-day celebration was held. Ahmad was then born on the day of Yusuf’s naming ceremony.
The relationship between the three young men was beautiful and admirable. They lived clean, disciplined lives and loved one another deeply.
Their physical resemblance was remarkable. Many people assumed they were triplets because they looked almost identical.
They were all strikingly fair-skinned and handsome, with the dignified appearance of Arab princes and thick hair that resembled that of Indians.
Their resemblance came from their fathers, who also looked extremely similar to one another.
Three Different Personalities
Although Adam, Yusuf and Ahmad looked alike, their personalities were completely different.
Adam was outspoken and direct. Whatever entered his mind usually came out of his mouth. He was talkative, humorous and playful, and he enjoyed making people laugh.
Ahmad was exceptionally patient and placed his trust in Allah. He was humble, friendly and capable of living peacefully with everyone.
His face almost always carried a warm smile, and it was extremely difficult to provoke him into anger.
Yusuf, however, was entirely different.
He was stern, difficult, quick-tempered and stubborn. He rarely laughed and often appeared as though something had annoyed him.
Yusuf was born naturally circumcised. From childhood, he spoke very little and disliked unnecessary conversation.
He was highly modest and hated exposing any part of his body. He held firmly to his opinions and was not easily persuaded to change his mind.
He had a strong temper and knew how to discipline younger children. He disliked interference, unnecessary questioning and people monitoring his activities.
Yusuf was also extremely reserved. Someone could live with him for an entire year without seeing him laugh. Another person might remain close to him for four years without ever seeing him shed a tear.
He inherited these characteristics from Baba Bello, even though Baba Bello was his uncle. Ahmad, on the other hand, inherited the patience and calmness of his uncle, Abba Aliyu.
The Powerful Bond Between the Three Young Men
Despite Yusuf’s frequent disagreements with Adam, the three young men shared an immeasurably strong bond.
They grew up together in the same house and even shared the same bedroom. Adam’s father eventually accepted that his son should remain with his relatives in Taraba.
They attended school together from primary school until university.
They obtained their first degrees in India. Yusuf and Adam studied medicine, while Abba directed Ahmad to study business.
Yusuf later continued his education at the Islamic University of Madinah, where he expanded his knowledge of medicine and Islamic studies.
He only returned home whenever he had a short holiday. He had arrived during Ramadan and had already started intimidating some of his younger relatives, especially Aisha.
Yusuf and Aisha could never remain together peacefully. Their relationship resembled fire placed beside dry cotton.
Usman, Abdul and Rabi’u had also begun experiencing his strict and intimidating behaviour.
Amira often declared that if Yusuf returned for the Eid celebration, she would not come home until he travelled back.
Everyone in the family was unhappy about the hostility between Yusuf and Aisha. Yusuf treated her with intense dislike, and there were moments when he felt capable of severely punishing her.
In contrast, Ahmad and Aisha shared an exceptionally strong and affectionate bond. Adam and Amira were also very close.
But these relationships were only the beginning. The important events were still ahead.
Yusuf’s Childhood in Nayi Nadama Book One Complete Hausa Novel
Hajiya Zubaida continued explaining the family’s history to me.
She told me that Usman, Rabi’u and Abdul were also the same age. Likewise, Aisha, Amira and Maryam were age-mates.
Yusuf had possessed a powerful temper from childhood. His inability to control his anger eventually contributed to the heart condition from which he now suffered.
Six-Year-Old Yusuf Refuses to Wear Shorts
When Yusuf was six years old and attending primary school, the school uniform consisted of short trousers and a small shirt.
From the moment the uniform was sewn, Yusuf became deeply upset. He firmly refused to wear the shorts because he was extremely uncomfortable exposing his body.
His parents tried every possible method to persuade him, but he refused to change his mind.
Abba suggested enrolling him in another school. Yusuf rejected that idea as well and insisted that he would only attend the same school as Ahmad.
The family eventually explained the situation to the headteacher. Fortunately, the headteacher was Baba Bello’s friend, so permission was granted for Yusuf to wear a different uniform.
Even as a child, Yusuf commanded respect among his classmates. Many pupils wanted to remain close to him, partly because of the exceptional intelligence Allah had given him.
Yusuf’s Fight with Mujaheed
One day at school, Yusuf fought with a boy named Mujaheed.
Mujaheed ran away while Yusuf chased him, determined to retaliate. However, Yusuf could not catch him, and their teachers intervened before the fight could continue.
Yusuf insisted that he must take revenge, but the teachers refused to allow him.
Overwhelmed by anger and frustration, he began crying silently. His breathing became increasingly difficult until he suddenly collapsed unconscious.
He was immediately carried home.
Abba concentrated all his efforts on saving his son’s life. After a difficult struggle, Yusuf finally regained consciousness.
He woke up crying.
“I swear I must retaliate! I will never accept what happened!” he declared.
The adults realised that the situation had become serious. Mujaheed and his parents were invited to the house.
As soon as the boy arrived, Yusuf ordered him to come forward and kneel before him so that he could retaliate.
Mujaheed’s father pushed his son forward and permitted Yusuf to do what he believed would calm him.
Yusuf struck the middle of Mujaheed’s back repeatedly.
“I swear I will not release you until you apologise to me,” Yusuf warned.
Mujaheed turned and apologised.
Surprisingly, that incident marked the beginning of their friendship.
Meeting Hajiya Zubaida
Hajiya Zubaida paused her long explanation and looked at me calmly.
“The reason you saw me eagerly waiting for Yusuf to arrive is that I knew he would pressure everyone to leave before I could deliver my message,” she explained.
I laughed silently.
Hajiya Zubaida had given me an explanation far beyond anything I expected from the single question I had asked.
She looked at me again.
“My granddaughter, I do not even know you, yet we have already become familiar with each other. Where are you from?” she asked.
I studied her quietly before answering.
“I am a visitor from Adamawa State. My name is Aisha Ali Garkuwan Fulani. I came to visit my Fulani relatives and was fortunate enough to meet the descendants of Sarkin Shanu.”
I smiled before continuing.
“Will they allow me to send Eid greetings to him on behalf of my father?”
“Of course. They are people who genuinely love and welcome visitors,” she assured me.
Inside the Kamanni Family Mansion
I later found myself standing before an enormous house in the capital of Taraba State.
The gate alone was an impressive sight. Workers and security guards were positioned everywhere, and Barrister Muhammad Bello Muhammad’s guards respectfully saluted us as we entered.
We proceeded directly into an enormous living room that looked more like a conference hall.
The room was filled with members of the family. I observed them carefully because their resemblance was astonishing.
Everyone wore matching outfits made from beautiful and expensive fabric.
Baba Bello and Abba sat on the same sofa, looking like identical twins. The only noticeable difference was that Abba was slightly taller.
Nenne and Ummi also sat together in magnificent clothing. Their appearance reflected peace, comfort and prosperity.
Nenne was a dignified and reserved woman who genuinely loved other people’s children. She never openly placed her children above the others.
Ummi respected her deeply.
Usman sat at one side of the room, having a quiet conversation with some relatives.
Ahmad and Adam sat in the middle of the living room on a soft carpet.
Amira repeatedly walked towards Aisha’s room to wake her. It was already her third attempt. Each time Amira left the room, Aisha would sit up briefly before wrapping herself in the blanket and returning to sleep.
Yusuf’s Dramatic Arrival
We had not been inside for long when an extraordinary fragrance entered the room.
The pleasant scent spread throughout the entire living room. I immediately focused my attention on the doorway, convinced that the fragrance was coming from there.
Yusuf entered with complete composure and dignity.
Every step he took reflected confidence and importance. His face shone like a star, and everything about his appearance seemed perfectly arranged.
He walked directly towards Baba Bello, lowered himself slightly and offered a respectful greeting.
He also greeted Nenne and the other elders before straightening himself and adjusting the grip on his briefcase and phones.
Yusuf extended his hand towards Ahmad, and they exchanged greetings.
Adam playfully glared at him.
“Young man, I am the eldest here. Yet you greeted my younger brother before greeting me,” Adam complained before laughing.
Yusuf gave him a brief look that clearly said, “Enough of your obsession with seniority.”
Abdul, who was sitting nearby, spoke politely.
“Good morning, Hamma Yusuf.”
“Morning,” Yusuf replied quietly.
Usman looked at Abdul.
“That is good. At least he answered you. He does not even like greetings, so I will not waste my breath,” Usman joked.
Rabi’u laughed softly.
“Let me try,” he said before looking directly at Yusuf. “Hamma Yusuf…”
Yusuf immediately raised his hand, signalling for them to stand because it was time to leave.
He then turned towards Baba Bello.
“Baba, shall we go now?” he asked.
Grandma Challenges Yusuf
Grandma suddenly interrupted.
“Yusuf, am I not important enough for you to greet me? Why do you always walk around with a frown? Will we never see happiness on your face?” she demanded.
Rabi’u quickly explained, “We have been waiting for Aisha, but she has still not come out.”
Yusuf turned and carefully searched the living room, but Aisha was nowhere to be seen.
Amira, who was leaning against Ummi, began speaking.
“Hamma Yusuf…”
Yusuf interrupted her impatiently.
“Stop talking and go wake her up. If you refuse, I swear I will enter that room and deal with her myself. Everyone is waiting for that useless girl, yet all she knows how to do is sleep!”
Amira immediately ran towards Aisha’s room.
Grandma continued teasing him.
“Amira, tell her that the aeroplane has arrived and is already preparing to take off,” she called out.
Grandma Complains About Yusuf’s Perfume
Grandma turned and looked at Yusuf, who was standing with his head lowered.
“Some people have nothing useful to do except cause trouble,” she complained.
“I swear, the amount of perfume you poured on yourself will give me a terrible cold. It smells as though an entire truck carrying perfume overturned inside this room.”
She inhaled the fragrance again and released a satisfied sigh.
“Honestly, give me some of that perfume. It smells wonderful,” she added.
Yusuf stared at her with a stern expression and pressed his lips together.
Adam burst into laughter.
“Grandma, your deception is worse than an old vehicle. A moment ago, you said his perfume would kill you and give you a cold. Now you are asking him to give you some,” he said.
Everyone in the room laughed.
“May Allah protect him. He should not give you anything,” Adam continued.
Grandma glared at him.
“You are simply jealous. May Allah make him give it to me. Besides, my husband can buy it for me,” she replied while looking at Ahmad.
Ahmad smiled.
“I will bring you the women’s version of the perfume,” he promised.
Grandma laughed happily.
Grandma Requests Camel Meat
Usman looked at her.
“What message do you have for us today?” he asked.
“Please move away from me with that feminine voice of yours. You are also terribly lazy,” Grandma replied.
She paused before adding, “But despite everything, I still prefer you to Yusuf.”
Grandma turned her attention towards Ahmad.
“Ahmad, when you arrive, tell Innayi to give you some camel meat for me,” she instructed.
Rabi’u and the others immediately found another reason to laugh.
Yusuf looked at Grandma.
“Old woman, you have nothing to offer except endless talking and greed. Everyone else has become tired of eating meat, but you never have enough,” he said.
Grandma refused to surrender.
“Would you prefer that I become bad-tempered like you? Your mouth always looks as though someone sewed it shut. At least people can tell that I am alive,” she replied.
She pointed towards him.
“And I swear you must give me some of that perfume. Do you understand?”