The Hausa language has more first-language speakers (native speakers) than any other African language
It has an estimated 67 million first-language speakers, and close to 50 million second-language (non native) speakers.
Therefore, it has over 100 million speakers both natives and non natives, making it the largest non ethnically spoken language in Africa as a whole.
The main Hausa-speaking area is northern Nigeria and Niger Republic.
Hausa is also widely spoken in northern Ghana, Cameroon, Chad, Sudanese Hausa in Sudan and the Ivory Coast as well as among Fulani, Tuareg , Kanuri , Gur, Shuwa Arab and other Afro-Asiatic speaking groups.
There are also large Hausa communities in every major African city in neighbourhoods called zango or zongo, meaning "caravan camp" in Hausa (denoting the trading post origins of these communities).
Most Hausa speakers, regardless of ethnic affiliation, are Muslims; Hausa often serves as a lingua franca among Muslims and non muslims in non-Hausa areas especially in military barracks, marketplaces, trading posts, worship centres, etc..
There is a large and continuously growing printed literature in Hausa, which includes novels, poetry, plays, instruction in Islamic practice, books on development issues, newspapers, news magazines, and scientific and technical academic works.
Radio and television broadcasting in Hausa is ubiquitous in northern Nigeria and Niger, and radio stations in Cameroon have regular Hausa broadcasts, as do international broadcasters such as the BBC, VOA, Deutsche Welle, Radio Moscow, Radio Beijing, RFI France, IRIB Iran, and others.
All big foreign radio stations have Hausa services, making it an internationally recognised indigenous African language.
Hausa is used as the language of instruction at the elementary level in schools in northern Nigeria, and Hausa is available as course of study in northern Nigerian universities.
In addition, several advanced degrees (undergraduate, Masters and PhD) are offered in Hausa in various universities in the Spain, UK, US, and Germany.
Hausa is also being used in various social media networks around the world.
Hausa is considered one of the world's major languages, and it has widespread use in a number of countries of Africa.
Hausa's rich poetry, prose, and musical literature, is increasingly available in print and in audio and video recordings.
The study of Hausa provides an informative entry into the culture of Islamic Africa. Throughout Africa, there is a strong connection between Hausa and Islam.
The influence of the Hausa language on the languages of many non-Hausa peoples in African is readily apparent.
Likewise, many Hausa cultural practices, including such overt features as dress and food, are shared by other Muslim communities.
Because of the dominant position which the Hausa language and culture have long held, the study of Hausa provides crucial background for other areas such as African history, politics (particularly in Nigeria and Niger), gender studies, commerce, and the arts.
What more does one needs to know about this fascinating language?
Written By
Babangida Kakaki
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