THE ISSUES FOR SUSTENANCE OF AKURMI CULTURAL HERITAGE, A WAY FORWARD- by YUSUF B IDI GARU

The Akurmi people are found in the northern part of Nigeria since their arrival in Nigeria, after they left Medina where they believed that they originated. Then, the Akurmi came down to Borno where they dwelt for about 730 years. The Akurmi descendants then left Borno and moved to Kano, and occupied the Dala district for about 432 years after that, they finally settle at Kudaru hills with their rich culture. A report has it that the area where the Akurmi people dominated in the northern part of Nigeria is more developed with farming accountability for much of the wealth of the region or part of the country.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Akurmi people have a very strong sense of ethnic identity, history and community, the missionary society became very active among the Akurmi people, some of them got converted to Christianity, some to Islam, while others retained the Akurmi traditional beliefs (Uchimtu worship) that is to say the Akurmi people agreed with the three religions in the society.

ROLE PLAY IN THE SUSTENANCE OF AKURMI CULTURE

Presently, an event that signified sincere and pragmatic steps toward protection, revival and preservation of the Akurmi race, cultural heritage and values are: the Federated Akurmi Youth annual cultural dances, Field trips to Kudaru hills at the end of the year annually, Akurmi Youth Picnic, Akurmi National Prayer Summit, Akurmi Studies Group, and Akurmi Language Development Committee (ALDC).

Another event that signified the revival and preservation of the Akurmi identity was put together in Garun Kurama by the Federated Akurmi Youth Association. It was a one day interactive forum where the eminent personalities from the region came together to brainstorm on the way forward for the sustenance of Akurmi cultural heritage, values and development of Akurmi land. The event was tagged “Akurmi land and agenda for positive change and progressive” in a bid for promoting the Akurmi language, social practices norms, values and institution.

The guest speaker at the forum Professor Daniel Adawa said we need an industry, schools and other institutions in our region/land that will help us in promoting and preserving our language and cultural heritage. If such things are available in the land, it would be of great advantage.

Concerned about the rate at which the Akurmi language is being relegated to the background and ultimately eroded, some identifiable leaders like Mr. Peter N dochi, Rev. H.Y Tutu, Mr. S.A Sanda, Alhaji Umaru Yunusa, Barrister Y. Saleh, Rev. Yakubu T. Jakada, Mr. Mathew P. Maiwaki, Mr. J.B Ladan, and also the Akurmi Bible Translation Trust Committee have been working round the clock to ensure the preservation of the Akurmi language, social practices, norms and values through systematic reflections on the history, culture, position and future of the Akurmi in the context of Nigeria and in a globalizing world.

The Akurmi language should not be relegated to the background for whatever reason. We should bequeath a worthy legacy that our future generation will be very proud of. The Akurmi language (T’kurmi) and culture is dying. It is evident that we are replacing it with English and Hausa, in other cases; it is being replaced by other minor tribes.

There is a report that shows that in 1920’s about 5000 Kurama (Akurmi) are abandoning their language in favor of Hausa, God forbid. Akurmi are highly endowed in terms of culture, they are neglecting their values, language and culture; as a result of that, those who lose their identity, some become Hausa, Janji and some of them become Amo Rungzu (Kuraman Rungzu) in Jengre part of Plateau state.

Is hardly to hear an educated Akurmi man speaking Akurmi language (T’kurmi) in the next two to three minutes (2-3minutes) without mixing it with any foreign language, even to hear them give their children the beautiful Akurmi names like AYANIMEN, ATUMA, ARUAMA, BASHINI, BEZEN, UNEM, UREN e.t.c. they are beautiful names that can be used instead of giving foreign names. Instead of our children watching foreign traditions; they should be encouraged to watch and participate in cultural dances such as Kishimbeshimbe, Edawai, Ebaza, Tirigati gnyane e.t.c.

THE WAY FORWARD

For the Akurmi people to maintain their stand in the society, they must fight the struggle for democracy, freedom and liberty. If we the Akurmi go down, there is no hope for the region, if we don’t embrace our culture; we stand the risk of going down with the region.

Geographically and statistically, the Akurmi occupy Saminaka (Lere LG), Kubau, Kauru LGAs (all in Kaduna state), Kano, Bauchi and Plateau states. According to a 1920 population census, the Akurmi range numbered about 10,181 those in Zaria province only, while the Kadara people numbered 16,665, that is to say we are the third major tribe in Kaduna state behind Kadara and Gbagi (numbering 11,761).

The verdict is that if we the Akurmi should go down, the region has no redemption.  The converse is that if the Akurmi nation does not brace up, it stands the risk of going down with the region as fate continues to push it forward the precipice. The task therefore is for the Akurmi nation to save itself and in the process arrest the slide of the region cataclysm and take giant strides in its march towards development, in fact, the Akurmi are taught to be truthful, and set aside their differences and work for the progress of the race.

The Akurmi, I have noticed everywhere I go do not want to speak Akurmi language (T’kurmi) at all, they consider it as an inferior language and that is why they mix it with either English or Hausa. It has been going on for years and Akurmi elders did not notice this earlier than now. The Akurmi should learn from the Ashanti’s people of Ghana who loves their language so much, and they don’t like to speak English at all.

We have such inferiority attitude to a lot of things and that is what brought us to where we are now. The Akurmi Academy is not partisan. Rather the academy is to protect the interest of all  irrespective of their political leanings, religious persuasion and business interest. All that the academy is out for, is to ensure that Akurmi either now or the future, continue to enjoy the pride of place where our cultural heritage which makes us unique are protected  and preserved for the sake of the present and future generations.

The Akurmi’s are proud people and we will strive to discover that pride again. SANU DOTE WACIYE TATINE UBUSA.