Farin Dutse: An amazing story

The people of Farin Dutse in Jigawa state tell an interesting story of how they came to settle  at their present location, and  why their community also came to bear its rare name, which means ‘white stone ‘in  English. In sum, the community began to grow after the people had an encounter with a white […]

The people of Farin Dutse in Jigawa state tell an interesting story of how they came to settle  at their present location, and  why their community also came to bear its rare name, which means ‘white stone ‘in  English. In sum, the community began to grow after the people had an encounter with a white stone which  glowed, and  was, to the people at that time, something like a visible sign and guidance from Heaven. Alhaji Mustapha Hassan, a Ward Head in the community, tells the story.
He says that Umaru Kwandala,  his great grandfather  and a large group, migrated from Dutse, the present  state capital about one hundred and fifty years ago, and first settled at Birnin Kudu. The reason for the migration is not clear from his account. Later on they settled at Gwaram for a while. The group of migrants also included a number of Islamic scholars, alongside other members of the large caravan.

1. was shortly after settling at this last point that a number of interesting developments occurred which seemed to have been sparked off by the collective will  of the Islamic scholars. First, the  scholars began to pray to the Almighty to show them a place where they should settle and set up a community. At this point a bright light was seen rising in the distance. The excited group hurried there thinking their prayers had been answered, but they found nothing  at the spot and then returned to Gwaram, somewhat crestfallen.

   According to the Ward Head “They went back to Gwaram and prayed again.They now saw another light. They  went in its direction, but just like the earlier occasion they didn’t see anything at the spot they reached. Then the people prayed for the third time at Gwaram and then they saw a light again, so the account states. They went in the direction of the light, and in doing so they finally ended up at the site of  a white stone. Then they settled at a place just west of the white stone, believing  that  it  is the will of the Almighty that they should settle in the area.”

   According  to the Ward Head when the people reached the white stone, they immediately prayed at the spot, and then began to move in a direction west of the stone. The Ward Head, as well as Musa Alhaji Musa, the Village Head, both agree that the white stones are unique in the entire area of Farin Dutse, and  cannot even be found in neighbouring communities. This is quite true. This seems to confirm the greatness of the event to the people.

They add that many of the locals go to the stones to pray, especially during the Sallah festivals. It is believed that the people actually receive what they ask for when they go to the stones to  pray. The stones  are  cultural magnets in the community.
According to both men “The Fulani go to the stones to pray, and  nobody is allowed to  farm near the stones. The stones are vey important to us.”
This is the simple narrative of how the power of prayer led a happy farming  people to their present settlement. Everyone, both young and old in this simple community,  looks  towards the stones with a lot of joy on their  faces.