Hanging out with Sokoto’s dwarf sisters

While many individuals would buckle under the hand fate has dealt delightful sisters Halima and Hajara, the girls continue to bubble with life, hope and aspirations. Their physical appearance makes them quite popular at home and at school. They are attention-grabbing, especially when they move together as they often do. They were born to a […]

While many individuals would buckle under the hand fate has dealt delightful sisters Halima and Hajara, the girls continue to bubble with life, hope and aspirations.
Their physical appearance makes them quite popular at home and at school. They are attention-grabbing, especially when they move together as they often do. They were born to a popular actor, Umaru alias Malam Dogo, who was also a dwarf. The story of sisters Halima, 20, and Hajara, 15, is sad and exciting at the same time.
The sisters, now in SS1 at the Army Day Secondary School, Sokoto, are well-accepted among fellow students because of their unique physiques and especially the way they relate with their peers. Their stunted growth, rather than being adverse to their lives, only draws popularity for them among students and staff of the school.
Halima and Hajara are the first and second offspring in a family of six. They had two other siblings, a sister called Zainab who died at the age of three, who also had the same physiological condition. But their only brother, Mohammed, who’s the fourth child, was born without the same traits.
Their late father migrated from Bauchi to Sokoto in search of Islamic knowledge and while in Sokoto met their late mother, Inno, in Danbuwa area where their marriage was solemnized. Their mother had a regular physique and sold Fura Da Nono, a popular local delicacy. Their father, at a later stage, joined NTA Sokoto’s drama group where he featured in popular, classic Hausa productions like ‘Idon Matambayi’, ‘Dan Wanzam’, ‘Golobo’ and others.
After several outings with the drama group, their father became a household name in Sokoto and was hailed wherever he went. He was talented and his physical appearance made him hard to notice. Later, he would serve at the Sokoto State chapter of the ‘Kabu-Kabu’ (commercial motorbike) operatives, where he sold and collected tickets at strategic points.
In between his acting career and the later clerical one, he relocated to Bauchi with his late wife where Halima, Hajara and the rest were born. Unfortunately, he died, soon followed by his wife, leaving the children in the custody of an uncle. According to the sisters, they were maltreated by the uncle while attending primary school. They were later brought back to Sokoto, where they commenced secondary school while staying with their maternal grandmother and another uncle.
At school, the two are doing well, as they took 8th and 9th positions in a class of about 80.
They are even more popular when mixing with other students during break time. While rushing to get food from sellers, the sisters usually meander between fellow students’ legs to get in front of the line, leaving taller students behind. They relate with other students very well, with each one having her own set of friends. According to Hajara, the younger of them, she cannot mix with Halima’s friends as they are older and she prefers the company of her age-mates.
Their teacher and classmates spoke glowingly of them. One of their classmates, Mary Daniels, had this to say: “We love them. They are a delight and we relate with them just fine.” One Juwairiyya Aminu, who is another classmate, said the girls like school work. Yet another classmate, Esther Israel, said the girls have a good sense of humour and aren’t easily offended.
For Halima and Hajara’s teacher, Malam Sanusi Umar, they are good students. “They are well-mannered and obedient. Halima likes English while Hajara is good in the science subjects. In a class of over 80, they usually emerge among the top 10.”
As close as the two sisters are, they sometimes quarrel but mend fences within a short time as each one has a special affection for the other. On their favorite meals, Halima said she prefers Tuwon Shinkafa and Miyar Kuka while Hajara prefers salad.
The girls also said they would love to eventually get married, to a man of their choice who should be gentle and considerate. Interestingly, they are career-minded, as they both aspire to become nurses. This, according to them, is just to assist womenfolk during pregnancy. As opinionated as they can be, they both agree that it is not a man’s job to handle a pregnant woman, and that labour should be an all-female affair.
But what about the aspirations of their family for them? Their current guardian, Malam Shehu Danbuwa, said it includes concluding education, marriage and a good career of their choice. “Since they don’t have parents, we all pray they do well in their studies so they can have the good lives they deserve.”