‘How I came to love Africa, speak Hausa’
Daily Trust: Why did you choose to study African Studies in the university? Gwendolin Hilse: I’ve always had an interest in Africa. Also, I’ve always wanted to become a journalist since I was a child, so I wanted to combine both. My parents travelled a lot through Africa when they were young, and they told […]
Daily Trust: Why did you choose to study African Studies in the university?
Gwendolin Hilse: I’ve always had an interest in Africa. Also, I’ve always wanted to become a journalist since I was a child, so I wanted to combine both. My parents travelled a lot through Africa when they were young, and they told me stories about their travels through many nights, about the people, different countries and cultures. When I decided to study in the university, I took a year off to do different kinds of internships and the editors always advised me not to study journalism but something specific so I can have better chances in the huge market that is journalism. And they were right.
I did an internship with a newspaper in Ghana between 2007 and 2008. The first time I came in contact with the Hausa language was when I met someone who wanted to learn some German, so I learnt some Hausa words too. That was when I decided I wanted to work as a journalist, focus on and work in Africa. I think that there are not many German journalists who are able to speak in Hausa language, so I chose to study African Studies, and especially Hausa. It’s the biggest language in West Africa.
DT: Was it easy to learn the language?
Hilse: Not at all. Hausa is actually quite difficult. I also learnt Swahili for a year and it was very easy because it’s very close to the German language. But Hausa, with the sounds and grammar, especially the sounds, was difficult but I was very interested and had a very good teacher, Malam Dambo whom a lot of people in Nigeria also know. He’s a British man but speaks Hausa ‘Kamar Dokin Kano’ (‘like a Kano horse’).
I also got a scholarship for a language course in Bauch State. I was able to write Hausa very well but wasn’t really able to speak it at the university. By the time I travelled to Azare in Bauchi and stayed for two months with a Hausa host family, that was it.
DT: Speaking of Bauchi, you were part of an exchange programme in 2010. How was the experience?
Hilse: It was a very nice experience, as Azare is small town, and one could easily blend in the community. Everybody knows you and takes you around, so I got to learn a lot about Hausa culture. During Ramadan I tried fasting for a day and gave up afterwards, because it was too difficult for me. My home was really fun because my host father was a teacher and told me I will speak just Hausa and no English at home. I don’t have siblings in Germany, but my host father has sixteen children. They were kids you could interact with easily and they speak very well, so they taught me a lot of Hausa and other stuff. We even went for Sallah in Kano and did some travelling. I had a wonderful time.
DT: Did you dress up in Hausa clothing?
Hilse: I did, because I think it’s a matter of respect if you are staying in a community. For Sallah I wore some nice dresses. I like the African print.
DT: The food must have been the most difficult part. How did you adapt?
Hilse: On the contrary, I really enjoy Nigerian food, particularly Hausa food. My family are fans of Tuwon Shinkafa and Miyar Kuka, so I ate a lot of that too. I enjoyed the experience. I recently tried Egusi Soup and liked it. I also really like Masa, and Kosai.
DT: What was your first impression about Nigeria?
Hilse: I first arrived in Kano. It was raining, and we had some trouble because of that as it was a thunderstorm and the turbulence was scary. But when we landed I smelt the wet air and the wood, and everything and I was happy. Coming back to Africa was a big moment. I had just been to Ghana, and Nigeria was different.
DT: Were your expectations of African Studies met?
Hilse: My study was more about the languages than about history. I would have loved to have had a bit of the economic and geographical aspects. It’s important to understand the languages, the culture and the people. I did African Studies for my Bachelor’s, but now I am studying International Media Studies. This combination is actually very good for an international journalist.
DT: What’s your typical day like in Nigeria?
Hilse: I haven’t formed a habit so far, but I stay in the house of a German lady who’s very nice and hospitable. I feel very welcome and I enjoy waking up in the morning. Now I know quite a lot of people in Abuja, and I’ve even been to Millennium Park for a picnic. I also got my Lalle (Henna) done.
DT: What will you miss most about Nigeria when you go back?
Hilse: It would have to be the sunlight, because in Germany it’s now winter. Also there’s the openness and warmth of the people. Nigerians are very hospitable. I wish we could adopt this, because in Germany we are not that hospitable to foreigners. I will really miss that.
DT: What’s your impression of the media industry in Nigeria?
Hilse: There’s a lot of variety, and I think it has been doing well in the last few years, as far as content and depth is concerned. Nigerian journalists are very brave, because they are able to report from crises areas. President Buhari actually promised to give journalists more freedom of speech, and here we are today.