I left my first husband because he didn’t want me to play music – Salamatu Mai Gurmi

Even though majority of the traditional singers/Gurmi players are men, Salamatu is one among some women who ply that trade. In this Interview with Weekly Trust, she opens up on life as an artiste, wife and mother, among other issues.   Weekly Trust: When did you start playing the Gurmi instrument? I guess you could […]

Even though majority of the traditional singers/Gurmi players are men, Salamatu is one among some women who ply that trade. In this Interview with Weekly Trust, she opens up on life as an artiste, wife and mother, among other issues.

 

Weekly Trust: When did you start playing the Gurmi instrument?

I guess you could say I inherited the talent to play the Gurmi from my nephew, who is older than I am and who to play the Garaya, another stringed instrument.  I started since childhood. I don’t know exactly when, but I’d guess for about 20 years now. My aforementioned nephew didn’t play at occasions, because he is a hunter and only does when away at hunting trips. I play to entertain people and as you know we, the traditional singers, give more priority to traditional rulers, politicians and those who love our songs.

If politicians invite us, we try and honour their invitation and sing for them. We also go to occasions like weddings and naming ceremonies to entertain people. Even when we are uninvited, we do attend to earn a living.

WT: Do you only perform in Bauchi?

I play all over Africa. When I was younger, I led a group. I have protégés both male and female. I have travelled to different parts of Nigeria and Africa playing. I have been to places like Mambila in Adamawa State, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and many others. At that time I was a little girl. I got a lot of money, which I didn’t know how to spend. But now, since age is not on my side, I decided to stay in Bauchi.

WT: How much did you makes in a day?

It depends. Sometimes you can go home with five, ten or twenty thousand naira but I am not doing it because of the money. I do it because I have so much passion for what I am doing. I could remember during the administration of Governor Ahmadu Mu’azu, when wife of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar came to Bauchi, I went to the airport and we received her. I played for them but at the end of the day I did not get anything.

But I waited outside and security men attached to the then governor asked me to go back and I refused, glaring at the governor from a distance. Luckily for me, he overheard our conversation, so as I was on my way home he sent security men to call me. He asked me if I have ever been to Mecca, then I answered no. He promised to send me there, which he did.

Up till now, though, I do not own a car, so I always go to play Gurmi on Okada. I have been pleading with the present Bauchi State governor that since Mu’azu took me to Mecca, he should give me car.

WT: Are any of your family members into playing the Gurmi?

My nephews play the Garaya as hunters. When I started as a young child, I left my husband because I wanted to go round the world to test my ability. That caused us to part ways, since he didn’t want me to play music.

But my present husband knows my job because I was doing it before he married me. Besides, he loves what I am doing.

WT: So are you going to continue with your career?

I love playing music. Since I came to Bauchi I have met many fans who are supporting me. But in whatever one is doing, you have to remember that age is a factor. I am becoming older now and you know it is not easy moving from one place to another as a woman. So, to be candid, if I can get another job I will leave music because I will not want any of my children to do it.

It is in the past that traditional music was been given due recognition and respect. Now it is only the traditional rulers that value us. When I started, I did not attach much meaning to it, as I was enjoying it. But now that it has become my source of livelihood, I cannot afford to go without it.