I’ve never regretted joining Kannywood – Kabiru Nakwango
Kabiru Abubakar Aliyu, popularly known as Nakwango, is one of the founding fathers of the Hausa movie industry, Kannywood. In this interview, he said he has never regretted joining the industry and explained why he does not appear in movies as much as he used to. He also expressed his views on the new-age hausa […]
Kabiru Abubakar Aliyu, popularly known as Nakwango, is one of the founding fathers of the Hausa movie industry, Kannywood. In this interview, he said he has never regretted joining the industry and explained why he does not appear in movies as much as he used to. He also expressed his views on the new-age hausa films and recalled how warring couples once reconciled after watching one of their movies.
How long have you been in the Hausa film industry?
Well, what we used to have was stage and radio drama. The present Hausa film industry started much later. I joined stage drama around 1970, then I was very small. I appeared as a young woman because my voice was very thin. That was when I began to develop interest in it, looking up to our elders like Kasimu Yero and Usman Baba Pategi (Samanja), who have been in it long before us.
When did you join the present Kannywood industry?
The present day Kannywood Hausa film industry started around 1994/1995. By that time, we had already gone very far in radio drama. Even around that time, we had produced many films. We didn’t undergo any formal training in it; we would just take up camera and start shooting.
Can we know some of them?
At that time, there were films like Jambade, Jan Artabu, and Ta inda kuka yake zuwa, among others.
When you were doing radio drama, which role did you play most often?
I once played the role of a woman called Matar Malam (The Scholar’s Wife). You know, whatever the scholar brings, that’s what she follows. It is either she supports him or she resists. Later, I also played a student; and from there, we moved into stage drama.
Can you remember the first film you appeared in?
I first appeared in a film by Hamisu Iyantama, called Kilu ta ja bau. I can’t recall the exact year. But before that, I produced my own film, titled So ne ko kauna (Is it Love or Affection?). It was the first Hausa film to premiere in a cinema in Kano, Wapa Cinema. Later, we took it to Eldorado Cinema. These were the first Hausa films under our company, Dabo Films.
Do you remember the year it was made?
Yes; it was made in 1995.
Some people view today’s filmmakers as lacking good morals. How do you feel being one of them?
The Hausa saying goes thus, “Respect is like a robe; everyone wears what suits them. There are good and bad people everywhere; in leadership, among scholars, motorcycle riders – every profession. So this judgement people pass on actors isn’t fair to everyone. If someone accepts being called immoral, they will be told so. Likewise, if someone is known to be upright, they will be praised accordingly.
Recently, we have seen videos of you teaching. Did you just start or have you always been doing it?
I am a schoolteacher. I don’t even remember when I started. My father was a farmer and teacher. That’s how I was raised. I saw him doing it and learned. Everything you see me doing now, I am just circling back to it. But I am not a big scholar like some people think.
Are you still active in filmmaking?
There are many reasons I reduced my involvement, but I haven’t quit. If a film comes that calls people to God and aligns with divine teachings, I will do it, but if it is just a film written in Hausa without reflecting Hausa culture, I won’t.
So you believe that those meaningful films are now rare?
Most films today are in Hausa language but they are not Hausa films. And I represent the Hausa people.
What’s the difference?
Well, take culture for example. If a white man makes a film, he showcases his lifestyle, culture and national strength to impress the world. You, as Hausa person should show who you are, how you grew up, and your values. Even when writing a letter, why not use Ajami script? That would be a proud display, showing that when the colonisers arrived they found us educated with our own legal and governance systems. But now, we make films in western style – with guns and violence. That’s not our tradition. Those things are alien to us in Nigeria. These are just Hausa language films, not about Hausa culture. Even courtroom scenes should reflect Hausa customs, like separate seating for men and women. But that’s not what we see now. Even the language used in films should be proper Hausa.
Now, you hear mixed Hausa-English or even vulgar language. That’s not right. Hausa people don’t speak that way. But I don’t look down on them; they are trying hard.
The problem started when the industry was left to the youth without guidance. Wealthy people, leaders, scholars didn’t get involved. Only a few scholars refrain from criticising actors.
Despite all these challenges, what steps do you think should be taken to improve Hausa films?
There are many ways, but we must engage the filmmakers and show them what is needed and not belittle them. The government should step in and guide them to honour Nigeria and promote national unity, unlike the current portrayal of division. There are marginalised tribes and privileged ones. We must correct that. There was a couple, one man with two wives, who were on the verge of divorce, but after watching a film, they reconciled. The writer didn’t even know them; he just portrayed a real-life situation. They came all the way from Sokoto to my house to thank me. I didn’t know them and it wasn’t even my film, but my role had such an impact on their lives.
Do you have any regret about your film career?
Alhamdulillah, I have never had regrets. I don’t know of anything I have done that I regret, unless someone else sees it that way. But regarding my parents, in-laws, children, classmates or teachers, I have had no issues. In fact, I often meet people who respect me because of my film work.
Is there anything unforgettable, good or bad, from your career?
Plenty. One time, I was traveling from Kano to Gombe and my car broke down. I didn’t even have enough money for the day, let alone repairs, but because people recognised me from films, they welcomed me, called a mechanic, paid him and even gave me money that was enough to sustain me for 10 days even after getting home. All thanks to film.
Another time, I arrived in a town late at night looking for someone. There were no cell phones then. I kept asking around but couldn’t find him. Around 1am, a man opened his door and asked, “Are you Malam Kabiru?” He invited me in and I spent the night with his family. Everything I needed was there.
We are still close friends. I planned to stay five days in that town but I ended up staying 13 days because of their hospitality.
Often, if my wife goes to the hospital, she receives quick treatment because of my film fame. I have a school and people from far away bring their children just because they have seen me in films. People respect me wherever I go, even when I don’t deserve it.
On the negative side, I was once arrested for standing up for someone as surety in court but he ran away. I was supposed to spend the night in jail, but someone came and got me out. He even went to the judge to get permission. The court messenger was narrating the story and someone heard it and took action. I didn’t spend the night in jail. That’s something unpleasant I will never forget.
Is there anyone in your family interested in filmmaking?
Yes, one of my sons showed interest but didn’t go far. Another said he wanted to learn film editing, so I linked him with professionals. Now he is skilled at editing.
Do you hope he would succeed you in the industry?
No, he can’t.
Why not?
Film and acting are deeply personal. He might become famous in something else, but not like me. Everyone has their own destiny. There are people in Kannywood with more religious knowledge than me, yet I am the one called. Others are more skilled, but for some reason I am the one chosen. Everyone has their own gift. Take Ibrahim Mandawari for instance; he is a veteran. He started Kannywood, but what he does, I can’t. And what I do, he can’t. We are all different.
Do you have a message for your fellow actors?
My biggest message to them is to fear God in everything they do, promote their religion and culture and forgive one another. And to the public, they should have good intentions; don’t rush to judge others. Everyone makes mistakes and they can be corrected, but not through media shaming.