Katsina’s young, old cap makers stitch-up profits

Cap-making is a business that has no age and gender barriers among the inhabitants of Katsina’s Yar’riga village, as men and women, young and old, could be seen stitching different types of caps under the shade of trees, at mosque premises and even in their homes. Virtually every member of the community is in one […]

Cap-making is a business that has no age and gender barriers among the inhabitants of Katsina’s Yar’riga village, as men and women, young and old, could be seen stitching different types of caps under the shade of trees, at mosque premises and even in their homes. Virtually every member of the community is in one way or the other, involved in one aspect of cap-making or another. If a community member is not a cap-maker, then he or she would be a dealer or designer of such, or deal in its materials such as threads, needles and other.

Yar’riga village is about 33 kilometres from Katsina metropolis and about two kilometres from Mashi local government area. Though it is a small village, cap-making has brought it into the limelight. Residents are always engaged in cap-making related activities including the packaging of ready-made ones for delivering to other states and even export to other countries. Weekly Trust gleaned that after farming, cap making is the second major occupation of the community.

Alhaji Abba Yar’riga is the Ward Head of Yar’riga. He told Weekly Trust that cap making in the village started about 80 years ago, adding that they learnt the skills from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. “What happened was that some members of this community went to Maiduguri in search of Qur’anic knowledge and while there, they learnt the trade. When they came back to this village, they continued and many people learned it from them. The trend continued, up till today.”

“Cap making is our pride, because the trade means everything to us. We build houses, buy cows, cars and motorcycles and farmland, all courtesy of this business,” Yar’riga said, pointing out that the business is currently expanding, as indigenes of the community are migrating to various places across the country where they are still practising the trade for living. “Our people have moved to Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi among other states where they also engage in the business.”

Yar’riga also told Weekly Trust that he was into cap making business for almost 40 years now, and that his age does not stop him from practising. He added that for all the years the community spent practising cap making, they have never received any assistance from government. He said only the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted them with loans where about 400 indigenes of the area got N10, 000 each.

Habiba Garba, 9, is an indigene of Yar’riga village. She also stitches caps. The little girl told Weekly Trust that it takes her three days to complete a cap as she is well-known to be fast. “My mother, Nana Fatima Garba, taught me how to sew caps at the age of six and since then I have been in the trade to help my parents to sustain our family.”

When asked how much she sells each of her caps, little Habiba said prices vary, depending on the quality and the level at which you decide to sell it. A complete cap can be sold at N1,500, N2,000 and up to N3,000 depending on its quality, but those that are not finished are sold between N700 and N900, also depending on the quality.”

She continued: “After my parents sell the cap, my mother would use part of the money to buy materials for me, while the balance always goes to my father who is taking care of all of us,” she delightedly told Weekly Trust.

For Harira Idris, a 13-year-old primary four pupil of Yar’riga primary school, cap making has helped her a lot in the pursuit of her primary school education, which she is about to complete. She said her desire is to continue with the studies at the Government Girls Secondary school, Mashi, after she completes her primary education. “It takes me a week to complete a cap because I only sew after school hours; I am glad to be among those who mastered the skill at a tender age,” she said happily.

Weekly Trust learnt that even married women are not left behind in cap making business as they could be seen sewing their caps indoors surrounded by their little children. Malama Suwaiba Nasiru, is a 20-year-old nursing mother. She told Weekly Trust how she combines sewing of caps with household duties. “I don’t think I can easily abandon this craft which I mastered at a tender age because it has helped me solve a lot of problems. I will have to impart the knowledge to my children whenever they attain the required age because it will assist them in life.”

60-year-old Hajiya Hauwa Kuluwa said cap making has kept her strong and alive despite her age. She told Weekly Trust that courtesy of the trade, she has married off her two daughters with ease, noting that she carried out all her financial obligations during their weddings from the proceeds. “I am still enjoying the benefit of cap making, because the business keeps me going even as I was left to cater for myself as a widow having lost my bread-winner.”

Malam Musa Usman Yar’riga, 35, who spent much of his life making caps, also told Weekly Trust that it is a tradition in the village to learn how to make caps at a very tender age. “I started making cap at the age of 10, because it is one of the legacies left behind for us by our elders.” He also said the craft has been helping the people of the community to earn a good living, with some of them using the proceeds from the business to buy cows and other investments. He pointed out that it is only during prayer time, eating or sleeping that you cannot find residents sewing caps. “It is the only craft we have mastered in this village.”

When asked about the marketing procedures on their products, Usman said they have special customers who come to the village to buy finished caps from different households, adding that they also transport their products as far as Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto and to some extent, Niger Republic, Ghana and other neighbouring countries. “I’m grateful to God for making me a cap-maker because I have benefitted a lot from it. I was able to marry my two wives and I also own a herd of cattle, all courtesy of the business,” Usman said, smiling.