Mahaukata: Bauchi’s unique traditional honour

Literally translated, Mahaukata means people with mental illness in Hausa language.  However, in Bauchi Emirate, it carries a respected cultural meaning, conferred only on individuals who are bold and courageous enough to speak the truth to authorities, even to the emir whenever the need arises.  The role of the Mahaukata is to fearlessly advise the […]

Literally translated, Mahaukata means people with mental illness in Hausa language.  However, in Bauchi Emirate, it carries a respected cultural meaning, conferred only on individuals who are bold and courageous enough to speak the truth to authorities, even to the emir whenever the need arises. 

The role of the Mahaukata is to fearlessly advise the emir on matters affecting his subjects without fear or favour. The holder of the title is known by all due to the nature of his role in the palace.

Any time you hear someone speaking loudly at the palace and drawing the attention of the emir on some pressing issues affecting the lives of the common man, he is nobody but the Mahaukatan Bauchi.

 

Origin of the title

The title of Mahaukata was instituted by the Emir of Bauchi, Malam Ibrahim Dan Yakubu. The first to hold it was his close friend, the late Malam Dauda.

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Although Dauda was not from a royal lineage, he grew up alongside Ibrahim under the care of Emir Yakubu. 

Their bond endured even after Ibrahim became emir. Dauda was one of the few who could boldly correct the emir whenever he erred. This is a testament to the title’s essence.

Dauda, the first Mahaukatan Bauchi and the Emir of Bauchi Ibrahim grew up in the palace like brothers; and because of their intimacy, the latter used to correct the former’s mistakes whenever the need arose. So, even after Ibrahim became emir, that did not stop Dauda from correcting him, even in public.

Because of this attitude, anytime Dauda approached the palace with the intention to correct the emir, the people around would start saying the mad man had started. The emir, on his part, was not comfortable with Dauda’s attitude and decided to tackle it. After consultations with relevant personalities, the emir came up with an idea of conferring a title on Dauda, with a view to controlling his attitude towards him.

However, when the emir approached Dauda and requested to choose a traditional title of his choice, Dauda chose to be conferred with the title of Mahaukatan Bauchi. He told the emir that he wanted to be conferred with the title the people already knew him; hence the emir conferred him with the title of Mahaukatan Bauchi. His main duty was to tell the emir the truth about the condition of the people.

Alhaji Ado Danrimi Garba, the current Wakilin Tarihi of Bauchi Emirate, told Weekend Trust that contrary to the misconceptions, Mahaukata is not a mad man and is the only person in the whole palace allowed to tell the emir everything in public, noting, “In a nutshell, Mahaukata is not a mad man. He is a physically sound person saddled with the responsibility of telling the emir the truth anytime and anywhere. So, Mahaukata is a brave, loyal and highly respected person in the palace.

“If you are not brave you cannot be conferred with the title of Mahaukata. The duty of Mahaukata is to tell the truth, but he doesn’t have the authority to enforce it. Mahaukata is always after correcting the emir to do things correctly,” he explained.   

Since its inception, several individuals have served as Mahaukatan Bauchi. Today, Ahmad Lawal Aliyu holds the title. Despite its misleading literal meaning, he proudly bears the role and the responsibility that comes with it.

Aliyu, who is the 10th Mahaukatan Bauchi, told Weekend Trust that his major work in the palace is to tell the emir the naked truth no matter what, saying, “Once he sees some things that need the emir’s intervention, I will go directly to the emir and inform him. I am the only person that has the power to approach the emir on anything that requires his intervention.

“I do not have any barrier with the emir. Whenever something happens in Bauchi and it needs the emir’s intervention, I will go to the palace and inform him. Also, during the palace session, if the emir errs, I will correct him.”

 

I feel angry if I am not called by my title — 10th Mahaukata

Alhaji Aliyu said he always felt embarrassed and dishonored whenever he is called by his real name, saying, “I always prefer to be called by my title than my real name. If I am called by my real name I feel like I was stripped naked.

“I cherish the title so much that I can fight you if you underrate it. This is something I inherited from my forefathers, so I am always proud of it. Nine people from my family held this title before me and they all acted the way I am acting now. My family is always proud of this title.

“There was a time I made a speech at a public function at the Emir of Bauchi’s palace. People from various states attended the function, including the then Wazirin Kano. After my speech, he wondered why I was called Mahaukata despite my appearance and eloquence.

“Another incident happened at the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto when I accompanied the Emir of Bauchi to Sokoto. When I greeted the Sultan and turned to the Emir of Bauchi and greeted him, he said, ‘Thank you Mahaukata; you arrived?  The Sultan asked, ‘Emir, of all the available titles, a complete man like this chose to be called Mahaukata?’ The Emir of Bauchi replied, ‘He is Mahaukatan Bauchi, who always tells me the truth. The Sultan said Allah shi yi ma dubun hauka.

“When I was sent to Niger by the Emir of Bauchi and I introduced myself as the Mahaukatan Bauchi to the traditional ruler there, the emir became angry. He simply picked his phone and called the Emir of Bauchi and inquired if truly there was a traditional title like that.

“The Emir of Bauchi laughed and confirmed to him that it’s true and I am the holder. The emir further explained in detail about the title and my role in the palace. That was what saved me from the emir’s anger.”  

Interestingly, the neighbourhood where the Mahaukata resides is popularly known as Anguwar Mahaukata, which has led to widespread misconceptions. 

Despite the community’s honourable background, many outsiders wrongly associate its name with mental illness. Residents and observers have voiced concern over this misunderstanding.

Malam Danlami Lawal, a resident of Mahaukata community, told Weekend Trust that despite the misconceptions associated with the word, residents of the community are proud of the name. He said, “Residents of the community are not people living with mental challenges. On the contrary, we are physically sound.

“We don’t have bad feelings when other people call this community Unguwar Mahaukata because we don’t have a history of any mental disorder. We are normal people. The name of the community emanated from the title of Mahaukata; that’s all. Residents are proud of the community. I have never heard a resident of this community complaining about its name.”

Another resident, Muhammad Auwal, said he had never bothered about the misconceptions regarding the name of the community, adding, “Although many people thought residents of the community were not mentally sound, that doesn’t bother me because I am hundred per cent sure that we are mentally okay. Many people ask whether we have any mental illness, but sincerely speaking, it is just a name. We are mentally sound.

“Of course, the word Mahaukata has a negative meaning, but it doesn’t concern us because as far as we are concerned, ours is just a traditional title with dignity, which one of us is holding. We are proud of this title and we always cherish it. I am always proud to be a member of the Mahaukata community.”

Isa Muhammad Mahaukata also said there was nothing wrong if the community retained its name. According to him, the misconception about the name does not in any way affect the dignity of residents.

He said: “Once people are briefed about the name of the community, they always end up commending residents for accepting it. You know people always like culture. It is a culture in Bauchi to have the title in the palace, so there is nothing wrong in naming the community Mahaukata.”

Alhaji Aminu Musa of Jahun Quarters said if not that he is from Bauchi State, no one would have convinced him to believe that Mahaukata is not a community meant for people with mental illness. He said, “Ideally, whoever hears the name for the first time will assume that the community is meant for people with mental illness.”

He, however, said it would be better if the government could change the name of the community to something else as that would address the issue of misconception.