Promoting writing in indigenous languages

None of our emerging writers is interested in writing in indigenous languages because of their limited reach and acceptability. In spite of the obviously important roles of our languages in defining our identity as a people, interest by both the old and younger generation of writers is waning. “Why should I waste my time writing […]

None of our emerging writers is interested in writing in indigenous languages because of their limited reach and acceptability. In spite of the obviously important roles of our languages in defining our identity as a people, interest by both the old and younger generation of writers is waning.

“Why should I waste my time writing in my language? Who will read it? How many people can even read or speak these indigenous languages self? It’s a waste of time and effort, my brother”. This was a writer friend’s response when asked when asked why he was not writing in his Ebira language.

In recent times, there have been no conscious efforts to promote the art of indigenous literature in Nigeria. Publishers, because of limited reach and marketing considerations, are no longer interested in engaging indigenous language writers, unless for some scholarly reasons; and the few indigenous writings in existence are not in circulation.

It was against this background that the Karaye Prize for Hausa Literature was conceived by Hajiya Bilkisu A. Bashir. Inspired by a loving and committed wife’s quest to immortalise her late husband, the award has advanced the cause of indigenous writing in Nigeria, especially within the North.

Although the real intention was ensure that the memory of Engineer Mohammed Bashir Karaye never faded, the prize, which is in its third year, has created renewed interest in indigenous language writings, especially Hausa.

The maiden edition of the Karaye prize was greeted with mixed feelings. When it was first announced by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja chapter, in 2007, even members of the Nigerian literati and the academia were sceptical of the viability the prize and, most importantly, its sustainability. The initiator of the prize was never known to be a lover nor patron of the arts. Those who knew her only knew her as the Executive Secretary of Federal Judicial Service Commission and, maybe, just a reader—when she found the time to read.

Buoyed by the achievement of the Karaye Prize in promoting Hausa literature in just two years of its establishment, the National Executive of ANA, not only organised a colloquium in honour of the legendary Hausa literary giant, the late Abubakar Imam, to make case for indigenous writing in Nigeria, but has also concluded plans to organise a creative writing workshop for Hausa writers in Kano later in the year.

Prior to the establishment of the Karaye Prize, little—if at all—is being done by relevant government agencies, literary organisations, publishers and wealthy individuals to promote indigenous writing. More effort has been concentrated on English literature: there have been literary prizes, creative writing workshops and other activities for English writers and writings.

The Karaye Prize, as it is today is gradually bringing to indigenous writing the same glitz and glamour that has been synonymous with creative writing in Nigeria and other parts of the world over the years. As Nigerian writers today look forward to the NLNG Prize, the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature and the various ANA prizes, amongst others, writers in Hausa, both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, now look forward to the Karaye Prize.

The current edition of the Prize has elicited unprecedented response as some writers are said to have already translated their works from English to Hausa languages while the younger ones are also perfecting their writing knowledge of the language to be able to give the prize a shot. The prize has also attracted several highly placed personalities who are said to have submitted their works.

The award ceremony for this year’s edition of the prize is scheduled to hold in October and, for the first time, in the home state of the late Engineer Mohammed Bashir Karaye—Kano. By the time it is over, it should have added another value to Hausa literature and indigenous language writing in Nigeria as a whole.

Adesewo is Publicity Secretary, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja Chapter