Hausaland
Or, Fifteen Hundred Miles through the Central Soudan

This 1896 publication describes the culture, language and industry of the Hausa people of West Africa, observed at first hand.

Charles Henry Robinson (Author)

9781108031240, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 May 2011

368 pages, 31 b/w illus. 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.47 kg

Charles Henry Robinson (1861–1925) was a Cambridge scholar who, during the 1890s, published several books on the language, literature and culture of the Hausa people of West Africa. This study, published in 1896, documents his pioneering fieldwork during which, in three months, he travelled 1500 miles across rivers, mountains, villages and towns. Public interest in the Hausa was high at the time, due to their recruitment as troops by Britain in the Ashanti conflict, and by France to consolidate French power in Madagascar. However, Robinson argues against the perception of the Hausa as primarily a warlike people, despite their formidable strength in battle. In this vivid account of his time among them, he portrays the Hausa as successful traders who excelled above all in commercial endeavours. Exploring enterprises from textiles and tobacco to hunting and river transportation, Robinson gives fascinating first-hand insights into this important African community.

Introduction
1. The River Niger
2. The Hausa Association
3. Up the River Niger
4. Loko to Kaffi
5. Kaffi to Zaria
6. Zaria
7. Arrival at Kano
8. Kano
9. Slavery and slave-raiding
10. Native medicines - leprosy, etc.
11. Fauna and flora
12. The Hausa language
13. Mohammedanism in the Central Soudan
14. The pilgrimage to Mecca
15. Native customs, etc. - preparation for leaving Kano
16. Kano to Birnin-Gwari
17. Birnin-Gwari to Bida
18. Bida to Egga
19. Egga to Liverpool
Conclusion
Appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]