The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna

Prominent Borno elder, Bulama Mali Gubio, has stated that modern attire such as the hijab, himar, and Niqab are foreign to authentic Kanuri tradition.

Mr. Gubio made this disclosure while outlining a two-day orientation program aimed at re-introducing young Kanuri girls in secondary schools and homes to traditional ways of behavior, cooking, and dressing.

According to him, the traditional lapaya is the proper single-piece attire that serves the complete purpose of covering a woman’s body with dignity and beauty, describing it as less costly compared to modern alternatives.

Redefining Kanuri Cuisine and Heritage
Beyond clothing, Mr. Gubio raised concerns over dietary changes among the people, noting that contemporary staples like Indomie, noodles, and modern rice do not form part of traditional Kanuri cuisine. He claimed that authentic historical rice cooked during festivals only dried up rather than rotting, dismissing modern rice that spoils as chemically concocted.

The elder also clarified the scope of the Kanuri identity, stressing that the term encompasses 79 distinct ethnic groups originating from Yemen within the historical Kanem-Borno Empire, rather than being limited to residents of Borno State or Maiduguri alone. He noted that these groups are spread across Plateau, Nasarawa, Kano, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, including clans such as the Borno way, Koyam, Babur, Margi Abalam, and others.
Mr. Gubio emphasized that the ongoing cultural initiative is designed to safeguard their distinct heritage, manners, and traditions for younger generations.