Imagine waking up in a big house where there is always noise. You know those traditional houses where everyone lives together, and you can hear kids playing and adults talking from the moment the sun comes up? That is exactly where this story starts. We meet Mama, a woman who loves her morning prayers. She has this habit of staying on her prayer mat until the sun is high in the sky. She does her zikir and then rests her eyes for a bit. She follows what the doctors say—that you shouldn't just jump out of bed the moment you wake up. You have to sit for a few minutes so your blood flows right. It shows she is a woman who takes care of herself and follows a peaceful routine. But that peace does not last long because of the drama that is about to happen in this house.
While she is sitting there, her third son, Habu, comes into the room. He is a young man full of energy, always ready for his next mission. He comes to tell her that he is leaving for a long trip. He tells her they are going all the way to Cameroon for work. They want to cover a traditional event and bring back reports for people to see. Mama is shocked. She asks him if he knows how far Cameroon is from Zaria. She is worried like any mother would be. She tells him that men these days just get up and travel without thinking about the distance or the prayers they need. If you love stories about family and the journeys people take, you should check out where to download Hausa novels to find more stories like this one by Zainab Idris Makawa.
Habu is a good son, though. He sits down and explains everything to her. He tells her that they know the value of her prayers because everything they touch turns to success when she blesses them. Mama finally gives in and prays for him. She asks God to protect him and keep him away from any evil on the road. It is a very emotional moment because you can feel how much she loves her son. After their talk, she tells him to go and say goodbye to the other women in the house, Hajiya Babba and Hajiya Nana, so they don't complain that he ignored them. This part of the book really shows how complicated living in a big family house can be. It reminds me of the deep family connections you see in IMAAN.
Just as Habu is about to leave, something very strange happens. A woman comes to the gate of the big house. She is shouting, "Nakiyar Baby!" which makes everyone think she is selling those sweet local snacks called Nakiya. Everyone in the house, both kids and adults, runs toward her because they want to see what she has. But the moment she opens her container, the whole house turns into a madhouse. People start screaming and running away. Some even fall down because of fear. Why? Because inside the container, there isn't any food. There is a giant snake! It is the kind of snake you only see in movies. It is just sitting there, coiled up, looking at everyone with its scary eyes. One part of the book says — "He closed his eyes for a moment because of the huge snake, the kind he only sees in movies." (translated from Hausa). This moment is so intense because you don't expect a snack seller to carry a snake into a family home.
While everyone else is running away in terror, Habu stays. He is a brave man. The woman looks at him and starts smiling. She doesn't look like she wants to hurt anyone. She starts calling him names like "Garba the brave" and "the warrior." She says things that make it seem like she knows him or knows his future. She tells him not to be afraid because he is a man of honor. It is such a weird and mysterious scene. It makes you wonder if this woman is just a performer or if she has some kind of spiritual power. This kind of mystery is what makes best Hausa novels so hard to put down once you start reading them. The tension in the air is thick, and you can almost feel the heartbeat of the characters as they stare at that snake.
Habu, being a kind person, reaches into his pocket and gives the woman two thousand naira. She is so happy that she starts praying for him even more. She tells him that his enemies will try to stop him but they will fail. Mama also comes out and gives the woman some money because she thinks the woman is just trying to make a living in a very strange way. The woman then leaves, but the whole house is still shaking from what happened. The other wives in the house start gossiping and talking about how scary the woman was. They are all confused about why she came there and why she was carrying a snake. If you enjoy stories with this much suspense and strange occurrences, you might also like BAQIN DARE or the thrills in AGENT JUMAIMA KHATOON.
As Habu walks to his car to finally start his journey, he sees the woman again outside the gate. She is waiting for him. This time, she speaks to him more seriously. She tells him that he needs to be very careful on his trip. She says his success and his future are waiting for him where he is going, but there are people who don't want him to succeed. The book says — "She said — 'Be very careful because your goodness and success are where you are going.'" (translated from Hausa). This part really gives you chills because it feels like a prophecy. Is something going to happen to him in Cameroon? Is the snake woman a protector or a warning sign? It feels like the beginning of a very big adventure, much like the twists you find in KARAN DAFI.
Habu doesn't really believe in all that superstitious talk. He thinks she is just a woman who knows how to talk to people so she can get more money. He gives her another thousand naira and tries to leave, but she tells him that she is staying at Hajiya Indo’s house nearby if his mother ever wants to hear more. This makes you think that the story of this woman is not over yet. She is going to be a big part of what happens next. Habu drives away, but you can tell that the woman's words are stuck in his head even if he doesn't want to admit it. The way Zainab Idris Makawa writes this makes you feel the heat of the sun and the dust of the road as Habu starts his engine. You can find many more stories like this on Taskar Novels.
The story is so interesting because it mixes everyday life with things that are a bit supernatural. One minute they are talking about breakfast and travel plans, and the next minute there is a snake in the middle of the yard. It shows how life can change in a second. The relationship between Mama and her kids is also very sweet. Even though it is a big house with many people and probably some jealousy between the wives, Mama’s room is like a safe place for her children. If you like stories about the secrets of the heart and how people deal with each other in large families, you should read DANGANTAKAR ZUCI as well. It has that same feeling of deep emotion and real-life struggles.
As the story goes on, you really start to worry about Habu. He is going on a very long trip by car, and we all know how dangerous those roads can be. Plus, with the warning from the snake woman, you just know that something big is coming. Is he going to meet someone special in Cameroon? Or is he going to run into trouble? The mystery of the "Nakiyar Baby" lady is also hanging over everything. Why did she call him Garba? Why did she say he was a warrior from the time of the battles of Mecca? It’s almost like she was seeing a different version of him. This kind of deep mystery reminds me of the magic in HATSABIBIN BOKA Part 2.
If you want to know what happens to Habu on his way to Cameroon and if Mama’s prayers will keep him safe from the enemies the woman mentioned, you have to read the full story. It is a journey of faith, family, and a little bit of the unknown. You can find this novel and many other amazing Hausa novels online. There are so many stories waiting for you that will make you laugh, cry, and stay up all night reading. This book is a great example of why we love our local writers who tell stories that feel like they are happening right next door to us. Go ahead and look for it on Taskar Novels and enjoy the ride!
