Malam Nura is the kind of man who thinks he is the king of the world just because he put on a big flowing gown and sprayed some strong perfume. He was standing in the middle of his house, acting like a peacock, waiting for his wives to notice him. He even walked a few steps and stopped, lifting his head high like a lizard, just to make sure everyone saw how important he felt. This story, written by the talented Maman Afrah, starts with a lot of drama that will make you laugh and shake your head at the same time. Malam Nura is not just a regular husband; he is a man who treats marriage like a hobby. He called out to his first wife, Haule, and she came out to see what the problem was. She just sat there on a small stool, looking at him and wondering what kind of drama he was about to start this time. She didn't even say much, she just watched him while he puffed out his chest. When he realized Haule wasn't giving him the attention he wanted, he started calling his second wife, Kuluwa. But Kuluwa didn't answer. She was in her room, probably tired of his many antics.
The tension in the house was already high before anything even happened. Nura asked Haule if Kuluwa had gone out, and Haule gave him a very sharp answer. She said, "Malam, you are asking a duck for the way to the river, you should ask the chicken who knows the news." This made Nura very angry. He told her to stop with the proverbs and just answer the question. He started talking about how women don't value their place in heaven, which he thinks is under their husband's feet. It is funny because while he is acting like a holy man, he is actually just looking for a way to tell them he is getting married again. If you love stories where the house is always full of talk and small fights, you should check out more best Hausa novels to see how different families handle these things. Haule didn't back down, she told him that since he is her husband, he should know where she is. She basically told him to go and check her room himself instead of bothering her. This kind of back-and-forth is what makes this book so real. It reminds me of the drama in SON RAI KO ZABIN IYAYE where family decisions cause a lot of heat.
Nura eventually went to Kuluwa’s room and found her eating her garri with groundnuts. She didn't even look at him. She just kept eating, ignoring his presence until he forced her to speak. Nura asked her when he became her mate, meaning why was she ignoring him like that. Kuluwa is a firecracker. She told him that if he made her choke on her food, she would report him to the village head and make him pay for it. Nura was shocked and asked if he had killed her that he would have to pay a fine. The way these characters talk to each other is so natural, it feels like you are sitting in the compound with them. Kuluwa told him to keep his distance, but Nura was on a mission. He told her to come out because he had something important to say to both of them. He even told Kuluwa that she was just jealous and that the marriage was definitely happening. He said, "Even if marriage was not a thing, I would marry you," which is a very strange thing to say, but that is just how Nura is. He is very full of himself.
When they were all gathered, Nura made his big announcement. He stood there with a big smile and told them that next week Saturday, he would be getting married again. He said, "If you want your stay in this house to continue, you must make sure you obey me and prepare to welcome my new bride." He looked so happy, like someone who just heard they were going to heaven. Haule, who has seen many wives come and go, just laughed. She prayed for the marriage and said she hoped the new wife would come in peace. Nura was surprised that she wasn't angry. He thought she didn't love him because she was so calm. But Haule has a secret. She has counted all his wives. She told him that if she remembered correctly, this new one was wife number eighteen. Nura had to stop and think. He realized she was right, and he even forgot one wife named Ladiyo who only stayed for three days. This part is so funny because it shows how Nura just collects wives like they are shoes. For more stories about complicated men and their wives, you can download Hausa novels and see how other authors handle this.
Haule told him that after eighteen wives, she doesn't care anymore. She said getting a new co-wife is easier for her than drinking water. But Kuluwa was not happy at all. She was fuming like a train. She felt like she was being replaced. Nura called the new woman the "waiting bride" and Kuluwa felt like she was now an "old hand." The way Nura treats them is quite mean, but he does it with a smile. He even tried to give them "news money," which is money husbands give when they announce a new marriage. He gave Haule five hundred naira and she took it and left. But when he tried to give Kuluwa her own five hundred, she lost it. She asked him if that small money was what her peace was worth. Nura told her that she should be grateful because sometimes he only gives Haule fifty naira or even some fried groundnuts to break the news. This shows how cheap Nura can be despite his big talk. It’s a very different vibe from a story like TATTALIN SO where you see more care and affection.
Kuluwa was so angry that she took the five hundred naira and tore it into eight pieces right in front of him. Nura just looked at her and said she was only hurting herself because the marriage was still going to happen. Then he dropped a bombshell. He reminded Kuluwa that she didn't even have a choice in being there. He said their marriage was to pay off a debt. Her father owed him eight thousand naira and couldn't pay, so he gave Nura his daughter instead. Nura even added two thousand naira to make the dowry ten thousand. He told her, "I am not going to lose ten thousand naira, you have only been in this house for two months." This part is so sad but it shows the reality some girls face. It’s similar to the themes in ABBANA where fathers and their choices affect their children’s lives so much. Kuluwa begged him to divorce her, but Nura refused. He said it is a sin for a woman to ask for divorce and he wants her to stay for a long time so he gets his money's worth.
As Nura was leaving to go see his new bride-to-be, Kuluwa shouted after him. She insulted his perfume, saying it smelled like a dead body. Nura didn't care. He told her she should be careful because he can divorce a woman as easily as untying a sheep from a pole. He then walked out, leaving Kuluwa in tears. The drama in this house is just starting. You have Haule who is playing the long game, Kuluwa who is young and angry, and Nura who is just looking for the next best thing. Maman Afrah really knows how to write characters that feel like people you know in your neighborhood. If you want to read more about intense hatred or love, BAKAR KAUNA Book 1 is another one you should look into. The way the author describes the small details, like the silver bowl Kuluwa was using or the way Nura adjusts his gown, makes you feel like you are watching a movie. You can find many more stories like this when you search for Hausa novels online.
I really felt for Kuluwa in this story. Imagine being sold for eight thousand naira and then having your husband tell you he is bringing in wife number nineteen just two months after you arrived. It is a lot to handle. But the way Haule handles things is also very interesting. She is like a veteran. She knows that Nura will soon get tired of the new one too. She told Kuluwa that she has seen yesterday, she is seeing today, and she will see tomorrow in that house. She is not going anywhere. This kind of strength is something you see in books like KURMAN ƘADDARA where fate plays a big role in where people end up. Malam Nura thinks he is smart, but his wives have their own ways of dealing with him. Kuluwa tearing the money shows she has a lot of spirit, even if she is stuck in a bad situation. I wonder what the new bride will be like. Will she be quiet like Haule or a firebrand like Kuluwa? Or will she be something totally different that Nura isn't ready for? It's the kind of story that keeps you turning the pages because you want to see Nura get what he deserves. Sometimes these stories have a twist, like in DR SAHEEB where things aren't always what they seem at the beginning.
UWAR AGOLA is a story that mixes humor with some very serious issues like debt-marriage and polygamy. It doesn't use big words or try to be too deep, it just tells it like it is. You will find yourself laughing at Nura’s ego one minute and then feeling very sorry for Kuluwa the next. It’s a great read if you want something that feels like real life. If you are looking for where to get this book or if you want to find more interesting stories to read during your free time, you should definitely visit Taskar Novels. They have a huge collection of everything from drama to romance to family stories. You can find all the best Hausa novels there and it's very easy to navigate. Trust me, once you start reading UWAR AGOLA, you won't want to stop until you see how it ends for Malam Nura and his many wives!
