A Focus on Hausa Folklore and Culture: Why Madness and Mental Trouble?

Traditionally, the Hausas believed on divergent number of ways in which an individual might acquire madness, or be mistaken as mad rather. It is beyond just the question of spiritually possessed by jinn(s). Hence, that is the most recognized of all causes of mental break down among the Hausas. However, factors such as depression, marital controversies, economic conflicts, indignation, ire, rage, fury, wrath, phobia, and/or physical illness may present and individual as mad. Therefore, madness is simply unintentional violation of societal norms, reasoning or normal action that might be caused by suggest, desire or intent to revenge and action or being treated unfairly. This is evident in various Hausa folktales. This paper explores the instances and causes of madness from Hausa folktales with the view to showcase the believe of the Hausas on the causes of madness. The data (instances of madness) are collected from various Hausa folktales to show instances of various forms of mental trouble. Furthermore, the paper accounts for measures adapted by the Hausas in dealing with these social and/or psychological problems. The paper learnt that, madness is caused by several factors and not only spiritual. It therefore offers some suggestions as panacea to such mental disorder. One of such is to understand the cause of such mental disorder; another is administrative procedures or communicative processes, depending on the scenario and the issue at hand.