Pragmatism in Hausa Oral Poetic Tradition

The study suggests the craft of oration in the Ƙasar Hausa developed in traditional religious shrines around the vicinities of Dala, Durbi, Kwatarkashi and Turunku with priests as the most significant actors. The earliest Hausa Oral tradition informed an artist to compose to guide or teach the society. Evidence from Barbushe’s oral verses indicates that his intention was not only to convey the god’s verdict to the Dala and environs inhabitants, but also to relate to the community what it was directed by the fetishistic gods to do; propagates popular values; guide the population in the matters of worship and reiterates his authority over the environs. The Hausa society poetic tradition from the earliest time was pragmatic as reflected in the artistic attitudes of the first generation of its oral and literary artists. For instance, the attitude in the Barbushe’s verses recited in the pre-Islamic Dala Communities; Danmasani’s poem on the prophet Muhammad led battle of Badr, Composed during the seventeenth century; Shehu Usman bn Fodio’ Tabban Hakikan which is an admonition to Hausa Society composed during the nineteenth century; were all designed to expound values and beliefs which the Hausa society appreciates at different phases of its history.