Skip to content
Words Rhymes & Rhythm

Words Rhymes & Rhythm

Words Rhymes & Rhythm Publishers

Header Advertise
Menu
  • HOME
    • ABOUT US
    • OUR CSR
    • CONTACT US
  • cọ́nscìò
  • FEATURES
    • BOOK REVIEWS
    • ESSAYS
    • INTERVIEWS
    • WRITING TIPS
  • POETRY
  • FICTION
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • NEWS
    • CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
  • PUBLISHING
    • PUBLISHING PACKAGES
    • 7 REASONS WHY
  • DOWNLOAD
  • Home
  • POETRY
  • ALMAJIRI: THE HAUSA MALE by Theophilus ‘Femi Alawonde
POETRY

ALMAJIRI: THE HAUSA MALE by Theophilus ‘Femi Alawonde

Theophilus Femi AlawondeSeptember 13, 2016August 16, 2017

Share

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Read Time:2 Minute, 17 Second

The very day that Audu was born,
his father said, ‘I will not raise a son!’
So the day he became five years,
he was sent out admist his sisters’ tears.
He was given a small hollow plate,
and was told not to return home for food.
He was to fend for himself as a man should,
so little Audu was sent out;
a boy of five was sent out!
He was sent out to face his fate.

When Audu got to the streets,
he found it hard to place his feet:
Wherever he finds a family on the mat,
there with his plate, he will squat,
and beg for food, and supplicate,
till he wins himself the left over plate.
Eating for him was difficult,
each day his meals went for soace and cot.
The little he gets and thinks of eating,
is robbed him, after serious beatings.
Then Audu thinks,’Shall I go on like this?
I need to be tough, or remain as thin as this!’

So determined was Audu of five,
that in the slums, he rose to position five.
He fights with whatever weapon at hand,
and soon he formed his own band.
New ones subjected to a atre like his,
pay him obesciance: they pay him fees.

Audu’sband got a rich sponsor,
and they soon became national terrors.
So deep into the business they went,
that they were feared everywhere they went.
The fame they could never have thought of,
they easily got by being tough;
for after each terrorist operation,
they would send a message to the nation,
and fear-stricken men and women will listen
as newscasters chant off the names of persons missing.
In their hideout, before the television,
they hear the news and sing in jubilation.

They boast of fighting for their God,
but know this, they are their own gods!
For Audu, just like any other kid,
had dreams, which he did breed;
to be a doctor, world renowned,
but then Audu was disowned!
And the very day he was disowned,
with tears, he vowed to be renowned.
No specifications as to whether by good or evil,
so when the opportunity came, though evil,
Audu grabbed it!
And held on to it!
Today the nation suffers terribly,
because Audu’s father acted foolishly.

To me cultural beliefs ought to be flexible,
so if one breeds Audus, so terrible,
why not jettison it?
All children have a right to parental care,
train them, or they turn a snare.
If all children enjoy parental care,
Almajiris won’t be easy preys to terrorist bands,
and there will be peace throughout the land.

id="attachment_22188" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22188" style="width: 516px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">ALMAJIRI: THE HAUSA MALE by Theophilus 'Femi Alawonde
ALMAJIRI: THE HAUSA MALE by Theophilus ‘Femi Alawonde

About Post Author

Theophilus Femi Alawonde

alawondetheophilusfemi@yahoo.com

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • More
  • Telegram
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Related

Tagged Culture, hausa, Poverty, Religion, street children, terrorism

Post navigation

Previous

Previous post:

I SAID THESE WORDS: KUKOGHO IS WOLE SOYINKA IN A MODERN, 21ST CENTURY VOICE — a review by Shoola Oyindamola

Next

Next post:

MUSIC by Joshua Levites

Previous post I SAID THESE WORDS: KUKOGHO IS WOLE SOYINKA IN A MODERN, 21ST CENTURY VOICE — a review by Shoola Oyindamola
Next post MUSIC by Joshua Levites

Say something about this post Cancel reply

Icon

CỌ́N-SCÌÒ MAGAZINE: ‘PACESETTERS’ [ISSUE 2, VOL. 2 | OCTOBER 2022]

1 file(s) 10.11 MB
Download
Close
Menu
  • HOME
    • ABOUT US
    • OUR CSR
    • CONTACT US
  • cọ́nscìò
  • FEATURES
    • BOOK REVIEWS
    • ESSAYS
    • INTERVIEWS
    • WRITING TIPS
  • POETRY
  • FICTION
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • NEWS
    • CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
  • PUBLISHING
    • PUBLISHING PACKAGES
    • 7 REASONS WHY
  • DOWNLOAD
Social profiles
  • HOME
    • ABOUT US
    • OUR CSR
    • CONTACT US
  • cọ́nscìò
  • FEATURES
    • BOOK REVIEWS
    • ESSAYS
    • INTERVIEWS
    • WRITING TIPS
  • POETRY
  • FICTION
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • NEWS
    • CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
  • PUBLISHING
    • PUBLISHING PACKAGES
    • 7 REASONS WHY
  • DOWNLOAD

ABOUT US

Words Rhymes & Rhythm Ltd. (RC 1234112), is a foremost publishing and educational institution that supports and promotes Nigerian writers and writings talents through several initiatives like contests, prizes, and an annual literary festival. Our publishing susbsidiary is AUTHORPEDIA.

CONTRIBUTE

QUICK LINKS

  • CỌ́NSCÌÒ
  • CONTACT US
  • DOWNLOADS
  • PUBLISHING
  • SUBMIT TO WRR
  • SERVICES
  • HOME
    • ABOUT US
    • OUR CSR
    • CONTACT US
  • cọ́nscìò
  • FEATURES
    • BOOK REVIEWS
    • ESSAYS
    • INTERVIEWS
    • WRITING TIPS
  • POETRY
  • FICTION
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • NEWS
    • CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
  • PUBLISHING
    • PUBLISHING PACKAGES
    • 7 REASONS WHY
  • DOWNLOAD
Copyright Words Rhymes Rhythm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
 

Loading Comments...