Nana Asma'u Bint Usman 'dan Fodiyo, a nineteenth-century Muslim scholar, lived in the region now known as northern Nigeria and was an eyewitness to battles of the largest of the West-African jihads of the era. The preparation and conduct of the jihad provide the topics for Nana Asma'u's poetry. Her work also includes treatises on history, law, mysticism, theology, and politics, and was heavily influenced by the Arabic poetic tradition.
This volume contains annotated translations of works by the 19th century intellectual giant, Nana Asma'u, including 54 poems and prose texts. Asma'u rallied public opinion behind a movement devoted to the revival of Islam in West Africa, and organized a public education system for women.
MapsForewordAcknowledgments1. Nigeria2. Trade Routes and the Qadiriyya3. Hausaland and Neighboring States 18004. The Caliphate 18205. Sokoto Caliphate 18306. Opponents of the CaliphPrefaceThe Essential Nana Asma'uAn Outline Chronology, The Collected Works of Nana Asma'u in English1. The Way of the Pious2. So Verily...3. Give Us Victory4. Elegy for Abdullahi29/5/16. The Qur'an6. Be Sure for God's Truth7. A Warning, I8. Forgive Me9. Victory at Gawakuke10/11. Sufi Women12/13. Elegy for Bello14. Bello's Character15. Elegy for My Sister Fadima17. Medicine of the Prophet18. Elegy for Buhari19. In Praise of Ahmada51/20 The Journey21. Thanksgiving for Recovery50/22. The Story of the Shehu23. The Path of Truth24. Rememberance of the Prophet, I25. Caliph Aliyu's Victory, I (Fulfulde)26. Caliph Aliyu's Victory, II (Hausa)27. Elegy for Halima28. Elegy for Gid'ad'o30. Islam, Sokoto, and Wurno31. Destroy Mayaki32. Elegy for a Youth33. Elegy for Na'Inna34. Elegy for Mustafa35. Remembrance of the Shehu36. Lamentation for 'Aysha, I37. Lamentation for 'Aysha, II38. The Battle of Gawakuke39. A Warning, II40. A Prayer for Rain41. Elegy for Zaharatu42. Elegy for Hawa'u43/44. Fear of the Herafter45. Elegy for Halilu46. Reasons for Seeking God47. Destroy Bawa48. Elegy for My Niece Fad'ima49. Dan Yalli52. Elegy for Modibo d'an Ali53. Elegy for Malam Dandi54. Welcome to the Mauritanian Scholar55. Poems Exchanged Between Asma'u and Shaikh Sa'ad56. Poems Exchanged Between Asma'u and Aliyu57. Poems Exchanged Between Asma'u Ahmadu Rufa'i58. Rememberance of the Prophet, II59. Signs of the Day of Judgment60. Yearning for the Prophet61. Fear this62. Forgery I63. Forgery II64. List of Asma'u's Students65. Elegy for Asma'u66. Praise Song for Asma'uA. TermsB. Principal Place NamesC. Names of IndividualsPublished Works CitedUnpublished Works CitedAppendix A: Hausa RomanAppendix B: Original Manuscripts (facsimile)Index
Jean Boyd is former Principal Research Fellow of the Sokoto History Bureau and Research Associate of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. She is the author of One Woman's Jihad, The Caliph's Sister, and Sultan Siddiq Abubakar III.
Beverly Mack is a Professor of African Studies in the Department of African and African American Studies and the Director of the University of Kansas African Studies Center (KASC), as well as a Courtesy Professor of Religious Studies. Prior to joining KU, Professor Mack taught at Yale University (Hausa language and African literature), Georgetown University (African history), and George Mason University (African literature).
