By Umar Isyaku
The traditional Hausa cap, also known as "Hula", is known for it's intricate embroidery and is often worn with traditional Hausa attire. It has a long history in Hausa land , originating as a common and traditional male attire and later evolving into a symbol of cultural, religious, social and even political status.
While the precise origin is unclear, the hula's development and spread were influenced by trade and the adoption of Islam by the Hausa, who incorporated these elements into their culture. The cap's intricate designs are often symbolic, representing heritage, status, and personal taste, making it a prestigious accessory worn for formal occasions.Many people associate any man they see wearing a Hula with being a Muslim or Hausa or both. Yusuf Ahmad, a traditional Hausa cap seller, thinks that wearing a Hausa cap is a sign which shows that someone is a Hausa man and a muslim, and that wearing a Hausa cap is what completes a man's decency. He added that the older generation of Hausa men like to wear tall Hausa caps, while the new generation prefer shorter ones. And when people come to buy caps, they mostly ask for the cheaper and lighter ones, caps sucha as "Atiku" and "Zita", it is the rich men that usually ask for the "Zanna-Bukar" and other heavy ones.
There are different types of traditional Hausa caps, including "Zanna-Bukar", "Damanga", "Zita", "Maropiyya", "Zulum" and "mu-haɗu-a-banki". They are differentiated based on factors such as the materials used to make them, where they originated, who wears them and what they are used for among other factors, but the most popular and widely used globally is the kufi, followed by the "Zanna-Bukar" in within Northern Nigeria. Altogether, the hula has gone beyond being a simple head wear and has become a symbol of identity and belonging within the Islamic and Hausa communities globally.
Malam Khamilu, a resident of Yahaya Gusau, claims he wears Hausa caps a lot, especially the Zanna-Bukar. He says it is very special to him and he got his own tailor-made, specially for himself. He also considers his cap a part of his identity as a Hausa-Fulani man and a Muslim.
The Hula is not limited to being worn only within Islamic and Hausa communities, although it has been perhaps been most associated with Nigeria. It is also worn by men in many populations in North Africa, East Africa, West Africa, South Asia, and the middle East. Some African Christians also wear them. Zulyadaini Abdullahi Adamu, a hausa cap knitter and seller, says he wears his Zanna-Bukar or Damanga on a daily basis, and he knits the Zanna-Bukar, Damanga and PTF, then sells them at prices ranging from eight thousand to thirty thousand Naira, and that people come to buy them from Jigawa, Maiduguri and other states and places.
It is also worn by men throughout the African diaspora. Within the United States and other foreign countries, it has become identified primarily with persons of West African heritage, who wear it to show pride in their culture, history and religion. Dauda Ibrahim Dachia, a Northern Nigerian staying in Tirana, Albania, claims to wear his traditional Hausa cap overseas, but not all the time. He usually wears it on Fridays, Eid celebration, or during cultural events.
It was written in an article by Centre de l'ldentité et de la culture Africanes titled ' The Khada habar: A traditional hat in a Hausa environment ' , that " wearing a hat is a mark of respect for oneself, above all, according to Mr. Adéyèmi " when you don't wear a hat, traditional dress is not complete", he insists, " it reflects a disconnect between man and his own culture"." Muhammadu Sa'idu, another resident of kano, claims to wear the Zanna-Bukar frequently, usually to events. He says anytime he wears it, people respect him a lot. He also has a 'Damanga' but prefers wearing the Zanna-Bukar. In his case, he doesn't usually associates Hula with the Hausa tradition or Islam.
The traditional Hausa caps have established their place and marked the country with their presence. Notable Hausa Fulani figures such as late former president Umaru Musa Yar'adua, and late former president Muhammadu Buhari who have held the Nigerian presidential office, did not make any official public appearance during their time without a Hula on their head.
The use of traditional caps can also be seen in politics as it has become a tool for politicians to signal their identity, strength, and resilience. For example, in Kano, Nigeria, the red cap is closely associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement led by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Anyone seen wearing a red traditional cap is associated with the kwankwasiyya movement.
The traditional Hausa caps also need to be maintained properly, but they are not usually washed at home. One has to take them to a cap washer. Sa'id Salisu Muhammad, a Hausa cap washer at Gaɗon ƙaya, says he wears traditional Hausa caps a lot, especially the Zanna-Bukar. He says that a typical Hausa man always wears the Hula to work, events and other places, so they have to always bring them in for washing. He also notes that people bring in Zanna-Bukar the most, followed by the lighter ones such as the "Maropiyya" and "Zita".
The Hula also serves as a means for people to fit into Hausa communities, as they are seen as a symbol of identity, and provide a sense of belonging. Without a traditional cap on a man's head, people in places like Kano tend to assume that he is definitely not a Hausa man. Musa Abdulrazaq, a young man from kaduna who studies in Kano, says anytime he is in Kano, a place where the Hausa culture is very visible and vibrant, wearing the traditional Hausa cap is very important to him. Although he doesn't wear it much back at home, he understands that it is a vital part of the culture in kano, so he regularly wears his Hula so as to fit in with the people of Kano and feel among.
However, not everyone from outside the Hausa community feels the need to identify with the Hausa people. Umar Ahmad, a Fulani man who visits Kano but has currently been staying here for about two years, says he doesn't wear the traditional Hausa caps. Instead, he maintains his Fulani cap. And when asked, he said he does indeed associate the Hula with Islam and Hausa tradition. And although the Fulanis also wear the traditional caps, he doesn't feel the need to assimilate into the environment by wearing a Hula.
