Promoting women empowerment through songs: Barmani Choge and her performances

Abstract

This paper examines the oral performances of Hausa poet Hajiya Sa’adatu Barmani Choge (1945-2013). Her songs promoted the genre of music called Amada; music performed using calabash ensemble in northern Nigeria. Barmani has composed about 17 well known songs mostly targeting the female audience and family life. As such, some aspects of her songs drawn from excerpts of her recordings from CDs and YouTube highlighting her performances in Hausa language will be presented. The purpose of the analysis is to develop an understanding of her accomplishment and recognition as a traditional female singer who has played an important role in promoting women’s empowerment. As the last female of her art, this article will showcase her style of performance with her calabash, chorus band members ’yan amshi, creative exemplifications and public acceptance. Analysing some of her orally performances which include songs about women’s life, women empowerment and women’s sexuality will provide an insight into a woman’s interpretation of Hausa society particularly in Nigeria.
KEY WORDS: oral poetry, Hausa women, women’s empowerment