Hausa Day (Ranar Hausa), formally known #RanarHausa, is an annual cultural celebration observed on the 26th of August by the Hausa people, a prominent ethnic group found in West Africa. This day serves as an opportunity for the global Hausa community to come together and celebrate their rich cultural heritage, traditions, language, and history. World Hausa Day transcends national borders, uniting Hausa people from countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, and other regions where the Hausa diaspora is present.[1][2][3]
| Hausa Day | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Hausa Day |
| Observed by | Hausa people |
| Type | National |
| Celebrations | Cultural and educational events |
| Date | 26 August |
| Next time | 26 August 2024 |
| Frequency | annual |
History
The Hausa day was introduced on August 26, 2015, by a Nigerian journalist named Abdulbaki Aliyu Jari. The goal was to promote the Hausa language, help it grow, and deal with the challenges it faces as one of West Africa's major languages. On this day, people who speak Hausa come together to share Hausa proverb and correct any mistakes in how the language is used, following its spelling and grammar rules.[4]
Since then, August 26 has been dedicated as the ‘Hausa International Day’, Hausa-speaking people in Africa, Caribbean, United Kingdom, Europe, North America come together to observe it with fanfare. More people and countries have joined in the celebration, making it more popular over the years.[5]
2022 Event
In 2022, the event was celebrated in Accra, the capital of Ghana on the theme "Hausa, an Indispensable Tool in Ghana's Development" aimed to unite all Hausa youths within the country to support their abilities. The event was attended by Ghanaian delegates alongside the notable linguistic personalities such John Dramani Mahama, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh (Dr) Osman Nuhu Sharubutu. Other activities includes a traditional wrestling competition Dambe[6][7]
2023 Event
In 2023, the day was celebrated in Nigeria, Ghana, Turkey, Britain, United States, Germany, France, Benin Republic, Senegal, Niger Republic, Sudan, among other countries.
Nigeria
In Nigeria, the Hausa Day celebration was observed in Kaduna with enthusiasts from Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi and other parts of the country to showcase the cultural values of the Hausa people. In Kaduna, the event was organized by Centre for the Development of Hausa Language, the occasion was intended to bring Hausas together to see how far they have come and how they could improve culturally, economically, socially and politically as a people.
Ghana
In 2023, the event was organized by the palace of the Great Accra Hausa chief in Sabon Zango, in collaboration with Center for Hausa Research and Culture and Precision Entertainment. The event was honored by Ghanaian presidential candidate Sam Korankye Ankrah[8]