Hubbare: The story of Fulani ‘pilgrimage’ to Sokoto
For decades, the Fulani have been thronging Sokoto to seek cure and blessings at Hubbare. Daily Trust on Sunday spoke to some of the pilgrims.
The Fulani, comprising men, women and children in their hundreds, periodically troop to Sokoto on pilgrimage of sorts. Their visits to the state are particularly notable in the two special months of the Islamic calendar - Rabiu Auwwal and Dhul Hijjah.
Daily Trust on Sunday learnt that they usually arrive the state in a convoy of 50 and 100 chartered buses from Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba, Niger, among other states. It is said that they usually go to Sokoto because it is the seat of the Caliphate and home to its great reformer and founder, Shehu Usman Dan Fodiyo.
They usually occupy special lodges close to Hubbaren Shehu, Dan Fodiyo’s tomb. Two, out of the three lodges, were donated by two philanthropists: the late Shehu Kamba and Tafida Aminu, while the third and the recent one was built by the former governor of the state, Aliyu Wamakko.
In a chat with Daily Trust on Sunday, the custodian of the Hubbare and chief host to the Fulani pilgrims, Alhaji Balarabe Ibrahim, Maulud Budin Hubbare, confirmed that people would come in large numbers during the months of Rabiu Auwwal, which signifies Mail, and Dhul Hijjah, during Eid el-Adha celebrations. He said that upon arrival, the pilgrims would go directly to their official lodges, where they would stay throughout the period of the visit.
People who live close to the lodges assist the visitors with feeding and more accommodation.
Ibrahim said that due to the high number of pilgrims who visit Hubbare, it had become necessary for the Sokoto State government to expand the lodges. He also urged wealthy individuals to assist the visitors, just as it is being done in Makkah, where food and other necessities are donated to pilgrims. He added that such gestures would ease their stay in the state.
During the period, which is usually two to five days, the pilgrims take time to visit historical sites within and outside the state in groups. They go to Usman Dan Fodiyo’s tomb, the famous Rijiyar Shehu (Shehu’s Well) and other historical sites at Degel in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of the state; Wurno, as well as Gwandu in Kebbi State. They also make out time to supplicate to God and seek His assistance on issues of concern.
One of the pilgrims, a 67-year-old Muhammadu Ruwa from Mariga in Niger State, told our correspondent that this was his third visit.
“I came to seek for Allah’s protection against cattle rustling, especially now that it is threatening our lives and the lives of our cattle. I also came to seek for Allah’s blessing, good health and prosperity,” Ruwa said. He disclosed that he came with N40, 000 to take care of expenses such as feeding, transportation and almsgiving to the needy.
Another pilgrim from Darazo in Bauchi State, Zakariya’u Musa Sade, 62, said this was his seventh trip to Sokoto for such exercise. “I started coming to Sokoto within the 10 years of Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar as the Sultan. My first trip was very successful, that’s why I continued coming every year.
“We usually visit Shehu’s tomb, some historical sites, and fetch water from the Rijiyar Shehu because it cures our ailments and those of our animals. We also buy gifts for our family members,” he disclosed.
Abubakar Usman, who hails from Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State, was on his sixth trip. He said they usually visited Wurno Gwandu and Dange during the about five days of their stay in Sokoto. Usman added that they usually give the water they fetch from the Rijiyar Shehu to their animals as it has healing powers.
A female pilgrim, Rabi Saleh, 30, who hails from Darazo in Bauchi State, was also on her sixth trip to Sokoto and had visited Wurno, Dange and Gwandu historical sites. She also drank from the Rijiyar Shehu’s water, which, according to her, is a cure for many diseases.
The pilgrims have leaders, also known as Jajis. These leaders ensure the safety and welfare of the visitors. A Jaji commands remarkable respect among the people he takes care of.
Some of these leaders are appointed at their respective home states before departure, while others are appointed by the custodian of the Hubbare during a brief
but colourful ceremony. A man or woman can only be considered for this leadership position when he or she has performed the pilgrimage for seven consecutive times or more. Turbaning the Jaji The turbaning ceremony of a Jaji requires the presence of the custodian of the Hubbare, who is surrounded by many of the pilgrims he or she would lead. The Hubbare custodian turbans the leader and offers special prayers for his/her success and long reign.
During the ceremony, special songs in praise of Usman Dan Fodiyo are rendered by the women, who also make donations signifying the people’s happiness and loyalty to the leader. The Rijiyar Shehu The Rijiyar Shehu is a well situated at the Minannata Akalawa area of Sokoto and believed to adequately provide water to the people for drinking and other purposes. Its water is crystal clear, and never dries up. The well has been traced to Shehu Usman Danfodiyo. According to the Ardo of Minannata, Alhaji Aminu Garba Riskawu, the history of the well dates back to the period when Shehu settled in Sokoto, at the present day Hubbare area. After a period, one of his disciples, named Modibbo Modi Salihu, decided to look for a grazing area for his animals. Shehu advised him to look for a place in the eastern part of the area they occupied.
Consequently, Salihu went in search of the place and settled where he saw potentials for animal grazing, the present day Alkamawa Minannata.
After sometime, Salihu invited Shehu to visit his new place. While at the area, Shehu enquired about his source of water, which was not readily available.
He identified a spot, placed his spear on it and announced that there was water there. When that location was dug, water gushed out and has remained active till date. According to Ardo Aminu, the well is presumed to be connected to the Zamzam Well in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Fulani pilgrims in Sokoto usually drink and bath with the well water as they consider it very beneficial. They go to the well with various containers to fetch the water, which they take to their people and animals back home.
Aminu urged the state government to make the Rijiyar Shehu a tourist centre, saying this could be achieved by simply fencing and beautifying the place.
One of the pilgrims who spoke with Daily Trust on Sunday at the Rijiyar Shehu said, “With the help of water from this well we are saved from sicknesses. Also, our animals multiply and remain safe from rustlers.”
A 45-year-old Auta Kwake from Yobe State, who was visiting for the fourth time, said he got blessing, good health and security of his animals from the water.
A female pilgrim, Malama Fatu, who was on her seventh pilgrimage, said she stayed free from sicknesses after bathing with the water from the well. She said Rijiyar Shehu remained a mystery to everyone, including residents of the area. It has remained a source of spiritual benefit to Fulani pilgrims who increase in number at every trip.
The exercise also has economic advantage. Traders in Sokoto benefit tremendously from the visitors as they compete for available spaces within their lodges to do business. The pilgrims buy various gifts for their relatives at home.
There are usually a variety of commodities to choose from, ranging from prayer carpets, dates, ornaments, mats, Fulani hats made from straw (malfa) and food.
By the time the visitors leave Sokoto for their respective destinations, they are fulfilled and their host looks forward to the arrival of another batch of pilgrims.