NEWS EXTRA
Zuru: Where every male must farm for 7 years before marriage
The famous marriage tradition among the Zuru people of Kebbi State, commonly known as Golmo, is said to have originated from the scripture. According to Dakarkari elders, this practice is based on the seven-year labour the Bible records Moses did for his fatherin-law before he was given a wife.
In Zuru community, it is mandatory for every male adult to be initiated into Golmo, where he must work in the farm of his would be father-in-law for a period of seven years. This is the only way he will be given a wife and be respected as a member of the community.
Among the Dakarkari, any male adult who is not initiated into Golmo is not regarded as a man, and he cannot be seen to be brave and disciplined. Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that before anyone becomes a leader in Zuru community he must be scrutinised. They will mandate people to find out if he has been initiated into Golmo or not. If he is not initiated, it means he cannot lead them. The Golmo group is made of 20 to 50 adults. Every member is expected to undergo some rituals and initiations, and it must be completed during the Uhola annual festival. It is after this that he can be considered a member.
This cultural practice is unique to the Lelena, Dukawas, Kambari, Hachifawa and Fakawas. They are the five major groups practising Golmo in Zuru land. However, because of modernisation and religion, some people in Dakarkari community no longer care about the tradition, but it is still being largely practised in many Zuru communities till date.
The district head of Rikoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Shehu Bandi, traced the history of this practice to Lelena. “During the slave trade period, people were scattered. If a man was stronger than his neighbour he would get hold of him and sell him to the white man. But later, when slave trade was abolished, there was that sense of belonging and the Dakarkari people decided to come together and plan their way of life. They realised that marriage was very important, and if they must have legal children and be respected in the society, they must fashion out a way to value their marriage system. They reasoned that a wife should not be bought; instead, she should be highly respected. This was how Golmo practice came into existence. Since then, it has been the only cherished way of marriage among the Zuru people.
David Rikoto, a teacher in the community, who said he also went through the marriage practice, maintained that whoever had gone through the rituals and is eventually initiated into Golmo, is expected to be hardworking, strong, agile and brave.
“You need to see them anytime they are working in the farm. They are like tractors. You would be amazed at their speed whenever they are in their would be in-laws’ farms. Whenever they start the farm work they won’t stop until they finish it. Whether it is clearing of the farm, sowing or harvesting of crops; they are wonderful,” he said.
An elder in one of the Zuru communities at Dabai, John Yafi Dabai said, “What we are doing is what the Bible says Moses did before he was given a wife. The Golmo culture we are practising in Zuru land originated from the scripture.”
He maintained that every youth of Dakarkari origin from 15 years of age must be initiated into the cultural practice. “At 12 he will be made to undergo what we call Chino, which is the first stage of Golmo. When he is 17 he will be made to do Dato, where he will undergo another process of initiation. He will finally complete his initiation during the Uhola festival when the initiation of another group is expected to