Kano: Police Ban ‘Tashe’, Ramadan Traditional Performance

…Tashe: Once-famous Hausa traditional pantomime now vanishing

Mon, 11 Apr 2022

–dailytrust.com

“This is because criminals disguise under the pretense of the “Tashe” annual traditional performance to carry out criminal activities, such as thuggery, handset Snatching , and drug abuse.”

The Kano State Police Command has banned “Tashe”, the Annual Ramadan Traditional Performance acted in form of drama after first 10 days of the month Ramadan.

Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, announced this in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement, the reason behind banning the historic tradition is because criminals are misusing it.

“The Kano State Police Command, wishes to inform the general public that the traditional annual performance (Tashe), which comes up every Day-10 of Ramadan Fasting has been suspended.

“This is because criminals disguise under the pretense of the “Tashe” annual traditional performance to carry out criminal activities, such as thuggery, handset Snatching , and drug abuse.”

He added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, called on the good people of Kano state, especially Parents and Guardians to warn their children not to involve in any act of breaking law and order.

“Anyone caught will be dealt with according to provisions of the law. Wishing you a happy and successful Ramadan Fasting,” he added.

Tashe: Once-famous Hausa traditional pantomime now vanishing

many days for performers before finally sriking luck with Hafiz Bashir and his group performing the very popular ‘Ka yi Rawa Kai Malam’ in Giginyu Quarters.

In an effort to mimic a local malam in the play, Hafiz appeared with a white beard, dressed with in a Babbar Riga and white turban, holding a slate tasbah. Other members of the group also dressed as typical Hausa people with white beards. In the pantomime, they accused Malam (Hafiz) of dancing (which he’s not supposed to do as a cleric), while he disputes it in a comedic way. As the performance winds up, Malam however ends up dancing in public despite his initial denial.

Hafiz told Daily Trust that his mother taught him how to perform Tashe, which he does simply to entertain and make people happy. Appreciative – and happy – viewers sometimes give him gifts, including money. But it’s not always rosy, as sometimes the group gets chased away by people who do not appreciate the tradition, or find the jokes within distasteful.

Back to Mu’azu, he said the Bureau has concluded arrangements to stage a Tashe session in various place during this Ramadan, including the Emir’s palace, Government House, and others so as to acquaint people with wholesome traditional entertainment.

A lecturer in the Department of Hausa Language at Sa’atu Rimi College of Education, Alhaji Mukhtari Sadauki, said the history of Tashe could be traced as far back as the time of Islam’s coming to Hausaland. “After the coming of Islam, scholars have preached for the importance of pre-down meal during Ramadan fasting, making Muslims anxious about it. As a result, youth took it upon themselves to wake people up every morning for the Sahur,” he said, adding: “And at that time they were doing that through singing and dancing, with some drummers. However, children on the other hand, who were always told about the happenings during Sahur time, became interested and started imitating the grown-ups, organising their own plays and pantomimes at night after breaking of the fast, with a view to entertaining their parents.”

But, Sadauki added, sometimes the tradition becomes a source of concern to traditional leaders following complaints about the attitudes of some youths who sometimes turn Tashe to a violent affair, even sparking turf rivalries. So the local authorities made it a rule that no-one is allowed to perform until on the 10th day of Ramadan and after the Sarkin Gwagware hoists his flag which signifies the commencement of Tashe. “And anybody who violates the rule would be sanctioned,” he added.

However, Sadauki explained to Daily Trust, Tashe was not only meant for entertaining Hausa community. Rather, it is another way of exposing Hausa culture to the rest of the world and at the same time preserving them. “In addition, each Tashe contains a particular message. If you take ‘Ga Mairama Ga Daudu’ for instance, you will discover that it entails the responsibilities of husband and wife in the community. It also highlights types of Hausa food because in the play Mairama, the wife, mentions various key Hausa foods.” He also said in the play ‘Ga Danda Dokin Kara’, the performance highlights the importance of a visitor in Hausa culture, always received with hospitality and honour.

In the background, the laughter of performing youngsters and a cheering crowd of entertained viewers reminds of what Tashe is meant to bring during Ramadan, generally: Happiness. In the background, the laughter of performing youngsters and a cheering crowd of entertained viewers reminds of what Tashe is meant to bring during Ramadan, generally: Happiness