By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times. Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Daura, the historic cradle of Hausa civilization, on Tuesday, August 26, played host to a grand celebration marking the 2025 edition of World Hausa Day. The annual event, which has become a symbol of pride and unity among Hausa speakers globally, was held with colourful displays of culture, tradition, and heritage.
The festivities featured traditional games and performances, including blacksmith demonstrations, barber shows, wrestling, drumming, dances, as well as exhibitions of historical artefacts and Hausa crafts.
The event drew dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria. Among the guests were the Emir of Zinder from Niger Republic, a representative of Niger’s Prime Minister, and Federal lawmaker Ado Doguwa from Kano State. Also present was Abdulbaki Aliyu Jari, a journalist with TRT Hausa and founder of World Hausa Day, whose presence added prestige to the occasion.
The celebration was organized by the Katsina State History and Culture Bureau under the leadership of Dr. Kabir Ali Masanawa, with support from the Katsina State Government and the Daura Emirate. The Katsina State Governor was represented by his adviser on chieftaincy affairs, Danmalikin Katsina, while the Katsina Emirate was represented by Ibrahim Ida, the Wazirin Katsina.
World Hausa Day was first initiated in 2015 by Abdulbaki Aliyu Jari as an online movement to preserve the Hausa language and culture. The maiden edition gained popularity on social media before expanding into physical gatherings in Hausa-speaking cities.
2016–2018: Events were held across Nigeria and Niger, where scholars and language advocates engaged in debates on the challenges and future of the Hausa language.
2019–2020: The celebration went global, with Europe and the United States hosting symposiums and cultural shows dedicated to Hausa heritage.
2021–2023: Recognition deepened, with celebrations in Saudi Arabia, France, and Ghana. Hausa began to gain prominence as one of the world’s fastest-growing languages.
2024: Katsina State expressed readiness to officially host the event, identifying Daura as a central stage for Hausa culture.
2025: Marking the 10th anniversary, the celebration returned to Daura with large delegations of Hausa communities from different continents.
Reports indicate that Hausa is currently among the 11 most widely spoken languages in the world and is projected to rank among the top five by 2050. Organizers stressed that World Hausa Day is not merely a cultural festival but also an opportunity to highlight the global relevance of the language.
This year’s edition, held under the theme “Promoting Peace through the Hausa Language”, reaffirmed Daura’s position as the symbolic home of Hausa identity. For participants and spectators alike, the celebration served as both a unifying force and a reminder of the enduring value of a language that connects millions across Africa and beyond.
