Makociya Ta Chapter 1 by Khadija Mustapha

Read & Discuss: Makociya Ta Part 1 (Hausa Novel by Khadija Mustapha)

SufiApril 23, 2025

0 318 11 minutes read

Makociya Ta Chapter 1 by Khadija Mustapha

Disclaimer: This post presents Chapter 1 of “Makociya Ta” alongside analysis and discussion for educational and engagement purposes. does not own the copyright to the story; all rights belong to the author, Khadija Mustapha. Ensure you have appropriate permissions if republishing. Our analysis reflects interpretations based solely on this chapter.

Welcome to a special feature on where we not only share captivating Hausa literature but also delve deeper into its themes, characters, and cultural context. Today, we present Chapter 1 of the intriguing story “Makociya Ta” by Khadija Mustapha. Following the full Hausa text, we’ll explore the characters, unpack the emerging themes, and invite you to share your own insights into this tale of neighborly dynamics. Let’s begin this literary journey!

???? Makociya Ta ????
(Chapter 1)
✍️ Written by Khadija Mustapha ✍️

Assalamu alkaikum naji muryar rabi mako ciyata Tana sallama a kofar dakina, amsawa nayi Ina tashi daga kwancan da nake , ahh Mardiyya Wai nace haryanzu naga rana tayi Baki tashi kin fito dan daura girki ba , wlh rabi kaina yake ciwo yau bazan yi girki ba , Allah sarki rabi ta fada Tana Kara kallon dakin taga menene sabo da batasan da shi ba , can idonta ya hango mata kwalin rechargeable fan da bashir ya kawo mata jiya , kusa da fan din taje ta dauka la mardiya Baki fadanun bashir ya siya miki fanka ba , irin ta wutan nan ce ko , mardiyya ta kalleta dafe da kanta da yake mata ciwo kamar zai tsage sanan ta gyada Kai eh wlh rechargeable fan ne Kinsan Ana fama da rashin wuta shine ya kawo mana . Allah sarki rabi ta fada rai a hade, yanzu magnar girkin Wai bazaki iya daurewa kiyi ba mijinki fa zai dawo cin abunci , Aa rabi bazan iya ba wlh bashir din ma yace na barshi zai shigo mana da wani abun , gyada Kai rabi tayi cike da bakin ciki har biyu na farko yau mardiyya taki daura girki ballantana ta samu ta bata yarda takeyi kullum da rana idan tayi zata zuba musu itada ya yanta, shi suke ci da ranar badan mijinta jamilu baya bata ba kawai kudin take rabawa biyu na rana ta ki dafa wa ta ajiye Tana tarawa sai dare take girki don jamilu baya dawowa cin abincin rana.Tana komawa dakin ta ta shiga tsaki , yarta zainab yar shekara 6 ce tace mama yunwa nakeji, kallon ta tayi ke ni kin Dame ni ko kinga abinci a gidan nan ne eh , ko sabon iskanci kika koyo ne eh , girgiza Kai yarinyar tayi ta samu guri ta rabe cikinta na kuka .Magana ta shiga. Yi ita kadai saboda iskanci ace kaki daura girki kuma tasan cewa Tana bamu , haba mutane ciwon kai ne za a ce baza a iya girki ba saboda lalaci, ni ban taba ganin haka ba , shima mijin kmar wani soko Wai ya biye mata aikin banza kawaii, nan ta shiga fada ita kadai kmar tababiya tsabar Kishin mardiyya da takeyi duk da ba zaman Kishi ne ya hada su ba Aman ita Tana mata kallon Kishi yarta ne , yaronta dan shekera 3 ne ya soma kuka Yana wunwa mama da wato yunwa yake ji , haka ta fita ta dora jollof din taliya da cefanen Kayan miyan da ta siya dan yin abincin dare Tana tsine ma mardiyya a zuciyarta, bini bini ta Kalli kofar dakinta ta ja tsaki a haka har ta gama , ta shige dashi dakinta dan rabi akwai bakar rowa , haka ta juye musu da ita da yayanta suka cinye abunsu, ita kanta yunwa takeji Aman sun kudinta da son Tara kudi dan kawai ta siya duk abunda taga ni a gurin mardiyya yasa take ma kanta da yaranta horan yunwa.

Tana zaune a daki taji sallamar bashir mijin mardiyya , ae kuwa da sauri ta fito dan ganin abunda zai shigo musu dashi tunda mardiyya tace mata yace zai kawo musu abu tunda kanta Yana ciwo , Saidai tayi rashin sa a har ya shige daki kafin ta fito sai keyarsa da ta gani Yana karasa shige wa dakin , mtswwww taja wani tsaki sanan ta lalaba ta taho ta tagar dakin mardiyyar Tana leka wa a hankali

Bashir Yana shiga ya same mardiyya a kwance nan ya shiga jera mata sannu Yana tambyarta ya kan nata , da sauki ba kamar da ba ta fada Tana dafe kan , sorry baby yace Yana rike kan , can rabi a labe ta tabe baki Tana kallon su cikin ranta Baki kirin, Tana kallon Bashir ya bude ledar da ya shigo da ita , ya fito da kaza gashashiya guda 2 sai kamshi takeyi , y fito take away din Jollof rice da salad , mikewa yayi yace bara na dauko plate babe , nan fa rabi da gudu ta bar wajen ta shige nata kitchen din Tana bigewa da kofar kitchen din , Dan Kara ta saki dan taji zafi sosai , shikuwa Bashir bai ma Lura da ita ba haka ya shiga nasu kitchen din ya dauko plates da cups ya koma daki

Rabi ce ta fito daga nata kitchen din Tana dafe da kanta da ta buga , ta koma Inda ta labe Tana kallonsu, yanzu bashir mardiyyar yake bawa abinci a Baki itakuma sai shagwaba takeyi, hadiye yawu rabi ta yi , ita duk Kazar tafi shiga ranta gashi Tana fadama jamilu sai yace shi bashida kudi , tsaki taja sanan ta juya ta koma dakinta

Zainab ta Kira tace zo zainab , yarinyar ta taho gani mama , Yauwa rabi tace kinason cin kaza ta tambayeta, washe Baki zainab tayi sanan tace eh mama inason kaza sosai , Toh Zuwa zakiyi dakin mardiyya kice kinzo gaida ta nace miki bata da lafiya , saiki karbo kazar zata Baki kinji yar kirki Aman fa Karki ce nice na aiko ki kinji yarinyar kirki Kai ta gyada mun sanan tace Toh Tana murmushi

Da gudu ta Ruga dakin mardiyya , suna zaune har yanzu abincin yake bata zainab ta shigo ko sallma babu, ke bana ce ki dinga salama ba Bashir ya fada Yana kallonta, shi harga Allah rabi da ya yanta basu yi masa ba , kawai dan mardiyya batajin magana ne taki taka musu burki daman shi ba mutum bane mai son mutane sabanin mardiyya da kowa nata ne , kallonsa zainab tayi sanan tace yi hkuri , kwafa yayi sanan yace Toh menene waye ya aiko ki , mardiyya ce ta ce Aa Bashir ba a haka , ta kalli zainab tace Zee mama ce ta aiko ki , girgiza Kai yarinyar tayi sanan tace Aa daman mama tace bakida Lfy shine nazo na duba ki , kuma kuma yarinyar ta fada , mardiyya ce ta kaste ta Allah sarki Nagode kinji naji sauki , zo ki karba ta yaga mata rabin kazar daya ta saka mata a Leda ga wanan kije kuci keda dan uwanki kinji Allah yayi albarka , da gudu yarinyar ta karba ko godiya dan rabi bata koya mata ba , kallonta bashir yayi baice komai ba , murmushi mardiyya tayi ka kalleshi tace yarinya ce kana mata uzuri, shikenan yace sanan ya cigaba da bata abincin a baki har ta koshi ya bata magani Tasha .

Zainab na barin dakin mardiyya ta shige dakin su Tana nunawa rabi, gashi mama tabani, me kika ce ince dai bakice nice na aiko ki ba , girgiza Kai tayi tace Aa mama kawia ma fa bani tayi , gyada Kai rabi tayi sanan ta yaga musu kadan kadan itakuma ta cinye ragowan Tana ci Tana Kara tsanar mardiyya.

About the Author of Makociya Ta

Khadija Mustapha brings us “Makociya Ta.” While detailed biographical information about many contemporary Hausa novel authors can sometimes be challenging to find online, their contribution to modern Hausa literature is immense. Hausa novels, particularly the genre often referred to as “Littattafan Soyayya” (Love Literature) or simply “Kano Market Literature,” emerged prominently in Northern Nigeria from the late 1980s onwards.

These novels, often written in Hausa, explore themes highly relevant to the society they originate from: love, marriage, family dynamics, social challenges, economic struggles, jealousy, friendship, betrayal, and the intersection of tradition and modernity. They provide entertainment but also serve as social commentary, reflecting the lives, aspirations, and anxieties of primarily young Hausa readers. Authors like Khadija Mustapha continue this tradition, offering narratives that resonate with everyday experiences.

Analyzing Chapter 1: Seeds of Conflict

This opening chapter masterfully sets the stage, introducing characters and conflicts that promise future drama. Let’s break down the key elements presented:

Character Sketch: Rabi – The Envious Neighbor

Rabi is immediately established as the story’s potential antagonist, driven by deep-seated envy (‘Kishi’). Her actions speak volumes:

Nosiness & Scrutiny: She enters Mardiyya’s room not just to check on her, but actively scans the room (“Tana Kara kallon dakin taga menene sabo”). Her immediate spotting of the new fan reveals her observant and perhaps covetous nature.
Internal Monologue & Judgment: Her thoughts are filled with negativity (“rai a hade,” “cike da bakin ciki,” “tsabar Kishin mardiyya,” “Tana tsine ma mardiyya a zuciyarta”). She judges Mardiyya for not cooking (“lalaci”), judges Bashir (“kmar wani soko”), and resents their apparent comfort.
Deceptive Actions: She feigns concern (“Allah sarki”) but her true feelings are resentment. She spies on her neighbors (“ta lalaba ta taho ta tagar dakin mardiyyar Tana leka wa”).
Manipulative Behavior: She uses her young daughter, Zainab, to get a share of the coveted roasted chicken, explicitly instructing her to lie about being sent.
Self-Inflicted Hardship: Ironically, her envy leads her to deprive herself and her children. She chooses not to cook lunch to save money, likely driven by a desire to acquire material possessions similar to Mardiyya’s, yet this results in her family’s hunger. Her miserliness (“bakar rowa”) is a defining trait.

Rabi represents a complex character whose insecurity and envy poison her relationships and even her own well-being.

Character Sketch: Mardiyya – The Afflicted Neighbor

Mardiyya is presented more passively in this chapter, primarily defined by her illness and her interactions:

Genuine Illness?: She claims a severe headache prevents her from cooking. While Rabi doubts it (“lalaci”), Mardiyya’s actions (dafe da kanta, needing medicine) suggest it might be real.
Open & Trusting?: She readily shares information about the fan and her husband bringing food, perhaps naive to Rabi’s true nature.
Kindness & Generosity: Despite her illness and Bashir’s disapproval, she shows kindness to Zainab, readily sharing the roasted chicken without suspicion. Her line “yarinya ce kana mata uzuri” (She’s just a child, give her consideration) shows empathy.
Appreciative Wife?: Her interactions with Bashir, accepting food and showing ‘shagwaba’ (pampering/coquetry), suggest a generally positive marital relationship from her side.

Mardiyya appears, at first glance, to be kind-hearted and perhaps somewhat unsuspecting, making her a potential target for Rabi’s envy.

Supporting Characters: Husbands & Children

Bashir (Mardiyya’s Husband): Portrayed as caring and attentive towards his wife (bringing food, medicine, showing concern). He also seems perceptive and wary of Rabi and her children (“harga Allah rabi da ya yanta basu yi masa ba”), contrasting with Mardiyya’s openness. He represents a supportive spouse.
Jamilu (Rabi’s Husband): Mentioned only briefly. Rabi implies he doesn’t provide things like roasted chicken (“sai yace shi bashida kudi”) and he doesn’t come home for lunch, which fuels Rabi’s saving habit. His absence shapes Rabi’s actions.
Zainab (Rabi’s Daughter): A young, innocent child used as a pawn by her mother. She obeys her mother’s deceptive instructions but also seems genuinely interested in Mardiyya’s well-being initially. Her lack of manners (“ko sallma babu,” “ko godiya”) reflects her upbringing.
Rabi’s Younger Child: Primarily serves to highlight Rabi’s neglect due to her internal conflicts, crying from hunger.

Themes Introduced in Chapter 1

This opening chapter immediately introduces several potent themes:

Jealousy/Envy (Kishi): This is the driving force behind Rabi’s actions and thoughts. She envies Mardiyya’s possessions (the fan), the perceived attention from her husband (bringing food, feeding her), and her lifestyle.
Materialism: The new fan and the roasted chicken become focal points of Rabi’s envy, suggesting a focus on material possessions as markers of happiness or status. Rabi’s extreme saving is aimed at acquiring similar things.
Neighborly Relations: Explores the complex, often tense, dynamics of living in close proximity, where surface pleasantries can hide deep resentment.
Marital Dynamics: Contrasts the apparently caring relationship between Mardiyya and Bashir with the implied strained or less providing relationship between Rabi and Jamilu.
Poverty and Aspiration: Rabi’s actions stem partly from a sense of lack and a desire for what her neighbor has, highlighting economic pressures.
Deception and Manipulation: Rabi’s spying and using her daughter showcase these negative traits.
Parenting Styles: The brief interactions show contrasting approaches – Rabi’s harshness versus Mardiyya’s empathy towards Zainab.

Setting the Scene

While not explicitly described, the setting is clearly implied: likely a shared residential compound common in many Nigerian urban or semi-urban areas. The proximity of the rooms (“kofar dakina,” “tagar dakin mardiyyar”), shared spaces suggested by the kitchens, and the easy interaction (or spying) between neighbors create an atmosphere of forced intimacy where privacy is limited and comparisons are easily made. This closeness fuels the central conflict.

Understanding the Cultural Context

Some elements in this chapter resonate with specific cultural contexts often found in Hausa society and literature:

Importance of Food Sharing/Hospitality: Mardiyya sharing the chicken with Zainab, despite her own situation, reflects a cultural value of generosity, even if Zainab’s approach was ill-mannered. Rabi’s initial dependence on Mardiyya’s lunch also hints at communal food expectations (though Rabi abuses it).
Neighborly Dynamics (‘Makotaka’): The concept of ‘Makotaka’ (neighborliness) is crucial. Ideally, it involves mutual support, but as seen here, proximity can also breed envy and conflict.
Wife’s Role in Cooking: Rabi’s judgment of Mardiyya for not cooking reflects traditional expectations, although Bashir’s understanding provides a modern counterpoint.
‘Kishi’ (Envy/Jealousy): While ‘Kishi’ can specifically mean jealousy between co-wives, here it’s used more broadly for envy between neighbors, a common and potent theme in social narratives.

Let’s Discuss! (Mu Tattauna Sosai!)

Chapter 1 gives us much to think about. Share your detailed thoughts below:

Beyond the obvious envy, what underlying insecurities might be driving Rabi’s behavior towards Mardiyya? (Bayan kishi, wani irin rashin kwanciyar hankali kuke tunanin ke damun Rabi game da Mardiyya?)
Do you believe Mardiyya is genuinely ill, or is Rabi right about ‘lalaci’ (laziness)? What clues support your view? (Shin kun yarda Mardiyya ba lafiya gareta ko kuwa Rabi gaskiya ta fada game da lalaci? Me ya baku wannan tabbacin?)
How does Bashir’s attitude towards Rabi’s family differ from Mardiyya’s, and what might this difference signify for the future? (Yaya halayen Bashir game da iyalin Rabi ya banbanta dana Mardiyya, kuma me hakan zai iya haifarwa nan gaba?)
Was Rabi’s decision to cook the evening meal early using the ingredients she saved ethical, considering her children were hungry earlier? (Shin matakin Rabi na dafa abincin dare da wuri da kayan da ta ajiye yayi daidai, ganin cewa ‘ya’yanta na jin yunwa a baya?)
What specific event in this chapter made the strongest impression on you and why? (Wanne abu ne musamman a wannan babin ya fi baku sha’awa ko mamaki, kuma me yasa?)
Predict one major conflict that might arise between Rabi and Mardiyya in the next chapter based on these events. (Yi hasashen babban rikici guda daya da zai iya tasowa tsakanin Rabi da Mardiyya a babi na gaba bisa ga abubuwan da suka faru.)

We look forward to reading your detailed interpretations and predictions! (Muna jiran karanta fassarorinku da hasashenku dalla-dalla!)

The Importance of Reading & Supporting Authors

Reading Hausa novels like “Makociya Ta” offers valuable entertainment, cultural insights, and language practice. It connects us to stories reflecting familiar realities and challenges. When possible, supporting authors by purchasing original copies of their books helps ensure they can continue creating these engaging narratives for us all to enjoy.

Disclaimer

This story “Makociya Ta” is the intellectual property of the author, Khadija Mustapha. The text is presented here for reading enjoyment and analysis based on the provided content. advises readers to support authors by seeking out original published works where available and respecting copyright laws. Interpretations and analyses provided are subjective views based on Chapter 1.

SufiApril 23, 2025

0 318 11 minutes read