π
Gaisuwa
Greetings
Greetings for every part of the day, plus weather, marriage, birth and sickness β each with its reply.
Gaisuwa hanya ce ta sada zumunci, nuna girmamawa da soyayya tsakanin al'umma. Hausawa na da gaishe-gaishe da dama, ga wasu daga cikinsu.
Greetings are a way of building kinship and showing respect and affection within a community. Hausa people have many greetings β here are some of them.
Gaisuwar safe β Morning
- Ina kwanaLafiyaHow did you sleep? (good morning) β Well / fine
- Barka da asubaBarka daiGood early morning β Greetings to you (reply)
- An tashi lafiyaLafiya lauDid you wake well? β Perfectly well
Gaisuwar rana β Daytime
- Barka da ranaBarka daiGood afternoon β Greetings (reply)
- Ya aikiLafiyaHow is work? β Fine
Gaisuwar yamma / dare β Evening and night
- Ina yiniLafiyaHow was your day? β Fine
- Barka da dareBarka daiGood evening / night β Greetings (reply)
Gaisuwar zuwa bacci β Going to bed
- Sai da safe / gobeAllah ya tashe mu lafiyaUntil morning / tomorrow β May God wake us in good health
- Allah ya bamu alkhairiAminMay God grant us goodness β Amen
- A tashi lafiyaAllah ya kaimuWake well β May God see us through
Gaisuwar yanayi β Weather
- Yaya sanyiSanyi lokaciHow's the cold? β It's the cold season
- Yaya zafiZafi lokaciHow's the heat? β It's the hot season
- Ya ruwaRuwa ya yi gyaraHow's the rain? β The rain has done good
Gaisuwar aure β Marriage
- Allah ya ba da zama lafiyaAminMay God grant a peaceful marriage β Amen
- Allah ya ingantaAminMay God make it prosper β Amen
Gaisuwar haihuwa β Childbirth
- An sauka lafiyaLafiyaWas the delivery safe? β All well
- Allah ya rayaAminMay God let the child live β Amen
Gaisuwar mara lafiya β Sickness
- Yaya jikiDa sauΖiHow's the body? (how do you feel?) β Better / with ease
- Allah ya Ζara sauΖiAminMay God grant more relief β Amen
π― Aiki-Tambayoyi
Exercises & questions
- Kawo misalan gaisuwar sarakuna guda uku.Give three examples of greetings used for chiefs / royalty.
- Hausawa kan gaishe da iyaye aβ¦β¦β¦ (a) zaune (b) tsaye (c) kwance (d) tsuguneHausa people greet their parents whileβ¦β¦β¦ (a) seated (b) standing (c) lying down (d) squatting
- Kawo muhimmancin gaisuwa uku (3).State three (3) reasons why greetings are important.