Sawun Giwa Book 3 Completed

Description

English Translation

Rumana sat crouched in the car, resting her chin in her hands, her eyes red, and her heart filled with anxiety about what would happen next now that they were going to be left here.

Ammi welcomed them cheerfully, and they were settled into the large parlor while security measures were put in place around the compound.

Junaid sat down and greeted Ammi, "Ammi, how is your day?" Ammi replied, "Fine, my son, did you arrive safely?" He said, "Yes, safely." She said, "May Allah bless you." He responded, "Amen."

Quietly, Rumana entered the parlor and huddled on the floor over the carpet, tears continuing to stream from her eyes.

Jidderh stared at her in astonishment. She recalled how, just two months prior, Rumana had walked into the house with pride and arrogance, yet here she was now sitting on the floor in tears, looking at everyone with fearful eyes, searching for a way out.

Jidderh remained silent, eyeing her up and down. In her heart, she thought, "The world is a terrifying place."

Silence descended upon the parlor, with no sound audible except the muffled sobs of Rumana's crying.

Umma took a long breath and adjusted her seating position, her heart heavy with the weight of years and past events. She looked around at the people in the parlor; everyone was silent, waiting for what she was about to say.

She began speaking in a soft voice, "Here is Rumana, Allah has revealed her whereabouts..."

She paused, gathering her courage, and continued, "Therefore, right now I am going to tell you what happened, I will tell you the history of my life so that you can understand the situation thoroughly and realize why I found myself in this predicament."

Rumana raised her head slowly, tears washing across her face, looking at Umma like someone pleading for an answer even before it was spoken. She looked at her and shook her head, as if begging her not to do this.

Umma let out a sigh and went on, "What I am about to tell you did not start today; there is a long history behind it. A history I tried to hide for years, but today is the time for it to come to light..."

She paused, her eyes reddened, but she forced herself to continue, "Rumana, this matter is not about traveling or disobedience; there is something much greater behind it—it is about my life, the trap I fell into, and the reason why everything has led to this point."

Everyone in the room fell silent, waiting for the next word as the story began to unfold and the hidden truth came close to being revealed. But what truth was this?

Umma cleared her throat and said, "My name is Amina Muhammad..."

Who is Umma?

Her name is Amina Muhammad. Her parents are Fulani natives of Bali Local Government Area in Taraba State, Nigeria. Their mother, Nene, was the only wife of their father, Baffa. They had married for love and were blessed with four children—two boys and two girls: Gaje, Ibrahim, Jibril, and the lastborn, Amina. Among all of them, Amina was the only one Baffa sent to Western school. Gaje had long since been married off, as had the older children.

Baffa and Nene loved Amina dearly, and Amina knew no worries until confusion entered her life through her father's younger sister, whom they called Baabaa Hadiza. Ever since Amina grew up, she noticed the intense hatred Baabaa Hadiza held for Nene. The incident that brought her deep distress and turmoil happened right after she finished primary school.

Amina and Nene were sitting in the courtyard when Baabaa Hadiza walked in. Amina greeted her, and Nene brought her water and food, while Baabaa Hadiza sat there making disdainful faces.

When Baffa came in, after greetings were exchanged, Baabaa Hadiza said, "Anyway, regarding Habiba's wedding, I already know your wife never likes attending my social events, let alone showing her face through her children." Nene replied, "In sha Allah, we will attend. The last time, I was simply unwell and Amina was writing exams."

Baabaa Hadiza scoffed, "That's just as you say."

This was the catalyst for Amina attending the wedding of Baabaa Hadiza's daughter. Baabaa Hadiza was married in Garbasheɗe.

A week before the wedding, she and Nene prepared and traveled to the venue. Adda Gaje was only scheduled to arrive a day before the wedding ceremony. They did not receive a warm welcome from Baabaa Hadiza, but her children welcomed them with a level of respect uncharacteristic of their mother. The bride was Amina's age mate, and Amina naturally blended in with the young girls.

On the night of the wedding events, she was sent on an errand, and on her way back, she bumped right into him. He blocked her path, and she froze, staring at him in astonishment. He was a strikingly handsome young man, no older than twenty-five—tall, fair-skinned, looking like an Arab, with thick, neatly styled hair. One look told her he wasn't a local; he was a Tuareg (Buzu) from Niger. Staring at him in wonder, she heard him say, "Greetings, young lady ('yan mata)."

As if she wouldn't speak, she replied, "Greetings to you." He said, "I have a question?" Even though she was tired of standing, she forced herself to say, "I'm listening, God willing I know the answer." He smiled and asked, "Which house do you stay in? I don't know you."

Feeling irritated, she shot him a fierce glare, walked past him, and continued on her way, ignoring his attempts to watch her.

The next day, the wedding was solemnized, and at night the bride was led to her husband's house. The following day, as they sat at Baabaa Hadiza's house, a young boy came in and said, "Amina is wanted."

Amina looked at him in surprise, hearing her name called for a visitor. "Who is it?" Baabaa Hadiza asked. The boy replied, "Sule Buzu."

Baabaa Hadiza said, "Go tell her she is coming." Amina stared at her in shock, hearing what she said, and protested, "But I don't know him!" Baabaa Hadiza replied, "Well, I know him. Go, for my sake."

She looked at her in amazement—this was a woman who had never spoken a kind word to her in her life, yet today she was smiling and sweet-talking her. Right then, her instincts told her something fishy was going on. Without dragging the argument out, she stood up and left, against her own will.

He was dressed in traditional Tuareg attire, his head wrapped in a turban. He smiled at her and said, "Greetings on your coming out."

"Who told you my name?" she asked coldly. With a smile on his face, he replied, "I asked." Point-blank, she said, "Starting from today, never come near where I am. I am not from this town, and I am a student." She turned and went back inside.

Baabaa Hadiza instructed her, "Make sure you go out whenever he sends for you, and when you go out, smile at him, you hear me, my daughter?" Amina stared at her in utter disbelief at this new behavioral twist. Before she could close her mouth, he sent a boy with a leather pouch stuffed with barbecued meat (balangu). It was then she realized where the problem lay: Baabaa Hadiza was deeply greedy. Seeing the pouch of meat had triggered her lust for wealth, causing her to smile and praise Sule.

The matter troubled Amina deeply, but knowing they were returning home the next day, she brushed it off and went back to her normal life.

Once they returned home, she forgot all about it and resumed her routines. But one day, as she and Jibril returned from grazing cattle, she ran into Suleiman Buzu in the company of Baffa. Her heart skipped a beat. She hurried inside to find Baabaa Hadiza, who beamed with smiles the moment she saw her. When they brought up Suleiman, Amina burst into tears, saying, "I want to study, and I do not get along with him."

Baabaa Hadiza snapped, "Now that I brought this boy here, thinking I have authority over you, you dare try to throw sand in my eyes? Though I am sure your mother is the one pushing you. And what is wrong with Suleiman? The boy has no issues at all. In my life, I could never harm Amina; Amina is my trust. In my view, I have authority over her, and whatever I decree for her stands. Yet here you are trying to set limits for me! As for her education, we discussed it, and he said he would let her continue." She spoke while dabbing at her tears.

Throughout the argument, Nene hadn't uttered a word. Chaos erupted, and Amina was deeply distressed. Every time an issue arose, Baabaa Hadiza would start insulting Nene, claiming Nene was the one pushing Amina away. Their relatives did not support forced marriages, which was why the arrangement was meeting resistance.

One day, while Amina sat in her hut, Nene came in to see her. This was the first time Nene spoke on the matter. She said, "Amina, I beg you for the sake of the Almighty, please agree to this marriage so I can have peace from the constant torment I face because of it. Your Baabaa says he has a trade, is peaceful, and has promised to let you continue your education. This marriage will be better for you than staying here."

Ever since she first laid eyes on him, there was something about him that filled her with doubt. She felt Baabaa Hadiza was hiding something regarding him, but she felt she had no choice left except to agree—if only to give Nene a break from the bitter insults Baabaa Hadiza hurled at her over the marriage proposal.

She said, "Very well, Nene, I agree. I will marry him. Let Baffa know."

Nene approached Baffa with the news. Although Baabaa Hadiza heard that Nene was the one who persuaded Amina to agree, it didn't earn Nene any goodwill; instead, Baabaa Hadiza began launching veiled insults: "A marriage must happen even if it kills a person. When someone pushes, fate takes its course." Nene simply shook her head.

Following Amina and Suleiman's wedding, he enrolled her in secondary school so she could continue her education. He provided her with every assistance and support she needed. He had also studied, though in France. He took great care of her, providing her abundantly with food, clothing, and other necessities. Every day, he was the one who fetched the water they used.

Most of the time, when she returned from school, she would find that he had bought food and left it for her, in addition to the daily allowance he gave her for school. However, the trouble she began facing with Suleiman was his substance abuse. When he drank and came home, he would descend upon her with savage beatings, as if sent to destroy her. She suffered terrible abuse at his hands. At first, she endured it, but eventually, she couldn't take it anymore and packed out (yaji) to her parents' house.

Yet, Baabaa Hadiza fed Baffa a mix of lies and half-truths, using examples like, "She never wanted this marriage in the first place." Using this narrative, she manipulated Baffa into driving Amina out and forcing her back to Suleiman's house.

Weeping bitterly, Amina packed her belongings and returned. She was helpless, suffering through abuse while speaking the truth, yet Baabaa Hadiza discredited her and forced her back. Baabaa Hadiza knew everything because Amina always came to her house first to lodge complaints, but Baabaa Hadiza would merely promise to talk to him, with no actual change occurring. When Amina complained further, Baabaa Hadiza would turn a blind eye and scold her, accusing her of lacking patience.

Baabaa Hadiza marched her right back to Suleiman's doorstep. Suleiman apologized, but like before, he didn't change his ways. She did enjoy aspects of living with him—her main issue was his drug/substance abuse, which caused him to beat her whenever he was high, unless he stayed out or she managed to hide. Three times she ran away on yaji, and three times Baabaa Hadiza would come and bring her back after spinning lies to make Amina look at fault.

Baabaa Hadiza would claim, "She just doesn't want married life, that's why she's trying to ruin him and come back to live a single life like her mother plots for her. Suleiman is a cheerful man who loves people." It was true that Suleiman was cheerful and sociable, but Baabaa Hadiza conveniently hid the other truth—that Suleiman was generous and showered her with gifts and money.

Eventually, Baabaa Hadiza succeeded. Baffa chased Amina away, warning and threatening her: "Amina, if you ever ruin your marriage, go look for another family, but not my house! Go find other parents, because I disown you before the world. Even if you go to my relatives, I will never forgive you."

This pronouncement deeply traumatized Nene. She wanted to correct the error in his harsh words, but speaking up would only make things worse, especially since Baabaa Hadiza's constant narrative was that Nene was pushing Amina to destroy her marriage just because Nene supposedly brought the husband.

Nene sat Amina down and gave her deep counsel: "Amina, whatever he does to you, exercise patience. Continue to be patient, keep being patient. Tomorrow is a story; one day the truth will manifest. The ditch of lies is shallow."

From that day on, whatever Suleiman did to Amina, she kept quiet and locked it inside her heart. Whenever she noticed he had consumed substances, she would quietly withdraw and lock herself in the room—unless bad luck caught her unawares, in which case she would take a beating. Afterward, filled with remorse, he would tend to her burns and bruises himself, crying and pleading, "Amina, please bear with me, don't abandon me, it's not my fault. They pushed me into this—THEY ARE THE ONES WHO CAUSED THIS TO ME."

Yet, not long after, they would revert to the old ways. He would bruise her body, swell her face, break one of her arms, and then another. Baabaa Hadiza knew about it all, but turned a blind eye because of the gifts and services he rendered to her. She refused to see his faults, while his co-wives and townspeople frequently tried to open her eyes to the truth. She would fly into a rage at them: "None of you gave birth to him, yet out of pure malice, you take up his family issues and put them on your heads! She is my brother's daughter, so whatever I do, no other woman should ever poke her nose into my business, period!"

His co-wife, Marka, retorted, "We know she is your brother's daughter, that is why we are pointing out the truth to you. Truth is one; her father supported you, but you chose to betray trust because of the money Suleiman gives you."

Baabaa Hadiza flew into a fury, "And you act like this concerns you! I see you have no relation to her."

Marka was utterly astonished by Baabaa Hadiza's words—how someone could be told the truth and deflect simply because money had blinded them. "It is the truth, and I will never tire of telling it to you," she said briefly.

Baabaa Hadiza sneaked a piece of the roasted chicken Suleiman had brought her, sucked her teeth, and sneered, "Oh, you'll just say it's gossip! I will never tire of gossiping, you worthless gossip, useless gossip, doing useless, empty work."

Marka heard her out, but chose to walk away, realizing that Baabaa Hadiza simply despised the truth and engaging further would only lead to a screaming match.

Amidst all this, he beat Amina while she had a minor pregnancy, causing her to miscarry. He connived with Baabaa Hadiza to lie about the cause of the miscarriage. She suffered immensely, to the point where she despaired of life itself.

A year later, she conceived again. As the pregnancy came to term, she delivered a baby girl who looked exactly like him, carbon-copy style. The child was named Maryam, though she never knew why he forbade calling her that name publicly, leading them to conceal it and call her Meemah.

Meemah grew up surrounded by her parents' love and care, though Suleiman never stopped his behavior. At times, he beat Amina right in front of Meemah, and whenever the baby heard the noise, she would cry continuously. He often traveled for a week or two at a time, but Amina didn't mind or suspect anything, as he had been traveling ever since she married him.

She deeply desired a daughter, so she poured all her love into Meemah—bathing her, dressing her up in gorgeous clothes, buying her countless outfits, and tending to her thick, voluminous Tuareg hair.

The heart loves those who show it kindness; if Amina said she didn't love Suleiman, she would be lying. She loved him; his substance abuse was her only grief.

He was easygoing, pleasant to live with, and quiet—unless he was under the influence. Three years into her marriage with him, fate dealt her a blow: her marriage dissolved at a time when Meemah couldn't even sit up properly yet. The divorce turned Amina's world completely upside down—from top to bottom, bottom to top.

Just as she finished junior secondary school and her results came out, he had been away from home for three days. When he walked in, one look told her something was wrong. Thinking he might be high—though she had never seen him in that specific state—she watched him enter the room, got up to go to the kitchen, and discovered he had gone right back out. He re-entered the room, gathered all his belongings, and walked out. She stared in astonishment as he passed her, but then he turned back, picked up her school bag from the mat, pulled out a book, tore off a piece of paper, wrote something, and handed it to her. With a troubled look, he said, "Amina, I divorce you with a single divorce (saki ɗaya)."

Tears fell as she stared at the paper he left behind. He turned and walked away without looking back. Amina believed deep down that Suleiman truly loved her, and she wondered why he had divorced her.

Weeping, she entered the room and her eyes widened in horror: empty space. No baby Meemah, no sign of her. She knew for certain she had left her sleeping in the room. Panicked, she ran out to the neighbors to ask if any children had taken her, but the answer was no. Panic beyond measure set in. People outside confirmed to her that they had seen the exact moment Suleiman walked out carrying the child, claiming he was taking her for fostering, then came back inside, came out again, and left.

Her legs gave way. She collapsed onto the floor in a squat, crying as if her soul was being ripped from her body.

Hearing what had happened, Baabaa Hadiza threw on her veil, rushed to their rug, and spun a web of lies and deceit to Baffa. She did this to clear her own name, terrified of being exposed for covering up Suleiman's character, marrying Amina to him, and hiding the truth while forcing Amina back to endure abuse.

Amina cried until she had no tears left. Grabbing only her handbag, she headed toward Bali, realizing staying was pointless since her child was already gone.

She could do nothing but cry as she walked, falling and getting back up.

Baffa's warning from her last yaji flashed in her mind. She froze, looking around wildly. Everything collided at once: Suleiman divorcing her, taking away their daughter Maryam whom she was deeply bonded to, and the reception awaiting her at Baffa's house.

Catching sight of Baabaa Hadiza returning from Bali on a motorcycle made her heart plummet; she knew she was coming to spin more deceit to cover up her own complicity. Baffa trusted Baabaa Hadiza blindly, thinking as his sister she wouldn't harm his blood—unaware that Baabaa Hadiza's greed was limitless.

At the doorstep, Amina ran into Baffa. With a trembling voice, she said, "Suleiman has divorced me." She broke the news to him, though she was certain Baabaa Hadiza had already reached him with her version.

Baffa hardened his face and snapped, "You know our agreement. Since you showed stubbornness and destroyed your marriage, go look for other parents! I disown you before the world; there is nothing between us. Even if you go to my relatives, I will not forgive you."

Amina burst into tears, trying to explain the truth of what happened, but he cut her off: "You better turn around and leave right now. If you bring public attention to me, I will utter a terrible curse upon you."

Weeping bitterly, she turned and began walking away. It was around 11:00 AM. She walked for a long distance until she was exhausted, then flagged down an achaba (commercial motorcycle) and asked him to drop her off at the motor park. "Where should I drop you?" he asked. Softly, she replied, "Take me to the station."

When he dropped her off, she paid him, entered the park, and found a seat to ponder her next move. Bus fare was not an issue; the money Suleiman used to give her for school expenses—some she spent, some she saved—meant she had cash on hand. She stood up and approached a vehicle that was nearly full, not even caring where it was headed. There were only two passengers left to complete the load. Shortly after, a man boarded, and they hit the road.

They traveled for a long time. She gazed out the window with a heavy heart, watching how she was drifting further and further from her family and origins. The vehicle sped relentlessly, traveling as if they would never reach their destination. Eventually, they entered a bustling city filled with towering buildings and rapid development. As the car parked at the station, passengers began to disembark. Amina followed the crowd, stepping out onto the roadside, standing there completely lost on where to go next. She began reciting prayers and seeking help from the Almighty Allah.

From behind her, she heard a woman's voice calling her name: "Amina." She turned around quickly, staring...

Summary

This segment of Zane Akan Ruwa shifts focus to a profound flashback detailing Umma’s (Amina's) tragic past. Arriving at a secure, high-security compound with Ammi and Junaid, a broken Rumana sits weeping on the floor while Jidderh watches in disbelief, reflecting on how arrogant Rumana used to be. Umma decides it is time to lift the veil of secrecy and reveal her life's history so everyone can understand the root cause of the current crisis.

The narrative shifts back in time to Umma's youth in Taraba State, depicting her as a bright girl adored by her parents (Baffa and Nene). However, her life is derailed by her manipulative and greedy paternal aunt, Baabaa Hadiza. Driven by financial greed, Baabaa Hadiza pushes Amina into a forced marriage with a wealthy, substance-dependent Tuareg man named Suleiman Buzu.

Despite Suleiman providing for her education, his drug addiction turns him into a violent abuser. Every time Amina runs away (yaji) to escape the brutality, Baabaa Hadiza covers for Suleiman and twists the narrative, manipulating Baffa into disowning Amina and forcing her back into the abusive home. Years later, after bearing a daughter named Maryam (Meemah) whom she fiercely loves, Suleiman abruptly divorces Amina and abducts the child. When Amina turns to her father for shelter, a poisoned Baffa rejects and disowns her entirely due to Baabaa Hadiza's lies. Left with no family, Amina boards a bus into the unknown, leading up to the mysterious voice calling her name at the end of the excerpt.

Description

• Characters:
  • Umma (Amina Muhammad): The matriarch, whose tragic backstory reveals systemic betrayal, forced marriage, abuse, and the heart-wrenching theft of her first child.
  • Rumana: Present in a state of shattered vulnerability, mirroring her mother's historical trauma of being trapped and helpless.
  • Baabaa Hadiza: The primary antagonist of the backstory—greedy, manipulative, abusive of her family ties, and instrumental in destroying Amina's life for financial gain.
  • Suleiman Buzu: Amina's charming yet abusive ex-husband whose substance addiction and violent outbursts ruined their marriage.
  • Baffa & Nene: Amina's parents; Nene is empathetic and silently suffering under patriarchal pressure, while Baffa is stern, gullible, and easily manipulated by his sister.
  • Jidderh: A spectator in the modern timeline, noting the stark contrast in Rumana's demeanor.
• Settings:
  • Modern Timeline: Ammi's high-security parlor in the city.
  • Historical Timeline: The rural community in Bali, Taraba State, followed by Suleiman's household, and finally the motor park.
• Core Conflict: Generational trauma, the devastating impact of forced marriages, and how unchecked greed and manipulation by elders destroy family structures.

Analytics

• Narrative Technique (The Frame Story/Backstory Integration): The author uses a powerful framing device—shifting from the high-stakes present-day crisis to a sweeping, deeply emotional historical confession. This contextualizes Umma's harshness in the present, reframing her not merely as an oppressive villain, but as a victim of institutionalized patriarchal and familial cruelty who was stripped of her own child in the past.
• Thematic Depth:
  • The Cycle of Parental Dispossession: The parallel between Amina losing her daughter Maryam to Suleiman and the current battle over Rumana highlights a repeating generational curse of children being weaponized or torn from their mothers.
  • Betrayal by Kin: Baabaa Hadiza represents the toxic trope of a family member who exploits youth for personal financial gain without remorse.
• Pacing and Emotional Resonance: The transition from the heavy silence of the modern parlor into the harrowing, slow-burn tragedy of Amina's youth creates an immersive emotional gravity, heightening empathy for characters who were previously viewed strictly through an antagonistic lens.