Protest Arts, Gender, and Social Change: Fiction, Popular Songs, and the Media in Hausa Society across Borders

Ousseina Alidou's book examines how novelists, popular songwriters, and musical performers in contemporary Hausa society are using their creative works to effect social change, highlighting the oppression, social isolation, and marginalization experienced by vulnerable and underprivileged communities. It explores the ways in which song performances produce an intertextual dialogue between their lyrics and visual dramatic narratives to raise awareness against social ills, including gender-based violence and social inequalities exposed by biomedical health pandemics. The book focuses on the resistance narratives of one female novelist and six song composers and performers that generate alternative counterhegemonic responses to dominant patriarchal discourses, reaching out to marginalized local and national communities and global audiences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2024
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Protest Arts, Gender, and Social Change: Fiction, Popular Songs, and the Media in Hausa Society across Borders by Ousseina Alidou explores how a new generation of novelists, popular songwriters, and musical performers in contemporary Hausa society are using their creative works to effect social change. This book empathizes with the reality of the forms of oppression, social isolation, and marginalization that vulnerable and underprivileged communities in contemporary Hausa society in Northern Nigeria and the Niger Republic have been experiencing from the mid-1980s to the present. It also highlights the ways in which song performances produce an intertextual dialogue between their lyrics and visual dramatic narratives to raise awareness against social ills, including gender-based violence and social inequalities exposed by biomedical health pandemics such as HIV and COVID-19. In these creative Hausa narratives, the oppressed and marginalized have agency in articulating their own experiences.

While there is an abundance of social science studies giving voice to the dominant actors of hegemonic violence in Hausa society, there is a dearth of works that center the voices of the afflicted, unprivileged, and marginalized class, among whom are women and youth. One aim of this book is to examine the ways popular songs and fiction fill up the humanistic urgency to capture the dignity of the life of those dehumanized by local, national, and international hegemonic religious and secular forces. The book focuses on the resistance narratives of one female novelist and six song composers and performers that generate alternative counterhegemonic responses to dominant patriarchal discourses produced by cultural, religious, and political elites, thus reaching out to marginalized local and global audiences.

The book begins with a historical overview of the Hausa society, tracing its origins to the 11th century and its development into a complex and diverse society with a rich cultural heritage. It then explores the various forms of oppression and marginalization that have been experienced by different groups within the society, including women, children, and the elderly. The book also examines the ways in which popular songs and fiction have been used to express these experiences and to challenge dominant discourses.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of women in Hausa society. Women have been historically marginalized and oppressed, and their voices have been silenced in many ways. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement of women's rights activists and writers who are using their creative works to challenge these discourses and to promote gender equality. The book highlights the work of several female novelists and songwriters who have used their stories to explore the experiences of women in Hausa society, including the challenges they face in accessing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Another theme of the book is the role of popular songs and fiction in challenging dominant discourses. The book argues that popular songs and fiction can be powerful tools for social change because they can reach a wide audience and can be easily understood. The book highlights the work of several song composers and performers who have used their music to raise awareness about social issues, including gender-based violence and social inequalities. The book also examines the ways in which these songs and stories have been adapted and used in different contexts, including in schools, community centers, and religious gatherings.

One of the challenges that the book faces is the lack of access to information and resources in Hausa society. Many of the communities that are affected by oppression and marginalization do not have access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and this makes it difficult for them to participate in the creative process. The book argues that it is important to address this issue by providing access to education and resources to marginalized communities.

Another challenge that the book faces is the cultural and religious barriers that exist in Hausa society. Many of the communities that are affected by oppression and marginalization are deeply rooted in their cultural and religious traditions, and this can make it difficult for them to accept new ideas and practices. The book argues that it is important to engage with these communities in a respectful and inclusive manner and to work towards building bridges between different cultures and religions.

Despite these challenges, the book highlights the many ways in which popular songs and fiction can be used to effect social change in Hausa society. The book provides a rich and detailed analysis of the various forms of oppression and marginalization that have been experienced by different groups within the society, and it highlights the ways in which popular songs and fiction have been used to challenge these discourses and to promote gender equality and social justice. The book also provides a number of recommendations for how to address these challenges and to promote social change in Hausa society.

One of the recommendations that the book makes is to increase access to education and resources in marginalized communities. This can be done by providing scholarships and grants to students who are interested in pursuing higher education, by providing training programs for teachers and healthcare workers, and by providing access to healthcare and economic opportunities. The book also recommends that cultural and religious barriers be addressed by engaging with these communities in a respectful and inclusive manner and by working towards building bridges between different cultures and religions.

Another recommendation that the book makes is to promote the use of popular songs and fiction in schools and community centers. This can be done by providing funding for music programs and by providing training programs for teachers and community leaders. The book also recommends that popular songs and fiction be used to raise awareness about social issues, including gender-based violence and social inequalities, and to promote social change.

In conclusion, Protest Arts, Gender, and Social Change: Fiction, Popular Songs, and the Media in Hausa Society across Borders by Ousseina Alidou is a valuable book that explores the ways in which popular songs and fiction can be used to effect social change in Hausa society. The book provides a rich and detailed analysis of the various forms of oppression and marginalization that have been experienced by different groups within the society, and it highlights the ways in which popular songs and fiction have been used to challenge these discourses and to promote gender equality and social justice. The book also provides a number of recommendations for how to address these challenges and to promote social change in Hausa society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472076680