Contributions of Baobab Tree (Adansonia digitata) in Hausa Cuisine and Folklore in Northern Nigeria
1 Department of Language and Linguistics, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe
* Corresponding author: usmanibrahim@gjids.org.ng
* Corresponding author: usmanibrahim@gjids.org.ng
Abstract
Studies of culture especially by anthropologists and sociologists tend to concentrate on particular forms of culture, which provide detailed analysis of the contents of cultural artifacts, such as indigenous trees with their cultural and economic roles. This research work therefore, investigates the impacts of Baobab tree (English name), in the Hausa dish and folklore. The research focused only on the same philosophical analysis of the oral traditions by Hausa folklorists. The research chooses Baobab tree namely: kuka (Hausa language), commonly called Baobab tree because of the fact that Hausa use it as sacred tree and as sources of daily food. The research is limited to the type of soup called ‘miyar kuka’ (Hausa language) or Baobab leaves’ soup (English), and also traces the economic and other cultural benefits of Baobab tree such as medicinal benefits. The research adopts grounded theory approach in analysing the collected data. This research revealed the role of Baobab tree in promoting cultural integration and development.
Keywords
Baobab
Adansonia digitata
Tree
Hausa
Cuisine Folklore
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How to Cite
Ibrahim, U. (2025). Contributions of Baobab Tree (Adansonia digitata) in Hausa Cuisine and Folklore in Northern Nigeria. Gashua Journal of Irrigation and Desertification Studies, 3(1), 130-142. https://doi.org/10.67390/gjids.2025.ew83gwp0
U. Ibrahim, "Contributions of Baobab Tree (Adansonia digitata) in Hausa Cuisine and Folklore in Northern Nigeria," Gashua Journal of Irrigation and Desertification Studies, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 130-142, November 2025. doi: 10.67390/gjids.2025.ew83gwp0