Dan Tabashir and Huwaila are the two main subjects of Hafsat Jega’s phone conversations. The former is her fiancé/husband, while the latter is her friend/stepdaughter-to-be (unknown to the stepdaughter-to-be, though). Hafsat’s comedy is a one-woman show that captivates viewers and sends them into fits of laughter.
By Abdu Labaran
Initially, I considered titling this piece “The One-Person-Cast Comedian Who Makes the Hausas Laugh.” However, I realized that the Hausa language is not spoken and understood solely by native speakers. Many non-Hausas speak and understand Hausa, with some even more fluent than the so-called native speakers.
I often cite my secondary school Hausa teacher, whose mother tongue was not Hausa. He not only graduated with a first-degree distinction in Hausa but also taught the language in secondary schools.
One might also consider ‘Sarkin Dariya,’ the comedian from Benue State. He performs throughout various states but primarily in Makurdi, the capital of Benue. In one of his skits, he humorously depicted a conversation in Sokoto where he expressed disappointment that only a handful attended his show. When questioned about the turnout, he learned that many non-Hausa speakers had shunned it because it was advertised in Hausa instead of English. Accepting his “expensive” mistake, he laughed it off, demonstrating the importance of understanding one’s audience.
Now, back to Hafsat, an up-and-coming comedian who is always “on” her phone, “talking” to one or the other of the two characters in her unique Sakkwatawan accent. The accent itself is often enough to elicit laughter, even without any comedic content.
In addition to her imaginary conversations with Dan Tabashir and Huwaila, Hafsat occasionally “talks” on the phone with political figures like “Tunubu” and “Atiku,” both vying for her hand in “marriage.” In her comedic skits, she is frequently depicted waiting by the wall of the ‘Villa,’ chatting with President Tinubu or lamenting her difficult choice between these two political juggernauts.
The episode I watched yesterday inspired this write-up. In it, she asked Dan Tabashir to identify a “friend” who accompanied him in his car, noting he was good-looking and seemed wealthy.
“What do you mean ‘the questions are many’? Don’t think for a moment that I’m planning to leave you. The truth is I want to know him in case we meet, since he is your friend. After all, you will also get a car in the future.
“But Dan Tabashir, know that the world is full of people who resemble one another. If you see him with a girl who looks like ME, it’s not ME but another girl altogether.”
After finishing the call with Dan, Hafsat murmured to herself, “Stupid! I plan to ditch you and go where the money is. Do you expect me to waste my time with you?” This self-mocking is a recurring theme in her skits, extending even to her conversations with political figures like Tinubu.
In another episode, Hafsat was shown on the phone “talking” to Dan Tabashir. In her usual one-sided conversation, she expressed her frustration with his womanizing behavior, which has made her reluctant to maintain friendships with other girls.
“Go ahead and marry them all since you seem to love them so much, and forget about me. I can’t cope with this behavior, period.” With that, she ended the call.
There are numerous episodes of her comedy that have contributed to her popularity as a Kanywood comedian, attracting companies eager to advertise their products through her. Hafsat’s convincing portrayal, complete with her Sokoto accent, often makes it seem as if she were secretly filmed during an actual phone conversation.
Although she appears in other comedic roles, her signature act remains the one-person-phone-calling skit for which she is most renowned.
May God bless this talented young comedian with runaway success beyond her wildest dreams, so she may continue to bring laughter to people in her Sokoto accent and voice.
Labaran wrote from Katsina.
