Tambari

26th October, 2014

SUNDAY TRUST

Tambari For the woman of style

HENNA BALL

Dr. Ramatu Hassan

Women should not lose sight of the home front

How to preserve food the natural way

2 Hello Readers,

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pplying Henna/laile on the hands and feet of brides is a very important part of a marriage ceremony in the northern part of Nigeria. The brides’ hands/feet are usually decorated in beautiful henna designs a night before her marriage. In those days, it is said, while the henna was being applied, the bride would be given advice by older women on married life. In any case, henna designs are still trending and have become popular and accepted by other women in different parts of the country. You can take a look at how some brides are adorned with it on our page 3.

Similarly, do you know ways you can preserve food naturally?

Oh yes, you can and should because they are healthier and natural. Drying, salting and smoking are easy ways to preserve some food items. Find more on our Healthy Living page.

On our men’s page, we’ve got answers to some questions men ask about grooming, such as, “How can I prevent razor burns?” and “Where is the best place to apply my fragrance?”

Our cover personality is a professional to the core. She is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Coordinator of the National Cancer Control in the Federal Ministry of Health. As Nigeria joins the world to create awareness about breast cancer in the month of October, Dr Ramatu Hassan enlightens us more.

We hope you enjoy our package.

Hello readers,

C.o.n.t.e.n.t.s 3 10 13 14

Fashionista: Henna Ball Men’s Fashion: Q&A on men’s grooming Culture: Colourful Kanuri marriage Healthy Living: How to preserve food naturally TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

COVER:

Women should not lose sight of the home front Dr. Ramatu Hassan >>> PAGES 4, 5, 6

Tambari Policy Email: tambari@dailytrust.com Telephone: 0803 701 3302

The

Team

It is essential that our readers understand that we do not charge any fee for a personality to be featured in Tambari, as it is based on purely editorial consideration. We only charge for special events like anniversaries, weddings, turbanning and the like. Companies and organisations who want to take advantage of the wide reach of Tambari can also do so by contacting our advertising hotlines: 08052377534

Editor AISHA UMAR-HALILU. Deputy Editor VICTORIA ONEHI. Writers MULIKATU MUKAILA. AISHATU SHALLANGWA. PUPWAYA TIMOTHY DIBAL. FATIMA HUSSAIN YAKASAI. Designer BALLIE KAFRAN

TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

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FASHIONISTA

Henna Ball H

BY Mulikatu Mukaila

enna designs on parts of the body are one important aspect of the northern tradition that can’t be ignored, as it is also an act of beautification for both the young and the old.

Henna also helps you look uniquely gorgeous when you take out time to design your hand and feet. It attracts lots of admiration make you feel good.

Photo source: Bella Naija

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TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

COVER INTER VIE W

Women should not lose sight of the home front INTERVIEW BY Victoria Onehi and Mulikatu Mukaila

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r Ramatu Yahaya Hassan, a Consultant Ophthalmologist is co-coordinator of the National Cancer Control and Head, Nuclear Medicine Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health. Dr Hassan’s passion for her job gives her the greatest fulfilment, especially when she enables a patient who is temporarily blind see again.

The ophthalmologist speaks to Tambari on her lifestyle, career, managing the home front and issues related to cancer as the world focuses on breast awareness throughout the month of October.

Photo by: MacJohn Akande

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TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

BACKGROUND

I am from Suleja in Niger state. My primary education started at the AngwarRimi Primary School in Kaduna state in 1963, when my father was the Chief Inspector of Education at the Federal Ministry of Education in Northern Nigeria. At a point, he was transferred to Sokoto which was the then capital of the North-Western state where I continued my primary education at the St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, now called Muhammad Bankanu Primary School. In 1969, I proceeded to the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Sokoto for my secondary education and we were the first set of students to write the West African School Certificate examination in June. It was hitherto written in December.

Thereafter, I attended the School of Basic Studies in Zaria for my Advanced levels after which I gained admission in 1975 to study Medicine at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.

I later started a career in Ophthalmology by doing a training programme which took me quite a while to finish because I was working at the Sokoto University Teaching Hospital, which wasn’t accredited then and I had to be going to the Guinness Eye Centre in Kaduna, now the National Eye Centre at the A.B.U Teaching Hospital, Zaria. I was the trainer for Ophthalmology. At a stage, I had to move over to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to finish my training. It wasn’t easy to accomplish because I had kids and a husband to look after, but I eventually qualified as a Consultant Ophthalmologist in 1998. As I was in training, I was also an Associate Lecturer at the College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

After I qualified, I joined the university in 1995 as a Senior Lecturer in Ophthalmology, while still working at the teaching hospital as an honorary consultant. Along the line, I was appointed Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, BirninKebbi. I went there on leave of absence from the university in 2001 and held that post for eight years.

In 2010, I went back to the university briefly before my service was transferred to Abuja. I assumed duty at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja in 2011 and I have been there since then. Currently, I am the National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme.

WHAT INSPIRED ME TO STUDY MEDICINE

In those days, in the early 1960s when television was new in Nigeria, there was a television programme called Dr. Kildare. I was in my first year in primary school and I loved the programme which was aired every Sunday so much that I must watch it before going to bed. My mother allowed me that privilege. I really loved what Dr Kildare was doing, how he was interacting with patients

COVER INTER VIE W and making them well.

I told myself that was what I would want to do in future and so I started building the interest of becoming a doctor someday.

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FONDEST MEMORIES

I still relish memories of time spent with my father, who would always spare time to teach me Mathematics at the weekends as he was very good in that.

I also have memories of my childhood when I wasn’t really bothered about much; I would only play with my friends across the road and go to school. Those days, everywhere was peaceful and quiet, unlike these days.

Then, we would walk to school and walk back without any hindrance. I also have memories of going back to Suleja each holiday, riding on the train on first class seats.

It was a wonderful experience that I can never forget.

PART OF MY JOB I LOVE MOST

It is enabling a patient who is temporarily blind see again, and also enabling, through a lid surgery, someone who has a deformed eyelid to look nice again. This I do and I enjoy doing.

MOTHERHOOD EXPERIENCE

I remember I had just graduated from the university when I got married, became pregnant and gave birth to my son who is also now a medical doctor. I have two boys who are Medical Doctors and the other is an engineer. When I had the first pregnancy, it wasn’t easy as a first timer and the labour was slightly prolonged and I was left alone in a VIP labour room. It was after a while that somebody came in and I had the baby boy. The second baby was much easier for me to have and, alhamdulllillah, I have five children now.

HOW I MET MY HUSBAND

Well, he is my relative from my mother’s side and we attended the same university. I studied Medicine while he went for Building Engineering.

Actually, I was to marry his elder brother but he died in a car crash, so I married his younger brother. After five kids and about 21 years later, he also died. Eight years after his demise, I got married again to Prof. Abdullahi Abba who is a chest physician and a lungs specialist at the A.B.U. Teaching Hospital, Zaria. We attended the same medical school but he was a year ahead of me so we knew each other well and that is what makes it easy now for us to relate comfortably.

HOW I OVERCOME PRESSURES

I learnt the virtue of patience from my grandmother. She used to come and stay with me to while away time with the kids, so I learnt a lot

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COVER INTER VIE W

from her through our various interactions. She taught me about being patient in any situation I find myself.

ROLE MODELS

My late grandmother is one because she was a very nice, quiet, simple and patient character.

There is also Prof. Ajesola Majekodunmi, my professor of Ophthalmology, who influenced my training. She used to be the president of the National Post-Graduate Medical College, as well as the past Head of the Guinness Ophthalmological Clinic in LUTH, Lagos state.

She is now retired. She influenced me to move from Sokoto and Kaduna down to Lagos and I had to stay at a stretch in a year so I can pass one of my examinations. She made me do that; she’s been a wonderful person.

ON PREVALENCE OF CANCER

We are working very hard at the National Cancer Control Programme Office to get data. We cannot talk about prevalence if we don’t have data. We are trying to have a data collation centre where we can have a central registration base, which is what we have been building up in the past three years.

We are trying to create awareness among the patients. We tell people that whenever they feel a lump in their bodies, they should go to the nearest hospital.

There, they will be told what to do. That is one way of getting the data. That is the on the part of the patients. On the part of the hospital, both the state and federal governments have been equipping laboratories all over

the country within the last five years, so we can diagnose cancer.

According to the data we now have, the commonest cancer in Nigeria is breast cancer, followed by cervical cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia and ovarian cancer.

When you look carefully, most cancers are affecting women. We are not saying cancer is not affecting men. Men are also developing breast cancer. They have breast so you find breast cancer also in men, but not as frequent as you have in women.

If anything bad is happening to women in any country it’s like an emergency. So, we must try and stop it because women are the cradle of any society. They look after the men and the children, so the nation depends on the women. We cannot allow the health issues of women to be neglected.

That is why you always hear us talking about breast cancer and cervical cancer and after that, other cancers.

The next worrisome thing is that we also have cancers in children. Some children are born with some cancers like cancer of the kidney and cancer of the retina in the eyes.

Some children develop other cancers as they are growing up, like cancer of the jaw.

Then we are also worried about albinos.

They tend to develop skin cancers from sunlight. In Nigeria, we have the highest concentration of albinos worldwide due to our large population as a black nation. And we are situated near the equator where we have lots of sunlight. Albinos living in a temperate environment are less likely to develop skin cancer than if they are here.

ON TREATMENT OF CANCER PATIENTS

Cancer is a very expensive ailment; it is not like malaria. For cancer, anyone participating in the treatment of an affected patient must have a second qualification.

For instance, if you are a medical doctor, you must have another qualification and be an oncologist.

Government has established hospitals and provided special equipment for them. It is also paying the salaries of the personnel taking care of these patients. It will be too much for government to treat these patients free. The only way they can provide a respite is through the health insurance scheme and that is what we are doing here in Nigeria.

For instance, if someone

TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014 has a prescription for chemotherapy drugs, he or she will have other prescription and laboratory tests. These ones will be covered but the main treatment will not be. I doubt if there is any Federal Medical Centre or Teaching Hospital that cannot offer chemotherapy treatment.

ON PREVENTION

One way to prevent cancers is to go for screening as part of your annual health care routine. If it can be detected when it’s small, then it can be easily chopped off, treated or melted.

ON BREASTFEEDING MY CHILDREN

I usually breastfeed my children for 18 to 24 months. This is because it helps to build the child’s immunity and also helps to prevent breast cancer as well. Cancer cells cannot survive when a woman breastfeeds her child for a long time.

DEFINITION OF STYLE

I love to dress very simple because of the nature of my job. Also, I love to wear African prints but occasionally, I put on lace materials. Generally, I feel more at ease when I am simply dressed. As a matter of fact, I stopped wearing jewelry on my hand because it makes me uncomfortable when I am attending to patients.

FAVOURITE HOLIDAY SPOT

I love nature a lot so I love to sit by the seaside, especially the Bar Beach in Lagos.

I also love anywhere that is quiet and full of nature.

FAVOURITE AUTHOR

I love Danielle Steels; I love the way she writes her books. I have read so many of her books. In my bedroom, I have a shelf full of books close to my bed. I also read novels by other authors, professional books and books on philosophy when the time permits. In those days, I used to love the Mills and Boom books, but now, I don’t really have the time to read them anymore.

WHAT I ENJOY MOST ABOUT MOTHERHOOD

Watching the kids as they grow up was interesting. I thank God they have all attained some heights as well. Two of them are medical doctors.

ADVICE TO YOUNGER WOMEN

Women should always remain focused and not lose sight of the home front because after all and everything, she must return home to her husband and children. Also when she retires, she will fall back on her home.

TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

FASHION NE WS

WEDEXPO holds in Abuja R

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BY Victoria Onehi

Photo by: MacJohn Akande

ecently, wedding vendors gathered to showcase their wares at the Abuja WEDEXPO. Event planners to florists, bead makers, make-up artistes, cake designers and vendors of various fabrics were present at the three-day event.

Omotoyin Omilerun, who makes beads, was excited with the turn-out. “I make beads. So far, the event has been going on well. Sales have been okay,” she commented.

Dalopo Olafatundejole of Belazza Faces Make-up Studio was also delighted with the sales: “The sales today have been wonderful.

We have done make-up for people going for wedding ceremonies and sold a lot of products.”

For Remi Makanjuola, a would-be-bride, “I

am seeing a lot of creativity today. And for someone that is getting married soon, there are a lot of things I can get from here. What I will get from this place particularly today are basically accessories. The prices too are fair.”

The CEO of WEDEXPO, Akin Esho said the event has been eventful, hence it was increased to three days from the two days used for the previous events. “We have increased the event to three days because we have seen Abuja as a major market and we want to make life easy for brides and grooms, as well as expose business owners/vendors to more people. We are happy with the turn out,” he said.

The event was held at the M and M Event Centre, beside Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

Etita Ojogu, an anchor at WEDEXPO

@ Blue Velvet and Tulip Bistro dinner

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eading events management company, Blue Velvet Marquee and Tulip Bistro put together a ‘A Night To Remember’ recently. The aim of the event was for guests to experience dining at its best. While Blue Velvet did the interior decor, Tulip Bistro provided the menu.

Chief Executive Officer of Blue Velvet Marquee, Hyledzira Laushi explained they were there to showcase their ability at decorating restaurants for small events as well as big ones. “We decorated Tulip Restaurant for the dinner to show our teeming clients how we could decorate venues for restaurants and dinners and not necessarily for wedding events only,” Laushi quipped.

Guests were treated to various meals for dinner while light music played at the background. Tulip Bistro is a posh restaurant located at the heart of Wuse 2, Abuja and it introduced some new menu at the event.

Hyledzira Laushi

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TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

SHOR T INTER VIE W

agana Mala Kachalla is an entrepreneur who specialises in interiors decor made out of local mats. She picked up this trade out of a passion. A graduate of Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri, she is presently doing a Master’s degree at the National Open University in Abuja.

She is the second daughter of the late Mala Kachallah, former Executive Governor of Borno State. She spoke to Tambari about her business.

‘How I turn local mats into interior decor’

BY Mulikatu Mukaila

What inspired you to go into unique interior decor?

Actually, I am somebody who has so much passion for interior design. It’s not something that I just came up with.

I started buying things for my personal use and I noticed that people always come to my house to pick whichever one they liked. One day, someone asked me why I wasn’t thinking of going into the business since I have so much passion for it and I have the sense to make good choices. So I started from there.

Then, my sister Fatima Mohammed introduced me to a show when I came for an audition here in Abuja. People were just trooping in to buy things and some even offered to give me their shops so that I can sell them. Then I was not staying in Abuja but afterwards I moved to Abuja to continue with it.

“From a local mat I was able to make a large frame and make a family portrait of it. But the framing has to be made up of a mat so that it gives a decent look.” a hand-knitted carpet, the type I came with from India. I showed my people how to start making it locally but we have to make the finishing to a standard. Then, apart from the centre table that we use wood to do, we also use it to make stool, use it for a magazine stand and to decorate the house which will make it to have that decent and unique look.

How long have you been Who are your major into this business? clients?

About 20 years. Anytime I see handcrafts, I always think of what I will do with them. Or if I see storage, I always say if I was the one, I would have done something better with it. I started creating things like mirrors, storage baskets and even mixing the wood so that I can get a storage basket.

If you are to do a house interior using handcraft materials, what are the items you will use?

Well, from a local mat I was able to make a large frame and make a family portrait of it. But the framing has to be made up of a mat so that it gives a decent look.

You can also make

Actually, I started with my family members, then the people started broadening. When I moved to Abuja, I noticed that most of my customers who were patronising me were not people I know. They would just see the shop and come in to buy something.

So, I can’t tell you that I have specific customers. My clients are from government offices, individuals, women and men from all areas. Also, people from other states, Port Harcourt, Lagos and even Yola patronise me. I think people refer them to my shop and once they come, they like my items.

Do you intend to start training people?

Of course, yes. We have so many destitutes around. Some are orphaned and some are widows. So, getting them and teaching them something to do will enable them take care of themselves.

Where do you intend to lay this foundation?

We will start it here in Abuja. From here we will have it in other places. We want to start it latest by the end of this year.

How much did it cost you to start the business?

Well, I didn’t start with much. I just picked some few things and brought

them to my house and people were coming to buy them.

Where do you get your raw materials?

From the local market. We have them in Maiduguri, Kaduna and Enugu.

We don’t really have to travel out of the country unless there is a business hazard in the country. We want to start exporting our items so we are trying as much as possible to make fine interior designs.

Do you have any regrets?

I don’t.

Where do you see your business within a few years?

To have a factory, maybe the largest factory in the country. Well, basically my dream is to see that this business takes me to another level where a lot of people will be under me and they can eat. I really want people to grow under me so that they can also start up from there.

What advice do you have for people who want to start this kind of business but don’t have the capital?

Determination is the watchword. In this business, you really don’t need to have much capital. You can even be a consultant. Maybe someone has the things but he or she doesn’t know how to use them and you can just go to them and tell them ‘this is where you can get them’. From there, you can start picking one or two things. But once you have the passion for it, people will look for you, you don’t need to look for your customers.

TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

SHOPPING MALL

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TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

MEN’S FASHION

Q&A on men’s grooming

BY Victoria Onehi On

Q: Can you tell us the best way to prevent razor burns?

A: The cause of razor burn is not the shave product or razor you are using, but your technique.

When shaving, some men often use long, fast, sweeping stokes, applied with enough pressure to remove several layers of skin and moving against the direction of hair growth. This can cause you injury.

To reduce the risk of a razor burn, always shave in the direction of hair growth (paying particular attention to the neck where it often grows in different directions). Use short, 2cm long stokes, avoid going over the same area twice (if possible) and never press too hard.

Q: I have been applying fragrance on my shirt, where will you advice me apply my fragrance?

A: A good place to apply your perfume is the chest. This helps the fragrance to be trapped between your skin and clothes and will ooze out of the neck of your shirt as you move around.

We all grew up believing that the best place to apply fragrance was either on the wrist or behind the ears. But the fragrance tends to dissipate faster when perfumes are placed there. Other good places to apply it include the biceps and the crook of the arm as the fragrance will ooze out as you move.

Akin Esho

Praiz

Q: What’s the best way to prevent wrinkles? I am a 50-year-old man and I am developing wrinkles already. How do I prevent them?

Keep your skin hydrated with a moisturiser as much as you can as it reduces fine lines. Experts say if your skin is dry, it brings about premature ageing. But again, you must avoid this

as much as possible. Reduce the amount of time you stay under the sun, avoid smoking totally and reduce the intake of sugar. Sugar has bad effects on the skin because it turns a strong form of collagen into a weaker and fragile version through a process of glycation. This makes your skin prone to wrinkles and sagging. If you abide by this advice, it will help a great deal, or all the moisturiser in the world will not save your skin.

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TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

WOMEN’S HEALTH

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Dr. Nathaniel Adewole Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada - FCT. MOBILE: 0803 803 9182 EMAIL: nadewole2013@gmail.com

expellant would you recommend for me?

Juliet, Lafia.

Sometimes I wonder what kind of quackery goes on despite the fact that we are in an information technology age. Hookworm does not eat up sperm and is not a cause of infertility. Hookworm cannot stop you from getting pregnant.

Run away as fast as you can from that place and go to a proper hospital for fertility check-up. On a general note, do a stool test for worm infestation and see your doctor for appropriate medication.

WHAT IS ECG

I am hypertensive. I was asked to do ECG. What is ECG? Where can I do it? James, Koto Karfe.

“Hookworm does not eat up sperm and is not a cause of infertility.

Hookworm cannot stop you from getting pregnant.”

ECG means electrocardiogram. It is used to study the heart. It monitors the heart rate and the pattern.

It is an investigation that is simple and useful in hypertensive patients and patients suspected of having cardiac disorders or diseases affecting the heart. It takes a few minutes to do and the result is interpreted by the physician or the cardiologist.

It is now readily available. I don’t know if the Koto Karfe is the one in Kogi state. If it is, then go to either the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja or some key private hospitals there. The other option is the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, which is not too far from you. In case you are in any other state, check the state capital.

There will be a teaching hospital or a Federal Medical Centre.

Let me also encourage you to check your blood pressure regularly and to comply with your medication to avoid complications of uncontrolled hypertension or high blood pressure.

These complications include stroke, cerebral haemorrhage, hypertensive retinopathy or damage to the eyes and damage to the kidney. Wellmanaged and controlled hypertension is compatible with a normal life style and normal life span.

DOES HOOKWORM CAUSE INFERTILITY? I went for a fertility test and was told I have hookworm that eats up the sperm.

Can hookworm stop me from getting pregnant? If yes, what kind of worm

FOUL SMELLING WHITISH DISCHARGE

I see some whitish thing coming out of my vagina and it smells. What can I do?

You need to do an HVS and ECS for microscopy culture and sensitivity. The result will guide your doctor to prescribe the right drug. You may need antibiotics and antifungal depending on the culture result.

AGE FOR CIRCUMCISION At what age could a baby boy be circumcised? What causes stomach ache for babies of less than five weeks and what is the remedy? Abubakar, Kano.

There is no specific age for circumcision, but by one week it is okay to circumcise the boy. In terms of custom or observation of different tribes, I have discovered that majority of parents want to circumcise their baby immediately after the naming ceremony, which is usually after eight days.

Concerning stomach pains, sometimes, what parent call stomach pains is not. Let the baby feed well and all will be alright. For babies that have other symptoms like distension of the stomach or vomiting, then kindly see your doctor, preferably a paediatrician. We must also bear in mind that malaria can present poor appetite and stomach pains in infants.

Please, always include name and address when sending your health enquiries to us. Thank you

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KANNY WOOD

I have not ruled out marrying again - Hauwa Waraka

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auwa Abubakar, popularly known as Hauwa Waraka, has powerfully staged a comeback after years of absence from the screen. In this interview, the actress talks about her absence, her new movie and many more. Excerpts:-

BY Ibrahim Musa Giginyu CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE OF YOUR BIOGRAPHY?

I was born in Jos, Plateau state to a Fulani family but I grew up in Kano state. I came to Kano while I was a toddler to stay with my aunty and after a few years of my return, I was married off at the age of 14 to somebody I knew nothing about and taken away to Jos as the Fulani tradition demands I live with my husband.

However, due to some reasons, the marriage didn’t work out fine and it ended within a short period.

I got divorced and returned to Kano where I continued with my normal life. Then, I wasn’t even watching Hausa movies, though I wasn’t doing anything and my mind never wandered to any aspect of acting.

What started as a casual visit to some of the movie producing companies turned out to be an introductory trip to my becoming an actress in the Hausa movie industry. It all started when a neighbour friend asked me to escort him to one of the movie production companies and right there one of the producers took an interest in me and asked me to join the movie industry. That was how I gave it a try and here I am today an actress (laughs).

YOU REGRETTED AN EARLY MARRIAGE. WHAT REALLY WENT WRONG?

First, I was married at an age I barely knew myself not to talk of understanding someone else. The man I was married to was a total stranger to me because I had never met him before. Though, I tried all that I could to make it work, the barrier between us kept growing thicker and thicker by the day and we had to divorce to save ourselves the trouble.

I can’t tell you precisely what really led to the divorce, but it was clear to both of us that we should both go our separate ways. The marriage ended without a child.

WHAT WAS YOUR JOURNEY LIKE INTO THE LIMELIGHT IN THE MOVIE INDUSTRY?

I was cast in the movie Katanga, which was my first. After that, I was cast as the lead actress in the movie Waraka barely a few weeks after the release of Katanga. Up till this moment, I cannot vividly state what really impressed the producers of that movie to have cast me as the lead actress.

After that I was lucky to be among the cast in Fati ‘Yar Adamawa, which was my last movie before going on recess for five years.

WHAT MADE YOU GO ON

TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

SAY WAS THE MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT IN YOUR ACTING CAREER?

That was when a director publicly disgraced me over what was no fault of mine. I can it remember vividly as if it were yesterday. I was cast for a role and as I made to board the vehicle provided to convey us to the movie location, this producer came shouting ‘Hauwa get out of that car we are not going there with you’. I was so embarrassed that I wanted to lash at him, but on a second thought I decided not to because there were some senior colleagues in the car, like the late Hauwa Ali Dodo.

That moment still haunts me in my acting career because it was really embarrassing. There were other instances, but this particular one really got me thinking.

WHAT IS THE SECRET BEHIND YOUR SUCCESS AS AN ARTISTE?

There is no secret behind my success. The only thing I can tell you here is that once you are determined and focused, the sky will be your limit. I know I can be quite determined to succeed in whatever I do. I have committed everything to God, therefore I know no fear and I fear no human being.

ANY REGRET BEING AN ACTRESS?

RECESS FOR SO LONG?

People have been asking me about that whenever I recalled the incident, but believe me, I cannot say what really made me stay away from the movie industry for that long. It is not that I don’t want to say it, it is because I don’t really know why I did that and that is the simple answer I always give when asked.

IT WAS BELIEVED THAT ONCE AN ACTOR QUIT THE INDUSTRY, A SUCCESSFUL RETURN IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT. WHAT MAKES YOURS DIFFERENT?

Quite right, mine is different, I became more popular and more accepted on my return and that remains a puzzle that Hauwa cannot solve. However, perhaps the reason is based on the fact that my return wasn’t my wish but a demand from the producers. It could be anything, but my return is a successful step that I am happy I have taken.

I have no regret for being an actress and that is a fact.

Only that there are moments that one would want to feel free like any other individual but could not do so because one is a known face. Some of us have to cover our faces to be where we want to be at a particular time.

DO YOU INTEND TO GIVE MARRIAGE ANOTHER SHOT?

Of course, I will marry again, only that this time, it will be different because I am a grown up lady now and I have a choice.

IS IT TRUE YOU ARE INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE OF THE ARTISTES IN THE HAUSA MOVIE INDUSTRY?

No, it is not. I have never befriended an actor, not because there are no nice guys in the industry but because the opportunity to do has not presented itself.

Presently I am not into any relationship, but definitely I will get married when the right man comes my way.

WHEN YOU JOINED THE MOVIE INDUSTRY WHAT WAS YOUR PARENT’S REACTION?

Though I started acting before informing my parents, that did not pose any disagreement between us. We later sat down together and discussed the issue and they understood and gave me their blessings.

In a nutshell, I have not encountered any problem with my parents on my decision to be an actress in the Hausa movie industry.

WHAT WOULD YOU

Photo by: Sani Maikatanga

TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

CULTURE

13

Colourful Kanuri marriage Kanuri bride

BY Pupwaya Timothy Dibal

K

anuri wedding is a colourful and exciting event. It is an occasion that showcases the Kanuri culture through music, dance and other cultural activities. The Kanuris, who live mainly in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state are the dominant ethnic group in the state.

Marriage, for the Kanuris, is done at an early age.

The men marry in their 20s, while the girls marry in their teens. It is preferred for a young man marrying for the first time to marry a virgin so that they will grow old gracefully together, but it is a very expensive form of marriage. The people place a high value on virgin girls since they have never been married before.

Since the young girl is marrying for the first time and in order for her suitor to be accepted, he has to be a relative or he must have been known by the bride’s parents and must have established some kind of relationship with them. He also needs to create a relationship between him and her luwali (guardian).

After the groom-to-be has established a relationship with the family of the girl, the next step for him to take is to inform his parents so that arrangements could be made to formalise his intention.

Halima Abba Mohammed, a Kanuri from Maiduguri, said a group of old men will go over to the bride’s family to declare the intention of the young man. Thereafter, plans will start for the wedding rites.

The steps usually taken start with confirming the bride’s consent to the groom by sending his relatives to the family. The next step is fixing a meeting by parents or guardians. Seeking for the bride’s hands in marriage is usually done by the elders. This usually involves presenting a carton of sweets and chewing gum and a bag of kola nuts. This the bride’s family will distribute to friends and relatives.

Declaration of interest is a phase where luggage full of clothes, shoes, bags and cosmetics are presented on behalf of the groom to the bride. At this juncture, another set of candy, chewing gums and kola nuts are presented to break the engagement news. The next visitation by the groom’s relatives is to discuss and agree on the dowry, which, according to Zara Kareto, a Kanuri maiden, is paid in gold coins. In Kanuri wedding, dowry is mandatory and is given by the groom with the help of his paternal relatives to the girl through her luwali (guardian). Kareto further said that in a case where the marriage is between cousins, the

Gold coins

Cowrie

“A lot of traditional music and dance called gangakuraa is performed by everyone, including the old people. This event is the second most entertaining event after the entire wedding and is celebrated till dawn. “ payment is not necessary. The reason for this is because a marriage conducted within a family has been established and is only waiting for the time it will take place.

When all these steps have been taken, the main activities for the wedding start on Thursday with designing of the hands and feet with nalle or lalle. This signifies the opening for the wedding events.

Friday evening is the wushewushe night, which means welcome to everyone. This is a very colourful and exciting event that takes place on the eve of the wedding at the bride’s home. The groom will come in with his friends and relatives and sit on a make-shift throne along with his bride after she is also ushered in with her friends and relatives. A lot of traditional music and

Henna design on hands and feet dance called gangakuraa is performed by everyone, including the old people. This event is the second most entertaining event after the entire wedding and is celebrated till dawn.

Saturday is the D-day. Usually, in the morning between 7a.m. and 11a.m., the groom with his friends and well-wishers will go to the bride’s house for the wedding fatiha. An Imam will conduct the wedding rites involving the offer and acceptance of the bride’s hand in marriage by her luwalis’ (guardian’s) announcement of the dowry paid, witnesses to the nuptial union, Imam’s prayers and finally the Imam declaring them as husband and wife.

14

14

TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

HEALTHY LIVING

How to preserve food the natural way

BY Fatima Hussein Yakasai DRYING

This has been the oldest method of dehydration used to remove excess water from food and has been in application since the early 1200 B.C. Drying helps in storing food for a prolonged period of time with or without electricity. A person must first be aware of the kind of food that can be dried as some foods taste better than others when dried. The most popular foods dried are mostly vegetables like pepper, garlic, beans, onions and tomatoes. There is also a variety of fruits that can be dried like apples, dates, pears, pineapple and grapes.

The simplest method of drying food is by slicing them up and spreading them outside in a very sunny weather (food drying is best on a hot climate). Perhaps, the only downside to drying food is that its takes time and attention but has less storage space, as compared to canned foods.

PICKLING

Pickling is the preservation of some foods by dissolving them in acidic solutions like vinegar or brine. Food preserved this way is called a pickle. Pickling can apply to many kinds of food like fruits, vegetables and even meat.

With the right food chosen, other ingredients that can be used as pickling agents are water, salt, sugar, herbs and spices.

In terms of fruits, use those that are not over-ripe.

Pickled food should be stored in stainless steel jars, aluminum and funnels. Avoid using iron, copper

and brass as it can be affected by acidic solution which might cause it to become toxic.

Pickling food adds a twist and flavour to your food. It helps in preserving food for an extended period of time, some even lasting for many years, and has been known to be second only to canning.

K

nowing how to preserve some foods naturally can be very convenient, especially during electricity outage. Food preservation emerged from man’s desire to adapt to his environment. In many cultures and different regions of the world, people have invented many methods of preserving various types of food, from drying to prickling, salting and smoking.

Using the old-fashioned way of food preservation usually depends on the kind of food and type of weather. Care should also be taken on the nature of food, because some can only be eaten fresh and the preservation of those kinds of food require extensive procedures and may also require the use of chemical formulas.

SALTING

This method involves the use of dry salt to dehydrate, and to rid or protect food Dried red pepper from certain pathogens Smoked fish that can’t survive in salty environments. Salting has been used for a very long prepared using dried or time to preserve meat, e.g. beacon, smoked meat on a stick, salmon and some vegetables like spices and a variety of green beans, carrots, pepper and vegetables. green tomatoes.

• For a healthy salted meal there is the salted salmon, SMOKING which is usually used Smoking is a process that involves in rice topping and preserving food by exposing it to can be eaten cooked or smoke from a burning material. steamed.

Smoking is a combination of • A popular drying and salting which helps in Salted meat pickle recipe is the increasing the durability of foods, pickled cucumber as well as adding flavour. soup which is a blend An example of a smoking process of various ingredients like is barbecue which is done by cucumber, vegetables, fruits and placing meat or fish on top of a spices. burning material (coal or wood) to achieve the taste of smoke.

HERE ARE SOME RECIPES FOR PRESERVED FOOD DELIGHTS • Beef skewer is a very popular dish usually taken as snacks or a side dish. It is mostly

Beef skewers

Pickled cucumber

Rice and salted salmon

TAMBARI 26TH OC TOBER, 2014

15

BEAUT Y

15

Beauty secrets of Black Soap

BY Mulikatu Mukaila

B

lack soap is a natural soap product originally created by the inhabitants of Africa. Its ingredients are as diverse as shea butter, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, ashes of banana leaves, palm leaves and tree bark. Black soap is a potent cleansing agent. Its benefits range from reducing acne and oil on the skin to soothing inflammatory conditions such as eczema, leaving the skin soft, scentless and flexible. Black soap can make an invigorating addition to your skin-care routine.

Palm kernel seed

Benefits: Black soap is often used to remove excess oil from the skin. It also soothes several types of skin irritations, such as razor burn, rashes and eczemas. The shea tree products in black soap also offer lots of benefits. Not only usable for skins, black soap can also be used as hair shampoo.

Effects on Acne: Acnes are mostly caused by glands in the skin that produce too much oil, but because black soap is known for clearing oils from the skin, this helps to treat and prevent acne.

Furthermore, an irritated skin can cause acne breakouts to worsen. Black soap can be used to soothe skin irritations and lessen the effects of a breakout.

Liquid and solid bars of black soap

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