CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 GENERAL BACKGROUND
The main focus of
this research work is on the aspects of Gunganchi question formation. This
chapter aims at introducing the work by discussing some historical facts about
the Gunganchi speakers and the language itself. The research method used for
data collection is the informant method.Justification for the study as well as
the scope of the work is also examined in this chapter. The chapter will also
give information on the genetic classification of Gunganchi and attempt a brief
review of our chosen framework, the Government and Binding theory.
Historical Background
Kebbi State, the home
of Argungu international fishing and cultural festival came into being as a
political entity on the 27thAugust 1991.
It was carved out of
the former Sokoto State with its headquarters in Birni-Kebbi, tucked between
the largely and landscape of Niger-republic to the west and Sokoto, Zamfara and
Niger-State to the north, east and south respectively. kebbi state spreads over
a vast expanse of sahel vegetation of approximately 36.229 square kilometers
representing 3.9% of the total land area of Nigeria and located between
latitude 100 8N and 130 is N, longitude 3030 E and 6002’ EIn this wonderfully
endowed land, lives a population of 2, 766, 504 paroled people enamourned by a long
winding history inspired by memories of spectacular accomplishment at present,
the state is made up of fair emirates (Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru) which
are further divided into 21 Local Government areas: Birni-Kebbi, Ngaski Yaun,
Sakabo, Danko-Wasagu, Zuru, Koko Besse, Dandi, Suru, Maiyama, Jega, Bunza,
Bagudo, Arewa, Gwamdo Argungu, Aliero, Fakari, Shanga and Kalgo. Due to its
geographical location, Kebbi State provides two of Nigeria’s gateways to the
west African sub-region.
This unique position
enhances cross border Socio-economic activities between the communities of the
State has delivered enthnic groups the dominant among which are Hausa, Fulani,
Kabama, Dakar, Karis Gungawa e.t.c the distribution of theses enthnic groups
shows that the Gungawa are foundation Yauri Local Government.
The Gungawa tribe is
located in Yauri Local Government area of Kebbi-State, we have Hun-Saare and
lopa languages both spoken in yauri Local Government.Yauri Local Government has
an estimated population of females and males. Females (36, 709) males (38, 209)
total population is 74, 916. they can only be found in Yauri Local Government,
they have another name they call themselves “uresha’ this name is only used by
the nature speakers.
There are diverse of
histories that has been said about the descendants or ancestor of the Gungawa
or baresha people which will be discussed later Gungawa is an adopted name for
the Bareshe people by their Hausa neighbours which means Island dwellers because
they were surrounded by water, this description by the Hausa tend to show their
geographical area. Among themselves they were known as Tsureja, Yaurawa or
Bareshe people.
The name of the
language are commonly called Gunganchi, Gunga Tsureshe, Tsureya, their land is
called ‘reshe’ or Gungun. The Gungawa people are found mostly in the northern
part of Niger State and around Islands in extreme Sokoto State a few of them
were also in Kotangora area and a recent finding also affirmed that they were
in Borgu Local Government and part of Kaunama Local government in Kwara State.
This area speaks of the corrupt forms of Gunganchi language because of the
distance to their origin for a long time.
The tribe Gungawa can
be found in some part of the northern Nigeria.for example in Southern Kebbi
State, Yauri Local Government, Western Niger State Borgu Local Government area. They can be
found as well along river banks of Niger State (North of Bussa). The Gungawa
people are original inhabitants of Yauri according to Muaza Baguda a native
speaker of the town. A descendent of a warrior called Kisira or Kachin who
allied himself with the Hausa soliders to gain territory in the extreme North
who eventuallty settled with his co-fighters in present Yauri town.
Another history was
traced to Songay warriors, who came from Mali to seek territorial control and
their eventual settlement to Yauri and part of Lopa and Lury (Gungawa
neighboring areas). According to Malafiya a native of Gungawa from Rekubolo
area of Yauri believes that the reshe (Gungawa) people came from kabuwa that
they were hunters from Kastina State, he further explained that some says that
they are from Shagana, Kambari, Kabbawa or Sarkawa, DukKawa etc from this
histories the actual place of origin is not clear end it remains debatable
among the speakers, however, the Gunganchi language has a close relatedness
with Lopa and laru people whose lexical items both share noun class and
affixes.
1.1.1 Present Gunganchi
The Gungawa called
themselves Bareshe and their languages tsureshe During the british regime, the
status of Yauri as an emirate and of Yelwa as the seat of the emir of Yauri
were confirmed. Both Yauri and Yelwa have become Hausarized as a result of
contact with the Hausa a people. The British created on emirate because of the
multi-ethnicity Yauri
However, the Gungu
district of Yauri Local Government is now the centre of the Gungawa population
the Gungawa lives in islets and shares of the niger above Bussa until the
creation of lake Kanji in 1974 which disrupted their settlement and living
outside Kebbi-State. The Gungawa people are about 40 to 60 Thousand in
population (1993). According to agmalafia about 35% lives outside Yauri Local
Government, in Kebbi State 60% lives in Yauri town 9% in kotangora Bussa and
Borgu Local Government respectively and 1% in Kiama Local Government area in
Kwara State.The population of the speakers in Yauri are referred to in Hausa as
Yaurawa or Reshewa (1900). According to queen Amina of Zaria called them
Yaurawa but generally they are called Gungawa among the Gungawa in
diaspora.They sometimes call themselves Basreshe (plural) uresha (singular).
Those that lives in riverside fields of onions and for the in canoe building
and fishing along the Niger are called Sorko or Soroko they may have been
related to the Baro of Mali, a Western made group who were professional
fishermen, however, Soroko in Niger State now means professional fishermen with
a phonological change of name Sorogo.
1.2 Socio-Linguistic Profile of The Gunganchi
Tribe
Every community has
its way of life the way people eat, what they wear, their mode of marriage,
e.t.c differ in Yauri societies. The Gunganchi people; just like every
community have their district culture and tradition Gunganchi is a language spoken
as a mother tongue in Yaun Local Government of Kebbi State. It has neighbouring
tribes like Hunsaare and Lopa and the host of Hausa and other tribes.
The Gungawa people
live a life similar to the Hausa because of the long time contract with them
only in the aspect of occupation they differ. The Bareshe people wear loose
rope to relate with friend their market is an exhibition centre were mats
canoes are sold. The Gungawa people are highly cultural people this reflects in
their greetings, clothing and bodily adornment like heavy tribal marks on the
women faces and leg tattooing during wedding ceremony.
1.2.1 Political Administration
They had to adopt the
emirate system like their nieghbouning Hausa because it is a multi ethnic area
consisting of Lopa, Yauri Yelwa, land and people that co-existed with them. The
palace of the emir is in yelwa. The British gave the recognition of Yauri
emirate Gungu (Island) district of Yauri Local Government is now the center of
fisher (Gungawa) population (Hogben 1966:225)
Succession is not by
hereditary, the emirs are appointed (the first emir of yauri is a Gungawaman)
the emir must be elderly, famous and respected among the ethnic groups. The
emir rule the territory with Local chiefs are called Sariki in area like Gungunseriki,
Toro, Banha Zamari, rekubolo, Jalubaba e.t.c
However, Local
Government chairman hold the executive function of the Yauri area new and other
Government works are executed by the Kebbi State Government. In Gunganchi
Community, they appoint an elderly and respected person as king, they come
together and turban him with white and they take a local drink called
“burukutu’ which is made from millet or Guinea com.
Clothing
Before, the present
day of westernization and civilization, the Gunganchi people clothed themselves
with animal’s skin. The animal skin is used to sew different styles, the made
skirts, shirts, trousers etc. they even went to an extent of carrying their young
ones with animal skin for instance they use the animal skin to tie their babies
at the back. But now they normally put on clothes, their men puts on barbariga’
while the women tie wrappers.
Marriage
Presently, there are
two kinds of marriage practices in Gunganchi land religion marriage (Islamic
wedding and traditional wedding) but in the older days, it was basically Islam.
Gunganchi people practice both the monogamous and the polygamous forms of
marriage. If someone gives birth to a baby girl a man visiting the birth place
can claim the girl that he is interested, so when she grows up the man and his
family/parents will farm for her parents will do every thing to please them.
Moreover, the boy
will go along with Guninea corn but no bride-price is needed but they weren’t
allowed to marry more than two wives then. The girl might be bethroted to the
boy/man at any age. During the wedding both couples will put on animal skin but
now they normally put on babanriga while the bride will tie wrappers.