Shantu, a traditional musical instrument in Hausa culture, losing ground to modern music in Nigeria

By Adam Abu Bashal

ISTANBUL (AA) - A traditional musical instrument, shantu, which is an important part of Hausa culture in Nigeria, has fallen into obscurity with the emergence of different musical instruments and genres.

In its fourth dossier on African music, Anadolu explored the shantu, widely used in Niger, Ghana, and Nigeria.

The shantu, a percussion instrument played exclusively by women, is a rhythmic centerpiece in Hausa folk songs and dances, symbolizing both music and cultural identity.

This instrument, usually made from the stem of calabash or a similar plant, has a powerful and impressive sound despite its simple structure.

In Hausa society, the sound of the shantu still echoes in many events, from weddings to social celebrations.

Mariam Yusuf-Kabara, 65, retired from the Kano State Bureau of Nigerian Historical Culture, told Anadolu that the shantu is an important instrument among women belonging to the Hausa community.

Yusuf-Kabara explained that in the past, a bride coming to her new home would definitely bring a shantu with her to use for entertainment purposes. “The must-have thing in every bride's dowry was the shantu. Since there were no televisions or radios in the houses, they used to entertain themselves with shantu. Women used to play it while singing at home.”

Pointing out that today the cultural significance of shantu is almost forgotten, Yusuf-Kabara said: “Today, especially young girls living in cities and towns do not know shantu, only girls in the villages know it. This is a sad situation.”

Yusuf-Kabara said that new music styles and technological devices have replaced shantu with the effect of modernization and said: “Now, instead of playing shantu at weddings, DJs are called and they play today's songs.”

With the emergence of different musical instruments and genres, the shantu is a “lost cultural heritage” especially for girls living in the city, she said, adding that younger generations do not recognize this valuable instrument.

*Writing by Efe Ozkan