Every Almajiri must own a voters card and this is used to negotiate with politicians during election - Twitter user explains how Almajiri system works in the North

In a recent Twitter thread that has garnered significant attention, user @Abu_Yaaseer addressed the complexities of the Almajiri system, emphasizing the often-overlooked realities faced by children involved in this traditional educational practice. With over 466,000 views, his posts have sparked a critical discussion about the implications of this system in Nigeria. Abu Yaaseer began by highlighting that many people misunderstand the Almajiri system, asserting, once the father drops the boy(s) with the Mallam, thats the end. He explained that the term "Almajiri" comes from the Arabic word "Al-Muhajeer," meaning "one who travels to seek knowledge." However, he clarified that the experience can vary widely from child to child, though he believes that his insights are at least 80% accurate. He introduced a hypothetical scenario involving Mr. A, a peasant farmer with multiple children. Mr. A, facing overcrowding in his home, decides to "declutter" by sending his sons away. With a recent bumper harvest providing some financial relief, he prepares to send them to a Mallam for training, believing that the girls can soon be married off and that the boys need to "go." The thread detailed how Mr. A travels with his sons to a distant location, often crossing regional boundaries, and packs their few belongings along with foodstuffs intended to sustain the Mallam and his own children. After dropping them off, however, Abu Yaaseer poignantly noted, Not a grain of the rice enters the mouth of the boy(s). In fact, their clothes that appear new are kept aside for Mallam's children. Once left with the Mallam, the boys lose all contact with their families. Immediately upon arrival, they are sent out to beg for alms, a practice he termed "bara." According to Abu Yaaseer, these children often do not learn the religious education intended for them; he stated, An Almajiri with 5 years of experience will not be able to tell you simple Fiqh of Wudhu/Salah, despite their structured schedule of learning and begging. He outlined their daily routine: sleeping under the Mallams house, waking for morning prayers and lessons, begging throughout the day, and assisting the Mallams family with errands. He pointed out that any money or goods earned through begging must be given to the Mallam, with severe repercussions for non-compliance. As he concluded the first part of his thread, Abu Yaaseer noted, I think this is getting too long so Id like to stop here as the aim of the thread seems to have been achieved to the best of my knowledge. Following up shortly after, he promised a continuation, mentioning that he wanted to clarify the intent behind the discussion. He expressed concern about the portrayal of the Almajiri system, asking, If today CNN, BBC or Al Jazeera decides to visit Northern Nigeria to get a better understanding of ALMAJIRANCI, is it the INTENT you talk about that they will meet or the PRACTICE in my thread? Abu Yaaseer also introduced two concepts, "Kudin Laraba" and "Katin Zabe," which further complicate the Almajiri system. Kudin Laraba refers to the mandatory contributions every Almajiri must bring to the Mallam, while Katin Zabe denotes the requirement for every Almajiri to possess a voters card, which is submitted to the Mallam for political negotiation during elections. He tweeted; "This Almajiri system isn't understood by alot of people o. I hope you guys know that once the father drops the boy(s) with the Mallam that's the end? I hope una know? Abi make i do thread?""First off, the word 'Almajiri' was coined from an Arabic word 'Al-Muhajeer' the one who travels(to seek knowledge). Secondly, because I'd be using a scenario it might vary from person to person but information is at least 80% correct/same.""Mr A(the father of the boy) is a peasant farmer with a wife(or 2) and between 5-10 children under 10. He needs to 'declutter' to accommodate for additional children/wife(ves) because the 2 rooms he and his family occupies is now congested.""The girls can be married off now/soon so they aren't the problem, the boys however can't marry yet and they need to 'go'. He has just done a bumper harvest so small change dey to marry, birth new children and get foodstuff for the Mallam that will 'train' his boy(s).""So he decides to take them far away, this could be international in some cases but mostly inter-region(usually across NE & NW). He packs the few clothes the boy(s) have and foodstuff that is quite heavy (intended to feed Mallam alongside his boys).""Then heads to Maiduguri from Sokoto (example), in most cases he will have decided the destination Madrasah/Mallam. Please note that nobody ever takes their kids to the same state and that explains the 'born throway' intention.""Drops the boys with Mallam and the foodstuff. Not a grain of the rice enters the mouth of the boy(s). Infact their clothes that appear new are kept aside for Mallam's children. Then he returns home to have more children/wife(ves) and the cycle continues.""Totally loses contact with the kids and in most cases the Mallam himself. On the same day the boys arrive they will go for 'bara' (begging). There are team leads to tag along with so learning the ropes isn't a problem.""Now do these kids learn the deen as was the original plan? I'm afraid the answer is NO. An Almajiri with 5yrs experience will not be able to tell you simple Fiqh of Wudhu/Salah yet they learn after Fajr, after Asr and after Ishai.""Their routine? Sleep under the shed in front of Mallam's house Wake up for Fajr and then karatu(learning) Go out for bara(begging) Come back at Asr for karatu Return to beg And retire at night. That's not all..""They take turns to help Mallam and his family run errands and do chores and guess what? When they get GOOD money, clothes, food from begging then it's mandatory to bring ti home to Mallam and his family. Woe betide you the day they find out you are not complying.""I think this is getting too long so I'd like to stop here as the aim of the thread seem to have been achieved to the best of my knowledge. Whew! 13 Finito!""Part 2 loading... They are threatening their Daddy""In continuation... I'd like to first state clearly that the idea behind this thread was as a result of an online discussion which I believe should shed light on some grey areas. I categorically asked my mutuals before proceeding seeing that this is a sensitive topic.""So in response, I decided to do a thread on the PRACTICE not the INTENT of the Almajiri scheme. So as a caveat I'd like to acknowledge that the intent was to get an unfamiliar face AKA iron hand to help raise the boy child to be responsible.""This is akin to some of us going to boarding house or secondary schools like NMS, Zaria. This brings me to my challenge question...""If today CNN, BBC or Aljazeera decides to visit Northern Nigeria to get a better understanding of ALMAJIRANCI, is it the INTENT you talk about that they will meet or the PRACTICE in my thread? Please answer with the fear of God.""Moving on, there are concepts I excluded initially which are; KUDIN LARABA & KATIN ZABE. These 2 concepts are the reason I believe it will be difficult to abolish ALMAJIRANCI.""Kudin Laraba literally means WEDNESDAY MONEY. This is the returns that every Almajiri is expected to bring to Mallam. Based on age and experience as well as areas covered, every Almajiri has a target amount to remit on Wednesdays. So if you like steal, target must complete.""KATIN ZABE is unfortunately the elephant in the room which literally means voters card. EVERY Almajiri irrespective of age must have a VOTERS CARD. These voters card are usually submitted to Mallam, who will in turn use it to negotiate with politicians during elections."The post Every Almajiri must own a voters card and this is used to negotiate with politicians during election - Twitter user explains how Almajiri system works in the North appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.