instructor's writing board

unrecorded Hausa-Fulani artist, artist

instructor's writing board, 1980

Where object was made: Kano, Nigeria

Material/technique: ink; wood; carving

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 33.5 x 16.5 x 1 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 13 3/16 x 6 1/2 x 0 3/8 in

Credit line: Gift of Professor Beverly Mack

Accession number: 2011.0157

Not on display

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Muslim tradition strongly encourages the pursuit of knowledge and study of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.
As in many parts of Muslim Africa, Hausa children use boards like this one to learn Arabic and to memorize, write, and recite chapters of the Qur’an. The Hausa are among the oldest and largest Muslim groups in West Africa. In the Hausa language, an allo is a writing board and can be made from various types of wood, although the heavy and durable aduwa is often favored. Moreover, an allo is set aside for a special practice known as rubutun sha, in which the writing from the allo is washed off with water and poured into a cup. Some Muslim Hausa believe that drinking the water used to wipe the board will cure certain illnesses and deliver protection. Because of the baraka (blessing), the word of God will have a more powerful effect once it is internalized.