In the northern Nigerian state of Kano, Muslim woman have developed a booming cottage industry in romance literature. In doing so, they face censorship and Boko Haram, but all are out to prove their literary merit and spread the message of love.
In the northern Nigerian state of Kano, Muslim woman have developed a booming cottage industry in romance literature. In doing so, they face censorship and Boko Haram, but all are out to prove their literary merit and spread the message of love.
Glenna Gordon
The genre's most high profile writer is Balaraba Ramat Yakubu. A survivor of child marriage, today she is one of most outspoken voices on the subject in Kano.
The genre's most high profile writer is Balaraba Ramat Yakubu. A survivor of child marriage, today she is one of most outspoken voices on the subject in Kano.
Glenna Gordon
Farida Ado, 27, is one of the authors whose ambitions as a writer sit in conflict with the pressures of Kano's conservative society. Her husband will allow her to work as an author, but only because she can work from home.
Farida Ado, 27, is one of the authors whose ambitions as a writer sit in conflict with the pressures of Kano's conservative society. Her husband will allow her to work as an author, but only because she can work from home.
Glenna Gordon
For good or bad, marriage is central to the themes of Hausa love literature. Novels range from didactic to fantasy, and will typically include phone numbers which readers use to contact the author for relationship advice.
For good or bad, marriage is central to the themes of Hausa love literature. Novels range from didactic to fantasy, and will typically include phone numbers which readers use to contact the author for relationship advice.
Glenna Gordon
Books are written, printed and manufactured in Kano. Covers often include iconography not dissimilar from that of the Indian subcontinent, the result of a long-held, region-wide passion for Bollywood and Indian television soaps.
Books are written, printed and manufactured in Kano. Covers often include iconography not dissimilar from that of the Indian subcontinent, the result of a long-held, region-wide passion for Bollywood and Indian television soaps.
Glenna Gordon
Women before a wedding ceremony. Local romance novels have a huge fanbase across northern Nigeria and the wide Sahel region, but as it largely remains in Hausa, the genre has not reached a wider audience.
Women before a wedding ceremony. Local romance novels have a huge fanbase across northern Nigeria and the wide Sahel region, but as it largely remains in Hausa, the genre has not reached a wider audience.
Glenna Gordon
Authors such as Rabi Talle, pictured, face many challenges, including censorship from the Hisbah -- the morality police -- and the ongoing threat of Boko Haram.
Authors such as Rabi Talle, pictured, face many challenges, including censorship from the Hisbah -- the morality police -- and the ongoing threat of Boko Haram.
Glenna Gordon
Firdausy El-yakub, pictured, has dreams of becoming an author herself. The university student has an encouraging father, who allows her to go to the local market to purchase new books.<br /><br />
Firdausy El-yakub, pictured, has dreams of becoming an author herself. The university student has an encouraging father, who allows her to go to the local market to purchase new books.
Glenna Gordon