ABSTRACT
The Hausas have been fighting during the whole period of their history, so it is only to be expected that they have many magical practices connected with war. But, strange to say, hardly any pagan rite is now known, and the people seem to trust in Mohammedan charms and laiyas. Perhaps this is due to the fact that they were conquered by the Mohammedan Filani, for in that respect, at any rate, the verses from the Koran were more concerned with victory than were the pagan medicines. Before a war, the highest officers ate an albino if available, the flesh being cut up into small pieces. This was a local custom, in all probability, for sacrificial flesh was always distributed, as we have seen, and the custom of summoning men by sending them pieces of meat is as well known in West Africa to-day as it was to the Israelites in the days of Samuel. 1 As has been observed amongst so many other peoples, war was a sacred function, and the tabus upon the warriors resemble those imposed upon the pilgrims during the Ziara. Rites for the success of the expedition were performed by the Uban Yaki (Father of War), or by a priest, and it is now impossible to ascertain what these were, but those for individual safety in battle were no doubt to a great extent the same as those employed for self-preservation in the house. Some have been described already; here are a few more.
