A HAUSA
BOTANICAL VOCABULARY
BY
JOHN M. DALZIEL, M.D., B.Sc., D.T.M.
West African Medical Staff
T. FISHER UNWIN LTD.
LONDON: ADELPHI TERRACE
_First published in 1916._
(_All rights reserved_)
A HAUSA
BOTANICAL VOCABULARY
=A=
=abakuru=, a food made from the ground-bean; _vide_ under =kwaruru=.
=abantoko=, a var. of =dawa= _q.v._
=abawa=, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=abduga= or =auduga=, indigenous species of Gossypium
(Malvaceæ)—G. peruvianum, Cav. G. punctatum, Sch. et
Thon. G. obtusifolium, Roxb. G. arboreum, L. with varieties,
hybrids and other introduced species. The Cotton Plant or raw
cotton. Syn. =kaḍa= (Sok.). Varieties known in different districts
are:—_ba ka tuka_, or _ba tuka_, _ya tabshi_, _ya tsauri_, or
_ya ḳarifi_, _kwanta Ali da zugu_, _Ba-Gwandare_, _yar gari_
(G. obtusifolium, var. africana, Watt.), _gwundi_ (G. peruvianum
var. with red leaf veins), _chukwi_, _laḅayi_ (G. punctatum), and
_kanawa_ or _matan kanawa_ (G. arboreum, L. var. sanguinea, Watt.);
the leaves of the last or of _gwundi_ are used for making a red dye
for thread. _guriya_ (Sok.), _anguriya_ (Kano), or _yan guriya_
= cotton seed; _sutu_ or _subtu_ = cotton freed from the seed by
crushing with a stone and roller and pulled by hand before carding
with the _masaḅi_ or _bakan shiḅa_ (cotton carding bow); _saḅi_
or _shiḅa_ = carded cotton; _zare_ = thinly plied cotton thread,
used chiefly for the warp, and sometimes for warp and weft; _abawa_
(Kano), or _bartake_ (Sok.) = thicker loosely plied thread used for
the weft; (the coarse cloth _goddo_, or _nuru_ (East Hausa), woven on
a vertical loom in broad strips and with a fringe, has _abawa_ in warp
and weft); _waḍari_ = cotton yarn ready for weaving; _fari_ (Kano)
= woven cotton strips; _zugu_ (Sok.) = cotton strips in a roll (=
_kunkurun fari_, Kano); _sawaye_ (Sok.) = the same unrolled; _taḅe_
(Sok.), or _chin aduga_ (Kano) = to pluck cotton out of the pod.
=abokin kibiya=, a tall grass used for arrow-shafts; _vide_
=ḳyamro=.
=aburu=, a grass used for food; _vide_ =iburu=.
=acha=, Digitaria exilis, Stapf. (Paspalum exile, Kipp.) (Gramineæ);
a small grass cultivated as a cereal in several Hausa provinces,
in Bornu, and by many pagan tribes. Syn. =intaya= (Sok. Kamberi,
Kamuku, &c.), “Hungry Rice”. _cf._ also =tumbin jaki=.
=a chi da gero=, =a chi da kara=, =a chi da nono=, vars. of Guinea
Corn; _vide_ under =dawa=.
=aduruku=, Newbouldia lævis, Sun. (Bignoniaceæ); a tall slender
tree with handsome purple flowers; often planted around native
compounds. Syn. =ba reshe?=
=aduwa=, Balanites ægyptiaca, Del. (Simarubeæ). “Desert Date”;
a thorny tree common in the north, deciduous but with evergreen
branches, bifoliate leaves and yellow bitter-sweet fruit; its gum =
_ḳaron aduwa_; the seeds yield “Oil of Betu” (Kanuri, _bito_);
_dabagira_ = flowers of _aduwa_, boiled and eaten with _daudawa_,
_q.v._ salt and pepper; _kaikwaiyo_ (Sok. Kano, &c.) = the kernel,
sold as a medicine. Fruit edible; a common ingredient in fish-poison.
=ago= or =agu= (Gwari); a fish-poison, prepared usually from Tephrosia
Vogelii (_cf._ =baina=, _vide_ under =majimfa=); sometimes from the
pods of Cassia spp. (_vide_ =gamma faḍa=, &c.); _cf._ =aduwa=.
=agugu=, a native drug; the rhizome of a fern used for tapeworm;
probably = “Male Fern” (Nephrodium Filix-mas); not indigenous;
brought chiefly from Adamawa.
=agushi=, the seeds of a var. of the Water Melon, Citrullus vulgaris
(_vide_ =guna=); chewed raw or used in soup.
=aguwa= _vide_ =ḳaguwa=.
=akiye= or =akwiye=, the seeds of =kiriya=, _q.v._
=akwalu= (Kano and East), Trochomeria sp. (Cucurbitaceæ); a wild
twiner with a large tuberous root, edible when cooked. Syn. =basko=,
or =basgo= (West Sokoto).
=akwuya=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._
=alale=, Blighia sapida, Koenig (Sapindaceæ). “Akee apple”; a
tree found in the southern provinces, with red capsular fruit; the
spongy white aril around the seeds is edible. (?Nupé _ella_ = the
name of the fruit). In Hausa generally called =Gwanja kusa=, _q.v._
=alambo=, Sesbania leptocarpa, DC. (Leguminosæ); a slender
branched tree with yellow flowers and narrow jointed pods, common on
river-banks. (Kanuri, _paiya paiya_). Other species are included,
e.g. S. aculeata, Pers. S. ægyptiaca, Poir, &c.; _cf._ also
=sasabani= and =zamarke=.
=alayafu=, Amaranthus caudatus, L. (Amaranthaceæ). Native spinage;
an excellent cultivated vegetable; a red variety resembles the
ornamental plant “Love-lies-bleeding.” =farin alayafu=, Celosia
argentea, L. (Amaranthaceæ); an erect weed of fields, 1 to 2 feet
high, with pink and silvery flowering spike, not cultivated but used
as a pot-herb.
=albasa=, Allium Cepa, Willd. (Liliaceæ). The onion. Two varieties
are distinguished, viz. _guda_ (Kano), or _gudaji_ (Sok.), the common
bulbous onion; and _shafa_ (Kano), _safa_ (Sok.), the spring onion;
_lawashi_ or _gabu_ (Sok.) = onion leaves pounded and dried, sold
in the form of balls and used in soup. _cf._ =tafarnuwa=.
=albasar kura=, Urginea nigritiana, Bak. (Liliaceæ), and other
common bulbous plants growing wild.
=albasar kwaḍi=, Crinum yuccæflorum, Salisb. (Amaryllideæ); a
common plant of damp places, with an umbel of large lily-like flowers,
white with a purple stripe. (Other species are included and the names
of this and the last are commonly confused.) The scarlet-flowered
Hæmanthus rupestris, Bak. (Amaryllideæ), “Blood Flower”,
bears the same name.
=algarif=, the seeds of the “Common” or “Garden Cress,”
Lepidium sativum, Linn. _vide_ =labsur=; sold as a medicine; a red
variety =algaru ja= in small masses, and a black variety usually
loose; preparations are made for external and internal use.
=alhaji=, Ærua tomentosa, Forst. (Amaranthaceæ); an erect plant
with hoary white leaves and flowers. (Etym. from the completely
white habit, but the name like =Ba-Fillatani=, _q.v._ is probably
applied to other white plants). More generally known as =furfura ta
gyatumi=, _q.v._
=alibida=, _vide_ =alubada=.
=aliliba=, Cordia abyssinica, R. Br. (Boragineæ); a tree with
broad leaves, white flowers, and sweet yellow berries used in making
_allewa_, &c.
=aliyara=, _vide_ =ḳaguwa=.
=alkama=, Triticum sativum, Lam. sub-race T. vulgare, Vill. “Common
Wheat;” or T. compositum, Linn. “Mummy,” “Miracle” or
“Egyptian Wheat;” grown chiefly in the north on river-banks
with irrigation. _taliya_, a sort of macaroni made from _alkama_
flour; _gurasa_, a sort of native wheaten bread; _punkaso_ (Kano), or
_fankaso_, wheaten cakes fried in oil. The following are delicacies
made from _alkama_:—_dashishi_, cakes like _masa_ but made with
honey-water; _sunasar_, a preparation of wheat with meat and butter;
_tuwon ḅaure_ = _tuwo_ made with finely ground wheat and butter
instead of water.
=alkaman tururuwa=, Spermacoce stachydea, DC. (Rubiaceæ); a common
weed eaten by goats, &c. (Etym. _tururuwa_, a species of social
harvesting ant).
=alubada= or =alibida=, Carpodinus hirsuta, Hua (Apocynaceæ);
a woody climber; one of the rubber vines in the south.
=amai mussa= (Sok.), Eragrostis major, Hochst. (Gramineæ); a grass
with an unpleasant smell. (Etym. “cat’s vomit”). Syn. =buddari=
(Sok.), _q.v_, and =bunsurun fadama= (Katsina and East).
=amara=, Tacca involucrata, Sch. et Thon. (Taccaceæ); a wild
perennial herb with an edible tuber; cultivated in some districts,
chiefly by Fulani; in the Benué district gathered wild and sold in
the form of a starchy meal. (The same as “South Sea arrowroot” of
the Sandwich and Society Islands). _vide_ also under =giginyar biri=.
=anguriya=, cotton seed, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=anza= (Sok. Kats. &c.), =hanza= (Gobir), Boscia angustifolia,
A. Rich. (Capparideæ); a pale-leaved shrub; the berries are edible
and sometimes the bark is prepared with cereals as a food similarly
to the plant =bagayi=, _q.v._ hence also called =anza rashin bagayi=;
including also the broader-leaved B. senegalensis, Lam. cf. =zayi=.
=arakke= (Sok.), _vide_ =rake=; Saccharum officinarum, L. one of
the two species of sugar-cane.
=ararabi=, _vide_ =hano=.
=ataras=, a var. of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.
=atillis=, a tree, the nut of which yields an oil used medicinally
as food, &c. Canarium Schweinfurthii, Engl. (Burseraceæ). “African
Elemi Tree.”
=auduga=, _vide_ =abduga=.
=awarwaro=, Ipomœa aquatica, Forsk. (Convolvulaceæ); a prostrate
purple-flowered convolvulus with hastate leaves, in muddy and marshy
places; (loosely applied to other species of convolvulus). Syn. =furen
gyado= (because the roots are eaten by wart-hog).
=aya=, Cyperus esculentus, L. the “Tiger Nut” or “Rush Nut;”
a sedge, cultivated for its small edible tuber.
=aya aya=, Cyperus rotundus, L. (Cyperaceæ); a common wild sedge
with edible slightly fragrant tuberous root. Syn. =giri giri= (Sok.);
_vide_ also =ḍan Tunuga=. Other wild sedges, e.g. Cyp. Fenzelianus,
Steud., &c. are included.
=ayaba=, Musa sapientum, L. (Scitamineæ); the Banana. Musa
paradisiaca, L. the Plantain. =ayabar daji=, Musa sp. a wild species
with astringent pulp and black stony seeds.
=ayana=, Vitis Thonningii, Baker, Vitis gracilis, Baker, and other
species (Ampelideæ); species of wild vines with small berries. From
the acidity of the leaves they are also called =yakuwar fatake=
or =y. mahalba=. _vide_ also =buḍa yau=.
=B=
=ba-anguri=, a variety of =gero=, _q.v._
=baba=, =b. rini=, or =b. kore=; Indigo plant; chiefly Indigofera
arrecta, Hochst. and other cultivated species of Indigofera
(Leguminosæ); I. tinctoria, Linn. I. Anil, Linn., &c. _cf._
=talaki=. _kwosusu_ = the second crop of =baba=, said to be the
better; _shuni_ = prepared indigo, the extracted blue dye-stuff,
usually sold in cones or small masses and not used in dye-pits;
_shuḍi_ = cloth or thread dyed blue; _tamaseki_ = a sort of
home-made indigo prepared by women, from =baba= in pots.
=baba hun= (nasal =baba hm=), Gynura cernua, Benth. (Compositæ);
a common weed with purple flowers and lyrate leaves; used in soup, &c.
=babar fadama=, Indigofera sp. wild species growing in damp places.
=babar giwa= (Hadeija, &c.), _vide_ =bushi=.
=babar more= (Sok.), Ambrosia maritima, Linn. (Compositæ); an
aromatic plant, 1 to 2 feet high, with divided leaves, resembling
Wormwood. Syn. =bababa= (from its common occurrence in indigo fields);
also called =babar talak= and =tutubidi= (Sok.).
=baba rodo=, Rogeria adenophylla, J. Gay (Pedaliaceæ); an erect
plant with broad leaves, purple tubular flowers and viscid sap. Also
called =loda= (Sok.), but cf. =dafara=.
=babar talaki=, Lonchocarpus cyanescens,
Benth. (Leguminosæ). “Yoruba Wild Indigo.” _vide_ =talaki=
and cf. =farin sansami=.
=babar tamau=, Indigofera arrecta, Hochst. and other spp. wild or
escaped from cultivation.
=babba juji=, =b. jibji=; 1. In Sokoto and Katsina = Datura Metel,
Linn. (Solanaceæ), the “Hairy Thorn Apple.” Syn. =zaḳami=,
_q.v._ 2. Elsewhere usually = Boerhaavia adscendens,
Willd. (Nyctagineæ), a common prostrate weed of rubbish heaps
&c. with small pink flowers; also called =sarikin juji= _q.v._
=bădo=, Nymphæa Lotus, Willd. (Nymphæaceæ). White Water-lily;
the starchy rhizome and seeds are edible. (Other species are
N. guineensis, Sch. and Thonn. with white flowers; N. Heudelotii,
Planch. and N. cœrulea, Sav. with purplish flowers), _vide_
=kwankwarita=.
=Ba-Fillatani=, Heliotropium undulatum, Vahl. (Boragineæ); a small
weed with white flowers. (Similar names are however loosely applied
to other plants with pale foliage; e.g. the grass =karani=, _q.v._
and _cf._ =alhaji=.)
=bafuri=, _vide_ under =balbela=.
=bagaruwa= (Kano, Sok., &c.), or =gabaruwa= (Zaria), Acacia arabica,
Willd. (Leguminosæ). “Egyptian Mimosa.” Indian “Babool.” An
acacia with yellow flower-balls and jointed pods—“Sant pods”
or “Gambia pods”—used all over the Sudan for tanning; also
used in making a black dye for leather, called _kuloko_, _q.v._
The original source of true gum arabic. (Etym. the first name is a
metathetic form of the synonym =gaba ruwa=.)
=bagaruwar ḳassa=, Cassia mimosoides, L. (Leguminosæ); a common
weed with yellow flowers and pinnate leaves.
=bagaruwar Makka=, _vide_ =zogalagandi=.
=ba gashi=? (Kontagora), _vide_ under =sheḳani=.
=bagayi=, Cadaba farinosa, Forsk. (Capparideæ); a small-leaved
hoary shrub of scrambling habit. The leaves and twigs are
mixed with cereals to form a sort of pudding or cake common
in East Hausa and Bornu, called _parsa_ (Kanuri), _baleno_, or
_tsawa_. Syn. =balambo=. N.B. This plant is confused with =anza=,
_q.v._ and in some localities (Katagum, &c.) called by the latter
name.
=Ba-Gwandare= (or =bugundare=); 1. a var. of cotton, _vide_ under
=abduga=. 2. A var. of =dawa=, _q.v._ (from =Gwandara=, the name of
a tribe).
=baina=, 1. A grass with edible seeds. Syn. =baya=, _q.v._ 2. The
fish-poison prepared from Tephrosia Vogelii, _vide_ under =majimfa=.
=ba-jini=, Afrormosia sp. (Leguminosæ); a tree with pale leaves
and flat pods. (Etym. from the red resinous bark). Syn. =jina jina=.
=ba ka tuka= or =ba tuka=, a var. of cotton, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=baḳin bunnu= (Katagum), Indigofera pulchra, Vahl. (Leguminosæ);
a small undershrub with stiff stems, sometimes mixed with thatching
grass. (The name is probably applied to other species so used.)
=bakin kada=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._
=bakin mutum= (Sok.), Pleioceras sp. (Apocynaceæ); a shrub with milky
juice and long slender pods. Syn. =bakin mayu=, =sandan mayu= (these
names refer to mystical uses in divination, &c.); also =gamma sanwa=
(or =g. sauwa=), from the forked peduncle with 3 or 4 developing
carpels resembling the tripod stove for a cooking-pot = _sanwa_. (? =
Holarrhena Wulfsbergii, Stapf).
=bakin raḳumi=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._ Syn. =ḳerama=, and
=mallen kabi=.
=bakin suda=, Polycarpæa corymbosa, Lam. (Caryophylleæ); a small
wild herb with whitish chaffy flowers; scarcely distinguished from
=magudiya=, _q.v._ (_suda_ is the name of a bird).
=balagandi=, _vide_ under =rawaya=.
=balambo=, _vide_ under =bagayi=.
=balasa=, or =balasaya=, Commelyna nudiflora, Linn. (Commelynaceæ);
a “spiderwort,” a weed of pastures and waste places, with delicate
azure-blue flowers; gathered as cattle fodder. Syn. =kununguru=
(East Hausa).
=balbela=, Pulicaria crispa, Clarke (Compositæ); a white-leaved
weed with yellow flowers. (Etym. the name of the white padi
bird.) Syn. =bafuri=, and =fara saura=, _q.v._
=baleno=, _vide_ under =bagayi=.
=bambami= (Kontagora, &c.), Alchornea cordata, Benth. (Euphorbiaceæ);
a tall woody climber in ravines.
=bambamko= (East Hausa), _vide_ =falfoli=.
=bambana=, the flowering spike of =shalla=, _q.v._ a tall bulrush
of marshes.
=bambus= (East Hausa), a variety of Water-Melon; _vide_ =guna=.
=barabutu=, a corruption of “Bread-fruit” (Artocarpus incisa);
a name used by Hausas in Lagos, &c.
=barambo= (Gobir). Syn. =zogalagandi=, _q.v._
=ḅarankachi= or =ḅaranchaki=, Canavalia ensiformis, DC. “Sword
Bean.” “Overlook Bean” of the West Indies. A large climbing
bean common about native houses; not much eaten by Hausas; ripe
pods used as a rattle by children. Syn.? =ladiko=, _q.v._ _vide_
also =waken Ankwa=. =ḍan zago= (Kano), is a red-seeded variety of
the same. (Etym. _chăki_ = a rattle).
=barbaji= (East Hausa), Randia nilotica, Stapf (Rubiaceæ); a thorny
shrub or small tree found in the north. Syn. =tsibra= or =tsura=
(Sok.).
=ḅare=, half a kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.
=ba reshe=? (Kontagora). Syn. =aduruku=, _q.v._
=barkono=, Capsicum frutescens, Bl. (Solanaceæ). “Shrubby
Capsicum,” “Spur Pepper,” &c., and C. annum,
Linn. “Chillies” or “Red Pepper,” &c. Synonyms and
varieties are:—_tanka_ or _tankwa_ (Sok.) = _toshshi_ or _twashshi_
(Sok. Gobir and Zanfara), small red peppers; _tsidufu_ = the smallest
and hottest peppers; _bunsurun barkono_, a small spherical variety;
_tatasai_ (Sok. and Kats.) or _tugandai_ (Kano, &c.) = large and
less pungent chillies. _vide_ also =filfil=.
=barkonon biri=, Cephalandra sp. (Cucurbitaceæ); a wild twiner
with scarlet fruit having a superficial resemblance to capsicum;
not edible.
=barmatabo= (Katagum, &c.), Merremia pentaphylla,
Hall. f. (Convolvulaceæ); a convolvulus of fences, &c. with digitate
leaves and white flowers. =namijin barmatabo=, Ipomœa pilosa, Sweet
(Convolvulaceæ). Syn. =yako= (Sok. and Kats.); a coarse-leaved
convolvulus or “Morning Glory,” with blue or purple flowers,
common on fences. (The native names include several species.)
=ḅarna chiki= or =ḅata wandon Buzu=, a species of edible bean
over-indulgence in which causes unpleasant effects.
=bartake=, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=ba ruwana=, Salix sp. (Salicaceæ). Willow; found along the banks
of rivers. (Etym. from the treacherous yielding of the branches when
grasped by a drowning person). Syn. =rimni= (Sok.).
=ba samu= (Sok. and Zanfara). Syn. =hano= (Sok. and Kats.), and
=ararabi=, _q.v._ Boswellia odorata, Hutch. and Boswellia Dalzielii,
Hutch. (Burseraceæ). (The two species are scarcely distinguished
under the different native names). Species of “Frankincense
Tree,” with pale parchment-like bark and white flowers; yielding
a fragrant resin.
=basgo= or =basko=, a tuber, _vide_ under =akwalu=.
=ḅata wandon Buzu=, _vide_ =ḅarna chiki=.
=ba tuka=, a variety of cotton, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=Ba-Ude=, a variety of bean, _vide_ under =wake=, and =ḍan Uda=.
=bauje=, an Asclepiad plant with milky juice and a
turnip-like edible tuber; probably Xysmalobium Heudelotianum,
Decne. (Asclepiadeæ). Syn.? =rojiya=; cf. also =saniya= and =daiyo=.
=bauji= (East Hausa), Acacia Sieberiana, DC. (Leguminosæ). Syn. =fara
ḳaya=, _q.v._
=baurairai=, Gloriosa superba, L. (Liliaceæ); a climbing lily with
splendid crimson and yellow flowers and a tuberous root. Syn. =gatarin
kurege= (Sok.), and =gudumar zomo= (Kano and East), from the shape
of the versatile stamens.
=ḅaure=, Ficus gnaphalocarpa, A. Rich. (Urticaceæ). Rough-leaved
fig-tree, with edible figs. =ḅauren fadama=, =ḅ. rafi= &c. =
various spp. of Ficus, large broad-leaved trees of ravines; _farin
ḅaure_, _vide_ =uwar yara=. _lubiya_ or _rubiya_ = edible figs
of _ḅaure_ and other spp. of Ficus (_vide_ =durumi=, =cheḍiya=,
=gamji=).
=ḅauren kiyashi=; 1. Chrozophora Senegalensis,
A. Juss. (Euphorbiaceæ); a common weed used
medicinally. Syn. =damaigi=, _q.v._ (_kiyashi_ = a species of
ant). 2. A species of fig-tree (Ficus sp.).
=baushe=, Terminalia sp. nr. T. macroptera, G. et P. (Combretaceæ);
a large tree with flat winged fruits. Bows and walking-sticks are made
from the roots. (More than one species is included, e.g. T. Elliotii,
Engl. and Diels. T. Baumannii, Engl. and Diels. T. avicennioides,
Guill. et Per.).
=bawu=, _vide_ under =shinkafa=.
=baya= (Katag. and East), =baina= (Kano), Panicum albidulum,
Kunth. (Gramineæ); a wild grass with an edible grain used as food,
common in East Hausa. Syn. =saḅe=, and ?=garaji=, _q.v._
=bayama= (Kontagora, &c.), Swartzia madagascariensis,
Oliv. (Leguminosæ); a tree of the Cassia tribe, with white flowers
and cylindrical pods; (probably including other species, cf. =bogo
zage=, =gamma faḍa=, &c.).
=bayan mariya=, Andropogon ceresiæformis, Nees. (Gramineæ); a
common bush grass much used for thatch. (Etym. “cob’s back,”
from its russet colour when mature).
=bazaḳa= (Gobir). Syn. =zaḳo=, a var. of bean; _vide_ under
=wake=.
=Ba-Zanfare= (Katagum, &c.), Cassia occidentalis,
L. (Leguminosæ). Syn. =rai ḍore=, _q.v._
=bazana= (Zaria and Kano), Commiphora Kerstingii,
Engl. (Burseraceæ). Syn. =dali=, _q.v._ a tree with green smooth
bark, planted around native compounds.
=bazaume= or =bazarme= (a corruption of =Ba-Zabarme=); a var. of
=gero=, _q.v._
=bidi=, 1. a var. of earth-nut; _vide_ under =gujiya=. 2. A speckled
var. of bean; _vide_ under =wake=.
=bijaje= (Ful.), Ficus sp. nr. F. populifolia, Vahl. (Urticaceæ);
a fig-tree with pale bark and drooping branches, found on rocky
hills in Yola province, &c., said to be an ingredient in arrow-poison.
=bi ni da zugu=, or =chi ni da zugu=, Jatropha Curcas,
L. (Euphorbiaceæ). “Purging Nut;” “Physic Nut,” &c. A
soft-wooded shrub with broad leaves, commonly planted as a hedge;
one of the less important oil-seeds; seeds used in native medicine
(_vide_ =kufi=). (Etym. from the purging property and the suggested
necessity of being prepared with grave-cloth).
=bi ni zwei zwei= (=bi ta zei zei=); a native medicine
used by youths as a love-charm, &c., hard shining seeds of a
plant—Nat. Ord. Acanthaceæ. (Etym. haste or eagerness in following
the object of desire.)
=bishiya=, pl. =bishiyoyi=, generic for tree.
=bi ta ka tsira=, Vangueria Dalzielii, Hutch. (Rubiaceae);
a shrub with globular berries; used medicinally. (The name is
probably applied to several plants supposed to act as antidotes to
arrow-poison—_makarin dafi_, _q.v._).
=biya rana= or =bi rana=, Crotalaria obovata, Don. (Leguminosæ);
a yellow-flowered undershrub with inflated pods. (Etym. similar to
“heliotrope,” from the expanding of the leaf-surfaces towards the
sun). _b. awaki_, or _geḍar awaki_, _gujiyar awaki_, _hudar awaki_,
are names given to various species of Crotalaria, used as fodder;
_vide_ =geḍar awaki=.
=bogo zage= (Zanfara), Swartzia madagascariensis, Oliv. and other
species (Leguminosæ); a tree with long cylindrical pods used to
stupefy fish. _vide_ =ago=. Syn. =gwazkiya=, and cf. =gamma faḍa=,
and =bayama=.
=bubuchi= (Sok.), Panicum interruptum, Willd. (Gramineæ); a grass
of marshes and rivers, 2 or more feet high, with long narrow green
flowering spike.
=bubukuwa= or =sabko bubukuwa=, Tripogon minimus, Hochst. a small
tufted grass. (Etym. from its habitat where the pelican is supposed
to alight, and supposed to be the earliest grass of spring).
=buḍa yau=, the same as =ayana= or =yakuwar fatake=, _q.v._ and
perhaps other plants with acid leaves which are used to relieve
thirst; (_yau_ = saliva).
=buddari=, Eragrostis major, Hochst. (Gramineæ); a grass about 1
to 2 feet high, with an unpleasant smell. Syn. =amai mussa=, _q.v._
and =bunsurun fadama=. (Etym. _buddari_, a malodorous animal).
=bugundare= (a corruption of _Ba-Gwandare_), a var. of cotton and
a var. of Guinea Corn.
=bundin kurege=, _vide_ =wutsiyar kurege=.
=bununi=, the exserted stamens of any grass; most commonly applied
to =gero= and =dawa=.
=bunsuru=, a synonym for =burtuntuna=, _q.v._
=bunsurun daji=, a name applied to more than one species of rough
grass, e.g. Heteropogon contortus, R. and S. (“Wild oats”),
and others.
=buran jaki=, _vide_ under =gwazar giwa=.
=buran kare=, _vide_ under =ḳwododon kwaḍo=. (The name is also
used for certain fungi).
=buran zaki=, Cucumis metuliferus,
E. Hey. (Cucurbitaceæ). Syn. =nonon kura=, _q.v._
=burburwa= (Sok., &c.), Eragrostis tremula, Hochst. (Gramineæ);
a wild grass about 2 feet high; an excellent fodder; seeds eaten
in scarcity. Syn. =komaya= (Kano, &c.). _burburwar fadama_,
_komaya ta fadama_, Eragrostis biformis, Kunth. and perhaps other
species; grasses 2 to 4 feet high in meadows, &c. _vide_ also under
=tsintsiya=.
=burtuntuna=, Ustilago sp. a smut fungus which affects the fruiting
_dawa_, forming a black powder; also called =bunsuru=.
=burugu= (Sok.), Panicum stagninum, Koen. (Gramineæ); a grass whose
growth chokes up swampy streams; a good fodder; the soft juicy stems
are sucked or made into sugar-water.
=burungu=, unhusked rice. Syn. =shanshera=; _vide_ under =shinkafa=.
=ḅurzu=, Vernonia Perottetii, Sch. Bip. (Compositæ); a weed of
cultivated fields, with blue thistle-like flowers. =ḅurzun ḍinya=
= the stone of the fruit of =ḍinya=, _q.v._
=bushi= (Sok.), Bergia suffruticosa, Fenzl. (Elatineæ); a low
heath-like plant, used medicinally. Syn. =babar giwa= (Hadeija, &c.).
=buta=, one of the varieties of the “Bottle-gourd;” _vide_
under =duma=.
=bututu=, the narrow end of some forms of the “Bottle-gourd”
used as a blowing-horn; _vide_ under =duma=.
=C=
=chauchaka=? (Zanfara), Capparis tomentosa; _vide_
=ḳabdodo=.
=checheko=, _vide_ =zamarke=.
=cheḍiya=, Ficus Thonningii, Blume (Urticaceæ); a very common tree
with dark green foliage and small figs; much planted as a shade tree.
=cheyi=, a fibre, _vide_ under =yawa=.
=chichiwa= (Sok.), Mærua angolensis, DC. (Capparideæ); a small
tree with white flowers and elongated beaded fruit.
=chi ni da zugu=, _vide_ =bi ni da zugu=; Jatropha Curcas, “Physic
Nut.”
=chiriri= (Sok. and Zanf.), Combretum Kerstingii, Engl. and
Diels. (Combretaceæ); a gum-yielding tree with smooth leaves and
4-winged fruit. Syn. =dagera= and probably also =zindi=, _q.v._
=chitta=, Amomum Melegueta, Roscoe (Scitamineæ). “Guinea Grains.”
“Grains of Paradise.” “Melegueta Pepper.” A capsular fruit
containing small red aromatic seeds used as a spice. _chitta komfa_,
or _chitta yaji_ = another var. of spice.
=chitta Afu=, Zingiber officinale, Roscoe
(Scitamineæ). Ginger. (_Afawa_, a pagan tribe in Nassarawa).
=chiwo= or =chuwo=, Landolphia owariensis, Beauv. and L. florida,
Benth. (Apocynaceæ). Rubber Vines; tall woody climbers with white
fragrant flowers and orange-coloured edible fruit. (The latex of
L. owariensis forms a good rubber, that of L. florida is useless).
=chizaki=, probably the same as =ḳabdodo=, _q.v._
=chuchun kariya= or =gaton kariya=, _vide_ =gujiyar hankaka=.
=chukwi=, a var. of cotton; _vide_ under =abduga=.
=chusar doki=, a medicine or food to keep horses fit; made from
leaves of =kuka=, _q.v._ with _dusa_ and _kanwa_.
=D=
=dabagira=, _vide_ under =aduwa=.
=dabino=, Phœnix dactylifera, Linn. (Palmeæ). Date Palm. Varieties
of date are:—_zabiya_ or _jan dabino_, a long red sweet variety;
_maga_ or _ḍan damana_, a stoneless date. _kilili_ = flowers of
the date. _dabinon biri_, a low species of palm with small yellow
date-like fruit, found in ravines; used in weaving mats, straw hats,
&c. Syn. _kajinjiri_. (Phœnix reclinata?).
=dabrin saniya=, _vide_ under =gadon machiji=.
=dadawa= or =dawa dawa=, a grass; _vide_ =gyazama=.
=daddawa= (Kano), or =daudawa= (Sok.), black fermented cakes made
from the seeds of the =ḍorowa=, _q.v._ Syn. =takaluwa=.
=ḍaḍori= or =ḍoḍoriya= (Kano and Sok.), Vitis quadrangularis,
Linn. (Ampelideæ); a vine with quadrangular succulent jointed stems,
climbing on trees. (Etym. connected with the multiple branching at
the joints). Syn. =tsatsarar kura=. “Edible-stemmed Vine.”
=dafaddu=, Elk’s-horn fern; an epiphyte. Platycerium æthiopicum.
=dafara=, Vitis pallida, Baker (Ampelideæ); a vine bearing a
kind of wild grapes; the root-bark forms a viscid solution which
is mixed with native cement for lining dye-pits, &c. Syn. =loda=
or =lodar marina=, cf. also =baba rodo=. The fruit, used in soup,
is sometimes called =lubiya=, _q.v._
=dagera=, Combretum sp. (Combretaceæ). A gum-yielding
tree. Syn. =chiriri=.
=daiyo= (Ful?), _vide_ under =lojiya=, =bauje=, &c.
=dakushe=, _vide_ =kas kaifi=.
=ḍakwora=, Acacia Senegal, Willd. (Leguminosæ); a thorny acacia,
with spikes of white flowers and grey bark; the source of the true
“gum-arabic.” Ar. _hashab_. _vide_ also =yawa= and =meḍi=. The
name includes the similar Acacia Dudgeoni, Craib.
=dalaka=, a variety of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.
=dali= (Kano, Katsina, &c.), also =dala=, Commiphora Kerstingii,
Engl. (Burseraceæ). A soft-wooded tree with smooth green bark,
planted around native compounds. Syn. =bazana= (Kano and Zaria),
=gurzun dali= (Katagum, &c.), =hana gobara= (Zanfara, from the
wood and foliage being difficult to ignite). =ka ḳi ganin bula=
(Zanfara); also =bar na gada= (because long-lived and inherited).
=dalo=, Combretum glutinosum, Perr. (Combretaceæ); a tree resembling
=chiriri= and =taramniya=, _q.v._
=damaigi=, Chrozophora senegalensis, A. Juss. (Euphorbiaceæ); a
common weed with small red flowers; used medicinally. Syn. =ḅauren
kiyashi=, _q.v._ One of the ingredients in the native prescription
=rigya kafi=, _q.v._
=damana biyu=, _vide_ =ḍan arbain=, a variety of bean.
=damba= = ?Andropogon tectorum, Sch. et Th. (Gramineæ); a tall
grass of marshes, &c., used as fodder when young, and for _zana_
when mature.
=damro= or =dauro=, a variety of millet (Pennisetum spicatum, B. and
S.), similar to =maiwa=, _q.v._ _cf._ =gero=.
=ḍan arbain=, a variety of bean planted near water and supposed to
ripen in 40 days. Syn. =damana biyu= (Sok. and Kano), and =kaka biyu=
(Gobir).
=ḍan damana=, a variety of date; _vide_ under =dabino=.
=dandami=, _vide_ under =lallen shamuwa=.
=dandana=, Schwenkia americana, Linn. (Solanaceæ); a herb with narrow
tubular flowers; used medicinally. Syn. =parpatse= or =farfatse=
(Kano).
=ḍan ḍata= (=ḍan ḍwata=), _vide_ =ḍataniya=, a bitter
grass. Thelepogon elegans, Roth.
=ḍan farkami= (Sok.), Monechma hispida, Hochst. (Acanthaceæ);
a common weed of pastures, with rough leaves and white
flowers. Syn. ?=fiso= (Sok. and Kats.), =fisawa= (Katagum).
=ḍan garraza= = flowers of the tamarind tree—(_hudar tsamiya_).
=ḍan kaḍafi= or =hankaḍafi=, the name of a crab-louse, hence
applied to more than one plant with seeds which adhere to the clothing
like burs. (Etym. similar to “Cleavers”). Chiefly = Desmodium
lasiocarpum, DC. (Leguminosæ). Syn. =maḍaḍafi=, _q.v._ Also
=Triumfetta pentandra=, A. Rich. (Tiliaceæ), _vide_ =suren fadama=.
=dankali= (Kano, &c.), Ipomœa Batatas, Lam. (Convolvulaceæ). Sweet
Potato. Red and white varieties are known. Syn. =dukuma= and
=kudaku= (Sok. and Zanfara), generally = the red one; =lawur= =
the white one. _kugundugu_, a name used on the Benue, Yola, &c. =
Yor. _kukun duku_.
=dankon kuyangi=, dried leaves of the convolvulus Ipomœa pilosa,
Sweet, and other species; _vide_ =yako= and =barmatabo=; used
medicinally.
=danko maiwari=, Ficus sp. a tree in the south, yielding an inferior
rubber.
=ḍan kwataho=, a variety of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.
=ḍan kwoloje=, a variety of bean; _vide_ under =wake=.
=ḍan marike= (Katagum, &c.), Indigofera secundiflora,
Poir. (Leguminosæ). _vide_ under =marike=.
=ḍan Tunuga= or =kajiji ḍan Tunuga=; the fragrant tuber of
a sedge, Cyperus sp. (Tunuga = a town in French Borgu). Probably
Cyperus rotundus, _cf._ =aya aya= and =kajiji=.
=ḍan Uda= or =Ba-Ude=, a variety of bean, half white half black;
(cf. a variety of sheep of the same name. _Udawa_ a section of
Fulani); _vide_ under =wake=.
=danya=, Spondias sp. (Anacardiaceæ); a tree with pinnate leaves
and yellow plum-like fruit of pleasant flavour. The fruit is called
_nunu_. cf. also =tsadar Masar=.
=ḍanyen gumi= = husked but unboiled rice; _vide_ =gumi= and
=shinkafa=.
=danyi= (Sok.), _vide_ =dayi=.
=ḍan zago=, a kind of bean, _vide_ under =ḅarankachi=.
=darambuwa= = armlets made of plaited grass, hence applied to several
species of grass; _vide_ =karani=, =gaji=, =jema=, &c.
=dargăza=, Grewia mollis, Juss. (Tiliaceæ); a shrub with small
yellow flowers; the bark is mucilaginous and used in soup, and
occasionally to harden mud floors.
=dashi=, Balsamodendron africanum, A. Rich. (Burseraceæ). “African
Myrrh.” “African Bdellium.” A shrub with the habit of the
Blackthorn, yielding a fragrant gum-resin used medicinally and as a
scent for clothing. _namijin dashi_, Balsamodendron pedunculatum,
Kotschy. et Peyr. A shrub somewhat similar to the above but less
fragrant.
=dashishi=, _vide_ under =alkama=.
=ḍata= or =ḍwata=, a small bitter native tomato; _vide_ under
=gauta=.
=ḍataniya= or =ḍwatana=, Thelepogon elegans, Roth. (Gramineæ);
a bitter grass given to horses as a tonic. Syn. =gishirin ḍawaki=
and =ḍan ḍata=. (Etym. from the bitter taste).
=datsi=, Aristida Sieberiana, Trin. (Gramineæ); a long-awned grass,
common in the north. =jan datsi= _vide_ =jan bako=.
=dauḍa= or =kwardauḍa=, Dicoma tomentosa, Cass. (Compositæ);
a small thistle-like weed. Syn. =farin dayi=. (Etym. perhaps from
use as a local application to putrescent wounds).
=dauḍar Maguzawa=, ?Blepharis linearifolia, Pers. (Acanthaceæ);
a prickly plant with blue flowers. Syn. =faskara toyi=, and ?=gigi=,
_q.v._
=dauḍar ruwa=, _vide_ =limniya=.
=daudawa= (Sok.), _vide_ =daddawa= and =ḍorowa=; _vide_ also under
=kiriya=. _daudawa beso_, seeds of _yakuwa_ (Hibiscus Sabdariffa,
Linn.), _q.v._ boiled and prepared either for food or as a medicinal
vehicle, _daudawar kuka_, seeds of _kuka_ (Adansonia digitata),
made into cakes, &c.
=dauro=, _vide_ =damro=.
=dawa=, Sorghum vulgare, Pers. (Gramineæ). “Guinea Corn.”
“Great Millet.” “Durra.”
The following are some of the numerous varieties:—_abantoko_
(Illo); _a chi da gero_—grows rapidly and is ripe with the _gero_;
_a chi da kara_, matures at the same season as sugar-cane
(_takanḍa_);
_a chi da nono_ (like _farafara_), a soft grain only used for _kunu_
and not for _tuwo_;
_akwuya_, a yellow grain used for horses;
_bakin kada_, a variety with a long head;
_bakin raḳumi_ (from the slender quivering habit), the same as
_ḳerama_;
_bugundare_ or _Ba-Gwandare_, a variety with a compact head; (_cf._
a variety of cotton; vide _abduga_);
_farafara_, a white variety;
_giwa kamba_, a white variety larger than _farafara_, late maturing;
_hannun giwa_, white with a large head of grain;
_janjari_ (Sok. = _jigari_, Ful.) or _janari_, a red inferior grain
which makes red _kunu_ and _tuwo_;
_jar dawa_, a red grain used for horses;
_kaura_, considered the best for horses, common in Zanfara; in two
varieties, viz.:—_kaura mai farin kwono_ (or _mai farin soshia_),
and _kaura mai baḳin kwono_;
_ḳerama_, a red grain with loose nodding panicle (= _bakin
raḳumi_);
_maikeri_, early maturing and considered one of the best;
_makafo da wayo_, a soft sweet variety, a luxury (_dawar sarakuna_);
_malle_ (Sokoto West), planted in wet places;
_mallen Kabi_, the same as _ḳerama_;
_mallen mama_ or _mallen Zanfara_, a larger nodding variety like
the last;
_marmare_, a soft sweet variety, nearly the same as _makafo da wayo_;
eaten whole;
_masakowa_ or _mazakwa_ (Ful. _maskwari_), a dry-season corn, grown
in alluvial soil left as the rivers fall; (chiefly in Adamawa and
Bornu); sometimes eaten whole after cooking;
_wayo_, a red or yellow variety;
_zago_, the same as _kaura_.
_Burtuntuna_ = Ustilago sp. a guinea corn smut, forming a black
powder in the ear; also called _ḳatsa ḳatsa_, and _bunsuru_.
_gyamro_ = secondary shoots of guinea corn from the roots left at
harvest; said to be injurious to animals.
_domana_, a gummy blight; (?Aphis Sorghi).
_karan dafi_, the red leaf sheaths of certain forms of _dawa_,
used as a red dye.
_kusumburuwa_, corn growing up anywhere from stray seeds; sometimes
popularly believed to grow from an unhusked grain and not always
maturing. The stems are used for flutes (_sarewa_).
_sambara_, _dawa_ or _gero_ half-grown at harvest and left to mature
later. _cf._ also _karmami_ and _yabainya_.
=dawa dawa= or =dadawa=, a grass; _vide_ =gyazama=.
=dawar kada= (=d. rafi=, =d. dorina=, &c.), Sorghum halepense,
Pers. a very tall riverside grass with pith in the stems; the
probable ancestor of cultivated _dawa_; one of several called
“Elephant Grass.”
=dawo= (?Hausa; Yoruba _ai-da_), Tetrapleura Thonningii,
Benth. (Leguminosæ); a large tree with thick 4-angled pods sold as
a market drug in the south; cf. =kalangon daji= and =sandan mayu=.
=dayi=, Centaurea Calcitrapa, Linn. (Compositæ). “Star-thistle.”
A thistle with long straight spines, common in fields, &c.; eaten
by camels; one of the plants sometimes called “caltrop;” _cf._
=Tsaido=. Syn. =ḍanyi= (Sok.), and =surendi= (Kats.). _namijin
dayi_, Lactuca sp. a species of wild lettuce; probably including
several field plants of the Nat. Ord. (Compositæ).
=dayin giwa=, _vide_ under =sare gwiwa=.
=ḍeiḍoya= (=ḍoiḍoya= or =ḍoḍoya=), Ocimum americanum,
Linn. (Labiatæ); a fragrant herb allied to basil. (The name
includes other introduced species planted near houses:—Ocimum
viride, Willd. Fever plant of S. Leone and Liberia. Oc. basilicum,
Linn. Sweet Basil. Æolanthus Buettneri, Gürke, &c.)
=ḍeiḍoyar kare= or =ḍ. fadama=, Hyptis Spicigera,
Lam. (Labiatæ). A weed of waste places. Syn. =riḍin
kada=. =ḍ. gona=, Leucas martinicensis, R. Br. (Labiatæ). An
odorous weed with whorls of small white flowers. Syn. =sarakuwar
sauro= (Kats.).
=dinkin=, the young leaves of certain plants used fresh with
ground-nuts, salt, pepper, &c. made up as food; chiefly =d. ḍinya=
(_v._ =ḍinya=); also of =zuwo=, _q.v._ and sometimes used of =rama=
and other plants with edible leaves.
=ḍinya= (Kano), =ḍumya= (Sok.), Vitex Cienkowskii, Kotschy et
Peyr. (Verbenaceæ); a common tree with digitate leaves, fragrant
flowers, and a black plum-like fruit used in making _maḍi_; _vide_
under =dinkin=; _ḅurzu_ or _ḳurzun ḍinya_ = _ḳwalon ḍinya_,
the stone of the fruit.
_ḍinyar biri_, Vitex diversifolia, Bak., a shrub or small tree
with fragrant leaves, and flowers similar to those of =ḍinya=.
=dirin da rani= (Kano), a variety of =rama=, _q.v._
=ḍiwa=, Rhytachne congoensis, Hack., a tall grass; used for making
screens, _zana_, &c.
=ḍiyan hanwawa= (Sok.), Ctenolepis cerasiformis
Hook. f. (Cucurbitaceæ). A twiner with scarlet berries; (_hanwawa_
or _hawainya_ = chamæleon); syn. =namijin garafuni=.
=ḍoḍoriya=, Vitis quadrangularis, Linn. (Ampelideæ), _vide_
=ḍaḍori=.
=ḍoiḍoya= or =ḍoḍoya=, _vide_ =ḍeiḍoya=.
=doka=, Isoberlinia doka, Craib. et Stapf (Leguminosæ); a large
tree with white flowers, shining leaves and large flat pods; very
abundant in central Hausaland. _fara doka_, Isoberlinia Dalzielii,
Craib. et Stapf, a large tree closely allied to the last, with paler
leaves and bark.
=domana=, a gummy blight on Guinea Corn and other cereals; (?Aphis
Sorghi).
=domashi=, Vernonia Kotschyana, Schultz. (Compositæ); an
under-shrub with bitter root, used as a tonic-medicine, &c. _domashin
maza_? (Katagum), _vide_ under =matsarmama=.
=ḍorowa= or =ḍorawa=, Parkia filicoidea,
Welw. (Leguminosæ). “African Locust Bean Tree;” a large
acacia-like tree with pendulous balls of deep-red flowers and
bunches of pods; the seeds and the mealy yellow pulp of the pods
are used as food. _kaluwa_ = seeds of _ḍorowa_, which are made
into black fermented cakes called _daudawa_ (Sok.) or _daddawa_
(Kano), and also _takaluwa_; _makuba_ = fermented extract of husks
of _ḍorowa_ pods, used for hardening beaten floors, sides of
indigo pits, &c. _saḅada_ or _safada_ (Kano) = young fruiting
heads of _ḍorowa_ (etym. from resemblance in shape and surface
to a plaited garment of that name). _tutu_ (or _turu-turu_) = the
red pendulous flower-balls (sucked by boys); _gundar tutu_ = the
unexpanded flower-buds; _garda_ = the unripe pods when bright brown
in colour and beginning to form seeds (the name of a brown-winged
dove). The successive stages from bud to pod are:—_kashin awaki_,
_kashin raḳuma_, _tutu_, _safada_, _garda_. _harawan ḍorawa_ = the
membranous lining of the pods used as a fibre for tying arrows, &c.
=doya=, Dioscorea sativa, Linn. D. prehensilis, Benth. D. abyssinica,
Hochst. D. alata, L. (Dioscorideæ). Cultivated yams. _vide_ also
=sakata=, and =ḳarasa= (=doyar kudu=).
_doyar bisa_, the edible solid bulbs in the leaf-axils of certain
species of Dioscorea. Syn. _tuwon biri_.
_doyar daji_, wild species of Dioscorea.
_doyar kurege_, Curculigo gallabatensis, Schweinf. (Amaryllideæ);
a yellow-flowered herb with a stout vertical rhizome. Syn. _muruchin
makeruwa_, _q.v._
_doyar giwa_, vide _ḳayar giwa_.
=dufuwa=, a dense thorny thicket, _cf._ =gumbi= and =ḳumchi=;
generally applied to the acacia called =sarḳaḳiya=, _q.v._
=dukki= or =dunki= (Sok. and Kats.), Celtis integrifolia,
Lam. (Urticaceæ); “Nettle Tree;” a large tree with serrate leaves
somewhat like those of the nettle; the young leaves are used in soup
and as fodder. Syn. =zuwo= (Kano, Zaria, &c.). _cf._ also =dinkin=.
=dukuma=, _vide_ under =dankali=.
=dulu=, Ficus sp. a tree with large figs; common in ravines.
=duma=, Lagenaria vulgaris, Ser. (Cucurbitaceæ). “Bottle Gourd,”
“Club Gourd” or “White Pumpkin;” the common white-flowered
cultivated gourd with soft foliage and variously shaped fruits
known by different names:—_buta_, _gora_, and _gyandama_, common
water-bottle gourds; _jallo_, a small pear-shaped one used to carry
_ruwan alwalla_; _ḳoḳo_, _kwokwo_ or _kwachiya_, a small-sized
calabash used as a cup; _kumbu_, ditto with cover, used as a small
box for snuff, &c.; _ḳwariya_, common larger calabash; _masaki_
and _mabakachi_, the largest-sized calabash used at market,
and for separating grain from husk, &c., &c. _ludai_ or _luddai_
(Sok.), bottle gourd with narrow neck, split to form spoons, ladles,
&c. _kololo_, similar to _luddai_, with hollow neck; _gako_ (Sok.),
like _luddai_ with solid neck; _moda_, larger bottle gourd with curved
neck which serves as a handle, the body pierced for use as a dipper or
handled pot; _shantu_, long narrow gourd used as a musical instrument;
_bututu_, the narrow portion of _shantu_ or _luddai_, &c. used as
a blowing horn; _jemo_, a short wide-mouthed club-shaped or large
pear-shaped gourd, used to hold milk, &c.; _zuru_ and _zunguru_,
club-shaped or cylindrical gourds used in the application of _lalle_
to the hand; _kurtu_, bottle or club-shaped with narrow neck, the
wider portion used for immersing the hand in staining with henna,
the narrow half used as a blowing horn; _kwoton tadawa_, an ovoid
tubercled gourd, used for native ink-pots, &c. _vide_ also _kulbutu_
or _tsana_ (Sok.), an edible variety resembling a cucumber, and
_kurzunu_, a tubercled variety of the same.
=dumar dutsi=, _vide_ under =gaḍaukuka=.
=dumar kada=, =d. rafi=, Ipomœa repens, Lam. (Convolvulaceæ);
a common trailing convolvulus with broad round leaves and purple
flowers.
=dumar kwaḍi=, Ipomœa sp. a var. of convolvulus.
=ḍumya= (Sok.), _vide_ =ḍinya= (Kano).
=ḍunḍu=, Dichrostachys nutans, Br. (Leguminosæ); a thorny
shrub like an acacia, with pendulous lilac-coloured flower-spikes,
and clusters of twisted pods; fibre from the root-bark. _vide_
under =meḍi= and =yawa=.
=dunki=, _vide_ =dukki=.
=durumi=, Ficus Syringifolia, Werb. (Urticaceæ); a very familiar
species of fig-tree with small figs and heart-shaped shining leaves,
affording splendid shade.
=dushe= (Kano), =dussa= (East Hausa), Acacia Seyal,
Del. (Leguminosæ); the “Talh” gum-acacia; a thorny tree with
yellow flower-balls and an ochrey powder on the bark. Syn. =jimshi=
(Sok.), and ?=gishishiya= (Zanfara).
=duza= (Sok. and Zanf.), Setaria aurea,
Hochst. (Gramineæ). “Bristly Fox-tail Grass;” a grass of
damp places, used for thatch. Syn. =ḳyasuwar rafi= or =ḳ. ta
fadama=. _cf._ =ḳyasuwa=.
=ḍwata= or =ḍata=, a small native bitter tomato; _vide_ under
=gauta=.
=ḍwatana=, _vide_ =ḍataniya=.
=F=
=fafewa= (Sok. and Zanf.), Pennisetum unisetum, Benth. (Gramineæ);
a tall grass with hollow stems and sharp leaf-edges. (Etym. because it
rasps the hand—_fafe_ = to scrape.) Syn. =karan kauje= and =korkoro=
(Kontagora).
=falfoli= (Sok.), Æschynome sensitiva, Swartz. (Leguminosæ);
a tall slender plant of marshes, with spongy pith used for floats
(_karu_), &c. Syn. =gombiliki=, and =bambamko= (East Hausa).
=fankaso= or =punkaso=, _vide_ under =alkama=.
=fara doka=, Isoberlinia Dalzielii, Craib. et Stapf (Leguminosæ);
a large tree; _vide_ under =doka=.
=farafara=, a white var. of =dawa=, _q.v._
=fara geza=, Combretum aculeatum, Vent. (Combretaceæ); a shrub with
white flowers (somewhat resembling hawthorn), and 4-angled fruit.
=fara ḳaya=, Acacia Sieberiana, DC. (Leguminosæ); a
gum-yielding acacia with long white thorns, dark foliage, and white
flower-balls. Syn. =bauji= (East Hausa).
=fara saura=, Pulicaria crispa, Clarke (Compositæ); a white-leaved
weed with yellow flowers, common in fields. (Etym. _saura_ or _sabra_
= fallow fields). Syn. =bafuri=, and =balbela=, _q.v._
=farfatse= or =parpatse=, _vide_ =dandana=.
=fari=, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=fari=, a var. of Water Melon; _vide_ under =guna=.
=farichin shafo=, or =ḳumbar shafo= (= “falcon’s claw”);
a tall acacia with strong curved thorns, the same as or closely
similar to =ḳarḳara=, _q.v._ Acacia campylacantha, Hochst. or
nearly allied species.
=farin gammo=, Ipomœa argentaurata, Hall. f. (Convolvulaceæ);
a trailing convolvulus with whitish flowers and silvery-hairy
leaves. Syn. =ka fi boka=. (Etym. _ganmo_, _gammo_ or _ganwo_ =
a head-pad).
=farin sansami= (Sok. and Kats.), Lonchocarpus laxiflorus, G. et
P. (Leguminosæ); a tree with purple flowers. The leaves are capable
of affording a dye like indigo. _cf._ =talaki=. Syn. =shunin biri=,
and _cf._ =halshen sa=.
=faru=, Odina Barteri, Oliv. (and other spp. Anacardiaceæ); a
large tree with pinnate leaves and small berries; the bark yields a
resin. Syn. =tuḍi= (Zanfara), or =farun biri= (Sok.). In Sokoto
=faru= or =farun mutane= = Odina sp. different from the above,
with paler and smoother foliage.
=farun makiyaya=, a wild vine; _vide_ under =tsibiri kinkini=.
=fasa daga=, the seeds of the tree =kawo=, _q.v._ Afzelia
africana, Sm. (Leguminosæ), sold as a medicine or charm in fight,
&c. (Etym. from its use as a charm in battle—_daga_—to put the
enemy to flight, suggested by the explosive dehiscence of the pods
scattering the seeds). Also called =fasa maza=.
=fasa ḳabba=, or =fasa kumburi=, Portulaca oleracea, L. and
other spp. (Portulacaceæ). “Purslane.” A weed with succulent
leaves, used as a local application to swellings. (Etym. “disperse
swellings”). Syn. =sarikin jibji=, and =harshen saniya= or =dabrin
saniya=; _cf._ =gadon machiji= and _vide_ =rigya kafi=.
=fasa ḳwari=, Zanthoxylum senegalense, DC. (Rutaceæ); a thorny
tree with pinnate leaves, found in ravines in the Benué district;
the fragrant bark is sold as a medicine and spice.
=faskara giwa=, Ormocarpum bibracteatum, Baker (Leguminosæ); a
shrub with tough flexible branches, small pinnate leaves and purple
flowers. (Etym. from the tough texture of the wood which the elephant
cannot break). In Zanfara this is sometimes called =tsa= _q.v._
=faskara toyi=, Blepharis linearifolia, Pers. (Acanthaceæ); a prickly
herb with blue flowers and spiny leaves used to trace ornamental lines
on earthenware. Syn. =gigi=? =dauḍar Maguzawa=? (Etym. because it
often remains unburnt when the grass is fired).
=fatakka=, Pergularia tomentosa, L. (Asclepiadeæ); a plant
with orbicular hoary leaves and milky juice; used by tanners as a
“bating” bath after unhairing and before tanning. Syn. =kwotowa=
(Sok.).
=fate fate=, a medicine or love potion used by women, made from the
leaves of =shiwaka=, &c. (Vernonia amygdalina), _q.v._ Also a food
prepared from various plants, e.g. flowers of =tsamiya=, or leaves
of =rama=, =yaḍiya= or =zoḅarodo=.
=feḍḍa=, screens made usually of the bulrush =shalla=, _q.v._
=fidda hakukuwa=, Dyschoriste Perrottetii, O. Kunth. (Acanthaceæ); a
water-side plant. (Etym. from the use of the seed to remove spicules
of grass, &c. from the eye, the foreign particle adhering to the
mucilaginous coat of the seed when placed in the eye).
=fidda sartsi=, or =fidda saruta= (Gobir), Euphorbia lateriflora,
Sch. et Thon. A shrub with milky juice much used for
hedges. (Etym. from its use as a poultice to extract a splinter).
=fideli=, Cassia Absus, L. (Leguminosæ). “Four-leaved Senna;”
an undershrub with viscous foliage used medicinally.
=filasko=, Cassia obovata, Collad. (Leguminosæ). “Italian,”
“Senegal” or “Tripoli Senna;” a low shrub with yellow flowers
and flat sickle-shaped transversely ribbed pods; one of the varieties
of commercial senna.
=filfil=, a spice; probably a var. of _Capsicum_ (Arab. _felfel_).
=fisawa= or =fiso=? _vide_ =ḍan farkami=.
=fita=, Clinogyne filipes, Benth. (= Donax filipes, Schaumann)
(Scitamineæ); a water-plant with spear-head-shaped leaves commonly
used to wrap up food.
=fiyaka=, _vide_ =jibda ḳassa= and =gaḍaukuka=.
=fuda= or =huda= = young flower-buds of any tree; _cf._ =tofo=
and =labaye=. =hudar awaki=, _vide_ =geḍar awaki=.
=fular tsofo=, Polycarpæa linearifolia, DC. (Caryophylleæ); a herb
with heads of white chaffy flowers. Syn. =magudiya=, _q.v._ _cf._
=bakin suda=.
=fura=, a grass, Pennisetum pedicellatum. Syn. =ḳyasuwa=, _q.v._
=fure= = a flower; (when unqualified generally = flowers of the
tobacco plant).
=furen gadu= (=f. gyado=), _vide_ =awarwaro=.
=furen yan sariki=, Lonchocarpus sp.? a tree with panicles of blue
or purple flowers; used as a charm by one who hopes to be king.
=furfura ta gyatumi= (or =jatumi=), Ærua tomentosa,
Forst. (Amaranthaceæ); a hoary white erect plant; _vide_
=alhaji=. (Etym. “hoary locks”). The name is loosely applied to
some other plants of white habit.
=G=
=gaba chara= (Sok. and Zanf.), Acacia Dalzielli, Craib. (Leguminosæ);
a tree with panicles of yellow flower-balls. (Etym. the name of the
yellow-breasted thrush _Cossypha albicapilla_). Syn. =gwanno=.
=gabara= (Sok.), Arundo Donax, L. (Gramineæ). “Spanish Reed;”
a very tall grass of river-banks, with hollow stem and large silky
flowering head; stems used for flutes and pipe-stems. Syn. =machara=,
_q.v._ and =wutsiyar giwa=.
=gabaruwa=, syn. =bagaruwa=, _q.v._ Acacia arabica, Willd.
=gabu=, _vide_ under =albasa=.
=gaḍakuka= or =gaḍaukuka= (Katagum, &c. the Ful. name);
Aristolochia albida, Duch. (Aristolochiaceæ); a twiner with oddly
shaped lurid black-purple flowers; sometimes confused with =jibda
ḳassa=, _q.v_, and the bitter root sold as such; a remedy for
Guinea-worm, &c. and a bitter tonic. Syn. =maḍachin ḳassa=,
=dumar dutsi=, and ?=fiyaka=.
=gadagi=, Alysicarpus vaginalis, DC. (Leguminosæ); a common herb,
used when ripe as a fodder for horses; (including the similar
A. rugosus, DC.).
=gadon machiji= (Sok.), Trianthema monogyna, L. and T. pentandra,
L. (Ficoideæ). “Horse Purslane;” two very similar and common
succulent weeds, forming a thick growth in waste places. Synonyms
are =hana taḳama= (because one has to walk warily amongst it),
and =dabrin saniya= (= “cow’s lip” but _cf._ =halshen saniya=
or =fasa ḳabba=). The name is elsewhere commonly applied to a
species of convolvulus, =yamḅururu=, _q.v._
=gadu= (Zanfara), Pavetta Barteri, Dawe (Rubiaceæ); a shrub the
leaves of which are used by some pagan tribes as food, with _kunu_
of cereals, &c.
=gagayi=, an aphrodisiac prescription of 12 ingredients; _vide_
=gangawari=; applied also to several plants supposed to have
the same property, e.g. =baḳin gagayi= = Fadogia agrestis,
Schweinf. (Rubiaceæ), an erect plant with a tough root.
=gaji= (Sok.), a grass used for plaiting armlets, &c. (Syn. ?=karani=
and =darambuwa=).
=gajiri=, Cymbopogon hirtus (Gramineæ); a tall grass used
for thatching, for _zana_, &c. Syn. =jimfi=, or =jimpa jimpa=
(Sok. Kats. and Zanf.). The name probably includes more than one
species.
=gamba=, Andropogon Guyanus, Kunth. (Gramineæ); a very common tall
grass with bifid flowering spikes; perhaps the most commonly used
grass for _zana_.
=gamji= or =ganji= (Kano), Ficus platyphylla
Del. (Urticaceæ). “Gutta-percha Tree;” a large tree with broad
conspicuously veined leaves and small edible figs (vide _lubiya_). The
latex forms an inferior kind of rubber (“Red Kano rubber”).
=gamma faḍa= (Kano, &c.), Cassia Kotschyana, Oliv. (Leguminosæ);
a tree with laburnum-like yellow flowers and long cylindrical pods
which do not split. Syn. =malga= or =marga= (Sok. Gobir, &c.). Also
Cassia Sieberiana, DC. and perhaps other species (very similar to the
“Pudding Pipe Tree”—Cassia fistula). The dark pulp around the
seeds is a laxative drug. Scarcely distinguished in Hausa from the
somewhat similar Cassia Arereh, Swartzia madagascariensis, Oliv. and
others whose pods split longitudinally. _vide_ under =bayama=, =bogo
zage=, and =haḍa fuḍa=. The pods of some of these are sometimes
used as a fish-poison, _vide_ under =ago= and =baina=. (Etym. _gamma
faḍa_—“leading to feud,” from unskilled or improper use as
a drug.)
=gamma gari=, _vide_ under =goro=.
=gamma sanwa=, _vide_ =bakin mutum=.
=gammon bawa=, Merremia angustifolia. Syn. =yamḅururu=. (Etym. the
equivalent of a Beri Beri name—“slave’s head-pad”).
=gandi=, a var. of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.
=gangamau=, Curcuma longa, L. (Scitamineæ); Turmeric, a plant
like ginger; the rhizome is sold in the form of slices and used
as a yellow dye for leather, &c. Syn. =turri=. (Kanuri _kurgum_,
Arabic and Hebrew _kurkum_). _cf._ =zabibi=.
=gangame= (Sok.), the expanded fronds of the palms =goriba= or
=giginya=, &c. Syn. =kari= (Kano); nearly the same as =kaba=, _q.v._
=gangawari=, the thickened root of a sedge or grass; one of the
constant ingredients of the aphrodisiac =gagayi=, _q.v._
=ganji= (Kano). Syn. =gamji=, _q.v._ Ficus platyphylla, Del.
=ganji gaga=, a var. of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.
=ganwon rama= = coils of undressed hemp fibre, _vide_ under =rama=.
=garafuni=, Momordica balsamina, L. (Cucurbitaceæ). “Balsam
Apple;” a twiner of the cucumber family, with yellow flowers and
orange-yellow tubercled fruits; used medicinally and in soup, and
as a soap forming a viscid solution in water.
_namijin garafuni_, Ctenolepis cerasiformis, Hook. f. a twiner of the
same family, with scarlet cherry-like fruit. Syn. _ḍiyan hanwawa_
(Sok.).
=garafunin fadama= or =g. kwata=, _vide_ =gautan kwaḍo=.
=garamani= (Sok.), Sida cordifolia, L. (Malvaceæ); a hard-stemmed
weed with soft cordate leaves and yellow flowers; (a pest in Sokoto,
&c.). Syn. =farin garamani= as distinct from =baḳin garamani=
or =ramaniya=, _q.v._ In East Hausa sometimes called =mai-ḳafo=
(from the paired long processes on the carpels); also =kardafi=
(Katagum). The bark yields a fibre.
=garaji=, a fodder grass with edible grain. ?The same as =baya=
and =saḅe=, _q.v._
=garangarma=, _vide_ under =guna=.
=garasa=, _vide_ =katsaimu=.
=gardayi=, Acacia macrostachys, Reich. (Leguminosæ); a gum-yielding
acacia common in Sokoto province.
=garicha= (Zanfara), Ficus sp. (Urticaceæ). _vide_ =haguguwa=
and =uwar yara=.
=gasaya= (Kano, &c.), Gynandropsis pentaphylla, DC. (Capparideæ);
a common herb near habitations, with 5-foliate leaves and white
flowers; used as a pot-herb. Syn. =yar unguwa= (Sok.). The name
_namijin gasaya_ is applied loosely to several weeds, e.g. Amaranthus
polygamus, L. (Amaranthaceæ), Polanisia viscosa, DC. (Capparideæ),
Croton lobatus, L. (Euphorbiaceæ), &c.
=gatarin kurege= (Sok.), Gloriosa superba, L. a climbing lily,
more generally known as =baurairai=, _q.v._
=gatarin zomo=, Tacca pinnatifida, Forst. more commonly known as
=giginyar biri=, _q.v._
=gaton kariya= or =chuchun kariya=, _vide_ =gujiyar hankaka=.
=gauḍe=, Gardenia erubescens, Stapf and Hutch. (Rubiaceæ); a shrub,
common in the bush, with fragrant white tubular flowers, tough wood
and yellowish ovoid edible fruit. The fruit is used by women in the
preparation of a form of the black cosmetic _katambiri_, _q.v._
=gauḍen dutsi= (Sok.), Gardenia Sokotensis, Hutch. a low shrub
with white flowers, found on rocky hills.
=gauḍen kura=, Gardenia ternifolia, Thunberg (= G. Thunbergii,
Linn. f.), a shrub similar to =gauḍe=, with coarse not edible fruit.
=gaugayi=, _vide_ =ḳuduji=.
=gauta=, Solanum sp. Native bitter tomato; probably a var. of
Solanum Melongena. _ḍata_ or _ḍwata_ (_gautan ḍwachi_)
is a small very bitter variety, scarlet when ripe, and usually
lobed; used in soup; _kulufita_, smaller than =gauta=; _yalo_, a
large var. scarlet when ripe, often eaten raw = Solanum Melongena,
var. inerme, Hiern. (N.B. The “Brinjal” or “Aubergine” or
“Egg Plant” is S. Melongena, Linn.).
=gautan bagirmi=, _vide_ =gorgo=.
=gautan kaji=, Solanum nodiflorum, Jacq. (= S. nigrum, var. guineense,
Linn.) “Black Nightshade;” an erect branching weed of waste places
with white flowers and small black berries. _cf._ =gautan tsuntsu=.
=gautan kura=, Solanum incanum, L. a prickly undershrub with hoary
leaves, a yellow tomato-like fruit, and white or lilac-purple flowers;
a deliriant poison. The name includes other poisonous species of
Solanum in different districts. Sometimes called _idon saniya_ =
“ox-eye,” from the Ful. name _giti nai_.
=gautan kwaḍo=, Cardiospermum Halicacabum,
L. (Sapindaceæ). “Balloon Vine,” “Winter Cherry,” or “Heart
Pea;” a straggling plant of damp and waste places, with tendrils
and graceful foliage, small white flowers and bladdery 3-angled
capsule. Syn. =garafunin fadama= or =garafunin kwata= (_kwata_ =
water-side); _vide_ also =godar zomo=.
=gautan tsuntsu=, Solanum scalare, C. H. Wright; a plant of the
native tomato tribe, with small red edible berries, cultivated near
houses. (The name is often confused with =gautan kaji=, _q.v._).
=gautan zomo=, Mukia scabrella, Arn. (Cucurbitaceæ); a rough-leaved
twining plant (like Bryony), with small red berries. Syn. =malami=,
_q.v._
=gawasa=, Parinarium macrophyllum, Sabine (Rosaceæ). “Ginger-bread
Plum;” a broad-leaved tree found in the northern provinces,
bearing a dry plum-like fruit.
=gawo=, Acacia albida, Del. (Leguminosæ); a large acacia-tree
very common in the north; bearing creamy-white flower-spikes and
orange-yellow twisted pods; it is leafless during the rains and
blooms from October onward; foliage a good camel food. A sort of
pack-saddle called _tasshi_ (East Hausa), is made from the bark.
=gayan gayan=, a sort of twining bean. (?Vigna membranacea, A. Rich.),
_vide_ =waken barewa=.
=gazara=, a tall grass, used for arrow-shafts.
=gazari=, a var. of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.
=gazari= or =gizeri= (Hadeija), Mærua sp. (Capparideæ); a tree
with smooth bark, whitish flowers and small beaded pods.
=geḍa= (Kano, &c.), =gyaḍa= (Sok.), Arachis hypogæa,
L. (Leguminosæ). “Ground Nut.” “Monkey Nut.” “Archides.”
“Earth-pea.” In Sokoto usually called =gujiya=, _q.v._ Eaten raw
or roasted or prepared in various ways. _man geḍa_ = the expressed
oil, used for cooking and as an illuminant; _harawar geḍa_,
ground-nut hay, a valuable dry-season fodder; _kwalli kwalli_,
balls or rings like doughnuts, made of ground-nut paste fried in
oil. _gujiya kolanche_ (Sok.), a var. of =geḍa= with long pods.
=geḍar awaki=, common leguminous weeds of fields, with yellow
flowers and inflated pods, used as fodder. Syn. =hudar awaki=,
=biranar awaki=, &c. (Crotalaria cylindrocarpa, DC. C. atrorubens,
Hochst. C. macrocalyx, Benth. C. maxillaris, Hochst. and other
species).
=geḍar kurumi=, Pterocarpus esculentus, Sch. et Thon. (Leguminosæ);
a tree of river banks and forests in the south, with yellow flowers
and short irregularly shaped 2-seeded pods; the seeds—called also
_gunduru_—are roasted and eaten in scarcity.
=geḍar ruwa=, Trapa bispinosa, Roxb. (Onagrarieæ). “Water
Chestnut.” “Water Caltrop.” An aquatic plant with floating
leaves and edible horned fruit, cultivated in ponds. (Scarcely
known in Hausa; the name is the equivalent of the Ful. _biriji
diam_). Syn. =kwankwarita= (East Hausa).
=gemen kusu= or =g. ḅera=, Fimbristylis exilis, R. and S. (and other
spp. Cyperaceæ); a small tufted sedge with very slender leaves and
slightly fragrant root. Syn. =riḍin tuji=.
=gero=, Pennisetum typhoideum, Rich. (= P. spicatum, R. and
S.). “Bulrush Millet.” “Pearl Millet.” _cf._ =maiwa=
(P. spicatum, var.), and =damro=; (_vide_ also under =karmami=
and =yabainya=).