Mamman Shata Ummaru ɗan Ɗanduna na Gwandu-- Hausa Lyrics & English Translation

The Hausa lyrics and audio were taken from Falama TV's video, with slight modifications. The translation is the work of Hausa Aesthetic. Subscribe for more. --- In this song, Shata sings for Ummaru ɗan Ɗanduna na Gwandu, a lorry driver from Kebbi State, Nigeria. Composed in 1971, it's essentially an extended metaphor comparing Ummaru's travails as a lorry driver to that of a warrior, specifically, Umar (RA)'s fight in the Battle of Badr. Thus, the talking drums featured on this song were played with the intensity of a drum of war. To emphasize Ummaru's skill, Shata describes him as the operator of vehicles even more powerful than a lorry; thus, in parts of the song, the lorry transforms into a train or a ship. For whatever reason, this recording is missing the beginning verse of the most extensive version of this song. The first verse, as cited in The Role of Nigerian Languages and Literatures in Fostering National Cultural Identity, provides more context about Danduna: Umaru dan Danduna na Gwandu ; Manya-manya inji kanana, Na fidda kankana sai manya, Umaru Dan Danduna na Gwandu ; Tukin mota Umaru dan Danduna, Gado yayi a wurin Dan Danduna, Duk direbobin da can can, Kowanne yasan Danduna, Ku direbobin zamani, Duk kubi dan Danduna na Gwandu; Itatuwa abincin Giwa, In taki ci ta kwana da yunwa, Umaru dan Danduna na Gwandu ; A baiwa yara dakin kwana, Manya ko a daji kwa kwana, Umaru dan Danduna na Gwandu ; Hanyar Lagos ga ta da nisa, Hanyar karatu gata da nisa, Umaru dan Danduna na Gwandu; Sahara can Arewa gata da nisa ga rairayi, A iura dan Danduna na Gwandu. (« Umaru the son of Danduna of Gwandu; The little ones talk about the big ones, I stop talking about small ones and talk only of big ones, Umaru the son of Danduna of Gwandu ; As far as driving is concerned, Umaru the son of Danduna inherited it from Danduna, Driver of long ago, They all know Danduna, You modern driver You must follow the son of Danduna of Gwandu ; Leaves are the basic food of elephants, If it refuses to eat, then it will sleep on empty stomach. Umaru the son of Danduna of Gwandu ; Give little children room to sleep, The big ones can sleep even in the bush, Umaru the son of Danduna of Gwandu ; The way to Lagos is very far, The way to knowledge is very far, Umaru the son of Danduna of Gwandu ; Sahara in the far north is very far, and the way is sandy. Send only a competent driver, Send the son of Danduna of Gwandu