Into The Sahel

ANCIENT NAMING  PATTERNS IN AND AROUND POTISKUM REGION

An Introduction

Series Write-up
by Mustapha Dauda Mamudo

Plants play a major role in place naming irrespective of the language. The most frequent names used within Yobe State are derived from rivers, trees such as Waka Anum, Waka Kuku, Waka Ayak (Baobab tree), fruits, ethnic groups, while animals, rivers, occupations, hill and meanwhile important persons names were also used among these resources. Some trees were revered while others provide shades. Furthermore, trees more often supply raw materials for the production of utensils and medicines.

The names derived after trees reflect the most important species of trees of a region. An example is Farafara. If these trees do not exist any longer, it’ll indicate former trees within the region and possibly also the age of a settlement. Indeed whose survival is secured for some time as they get more water in such a location.

Migeod observes; " In a number of places , however near the river Yobe I saw hundreds of dead trees many of large size standing in what had been swampland, while many trees around, equally species of acacia, had survived" (1924 b:203)

These naming of other objects relating to the vegetation are examples like Tarmasuwa settlement which indicates a place where Tamarind fruits are in abundance or Kukawa a name of Baobab tree in Kanuri and Ngizim languages. Also, the name N'gazar indicated autochthonous inhabitants of Ngazargamu which meant spirit of Ngazar which is equally another name for Ngizim people.

As in the case of Pataskum it was derived out of two Ngizim wordings Pata which stands as forest while Skum means a particular three pole tree. Hence; Pataskum. However, due to accent and textual corruption as well as colonial misinterpretations, it is also called Potiskum just as in the case of many towns and villages. Other vicinities such Zigawu (Jigawa) means hilly area in Ngizim so also Garbawa which means our land as named by the autochthonous people just as Alaraba. These happened to be the same formations as in the case of Ngudjam, Ngwazim, and Ngojin which happened to be another name of Ngizim people and examples of these are Nguizim, N'gazar and Ngezem or Nguidjim. So also Zinzano or Zanzanin who are part of Kayeri inhabitants who are mostly Ngazara clans of Ngizim people. These are descriptive ways of how most axis were named in the language of Ngizim as the places were formed. While Yerimaram was named after Yerima Mamadi Bauya.

In the case of Gishiwa Dabuwa under Ngojin district, the naming was of Gishiwa and Dabuwa; referring to names of the indigenous inhabitants as it is with Maina Kaina area around Ɗazigawu. Meanwhile, the name Dazigau refers to a Town On a Hill or on sand dunes. These are all examples of how settlements metamorphosed indigenously.

Some settlements were named due to occupational activities. An example of these were; Ɗamakim referring to Town of Horns popularly known today as Damagum. The Horns were blown for assembling hunters to get ready for outings. The same applies to Ɗafuna meaning a town of calabash in Ngizim language and Sa'uwa; a place for grazing and animal husbandry.

Other places were named after natural occurrences; eg Lafia Lailai or Lailai which refers to places of peaceful and sound habitation and also applicable to Bhuk Budjamu which is an enclave of other autochthonous Ngizim people so also Majewa named to the trees formed in the areas.

These are how most settlements were indigenously named. This pattern of naming not only occurs around Potiskum but all over the Kanem Empire and other regions. 

Places which have been named after legendary personalities includes Ɗawura (Daura), Maiduwa, Maijarma, Baba Aura, Kusulwa, Mazaga, Mazagane, Ɗa-mele, (Town of mele), Ɗachichi, (town of chichi), Ɗazanwa, Ɗarimi, Dakasku, Dakan-Suku is the name in Ngizim language, meaning (God to look after him), Ɗadashu, Ɗaningi, Ɗadisa, (Town of Disa) Dafchinai, Gadamashi, Arjali, Ɗajaji, Ɗadanga, Ɗababur, Bilanfusam is the name of inhabitants of town meaning (Bilam and Fusam). Dugum, Lailai Bawa, Mamadi, Mamudo originally is Mando. Ɗamachama Gidgid, Yawachi, Ɗajala (Town of Jala) Muzam, Ɗamakwai, Ngamdjan, Muguram, Jakakaɗe and Dagazurwa, Dimshek to mention but a few. 

Meanwhile, places bearing rivers' names include; Yobe, Gumbak Anum, Baduwa, Gumbak Kuku, Gumbak Dangari, Gumbak Dimshe, Gumbak Mai Burwaya.

These are Potiskum and its surrounding in terms of ancient naming and history.

More on Into The Sahel: Settlement and Settlers in and Around Potiskum; The Ngizim Clans... Coming Soon