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Aspects Of Bura Negation
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0. General Background
This chapter introduces the language of study, the people speaking the
language and their geographical location. It introduces us to the
background of the speakers of the language which includes their culture
and beliefs.
Also, a brief explanation of the scope of the
study, Method of Data Collection, Genetic Classification and the
Theoretical framework used in carrying out the research on the language
are discussed.
This research is aimed at describing the
Bura Negation. Bura is a language Spoken in two (2) local government
areas in Borno State. The two local governments’ areas are Biu and Shani
respectively. The Bura people are about 250,000 in population.
1.1. Historical Background
According
to oral history, Bura speakers were believed to had their origin from
the Northern part of Nigeria in Borno State. The State shares border
with Niger Republic, Chad Republic and Cameroon Republic and Common
boundaries with Adamawa, Gombe and Yobe States.
The Bura
lived north of Biu before being attacked by Yamta – ra – wala around
16th Century. The few people Yemta brought with him intermarried with
the Bura and built up the Biu dynasty into a kingdom. Those descended
from Yemta’s group were called Pabir (Babur), this is why Pabir and Bura
differ considerably in culture and appearance.
Until
today, the Pabir are the ruling class among the Bura, and all the Bura
villages pay tribute to the Emir of Biu. The Bura still resent the
Pabir.
Apart from Bura they also speak Hausa, Chibok and
Marghi and also few of Fulflde. The Bura speakers are approximately over
250,000. The Pabir and Bura are the major tribes in Biu and Shani Local
Government Areas of Borno State.
The Map of Bura Communities is shown below:
1.2 Socio- cultural Profile
This center on the socio-cultural background of Bura people in terms of
their occupation, Religion, festivals and ceremonies. The following
information the socio-cultural profile of Bura people was collected
through oral source.
1.2.1 Marriage System
Bura has a
way of marriage policy when a female child is born, a suitor may propose
by throwing a leafy branch of a certain tree into the mother’s hut. If
he is accepted, he gives gifts as the girl grows up. He works on her
father’s farm and makes Zana matting for them when she reaches marriage
able age, he organizes his friends to capture her and bring her to his
house. Then the remaining part of the bride price is settled, which is
not a insists amount and arrangements for the marriage ceremony are
concluded.
Also, thing that are normally given in the
ceremony is basically kolanut, salt and a white linen. The bride is
usually expected to produce a white cloth stained with the proof of her
virginity and it may be displayed with pride. Her parents will be
ashamed if she is not a virgin.
As a sign of respect, a man does not eat with his parents-in –law.
1.2.2 Festivals
The only festival held in Bura is the maize harvest festival and is
performed before fresh corn can be eaten. Bura man who has lost a father
or mother selects three heads of corn, usually from his first fruits,
dresses it carefully and puts it on a tray which he sets by his head at
night.
1.2.3 Chieftaincy
Originally the Bura had no
central Government. Now the Emir of Biu appoints the districts head
(Ajia) who then approve the appointments of the village heads
(Lawans).Today both these titles belong to certain families. The village
heads appoint the ward heads (Bulamas) over small villages and wards of
larger ones. Anyone who has leadership ability can be chosen as a
Bulama.
1.2.4 Religion
The Bura had their traditional
religion before Islam came around 1920 and Christianity later came in
the 1920’s. Today these three religions can all be found among the Bura.
The traditional religion is called Hyel or Hyel- taku, but Naptu is a
personal god who takes cares of individual. The gods are represented by
various objects such as water, stones, mountains or forests. Most
sacrifices to gods are made on Saturday, so it is a special day, the
chief priest is called Mythmaker Haptu
Christianity was introduced through the missionaries The proportion of Christians is small compared to the entire population.
Despite
the presence of churches in many towns and villages, lslam is still
the predominant religion among the Bura. A rough estimate of the
religious percentages is as follows: - Muslims 78% Christians 20% and
Traditional 20%. Many Christians are nominal and many are not free from
immorality.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
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