Continuity and Changes in the Social Practices of the Communities in Leren Zazzau

Abstract

Leren Zazzau is an area that comprises different ethnicities with distinct socio-cultural, religious and varying
historical backgrounds. They include the Fulani, Gure, Hausa, Janji, Kahugu, Kurama, Piti and Sheni, among others.
Although the distinct communities existed independently of each other, it was clear that irrespective of their
differences, especially in their socio-cultural practices, they had certain things in common i., e., the social
organization of the entire area was centred on the family, and all the groups recognized the supremacy of the oldest
person in the family. He coordinated and was in charge of all the family activities. For example, in agricultural
activities, he determined what to cultivate, provided all the required equipment and support, and determined what to
do with the harvest. Similarly, he decided on what to do with the surplus (mainly to carry out activities that had to do
with the social lives of the people) during weddings, naming ceremonies, entertainment of guests, what to be used for
children that had been circumcised, etc. This went a long way in enhancing intergroup relations amongst the diverse
people of the area through intermarriages and other intercommunal activities. Therefore, this paper employs the
historical method of enquiry to investigate and historicize the interrelationship amongst the social practices of the
people and their contributions to the development of the area.