The Babur people are an ethnic group believed to have originated from the Kanuri people, who migrated from the Lake Chad region to the northeastern part of Nigeria, today in Borno and Yobe States.The Babur people by default are influenced by the Kanuri Kingdom, which was a powerful empire that existed from the 8th to the 19th century.
The Babur people were introduced to Islam in the 11th century even prior to Usman Danfodio's jihad in the 17th century. Islamic practices had a significant impact on their culture, language, and traditions of the Babur. The Babur people speak languages that belong to the Chadic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family.The cultural, such as their traditional marriage customs, agricultural practices, and Islamic traditions are similar with Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri and Bura people found in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. The cultural ties especially with the Kanuri Kingdom, which has had a lasting impact on their cultures and traditions. Intermarriage between the Babur people and their distant cousins is common today which has helped to strengthen their cultural ties.
Marriage is one among the most important of Babur culture. A very prominent practice is the Kulafa practice, a system of betrothal system where a male partner, usually regardless of age is betrothed to a newborn female child.
Families often arrange marriages for their children like this, considering factors like social status, family background, and compatibility. Once a suitable partner is identified, the families negotiate the bride price right from her infancy, which typically includes livestock, grains, and other goods either to be paid when she attains the age of marriage or at intervals al through her life. As she approaches the marriageable age, the couple may engage in a courtship period, during which they get to know each other. The traditional marriage ceremony, known as "fatihu," involves the payment of the bride price, followed by prayers and blessings from the community elders.
Many Babur people are Muslims, so they also conduct an Islamic marriage ceremony, known as "nikah," which involves the signing of a marriage contract and the payment of a dowry, after which a celebration follows suit.
After marriage, the couple typically resides with the husband's family, following the patrilocal residence pattern. If he's capable, the husband builds a separate residence for himself and his wife away from his own family's compound. The newlyweds are expected to contribute to the family's economic and social well-being. They are to engage in farming on the family's plots, take part in the rearing of animals. The couple is socialized into their new roles and responsibilities within the family and community. They are sequestered from their previous status as single individuals, and treated as a couple henceforth with the husband as the head and his wife as his subordinate.
Divorce is allowed in Babur culture even though it is very much discouraged. Divorce proceedings typically involve the return of the bride price and the dowry. The wife is then permitted to return to get father's house without the children, but permitted to come visit them at intervals.
Remarriage is permitted, but it may involve certain restrictions or requirements, such as the payment of a new bride price, though it is very much lesser than that of a fresh marriage.
Marriage in itself is a very delicate and special aspect of Babur culture like any other African traditional culture. It is the basis of raising a family and serves as the bedrock of social identity and status in the society.
