MARAICIN RAHMA

About this Novel

As I passed through the town and many villages in Kebbi state, I found myself walking in a forested area. Amidst the green trees, water sources, and fields cultivated by local residents, I spotted scattered houses. The town seemed to thrive with the blessings of nature. My attention was drawn to a young Fulani girl dressed in traditional attire. She appeared to be in her mid-teens and had a tall and slender frame. Her hair, which cascaded down her back, bore a unique color that was neither black nor red. Her nose was long, but her eyes were strikingly beautiful, adorned with long black eyelashes. She had a set of dark pink lips, and despite her tattered clothes, she exuded a sense of cleanliness, though it was evident she was facing hardship. This young girl was in charge of three cows: a cow, a bull, and a calf. She led them to a small hut enclosed by a low wall. Near the hut, there was a simple toilet and a kitchen area with a few pots and utensils. I waited for someone to come out of the hut, but there was silence. The girl proceeded to untie her cows and change into a cotton shirt. She washed herself using water from a nearby container, then applied Vaseline using a cotton ball.