OBITUARY: Dan Maraya Jos, iconic Hausa singer and Nigeria’s ‘best-known’ orphan

Born to a father who was himself a musician in the emir’s palace, Adamu Wayya would go on to adopt the moniker “Dan Maraya Jos” (“the Little Orphan of Jos”) to reflect the fact that he lost his parents so early in life.

His father died shortly after his birth and his mother did not live long thereafter either, but being an orphan did not limit his life trajectory.

Instead, the emir of Bukuru, his hometown in Jos south local government, Plateau state, took him under his care, and Dan Maraya was soon going places, learning from local musicians and going ahead to become an iconic traditional artiste in Hausaland.

Dan Maraya, who died on Saturday at the age of 69, was one of the most accomplished and best-known Hausa musicians of all time, and one who was duly recognised by his country with national honours.

He received the member of the order of the Nigeria (MON) and officer of the order of the Nigeria (OON) as well as United Nations peace medals.

He was a master of the kuntigi instrument — a small, single-stringed lute often used by solo players without back-up singers or any other instrument.

Dan Maraya’s close friend, Ladan Salihu, DG of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), broke the news on Saturday afternoon.

He told journalists: “He died after a protracted illness. When I visited him two weeks ago, he spoke passionately about the unity of the north and of one Nigeria. I remember when he insisted that my late father should give out his (Dan Maraya’s) adopted daughter’s hand in marriage some 15 years ago.

“We shared many moments. He was to me a brother and a friend. I am devastated. But I am proud he lived a very useful life, transforming society through music and silently through Islamic endeavours. May Allah grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
Jos was a poet and griot, and his music was often laced with philosophy and drama.”

Scholars celebrated his ability to imitate voices of children, women and other men in dramatic rendering of his songs, most of which preached family and social virtues as well as national unity.

His last public performance was at the PDP fundraiser in Abuja for former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 general election.

He appeared to be healthy, singing beyond his allotted time and having to be hurried off stage by the MC — although he received a bid applause from the crowd and handshakes from Jonathan and other dignitaries after the event.