THE GOOD PEOPLE OF BUSUGI

In view of the fact that climate change is a global phenomenon and its impacts varies among regions and areas as well as the need to incorporate local conditions and communities into climate change issues necessitated  a community based approach to climate change. It is in that light that a community based project was organized for the MRP (Master Research Programme) students of West African Science Service on Climate and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL). The project was set to familiarize the students with a local community in their environment and how the locals have been faring in their responses to climate change as well as the impact of climate change on rural economies. The community based project was set to bring the theoretical knowledge on climate change and it impact into real life situation. Climate Research and Outreach Group (CROG) was involved in the project, with this report on the good people of Busugi.

One may wonder “what / where is BUSUGI”? Come with me…………

Welcome on board into the land of Busugi, a land where visitors are accepted wholeheartedly and treated as part of one big family, a warm wish of safety as you explore the exceedingly pleasing atmosphere of this community.

The name Busugi

The name Busugbin now Busugi as was told means Hyena Cave (Busu-Hyena) Gbin(cave). This name came to being because hyenas were the dominant wild animals at the current location of the community at that time. It was from Busugi that other surrounding communities and villages in the likes Beji developed.

Busugi is now a community located in Beji district Bosso local government area of Niger state. It lies approximately between latitude 09.6126⁰N-09.6195⁰N and longitude 06.2669⁰E-06.2800⁰E, the center of the village is at latitude 09.61121⁰N and longitude 006.26508⁰E and at an elevation of 257m.

Its origin

Busugi community did not just sit where it is today, it was said to have originated from two hunters (one from Kuta area and the other from Nupe area). They first settled there in the 17th century, and at the time they became aware of each other’s presence each conceived in secret to offer to the other a part of their next catch (which is usually the arm) according to the tradition of hunters.  Interestingly and unknown to each other they both set out the same day to offer the gifts and so the hunters met on the way, on meeting, one of them hid his meat and the other man gave his own portion of the meat and by tradition, the recipient became the leader.

Settlement type: Busugi community depicts a typical rural nucleated settlement with the houses built closely together round the centre of the village.

Administrative organization: The hunter that received the gift became the first leader of the community and from then the leadership position has been passed on from parents to offspring. Currently, leadership is distributed in a hierarchy as depicted by the organogram below.

Fig 1: Organogram of leadershipin Busugi

Language: Predominantly, Gbagi language is predominantly spoken by the community, although they also speak Nupe as a result of intermarriage between them and the Nupes and because Busugi community located between the Gwari and the Nupe Kingdoms served as a route and a rest place for the people from Bida and Lemu on their way to and from Minna thus bringing about an inter-mingling of language.

Ethnic composition: Busugi community is predominantly composed of the Gbagis and Nupes.

Distinct characteristics: The community is distinctively characterized for pottery and hunting.

Population: The village has a total population of about 5,000 though some have migrated to other areas in search of better job opportunities and are not currently in the village.

Religion: The community is composed of predominantly Muslims with the Christians among them mostly visitors.

Occupation and economic activities: The major occupation of the men are hunting, farming, herdsmen and trading while the women engaged in pottery, shea butter processing and trading. There is no market in Busugi village however the closest market is Beji market. Busugi and all the surrounding villages in the area have a central market at Beji along Zungeru- Minna road. At Beji market, all household goods in addition to food items are sold. However, the stalls are constructed with wood and in some cases; businesses are conducted in the open as well as under the trees.

Plate1 shows economic activities in Busugi (Source: Authors)

STATE OF SOCIAL AND INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES IN BUSUGI

Housing: The houses in the community are basically constructed locally, employing local technology and the use of local materials such as mud for the walls and thatch or zinc sheets for roofs, though a few houses are constructed with concrete and zinc roof sheets.

Plate 2: Typical houses in Busugi (Source: Authors)

Source of water: Busugi community is blessed with a few streams and wells that provide water for domestic use. Nevertheless, there is also a hand pump bole behind the village that provides portable water for community. The borehole also provides water in addition to a constructed pond during the dry season when streams and wells dry up.

Plate 3: Source of water supply for the village (Source: Authors)

Education: Alas, Busugi as a community has only a primary and an Islamic school, the closest secondary school to Busugi village is Beji secondary school located in the district of Beji.

Roads: The community connects to Zungeru –Minna main express road through an un-tarred road.

Health facilities: There is no health facilities in Busugi community rather the community is served by the local health office located at Beji district.

Transportation: The most common means of transportation in Busugi is by motorcycles, although few of their people own vehicles (Cars, Buses, Pick-ups and Lorries) which they use for different purposes and for conveying farm produce to various localities. Bicycles are also used by some villagers.

Electricity: Although Busugi community is located in the power state, the community is not connected to the national grid for electricity supply.

THE HOSPITALITY OF THE PEOPLE OF BUSUGI

The friendliness of the people of Busugi was applaudable in every respect. Food, farm produce, live chicken and pottery works were some of the souvenirs given to the scholars that participated in the project.

The young men and women alongside the elders were welcoming, showing a high level of cordiality. The children never hesitated in their openness to the strangers as they willingly took pictures with the scholars and even craved to be carried by them.

 Plate 4: Picture with children and women in Busugi (Source: Authors)

Joyously, the young women entertained the scholars with the local songs and dances of their community. Sounds were produced from a locally improvised drum using a calabash submerged in a big bowl of water.

Jokingly, the male scholars were encouraged to ask for the hand of any of their young girls in marriage after proper consultation, this further shows the hospitality of the people. The community leader thanked the group for their visit and promised the unalloyed attention of the community in future researches. The scholars were highly elated for being involved in a community based research.

Plate 5: Hospitality at its climax in Busugi community

In conclusion, finding good people is like searching for a pin in hay’s sack, a search that is near futility but finding the good people of Busugi was a rewarding search. The people of Busugi are good in every regard, from the highest to the least person in the community, in their culture, civility as well as their hospitality, all these and more epitomizes their virtuousness.

Nevertheless, the people in their good state are faced with challenges on a daily basis as their basic livelihoods are threatened and their survival in the face global change (climate change) looks bleak. Researches and reports by West Africa Science Service Centre on Climate change and Adapted Landuse (WASCAL) FUT Minna and Climate Research and Outreach Group (CROG) have been well documented that drying streams, ground aquifer dehydration, agricultural losses, loss of native breeds, pond shrinkages among others are the major recursive impacts of climate change on these people with sound recommendation proffered. 

The analogous question being asked in the quest for a rapid response to the ordeal of these people is how can we help the good people of Busigi? Which in addendum extents to when will this help come and who will help these people?

Akpeokhai Agatha and AdenleAdemola (CROG)