Geographically, Bauchi State is
located in the
northeastern part of Nigeria. The
capital is Bauchi. The vegetation is mainly
savannah, with intermittent scrubs
dotted here and there. The highlands are mainly
rocky and grassy with large expanse of
lowland, which stretches for miles on end.
There are numerous streams and few
rivers here and there which serve as fishing
grounds for the population. The people
of Bauchi are mainly farmers, fishermen,
and crafts men. The language spoken is
Hausa and the religion practised is Islam,
of which the people adhere strictly to
the Islamic laws. So, it is worthy of note that
the people of Bauchi being core Islamic
faithfuls celebrate ‘Sallah’ festivals.
“Sallah” festivals are of two types
– the one during the fasting period (after the holy month of
Ramadan) and the non-
fasting period. During the celebration of the
one before the fasting period which isknown as “Id el Fitri” the
Chief Iman gives the go ahead after sighting the moon.
Immediately the moon is sighted,
the fasting period starts, and this lasts for 29 days or if the moon
is not sighted after, 30
days.
In Bauchi, the inhabitants observe
this period as a period of holiness and prayers
are offered five
times in a day. Fasting starts from 6:00am and ends 6:00pm daily.
This is observed strictly by all the
inhabitants. Children and pregnant women as
well as older inhabitants are allowed
to fast from 6:00am to 1:00pm as the case
may be. At the end of the 30 days
fasting, all the inhabitants converge at
designated prayer grounds to offer
prayers to Allah for a peaceful year and and a
year of progress.
In case of ‘Id el Kabir’ it is
observed without fasting and this is celebrated as a
mark of respect for the climbing of
mount Arafat in Mecca and to welcome back
home those pilgrims who went to Mecca
to perform the ‘Hajj’. Happy sallah to you all.
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