Minneapolis Institute of Art

Writing board

Hausa artist

Date

second half of 20th century

Medium

Wood, pigments, leather

Culture

Hausa

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This board with colorful representations of stylized animals in combination with words, numbers, and geometric shapes, is called allo kafi gida. This term in the Nigerian Hausa language means “home protection board.” Custom-made by a specialized Muslim cleric-artist, the board is kept hidden by the head of the family as a talisman—an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune—that protects him and his family. The iconography of these protective boards draws elements from the Qur’an, Sufi mysticism, and Hausa animal symbolism. This particular board shows birds, and possibly a lizard. SIDE A: Al-Hagh / Muhammad / God. Say, “He is God the One, God the eternal. He begot no one nor was He begotten. No one is comparable to Him.” There is no power but from God the Almighty. God is kind to His servants. SIDE B: God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. God is all-attentive to His servants. He provides for whomever He wishes. There is no power but from God the Almighty. God, Muhammad. Africa

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