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theuncannytruthteller · 5 years

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THE UNFORGETTABLE NIGERIAN: WEALTH, WEALTH EVERYWHERE

Alhaji Alhassan Dantata (1877 - August 17, 1955) was a Nigerian businessman who was the wealthiest man in West Africa at the time of his death.

HERITAGE

Dantata's father was Abdullahi, a man from the village of Danshayi, near Kano. Dantata was born in Bebeji in 1877, one of several children of Abdullahi and his wife, both of whom were traders and caravan leaders.

Bebeji was on the Kano to Gonja (now in northern Ghana) and Kano to Lagos routes. The people of Bebeji, at least those from the Zango (campsite) were great traders. Bebeji was considered a miniature Kano. There was a saying which went “If Kano has 10 kolas, Bebeji has 20 halves" or in Hausa: "Birni tana da goro goma, ke Bebeji kina da bari 20".

The town attracted many people of different backgrounds in the 19th century, such as the Yorubas, Nupes, Agalawas, etc. It was controlled by the Sarki (chief) of Bebeji who was responsible for the protection of Kano from attack from the southwest.

Alhassan was born into an Agalawa trading family. His father Madugu Abdullahi was a wealthy trader and caravan leader while his mother was also a trader of importance in her own right enjoying the title of Maduga-Amarya. Abdullahi, in his turn, was a son of another prosperous merchant, Baba Talatin. It was he who brought the family from Katsina, probably at the beginning of the nineteenth century, following the death of his father, Ali.

Abdullahi already had a reputation of some wealth from his ventures with his father and therefore inherited his father’s position as a recognized and respected Madugu. Like his father, he preferred the Nupe and Gonja routes. He specialized in the exchange of Kano dyed cloth, cattle, slaves and so on for the kola of the Akan forest. Surprisingly, he had added cowries brought to the coast by European traders to the items he carried back to Kano.

BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE

Abdullahi continued to operate from Madobi until 1877 when having just set out for a journey to Gonja, his wife delivered in the Zango (campsite) of Bebeji. The child was a boy and after the usual seven days, he was named Alhassan. Abdullahi purchased a house in the town and left his nursing wife and child to await his return from Gonja. On his return, he decided to abandon Madobi and moved to Bebeji. Some say that the house that contains his tomb is still held by the family. The date of his death is unknown, but it was probably about 1885 when Alhassan was between seven and eight years of age. By then he had brothers and sisters – Shuaibu, Malam Jaji, Malam Bala, Malam Sidi and others.

The children were too young to succeed to their father’s position and to manage his considerable wealth. They all received their portion according to Islamic law. Maduga Amarya was known to be such a forceful character that nobody in the Zango would take her to wife. She therefore decided to leave the children in Bebeji, in the care of an old slave woman, while she moved to Accra where she became one of the wealthier Hausa traders.

The slave was known as "Tata" from which circumstance young Alhassan became known as Alhassan Dantata because of her role as his ‘mother’ (" Dantata" means "son of Tata”).

Alhassan was sent to a Qur'anic school (madrasah) in Bebeji and as his share of his father’s wealth (as so often happens), seemed to have vanished, he had to support himself. The life of the almajiri (Qur’anic student) is difficult, as he has to find food and clothing for himself and also for his malam (teacher) and at the same time read. Some simply beg while others seek paid work. Alhassan worked and even succeeded at the insistence of Tata in saving. His asusu, “money box” (a pottery vessel) purchased by Tata and set in the wall of the house can still be seen.

When he was about 15 years of age, Alhassan joined a Gonja bound caravan to see his mother. He purchased some items from Bebeji, sold half of them on the way and the rest in Accra. When he saw his mother, he was very delighted hoping she would allow him to live without doing any work since she was one of the wealthier local traders. After only a rest of one day, she took him to another malam and asked him to stay there until he was ready to return to Kano and he worked harder in Accra than he did in Bebeji. After the usual reading of the Qur’an, Alhassan Dantata had to go and beg for food for his malam, and himself. When he worked for money on Thursdays and Fridays, Alhassan Dantata would not be allowed to spend the money for himself alone, his malam always took the lion’s share (this is normal in Hausa society). After the visit, his mother sent him back to Bebeji where he continued his studies. Even though now a teenager, Tata continued to insist that he must save something everyday.

When he was still a teenager, great upheavals occurred in the Kano Emirate. This included the Kano Civil War (1893-1894) and the British invasion of the emirate (1903). During the Kano Civil war, Alhassan and his brothers were captured and sold as slaves, but they were able to buy back their freedom and return to Bebeji shortly afterwards.

Alhassan remained in Bebeji until matters had settled down and the roads were secure, only then did he set out for Accra, by way of Ibadan and Lagos (Ikko) and then by sea to Accra and then to Kumasi, Sekondi and back to Lagos. Alhassan was one of the pioneers of this route. For several years, he carried his kola by sea, using steamers; to Lagos where he usually sold it to Kano bound merchants. By this time, he was relatively wealthy.

In 1906, he began broadening his interests by trading in beads, necklaces, European cloth, etc. His mother, who had never remarried, died in Accra around 1908 and he thereafter generally restricted his operations to Lagos and Kano, although he continued to visit Accra.

CAREER

Thus far in his career, with most of his fellow long distance traders, he continued to live in one of the towns some distance from Kano City, only visiting the Birni for business purposes. Before Alhassan settled in Kano permanently, he visited Kano City only occasionally to either purchase or sell his wares. He did not own a house there, but was satisfied with the accommodation given to him by his patoma (land lord.). It was during the time of the first British appointed Emir of Kano; Abbas (1903-1919) that Alhassan decided to establish a home in Kano. He purchased his first house in the Sarari area (an extension of Koki). At that time there were no houses from the house of Baban Jaki (at the end of Koki) up to Kofar Mazugal. In fact the area was called Sarari because it was empty and nobody wanted that land. Alhassan built his first house on that land and was able thereafter to extend it freely.

In 1912, when the Europeans started to show an interest in the export of groundnut, they contacted the already established Kano merchants through the Emir, Abbas and their chief agent, Adamu Jakada. Some established merchants of Kano like Umaru Sharubutu, Maikano Agogo and others were approached and accepted the offer.

Later in 1918, Alhassan was approached by the Niger Company to help purchase groundnuts for them. He was already familiar with the manner by which people made fortunes by buying cocoa for Europeans in the Gold Coast. He responded and participated in the enterprise with enthusiasm, he had several advantages over other Kano business men: he could speak some English because of his contact with the people on the coast, thus he could negotiate more directly with the European traders for better prices. He also had accumulated a large capital and unlike other established Kano merchants, had only a small family to maintain, as he was still a relatively young man.

Alhassan had excellent financial management, was frugal and unostentatious. He knew some accounting and with the help of Alhaji Garba Maisikeli, his financial controller for 38 years, every kobo was accounted for every day. Not only that, Alhassan was hard working and always around to provide personal supervision of his workers. As soon as he entered the groundnut purchasing business, he came to dominate the field. In fact by 1922 he became the wealthiest businessman in Kano. Umaru Sharubutu and Maikano Agogo were relegated to the second and the third positions respectively.

When the British Bank of West Africa was opened in Kano in 1929, he became the first Kano businessman to utilize a bank account when he deposited twenty camel loads of silver coins. Shortly before his death, he pointed to sixty “groundnut pyramids” in Kano and said, “These are all mine”.

Alhassan became the chief produce buyer especially of groundnuts for the Niger Company (later U.A.C). It is said that he used to purchase about half of all the nuts purchased by U.A.C in northern Nigeria. Because of this, he applied for a license to purchase and export groundnuts in 1940 just like the U.A.C. However, because of the great depression and the war situation, it was not granted. Even Saul Raccah lost his license to export and import about this time because he did not belong to the Association of West African Merchants. In 1953-4 he became a licensed buying agent (L.B.A) that is, a buyer who sells direct to the marketing board instead of to another firm.

However, Alhassan had many business connections both in Nigeria and in other West African countries, particularly the Gold Coast. He dealt, not only in groundnuts, but also in other merchandise. He traded in cattle, kola, cloth, beads, precious stones, grains, rope and other things. His role in the purchase of kola nuts from forest areas of Nigeria for sale in the North was so great, that eventually whole “kola trains” from the Western Region were filled with his nuts alone.

When Alhassan finally settled in Kano, he maintained agents, mainly his relations, in other places. For instance Alhaji Bala, his brother, was sent to Lagos. Alhassan employed people, mainly Igbo, Yoruba and the indigenous Hausa people, as wage earners. They worked as clerks, drivers, and labourers. Some of his employees, especially the Hausas, stayed in his house. He was responsible for their marriage expenses. They did not pay rent and in fact, were regarded as members of his extended family. He sometimes provided official houses to some of his workers.

TEMPERAMENT AND CHARACTER

People’s opinion of Alhassan Dantata differed. To some people, he was a mutumin kirki (complete gentleman) who was highly disciplined and made money through hard work and honesty. He always served as an enemy to, or a breaker of hoarding. For instance, he would purchase items, especially grains, during the harvest time, when it was abundant at low prices. He would wait until the rainy season, (July or August) when there was limited supply in the markets or when grain merchants started to inflate prices.

He then moved to fill the markets with his surplus grains and asked a price lower than the current price in the markets by between 50 – 70%. In this way, he forced down prices. His anti- hoarding activities did not stop at grains and other consumer goods, but even to such items as faifai, igiya, babarma (Mat), dyed cloth, shuni, potash, and so on. However on the other hand, according to information collected in Koki, Dala, Qul-qul, Madabo, Yan Maruci e.t.c, Alhassan was viewed as a mugun mutum (wicked person). This was because some people expressed the view that Dantata undercut their prices simply to cripple his fellow merchants.

BUSINESS INTERESTS

He founded, with other merchants (attajirai), the Kano Citizens’ Trading Company, for industrial undertakings. In 1949, he contributed property valued at ₤10,200 (ten thousand, two hundred pounds) to the proposed Kano citizens trading company for the establishment of the first indigenous textile mill in Northern Nigeria. Near the end of his life he was appointed a director of the Railway Corporation.

In 1917, he started to acquire urban land in the non- European trading site (Syrian quarters) when he acquired two plots at an annual fee of ₤20. All his houses were occupied by his own people; relations, sons, servants, workers and so on. He never built a hotel for whatever purpose in his life and advised his children to do like wise. His numerous large warehouses in and around Kano metropolis were not for rent, rather he kept his own wares in them.

RELATIONSHIP WITH WOMEN

Because of his Islamic beliefs, Alhassan never transacted business with a woman of whatever age. His wife, Hajiya Umma Zaria, (mother of Aminu) was his chief agent among the women folk. The women did not have to visit her house. She established agents all over Kano city and visited them in turn. When she visited her agents, it was the duty of the agents to ask what the women in the ward wanted. Amina Umma Zaria would then leave the items for them. All her agents were old married women and she warned her agents to desist from conducting business with newly wedded girls. Umma Zaria dealt in the smallest household items, which would cost 2.5 d to sophisticated jewels worth thousands of pounds.

WAY OF LIFE, FOOD AND HEALTH

Though Alhassan became the wealthiest man in the British West African colonies, he lived a simple life. He fed on the same foodstuffs as any other individual, such as tuwon dawa da furar gero. He dressed simply in a white gown, a pair of white trousers (da itori), and underwear (yar ciki), a pair of ordinary local sandals, and sewn white cap, white turban and occasionally a malfa (local hat). He was said never to own more than three sets of personal clothing at a time. He never stayed inside his house all day and was always out doing something. He moved about among his workers joking with them, encouraging and occasionally giving a helping hand. He ate his meal outside and always with his senior workers like Garba Maisikeli and Alhaji Mustapha Adakawa.

Alhassan met fully established wealthy Kano merchants when he moved to Kano from the Kauye, like Maikano Agogo, Umaru Sharubutu, Salga and so on. He lived with them peacefully and always respected them. He avoided clashes with other influential people in Kano. He hated court litigation. He was in court only once, but before the final judgment the case was settled outside a Lagos court (it was a ₤10,000 civil suit instituted by one Haruna against him). He lived peacefully with the local authorities. Whenever he offended the authorities he would go quietly to solve the problems with the official concerned.

Alhassan enjoyed good health and was never totally indisposed throughout his active life. However, occasionally he might develop malaria fever and whenever he was sick, he would go to the clinic for treatment. Because of his simple eating habits, ordinary Hausa food two or three times a day and his always active mode of life, he never developed obesity. He remained slim and strong throughout his life. Alhassan had no physical defects and enjoyed good eye sight.

Alhassan was a devout Muslim. He was one of the first northerners to visit Mecca via England by mail boat in the early 1920s. He loved reading the Qur’an and Hadith. He had a personal mosque in his house and established a qur’anic school for his children. He maintained a full time Islamic scholar called Alhaji Abubakar (father of Malam Lawan Kalarawi, a renowned Kano public preacher).

He paid zakkat annually according to Islamic injunction and gave alms to the poor every Friday. He belonged to the Qadiriyya brotherhood.

Soon after the First World War he went on the pilgrimage to Mecca, via Britain, where he was presented to King George V.

EDUCATION INTERESTS

Alhassan Dantata respected people with qur’anic and other branches of Islamic learning, and helped them occasionally. He established a qur’anic school for his children and other people of the neighbourhood. He insisted that all his children must be well educated in the Islamic way. He appreciated also, functional western education, just enough to transact business (some arithmetic, simple accounting, Hausa reading and writing and spoken English).

Alhassan backed the establishment of a western style school in the Dala area for Hausas (i.e. non-Fulani) traders’ children in the 1930’s. The existence of a school in Bebeji (the only non-district headquarters in Kano to have one in the 1930’s) was probably due to his influence, although he could neither read nor write English. Alhassan could write beautiful Ajami, but could not speak or write Arabic, although he could read the Qur’an and other religious books with ease (this is very common in Hausa society). Most of the qur’anic reciter's could read very well, but could not understand Arabic. Alhassan Dantata knew some arithmetic-addition and subtraction and could use a ready reckoner. He also encouraged his children to learn enough western education to transact business, the need of his time. He established his own Arabic and English school in 1944, Dantata Arabic and English school.

POLITICS

He never became a politician in the true sense of the term. However, because of his enormous wealth, he was always very close to the government. He had to be in both the colonial government’s good books and maintain a position very close to the emirs of Kano. He was nominated to represent commoners in the reformed local administration of Kano and in 1950 was made a councillor in the emir’s council- the first non- royal individual to have a seat at the council. Other members of the council then were: Madakin Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa, Walin Kano, Malam Abubakar Tsangaya, Sarkin Shanu, Alhaji Muhammadu Sani, Wazirin Kano Alhaji Abubakar, Makaman Kano Alhaji Bello Alhaji Usman Gwarzo, and the leader Alhaji Abdulllahi Bayero. Alhassan therefore was a member of the highest governing body of Kano in his time. He was also appointed to mediate between NEPU and NPC in Kano in 1954 together with Mallam Nasiru Kabara and other members. He joined no political party, but it is clear that he sympathised with the NPC.

DEATH AND LEGACY

In 1955, Alhassan fell ill and because of the seriousness of the illness, he summoned his chief financial controller, Garba Maisikeli and his children. He told them that his days were approaching their end and advised them to live together. He was particularly concerned about the company he had established (Alhassan Dantata & Sons). He asked them not to allow the company to collapse. He implored them to continue to marry within the family as much as possible. He urged them to avoid clashes with other wealthy Kano merchants. They should take care of their relatives, especially the poor among them. Three days later, he passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, 17th August, 1955 at 78. He was buried the same day in his house in Sarari ward, Kano. At the time of his death in August 1955, he was the wealthiest man of any race in West Africa.

It was and is rare for business organizations to survive the death of their founders in Hausa society. Hausa tradition is full of stories of former successful business families who later lost everything. In Kano city alone names like: Kundila of Makwarari, the wealthiest man at the end of nineteenth century, Maikano Agogo of Koki Ward, Umaru Sharubutu also of Koki Ward, Baban Jaji, Abdu Sarki of Zaitawa Ward, Madugu Indo of Adakawa, and others too numerous to mention here, were some of them.

Only Alhassan of Kano was likely to leave able heirs to continue his business in a grand way. The reason for this was that his heirs were interested in keeping the family name going and the employment of modern methods of book keeping, the only local merchant to do so at that time. Alhassan Dantata’s entire estate was subdivided according to Islamic law among the eighteen children who survived him. Alhassan’s descendants include Dr Aminu Dantata (son), Sanusi Dantata (son), Abdulkadir Sanusi Dantata (grandson), Dr Mariya Sanusi Dangote (granddaughter), Alhaji Aliko Dangote (great-grandson), Alhaji Tajudeen Aminu Dantata (great-grandson) and Alhaji Sayyu Dantata (great-great grandson). #HistoryVilleTHE UNFORGETTABLE NIGERIAN: WEALTH, WEALTH EVERYWHERE

Alhaji Alhassan Dantata (1877 - August 17, 1955) was a Nigerian businessman who was the wealthiest man in West Africa at the time of his death.

HERITAGE

BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE

The slave was known as "Tata" from which circumstance young Alhassan became known as Alhassan Dantata because of her role as his ‘mother’ (" Dantata" means "son of Tata”).

CAREER

TEMPERAMENT AND CHARACTER

BUSINESS INTERESTS

RELATIONSHIP WITH WOMEN

WAY OF LIFE, FOOD AND HEALTH

He paid zakkat annually according to Islamic injunction and gave alms to the poor every Friday. He belonged to the Qadiriyya brotherhood.

Soon after the First World War he went on the pilgrimage to Mecca, via Britain, where he was presented to King George V.

EDUCATION INTERESTS

POLITICS

DEATH AND LEGACY

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erinblackirish · 2 years

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@kiandesworld72 @janetjackson 's debut album celebrates 40 years today!!!🥳 Artist: Janet Jackson Album: Janet Jackson Label: A&M Records Release Date: September 21, 1982 Before she gained "Control", the youngest Jackson sibling released two albums on A&M Records, with this self-titled release being the very first. Built on the strength of her family name, as well as her known presence on television, "Janet Jackson" shed new light on this young rising star. While it did not give insight on what was to come in later years, it introduced to the world an artist who was capable of delivering fun and catchy R&B/Pop/Dance music. Five singles were released to support the project, with the lead single "Young Love" performing the best, reaching #6 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles Chart. It is the song that most identifies pre-Control Janet. Other singles such as "Say You Do" (#15 Hot Black Singles Chart) and "Come Give Your Love To Me" (#17 Hot Black Singles Chart) struck a chord with her growing audience. Unfortunately, "Love and My Best Friend" and "Don't Mess Up This Good Thing" did not chart at all, although the former frequently made its way on national radio. "Janet Jackson" benefited from production and songwriting credits from Rene Moore and Angela Winbush (Rene & Angela), Foster Sylvers and Bobby Watson, as well as contributions from many other notable musicians and vocalists. It's as though they were all invited to a private party to ignite the talents of a young woman who would become one of the biggest, and most well-known artists of our time. While the album was considered a commercial failure to some, due to receiving lukewarm reviews and selling "only" 300,000 units, it remains an integral part on Ms. Jackson's career. People were excited to see her perform on television, and many young fans collected the mini posters that she appeared on in teen magazines. It was a pure and innocent time in her evolution. In comparison to her later work, "Janet Jackson" may only be seen as a footnote, but it laid the foundation for an incredibly successful and respected recording career.✌🏼❤~Kiande K. Jakada September 21, 2022 #JanetJackson #KiandesMusicReview https://www.instagram.com/p/CiziXgwr6tt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#6 #15 #17 #janetjackson #kiandesmusicreview

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noahs-writing-blog · 6 years

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Captain Shen and The Last Wizard’s Tome Chapter 1

The crew aboard the Blue Dragon gathered around the railing on the port side and watched with bated breath as a small raft emerged from the clouds. It was a shoddy collection of wooden planks held together by crooked nails with a tattered blue sail in the middle that didn’t look to be doing much of anything besides flapping in the wind. It paled in comparison to the Blue Dragon with its towering orange junk sails, massive turbines fixed to the aft that churned out the magic necessary to keep the ship afloat, and impressively large hull decorated on the bow with a giant dragons head carved into the hull, painted blue with wild white hair, white horns, and bright red eyes.

“Do you think it’s him?” Asked Marcus, leaning against the rail for a better look. He adjusted his bandanna nervously.

“I don’t know,” Answered Lucia, “But that’s definitely his boat.” Up in the crows nest sat Firalda, the first mate. She was a slender dark elf with a crooked nose and large red eyes. She took a spyglass from her belt and peered out at the approaching vessel. Inside was a taught man with long black hair, stringy from sweat, and small dark eyes. He looked like hell, wearing what was once a fine red coat now torn to shreds and missing a sleeve, as well as black trousers that had been burnt off from the knee down. He worked frantically tending to a small set of turbines on the back of the ship, trying his best to keep the boat afloat.

“That’s definitely him,” Firalda muttered, closing the spyglass and placing it back in her belt. In one swift motion, she leaped from the crows nest, grabbing hold of the ladder and sliding down to the deck below. The crew was busy pushing and shoving one another trying to get a better look. They all stopped when Firalda’s boots hit the deck with THUD.

“Move.” She ordered, her voice dripping with authority. They quickly began pushing back as she marched toward the railing. She smirked, pleased with her results. As she approached the railing, she could see the ship was getting closer, but growing more unstable as it went, shaking and rattling with each passing second, threatening to spill it’s passenger out to the forest waiting hundreds of feet below.

“Quick! Get the ladder!” she called. Marcus was there in a matter of moments, a long rope ladder in hand. He quickly got to work fastening it to the railing before tossing it off the side. The man aboard the boat quickly collected his things. He slung a thin straight sword across his back as well as a small black box and stepped up onto the edge of the boat. He looked down for a moment and possed, possibly rethinking his plan. The boat began shaking violently, making the decision clear to him. With a deep breath, he leaped from the boat, catching the bottom rung of the ladder as the boat sputtered out the last of its magic and plummeted toward the ground. His feet kicked in the air as he tried to pull himself to no avail.

“Pull him up!” Firalda shouted. Together she and Marcus began pulling the ladder, their muscles straining against the weight of its passenger. Each passing moment was tinged with fear as they grew more and more exhausted. Then, with one final heave, the man popped up over the rail and fell to the deck where sprawled out for all to see. His face was covered in black soot stains while his cheek sported a thin red cut that left small streaks of dried blood running down to his jaw.

“Captain!” Firalda gasped kneeling down to check on him. “Captain Shen, are you alright?” The captain peered around at his crew gathered around him. It wasn’t much, only about twenty in all, but they were as loyal as any captain could hope for. He sat up and brushed his hair back behind his ears and wiping the sweat from his brow.

“I’m alright,” He croaked, his voice hoarse from exhaustion. The crew cheered as the captain pushed himself onto his knees. Firalda quickly grabbed him by the arm.

“Here, let me help you.”She said, but the captain was quick to brush her off. “I’m fine, honestly.” He assured her, grabbing the railing and pulling himself to his feet. He stumbled just a moment, but quickly steady himself, straightening his spine and raising his chin. The crew looked at him in awe as they awaited his command.

“Well don’t just stand there,” He chided. “Get a move on! We need to put as much distance between us and Jakada as we can by morning. And for the love of Ria, will somebody get dinner started? I’m famished as all hells.” The crew quickly dispersed, setting to work as they prepared the ship to take off.

“What on earth happened down there?” Firalda whispered, leaning in close to the captain.

“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” He said, slipping the black box off from around his torso. “Just the usual. Hungry monsters. Angry locals. Actually, come to think of it there was a fire-spitting plant. Can’t say I’ve seen that before.” Firalda rolled her eyes.

“Well, I hope it was worth it, cause now we’re down a boat. Have you even thought about how furious Thaldon will be?”

“Don’t worry, Thaldon will be fine when he sees what I’ve brought back.”

“SHEN!” Bellowed a voice from across the ship. Shen and Firalda turned to see an angry dwarf marching toward them from aft. He wore soot-covered clothes, covered by a black apron. He had long chestnut colored hair peppered with bits of gray and an equally long braided beard to match. Each of his thick arms was covered in intricate tattoos depicting the dwarven kingdoms of old as well as scenes of legendary battles from dwarven myth.

“Do you care to explain to me why I just saw one my boats falling from the sky?” He growled, his accent thick and harsh. Standing next to Shen, he seemed a bit tall for a dwarf, with the top of his head reaching Shen’s chin.

“Listen Thaldon,” Shen said, trying to back away, only to find himself pressed up against the railing. “I know how much you care about your creations, and I truly am sorry about the boat. But believe me when I say it was in all of our best interests that I let the boat go.”

“Best interest?” Thaldon repeated. His arm snapped up, grabbing hold of the captains color. He pushed him further up against the railing, threatening to send him spilling overboard. “Well, I think it would be in your best interest to start explaining before I send you to join it!” Shen looked down to the ground below. The ship had begun moving but that didn’t make the fall look any less frightening.

“Look I can’t tell you here, but I promise, if you come with me to my quarters I’ll tell you everything.” Said Shen. Thaldon eyed him suspiciously.

“Everything?” He asked.

“Everything.” The dwarf hung on a second longer, contemplating his options before releasing his grip. Shen sighed with relief and picked up the black box once again.

“Follow me,” He ordered. Thaldon and Firalda fell in behind him as he marched towards the bow of the ship. The crew stole glances as they passed, eyeing the black box, wondering what could be inside. It wasn’t often the captain went to the surface alone. Whatever it was must have been important.

They reached a small hatch on the back of the dragon’s head. Shen opened it up revealing a small passageway that went down further into the giant wooden head and gestured for Firalda and Thaldon to head down. Shen followed after, shutting the hatch tight behind him.

Inside the dragon’s head was a dimly lit room with a large bed with fine red sheats. In the center of the room was a table covered in maps and inkwells, surrounded by bookshelves covering each wall. There were two small crooks of the room directly behind the dragon's eyes with a large red window in each. In one sat a grand tub looking out the window at the world below, and in the other was a large lounge chair sitting next to a small table. Shen quickly walked over to the center table and placed the black box on top of the maps. Firalda and Thaldon stood on either side of him, peering down at the black box.

“What I��m about you show you must remain between the three of us.” He said. “Understood?” Firalda and Thaldon nodded. Shen took a deep breath and undid the latch. Slowly, he lifted open. Inside was a small book, with a worn leather cover and pages turned yellow from years of wear and tear. Shen’s eyes gleamed at the sight of it, while Firalda and Thaldon both looked at it expectantly.

“What is it?” Thaldon asked. Shen handed him the book.

“It, Thaldon, is our guide to the greatest treasure known to man,” Shen said, walking over to a wardrobe next to the bed. He opened it up and grabbed a fresh shirt, a pair of white trousers, and an excellently stitched powder blue jacket. He set them down on the bed and quickly began undressing.

“Which treasure would that be?” Firalda asked, peering over Thaldon’s shoulder at the book. Inside the pages were covered in intricate symbols that neither had ever seen.

“Why the only great treasure left to find of course,” Shen said, pulling on the new trousers. Firalda puzzled at him as he fastened his belt. Then, her eyes widened.

“You don’t mean-”

“I do.” Shen beamed. He quickly threw the new shirt on and got to work fastening the buttons.

“What is it?” Thaldon asked once again. Shen walked over to the dwarf and clasped him on the shoulders. He leaned in close, a grin spread across his face. “The Last Wizard’s Tome,” He whispered. The captain then briskly walked over to a small bucket that sat at the foot of the tub, a small spring in his step as he did so. It was already filled with warm, steamy water. He reached in and pulled out a damp cloth, wringing it out before walking over to a mirror on the left.

“I still don’t understand,” Thaldon said, his voice growing irritated. Shen rolled his eyes as he dabbed at the marks on his face with the cloth.

“Firalda, can you explain?” He asked.

“O-of course,” Firalda stammered, still in shock from the revelation. “See, at the end of the great wars, when the first wave of magic began to spread across the world, the wizards banded together in an attempt to push the magic back. When they realized it was hopeless they built the first airships in an attempt to protect those who managed to survive. Now, instead of joining the survivors on board the airships they decided to stay on the surface and search for a way to cure the corruption their magic had caused.

“It’s thought that they lived another fifteen to twenty years on the surface searching for the answer. One by one they began to fall, as the surface grew more and more dangerous, and the corruption spread. But one wizard is said to have outlived them all and is even rumored to have found a cure for the corruption that he placed inside a tome to be found when he died so that in the future the world could still be saved without him. It is without a doubt the most valuable, and powerful magical artifact in the known world. If it even exists.”

“Oh, it exists,” Shen assured her as he walked back over to the bed. He rubbed the small patch of hair on his chin as he admired the jacket that lay before him.

“What makes you so sure?” Firalda asked. Shen smirked.

“Look on the last page.” She did as she was told and flipped to the last page. Her eyes grew even wider when she saw what was on it. Seared into the page was a symbol. Three eyes in a triangular formation, with a different glyph in each pupil. A tree, a flame, and a silhouette of a man.

“It’s his mark.” Firalda gasped.

“I know,” Shen chuckled, slipping the jacket on. “It’s his journal. And what do people use journals for?”

“Keeping logs,” Thaldon answered, a small smile forming on his face. “What they’ve done, people they’ve met, places they’ve been.”

“It’ll lead us right to the tome.” Shen beamed.

“We’ll be rich!” Bellowed Thaldon.

“I think you’re forgetting something,” Firalda chimed in, handing the book back to Shen. “We can’t read this. It’s in the old tongue. That language was lost thousands of years ago. There probably isn’t a soul alive who could still read it.”Shen shifted uncomfortably, afraid to meet his first mate's eyes.

“There is one person who could,” He muttered. Firalda’s eyes narrowed.

“No.”

“We don’t have any other choice,” Shen explained as he attached his sword to his belt, still refusing to meet Firalda’s eyes. He went to go back up to the deck but Firalda caught him by the arm. He looked at her, expecting to find anger in her eyes but instead found something else. Fear.

“Please,” She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “Not that woman. She’s not natural.” Shen wanted to say something to calm her but couldn’t find the words. This was their only choice.

“We’ll discuss this later.” He said. Just then a knocking came from the hatch above. Shen tossed the book back to Thaldon who quickly shut it back in the box.

“Come in,” He said. Down the ladder scrambled Marcus, his umber skin glistening with sweat. He huffed and puffed as he tried to catch his wrong.

“What’s wrong?” Shen asked. Marcus swallowed in an attempt to get the words out.

“I saw em from the crows nest,” He gasped. “They were on us before we could sound the bell.”

“Who?”

“The Navy.”

#writing #writers #writeblr #writer #write #excerpts of stories #excerpt from a book i'm writing #chapter 1 #first draft #beta reader #fantasy #fantasy story #fantasy writing #pirates

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jiokcareers · 3 years

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NEWS UPDATE: Dogara speaks on suspension as Jakada Bauchi by Emirate Council

The immediate past Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday, absolved himself of the recent attack on the emirs of Bauchi and Dass by irate youths over the recent violence in the Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local government areas. The convoys of the emirs of Bauchi and Dass, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu Sulaiman and Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, were on 31st December, 2021…

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egypttoursclub1 · 3 years

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Best Luxury trips to Egypt

Book one of the best luxury trips to Egypt in Cairo with Jakada Tours Egypt for 3 days and enjoy the unforgettable sights of Cairo such as the pyramids of Giza.

#luxury trips to Egypt

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voahausa · 4 years

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Hukumar Kula da 'Yan Gudun Hijira ta Majalisar Dinkin Duniya, UNHCR a takaice, a yau ta sanar da nadin Alphonso Davies, dan wasan baya na hagu na kungiyar kwallon kafa ta FC Bayern Munich, kuma dan wasan kungiyar Kwallon Kafa ta Canada, a matsayin sabon Jakadan Duniya na Alheri. A cikin jawabinsa na karbar wannan karramawar yana mai cewa: "Ina alfahari da shiga Hukumar 'Yan Gudun Hijira ta Majalisar Dinkin Duniya, a matsayina na Jakadan kwarai. Abin da na gani ya sa mun shaukin yin magana game da 'yan gudun hijirar, don ba da labarinsu da kuma taimakawa wajen kawo canji." Filippo Grandi, Babban Kwamishinan 'Yan Gudun Hijira na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya, lokacin da yake maraba da sabon Jakada, ya ce: "Alphonso Davies ya nuna jajircewa, da iya wasa, kuma muna matukar murna da kasancewar shi tare da mu. Wasanni na da karfin gaske wajen hada zumunci, da warkarwa da kuma taimakawa wajen tsara makoma don a cikin aikin da muke yi da 'yan gudun hijirar muna ganin yau da kullun abin da sauye-sauye na motsa jiki ke iya kawowa a rayuwarsu. Labarinsa na kansa, hazakarsa da kuma nasarar da ya samu a matsayinsa na kwararren dan wasan kwallon kafa, da kuma jajircewarsa wajen taimaka wa 'yan gudun hijirar, ba karamin tasiri ba ne. Ina maraba da shi da kuma fatan yin aiki tare da shi. "An haife shi a sansanin 'yan gudun hijira a Ghana, ga iyayen sa ‘yan asalin Liberia da suka guje wa yakin basasa a kasarsu, Davies ya gane wa idanunsa abin da ake nufi da zama dan gudun hijira:" Yayin da sansanin 'yan gudun hijirar ya bai wa iyaye na matsuguni, wuri ne mai bayar da aminci ga iyalina lokacin da suka gudu daga yaƙi, galibi nakan yi tunanin inda zan kasance idan da na zauna a wurin, kuma ban ci gajiyar damar da na samu ba saboda sake tsugunar da ni. Ba na tsammanin da na isa inda nake a yau. " An sake dawo da Davies da danginsa zuwa kasar Canada lokacin da yake da shekara biyar. A shekara 15, Davies ya fara buga kwallon kafa na kwararru, kuma bayan shekara daya ne ya fara buga wa kasarsa wasa. Ya zama dan wasa mafi karancin shekaru a kungiyar maza ta Canada. Yanzu yana da shekaru 20, Alphonso na da sha'awar tallafa wa aikin UNHCR da kuma amfani da karfin motsa jiki, don taimaka wa wadanda aka tilastawa gudu don gina kyakkyawar makoma: "Ina son mutane su samu fahimta game da mahimmancin taimaka wa ‘yan gudun hijira, a duk inda suke, a sansanoni ko birane, a kasashe makwabta ko kasashen da aka sake tsugunar da su kamar Canada. 'Yan gudun hijirar na bukatar tallafinmu don su rayu, amma kuma samun ilimi da wasanni, don haka za su iya karfafa su kuma su bunkasa da gaske. " via Voice of America Hausa

#IFTTT #Voice of America Hausa #VOA Hausa #VOAHausa

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newsvillepost · 4 years

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Covid-19: Jarman Kano, Isa Hashim, is Dead

State loses Previous Council part, ex-commissioner. Professor Isa Hashim, the average victor of Jarman Kano, is dead. The Jarman Kano kicked the bucket on Sunday in his home after a short medical issue. His casualty is coming a day after the casualty of Emir of Rano, Tafida Abubakar Ila. Hashim was one of the strongest title occupier in Kano emirate Subtleties of his condition were not immediately promptly accessible yet assets expressed Educator Hashim's wellbeing and health eroded after the passing of a couple of his youth dear companions in snappy succession. He was an educator of political theory, an overseer and author. In another discouraging headway, a past individual from the Place of Reps, Decent Ubale Jakada Kiru, spent away on Sunday morning. Furthermore, an Official for Instruction during Representative Kabiru Gaya's governnent, Malam Haruna Shanono, has really died. Haruna was past Administrator of Shanono regional government and furthermore chieftain of the APC. Read the full article

#IsaHashim #JarmanKano #Kano #SpeakerDead

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isausmanmohd · 5 years

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ANNABI MUHAMMADU(S.A.W); Ilimin Takardu ANNABI Ya Gaza Yin Bayanin Ka Duk Kaunu Sun Gajiya a Tunani Kan Mukamin Ka Sun Kasa Gano Irin Matsayin Ka Bare Su Tarda Ka ALLAH Kadai Ne Ya San Matsayin Kanzul Mudalsami 'Daha HibBI, Duk Kaunu In Sun 'Kure a Fada Su 'Kira Ka Abdullah In Sun Matsa a Tunani Za Su 'Bace Su Ce ALLAH Kai Dai 'Kira Shi Jakada Mai Suna Na Jallallah Sai Zuciya Ke Aiki Kan Matsayin Sa Baki Bai JawaBI, Waye Ya Kai Ka RASULULLAHI a Kaunu Dukkan Su Kai Ne Dalilin Annabtar Ma Anbiya Kan Su Kai Ne Ka Zam Sirrin Tafiyar Akdabu Dukkan Su Kai Ne Mashayar Wasalalli Gun Awliya Kai Ne MaduBI, Kaine Muradin ALLAH Ba Bautar Halitta Ba Duk Kaunu Na Rantse Hoto Ne Ba Hakika Ba Kai 'Dai Ka Zamto ‘Original’, Ba Duniyar Nan Ba Duk Mai Bukatar ALLAH Kai Ne Kazzamo 'Kofar Da Zai BI, Kai 'Dai Ka Je Fadar ALLAH Har Kun Kayo Zance Da Mala’ika Ya Tsaya Ya ANNABI Kai Kad'ai Ka Wuce Ka Iske Babu Gabas Ba Yamma Bare Ace Zarce Kun Kayyi Sirri Ba Harafi Balle a Ce Sauti Da RABBI, Ya Karrama Ka Da Takalmanka, Ka Taka Fadar Ma Da Idanuwan Ka, Ka Gan Sa Ka Shaida Yana Da Alfarma Lamunin Aminci, Albarka Har Rahama Yay Ma Attahiyyatu Da Mun Ke Yi 'Karshe Na Sallah Tai JawaBI, ALLAH Ya 'Kara Mana Son MANZON ALLAH(S.A.W), Yayi Mana Gamon-Katar Ya Sada Mu Da MASOYINMU(S.A.W) Ameeeeen. https://www.instagram.com/p/B78yE52goyd/?igshid=1itedqp6khstg

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tamboradventure · 5 years

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The Best Tour Companies in Egypt

Posted: 10/5/2019 | October 5th, 2019

Egypt is a country that tops the bucket-list country for many travelers. It’s a country filled with incredible relics of ancient history, from the Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza, and offers tons of incredible activities for travelers of all walks of life. Floating down the Nile River on a traditional felucca, exploring the tombs of Tutankhamen and other pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, snorkeling and diving in the coral fantasyland of the Red Sea — there’s just so many amazing parts of Egypt to amaze and enthrall you.

These days, Egypt is a destination many travelers shy away from. Given that there have been some terrorist attacks targeting tourists over the last couple of decades and that people are still wary of the changes in government since the Arab Spring, those concerns are understandable.

However, since 2017, tourism numbers have begun to increase again. In fact, they are growing so fast they might hit an all-time record in 2019 or 2020.

Things have been changing for the better in Egypt and it’s now a safe country to visit for the intrepid traveler. That means it’s time to start planning your dream trip to this diverse and historic country.

While I am a huge fan of solo travel, distances between the most popular sights in Egypt are pretty far. You can expect to spend a full day or night traveling by road or rail between Cairo and Luxor, for example, so joining an organized tour can help you make the most of your time.

And it can also save you some money, too!

Tours in Egypt often work out to be cheaper than trying to put together your own trip as some will include domestic airfare for prices cheaper than you’ll be able to get on your own.

Taking a tour with a reputable company also ensures that you’ll have safe detours with someone who really knows the lay of the land and will keep you informed of any risks. Knowledgeable tour guides also make for a more interesting trip — which is why tours in Egypt are so popular.

Here is a list of the best tour companies in Egypt, offering everything from day trips around Cairo to multiday tours around the country:

1. Intrepid

Intrepid is one of my favorite tour companies in the world.

I’ve been on a handful of their tours over the years to destinations all around the world and have yet to be disappointed. Their local guides provide invaluable insight and they are dedicated to making environmentally friendly choices too.

And the company just hires really awesome people too.

In Egypt, Intrepid has tours that range between eight and fifteen days. To be able to see enough in just eight days, they fly you between Cairo and the south, so the cheaper trip is actually the 15-day one, which uses a mix of bus, boat, and train travel, starting around $1,200 USD. Intrepid also has some specialized offerings, with a nine-day trip for travelers aged 18–29, trips especially for families, and also one just for solo travelers.

If you’re keen to explore beyond Egypt, Intrepid also offers a range of longer tours that take in Jordan, Israel, and Palestine as well.

As a reader of this site, you also get access to exclusive deals and sales so click on over to their site and see what tours are on sale now!

2. Memphis Tours

One of the first tour companies in Egypt, Memphis Tours has been around since 1955. It offers a huge variety of tours – from half- or full-day tours in Cairo or Alexandria to snorkeling or camel-riding trips out of resort destinations like Sharm el-Sheikh, ranging between $35 and $90 USD per person.

They also offer a selection of cruises both on the Nile and on Lake Nasser. The popular Luxor-to-Aswan trip along the Nile can be made in a variety of pretty luxurious ships; prices are around $500 USD per person for a four-day trip.

Memphis Tours also offer fully organized multi-day trips that last between 3–15 days. Many of these take in the key sights, like the Pyramids, a Nile cruise, and the Luxor and Karnak Temples, and typically fly you back to Cairo. The costs vary depending on the extra activities involved but are pretty reasonable: small group tours covering the main sights from Cairo to Luxor start at $1,100 USD. They also offer some specialized tours, such as one specifically designed to accommodate wheelchair users.

3. Look at Egypt Tours

Look at Egypt Tours is another local company that offers both day and multiday tours. It specializes in having knowledgeable guides that make the history of Egypt really come alive, giving incredible insight into modern-day Egyptian life as well.

The company also has a sense of social responsibility too, using locally owned restaurants and hotels on all trips and hiring guides from communities throughout the country.

Look at Egypt Tours runs a variety of day trips out of the main centers, including Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Sharm el-Sheikh, ranging in cost between $50 and $150 USD per person, depending on the destination and the group size.

Multi-day tours include lots of options too; these last around 8–10 days and cost between $1,500 and $2,000 USD. There are also some specialized trips, like a two-week archaeological tour, the perfect choice for any history buffs (or Indiana Jones fans!).

4. On the Go Tours

On the Go Tours has been running tours to a variety of countries for a couple of decades now, but it all started in Egypt, where the two founders met. The company focuses on sustainable travel and supports local communities, and it hires local guides who have studied Egyptology at a college level as well.

In Egypt, they run several great-value group tours, like an eight-day trip from Cairo to Luxor for $400 USD, which includes the Pyramids of Giza, the incredible Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the temples at Luxor, a two-night felucca cruise on the Nile, a visit to the Valley of the Kings, and more. Accommodations are more budget-oriented than many other tour companies, making this a great option for backpackers.

If your timing and budget are more flexible, you might also take a look at some of On the Go’s festival tours, timed to celebrations like the Abu Simbel Sun Festival or the King Ramses Sun Festival. These tours are typically around ten days long and range between $1,600 and $2,800 USD per person, depending on whether they include internal flights.

5. Jakada Tours Egypt

Jakada Tours is a smaller company that offers private tours as well as group trips with a focus on budget mid-range travel.

Trips covering many of Egypt’s highlights and lasting between seven and ten days range from $600 to $1,000 USD. If you’re on your second trip to Egypt or have some extra time, Jakada also offers a range of more unusual tours, like spending time at the Cairo camel market!

The company also makes sure its guides are really knowledgeable, not just about ancient history but modern Egyptian culture too, as well as all the best local tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your stay.

6. Exodus Travels

Exodus offers trips worldwide and has a reputable social conscience; they aim to give back to the local communities they are a part of. In Egypt, they support Animal Care in Egypt (ACE), and its tours often include an option to visit the charity’s facility.

Exodus offers a nine-day Nile cruise from Luxor, which is a good compromise between luxury and price (around $1,400 USD per person, all-inclusive), with a maximum of 20 passengers. The company also has a longer trip that takes in key sights like the Valley of the Kings as well as Alexandria; this two-week tour starts at $2,000 USD.

7. Beyond the Nile Tours

Beyond the Nile Tours is another Egypt-based tour company using local, highly educated guides with lots of historical and cultural knowledge. It offers three tours, ranging between eight days and two weeks in length; on all of them, you can be flexible with your budget, as some activities, like a balloon ride over the Pyramids ($100 USD), are optional.

All these tours kick off in Cairo with a full day exploring what we all dream of seeing — the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphnix — along with the Egyptian Museum to put the history into context. Then you’re flown down to Luxor and cruise from there to the Valley of the Kings, among other places. On the longer trips, you can choose to travel back north more slowly, or you can include several days relaxing at a Red Sea resort. Tour prices range from $1,200 to $1,400 USD per person, with some additional costs for extra activities.

***

As much as I love solo travel, planning a trip to Egypt is much easier with a tour company. While you probably know that you want to see the Pyramids, the Nile, and other historical sites, getting around is not that easy to organize in advance, so it’s good to have the local knowledge of Egyptian guides to make sure you’re both safe and getting the most out of your trip.

So whether you’re after a short tour hitting the highlights of Egypt in a week or have more time to explore the country a little more slowly or even spend some time relaxing at the Red Sea, you’ll find a tour company to help you out.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

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