Abstract:
In Hausa worldview, Peaceful living (Zaman Lafiya) is conceived as the chief
goal of life. Zaman Lafiya is that which determines goodness or badness of
actions and practices. Everything, including morality, life, death and the afterlife
is construed as being good or bad with reference to Zaman Lafiya. So, for
instance, no matter the gravity of one’s wrongful conducts, it is not justified to
punish him, except when punishing him does contribute to the
consolidation/realization/attainment of Zaman Lafiya. This paper investigates
the Hausa culture and belief system, especially the aspect of punishment
alongside the actions that are thought of as being grave to warrant evil
punishment such as the death penalty. With the aid of some Hausa proverbs and
the African notion of relationality, it would demonstrate how a conversation of
metaphysical nature is sparked among such realities/constructs as morality, life,
evil, death and the afterlife. It will also show how living an ethical life entails
acting in a manner that consolidates communal or relational existence as
framework for Zaman Lafiya.
