Zanna cap which is known as Zanna Yauri or Zanna Dapcherima in Kanuri language, one of the major languages of the people of Borno, is also called Tangaram in Hausa language. The cap is one of the prides of the people of Bama Local Government Area, Borno state, a craft which is traceable to Yemen and an inheritance from their forefathers.
The Zanna cap has over the years earned a special place in Nigeria’s cap culture. President Muhammadu Buhari is always seen wearing the famous Zanna cap, even Nigerian-born rapper Naeto C amongst other prominent individuals across Africa including state governors from northern states are also seen wearing the Zanna Cap. In Maiduguri, the cap is sold between N10,000 to N15,000 while in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja the cap is sold at N20,000, N30,000, and can even be sold for N80,000.
‘’The caps are very strong and that is why many people buy them for weddings and other special occasions. Generally, it is also prestigious to put on a cap. Even if a small boy is putting on a cap for instance and he is standing beside an adult who doesn’t wear one, you will respect the young man more, so wearing caps offer an excellent show of respect which differs,’’ said Alhaji Nura Abdullahi a cap seller in Central Business District Abuja.
In Borno State, the people of Bama from Bama Local Government Area are known for their mastery of Zanna cap making. They occupy the second-largest local government in the state after Maiduguri, the capital city. However, the displacement of the Bama people by the Boko Haram terrorists in 2014, when the sect invaded the local government area, forced the residents to flee to Maiduguri for safety.
Popularized by First Republic politician from Borno, Zanna Bukar Dipcharima, one of the identities of the Kanem Borno Empire is the “Zanna cap”, otherwise called Zanna Dipcherima in Kanuri, the major tribe in Borno or Tangaram in Hausa.
‘’The subsequent fusion of Bama cap craftsmen with other citizens in the state who fled their local government areas to Maiduguri as a result of the terrorist activities turned a blessing, as they tutored other citizens in the craft of the cap making, thereby giving succour to the persons from different local government areas who now earn a living via the craft.
‘’Zanna cap is made of thread rolls of different colours weaved to make it look strong and stunning. It is also of various types depending on the quality of thread used in weaving it. Sometimes the placement of the thread is bigger, while it can also be slightly lesser depending on the quality.
‘’Basically, there are other low-quality threads used in weaving Zanna caps which usually fade with time, while some better qualities last longer before fading out, and that is why the price differs. In the market, if one asked for a Zanna cap, it is the material, such as the tread used in weaving it that would determine the price,’’ said Gambo Muhammed while narrating how other tribes now benefit from the trade.
Before the Boko Haram insurgency, our correspondent gathered that not more than 200,000 persons had the experience of weaving the cap, but with the coming of the Bama Zanna cap weavers to Maiduguri, the state can boast of over a million citizens who now have mastery of the Zanna cap making.
The amazing fact about the Zanna cap is that aside from the price, design, and quality of Zanna cap, its relevance is also determined by any illustrious son perhaps a political office holder or a prominent son of Borno who at a particular time is known to be wearing a specific designed Zanna cap.
For instance, the name Zanna, which was first given to the cap in Nigeria, originated from Borno and is named after the first republic Minister, who is from Borno and also the Dipcharima of Bama then Dikwa Emirate, Alhaji Zanna Bukar Dipcharima.
Speaking about the history of the Zanna cap with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Maiduguri, the Zanna Boguma of Borno, Alhaji Hassan Zanna, said the Zanna cap was introduced to Borno from Yemen.
The Zanna Boguma of Borno said the people of Yemen were the ones that were making the caps and exporting them to the African kingdoms hitherto, adding that the Bama people were inspired and started making the caps in Nigeria.
“Why it was called Zanna was because a First Republic minister who hails from Borno, Alhaji Zanna Bukar Dipcharima does not use any other cap except Zanna cap. And in some other cases, he used Dara.
“So, the popular name of Zanna cap was because of Alhaji Dipcharima. Meanwhile, Zanna is a title from the Kanem Empire and he is also a titleholder in the Shehu of Borno’s palace, as well as the district head of the old Yerwa in the 50s, in the Council Chamber, before becoming a minister under Tafawa Balewa.
“Originally, it is from Yemen, that is why it is called Yemenee. But when Dipcharima frequently used it, and because of the aura of his position, everyone began to like and use the cap. That was how Zanna cap became popular in this part of the world,” he said
Also speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, the financial secretary of the Bama Cap Sellers Association, Borno state, Bukar Chabbal said the people of Bama fled to Maiduguri when the Boko Haram terrorists on 1 September, 2014 invaded the local government.
Chabbal said with the challenges of the Boko Haram insurgency and displacement of citizens, over one million Borno citizens have learned the trade of the Zanna cap making and selling, having mixed up with the cap makers either in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp or within the host communities.
He said the Zanna cap making could be a money-spinner for the people of the state if the government can invest in it and allocate a permanent structure like a shopping complex, where more citizens can learn the trade, sell and generate income for themselves and the government.
He decried that the premises they are currently occupying is owned by an individual who could decide any day to quit them.
Chabbal said the permanent structure if granted by the government, could serve as a vocational centre where vulnerable youths of the state, as well as thousands of Almajirai roaming the streets, can learn the Zanna cap-making business.
He continued: “With the challenges of insurgency and displacement of people, more citizens have joined the business of Zanna cap making.
“This is why we are appealing to the government to grant and build a permanent place, where a lot of Borno citizens and others can come and learn the Zanna cap weaving.
“Some of us started this business as teenagers but ventured into other businesses after we were displaced from our homes in Bama. With the displacement, we relocated to Maiduguri and continued with the Zanna cap-making.
“So, it is now almost eight years that we have been away from our home, as well as doing the business of cap making. The business has saved us from the brunt of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“It takes up to 10 people to make a cap. While some are in the cap making, others collect the finished products to sell to consumers. All over the states of the federation, Borno as a state is the major producer of Zanna cap which is distributed nationwide.”
He added that prices of the cap range between 4,000 to 80,000 depending on the quality, saying that some of the Zanna caps are named after prominent sons of Borno, who wore the cap during their time.
He said for instance a cap is named after Borno State governor Babagana Zulum, who is known for wearing it, and another named after former governor Kashim Shettima; first Shehu of Bama, Shehu Umar among others.
“Zulum Zanna cap sells between N13,000 to 14,000 while Kashim Shettima Bongol is sold between N10,000 to N15,000; Shehu Umar sold between N13,000 to N15,000; Shehu Fandi is sold between N11,000 to 12,000; Rawaram is sold between N14,000 to N15,000; Mklas is sold for N13,000; Kindei sold for N20,000; Kadiri named after member representing Borno Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Hon. Kadiri Rahis is sold between N12,000 to N13,000; and Ahaiyyi, which is sold between N18,000 to N20,000,” Chabbal said.
A trader, Husseina Abdullahi, who hails from Azare in Bauchi State, said the family’s major source of income is the proceeds she makes from selling the Borno Zanna cap.
She said her orders are from Maiduguri and subsequently resells the Zanna cap to her customers in Bauchi.
Mrs Abdullahi said: “I came from Azare in Bauchi state to buy the caps for my customers. The Borno Zanna cap is adorned with many colours which make it beautiful and attractive. It is from buying and selling the caps that I feed my children; parents and other relatives in my home.”
An IDP from Benisheik, Amina Usman, who resides in the host community in Damboa area of Borno state said the business of Zanna cap selling has turned around her life, adding that she doesn’t depend on her parents anymore for her upkeep including, supporting the family in meeting their daily needs.
Another IDP from Bama Fatima Ali, who resides in the host community said she uses the proceeds from the business to support her parents in buying provisions and other basic needs.
Hafsat Abubakar a displaced person from Gwoza local government area of Borno state, said she learned the Zanna cap-making from the Bama people and has been taking care of herself and other family members.
Our correspondent reports that the Zanna cap-making business is booming in most of the IDP camps in Maiduguri.
Both children and adults have joined the business, adding that the business is done by any gender.
With the government looking into the direction of the Zanna cap making as one of the vocational trades in the state, more youths would be engaged for the sustenance of livelihood and in turn improve human capital development.
