A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

Awudu, nicknamed the Strong One, leaves home to test his power and meets other renowned men along the road. Hambari has just drained a well by drinking when they encounter one another. At a flowing river he strikes the water with his hand and divides it, prompting Awudu to recognize his strength. Dashira and Tankoko join the journey with the same purpose, forming a company of four rather than a single hero traveling with ordinary servants.

Their reputation is tested at a forest camp when a supernatural opponent challenges whichever man guards the possessions while the others hunt. Hambari, Dashira and Tankoko are each thrown and bound, despite the first man's earlier water feats. Awudu takes the final watch, wrestles without losing and rises into the sky with the challenger. His three companions flee, leaving the combatants' continual grunting to explain thunder. The episode distinguishes demonstrated marvels, merely reported strength and a final contest whose power cannot be resolved into victory.

Four traveling companionsWell-drinking HambariRiver divided by handAwudu's skyward wrestling
01

Origins & earliest records

Tale 88 is credited Ba Gu(d)du in Tremearne's narrator key. The selected witness is the second edition 1913; a precise narration date is not supplied.

02

Records & interpretation

Complete main tale 88, printed pp. 414-417, directly read; main narrative distinguished from comparative variants.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Hausa Superstitions and Customs

    Ba Gu(d)du, storyteller; A. J. N. Tremearne, collector and translator · 1913

    Second edition; tale 88, pp. 414-417.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Collected primary narrativeHausa Superstitions and Customs - tale 88Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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