Friends of Falgore Forest & Yarmariya Bush
in partnership with Al Fitra
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Guardians Worldwide works with Al Fitra Academy in Kano, who is supporting several Maguzawa communities in Kano State, through site-specific work devoted to the protection of sacred forest sites in Yarmariya Bush and Falgore Forest. The sites in question are considered to have spiritual powers by the local Maguzawa or Hausa Animists.
Cutting down of trees and burning is forbidden in this area, because the Maguzawa believe their ancestors reside in the trees. However, due to climate change, many Maguzawa now say that the spirit of their sacred trees, such as the kuka or African baobab (Adansonia digitata), have been exiled.
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The tree worshiped most fervently by the community is the African Myrrh, or Dashi (Commiphora Africana), which is of outstanding importance to these people.
Kure, the main protector spirit, actually lives in this tree.
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The African Myrrh is an extremely valuable tree, producing plenty of food and medicine to cure fertility problems, wounds, gum disease, stomach problems, and much more.
It is a tree known for its longevity and continuity. Its stalks can be planted straight into the ground and regrown.
The Maguzawa are extraordinary tree guardians, because they know that health and life itself depends on the good life of trees!​​
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The sacred Dashi tree or African Myrrh (Commiphora Africana)
Doguwar Gona Sacred Stones (Kano, Nigeria)
The sites pictured above are considered among the most sacred to the Maguzawa people in the local Falgore area, especially given the presence of the kuka or Nigerian baobab (1B) said to contain the spirit of local ancestors. Small stones are carried from this site and placed outside a dashi tree in the nearby village, where Yankan Kofa, one of the main ancestor worship rituals, is practised.
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URGENT ACTION: We need your support to prevent the death of the trees, which are affected by drought, illegal logging and are close to dying due to heat and prevent the sites from being used as hideouts for bandits through monitoring, training, and awareness raising.
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Falgoran Sacred Grove (Kano, Nigeria)
The site on the right is considered sacred to the Maguzawa people in the local Falgore area, especially given the presence of ancient trees.
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URGENT ACTION: We need your support to prevent the death of the trees, which are affected by drought, firewood collection, overgrazing and are close to dying due to heatwaves. Our work is committed to land regeneration and reforestation of degraded areas within this sacred and protected grove.
The sacred kuka tree (Nigerian baobab) and sacred Maguzawa stones
Falgoran sacred grove
Yankan Kofa ritual