Journal of
African Studies and Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Afr. Stud. Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2189
  • DOI: 10.5897/JASD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 238

Full Length Research Paper

The practice of Almajiri: Prospect and socio-medical challenges in Northern part of Nigeria

Zakir, A.
  • Zakir, A.
  • Department of General and Applied Sciences, Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi Nigeria.
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Abubakar, U.
  • Abubakar, U.
  • Department of Special, Adult and Non Formal Education, Federal College of Education, Zaria, Nigeria.
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Lawal, U. S.
  • Lawal, U. S.
  • Department of Social Development, Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi, Nigeria.
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Imrana, H.
  • Imrana, H.
  • Department of General and Applied Sciences, Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi Nigeria.
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Habibu, I. T.
  • Habibu, I. T.
  • Department of Special, Adult and Non Formal Education, Federal College of Education, Zaria, Nigeria.
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Hassan, I. H.
  • Hassan, I. H.
  • Department of Physiotherapy, Shehu Idris College of health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi, Nigeria.
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Harande, M. M.
  • Harande, M. M.
  • Department of Social Development, Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi, Nigeria.
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  •  Received: 21 January 2014
  •  Accepted: 02 September 2014
  •  Published: 30 September 2014

Abstract

The main purpose of the study is to identify the practice of Almajiri: prospect and socio-medical challenges in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey method was adopted using a cluster and sampling method. Questionnaire was used to collect the data, from three hundred male Almajiri. The study revealed that most of the respondents were between the ages of 8-14 years while very few were 15 years and above. Also, majority of the respondents did not attend formal school. Parental belief, goals and poverty were found to be the major reasons for the practices of Almijiri. Most of the respondents spent their time begging for food to eat and money. Also, a majority of them defecate in the bush, which endangers the health of society by the spread of diseases. Hunger and tiredness were found to be a major complaint of the respondents, and  sleeping in a congested room on a mat. Appropriate recommendations are finally offered in the areas of re-orientation programmes, general skill development, and modernization of teaching Qur’an.

 

Key words: Almajiri, Mallam/Alaramma, begging, Qur’nic school.