Baba Issahak discusses “N Sabi N Sabili Ŋo”

You can also find Baba Issahak’s performance, historical context, super cool inline audio player, and Dagbanli Ajami, a Dagbanli Roman transliteration, and an English translation of the texts of”N Sabi N Sabili Ŋo” on this site.

Baba Issahak discusses the Afa Ajura composition “N Sabi N Sabili Ŋo” with Saeed Dawuni, Fuseini Abdul-Fatawu, and Karl J. Haas. Tamale, Ghana, 24 January, 2019. Dagbanli and English.

Baba Issahak provides a brief history of his training with Saeed Dawuni. Tamale, Ghana, 22 January, 2019. Dagbanli.

History and Context of “N Sabili N Sabili Ngo”as told by Baba Issahaku Yusif to Alhassan Saeed Dawuni. 24 January 2019. Kpalsi, Tamale, Ghana.

Text transcribed and translated by John Alhaasan Issah

Question: Bo n-lee be nsabili yilli ŋɔ ni, wula ka di daa kana and wula ka di yeri maa?

Translation: What is in this music book you called “N Sabili”? What is the content and the history behind it?

Response: Lala yilli ŋɔ yuli m-booni “N Sabili.” Daliri din daa che ka Afa daa sabi li daa nyela o daa bela Dr. Kwame Nkrumah yaɣili. O mi ni daa be o siiasi yaɣili maa o daa nyela o kpamba maa yino. Din daa ti niŋ ka Nigeria ti yen deegi independence ka di mali bukaata ni Ghananima gba chaŋ nimaani nti nye bɛ suɣisuŋ maa ni nye shem. Ka bɛ daa chani maa ka yihi Ghana boba zaa kpamba. Northern Regiona ŋɔ kpamba daa nyela niriba anahi ban pa karachinima. Bɛ yino n-daa nye Afa Ajura, ŋun pahi n-daa nye Alhaj Yahaya Iddi, ka Alhaj Mahamud Zero ka ŋun pahiri anahi nye Alhaj Mumuni D.C. Bɛ ni daa chan ka kuna maa ka Afa bori ni o nyaanga zaa baŋ o nimɔhi ni daa paai shem. Pa karim yaɣili maa konko ka o daa be amaa tiŋgban maa sɔŋsim gba o daa be dini. Ka daa sabi waaka zaŋ sɔŋ. Lala waaka mi, Vɔɣu Alhaj Iddrisu sani ka n daa chaŋ ti sabili. Ŋun n-daa lahi wuhi ma li yaha. Dinzuɣu ka o daa sabi lala waaka ŋɔ n-yeri di puuni.

Translation: This particular song is known as “N Sabili.” The story or why Afa Ajura wrote this music is traced back to the days of the first president of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Afa Ajura was a strong Nkrumah follower. One of the leading supporters of Nkrumah. When it happened that Nigeria had its Independence in 1960, and Ghana was to send a delegation to the occasion to share the joy of Nigeria, Afa Ajura was a member of that delegation. The Ghana delegation was chosen from all the regions of the country. The Northern Region had four members in the delegation. Afa Ajura Yussif was a member, Alhaj Yahaya Iddi was a member, Alhaj Mahamud Zero was a member, and the fourth member was Alhaj Mumuni D.C.

After their return, Afa Ajura composed the song to let his followers know that apart from his religious life, he also performed public services to the nation. The song tells the story that apart from being a prominent preacher, he also offered services to his nation and beyond. This is why he wrote the waaka (song). As I narrate this story, I contacted Vɔɣu Alhaj Iddrisu to get it written. Afa Ejura wrote this waaka saying… (Starts singing what Afa Ejura Yussif narrated in their visit to Nigeria mentioning all those who were on the delegation. He was singing the praises of Ghana as in “N Sabili.” He also mentions the names of paramount personalities of Nigeria).

Baba Issahak discusses the Afa Ajura composition “N Sabi N Sabili Ŋo,” how he first encountered the manuscripts, and how he learned to sing the song. Interview with Saeed Dawuni, Tamale, Ghana, 24 January, 2019.