JAMB Area of Concentration for Hausa Subject 2027/2028

The JAMB Area of Concentration for Hausa Subject 2027/2028 covers the main areas you should study in Hausa for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.

The subject is divided into three broad areas: Harshe (Language), Al’adu (Culture), and Adabi (Literature). Under these areas, you will study Hausa reading and writing, grammar, sound system, word and sentence formation, Hausa customs and institutions, and both oral and written literature.

You should also develop the ability to read and write Hausa correctly, understand passages, use correct grammar, appreciate Hausa culture, and analyse literary works.

This guide will take you through the main JAMB Hausa topics and show you what you should understand under each area so you can organize your revision properly.

Read also: JAMB Hausa Syllabus 2026/2027 Download PDF

Harshe (Language)

Harshe covers the main language skills you need in Hausa. This includes correct writing, comprehension, sound patterns, word formation, sentence construction and meaning.

Ƙa’idojin Rubutu (Orthography)

You should understand the standard rules used when writing Hausa correctly.

Study:

• Alphabetization
• Correct spelling
• Rules for joining and separating words
• Punctuation
• Paragraphing

You should be able to recognize and apply correct Hausa writing rules. You should also be able to detect mistakes in grammar, word choice and spelling.

This means you need more than the ability to recognize a correct word. You should also be able to use Hausa correctly when writing sentences and paragraphs.

Auna Fahimta (Comprehension)

Auna Fahimta tests your ability to read a Hausa passage and understand what it means.

You should be able to:

• Read written Hausa texts
• Understand a given passage
• Interpret the meaning and function of words in context
• Build enough vocabulary to understand what you read
• Identify the main ideas in a passage
• Draw conclusions from the information given

The comprehension passage may contain words whose meanings depend on how they are used in the passage. For this reason, do not depend only on memorized meanings. Pay attention to the surrounding sentences and the main idea of the text.

Tsarin Sauti (Phonology)

Tsarin Sauti deals with the sound system of Hausa. You should understand how sounds are produced, classified and combined.

Consonants and Vowels

For consonants, study how they are produced and classified according to:

• Phonation
• Place of articulation
• Manner of articulation

For vowels, study:

• How vowels are produced
• Position of the tongue
• Position of the lips
• Monophthongs
• Diphthongs

You should understand the differences between Hausa speech sounds and how they contribute to meaning.

Tone, Syllables and Vowel Length

You should study the main tone patterns:

• High tone
• Low tone
• Falling tone

Also study syllable structure, including:

• Open syllables
• Closed syllables
• Light syllables
• Heavy syllables

You should also be able to recognize the number of syllables in words, including categories such as monosyllabic and disyllabic words.

Another area is vowel length. You need to distinguish between long and short vowels and understand the importance of vowels in determining meaning.

Phonological Changes

You should also understand sound changes that take place in Hausa.

These include:

• Palatalization
• Labialization
• Vowel harmony
• Insertion
• Deletion

You should be able to recognize and analyse these sound changes.

Ƙirar Kalma (Morphology)

Ƙirar Kalma deals with how Hausa words are formed.

Study:

• Roots
• Stems
• Prefixes
• Infixes
• Suffixes
• Gender inflection
• Number inflection

You should understand both derivation and inflection.

Derivation deals with forming one word from another. This includes forming:

• Nouns from verbs
• Adjectives from verbs
• Adjectives from nouns
• Verbs from nouns

Inflection changes the form of a word to show grammatical information such as gender or number.

You should be able to distinguish these two ways of forming or changing words.

Ginin Jumla (Syntax)

Ginin Jumla deals with how words are combined to form phrases, clauses and sentences.

Word Classes

You should recognize the major classes of Hausa words, including:

• Nouns
• Pronouns
• Verbs
• Adverbs
• Adjectives
• Prepositions
• Conjunctions
• Interjections
• Ideophones

You need to understand how these word classes function when they are used in sentences.

Grammatical Categories

Study tense and aspect, including:

• General past
• Relative past
• General continuous
• Relative continuous
• First future
• Second future
• Habitual

You should also study:

• Subjunctive mood
• Negative mood
• Masculine gender
• Feminine gender
• Neuter gender
• Singular
• Plural

You should be able to use suitable tenses, gender and number in both spoken and written Hausa.

Sentence Structure and Types

You should understand how Hausa sentences are formed.

Areas to study include:

• Verbal sentences
• Nominal phrases
• Verbal phrases
• Non-verbal sentences
• Simple sentences
• Compound sentences
• Complex sentences

You should also study clauses, including:

• Relative clauses
• Subjunctive clauses
• Main clauses
• Subordinate clauses

You need to be able to distinguish one sentence structure from another and recognize the differences between nominal and verbal phrases.

You should also be able to construct meaningful sentences for clear communication and detect grammatical errors.

Ma’ana (Semantics)

Ma’ana deals with meaning in Hausa.

Study:

• Ambiguity
• Synonymy
• Antonymy
• Figures of speech
• Special meanings of words and phrases

You should understand how the meaning of a word or sentence can change according to the way it is used.

You also need enough vocabulary to choose words and sentences that fit a particular purpose and communicate your ideas clearly.

Al’adu (Culture)

Al’adu covers the customs, social life, occupations, festivals, traditional leadership, beliefs and other parts of Hausa culture. You should understand how these practices are organized and the roles they play in Hausa society.

Rayuwar Hausawa

Rayuwar Hausawa covers important stages in the life of a Hausa person, especially birth, marriage and death.

Haihuwa (Birth)

Under haihuwa, study the customs connected with:

• Ɗaukar ciki
• Goyon ciki
• Haihuwa
• Shayarwa
• Al’adun makon haihuwa
• Wanka
• Ɓanti
• Yaye
• Kaciya
• Samartaka

You should understand the customs followed from pregnancy through childbirth and the early stages of a child’s life.

Aure (Marriage)

Under aure, study:

• Types of marriage
• Nema
• Baiko
• Ɗaurin aure
• Biki
• Zaman aure
• Saki
• Zawarci

You should be able to explain the customs that take place from the beginning of marriage arrangements up to married life and separation where it occurs.

Mutuwa (Death)

Under mutuwa, cover:

• Faɗar mutuwa
• Wanka
• Salla
• Jana’iza
• Zaman makoki
• Sadaka
• Takaba
• Gado

You should understand the customs followed from the announcement of death through burial, mourning and inheritance.

Zamantakewa (Social Institutions)

Zamantakewa deals with relationships and social organization among Hausa people.

Study:

• Tsarin zaman iyali
• Zaman gandu
• Dangantakar kishiyoyi
• ’Yan uwantaka
• Barantaka
• Agolanci
• Maƙwabtaka
• Aikin gandu
• Aikin gayya
• Abota
• Ƙawance
• Gaisuwa
• Karimci

You should be able to explain these forms of social relationship and understand their importance in Hausa society.

Sana’o’in Gargajiya (Traditional Occupations)

Traditional occupations form an important part of Hausa economic and social life.

Study occupations such as:

• Noma
• Ƙira
• Jima
• Kasuwanci
• Wanzanci
• Sassaƙa
• Farauta
• Dukanci
• Saƙa
• Kitso
• Rini
• Fawa
• Fafar ƙorai

You should also understand:

• How some occupations are inherited
• The tools used in different occupations
• How the occupations are carried out
• Their importance
• The goods or products they produce
• Traditional titles connected with occupations
• Occupations linked with men and women

You should be able to identify the characteristics of different occupations and distinguish between occupations traditionally associated with males and females.

Kayayyakin Buƙatun Rayuwa (Material Culture)

This area covers objects and materials used in everyday Hausa life.

Study household needs such as:

• Tufafi
• Kayan cikin gida

You should also study other material needs, including:

• Gine-gine
• Girke-girke
• Other items used in daily life

You should be able to identify these materials and explain what they are used for.

Bukukuwa da Wasanni (Cultural Festivities and Games)

Hausa culture includes different religious, traditional, occupational and recreational celebrations and games.

Religious Festivities

Study examples such as:

• Bikin Salla
• Takutaha
• Saukar karatu

Traditional Festivities

Examples include:

• Kalankuwa
• Buɗar dawa

Occupational Festivities and Games

Study examples such as:

• Bikin kamun kifi
• Dambe
• Kokawa
• Wasan farauta
• Wasan maƙera
• Hawan ƙaho

Recreational and Children’s Games

These include:

• Sukuwa
• Shalle
• Kulli-kurciya
• A-sha-ruwan-tsuntsaye
• Gaɗa
• Carafke

You should be able to identify the different types of festivities and games, explain how they are carried out, and understand their importance in Hausa culture.

Camfe-camfe da Bauta

This area covers traditional beliefs and forms of worship.

Study:

• Kangida
• Camfi
• Bori
• Maita
• Tsafi
• Duba
• Tsibbu
• Kambun baka

You should be able to identify the different types, explain how they are practised and understand the uses associated with them.

Sarautun Gargajiya (Traditional Authority)

Traditional authority deals with leadership positions and responsibilities within Hausa society.

Study positions such as:

• Sarki
• Hakimai
• Dagatai
• Masu unguwanni
• Shantali
• Jakadiya
• Baraya
• Liman
• Alƙali

You should understand the duties attached to these positions and be able to identify the importance of each office.

Magungunan Gargajiya (Traditional Medicine)

You should study different forms of traditional medicine and the ways they are used.

Forms include:

• Sassaƙe-sassaƙe
• Sauyoyi
• Na gari
• Na ruwa
• Layu
• Rubutu

Methods of use include:

• Sha
• Shafawa
• Surace
• Turare
• Shaƙawa
• Taunawa
• Tsotsawa
• Ɗaurawa
• Liƙawa

You should also understand:

• Awo da kimantawa
• Riga-kafi
• Warkarwa
• Tasirin zamananci a kan magungunan gargajiya

You should be able to classify the different forms of traditional medicine, explain how they are used and understand the effect of modern life on them.

Adabi (Literature)

Adabi covers both oral literature and written literature in Hausa. You should understand the different forms of Hausa literary expression and be able to identify their themes, styles, structures and important messages.

Adabin Baka (Oral Literature)

Adabin Baka refers to forms of literature that are mainly passed from one person or generation to another through speech, performance and song.

Zuben Baka (Narratives)

You should study the main forms of Hausa oral narratives, including:

• Tatsuniya
• Almara
• Hikaya
• Ƙissa
• Tarihi

You should be able to identify the different forms of oral narratives and use suitable Hausa vocabulary when discussing them.

Maganganun Azanci (Folk Sayings)

Maganganun Azanci includes different forms of wise, creative and expressive sayings.

Study:

• Take
• Kirari
• Habaici
• Zambo
• Karin magana
• Kacici-kacici
• Salon magana
• Adon harshe

You should be able to distinguish these forms and understand how appropriate words are used in them.

Waƙoƙin Baka (Oral Songs)

You should study different types of Hausa oral songs.

These include:

• Waƙoƙin fada
• Waƙoƙin jama’a
• Waƙoƙin maza
• Other forms of oral songs

When studying an oral song, pay attention to:

• Jigo, the theme
• Salo, the style
• Zubi
• Tsari
• Mawaƙi
• Kayan kiɗa
• Abin da aka waƙe

You should also study waƙoƙin aiki, such as songs connected with:

• Niƙa
• Daɓe
• Daka
• Talla

Children’s songs are also included. These may involve songs connected with:

• Aure
• Dandali
• Other activities of boys and girls

You should be able to identify different oral songs, recognize their performers and distinguish their main features.

Wasannin Kwaikwayo na Gargajiya (Traditional Drama)

Traditional Hausa drama includes performances by both children and adults.

Wasannin Yara

Examples include:

• Langa
• Wasan ’yartsana
• Tashe
• Wasan gauta
• Dokin kara

You should understand the different forms, how they are performed and their importance.

Wasannin Manya

Examples include:

• ’Yan kama
• Kalankuwa
• Hoto
• Wowwo
• Tashe

You should be able to identify traditional drama forms and explain how they are carried out.

Rubutaccen Adabi (Written Literature)

Written Hausa literature is divided into three main areas:

• Zube (Prose)
• Waƙa (Poetry)
• Wasan Kwaikwayo (Drama)

Zube (Prose)

When studying a selected prose work, focus on:

• Form
• Structure
• Themes
• Style
• Characters

You should also pay attention to correct Hausa writing rules and understand the meanings of words and sentences used in the story.

You need to be able to identify the important messages in the prose work and make reasonable judgments about them.

Waƙa (Poetry)

For a selected Hausa poem, study:

• Themes
• Style
• Form
• Structure

You should understand the writing rules used in poetry and be able to interpret the meanings of words and sentences.

Pay attention to the relationship between the language used and the message of the poem. You should also be able to identify the important messages contained in the poem and explain them.

Wasan Kwaikwayo (Drama)

When studying written Hausa drama, concentrate on:

• Setting
• Themes
• Style
• Characters
• Form
• Structure

You should understand how correct writing helps to communicate meaning in a drama.

You also need enough vocabulary to understand the play and identify its major messages.

Adabi (Literature)

Adabi covers both oral literature and written literature in Hausa. You should understand the different forms of Hausa literary expression and be able to identify their themes, styles, structures and important messages.

Adabin Baka (Oral Literature)

Adabin Baka refers to forms of literature that are mainly passed from one person or generation to another through speech, performance and song.

Zuben Baka (Narratives)

You should study the main forms of Hausa oral narratives, including:

• Tatsuniya
• Almara
• Hikaya
• Ƙissa
• Tarihi

You should be able to identify the different forms of oral narratives and use suitable Hausa vocabulary when discussing them.

Maganganun Azanci (Folk Sayings)

Maganganun Azanci includes different forms of wise, creative and expressive sayings.

Study:

• Take
• Kirari
• Habaici
• Zambo
• Karin magana
• Kacici-kacici
• Salon magana
• Adon harshe

You should be able to distinguish these forms and understand how appropriate words are used in them.

Waƙoƙin Baka (Oral Songs)

You should study different types of Hausa oral songs.

These include:

• Waƙoƙin fada
• Waƙoƙin jama’a
• Waƙoƙin maza
• Other forms of oral songs

When studying an oral song, pay attention to:

• Jigo, the theme
• Salo, the style
• Zubi
• Tsari
• Mawaƙi
• Kayan kiɗa
• Abin da aka waƙe

You should also study waƙoƙin aiki, such as songs connected with:

• Niƙa
• Daɓe
• Daka
• Talla

Children’s songs are also included. These may involve songs connected with:

• Aure
• Dandali
• Other activities of boys and girls

You should be able to identify different oral songs, recognize their performers and distinguish their main features.

Wasannin Kwaikwayo na Gargajiya (Traditional Drama)

Traditional Hausa drama includes performances by both children and adults.

Wasannin Yara

Examples include:

• Langa
• Wasan ’yartsana
• Tashe
• Wasan gauta
• Dokin kara

You should understand the different forms, how they are performed and their importance.

Wasannin Manya

Examples include:

• ’Yan kama
• Kalankuwa
• Hoto
• Wowwo
• Tashe

You should be able to identify traditional drama forms and explain how they are carried out.

Rubutaccen Adabi (Written Literature)

Written Hausa literature is divided into three main areas:

• Zube (Prose)
• Waƙa (Poetry)
• Wasan Kwaikwayo (Drama)

Zube (Prose)

When studying a selected prose work, focus on:

• Form
• Structure
• Themes
• Style
• Characters

You should also pay attention to correct Hausa writing rules and understand the meanings of words and sentences used in the story.

You need to be able to identify the important messages in the prose work and make reasonable judgments about them.

Waƙa (Poetry)

For a selected Hausa poem, study:

• Themes
• Style
• Form
• Structure

You should understand the writing rules used in poetry and be able to interpret the meanings of words and sentences.

Pay attention to the relationship between the language used and the message of the poem. You should also be able to identify the important messages contained in the poem and explain them.

Wasan Kwaikwayo (Drama)

When studying written Hausa drama, concentrate on:

• Setting
• Themes
• Style
• Characters
• Form
• Structure

You should understand how correct writing helps to communicate meaning in a drama.

You also need enough vocabulary to understand the play and identify its major messages.

Prescribed Hausa Literary Texts

The prescribed Hausa literary works are grouped into Zube (Prose), Waƙa (Poetry), and Wasan Kwaikwayo (Drama). You should know the selected books under each category and study them with the literary skills already covered under Rubutaccen Adabi.

Zube (Prose)

The prescribed prose texts are:

• Abdullahi, J., Nagari Na Kowa. Zaria: NNPC, 1970.
• Ibrahim, S. K., Tura Ta Kai Bango. Zaria: NNPC, 1983.

When reading these prose works, pay attention to their themes, structure, style, characters, vocabulary and important messages. You should also understand the meaning of words and sentences within the stories.

Waƙa (Poetry)

The prescribed poetry texts are:

• Aliyu, A. A., Fasaha Aƙiliya. Zaria: NNPC, 1980.
• Isma’ila, J., Ciza Ka Busa. Longman Nigeria, 1981.

For poetry, concentrate on jigo, salo, sigogi and zubi. You should understand the language used in each poem and how the choice of words supports its message.

Wasan Kwaikwayo (Drama)

The prescribed drama texts are:

• Maƙarfi, S., Zamanin Nan Namu. Zaria: NNPC, 1983.
• Idris, Ɗ., Matsolan Attajiri. Zaria: NNPC.

When studying drama, focus on the setting, themes, style, characters, form and structure of the selected work. You should also understand the important messages presented through the events and characters in the play.

Selected Poems to Study

Apart from knowing the prescribed poetry books, you should pay attention to the selected poems taken from them.

Selected Poems from Fasaha Aƙiliya

The poems to study from Aliyu, A. A., Fasaha Aƙiliya are:

• ’Yar Gagara
• Hausa Mai Ban Haushi
• Kadaura Babbar Inuwa

For each poem, study its jigo (theme), salo (style), sigogi (features), zubi (structure), vocabulary and important messages.

You should also understand how the words and sentences used in the poem help to communicate its meaning.

Selected Poems from Ciza Ka Busa

The poems to study from Isma’ila, J., Ciza Ka Busa are:

• Al’adun Gargajiya
• Gaskiya Mai Ɗaci
• Koƙon Mabarata

When studying these poems, focus on their themes, language, style and structure. You should be able to identify the main message of each poem and explain how the language used supports that message.

You should also be able to interpret important words and expressions correctly when analysing the poems.

How to Use the JAMB Hausa Topics for Revision

The JAMB Hausa topics cover language, culture and literature. A good revision method is to study each topic together with the skill you are expected to develop.

Practise Hausa Writing and Grammar

Under Harshe, do not depend only on reading definitions. Practise applying the rules you study.

Pay attention to:

• Correct spelling
• Joining and separating words
• Punctuation
• Paragraphing
• Word formation
• Word classes
• Tenses
• Gender and number
• Sentence construction

You should also practise identifying grammatical, spelling and word-choice errors.

Practise Comprehension Regularly

For Auna Fahimta, practise reading Hausa passages carefully.

As you read, try to:

• Identify the main idea
• Understand words from their context
• Recognize important points
• Build your vocabulary
• Draw conclusions from the passage

This part requires both reading ability and understanding. Knowing many Hausa words can also make comprehension easier.

Study Hausa Sounds and Word Formation Carefully

Areas such as Tsarin Sauti and Ƙirar Kalma involve more than memorizing terms.

Make sure you can distinguish:

• Consonants and vowels
• Long and short vowels
• Different tone patterns
• Different syllable types
• Derivation and inflection
• Roots, stems and affixes

You should also understand the sound changes covered under Hausa phonology.

Group Related Cultural Topics Together

Under Al’adu, you can arrange related areas together during revision.

For example:

• Study haihuwa, aure and mutuwa together under Rayuwar Hausawa.
• Study family relationships, friendship, neighbourhood and hospitality under Zamantakewa.
• Study traditional occupations together with their tools, products and importance.
• Group festivals and games according to religious, traditional, occupational and recreational forms.
• Study traditional authority by connecting each title with its duties.

This makes it easier to see the relationship between different parts of Hausa culture.

Separate Oral and Written Literature

Under Adabi, keep Adabin Baka and Rubutaccen Adabi clear in your mind.

For oral literature, concentrate on areas such as:

• Zuben baka
• Maganganun azanci
• Waƙoƙin baka
• Wasannin kwaikwayo na gargajiya

For written literature, focus on:

• Zube
• Waƙa
• Wasan kwaikwayo

When studying written works, pay attention to themes, style, structure, characters, vocabulary and important messages where they apply.

Read the Prescribed Literary Texts

Do not study only the general meaning of prose, poetry and drama. Read the prescribed works and become familiar with the areas you are expected to analyse.

For the selected poems, pay attention to:

• Jigo
• Salo
• Sigogi
• Zubi
• Meaning of words and expressions
• Important messages

The same careful reading should be applied to the prescribed prose and drama texts.

Build Your Hausa Vocabulary

Vocabulary is useful across many parts of Hausa, especially comprehension and literature.

As you study, take note of unfamiliar Hausa words and learn how they are used in sentences. Suitable Hausa dictionaries can also help you understand words that are difficult or unfamiliar.

A wider vocabulary can make it easier to understand passages, literary works and questions written in Hausa.

Recommended Texts for JAMB Hausa

The following books can support your JAMB Hausa revision in language, grammar, literature, culture and vocabulary.

Hausa Language and Grammar

• M. K. M. Galadanci (1976), Introduction to Hausa Grammar. Zaria: Longman.
• M. H. Junju (1980), Rayayyen Nahawun Hausa. Zaria: NNPC.
• Y. M. Muhammad (2005), Fassarar Hausa. Zaria: ABU Press.
• M. A. Z. Sani (1999), Tsarin Sauti Da Nahawun Hausa. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
• M. A. Z. Sani et al. (2000), Exam Focus: Hausa Language. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
• N. Skinner (1977), Grammar of Hausa. Zaria: NNPC.
• I. Y. Yahaya et al. (1992), Darussan Hausa 1–3. Ibadan: University Press Plc.

Read also: Full List of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Hausa 2027/2028

You do not need to treat every book on this list as a compulsory purchase. Use the suitable texts available to you to support the areas you are studying.

Key Points to Remember

The JAMB Hausa Area of Concentration is built around three main areas:

• Harshe (Language)
• Al’adu (Culture)
• Adabi (Literature)

Under Harshe, you should understand Hausa spelling and writing rules, comprehension, sound patterns, word formation, sentence construction and meaning.

Under Al’adu, focus on Hausa customs connected with birth, marriage, death, social relationships, traditional occupations, material culture, festivals, games, traditional beliefs, leadership and medicine.

Under Adabi, study both oral and written literature. Oral literature includes narratives, folk sayings, songs and traditional drama. Written literature covers Zube, Waƙa and Wasan Kwaikwayo.

You should also know the prescribed prose, poetry and drama texts, including the selected poems from Fasaha Aƙiliya and Ciza Ka Busa.

As you study, make sure you can identify, explain, compare, interpret and analyse the different language, cultural and literary areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The JAMB Area of Concentration for Hausa Subject 2027/2028 covers three broad areas: Harshe (Language), Al’adu (Culture), and Adabi (Literature).

You should understand Hausa reading and writing, grammar, culture, oral literature and written literature. Pay attention to what you are expected to identify, explain, compare and analyse under each topic, including the prescribed literary works.

Use the topics to organize your revision and make sure you cover each major area properly. If you have questions about the JAMB Hausa topics, you can leave a comment and share this guide with other students.