ADAMAWA – YOLA SOUTH, MODIRRE
Inside a small school compound that had only three classrooms, children were playing—singing, dancing, and raising dust like professional dancers or grown-up performers.
They sang:
“Ayyari iye alagiddibo, Ayyari iye alagiddibo,
alagiddibo alagiddibo Babo ruttu (alagiddibo).
If I were the cripple’s wife!”
(Then say you’re the cripple’s wife).
“If I’m sewing, I’ll break the calabash on purpose!”
(alagiddibo)
“If he sews, we marry. If he doesn’t sew, then he has spoiled his own wedding, alagiddibo!”
The children were singing loudly. Suddenly someone shouted:
“Ga Mallam! Ga Mallam!”
— and everywhere went silent.
All the children—none of them older than twelve— were covered in dust from head to toe, like they had never seen water or soap in their lives. If body-care companies knew these girls existed, they would make millions because not one of them looked clean. The dust on them looked like someone rubbed charcoal ink all over their bodies.
As Mallam Isa walked in, the smile on his face disappeared. The children instantly knew they were in trouble. He turned back and pulled out his deadly double-headed whip.
“All of you shameless children! Islamic school or playground—today you will meet your father!”
The others giggled and covered their mouths.
Mairo led the pack, with Haule and then Dijee.
Mallam Isa stretched his long neck, chewing his miswak, wearing an oversized kaftan and a long rosary in his hand. He tilted his cap and snarled:
“Where is your queen of shamelessness? Come out now before I deal with your mother!”
Buba quickly said, “Mallam, she’s behind that rock.”
Before he finished, she came out—Indo—walking with her long, cracked feet, dry from lack of water, her slippers torn, dust packed between her toes like someone coming from a farming camp. Her tiny mouth was dry and wrinkled.
Her nose was sharp, her eyebrows perfect, and her forehead had the shape common among Fulani girls.
She shouted:
“Wallahi, Buba, I swear if Mallam beats me, you are finished today!”
Her breath smelled strongly, her teeth had turned yellowish-brown, though she was naturally fair. Her large eyes bulged at Buba as if ready to jump out.
