New Fiction Creates Stir in Northern Nigeria

Kano. Nigeria: In the northern Nigeria, more women writers are producing fiction novels in the local Hausa language than ever before. The books generally focus on matters of the heart - love, romance, and marriage - and are hugely popular. Authors say the books provide advice to millions of women. But religious and political leaders say the books challenge Hausa traditional culture and their strict Muslim values. Concerns have peaked recently, as local filmmakers have begun making the best-selling paperbacks into Hausa-language films available on markets across the region.

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Sarah Simpson / VOA.