Hajiya Bilkisu Salisu Ahmed Funtuwa is a Nigerian author. She writes novels in Hausa that focus on female

Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...

protagonist A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a st ...

s. She is one of the best-known writers of what is known as "Kano market literature" or ''Littattafan Soyayya'' — "books of love". Her novels combine themes of

feminism Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes. Feminism incorporates the position that society prioritizes the male po ...

and women's rights with issues relating to the Hausa people and

Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...

, drawing from her own experiences as a member of these groups. Bilkisu Funtuwa maintains the role that is expected of her and the religious practice of polygamy that constitutes the Hausa female's reality, and therefore writes about how to combat such circumstances. Funtuwa's works focus around female protagonists who use their education in combination with their religious devotion to elevate themselves to extraordinary success. These characters take on the careers of lawyers, doctors, and government officials while also leading charmed lives of wealthy businessmen. One of the most defined themes in her work is passionate love. Within her works, couples share relationships full of respect, intimacy, and mutually enjoyed pastimes. Whitsitt, Novian (April 2003). "Islamic-Hausa Feminism Meets Northern Nigerian Romance: The Cautious Rebellion of Bilkisu Funtuwa". ''African Studies Review''. As well as focusing on women gaining more control of their families, her novels also encourage Muslim women to focus on education while maintaining their faith. Funtuwa lives with her family in Funtua, Katsina State,

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

Bibliography

*1994: ''Allura Cikin Ruwa'' (''Needle in a Haystack'') *1996: ''Wa Ya San Gobe'' (''Who Knows Tomorrow Will Bring?'')

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Funtuwa, Bilkisu Hausa people Hausa-language writers Muslim writers Nigerian Muslims Living people Nigerian women novelists 20th-century Nigerian novelists 20th-century Nigerian women writers Year of birth missing (living people)