A small man sits on a stool, holding a tiny lute with a single string. He plucks a quick, bright rhythm and begins to sing in Hausa, telling a story that makes his audience laugh and then fall silent. This was Dan Maraya Jos, one of the most famous musicians in northern Nigeria. For decades his songs offered advice, humour and commentary on everyday life, and his voice was familiar on radio across the north.
The name and the kuntigi
Born Adamu Wayya in Jos, he was known as Dan Maraya, meaning “son of an orphan,” a name linked to losing his parents young. Jos, the city of his birth, became part of his stage name. The kuntigi is a small lute with one string, played in Hausa music. In Dan Maraya’s hands, it produced quick, rhythmic patterns that carried his songs.
His songs dealt with marriage, family, work, honesty and the struggles of ordinary people. He often used humour to make a point, and listeners learned lessons through his stories.
Society, radio and recognition
Some songs addressed social issues such as poverty, greed and corruption. He also sang about national events and figures. His recordings were played widely on radio in northern Nigeria, making him a household name. His records and cassettes sold well in markets. He performed at ceremonies, festivals and public events, sometimes accompanied by drummers. He received national honours and was recognised as a custodian of Hausa musical tradition.
Dan Maraya Jos died in 2015. His death was mourned across northern Nigeria, and tributes from politicians, musicians and fans praised his wisdom and wit.
Legacy and the north
He is remembered as one of the great Hausa folk musicians, whose songs remain popular. Many of his songs worked like parables, using stories about husbands, wives, traders and farmers to make a point about good conduct. Parents played his records to children, and teachers quoted his lines. Although he was based in Jos, his audience stretched across Hausa-speaking areas of Nigeria and beyond, into Niger and other neighbouring countries where Hausa is widely spoken.
Dan Maraya Jos made his name with a single string. For millions of Hausa listeners, it was enough to carry a lifetime of stories.
