ALHAJI MAMAN SHATA – Sarkin Kabira Na The doyen of Kalangu music in Nigeria, Alhaji Maman Shata has been raising the banner of the music for all to see over many decades. The music mainly made up of praise-singing, extols

those lesser but engaging virtues of gentleness, affability, complaisance, and good humour in people. Kalangu music is very popular in the north with its well-arranged and soothing musical background and everybody irrespective of tribe or race appreciates the beautiful mellow rhythm. In a 12 track-album released on October 12, 1985, dedicated to important traditional rulers of the north, Alhaji Shata made use of Rhetoric’s Metaphors, Similes and Allegories with such a purity of language and ornaments of eloquence that leaves one filled with a feeling of appreciation and admiration at such a wonderful masterpiece. Four tracks were dedicated to worthy emirs- Those of Hadeija, Bauchi, Katagun and Daura, a general critical reappraised of the album assures one of the simple facts that Alhaji Shata is a man who really knows his onions, and very well too.