Grazing Shadows: A Tale of Regret and Resolution

"I barely survived in 1973," said Dr. Aliyu Tilde.

He wrote:

"This is a picture of a boy that I saw in Musa Madaki's post just now. It was a boy and his cattle that caused minor damage to a farmer's farm in Naija State, Nigeria, as Malam Musa told the story. The farmer took the law into his hands and cut off the boy's hands and his Mental Protuberance. Alas, then it was realized that the boy was not a Danfulani but a Gayanako, a member of another tribe forced to graze for his parents' food.

Taking the law into hand always ends in regret. Many things in the world are not as we first perceive them. That is why investigation is useful to prove guilt before taking punishment.

I remember in 1973, I was grazing on the Kalwa River road when an old dusty farmer claimed I had damaged his farm, but nothing had touched it. He went home, took a bow and arrow to shoot me, but my father and other members of the late Malam Baba's family intervened. They were cutting Malam's rice in his farm, and I waited to eat and read when they finished cutting. I went to the farmer's place, informed a Bajari that he intended to shoot me, and after investigation, the situation diffused.

One thing causing considerable damage is the use of small children to graze, most of whom are not yanfulani. Authorities should consider laws against such practices to limit damage if the cattle cannot feed the herdsman. The issue of herdsmen and farmers has existed since ancient times, typically resolved through compensation by government, chiefs, or mayors.

Taking matters into one's hands leads to regret worldwide. Given the diverse races of farmers and herdsmen, it often takes on tribal dimensions. Though I barely drank fifty years ago, the scars on this Naija boy will last forever. May God grant us strength beyond our hearts."

Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde, 11.11.23

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Update

The boy is now recovering.