Indulgences

1. Goro

   Go-ro

   Goro (kola nut)

   Usage

   A bitter, caffeine-bearing nut chewed to stay awake. Central to Hausa hospitality and ceremony — handed out at weddings and celebrations — and sold by the piece in markets

   Grammar Note

   ⚠ The word goro carries a figurative sense — "a small gift or reward" — as well as the nut. If an official or a guide asks for "goro", they may be asking for a tip rather than for a kola nut.

2. Taba

   Ta-ba

   Taba (tobacco)

   Usage

   The tobacco leaf itself, sold loose by weight in markets. "To smoke" is shan taba, literally "to drink tobacco". Nigeria's 2015 National Tobacco Control Act restricts smoking in public places

   Grammar Note

   🔴 taba (tobacco) and taɓa (to touch; ever to have done) are different words distinguished solely by ɓ (U+0253). This word takes the plain b — writing it with a hook changes the meaning.

3. Sigari

   Si-ga-ri

   Sigari (cigarette)

   Usage

   A cigarette, often sold as single sticks at kiosks. "To smoke" is shan sigari. ⚠ Do not smoke indoors, on public transport, or near religious buildings

   Grammar Note

   A small cylinder of tobacco rolled in thin paper.

4. Alewa

   A-le-wa

   Alewa (sweets, candy)

   Usage

   The general word for boiled-sugar sweets, sold loose at markets, bus stops and kiosks. A standard small gift for children

   Grammar Note

   Both spellings, "alewa" and "alawa", occur; "ko" means "or".

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