Honoring the Dead: The Abdullahi Family's 50-Year Legacy in Kaduna's Cemetery

For over fifty years, the Abdullahi family has selflessly managed the Tudun Wada Cemetery in Kaduna, Nigeria, undertaking the duties of grave-digging and corpse handling without formal compensation until a recent council decision to put them on the payroll. Their commitment to serving the community, rooted in family values and religious beliefs, highlights the significance of such roles in society.

 

In Nigeria's northern city of Kaduna, a singular family has spent more than half a century tending to the Tudun Wada Cemetery, one of the city's largest burial grounds designated for Muslims. Most members of the community prefer to avoid the somber responsibilities of handling the dead, but the Abdullahi family has embraced this service as their calling.

Initially engaged in the early 1970s, Ibrahim and Adamu Abdullahi were pioneers in the family undertaking this important task. Shortly after, both brothers passed away, leaving their sons to continue the legacy. Magaji Abdullahi, Ibrahim's eldest son, now leads the operations of the cemetery, with his younger cousins, Abdullahi and Aliyu, making a trio that oversees the cemetery, working long hours seven days a week to meet the demands of their community.

For many years, the family's work was undertaken as volunteers. Depending on small donations from mourners, they dug graves, washed deceased bodies, and maintained the expansive cemetery. In recent weeks, changes arose as the local government recognized their indispensable contributions, placing them on a formal payroll after decades of unpaid labor.

The final resting place for the deceased must be prepared swiftly according to Islamic tradition. Therefore, the family is always ready to respond to calls from relatives or imams notifying them of the need for burial services. Magaji describes their typical day, which often includes digging multiple graves under the unforgiving heat, with each grave requiring precise measurements.

Their commitment as grave-diggers has not been without challenges. The Abdullahi cousins have had to navigate their duties during periods of communal strife, especially during instances of religious violence. They recount harrowing experiences that solidified their resolve to continue their work in the face of danger, expressing the strong belief that their efforts contribute to the peace of their community.

While their hard work is now recognized with a salary—although below the national minimum wage—the family still relies on their small farm to supplement their income. In addition, they face various logistical challenges, from insufficient equipment to the need for better security for the cemetery infrastructures.

However, hope is on the horizon. The newly elected local council chairman has expressed his intention to improve the cemetery’s conditions significantly. He aims to provide them with better pay and resources to ensure that their contributions are honored adequately.

Magaji Abdullahi represents a lineage of commitment and respect for the deceased, aspiring that at least one of his children will follow in his footsteps. As the elder generation steps back, this dedication may yet continue through the young ones, ensuring that the memory of their service to the community lives on.