Half length portrait of a young Hausa street trader, carrying a bowl on her head.

The majority of Hausa are Muslim and as such children’s lives are very much guided by Islamic tradition. When Hausa children are born they are given a naming ceremony during which their faces are marked. The names given correspond to Islamic tradition with boys and girls both being named after either great figures within Islam or in some circumstances names are occasion specific. The majority of Hausa children are primarily educated at Koranic schools though some do attend Western institutions. Since married Hausa women do not tend to leave the homestead, children may be sent to market to sell items the women have made.

Teacher, scientist and photographer Edward Harland Duckworth was recommended to the post of Inspector of Education in Nigeria in 1930 following the commendation of his teaching work in Cheltenham. During his time in Nigeria he taught science, developed teaching methods and was elected as editor of Nigeria Magazine, adding his own photographs to articles.