Human world

Writing board allo

Hausa, N Nigeria, late 19th or early 20th century
Accession Number 50.78.179

The Hausa have interacted with the Islamic world since the 15th century. They adapted Islamic practices to what remains an African culture. Students of the Qur’an used allo to practice writing verses from it in the Arabic script until they had learned the entire Qur’an.