Gurasa is a locally made bread in Kano. It is known to be popular bread among Arabians. Guarasa is said to have been brought to Kano by migrants hailing from Sudan and Algeria respectively.
It is made from flour and baked in locally made earthenware pots known as Tanderu in Hausa. In the 70s, Gurasa was only known to be a meal for the royals and elites.
However, over the years it has become food for all not only in Kano, but in the whole northern region and beyond. Gurasa can be described as the most affordable meal for the poor in the region.
Like Kilishi, Gurasa is also processed in at least three ways; salty and sugary and the one that is not mixed with salt or sugar. It can be combined with so many accompaniments like soups, Suya and pounded groundnut cake (Kuli-Kuli) mixed with vegetable oil. The popular soups with which Gurasa is combined are Miyar Taushe, pepper soup and stew. It is also eaten as snacks by some people.
Chediyar Yan Gurasa and Karofin Dala quarters are the famous areas where activities of Gurasa processing thrive in Kano city. Virtually every single family in these areas is a party to one aspect of Gurasa processing or the other.
Although Gurasa is being processed in other areas within the city and in some local government areas of the state, but the one processed in Chideyar Yan Gurasa and Karofin Dala is always the best, said a Gurasa dealer, Muhammadu Sani.
Daily Trust gathered that other areas that are also known in processing Gurasa in Kano city include Tudun Makera, Aikawa, Dandalin Turawa, Rijiya Biyu, Bakin Ruwa, Durumin Kaigama and Rijiya Hudu among others. Most of the occupants of these areas are producers of Gurasa.
Umar Lati Mai Gurasa is a dealer in the local bread at Bakin Jakara, who has been in the business for 35 years now. He told Daily Trust “I used to take Gurasa to so many places within and outside Kano. I am also supplying it to many customers in Kaduna, Katsina, Gombe and Bauchi states, as well as other communities in the 44 local governments of Kano.
He said: “Alhamdulillah, Gurasa has paid me back for I have gained a lot from it .Though it is a small business, it always pays. You can take good care of your family and even assist others from the gains of Gurasa. It is a business that involves many people right from processing up till the point of sales. While women process it in the homes, men on the other hand, transport it to the neighboring states. Youths on their part are the dominant ones in hawking Gurasa within the city.”
He said, sometimes he used to sell Gurasa worth N20,000, N30,000 and N50,000 per day depending on the market. He explains that if the market is booming he can make a profit of N2,000 to N4,000 in a day, but when it is otherwise, he can only go back home with N1,000 profit or even less.
“I am calling on government to sponsor research that can help us preserve Gurasa for a longer period. Currently, we can only keep it for three days. If we keep it for more than three days, it will spoil and this is a minus to us and the consumers as well. However, if government can help us to come up with something that can increase its life span, I think it will boost the business,” he concluded.
Another dealer, Muhammadu Muhsin said he has been into the business for about 20 years. He said the entire members of his family, including women, have engaged in the business of Gurasa in different ways.
He recalled “even my grandmother was a Gurasa processor and so also my mother. Thus, I grew up to see my mother processing Gurasa and my brothers actively participating in the business at Jakara Bakin Kasuwa. So I started the business right from home. First, I used to arrange Gurasa in sacks or polythene bags for the buyers. I later graduated to become a sub-dealer working under a full-time dealer, I am hoping to become a dealer soon.
“I am proud and contented with the business because it is paying me more than I expect. I can feed and clothe myself and also do same to members of my family, as well as assist others all courtesy of this small business,” he said.
He called on the Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to come to their aid by incorporating them in to his empowerment programme. He pointed out “we have heard about the governor’s empowerment programme, but we have not yet benefited from the programme.”
Muhsin said people from various states and even from Niger republic used to come to Jakara Bakin Kasuwa for the business of Gurasa. People come from Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Gombe, Jigawa and Bauchi states among others, to take part in the business at Bakin Kasuwa. Even from Niger republic they do come for the business.
Mallam Ayuba Sani, a dealer of Gurasa from Katsina state, said Gurasa has been everything to him in life. He said he has been involved in the business since he was a bachelor.
“I am now married with 10 children and Gurasa shoulders all my responsibilities and that of my family for years without failing me. So, I am thankful to the Almighty and contented with the business. I will continue practicing it for the rest of my life,” he said.
He explained that he was into the business for six years and that even if he decides to quit for another venture, he will still come back to it. He started the business as a hawker and rose through the rank to his position as dealer “I started as a hawker with N50 worth of Gurasa. I used to hawk within Kano city, because at that time I was too young to go to distant places.”
Habibu Idi Jallo tells Daily Trust that he was led into hawking of Gurasa by his friend, who was in the business for many years.
He said: “My friend Isyaku Aliyu persuaded me to join the business when I came to Kano from Niger republic in search of odd jobs six years ago. I met Isyaku around Sabon Gari area hawking Gurasa at that time, and after a long discussion with him, he advised me to join him in the business and I obliged.
“So that is how I joined the Gurasa trade. Initially, I thought I will not spend much time in it, but to be honest with you, this is my 6th year in the business and I am gaining from it. Also courtesy of it, I now know so many places in Kano,” he said.
Alhaji Abudulhamid Muhammad Chidiyar Yan Gurasa is a regular buyer of Gurasa. He told Daily Trust “I used to have my breakfast with Gurasa at least three times in a week. Sometimes I eat it with Miyar Taushe, pepper soup and sometimes drink my tea with it.”
He said the local meal is his favorite when it is time for breakfast. He added “I also observed that my children like Gurasa as well. Why I like it is that with a little money, I can make my family happy.”
Hajiya Halima Abdullahi, a housewife, told Daily Trust that Gurasa has simplified things especially for the working mothers. She said with Gurasa she can make a wonderful breakfast or lunch within a very short time.
“What I normally do whenever I have much work in the office, is to prepare my soup in the night and keep it in the refrigerator. In the morning all I need to do is to warm it and steam Gurasa for my children, and within a short time they will have their breakfast ready,” she concluded.
