A Kannywood series movie titled ‘Manyan Mata’ has been critiqued for encouraging feminism in patriarchal northern Nigeria.
Manyan Mata, which translates to ‘Powerful Women’ started airing on Arewa24 television in February. The theme of the movie features feminism, gender discrimination, drug abuse, child trafficking, gender-based violence amongst other social injustice deemed prevalent in Northern Nigeria.
The show stars famous Kannywood actresses including Hadiza Aliyu Gabon, Hafsat Idrees and Faty Washa.
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While earning its own share of applause from viewers, some social media users criticised the series, believing it advocates feminism and gender equality, a concept that remains unwelcomed in the culture of Northern Nigeria.
Some netizens have also accused the show of going against Islamic rulings to advocate gender equality. Similary, some critics allege that the show is potraying a bad image of “Almajiranchi” as opposed to its reality.
Contrarily, a Twitter user, @IB Babz, argued that Manyan Mata is simply ‘exposing the hidden truth’ about the life of a typical Hausa man.
While social injustice seems to be frowned upon, both cultural and religious values in Northern Islamic Nigeria do not embrace gender equality and feminism. Hence, the negative review this drama is receiving from some northerners was expected.
