SANADIN ABAYAR SALLAH Book 1

Description

The story unfolds at Kaduna State University, capturing the lives of students and their interactions. It begins on a Monday afternoon with a young woman, clearly tired from studying, searching for her friend in a crowded student lounge. She spots her friend, whom she calls "sister," and expresses frustration about how long it took to find her. Her friend, Surry, is engrossed in a lively conversation with other girls about fashionable abayas, expensive traditional dresses that are the latest trend. Surry shows off pictures of an abaya costing thirty-eight thousand naira on her flashy iPhone, sparking excitement among her friends. They talk about an "Abaya Challenge" for the upcoming Sallah celebration, where wearing a stylish abaya is a must to be considered a "big girl." However, Sumayya, the girl looking for her friend, feels left out because her family cannot afford such luxuries. Her simple attire and old Vivo phone contrast sharply with the trendy girls.

Zahra, Sumayya’s actual sister, advises her to avoid these materialistic friends, warning that their influence could lead her astray. Sumayya, frustrated by their poverty, snaps back, questioning why they must struggle while others live lavishly. Zahra urges her to be grateful and stay grounded. Later, as they head home on a tricycle, a radio program discusses the abaya craze, criticizing young women for prioritizing fashion over modesty, which sparks a heated exchange with the driver. Zahra defends her values, asserting her dignity despite their modest circumstances.

The narrative shifts to a group of women in a shared compound, excitedly discussing the same abaya trend. They admire the designs but debate the high costs, revealing class differences and pressures to keep up appearances. At night, young men at a hangout spot boast about their romantic escapades on social media, with some planning to buy abayas to impress girls, highlighting the superficial culture among the youth.

The story explores themes of peer pressure, social status, and the struggle between modesty and materialism in a vibrant university setting, reflecting the challenges young people face in balancing identity and societal expectations.

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