The Nigerian family who have spent five decades as volunteer grave-diggers

BBC - Jan 23rd, 2025
Open on BBC

For over 50 years, the Abdullahi family has been caring for the Tudun Wada Cemetery in Kaduna, Nigeria, without formal compensation. This graveyard, reserved for the city's Muslim residents, has become a vital part of their community service ethos. The family undertakes responsibilities such as digging graves, washing corpses, and maintaining the cemetery. Their commitment, driven by a belief in divine reward, has been unwavering even during challenging times like religious clashes in the city. Despite their dedication, financial struggles have persisted, with the family relying on small donations from mourners and a small farm for sustenance.

Recent developments have brought a positive change as the new local council chairman, Rayyan Hussain, has placed the graveyard workers on the payroll for the first time, albeit below the national minimum wage. This decision is part of Hussain's broader plan to improve the cemetery's infrastructure, including repairing fences, installing solar lights, and adding security. The recognition and investment are welcomed by the Abdullahi family, who hope it ensures the continuation of their legacy. The story highlights the significance of their altruistic service and its impact on the community, as well as the challenges faced by those who perform essential yet overlooked roles.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides an engaging and well-structured narrative about the Abdullahi family's dedication to the Tudun Wada Cemetery in Kaduna, Nigeria. It effectively balances personal stories with broader community context, highlighting both the challenges and recognition faced by the family. While the story is largely accurate and timely, certain factual claims require further verification to ensure complete reliability. The article's focus on community service and cultural practices is of significant public interest, and its readability and engagement levels are high. However, the lack of diverse sources and potential for controversy slightly impact its overall quality. Despite these minor shortcomings, the article successfully informs and engages readers, contributing to discussions about community recognition and support.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a detailed narrative about the Abdullahi family's involvement with the Tudun Wada Cemetery in Kaduna, Nigeria. It claims that the family has been volunteering for over 50 years, which is a significant historical fact that requires verification. The article accurately describes the family's daily activities, such as digging graves and preparing bodies according to Muslim rites. However, specific details like the exact number of graves dug per day and the depth of the graves may need further corroboration. The story also mentions recent changes, such as the local council chairman's decision to put the family on the payroll, which adds to its credibility. Overall, while the narrative is compelling, certain factual elements require further verification to ensure complete accuracy.

8
Balance

The article provides a balanced view by highlighting the dedication and challenges faced by the Abdullahi family while also mentioning the support and recognition they have received from the community. It includes perspectives from family members and community figures like Inuwa Mohammed and the local council chairman, Rayyan Hussain. However, the story could have benefited from including perspectives from other community members or religious leaders to provide a more comprehensive view of the cemetery's significance and the family's impact. Despite this, the article effectively balances personal narratives with broader community context.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and easy to follow, with a clear narrative that guides the reader through the history and current situation of the Abdullahi family. The language is straightforward, and the story is logically organized, making it accessible to a broad audience. The use of direct quotes from family members adds to the clarity and emotional impact of the story. However, some sections could benefit from additional context to fully explain certain cultural or religious practices mentioned. Overall, the article is clear and comprehensible, effectively conveying the family's story.

6
Source quality

The story relies primarily on interviews with the Abdullahi family and the local council chairman, which provides firsthand accounts of the situation. However, the article does not cite any external sources or documents to corroborate the historical claims about the family's involvement or the cemetery's history. The reliance on personal testimonies, while valuable, limits the depth of source variety and authority. Including additional sources, such as historical records or expert opinions, could enhance the story's credibility and reliability.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its presentation of the Abdullahi family's story, clearly outlining their roles and the challenges they face. It provides context about the cemetery's history and the family's motivations, which helps readers understand the basis of the claims. The article also mentions the recent changes brought about by the local council, adding transparency to the narrative. However, the lack of detailed methodology in verifying historical claims slightly detracts from full transparency. Overall, while the story is clear, more explicit sourcing or methodological details would enhance transparency.

Sources

  1. https://westernafricamagazine.org
  2. https://tribuneonlineng.com/the-volunteer-graveyard-workers-of-kaduna/
  3. https://oaklandcemetery.com/digging-deeper-labor-in-the-19th-century-cemetery/
  4. https://forums.rabidbadger.io/forum/news-and-information/world-events/609726-the-nigerian-family-who-have-spent-five-decades-as-volunteer-grave-diggers
  5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364999986_THE_CHARACTERISTICS_AND_SPATIAL_LOCATION_OF_CEMETERIES_IN_KADUNA_METROPOLIS_KADUNA_STATE-NIGERIA