“Mai Dalilin Aure,” a traditional matchmaking practice in Hausa culture, has shifted from a cultural custom to a commercial venture. Originally intended to help people find marriage partners, matchmaking in Kano now spans internet and social media platforms, drawing a diverse clientele and providing income for many operators.
In Kano, a growing number of matchmaking businesses blend traditional and modern methods to connect potential partners, Weekend Trust reports.
Aminu Hangama, a matchmaker, noted that many clients come after experiencing heartbreak. “People come with specific preferences, and we find matches that meet those. Now, even parents bring their children’s photos, hoping for a suitable match. Our clients include young singles, divorcees, and widows,” he said.
Previously offered at no cost, matchmaking services have evolved to include consultation fees, with operators like Hangama establishing business models that have facilitated numerous marriages across the state.
Adamu Haladawa, a veteran in the industry with over 30 years of experience, remembers a time when matchmaking was conducted discreetly by elderly women who arranged meetings without involving young couples directly.
“They used to visit families with photos of secluded young women to find suitable suitors. Today, people are openly turning to matchmakers,” he said, attributing the industry’s expansion to high demand.
The sector has also embraced technology, with matchmaking sites such as Halal Matchmaking and Muslim Matchmaking gaining traction.
Malam Rabi’u Ado, a matchmaker based in Kano, began his work with signposts displaying his contact information but now operates primarily on social media.
“We advertise without pictures to maintain discretion. Interested individuals either call or visit us, and we offer a selection of profiles,” Ado said. He has facilitated over 250 marriages in the past eight years and considers matchmaking his main income source alongside his civil service job.
However, matchmaking is not without challenges. Ado recounted an incident where a misunderstanding between clients from Niger Republic led to police involvement, costing him a property. Despite such risks, matchmaking services remain popular but face social skepticism.
Malama Binta Mahadi, who launched her matchmaking site after helping her sister find a husband, said that matchmakers often encounter harsh judgment. “We keep clients’ information private, yet people sometimes accuse us of promoting promiscuity. Our site has been reported multiple times, but we remain committed to our work,” she said.
Clients of these services include individuals like Aminu Isah, who, after a failed marriage, turned to a matchmaker and eventually found a new partner. Today, he and his wife are raising two children together. Another client, Malama Ussaina, learned only after marriage that her mother had arranged her match through a matchmaking firm.
The practice has even received backing from religious leaders. Sheikh Ali Dan Abba, Chief Imam of the Millati Ibrahim Mosque in Kano, has affirmed that matchmaking aligns with Islamic principles when conducted ethically.
“The process does not violate religious rules as long as the intent is toward lawful marriage. We urge operators to act with honesty and integrity,” he advised.
