A Legacy of Compassion: The Abdullahi Family's Five Decades of Service in Kaduna's Cemetery

In Nigeria's Kaduna, the Abdullahi family has spent more than five decades as volunteer grave-diggers, recently transitioning to paid roles under new local governance. Their dedication to the Tudun Wada Cemetery and its Muslim community reflects a deep commitment to service rooted in familial teachings.

For over half a century, the Abdullahi family has been the backbone of Kaduna's Tudun Wada Cemetery, the largest burial ground for Muslims in the northern Nigerian city. Despite operating without formal pay until recently, they have provided vital services such as digging graves, washing corpses, and overseeing burials, often relying on small donations from mourning families.

The cemetery, established by local authorities a century ago, has seen the Abdullahi family evolve into its primary caretakers since the 1970s. Ibrahim and Adamu Abdullahi initially took up the role, and despite their passing, their sons, including Magaji Abdullahi, continue the legacy. "Our parents taught us that serving others was a divine duty, and even without monetary compensation, our reward would come from God," Magaji shared with gratitude.

Operating through a rigorous schedule, Magaji and his cousins, Abdullahi and Aliyu, are on-call daily to ensure burials coincide with Islamic traditions that prefer interment within hours of death. The physical demands of the job are significant; each grave typically takes an hour to excavate, with a skilled team digging approximately a dozen graves daily under the harsh sun.

Their work has not been without tribulations. The brothers recount harrowing experiences during instances of religious violence in Kaduna, such as the conflict in the early 1990s when many lives were lost. "Gathering and burying the dead during those times solidified my resolve to serve our community," reflected Magaji.

Traditionally, the community helps with funerals, with many attending from nearby mosques after the imam announces the event. After the burial, the team would appeal for donations, a humble practice maintained by the oldest member, 72-year-old Inuwa Mohammed, who emphasizes the family's altruistic legacy.

In contrast to their immense responsibilities, the family has often faced insufficient resources and equipment, exacerbated by the impact of the economic climate. Just recently, however, a new local council chairman recognized the family’s hard work and proposed to pay them for the first time—a welcome change from their long-standing tradition of voluntary service.

"Given the significant daily upkeep the cemetery requires, it’s only fair they receive compensation," said local council chairman Rayyan Hussain, assuring that efforts will be made to improve working conditions, including refurbishing the site and enhancing security. While the salaries fall short of the national minimum wage, the Abdullahi family hopes this marks the beginning of a brighter future for their essential work in the community, with aspirations that their children will carry on their lineage of care in service to the departed.