Nigerian Family's Generational Commitment to Grave-Digging

The Abdullahi family in Nigeria has dedicated more than five decades to volunteering at Tudun Wada Cemetery, caring for the deceased without formal pay. Recently, they began receiving a small salary from local authorities, marking a significant change for the family and their community.

For more than five decades, the Abdullahi family has devoted themselves to serving the largest graveyard in Kaduna, Nigeria, gaining immense respect in their community. They were previously unpaid volunteers, performing the tough tasks of digging graves, washing bodies, and caring for the cemetery, relying only on small donations from bereaved families.

Founded as a burial ground for Muslims by the city's authorities a century ago, Tudun Wada Cemetery became the family's responsibility in the 1970s when Ibrahim and Adamu Abdullahi started working there. Sadly, both brothers have since passed away, but their sons have taken up the noble mantle.

Magaji Abdullahi, the oldest son of Ibrahim, shared that their family's philosophy was instilled by their parents: serving others is rewarding in itself and is valued by God. Now 58, Magaji oversees operations at the cemetery, managing his cousins Abdullahi and Aliyu, who have also dedicated their lives to this work.

A typical day sees the trio report for duty by 7 AM, working twelve-hour shifts, daily attending to the rituals associated with Islamic burials. When a death occurs, they receive calls from mourners or local imams, prompting them into action. This involves washing the deceased, preparing graves according to specific measurements, and assisting with the burial process—all under the scorching heat.

During tense times of religious conflict, the cousins faced grave challenges, emphasizing the significance of their work in retrieving countless bodies following violent clashes. Magaji recalls the tragic early 1990s when communal violence surged, but it only strengthened their resolve to continue their essential service.

Traditionally, after digging and preparing graves, the family appeals for donations to support their labor, a process often undertaken by the oldest worker, 72-year-old Inuwa Mohammed. However, finances have remained tight, leading the family to engage in subsistence farming to supplement their income.

Recently, the future of the cemetery has shifted following new recognition by the local council. The chairman has placed them on a payroll, providing monthly salaries for the first time. While the amount – 43,000 naira ($28) for the senior workers and 20,000 naira ($13) for the others – is still below the national minimum wage, it signifies a vital step towards acknowledging their efforts.

In an effort to improve the graveyard, plans are underway to enhance security, repair its boundaries, and install necessary facilities to ease the mortuary work.

For the Abdullahi family, this new financial stability opens a path to ensure the legacy of cemetery custodianship continues, with hopes that one of Magaji's 23 children will take on the honorable role in the future.