Justice Fairness and the Quest for Egalitarian Societies

Drawing from Plato to Ghandi to Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela Khalid Imam in this book articulates the principles of social justice and fairness equity and egalitarianism as they abound in the moral statements of the Hausa tales. He delves into the sociology of oral literature using the example of the Hausa folktales collated in Bukar Usman’s Taskar Tatsuniyoyi collection. For instance the virtue of altruism is resonant in Marainiya (The Orphan Girl Child) who ‘subjected herself to the dangers of passing through many valleys of death to save the precious life of a prince that was about to die.’ The book argues that justice ‘is the fundamental principle upon which a well-ordered society stands.’ And situating the bastion of justice on good leadership the author goes on to cite the example of Africa’s most revered leader of modern times; Nelson Mandela. Mandela’s life is a clear testimony to the benefit of folktale in moulding the character of the child and building charismatic leadership. Indeed ‘Justice Fairness and the Quest for Egalitarian Societies’ is sublime book for all lovers of justice and fairness.