Definition of BATURE
Phonetic Transcription: /bä-too-reh/
BATURE is a Hausa word used in northern Nigeria to describe a white man or a foreigner, especially someone perceived as coming from Europe or the West. In everyday speech, it extends beyond race to mean anyone who is not indigenous to the region, particularly non-Africans.
In Hausa-speaking communities, “BATURE” can carry different shades of meaning depending on context. It might express a simple description (“that white man”), respect for someone perceived as powerful or educated, or even mild surprise when someone acts in a way considered foreign.
Example in Pidgin: “See as BATURE dey waka for Kano market.”
Another example: “Dem say BATURE don buy suya for street.”
The word has also evolved to describe things perceived as foreign, Westernized, or exotic. A person may be called “BATURE” even if they’re African but adopt a Western accent or lifestyle. For instance, a local Nigerian who dresses or speaks in an obviously foreign way might be nicknamed “BATURE” jokingly.
Culturally, “BATURE” reflects the deep history of contact between the Hausa people and outsiders. Northern Nigeria was historically part of long-distance trade networks connecting West Africa to North Africa and beyond. This exposure created a layered perception of foreigners—sometimes as traders, sometimes as colonizers, and sometimes as development workers or tourists.
Listen to how BATURE is pronounced in this short video below.
Usage Examples
- Informal: “BATURE no sabi chop pepper like we.”
- Formal: “The NGO recruited several BATURE staff for its northern Nigeria office.”
- Idiomatic: “You dey do like BATURE” (used jokingly to mean behaving in a foreign way).
Cultural Context
Origin
The term “BATURE” originates from the Hausa language, the lingua franca of northern Nigeria and parts of Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. Historically, Hausa people interacted with diverse groups—Arabs, Tuaregs, Kanuri, and later Europeans. The word “BATURE” arose during these interactions to categorize white-skinned foreigners.
One theory holds that “BATURE” comes from an older Hausa expression “Ba Turai,” meaning “from Turai” (Turai being the Hausa name for Europe). Over time, this contraction became “BATURE.” Another theory connects it to “Ba-Turawa,” referring to people from lands of the Turawa (Europeans). Both point to Europe as the reference point for the word.
During colonial times under the British, the term became firmly established as the everyday label for white colonial officers, missionaries, and traders. Post-independence, it persisted as the default description for Westerners and foreign aid workers in the region.
The word carries cultural memories of power relations between locals and colonials but is not inherently derogatory. It can be neutral, respectful, or teasing depending on tone and context. For instance, children may shout “BATURE” joyfully when they see tourists, while adults may use it casually in markets or workplaces.
With globalization and migration, the term also came to include Asians, Arabs, and Africans with light skin, although its core meaning still centers on Europeans and Westerners.
Regional Usage
“BATURE” is most strongly used in northern Nigeria where Hausa is widely spoken—in states like Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Borno, Bauchi, and Zamfara. Markets, transport hubs, and rural areas use the term to refer to any non-local person, especially white visitors.
In contrast, in southern Nigeria, Yoruba or Igbo speakers might use “Oyinbo” or “Oyibo” instead of “BATURE.” This reflects the regional variation in Nigeria’s linguistic landscape. Nonetheless, “BATURE” is recognized nationwide because Hausa has spread through trade, migration, and popular culture.
Pidgin example: “Anytime BATURE enter my shop, I go give am better price.”
In Niger Republic and parts of Cameroon where Hausa is spoken, “BATURE” carries the same meaning. In urban centers like Abuja where populations mix, the term is also used informally by non-Hausa speakers.
Diaspora Hausa communities abroad use “BATURE” nostalgically or humorously to describe foreigners they interact with, maintaining a cultural link to their roots.
This regional usage underscores how “BATURE” functions as more than a label; it reflects identity, belonging, and perceptions of outsiders in Hausa culture.
How would you use “BATURE” in a sentence? Drop your Pidgin examples below.