Please tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Anas; I am a son of the late musician, Dan Maraya Jos. I am a businessman.
What was life like growing up with your father?
It was fun. I remember how he used to pick us up and take us to see many interesting places, and to see his people.
What are some of the values you have learnt from your father?
I learnt a lot from my father. He taught me many things about life. He taught me to always tell the truth and be honest in whatever I do. He taught me to do good to others. My dad taught me to be at peace with all men regardless of our differences. He was humble, yet confident: We are trying to do things and live our lives the way he had advised us to.
How did he discipline his children whenever they erred?
He did not use harsh words, but he always spoke gently and told one where one was wrong.
How close were you to your father?
I was close to him as expected, and I attended many events with him. We had a very good relationship.
How has your dad’s name opened doors for you?
He has left a good name for us and we enjoy goodwill because of the name.
How much influence did your father have on the career choices of his children?
He always advised us about life issues. But he did not impose anything on us.
How would you describe him as a father?
Describing my dad, I would say he was a loving father. He was caring and sweet. He was a hard man to hate. We always had good conversations whenever we were together. Dad used to teach us about life and other issues. He would educate us about the history of Nigeria and other countries. He was a good story teller, and that also showed in his music. Dad always preached peace and unity among Nigerians. He was also a humorous person. He had a fond, but funny nickname for me.
One of his close friends once recalled how he came to my dad to ask for money to buy medicine, and my dad gave him enough money, but he still apologised to his friend, noting that he would have given him more if he had at that moment. That was how humble and simple dad was.
How old was he when he started his music career, and what is the history of the instrument he used whenever he performed?
My dad started music officially at the age of 18. Dad created the kuntigi as his musical instrument of choice and used it to perform throughout his career. The kuntigi is a small, stringed instrument made from a small oval-shaped sardine can that was covered with goatskin. It added more melody to his music.
Some have drawn similarities between your father and the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in terms of his music creativity and significance, do you agree?
In a way, yes. Fela and my dad were both pioneers of their kinds of music. They both had friendly personalities and used their music as tools for advocacy.
What do you think made your father’s music influential?
I think his music became influential and is still relevant today because he used it to address issues in the society.
Can you mention some of your father’s popular songs?
Some of my father’s most popular songs include Dan Amalinki (Motor Conductor) and Likita (Doctor), among others. Others like Wakar Karen Mota (Song of the Driver’s Mate), Aladu (the name of one of his children), and Only God Knows Tomorrow, were some of his favourite songs. The focus of his music was people and issues. People described him as a praise singer, but he actually used his music to celebrate local heroes, including the rich and famous and ordinary people.
What is the meaning of his name, Dan Maraya Jos?
His name means the Little Orphan of Jos. This was because he became an orphan at a very young age. So, people just started calling him Dan Maraya because of that.
What do you think he would have become if he had not become a musician?
Had he not been a musician, maybe my father would have been a social worker, growing up as a son of a kings maker.
How did your dad come to embrace music as a career?
Dad was born in Bukuru. He lived in the royal palace in Bukuru, Jos after he was adopted, when both of his parents had died. Dad had his primary education, although he dropped out of school at a young age so as to learn historical music like his father. He was motivated by the story of his father as told to him by his adopted father. Dad pursued the learning of historical music passionately, and he made music that touched the life of many in Nigeria and beyond. He was given an award the first time he went to perform in one of the radio houses in America, over two decades ago. He died at a time when many of his songs were yet to be released.
Did you go with your father to any of his performances when he was alive?
Yes, I went with my dad to many events and saw his performances.
What was the experiences like and what made them interesting events for you?
He represented Nigeria very well in many international and local cultural festivals and performed for Presidents, world leaders and Heads of State. I remember his second to the last performance during the opening of a new university in Jigawa State, Kafin Hausa University, I think last year. When he came up stage to perform, everyone was excited. And when he removed his kuntigi from his pocket, the students and everyone at the event went wild with excitement. That was a memorable moment that showed dad was held in high esteem by many. There was this other performance during the wedding of one of the daughters of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. I was there too. Dad gave a wonderful performance. Many of Atiku’s friends, including governors and foreign dignitaries, were there and they kept on spraying my dad with money during his performance. Atiku also wanted to meet dad personally.
Your dad was said to be close to some former presidents and top government officials. Who were his closest friends?
All I can say is that my father, Dan Maraya Jos, played in the war front during the civil war to encourage soldiers of the Nigerian Army. He also performed during President Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime in the 1980s, and for other Heads of State. I can also say that baba was close to a lot of those presidents, not just because of his talents, but also at different stages during his lifetime.
Did he play any other musical instrument aside from the kuntigi?
Yes, aside from the kuntigi, dad also played the ganga (drum).
What was his favourite mode of dressing?
He was always dressed in traditional attire, but in his early days he dressed like the average youth of those days.
What were his views about Nigeria, tribalism and national unity?
Dad was saddened by the tribalism that nearly wrecked the country. He expressed this not only in his music, but he was consistent on his position. He spoke passionately about the need for all Nigerians, despite their region and tribe, to be united. He talked about one Nigeria, and he used his music to unite people from the North and South.
What should your father be remembered for?
His legacy is that he used his music to unite Nigerians. He would also be remembered as a famous musician, poet, philosopher and philanthropist.
Your dad was honoured with the Member of the Order of the Niger and the Office of the Order of the Niger by the Federal Government, because of the impact of his music. What do you think can be done by government to honour his legacy?
We think government should totally support the initiative we, as a family, are working on, with the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, North Central Zone. We also hope to set up a foundation in his honour, which would be called Dr. Dan Maraya Jos Foundation, and which would also host annual lectures and symposiums in universities and higher institutions to mark his remembrance.
How did he spend time with his children?
He loved to spend quality time with his children. Sometimes, whenever he travelled out of town, he took us his children along, especially during our holidays. He took us to visit many places such as Abuja, Yola, in Adamawa State, Taraba State, and Ghana. Dad ensured he provided for us; and for people around him. Dad was widely travelled. He had been to India, United States of America, and other countries.
How did he react whenever he was angry?
My dad was never angry. I never saw him annoyed. He did not fight or get angry with anybody, even when he was forced to do so. He treated everyone equally, both Christians and Muslims, and non-believers.
It was reported that he died of cancer at the age of 69, how did he die?
Dad died after a protracted illness, but he did not die of cancer. When we went for the test, the doctors did not mention cancer. He died at the age of 83, which was the age written on his epitaph at the place he was buried.
Were you with him before he died and what was your last conversation with him?
Yes, I was with him when he died. Also, my mother and others were beside him. He said we should live in peace with one another and with others, and that by God’s grace, we would all make Al Jannah Firdaus (Heaven).
How did you receive the news of his death and how have you and your family coped during this period?
I was sad when he died. Everybody was sad. We have coped by the grace of God. But I miss him every day.
Was your dad a rich man when he died?
I would say he was comfortable, and he was a philanthropist. He was able to provide for us, and he always looked out for others. He never kept money for himself and I don’t think he owned a bank account. Dad was a generous man. He single-handedly sponsored the drilling of some boreholes in Ungwan Dan Maraya and some others in Bukuru, Jos, Plateau State, as a form of charity. He did not acquire wealth to himself, but he was able to give us, his children, good education and good upbringing.
What were his likes and dislikes?
Dad did not like dishonesty and lies. He was a man of peace and liked to be around people. He also liked watching football and golf. He preached honesty. So, he did not like cheats. He did not like it when one tried to shortchange his fellow man for whatever reasons.
What was his favourite food?
His favourite food was traditional Northern dishes such as tuwo and miyan kuka.
What was his favourite drink?
Dad did not have a favourite drink, maybe water. He never drank alcoholic drinks.
What are some things Nigerians don’t know about your father?
He loved planting trees so as to give shade to his surroundings and for aesthetic appeal. He loved feeding birds and saying his prayers five times daily. Dad used to be nicknamed Johnny Walker; he was a drummer at the time and loved to dress like Johnny Walker, with a walking stick to match. That was when he used to stay at Bauchi Road in Jos.
What do you miss most about your father?
I miss the way he used to sing to me whenever I felt sad. He always sang for me just to make me happy. I miss that. Also, whenever I went out, dad would wait for me in his sitting room until I returned late in the evening.
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