The publication of Hamman Yaji's diary through the
combined effort of J. H. Vaughan and A. H. M. Kirk-Greene is a rare
and remarkable contribution that deserves commendation from all those
interested in West African studies. An important merit of the
publication is that the diary, which sheds light on various aspects of
West African history, is now at the fingertips of a wider readership.
The diary is a catalogue of events which Hamman Yaji (District Head of
Madagali, northeastern Adamawa, 1902–27) regarded as important
for the period 1912–27. Apart from numerous slave raids on the
neighbouring non-Muslim communities, trade, religious observances,
reciprocity, obligations and Hamman Yaji's relations with his
Muslim neighbours and Europeans are recorded in detail.