This writing board is from the Hausa people of Nigeria West Africa. They are part of what is sometimes called the Fulani Empire. The Hausas have interacted with the Islamic world since the 15th century and were one of the first groups in West Africa to convert to Islam. This writing board which is sometimes also referred to as Aduaze and also Allo. It would have been used by a Muslim scholar or in a Muslim school to teach Arabic and learn passages from the Qur’an. Due to the fact that Muslims believe the Qur’an to incorporate the word of God/Allah as revealed to the Prophet Mohammed, the Qur’an and the words in the Qur’an are handled with a great deal of respect. It is believed by some that the words themselves hold mystical properties and to this end religious scholars are sometimes consulted by those wishing to ward off the evil eye or obtain protection. During such consultations words and diagrams are drawn on the board and then washed off and drank by the person who has initiated the consultation. As a result of this the boards are prized as it is the believed that the greater their usage the greater their power due to the fact that they have been successfully used for such activities. This board is unusual in the fact that its wooden handle has been covered in tooled leather. The Arabic writing on this board is on both sides and the board has a long crack running through it which is probably a result of extensive use. The curve at the base of the board ensures that it would have comfortably rested on the waist or leg of its owner whilst they wrote. This Islamic board also comes with the traditional Hausa Islamic ink pot which is made out of fired clay. The ink pot has geometric and circular designs etched into its side. As the name suggests, the ink pot is used to store the ink which is used for the Islamic board. A small piece of reed (Qalam) is dipped in the ink and used to write on the Islamic board. The Islamic ink pot measures 8.5cm (3.3 inches) in diameter and 8cm (3.2 inches) in height. This a very rare and interesting Islamic collectable item.