Is Hausa an Ethnic Group, a Language or a Wider Civilisation?

As a southerner, I have long been confused by the Hausa-Fulani label and by the way it is used to describe Northern Nigeria. I wondered why people described as Hausa are spread across several states, yet governors and emirs are often identified as Fulani. I also wondered why this does not appear to cause a distinct Hausa political reaction. I am beginning to think Hausa may be more than an ethnicity. It may primarily be a language and a wider civilisation formed around historic cities. Those cities likely attracted migrants over generations, and the original populations may have mixed extensively with newcomers. This could explain why many people seen as Hausa may identify more strongly with other lineages while still speaking Hausa and participating in Hausa culture. I see a possible comparison with Onitsha, where people with roots in Bini, Igala and other Igbo communities have integrated into the city over time. However, the Hausa case seems broader, with language and shared culture perhaps becoming more important than a single ancestry. People from Northern Nigeria, especially those familiar with Hausa history and identity, please clarify: is Hausa mainly an ethnic identity, a language, a civilisation, or a combination of all three? This question is asked respectfully.

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