Abdullahi Burja

Last updated
Abdullahi Burja
Sarkin Kano
Reign1438 – 1452
Predecessor Dauda Bakon Damisa
Successor Dakauta
BornAbdullahi Dan Kanajeji
Dynasty Bagauda
Father Kanajeji
ReligionIslam

Abdullahi Dan Kanajeji, known as Abdullahi Burja, was the sixteenth ruler of Kano. Through forging of powerful alliances and the creation of trade routes, Burja shifted the identity of the Kano Sultanate towards trade and commerce, what Kano and its people are known for today. [1] He was the first Hausa King to pay tribute to Bornu which secured an agreement to open trade routes from Gwanja to Bornu. He was also the first King to own camels in Hausaland. [2] By the end of the 15th Century, Kano emerged as one of the most vibrant trading centers in the Sahel. Through trade, the Hausa language and culture was spread throughout the region. [3]

Contents

Ascension and Reign

Abdullahi Burja's mother's name was Tekidda. He was the third successive son of King Kanajeji to be made ruler of Kano. According to the Kano Chronicle , his reign coincided with the late days of the infamous Queen Amina of Zazzau. It was said that the Sultan waged war on Dutse and later took a daughter of their leader as his wife, the first mention of Dutse in recorded history. Burja established trade relations with Bornu and created trade routes from Gwanja to Bornu. This shift towards trade saw an intensification of slave raids by Kano towards the south to export to Bornu. Abdullahi Burja through his Galadima created twenty one new slave colonies. Slowly, trade in Kano shifted towards other commodities [4] During this time, all the young men of Kano were enjoined to military service and only old men remained in Kano. Abdullahi was noted by the Kano Chronicle for his generosity. [2]

Exploits of the Galadima

Burja was implored to return home after his campaign in Dutse by the Galadima, Dauda, vowing to do whatever the King wishes. Galadima Dauda engaged in a slave raiding expedition in the regions south of Kano which produced a thousand slaves monthly for seven years before being asked to return home by the King. On his way back to Kano, the Galadima would build a new city every three miles with five hundred male and five hundred female slaves. When he reached Kano, he gave the Sultan three thousand slaves and informed him of his exploits. [5] All in all, Galadima Dauda built twenty one new towns which he called "Ibdabu" and was made Lord of these towns by the Sultan. [2]

Dagachi

In the reign of his predecessor, his brother, Dauda Bakon Damisa, a great Bornu prince which the Girgam corroborates as Othman Kalnama sought refuge in Kano and took the title Dagachi. From that point, the figure is referred to as Dagachi so it is possible that this title was passed on to descendants of Othman. It is said that the Dagachi began to amass great wealth and power during Dauda's reign and this continued in the reign of Abdullahi Burja. When Abdullahi returned from his expedition in Dutse, he found that Dagachi had established a market in Karabka and built countless houses. Dagachi would eventually revolt unsuccessfully in the time of Abdullahi Dan Rumfa with his kin in Bornu coming to his aid. [2]

Family and Marriages

Abdullahi Burja was the first sarki to marry the daughters of the Galadima, Sarkin Rano, Sarkin Dutse, and Sarkin Shirra. He is the father of Sultan Yakubu, who was the father of Muhammad Rumfa. [2]

Death and succession

The death of Abdullahi Burja in 1452 saw a short period of instability that produced three Kings within eight days. His first successor, his son Dakauta, was dumb and the people theorized that becoming King would make him speak. He was turned out a day later when his speech wasn't restored. Dakauta's son then ascended the throne but abdicated 7 days later in fear of Galadima Dauda, allowing Abdullahi Burja's son Yakubu to assume the throne of Kano. [6]

Biography in the Kano Chronicle

Below is a full biography of Abdullahi Burja from Palmer's 1908 English translation of the Kano Chronicle . [7]

The 16th Sarki was Abdulahi Burja. His mother’s name was Tekidda.

There was no one like him for generosity. He was the first in Hausaland to give Bornutsare or gaisua.” He opened roads from Bornu to Gwanja. He was the first to own camels in Hausaland.

Sarkin Bornu left his country at this time and went to attack Asben, but as he could not find any water for his army he returned home. The next year every town in the west paid him “tsare.” The Sarkin Kano went out to Khud and encamped there one year and six months. The Galadima Daudu went to wage war in the south. In Burja’s time Karmashi conquered the Migawa. The Sarki went to Dussi. The Galadima Daudu said to him, “Return to Kano, I will do for you whatever you want done, and defeat your enemies.”

So the Sarkin Kano returned home. When he arrived in Kano, he found that Dagachi had assumed great power in the town, and collected wealth without end, and had built houses from his house as far as Salamta. It was Dagachi who made the market of Karabka. All this time the Galadima Daudu was in the south making war on the pagans every day, conquering them and taking them as slaves. Every month he sent 1,000 slaves to Sarkin Kano. All the people of Kano flocked to him. There was no one left in Kano except the Sarki and very old men. Every day the Sarki sent to the Galadima horses, clothes and horse trapping.

The Galadima was sung as follows:

Gatherer of the axes of the south
Gatherer of the youth of the south
Drum of Wealth, Galadima
Drum of Land, Galadima

He stayed 7 years in the south. Slaves became very numerous in Kano. The Sarki sent to him to tell him to come back, so he returned. When he was returning, he stopped every 3 miles, and built a town. He left at each 1,000 slaves, 500 males, and 500 females. He thus founded 21 towns, before he came to Kano. On arriving there he gave the Sarki 3,000 slaves and said to him, “I have founded 21 towns, and in each I have left 1,000 slaves, all yours.”

The Sarki asked him, “What are the names of the towns you have built?”

The Galadima said, “Their names are Ibdabu.”

The Sarki said, “I make you ruler of all these towns and their domains.”

Because of this the Galadima was called “Daudu, the strength of the city.”

The next year the Sarki sent to Dussi to ask for a wife. He was the first Sarki who married a daughter of Sarkin Dussi, Sarkin Shirra and Sarkin Eano, and also a daughter of the Galadima.

He ruled 15 years.

Related Research Articles

The Kano Chronicle is an Arabic-language manuscript that lists the rulers of Kano.

Ali Dan Tsamiya known as Yaji I or Ali Yaji Dan Tsamiya was a king and later the first Sultan of Kano, a state in what is now Northern Nigeria. Yaji I ruled from 1349 to 1385 CE. A prominent figure in the state's history, Yaji used a religious revolution to finally solidify his family's grasp on Kano and its sub-kingdoms after centuries of strife. He was also responsible for the absorption of Rano into Kano.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hausa Kingdoms</span> Collection of states started by the Hausa people

Hausa Kingdoms, also known as Hausa Kingdom or Hausaland, was a collection of states ruled by the Hausa people, before the Fulani jihad. It was situated between the Niger River and Lake Chad. Hausaland lay between the Western Sudanic kingdoms of Ancient Ghana, Mali and Songhai and the Eastern Sudanic kingdoms of Kanem-Bornu. Hausaland took shape as a political and cultural region during the first millennium CE as a result of the westward expansion of Hausa peoples. They arrived in Hausaland when the terrain was converting from woodlands to savannah. They started cultivating grains, which led to a denser peasant population. They had a common language, laws and customs. The Hausa were known for fishing, hunting, agriculture, salt-mining, and blacksmithing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jukun people (West Africa)</span> West African ethno-linguistic group

Jukun are an ethno-linguistic group or ethnic nation in West Africa. The Jukun are traditionally located in Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe States in Nigeria and parts of northwestern Cameroon. They are descendants of the people of Kwararafa. Most of the tribes in the north central of Nigeria trace their origin to the Jukun people and are related in one way or the other to the Jukuns. Until the coming of both Christianity and Islam, the Jukun people were followers of their own traditional religions. Most of the tribes, Alago, Agatu, Rendere, Goemai in Shendam, and others left Kwararafa when it disintegrated as a result of a power tussle. The Jukuns are divided into two major groups; the Jukun Wanu and Jukun Wapa. The Jukun Wanu are fishermen residing along the banks of the river Benue and Niger where they run through Taraba State, Benue State and Nasarawa State. The Wukari Federation, headed by the Aku Uka of Wukari, is now the main centre of the Jukun people.

Muhammad dan Yakubu, known as Muhammad Rumfa was the sultan of Kano from 1463 until 1499. His reign was characterized by wealth and opulence and signaled the rise of the Kano's commercial dominance in the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibrahim Dabo</span> Emir of Kano

Ibrahim Dabo was the leader of the Fulani Sullubawa in Kano and founder of the eponymous Dabo dynasty. His progeny has lasted over two centuries reigning as Muslim rulers of the ancient city-state of Kano. The dynasty has become synonymous with the ancient city-state in affectionate sayings as "Kano ta Dabo Cigari". They have independently ruled the Kano Emirate from 1819 until the Battle of Kano in 1903 which as a result of British colonisation transformed into the Kano Emirate Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Katsina</span>

The history of Katsina stretches over a millennium. It is part of the Hausa Bakwai states, believed to be founded by the descendants of Bayajidda according to legend. Throughout its history, Katsina has been governed by various dynasties, including the Wangarawa and the Dallazawa, and was a vassal to neighboring empires such as Songhai and Bornu.

Muhammad Dan Abdullahi, known as Muhammad Kisoki, was the Sultan of Kano from 1509 until his death in 1565. His 56-year reign is the longest of the state's Rumfawa era.

Kanajeji Dan Yaji, known as Kanajeji, was the 13th ruler of Kano and, for a period, the ruler of Zazzau. He reigned from 1390 - 1410. Like his father, Yaji I, Kanajeji was an intrepid king whose reign was characterized by war, conquest, and religious reformation. Kanajeji engaged in two long and pivotal wars with Umbatu and Zazzau, and eventually prevailed in both, after lengthy feuds. He took Umbatu in four attempts, and Zazzau after two battles. He also renewed the suzerainty his father had imposed over the Kwararafa. However, in a bid to conquer Zazzau, his reign also saw the return of the pagan practices his father sought to expunge. He is credited with revolutionizing Kano's army through the introduction of quilted leather armors (lifidi), steel armors, coats of mail, and iron helmets.

Muhammad Bugaya Dan Tsamiya, known as Bugaya, was a King of Kano who reigned from 1385 - 1390.

The Bagauda Dynasty is a house of noblemen who founded and ruled the Kingdom of Kano throughout its existence. The Dynasty spanned over 800 years spread out through ten centuries, one of the longest in recorded human history and produced 43 rulers. After the fall of the dynasty in Kano, the remnants of the royal house founded a new kingdom in the Maradi Region.

Kabe Dan Kumbari, known as Alhaji Kabe, was the thirty-ninth ruler of the Sultanate of Kano, reigning for the ten-year period between 1743 and 1753. He was primarily remembered by the Kano Chronicle as a malevolent and ruthless King. It is said that no record can be kept of the number of battles and wars he fought or those fought by the subkingdoms of Kano by his orders, most notably against Gobir. The baleful nature of his reign led to the ousting of the already unpopular bloodline of Muhammad Sharefa.

Dauda was a Sultan of Kano who reigned from 1421 to 1438.

Yakubu was a Sultan of Kano who reigned from 1463 to 1499.

Yakufu was a Sultan of Kano who reigned in 1565.

Abdullahi was a Sultan of Kano who reigned from 1499 to 1509.

Dadi was a Sultan of Kano who reigned from 1670 to 1703.

Muhammad Sharefa was a Sultan of Kano who reigned from 1703 to 1731.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdullahi (emir)</span> Emir of Kano (r. 1855–1883)

Abdullahi was Emir of Kano from 1855 until his death in 1883.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dutse Emirate</span> Emirate council in Jigawa State

Dutse Emirate is a historical emirate council in Jigawa State, Nigeria. It traces its origins back to legends of early hunters and has been influenced by various rulers and events. The emirate's history includes connections to the Sarkin Kano, periods of Fulani ascendancy, and adaptation to colonial-era changes. The current emir of Dutse is Hameem Nuhu Sanusi.

References

  1. Movements, Borders, and Identities in Africa. Vol. 40. Boydell & Brewer. 2009. ISBN   978-1-58046-296-9. JSTOR   10.7722/j.ctt81knm.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Palmer, H. R. (1908). "The Kano Chronicle". The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 38: 58–98. doi:10.2307/2843130. ISSN   0307-3114. JSTOR   2843130.
  3. Mahadi, Abdullahi (April 1985). "David Henige, Oral Historiography. London: Longman, 1982, 150 pp., £3.95 paperback". Africa. 55 (2): 223–224. doi:10.2307/1160310. ISSN   0001-9720. JSTOR   1160310. S2CID   151406732.
  4. Hiskett, M. (1965). "The 'Song of Bagauda': A Hausa King List and Homily in Verse--III". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. 28 (2): 363–385. doi:10.1017/S0041977X00075169. ISSN   0041-977X. JSTOR   611613. S2CID   222415215.
  5. Smith, M. G. (1964). "Historical and Cultural Conditions of Political Corruption among the Hausa". Comparative Studies in Society and History. 6 (2): 164–194. doi:10.1017/S0010417500002061. ISSN   0010-4175. JSTOR   177905. S2CID   144632576.
  6. Stilwell, Sean (July 2001). "KANO POLITICS OVER THE LONG TERM Government in Kano, 1350–1950. By M. G. SMITH. Boulder: Westview Press, 1997. Pp. xxiii+594. $85 (ISBN 0-8133-3270-2)". The Journal of African History. 42 (2): 307–352. doi:10.1017/S0021853701267899. ISSN   1469-5138. S2CID   154348659.
  7. Palmer, Herbert Richmond, ed. (1908), "The Kano Chronicle", Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland , vol. 38, pp. 58–98 via Internet Archive; in Google Books. PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
Preceded by Sarkin Kano
1438-1452
Succeeded by