Kingdom of Zazzau

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Kingdom of Zazzau
Sarautar Zazzau (Hausa)
Status State from 1010-1902
Currently a non-sovereign monarchy in Nigeria
Capital Turunku
(1010 – 15th century)
Zazzau
(15th century – 1902)
Common languages Hausa
Fulfulde
Arabic
Religion
Hausa animism, later replaced by Islam
Demonym(s) Zazzagawa
Government Sarauta
Sarki  
• ?
Gunguma (first)
• 1576-1610
Amina (disputed)
• 1802-1804
Makkam
• 1897-1902
Muhammad Kwassau (last sovereign)
• 2020-present
Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli
Succeeded by
Abuja Emirate Blank.png

The Kingdom of Zazzau was a Hausa kingdom centred on the city of Zazzau (now Zaria) in modern-day northern Nigeria established sometime in the early second millennium, and endured until its conquest during the jihad of Usman dan Fodio in 1804. Following this, its dynasty was replaced by a Fulani one subordinate to the Sokoto Caliphate, and the polity continues to exist today as the Zaria Emirate, a non-sovereign monarchy in Nigeria. The current emir of Zaria is Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, who succeeded the former emir in 2020, the late Shehu Idris. [1]

Contents

History

Origins

The early history of Zazzau is unclear. [2] : 274  The most important source for the origins of Zazzau is the Chronicle of Zaria , composed in the early 20th century and based on oral tradition. [3] : 29  According to tradition, the kingdom was founded by Gunguma, a descendant of the legendary Bayajidda. [4] : 486  Zazzau's regnal list dates this to 1010 CE. [5] : 298 

Scholars have had differing views on the early history of Zazzau. Abdullahi Smith considered the Hausa to have inhabited the area for over a millennium before a state emerged. There were various city-state-type polities, with the most powerful being Turunku and Kufena, who had authority over the others. In the late 15th century, Turunku ruler Bakwa took power in Kufena, and built a capital just east of Kufena, which was named "Zaria" after her/his [a] daughter. [2] : 274–275 

Murray Last theorised the area to have been inhabited by a Kamuku federation named Kangoma from 1200 CE, who were the descendants of the Nok culture. Accordingly, the Kangoma kingdom, renamed Zegzeg, emerged at Turunku after the federation's collapse, with the Hausa assuming control as late as 1641, however this is not supported by linguistic evidence. [2] : 274 

Apogee

Bakwa was succeeded by her son, Ibrahim (r. 1539-1566) and her younger brother Karama (r.1566-1576). Karama pursued aggressive and expansionist campaigns, with one of Bakwa's daughters, Amina, rising to be the state's most prolific general and warrior. Some traditions have Amina succeeding Karama in 1576, although whether she was queen (sauraniya) is disputed. While she doesn't appear on any regnal lists, local traditions say she ruled the lands she conquered. [6] Amina waged a 34-year campaign against her neighbors, to expand Zazzau territory. [7] [8] [9] According to tradition, she rejected many suitors when younger, and in each town she conquered would behead a man after spending the night with them. Expansion north was blocked by Kano and Katsina, and east by the Jos Plateau; therefore Amina campaigned to the southeast and southwest. [6] She conquered large tracts of land as far as Kwararafa and Nupe, [9] including Bauchi and Yauri. Sokoto caliph Muhammad Bello claimed she reached what presumably was the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, and extracted tribute from Katsina and Kano, however contemporary historians dispute the latter claim. The Chronicle of Abuja says Amina received 40 eunuchs and 10,000 kola nuts from Nupe's ruler, introducing these to Hausaland. [6] She is also said to have built earthen walls around many camps and towns, now known as Ganuwar Amina ("Amina's walls"). According to tradition Amina dominated Hausaland for 34 years (until 1610) and died at Attaagar (likely Idah) in battle, with her body not being recovered. [6]

Zazzau was a collection point for slaves to be delivered to the northern markets of Kano and Katsina, where they were exchanged for salt with traders who carried them north of the Sahara. [10] According to the history in the chronicle, Islam was introduced to the kingdom around 1456, but appears to have spread slowly, and pagan rituals continued until the Fulani conquest of 1808. At several times in its history, Zazzau was subject to neighboring states such as Songhai, Bornu and Kwararafa. [11]

Mosque of the palace Zazzau palace Mosque 01.jpg
Mosque of the palace

Fulani conquest

In December 1808 the kingdom was captured in the Fulani jihad. [12] The Hausa (Habe) ruler had escaped to Abuja, where he established a state now known as the Suleja Emirate, retaining his independence and the title of "Sarkin Zazzau". The ruler of the modern Zazzau Emirate also uses the title "Sarkin Zazzau" or "Sarkin Zaria". After the jihad, the culturally similar but pastoral or nomadic Fulani intermarried with the more settled Habe farmers, and the people of the Emirate today are generally known as Hausa–Fulani. The government of the Zaria Emirate differed from other emirates created at this time in that offices were rarely hereditary, but were appointed based on merit or obligation. [11]

Rulers

Hausa kingdom

Names and Dates taken from John Stewart's African States and Rulers (1989). [5] [13]

Capitals (c. 1010 – c. 1578): Turunku, Wuciciri, Rikoci, Kawar [14]

StartEndRuler
c. 1010?Gunguma
??Matani (or Matazo)
??Tumso (or Tumsah)
??Tamusa
??Sulimano
??Nasabo (or Maswaza)
??Danzaki (or Dinzaki)
??Saiwago (or Nayoga)
??Kwasari (or Kauchi)
??Nwaiku (or Nawainchi)
??Besekal (or Machikai)
??Kuna (or Kewo)
??Bashikarr
??Maji Dadi (or Majidada)
??Kirari (or Dihirahi)
??Jenhako (or Jinjiku)
?1505Sukana
15051530Rabon Bawa (or Monan Abu)
15301532Gudumua Muska (or Gidan Dan Masukanan)
15321535Tukuariki (or Nohir)
15351536Uwan (or Kawanissa)
15361539 Bakwa Turunku
15391566Ibrihimu
15661576Karama
15761578Kafow

The kingdom's name changed to Zaria at the end of the 16th century. [14]

Capital (c. 1578 – 1835): Zaria (originally founded in 1536 and named after Chief Bakwa's daughter Zaria) [15]

StartEndRuler
15781584Ali
15841597Bako Majirua
15971608Bako Su Aliyu
16081611Bako Mahama Gabi (or Gadi)
16111611Bako Hamza (ruled for one day)
16111618Bako Abdu Ashkuku (or Abdaku)
16181621Bako Brima (or Burema)
16211646Bako Ali
16461647Bako Majam Rubu
16471660Bako Brima
16601670Bako Shukunu
16701678Bako Aliyu
16781682Bako Brima Hasko
16821710Bako Mahama Rubo
17101718Bako
17181727Bako Aliyu
17271736Bako Dan Musa
17361738Bako Ishihako (or Ishaq)
17381750Bako Makam Danguma
17501757Bako Ruhawa
17571758Bako Makam Gaba
17581760Bako Mair ari Ashaka Okao
17601762Kao
17621764Bako Bawa
17641770Yonusa
17701788Baba (or Yakuba)
17881793Aliyu
17931795Chikkoku
17951796Mai haman Maigano
17961802Ishihako Jatao (or Ishaq Jatao)
18021804Makkam (or Muhamman Makau)

Independent Fulani rulers

The gate before renovation in 1970 Nigerian Public Domain 725.jpg
The gate before renovation in 1970

The kingdom was taken over by the Fulani Empire in 1804 and became an emirate in 1835. [15] The Hausa rulers went into exile and founded Abuja. [15] The emirate was taken by the British in 1902. [15]

Rulers of the independent Fulani emirate: [12]

StartEndRuler
1804 [15] 17 May 1821Malam Musa ibn Suleiman Ibn Muhammad
18041825Muhamman Makau (Hausa ruler in exile) [15]
June 18211834Yamusa ibn Mallam Kilba
18251828 Abu Ja (Hausa ruler in exile) [15]
183418 December 1846Abd al-Karim ibn Abbas
6 January 184628 February 1846Hammada ibn Yamusa
15 Apr 1846Apr 1853Muhammad Sani ibn Yamusa
Apr 1853Dec 1853Sidi `Abd al-Qadir ibn Musa
Jan 18545 Aug 1857Abd as-Salam ibn Muhammad Ka'i
21 Sep 1857Oct/Nov 1871Abd Allah ibn Hammada (1st time)
22 Nov 1871Jun/Jul 1874Abu Bakr ibn Musa (d. 1873)
Aug/Sep 1874Nov/Dec 1879Abd Allah ibn Hammada (2nd time)
26 Dec 1879Jan 1888Muhammad Sambo ibn Abd al-Karim
Jan 188813 Feb 1897Uthman Yero ibn Abd Allah (d. 1897)
17 Apr 1897Mar 1902 Muhammad Lawal Kwassau ibn Uthman Yero

Colonial period and later rulers

Rulers of the independent Fulani emirate: [12]

Startend;Rulers
March 19038 April 1903Sulayman (regent from 11 Sep 1902)
8 April 19039 November 1920Ali ibn Abd al-Qadir (d. 1924)
19201924Dallatu ibn Uthman Yero
19241936Ibrahim ibn Muhammad Lawal Kwassau (b. c.1886 - d. 1936)
1937August 1959 Malam Jafar ibn Ishaq (b. 1891 - d. 1959)
September 19594 February 1975 Muhammad al-Amin ibn Uthman (b. 1908 - d. 1975)
8 February 197520 September 2020 Shehu Idris (b. 1936 - d. 2020) [16]
7 October 2020 Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli (b. 1966)

Ruling houses in Zazzau Emirate Council

  1. Mallawa.
  2. Barebari.
  3. Katsinawa
  4. Sullubawa

Local governments under Zazzau Emirate Council

  1. Sabon Gari
  2. Giwa
  3. Soba
  4. Igabi
  5. Ikara
  6. Makarfi
  7. Kubau
  8. Kaduna North
  9. Kaduna South
  10. Kauru
  11. Kudan
  12. Zaria

Notes

  1. ↑ Bakwa's gender is disputed. [6]

References

  1. ↑ Alabelewe, AbdulGafar. "Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli is new Emir of Zazzau". The Nation. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Amadu, Mahdi (1984). "The Hausa and their neighbours in central Sudan". General History of Africa: Volume 4. UNESCO Publishing.
  3. ↑ A, Tsiga, Ismaila; M.O, Bhadmus (2016-02-22). Literature, History and Identity in Northern Nigeria. Safari Books Ltd. ISBN   978-978-8431-87-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Hansen, Mogens Herman (2000). "The Hausa City-States from 1450 to 1804". A Comparative Study of Thirty City-state Cultures: An Investigation. Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskab. ISBN   978-87-7876-177-4.
  5. 1 2 Stewart, John (1989). African States and Rulers. London: McFarland. pp. 297–298. ISBN   0-89950-390-X.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Denzer, Laray (2011-01-01). "Amina". Dictionary of African Biography. Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-538207-5 . Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  7. ↑ Women in world history : a biographical encyclopedia. Commire, Anne., Klezmer, Deborah. Waterford, CT: Yorkin Publications. 1999–2002. ISBN   078763736X. OCLC   41108563.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ↑ Jones, David E (2000). Women Warriors: A History. Brassey's. p. 84. ISBN   1-57488-206-6.
  9. 1 2 Hogben, S.J. (1966). Emirates of Northern Nigeria. London: Oxford University Press. pp. 215–255.
  10. ↑ "Zaria". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  11. 1 2 M. G. Smith, International African Institute. (1960). "Government in Zazzau, 1800-1950". Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2008-12-28. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  12. 1 2 3 "Traditional States of Nigeria". WorldStatesmen.org. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  13. ↑ Stewart, John (2024-10-18). African States and Rulers (3 ed.). McFarland. pp. 240–241. ISBN   978-1-4766-1707-7.
  14. 1 2 Stewart, John (1989). African States and Rulers. London: McFarland. p. 298. ISBN   0-89950-390-X.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stewart, John (1989). African States and Rulers. London: McFarland. p. 297. ISBN   0-89950-390-X.
  16. ↑ "Just in Emir of Zaria Shehu Idris dies at 84". 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
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