THE QUAKE: THE HAUSA CITY-STATES (Kastina)

                                                                                                                         

                                      KASTINA CITY-STATE

Earliest records show a group of people known as Durbawa occupying the area known as Kastina. Durbawa were the ruling class in Kastina as early as the twelfth century, then Kastina was just more than a village-state. The first recorded Durbawa ruler of Kastina was Janzama whose wife Daura gave her name to the capital. Still in the twelfth century, Kumayo a descendant of Bayajidda seized power and became the first Habe ruler of Kastina. After Kumayo’s death the right to the throne alternated between descendants of Kumayo and Janzama.

Before we look at few great leaders of Kastina we must establish the role of the Sarki. The Sarki was the title given to then rulers of Hausa city-states. In Kastina the Sarki held both political and religious power. The Sarki was seen as a divine ruler whose health and strength is believed to have strong impact on the state. A physically and mentally fit Sarki symbolizes fertility of the land and prosperity of the people. Once a Sarki’s health starts declining a successor is quickly named. The coronation ceremony involves the killing of a black ox over the head of the newly selected Sarki such that the blood of the ox spatters over him. The old Sarki was then strangled by a selected court official and his body wrapped in the skin of the ox before burying him in an upright position.

During the early centuries Kastina remained a state without walls unlike her neighbors, though without walls Kastina proved to be a strong and independent city-state despite attacks from Kano, Nupe and Gobir. Records show Kastina was invaded periodically, an example was the conquering of Kastina by Askia Mohammed.

Around 1490 Islam reached Kastina and was widely embraced by commoners. Around 1493 the Islamic scholar Al-Maghili visited Kastina and was able to convert the then ruler of Kastina Mohammed Korau to Islam. Al-Maghili helped him establish an Islamic styled leadership. Islam continued to foster in Kastina due to strong trade with North African merchants and also by the invasion of Songhai state. Islam continued to grow in Kastina though it was by choice, but during later years of the 16^th century Islam became obligatory for all living in Kastina.

One interesting thing about Kastina was the model of her growth. Kastina became a large and prosperous city-state in the later years of the 16^th century. The state was divided into separate residential quarters, there were quarters for people from Mali, Songhai, Gobir, Bornu etc. Also there were quarters for Islamic teachers, officials of the state and craftsmen specializing in various crafts.

As established above, the Songhai state invaded and occupied Kastina until 1554 when Kastina won back her independence. During this time there was an increase in trade between Tunis and Kastina thus making her a very wealthy state. With her independence and wealth the need for a well fortified state was hatched however it was not until the reign of Ali Murabus in 1560 that powerful outer walls were built around Kastina.

As Kastina increased in trade she made many powerful enemies. As we established in the last exposition on Kano, Kastina’s greatest enemy was Kano. Kano’s ruler Rimfa started The Eleven year war with Kastina in order to win sole control of Sub-Saharan trade. In the previous article, we established the fact the war continued after the death of Rimfa, however Kano was unable to wrestle the control of Sub-Saharan trade from Kastina. Kastina’s enemies also included Jukun and in 1670 Jukun warriors invaded Kastina massacring many people in the process. The Jukun ruthless advance was halted when their commander died from a kick by his horse causing his men to withdrew. Kastina unable to keep Bornu away from her gate became a tributary to Bornu.

We have seen Kastina as a city-state that suffered frequent foreign invasions yet her economic development soared. She maintained her lead in trade and Islamic culture in the old Hausaland. An example of her success was the flourishing Islamic culture and education, the famous Islamic scholar Dan Marina lived around this time in Kastina. Kastina's excellence was highly sought and thus became a model in both government and trade for her neighbors. The areas strongly controlled by Kastina included Maradi, Zamfara and Birnin Gwari.

Kastina began to decline slowly allowing most of her territories to fall into the hands of Gobir, a rising power. In 1807 Kastina finally fell to the Fulani thus ending their glorious history.