THE QUAKE: THE HAUSA STATES 2 (Kano)

                                                            

HAUSA CITY STATES

KANO

The earliest known inhabitants of Kano were the Negro Abagayawa. They were skilled blacksmiths and their most famous leader Barbushe also founded the community. Tradition says that the Abagayawa were conquered by Bagoda grandson of Bayajidda in AD999. Under the reign of Bagoda and his descendants the former small villages became a large and powerful state.

Kanajeji 1390-1440, Ali Yaji’s son was a powerful ruler who expanded the power of Kano to a large extent of Hausaland. He revamped the army by incorporating many innovations such as equipping the Kano troops with chain mails and iron helmets. Kanajeji’s successors took Kano’s power to a new height. These great leaders opened Kano’s gate to other great nations abroad thus increasing their wealth.

A typical example was Sarki Dauda 1421-1438 who came in touch with the kingdom of Bornu. During the reign of Abdullahi Burja 1452-1463 formal trade was opened up between the now friendly Bornu and the kingdom of Gonja. Abdullahi Burja involved Kano in the Trans-Saharan trade thus increasing the wealth and prestige of Kano. At his death Kano fell into the hands of a more peaceful leader Yakubu. Yakubu labored to maintain internal and peace and also peace with Kano’s neighbors. Kano flourished under the reign of Yakubu, commerce thrived greatly due to Kano’s peaceful co-existence with her neighbors. Another notable act of Yakubu is his open arms to foreigners who bore new ideas. He allowed Fulani Muslims from Mali to settle in Kano. This new settlers brought Islamic teachings and literature to Kano.

In 1463 Mohammed Rimfa became the new ruler of Kano. He had a very long reign 1463-1499, his reign saw drastic changes in Kano. During his time Kano rose to her greatest height, her military reached its peak in power during the reign of Mohammed Rimfa. We know that Rimfa not only made Kano a super power but also a commercial hub of the then Hausaland. Rimfa commissioned the building of city walls to protect a larger area, he also strengthened already built walls. He introduced new military strategies and tactics to his army. He organized his army to advance with cavalry at the front protecting his infantry, this tactic is known as Dawakin Zaggi.

Rimfa began a conflict with the city state Kastina for the control of trade with the kingdom of Agades and North Africa. This war was known as the Eleven years war and saw the use Dawakin Zaggi in battles. Such was Rimfa’s vision that he increased trade within and outside Kano. He built a good number of markets inside the city walls, the largest was Kurmi market which was built to accommodate large numbers of traders. Kurmi is still in use today though not pivotal as it was in ancient Kano.

It was during the reign of Mohammed Rimfa that Kano officially became a Muslim state. He made huge cultural reforms in order to accommodate Islam. With the help of Al-Maghili and Abd-Al-Rahman he made Islam the official religion in Kano. He ordered the religious tree Shamuz to be cut down and in its place a minaret was built. He also forced most of his subjects especially those governing with him to convert to Islam. Rimfa began using Islamic laws to govern. He also introduced Islamic taxation thus he made Islam flourish in Kano. Rimfa overhauled Kano’s system of government, he made changes using Islamic laws as guidance.

After the reign of Rimfa Kano began a slow but steady decline. During the eleven years war with Kastina Rimfa won great victories however the eleven years war continued after his death but Kano had lost her hold on the Trans-Saharan trade to Kastina by this time. As Kano’s power began to wane his enemies became more daring, it was not long before her enemies were able to reach her walls. In 1512 Kano fell to the army of Askia Mohammed. Kano became a tributary first to shonghai and then to Kebbi.

For centuries Kano continued to be at the mercy of her neighbors. Jukun and Benue valley twice invaded Kano and ravaged the city in the 17^th century. Kano continued to be a tributary to her neighbors especially the kingdom of Bornu. Kano regained her power during the 19^th century when she became the most prominent city state in Hausaland. To this day Kano is the most elegant, commercially thriving and powerful city in Hausaland and the environs. A power developed and encouraged by great ancient leaders lives to this day.