content="3wuzvociws0zc1ytgiyfl4yav6jy8f" /> HADEJIA A YAU!

Ismaila A sabo Hadejia

Ismaila A sabo Hadejia
(1)Wannan dai shine Hotona, wadda Idonku yake kallona. (2) Bayan na tafi gun Sarkina, zaku tuna ni watan wata rana. (3) In wani yayi kiran sunana, sai ku cane Allah yaji kaina. (4) Koda zakuyi jimamina, sai ku yimin addu'ah bayana. Marigayi Aliyu Akilu.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

HADEJIA TOWN WALL AND GATES...

HADEJIA A YAU!BY: SULEIMAN GINSAU


HADEJIA TOWN WALLS AND GATES
"Hadejia was a large town with 5 town gates and excellent walls about 30ft (9. 14m) high, and 30ft(9. 14m) thick " ... (Captain Philips 1909) Hadejia Town walls had a long history dating back to the pre-jihad period. The walls were built to provide security to the people, and to serve as fortification against external invasion. Though mostly in ruins now, with a great proportion having completely disappeared, the walls were
intact up to the time of the colonial invasion in 1906.The construction of the walls was done by direct labour using local building materials. Over the years, the walls have been taken subjected to
several phases of development. 

Expansions and reinforcements were made to accommodate a growing population or to enhance security against attack by powerful enemies. The walls were invariably complimented by gates whose history could be linked to that of the walls. The gates provided the only entry points into the town. They
were made extremely strong, thus making it very difficult for an enemy force to break into the town through them. The gates were manned by
gate-keepers or porters (sarakunan kofa)
appointed by the Emir. These keepers used to close the gates everyday from dusk to dawn, thus controlling the movement of people in and out of the town during these periods. Visitors or
strangers were not allowed in unless with the express permission of the Emir. It was reported that one Emir ordered the gates to be left open permanently, confident that no enemy force would dare attack the town.

The first town wall in Hadejia was believed to have been built during the pre-jihad period. Though the exact date of its construction cannot be determined due to lack of proper records, its
perimeter is marked by certain well-known local pits: Mai kilabo in the west, Atafi in the south, and Dallah in the East.

 It was said to be one mile in circumference, and had four gates. The second wall was built by Sarki Sambo in the early years of the Jihad. It was wider than the previous wall,
with its perimeter approximately put at 2 miles 170 yards. It had 5 gates. The present wall, which was the third, was also built during Sambo's reign. It was built at a time when Hadejia was at
the centre of a bitter rivalry between Sokoto caliphate and Borno Empire. As such it was much stronger and wider than the previous walls. An extension to this wall was later made on the
Eastern side during the reign of Sarki Haruna (1865 -1885), encompassing a large space to harbor fugitives from surrounding villages in times of war. The Habe settlement of Fantai, which hitherto was outside the wall, also became sheltered in the new extension. This brought the wall to its present size of 4 miles 135 yards, with 5 gates, namely:
Kofar Gabas (also known as Kofar Gwani),  Kofar Arewa, KofarYamma
Kofar Kyalesu (also Known as Kofar Kogi), Kofar Mandara (also known as Kofar Talata). Apart from the Kofar Mandara gate, which was destroyed by the British in their attempt to gain
entry into Hadejia town in 1906, the other gates are still standing in their original positions. They have, however, undergone several modifications
over the years, the latest being in1985 which saw the total re-construction of Kofar Arewa and Kofar Yamma. The Hadejia town gates now stand as
historical monuments rather than as security outposts.
BY: SULEIMAN GINSAU

Friday, July 29, 2016

A SHORT HISTORY OF GARUN-GABAS.. (BIRAM)


Garun-gabas generally recognised as the ancient Biram, i believe and Bagdaza to be Baghdad. The legend in another form is connected with that of the Origin of the Hausa Bakwai. Mukhtar or Bayajidda was compelled to flee Bornu with his wife, on his Journey west he left her on the road and she gave birth to Biram who founded Garun-gabas. Bayajidda continued his journey to Daura where the well known encounter with the Snake took place and Bayajidda's marriage with the Queen Daurama.

The Town was founded by Arabs from Baghdad, one Mukhtar and his younger brother Biram migrated West and came to Birnin Bornu (Kukawa). The Shehu of Kukawa gave Mukhtar his daughter in marriage and the town of Kulunfardu where he lived until his death. Biram and his younger brother then migrated further West and founded Garun-gabas.

The following is a list of Chiefs of Garun-gabas.
1. BIRAM

2.BOMI... One of the Biram's follower who came with him from Kulunfardu but no relation.

3. TUNKU... Also one of the Biram's followers. The length of time for which these three held the Sarauta unknown.

4. ABDULLAHI. Called Ajab... He ruled for three days and then miraculously disappeared.

5. ASAWA... Thirty years the grandfather of the present Sarkin Gabas, he was deposed by Sambo Diginsa the first Fulani Emir of Hadejia, on account of his son was murdered.

6. MUSA... Nephew of Asawa Eleven years, appointed by Sambo.

7. GAUYAMA... Not of the ruling family fourty years, half way through his reign he became blind.

8. BARWAI... Younger brother of Sambo, Nine years.

9. USMAN... Son of Barwai, Six years he then Emigrated to Shira.

10. GABDO... One year and Emigrated to Katagum. Hadejia A yau.

11. BURMI... A fulani, one year fled to Katagum in terror of Buhari.

12. SARKIYO... One of the Buhari's "Hakimi" Ten years, Buhari then died and was succeeded by Umaru who remove Sarkiyo to Hadejia and made him Barwa.

13. MUHAMMAD BAKO... Son of Asawa and thus descendent to the Original Arab founders, Appointed by Haru Bubba. He held the Sarauta for Two years and then went to Mecca.

14.MUHAMMAD DARINGI... A fulani, seven month deposed by the Emir. By Ismaila A Sabo.

15. TUKUR... Son of Gauyama, after five years of his rule Muhammad Bako returned from Mecca, but leave as a private individual. Muhammad Tukur ruled for another five years and was then deposed by Haru for shaving his wife's head.

16. KANKARAU... A fulani appointed by Haru, but deposed after seven month. Muhammad Tukur Was then reinstalled and rule for seven years when he became blind and was deposed. KANKARAU reinstated but after seven years was again deposed by the Emir Muhammadu for having married seven wives.

The Emir then called in all the man of Garun-gabas to choose their own Chief. They unanimously choose Abubakar son of Muhammad Bako a direct descendant of the original Arab founders. Abubakar at first however persistently refused to accept the honour and on being pressed for a reason, told the Emir that as an Arab who had been to Mecca he could not countenance the perversion of the prophet's laws which was rife in Hadejia. The Emir is then stated to have admitted the Truth of this and on condition that he would take the Sarauta to have promised that he should administer according to the true Law at any rate in Garun-gabas.

Abubakar then became Chief and has been Sarkin Gabas for twenty three years to the present day. The famine in common with other Hadejia District, the famine last year was the cause of considerable mortality chiefly among the children. Hadejia A yau.

Reference--- Assessment reports by K. L. Hall, Assistant District officer Hadejia District Kano Province.14th/July/1915.