Hausa Kingdoms

Quick Facts: Who was Hausa Kingdoms?

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Hausa Kingdoms

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Ancient collection of states ruled by the Hausa people in northern Nigeria.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Hausa Kingdoms (Masarautun Hausa), also known as Hausaland (Kasar Hausa), were a collection of states ruled by the Hausa people, before the Fulani jihads. They were situated between the Niger River and Lake Chad (modern day northern Nigeria). Hausaland lay between the Western Sudanic empires of Ancient Ghana, Mali and Songhai and the Eastern Sudanic empire of Kanem-Bornu. Hausa oral traditions detail the Bayajidda legend, which describes the adventures of the Baghdadi hero, Bayajidda, culminating in the killing of the snake in a well at Daura and his marriage to the local queen Magajiya Daurama. According to the legend, Bayajidda's descendants founded the Hausa Bakwai (seven "true" states), as well as the Hausa Banza ("bastard" or "illegitimate" states).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

According to the Bayajidda legend, the Hausa states were founded by the sons and grandsons of Bayajidda, a prince of Baghdad who married Daurama, the last Kabara of Daura, and heralded the end of the matriarchal monarchs that had erstwhile ruled the Hausa people. According to the legend, Bayajidda travelled through Bornu, arriving at Daura, where he went to the house of an old woman called Waira and asked her to give him water but she told him the predicament of the land, how the only well in Daura, called Kusugu, was inhabited by a snake called Sarki, who allowed citizens of Daura to fetch water only on Fridays. Since sarki is the Hausa word for "king", this may have been a metaphor for a powerful figure. Bayajidda killed Sarki and because of what he had done the queen married him for his bravery. After his marriage to Daurama the people started to call him Bayajidda which means "he didn't understand (the language) before".

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Hausa Bakwai were the seven "true" states (birane) that all Hausa people are said to derive from. According to tradition, Bayajidda and Daurama's son, Bawo, had six further sons with three wives (two per wife) who each founded a kingdom. Biram, the seventh kingdom, was founded by another son of Bayajidda, who he had had with a Kanuri princess (called Magira) while he was at Bornu. Daura is the "mother city" of the Hausa states. Daura (Gazaura ascended to the throne) Kano (ruled by Bagauda) Katsina (founded by Kumayau) Zazzau (founded by Gunguma) Gobir (founded by Duma) Rano (founded by Zamna Kogi) Biram/Garun Gobas (ruled by Biram, city now called "Hadejia") The Hausa Banza or Banza Bakwai were referred to as the "bastard" or "illegitimate" states.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hausa Kingdoms

True or False: “The Hausa kingdoms were entirely independent of neighboring empires like Kanem-Bornu and Songhai throughout their history.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text indicates that the Hausaland was situated between major empires like Ancient Ghana, Mali, Songhai, and Kanem-Bornu, suggesting significant interaction and influence.

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