THE HAUSA KINGDOMS

Much of the history of early kingdoms and empires in present day northern Nigeria derived from legends and oral folklore. Evidence exists however, to suggest that these Hausa cultures were skilled smelters of iron ore as early as the 7th century AD. Given their proximity to the noks whose civilizations flourished previously in the region, one would argue that the Hausa had most probably developed skills in crafts like pottery, and evolved complex social structure much earlier.

The history of Hausa land evolves around bayajidda, who migrated from the Middle East across the Sahara and settled in Daura, a town in katsina state close to the present day border with Niger Republic. Such odysseys is uncommon in those days through well defined trade routes across the Sahara and northern Africa. Other legends and folktales recount similar waves of migration southward across the Sahara which resulted in intermarriage and acculturation between the migrant Arabs and the Hausa. On settling in Daura, Bayajidda got married to the queen with whom he fathered seven son's. It is said that the travelling bayajidda earned the queen favour by killing a mythical snake that had, hitherto, prevented Daura dwellers from freely drawing water from a local well.

Bayajidda seven sons are held to be the founder of the seven Hausa kingdoms, Daura, Kano, Zaria, Gobir, Katsina, Rano and Biram. The seven Hausa states developed a common language; Hausa although they shared certain characteristics such as similar kingship institutions, the states developed over time, Kano rose to a position of commercial prominence, and was closely followed by the neighbouring Katsina, while Zaria, traditionally enthrusted with the task of protecting the other states from southern incursions, grew considerable military might.

I am @theob, follow, upvote, comment, thanks for visiting my blog do have a nice day.