Daura Emirate
The Daura Emirate is a religious and traditional state in Northern Nigeria, the Emir of Daura still rules as a ceremonial hereditary monarch, and maintains a palace.[1] Muhammad Bashar became the emir in 1966, reigning for 41 years until his death in 2007, On 28 February 2007, Umar Faruk Umar became Emir of Daura succeeding Muhammad Bashar.
Daura Emirate
Masarautar Daura Al Amir Al Daura | |
|---|---|
  Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 13°2′11″N 8°19′4″E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Katsina State |
| Government | |
| • Emir | Faruk Umar Faruk |
| Elevation | 474 m (1,558 ft) |
Origins
The Girgam mentions that the Daura Emirate was established in 2000 BC and it all began from Canaan with a man called Najibu who migrated with a group of people to Ancient Egypt. They settled in Ancient Egypt for a while and had very close relations with the Copts. They moved on to Tripoli and their leader who was then Abdudar sought to rule over the people but was unsuccessful, so he moved on with his people to a place called Tsohon Birni today in Northern Nigeria and it was this event that paved the way for the establishment of the Daura Emirate and city. Daura is the city that Bayajidda, a figure from Hausa mythology, arrived at after his trek across the Sahara.[2] Once there, he killed a snake (named Sarki) who prevented the people from drawing water from the well known as Kusugu, and the local queen Daurama Shawata, married him out of gratitude; one of their seven children was named Daura.[2] The Kusugu well in Daura where Bayajidda is said to have slain Sarki is protected by a wooden shelter[3] and has become a tourist attraction.[4]
The emirate is referred to as one of the "seven true Hausa states" (Hausa Bakwai)[5] because it was, (along with Biram, Kano, Katsina, Zazzau, Gobir, and Rano), ruled by the descendants of Bayajidda's sons with Daurama and Magira (his first wife).[2] The University of California's African American Studies Department refers to Daura, as well as Katsina, as having been "ancient seats of Islamic culture and learning."[6]
History
In 1805, during the Fulani War, Daura was taken over by Fulani warrior Malam Ishaku, who set up an emirate. The Hausa set up rival states nearby, and the ruler of one, Malam Musa, was made the new emir of Daura by the British in 1904.[5] Once part of Kaduna State,[5] Daura became part of the new Katsina State in 1987.[7] Faruk Umar Faruk became the 60th Emir of Daura on 28 Feb 2007 following the death of Sarkin Muhammadu Bashar dan Umaru.[8]
Rulers
During the Fulani jihad, the emirate was divided with three separate lineages at different locations, eventually reunited in 1906. Important Emirs of the Daura Emirate:[8][9]
| Start | End | Ruler |
|---|---|---|
| 1778 | 1825 | Sarkin Gwari Abdu |
| 1825 | 1855 | Lukudi, brother of Sarkin Gwari Abdu |
| 1855 | 1861 | Nuhu dan Sarkin Gwari Abdu |
| 1877 | 1904 | Tafida dan Nuhu |
| 1906 | 1911 | Musa dan Nuhu |
| 1911 | 1966 | Abd ar-Rahman dan Musa (b. 1881 - d. 1966) |
| 1966 | 26 Feb 2007 | Muhammadu Bashar dan Umaru (d. 2007) |
| 28 Feb 2007 | Umar Farouk dan Umar (b. 1931) |
Bibliography
- S. J. Hogben und Anthony Kirk-Greene: The Emirates of Northern Nigeria, London 1966 ("Daura", p. 145-155).
- Dierk Lange: Ancient Kingdoms of West Africa, Dettelbach 2004 ("Daura", p. 219-233).
- Michael Smith: The Affairs of Daura: History and Change in a Hausa State - 1800-1958, Berkeley 1978.
References
- "INEC registers 1.8m voters in Katsina". The Tide Online. Rivers State Newspaper Corporation. 9 January 2007. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2007.
- Dierk Lange. "Oral version of the Bayajida legend" (PDF). Ancient Kingdoms of West Africa. Retrieved 21 December 2006.
- Bature, Abdullahi; Russel G. Schuh. "Gani Ya Kori Ji" (PDF). Hausar Baka. World of Languages. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
- "Katsina State". NGEX, LLC. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
- "Daura". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 21 December 2006.
- "African Films and Documentaries: Daura and Katsina, Nigeria. The Hausa Woman". University of California's African American Studies Department. Retrieved 24 January 2007.
- "Katsina State". Nigeria Direct. Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. Archived from the original on 13 December 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
- "Traditional States of Nigeria". World Statesmen. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- Smith, Daura, 143-236.