Muhammad Rumfa

Rumfa was a rich and flamboyant king. Luxurious clothing and expensive ostrich feather shoes were common among government officials. The kakaki was also first used during his reign. His wealth is owed to Kano's commercial prosperity during this period. Kano arguably achieved the height of its reputation as a trading center in the Middle Ages during his reign. Leo Africanus's description of Kano is believed to be that of Rumfas era. He described the locals as "wealthy merchants and skilled craftsmen" and commended the cavalry of the Sultan's army. He also noted the abundance of rice, corn, cotton and citrus fruits.[4]

Though Kano experienced growth and opulence under Rumfa's reign, the sultanate was engaged in a war with Katsina and was reportedly the victim of an invasion by the powerful Songhai Empire though the latter is historically dubious.

Rumfa's war with Katsina marked the first time a war ensued between the two states. It lasted for eleven years with no decisive victor. During this war, the Sultan was said to be the first ruler to utilize the "Dawakan Zagi", a form of psychological warfare.

The army of Askiya the Great, in alliance with his hausa Aide de camp Muhammad Kanta Kotal of Kebbi, was said to have subdued most Hausa States. The Songhai marched into Kano on the invitation of Kano's sister States Zazzau and Katsina who sought for Askiya's intervention in dealing with Kano but ended up being the first casualties of his conquest.[5] After a long siege, Kano fell to Songhai forces. Askiya had some of his men, reside in kano to collect the imposed tax and exhorted Rumfa to marry his daughter believed to be Madaki Auwa to solidify his position.

The conquest of the Songhai in Hausa land was mainly drawn from the accounts of Leo Africanus. But his venture into Hausaland is the subject of debate. His account is believed to be based on hear-say in Gao or Timbuktu about events that may have transpired around Rumfa's era and sort to glorify the exploits of the Askiya. Other historians have argued that the Songhai authority over Hausaland was "at best ephemeral and perhaps non-existent". Humphrey J Fisher argued that while the invasion may have happened it had no lasting impact and the effects were over-inflated while being open to the possibility that the invasion never happened at all. Furthermore, the Songhai and Hausa Chronicles make no mention of this event. The Kano Chronicle while fair enough to mention Kano's misfortunes at various times made no mention of the Songhai Conquest.[4] Others like Lady Lugard, have argued that the omission of the Songhai Invasion from the Hausa Chronicles is due to the indifference of the Hausa States when it came to non Hausa States.[5] It is widely accepted that if the Songhai Conquest in Hausaland happened, it was merely a paltry event. Rumfa's supposed marriage to Askiyas daughter may have been diplomatic. Some attribute the conquest entirely to Kanta Kotal.[6]

Oral traditions dictate that his epithet "Rumfa" came because during his time, wild dogs were rampant and feasted on the food of Kano's inhabitants. When they came to the Sultan for a solution, his grandson Muhammad, who was playing in his court, suggested they build rumfa (sheds) where they could keep the food out of the dogs' reach. At first, the Sultan was dismissive of the child's advice but his advisers saw the wisdom of the child's statement and compelled the Sultan to consider it. The child's advice worked and the people prayed that he would one day become Sultan. Muhammad would later become the twenty second ruler of Kano and the first Emperor of the Kanoan Empire.