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Kebbi Emirate

Coordinates: 12°44′N 4°31′E / 12.733°N 4.517°E / 12.733; 4.517
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Argungu Emirate
Kebbi Emirate
Traditional state
Argungu Emirate is located in Nigeria
Argungu Emirate
Argungu Emirate
Coordinates: 12°44′N 4°31′E / 12.733°N 4.517°E / 12.733; 4.517
Country Nigeria
StateKebbi State
Government
 • SarkinSamaila Mohammad Mera

The Kebbi Emirate, also known as the Argungu Emirate is a traditional state based on the town of Argungu in Kebbi State, Nigeria. It is the successor to the ancient Hausa kingdom of Kebbi.[1] The Emirate is one of four in Kebbi State, the others being the Gwandu Emirate, Yauri Emirate and Zuru Emirate.[citation needed]

Location

The Kebbi emirate is in the northwest of the modern Kebbi State. In earlier times it extended to the south of its original capital of Birnin Kebbi, which is now capital of the Gwandu Emirate and of Kebbi State itself. The landscape is mainly Sudanian Savanna, open woodland with scattered trees. It is intersected by the lowlands of the Rima River, which are seasonally flooded. There is a wet season between May and September, with little rain in the remainder of the year. Mean annual rainfall is about 800mm. Average temperatures are about 26 °C, ranging from 21 °C in winter to 40 °C between April and June.[2] Kebbi is populated by the Kebbawa, a subgroup of the Hausa.[3]

History

Origins

Kebbi is traditionally considered to belong to the Banza bakwai states of Hausaland. According to the locally known Hausa legend, the Kebbi kingdom was one of the Banza Bakwai ("seven bastards") or seven "illegitimate" states. The rulers of these states were supposed to trace their lineage to a concubine of the Hausa founding father, Bayajidda, hence the locally disdainful term banza ("illegitimate").[4]

The first historical references date to the time when the area came under Songhay rule during the reign of Sunni Ali (1464–1492). The earliest documented mention of a Kebbi ruler is to be found in Al-Sa'di's Ta'rïkh al-Südän where it is related that in the year 1516-7 Kanta Kuta, ruler of Leka, revolted against the Dendi-fari ("governor of the eastern front"), a provincial governor of the Songhay empire and established his independence which lasted until the downfall of the Songhay empire. The reason for Kebbi's break with Songhay was the refusal of the Dendi-fari to give the Kanta his share of the booty obtained in an expedition against the Sultanate of Air.[5] In the year 1517–8, an attempt was made by Songhay to re-establish its authority over Kebbi, but was unsuccessful. Kuta was succeeded, probably in 1523-4 by Muhammad Kanta and it was under him that Kebbi emerged as a formidable power in the Central Sudan. Sudan. During the reign of the Songhay Askia Muhammad Bunkan, the Kanta was able to inflict a crushing defeat on Songhay, the Askia's army was scattered 'pell-mell' and Muhammad Bunkan was fortunate to get away with his life.[5] The Al-Sa'di's Ta'rïkh al-Südän, which records this incident, says that no other Askia again attempted an expedition against Kebbi.[6] During this period Surame, of which the massive walls still survive, was the capital of the kingdom.[7]

Kebbi became a major power in the region, resisting Songhay attacks, expanding into the Yauri and Nupe lands to the south and defeating attempts by the Bornu Empire to invade and occupy the Hausa states. However, after Kanta's death in 1556 the Hausa states stopped paying tribute, and his son and successor Ahmadu did not attempt to force the issue. By the end of the sixteenth century Kebbi had become a minor kingdom.[4]

Struggle against the Fulani Jihadists

During the Fulani jihad, in 1808 Abdullahi dan Fodio (c. 1766–1828), the younger brother of Shaihu Usman dan Fodio, defeated the forces of Kebbi. He became ruler of the Gwandu Emirate, which dominated the northeast of the Sokoto Caliphate.[8] The Sarkin Kebbi, Muhammadu Hodi, was driven from his capital and replaced by a puppet ruler, Usuman Masa.[9] However, the Kebbawa continued to resist, and Abdullahi was unable to complete the conquest.[10] Muhammadu Hodi fought on in the Zamfara Valley, and his successor Karari in Argungu and Zazzagawa. On Karari's death in 1831, his son Yakubu Nabame surrendered, and for 16 years lived in exile in Sokoto until Sultan Aliyu Babba allowed him to return to Argungu as a vassal of the Caliphate.[9]

In 1849 Yakubu renounced his allegiance and proclaimed himself Sarkin Kebbi. After see-saw battles, including at one time a siege of Argungu by Sokoto forces, Sultan Aliyu of Sokoto effectively recognized the independence of the Kebbi Emirate based in Argungu. However the Sokoto government effectively controlled Kebbi politics and it acted as a puppet state. Kebbi now formed a hostile wedge between Sokoto and Gwandu, and sporadic warfare continued for the next fifty years. In 1859 Yakubu's brother and successor Yusufu Mainasara was killed in battle in the dried out floodplain of the Rima River. In 1860 the Emir of Gwandu, Haliru, was killed in battle at Karakara. In 1867 the Fulani recognized the independence of Kebbi in a formal treaty. In 1875 war broke out again when the people of Fanna in the lower Rima valley decided to transfer their allegiance to Gwandu. Sarkin Kebbi Sama'ila achieved a string of successes against Gwandu between 1883 and 1903, with some severe setbacks, until the establishment of the British protectorate of Northern Nigeria finally ended the fighting.[9]

Colonial occupation

On 5 August 1890 the British and French concluded an agreement to divide West Africa between the two colonial powers. Under this agreement, Britain would acquire all territories up to and including the Sokoto Caliphate, while the French would take the lands further to the north. The people of the region were not consulted. The Frenchman Parfait-Louis Monteil was given charge of an expedition to discover the northern limits of the Sokoto caliphate. Reaching Argungu in the summer of 1891, he found that the emirate was independent of Sokoto, although it was to be defeated by Sokoto in March 1892 and forced to once again become a subject state. Monteil also found little evidence of the presence claimed in the region by the British Royal Niger Company, apart from a few commercial depots in Gwandu.[11]

When the British heard of Monteil's report, and then heard that the French had raised their flag in Argungu, they dispatched troops to Argungu in 1898, where they found no French presence.[12] The British established a permanent force in Argungu in 1902 to provide protection to French caravans crossing the British zone by agreement, and then to protect the boundary commission that was delimiting the boundary between the French and British spheres. On hearing word that the Sultan of Sokoto was gathering his forces, this force and others were dispatched to Sokoto where after some fighting they achieved a decisive victory.[13] Sarkin Sama had welcomed the British for political reasons, since under the British system of indirect rule he was able to regain and consolidate his power.[14]

By 1908, British power was unquestioned. At a durbar held in 1908 for the colonial governor Frederick Lugard, the emirs of Kebbi and Gwandu and the Sultan of Sokoto turned out in force, with a show of fifteen thousand horsemen and camels. The Emirs gave Lugard sixteen ponies as tribute, and prostrated themselves before him.[15] The British established a system where the emirs were given large administrative authority subject to the direction of District Officers. The Argungu posting was not sought after. The mosquitoes were so bad that the D.O. had to sleep in a specially constructed mosquito cage.[16]

Emirate today

Fishing festival

The annual Argungu Fishing Festival is one of the largest cultural events in northern Nigeria.[17] The Festival has a long history. It was first staged when the Sultan of Sokoto, Hassan Dan Mu'azu, visited the Argungu Emirate in 1934, and was held to display the fishing ability of the Kabawas by the Emir Muhammed Sama. Until the 1960s the festival was a local affair, but in 1972 it was attended by the Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and his counterpart from Niger, Hamani Diori. For political reasons, the festival lost support and no festival was staged from 1999 until 2004. The festival has now been revived and is becoming a major tourist attraction.[18]

By 2009, the renamed Argungu International and Cultural Festival included a grand durbar with 500 well-decorated horses and their riders, and 120 well decorated camels and their riders, led by the flag bearer of the Argungu Emirate and including participants from many other ethnic groups. The largest fish weighed 55 kg, and the prizes for this catch were presented at a ceremony attended by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, his wife, six governors and many traditional rulers.[19] The 2009 festival also included water sports, archery and catapulting competitions, a motor rally, performances by dance troupes from Niger, Mali, Chad and Benin, wrestling and boxing matches, and an agricultural fair.[20] The importance of the festival to the economy has led the government to conserve fish stock by prohibiting use of gill nets and cast nets.[21]

Irrigation plan

The Zauro polder project was conceived in 1969 and long delayed, but seemed likely to be started in 2009. The project would irrigate 10,572 hectares of farmland in the floodplain of the Rima River between Argungu and Birnin Kebbi. Crops would include rice, maize, wheat, barley and vegetables such as cow peas, onions, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes. The dam would also benefit the fishing industry, important in the state. The project promises significant benefits but is controversial, since it would change land use patterns, displace some communities and flood the site of the annual fishing festival. The Emir of Argungu has been stoned in protests over the project.[22]

Museum

In June 2009 Argungu Emirate presented a proposal to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to give the historic Surame site a World Heritage listing. Surame was the first capital of the Kebbi Kingdom, founded by Mohammadu Kanta Kotal. Senator Umaru Abubakar Argungu also asked for help make the Kanta Museum not only a national monument but a historical cultural resource for the World Heritage List.[23] The museum building, adjacent to the main market was built in 1831 by Yakubu Nabame and served as the Emir's palace until 1942, when the British built a new administrative palace during the reign of Muhammed Sani. On 1 July 1958, it opened as a museum, offering an insight into the turbulent history of Kebbi State. The museum has a notable collection of weapons, consisting of charms, spears, swords, wood, stones, bows and arrows, local guns and even drums on display. The museum is also known to be a place where dead emirs of the local government are buried.[24]

Rulers

Rulers of the Hausa kingdom before incorporation into the Sokoto Caliphate:[25]

Great Hausa kingdom based on Surame and Birnin Kebbi
No. Name Reign start Reign end
1 Muhammadu Kantu Kotal 1516 1561
2 Ahmadu I 1561 1596
3 Dawuda 1596 1619
4 Ibrahimu I 1619 1621
5 Suleimanu I 1621 1636
6 Muhammadu 1636 1649
7 Maliki dan Ibrahimu 1649 1662
8 Umarau Ciwa 1662 1674
9 Muhammadu Kaye 1674 1676
10 Ibrahimu II 1676 1684
11 Muhammadu na Sifawa 1684 1686
12 Ahmadu dan Amaru 1686 1696
13 Tomo 1696 1700
14 Muhammadu dan Giwa 1700 1717
15 Samaila 1717 1750
16 Muhammadu dan Tagande 1750 1754
17 Abdullahi Toga 1754 1775
18 Suleimanu II 1775 1803
19 Abubakar Ukar 1803
20 Muhammadu Fodi 1803 1826
21 Samaila II 1826 1827

Rulers of the Hausa Emirate established at Argungu:[25][26]

Hausa successor state based on Argungu
No. Name Reign start Reign end Notes
21 Samaila (or Karari) 1827 1831 lead a heavy resistance against Gwandu. Was killed at Galewa
22 Yakubu Nabame (in exile from 1831 to 1849) 1831 1854 son of Samaila. Captured several towns before being killed by an arrow at Kibiari
23 Yusufu Mainasara 1854 1859 son of Samaila. Was killed by Haliru, Emir of Gwandu
24 Muhammadu Ba Are 1859 1860 son of Yakubu. Avenged his uncle's death before he was killed
25 Abdullahi Toga 1860 1883 son of Samaila
26 Samaila II (or Sama) 1883 September 1915[1] son of Yakubu. A great warrior who was known to have burnt 90 Fulani towns[26]
27 Suleimana 1915 1920 son of Yakubu
28 Muhammadu Sama 1920 1934 son of Samaila II
29 Muhammadu Sani 1934 1942 son of Muhammadu Sama
30 Samaila III 1942 1953 a descendant of Muhammadu Dan Giwa (r. 1700–1717), Sarkin Kebbi
31 Muhammadu Shefe 1953 October 1959[1] son of Samaila III. Abdicated following a disagreement with his council
32 Muhammadu Mera 1959 1996[1] son of Muhammadu Sani
33 Samaila IV CON[1] 1996[1] Incumbent[1] son of Muhammadu Mera

Bibliography

  • Harris, P. G.: Sokoto Provincial Gazetteer, Sokoto 1938 [Cyclostyled].
  • Hogben, S. J. and A. H. M. Kirk-Greene: The Emirates of Northern Nigeria, London 1966.
  • Johnston, H. A. S., The Fulani Empire of Sokoto, Oxford 1967 (pp. 187–195).

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Traditional States of Nigeria". WorldStatesmen.org. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  2. ^ "Physical Setting". Online Nigeria. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  3. ^ "Muhammadu Kanta". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  4. ^ a b D. T. Niane, ed. (1984). General History of Africa: Africa from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. Heinemann Educational Books. p. 270ff. ISBN 0-435-94810-5. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  5. ^ a b Hunwick, J. O. (1971). "A LITTLE-KNOWN DIPLOMATIC EPISODE IN THE HISTORY OF KEBBI (c.1594)". Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 5 (4): 575–581. ISSN 0018-2540.
  6. ^ Sad, Abd al-Ramn ibn Abd Allh; Houdas, Octave Victor (1900). Tarikh es-Soudan par Abderrahman ben Abdallah ben 'Imran ben 'Amir es-Sa'di. Traduit de l'arabe par O. Houdas. Robarts - University of Toronto. Paris E. Leroux. pp. 146–7.
  7. ^ See brief description in E. J. Arnett, The Rise of the Sokoto Fulani, Kano, 1922, p. 14.
  8. ^ Robert O. Collins (1990). African History: Western African history. Markus Wiener Publishers. p. 62. ISBN 1-55876-015-6. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  9. ^ a b c H.A.S. Johnston. (1967). "Chapter 18: The Kebbi Wars". The Fulani Empire of Sokoto. Oxford University Press, pp.187-195. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  10. ^ J. D. Fage, William Tordoff (2002). A history of Africa. Routledge. p. 206. ISBN 0-415-25248-2. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  11. ^ Claire Hirshfield (1979). The diplomacy of partition: Britain, France, and the creation of Nigeria, 1890-1898. Springer. p. 37ff. ISBN 90-247-2099-0. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  12. ^ Claire Hirshfield (1979). The diplomacy of partition: Britain, France, and the creation of Nigeria, 1890–1898. Springer. p. 164. ISBN 90-247-2099-0. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  13. ^ The story of Sultan Attahiru I. Taylor & Francis. 1964. p. 60ff.
  14. ^ Muhammad Sani Umar (2006). Islam and colonialism: intellectual responses of Muslims of Northern Nigeria to British colonial rule. BRILL. p. 28. ISBN 90-04-13946-X. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  15. ^ George Steinmetz (1999). State/culture: state-formation after the cultural turn. Cornell University Press. p. 231. ISBN 0-8014-8533-9. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  16. ^ Anthony Hamilton Millard Kirk-Greene (2006). Symbol of authority: the British district officer in Africa. I.B.Tauris. p. 77. ISBN 1-85043-452-2.
  17. ^ SEGUN AJAYI (12 March 2008). "Kebbi, MTN set for Argungu fishing fiesta". Daily Sun. Retrieved 8 October 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ INUWA BWALA (3 March 2004). "Reviving a heritage". Daily Champion. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  19. ^ Saka Ibrahim (29 March 2009). "Argungu Fishing Festival - Morning After". ThisDay. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  20. ^ Ayo Okulaja. "The lowdown on Argungu". Next. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  21. ^ A.A. Eyo and Y. B. Ahmed. "Management of Inland Capture Fisheries and Challenges to Fish Production in Nigeria" (PDF). Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology. Retrieved 9 October 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  22. ^ Tosin Omoniyi (20 December 2009). "A Dam of Controversy". Newswatch. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  23. ^ Mohammed S. Shehu (18 June 2009). "Argungu Emirate Presents Site For World Heritage Listing". Daily Trust. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  24. ^ Ayo Okulaja. "The charm of Argungu Museum". Next. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  25. ^ a b Stewart, John (1989). African States and Rulers. London: McFarland. p. 151. ISBN 0-89950-390-X.
  26. ^ a b Burke's royal families of the world. London: Burke's Peerage. 1977. pp. 186–187. ISBN 978-0-85011-029-6.
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