Bagauda Dynasty

The Bagauda Dynasty is a house of noblemen who founded and ruled the Kingdom (eventually Sultanate) of Kano throughout its existence. The Dynasty spanned over 800 years spread out through ten centuries, one of the longest in recorded human history and produced 43 rulers. After the fall of the dynasty in Kano, the remnants of the royal house founded a new kingdom in the Maradi Region.

History

"A man shall come to this land with an army, and gain mastery over us, you will see him in the sacred place of Tsumburbura, if he comes not in your time, assuredly he will come in the time of your children, and will conquer all in this country, and forget you and yours and exalt himself and his people for years to come"

The dynasty started with the first King of Kano, Bagauda in 999 CE and lasted until 1807 CE when the last ruler from the lineage, Muhammad Alwali II was assassinated in exile during the Fulani War. Their reign started after Bagauda migrated to Kano and conquered the indigenous pagans of Dala Hill, although the rest of Kano would not fall under their control until during the reign of his early successors.

The dynasty is divided into three factions or eras, the Gaudawa, the Rumfawa and the Kutumbawa, but their lineage can all be traced to Bagauda according to the Kano Chronicle. They are said to have descended from Bawo, the son of Hausa folk hero Bayajidda and his wife, the last Kabara, Magajiya Daurama.The arrival of Bagauda is said to have fulfilled the prophecy of Barbushe.

Gaudawa

The Gaudawa's reign was characterized by the conquest and consolidation of what is now known as Kano State by Bagauda and his earliest descendants. Their era was characterized by mostly war and expansion by the rulers and also the construction of the Kano Walls. They also laid the foundation of the Kano administrative system and revolutionized its Military along with imposing Islam as the State religion. The Gaudawa are also known as "Daurawa".

Rumfawa

The Rumfawa oversaw the zenith of the Kano Sultanate. With the opening of trade routes a few decades earlier in the time of Abdullahi Burja, Muhammad Rumfa and his descendants were able to propel the State to the peak of its commercial and political influence. This saw a wave of immigrants from other parts the Sahel as well as the venture of Kano's citizens into other parts of the region, asserting the State as a major trading center. Their reign culminated in the complete subordination of all of Hausaland by Kano during the reign of Rumfa's Grandson, Muhammad Kisoki. The Rumfawa made the most important administrative and social reforms in Kano.

Kutumbawa

The Kutumbawa era began in 1623, starting with Muhammad Alwali I, famously known as El Kutumbi. This era saw dwindling fortunes for the Sultanate. The Kutumbawa faced various waves of famine (possibly due to environmental degradation), indecisive wars by increasingly aggressive neighbors, and had to deal with internal strife within the Kano Royal House. Ravaged by economic and political crises, the Kutumbawa saw the fall of Kano's founding dynasty.

Genealogy

Bagauda Dynasty

Kings of Kano (Sarkin Kano) Bauwo Kaunasu 1 Daud Bagoda 999–1063 Saju 2 Warisi 1063-1095 Yānas Munsada 3 Gijimasu 1095-1134 Yankuma or Yankuna 4 Nawata 1134-1136 (co-ruler 1134) 4 Gawata co-ruler 1134 5 Yusa Tsaraki 1136-1194 Muntáras or Yankuma Gijimasu Munsada 6 Naguji 1194-1247 7 Gugua 1247-1290 Tsaraki Auta Salmata 8 Shekkarau I 1290–1307 Kumyerku Maganarku 9 Tsamia Barandamasu 1307-1343 10 Osumanu Zamnagawa 1343-1349 Sultans of Kano 11 Yaji Ali 1349-1385 Aunaka 12 Bugaya Mohammad 1349-1385 Yatara 13 Kanajeji 1347-1390 Tekidda Auta 14 Umaru 1410-1421 15 Dauda 1421-1438 16 Abdulahi Burja 1438-1452 Tasafi 17 Dakauta 1452 (1 day) (deposed) 19 Yakubu 1452-1463 Fasima Berana 18 Atuma 1452 (deposed) 20 Mohamma Rimfa 1463-1499 Auwa 21 Abdulahi 1499-1509 Lamis 25 Abubakr Kado 1565-1573 (deposed) Tunus 22 Mohamma Kisoki 1509-1565 Hausatu Zuhara 23 Yakufu 1565 Fasuma 27 Mohamma Zaki 1582-1618 Kursu 24 Dauda Abasama I 1565 (exiled) 26 Mohamma Shashere 1573-1582 (deposed) Dada 28 Mohamma Nazaki 1618-1623 Fudima 29 Kutumbi 1623-1648 Fari 30 Al Haji 1648-1649 (deposed) Goro 31 Shekkarau II 1649-1651 Fasuma 32,34 Mohamma Kukuna 1651-1652 1652-1660 (deposed twice) Lamis 33 Soyaki 1652 (deposed) Ka Iya Gari 35 Bawa 1660-1670 Mariamma 36 Dadi 1670-1703 37 Mohamma Sharefa 1703-1731 Duki Yerduna 40 Mohamma Yaji 1753-1768 Baiwa Zama Zenabu 38 Mohamma Kumbari 1731-1743 41 Babba Zaki 1768-1776 42 Dauda Abasama II 1776-1781 43 Mohamma Alwali 1781-1807 39 Alhaji Kabe 1743-1753

See also

• List of rulers of Kano