Amazing ancient Katsina

Gobarau MinaretGobarau Minaret is one of the historical landmarks of the ancient city. It is a fascinating old, mud structure that leaves no one in doubt that Katsina embraced Islam way back in history. Still standing solid adjacent to the city cemetery, the famous minaret is believed to have been built during the reign of […]

Gobarau Minaret
Gobarau Minaret is one of the historical landmarks of the ancient city. It is a fascinating old, mud structure that leaves no one in doubt that Katsina embraced Islam way back in history. Still standing solid adjacent to the city cemetery, the famous minaret is believed to have been built during the reign of Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Korau between 1348 and 1398.
It is said to be part of a mosque which was built at the introduction of Islam in Hausaland over 600 years ago by the combined efforts of the celebrated Islamic scholar, Sheik Muhammed Abdulkarim Almaghili and Sarki Korau.
According to information provided by the Katsina State History and Culture Bureau, the minaret was built by the local craftsmen using mainly sun baked clay and mud. It used to be the highest building in the city and besides being the first mosque, it also served as a surveillance tower.
“The mosque was designed and built to reflect Timbuktu type of architecture. It became an important centre for learning, attracting scholars and students from far and wide and later served as a kind of University.
“Some historians believe that the Gobarau University was affiliated to Sankore University in Timbuktu. It was reported that many scholars from Timbuktu visited Katsina and taught Islamic sciences,” a book by the Katsina State History and Culture Bureau on Historical Sites and Monuments stated.
The book explained that there is no written evidence to explain why the minaret declined as a centre of learning but stated the minaret was preserved and used as a surveillance tower for sighting invaders as they approached Katsina during the inter-communal wars of the 19th century.
“In 1927, one of the teachers at the famous Katsina College Mr. E. Mart, took a photograph of the remains of the minaret. The picture generated concern among the people of Katsina and the British Colonial Officers. As a result of this, the late Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko, commissioned some Katsina master builders to rebuild the minaret. The rehabilitation was carried out successfully and the minaret as seen today is the product of that exercise,” the book added.
The Federal Government declared the minaret a national monument since 1959 and it has remained one of the enthralling sights in the ancient city.
Not only is it a breathtaking sight, it is also gives you a head-spinning experience if you decide to climb its pitched steps to the top and take a panoramic view of Katsina.
An official of the state’s history and culture bureau, Alhaji Muhammed Tukur, said the minaret has remained an enigma and has continued to thrill visitors.
“Gobarau minaret is a proud heritage of Katsina as a forerunner in Islamic religion and scholarship besides being a fascinating tourist attraction,” Tukur said.

Emir’s Palace Katsina
The Katsina Royal Palace or the Emir’s Palace, which is popularly referred to as Gidan Korau by the locals, is a masterpiece of Hausa architecture, symbolizing the culture, history and tradition of Katsinawa.
The imposing complex located at the centre of the city is believed to have been built in 1348 by Muhammadu Korau, the first Muslim Emir of Katsina. It is also believed to be one of the oldest and among the first generation palaces in Hausaland, the others are that of Daura, Kano and Zazzau.
In the olden days the palace was encircled with a rampart (ganuwar gidan sarki) but that is now extinct.
“The Emir’s residential quarters, which is the epicenter of the palace, is a large compound built in the typical Hausa traditional architecture. The buildings are made of conical-shaped and sun-dried clay bricks (tubali) mud (kwababbiyar kasa) and rafters (kyami).
“The wall of the house is about 90 centimetres at the base. It is enforced with high quality clay mixed with cow dung and grass. A mixture of red soil (jangargari), colorants obtained from the empty pod of locust bean tree (makuba) and loda, a plant fluid extracted after pounding the leaves was used to adorn the outer walls and the interior of the rooms with beautiful artistic designs. The mixture also serves as protective plaster. This explains why the buildings have withstood the effects of harsh weather for many centuries,” the book explained.
The royal compound is divided into three sections; the living quarters of the Emir and his family which is called Soro and Barga, the yard where the Emir’s stable is located, where his servants and slaves also live. In addition, there is the Gidan Ganye, where the royal garden and the Emir’s guest house are located.
The magnificent palace also has a clinic, a mosque and children’s playground. Attached to the Babban Zaure the reception area, is the Emir’s inner chamber in which he sits with his senior councilors to receive state officials and other important people. At the north-west end of the compound is the old council chamber (tsohuwar majalisa), which was built by Emir Dikko (1906-1944). Adjoining this building to the south is the new council chambers (sabuwar majalisa) whichwas built by Sir Usman Nagogo (1944-1951). The imposing Emir’s Palace is not only a splendid piece of architecture which enthralls tourists, it is a symbol of Islamic authority, a legacy of traditional Hausa architecture and an enduring monument of organised society.

Old Katsina College
The old school building is another grand traditional architectural master class and a conspicuous symbol of culture and history; more so as it is now turned into Katsina Museum. Situated around Kofar Sauri area of the city, the red baked clay structure still tickles the fantasy of tourists.
Before the coming of western education, Islam was the comprehensive learning system, which served the needs of the people at the time. For this reason, it was a big challenge for the colonial rulers to introduce western education, they however, treated the issue with caution and subsequently, a Teachers Training College otherwise known as Katsina College was established in 1922.
The amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 necessitated the need for western education. After two decades of British occupation, the Northern Provinces could not produce natives who were sufficiently educated to fill the clerical posts in the offices of government departments. The college was therefore founded by Sir Hugh Clifford, governor of then Northern Region to train teachers that will man the provincial schools.
Sir Clifford was quoted to have said at the opening ceremony that the aim of establishing the school was to train tecahers who, “as true men could replicate themselves, teachers who could be future leaders, whose characters would have been sufficiently molded to shape society.”
The Katsina College is said to have started with an initial intake of 50 students drawn from all the provinces of the northern region.
When our reporter visited the museum, the Acting Curator, Mrs Bintu M.Sadiq, said Sir S.M. Banaman was the first principal of the college and all teachers were Europeans, adding that it was later that indigenous Hausas were employed to teach Hausa and Islamic religion.
She said prominent personalities like Sir Ahmadu Bello, former premier of Northern Nigeria, Tafawa Balewa, first Prime Minister of Nigeria in the first republic, Sir Kashim Ibrahim and others had their post-primary education at the college.
Perhaps for administrative convenience, the college was moved to Kaduna, the regional capital and renamed Kaduna College. Mr. Most, who was the principal at the time could not give the reason for the relocation of the school. He was quoted as saying “we were never told why we had to move to Kaduna. Perhaps, it was for the greater glory of the capital.”
In the same year the college was moved to Zaria and again renamed Government Secondary School, Zaria. In January 1949, the name was changed to Government College, Zaria and later Barewa College, Zaria.
The old Katsina College was recognized as a historical landmark by the Federal Government and declared a national monument in 1959.

Kofar Yandaka   
This is one of the numerous gates around Katsina city. It is located in the western part of the city and it was named after Yandaka, one of the traditional kingmakers of Katsina, who was also the district head of Dutsinma. The gate gained prominence because it was through it that the first colonial governor of Northern Nigeria, Sir Lord Frederick Lugard entered and took over Katsina during the British conquest of Hausaland in 1903.
The ancient kingdom of Katsina is regarded as the centre of culture, history and civilization. However, there are two theories explaining how the kingdom was formed. The first theory has stipulated that the kingdom was founded around the ninth century A.D. by giant Hausa speaking hunters called Adawa. But the Adawa legend could not be substantiated by the Holy Quran.
Another myth claims that Katsina was founded by Durbawa, who lived at Durbi-Ta-Kushiyi, a settlement located about 40 kilometres east of present day Katsina city. Earthen mounds can still be found there and historians and archeologists believe they (earthen mounds) are graves of ancient kings of Katsina kingdom, who had their headquarters at Durbi-Ta-Kushiyi. It is said that the Durbawa were idol worshippers, who believed in the sun god. Durbi was the name of the Chief Priest and it has been preserved as a tittle for one of the traditional kingmakers of Katsina. But the Durbawa dynasty would be dethroned by Kumayo, the grandson of Bayajidda around 993 A.D.
Acting Director of the History and Culture Bureau, Ibrahim D. Nababa said the peaceful political atmosphere, agricultural potential and abundant arts and crafts work triggered rapid development around Katsina kingdom, which accounts for the many historical sites and monuments in and around the state.
He said a network of trading routes developed linking settlements in the kingdom with neighbouring states and North Africa, adding that the routes facilitated the introduction of Islam, which elevated the status of Katsina as a centre of scholarship in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Fulani Jihad of 1804, led by Shehu Usman Danfodio led to the overthrow of Habe rulers in Hausaland. Emirate system was then established with the political structure based solely on the Sharia and Islamic system of administration.
After the holy war, Malam Ummarun Dallaje son of Malam Abdulmumini, a Fulata-Borno of the Naturbawa clan was crowned the first Fulani Emir of Katsina.
“Almost a century after the Fulani took over, the colonial forces of Sir Frederick Lugard conquered the territory in March 1903. Consequently, the territory witnessed another wave of political, economic, social and educational changes.
“The historical development outlined above left Katsina with a legacy of many historical sites and monuments that are of great significance not only to the state but to the nation and the West African sub-region in general. These sights and monuments include: Kusugu Well, Durbi-Ta-Kusheyi, Tsohon Birni, Gobarau Minaret, Old Katsina College, Emir’s Palace Daura, Emir’s Palace Katsina, Katsina City Walls and Gates, Dutse Bamle etc,” Katsina State Historical Guide 1 stated.