Katsina Emirate

The history of Katsina stretches over a millennium. It is part of the Hausa Bakwai states, believed to be founded by the descendants of Bayajidda according to legend. Throughout its history, Katsina has been governed by various dynasties, including the Wangarawa and the Dallazawa, and was a vassal to neighboring empires such as Songhai and Bornu.

At its peak, Katsina's capital was a prominent city in the western Sudan, attracting scholars from the wider region, especially during the decline of Timbuktu in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, in 1903, Katsina came under British colonial rule. In 1987, it was established as a state within modern Nigeria.

Etymology

In accordance with oral tradition, the name "Katsina" is said to have originated from a princess of Daura who wedded Janzama, the ruler of the Durbawa of Durbi ta Kusheyi. 

According to H. R. Palmer, similar to names like " Masinna" (Machinna) and "Teshinna" (Tachinna), which feature the suffix "inna," derived from the Tamashek word for "mother," the first part of "Katsina" may have its roots in words like "izze" (Tamashek for "son") and "mazza" (Hausa for "men"). This could imply a meaning along the lines of "children of" or "sons of." Alternatively, it could potentially have originated from "Asheni" (Tamashek for "blood").

Pre-Islamic era

The two dynasties

According to oral tradition, the first dynasty to rule over Katsina was established by Kumayo, a grandson of the legendary Bayajida, thus the city-state was part of the Hausa Bakwai states. Kumayo's reign was centered around Durbi ta Kusheyi (meaning "tombs of the chief priest"), a settlement near Mani, approximately eighteen miles southeast of the present-day city of Katsina. Today, the district leader of Durbi ta Kusheyi still holds the title of Durbi. The original inhabitants of the town are referred to as the Durbawa. Within the town, there are seven prominent burial mounds believed to contain the remains of early rulers of Katsina, including figures such as Kumayo, Ramba-Ramba, and Sanau. 

Janzama, king of the Durbawa, wedded a princess from Daura and was eventually subdued by Kumayo. A rock near Mani bears his name as a testament to his historical significance. The early monarchs were chosen alternatively from both houses, with the descendants of Janzama being referred to as Larabawa (the Arabs), signifying their connection to Bayajidda.

Korau's dynasty

According to oral tradition, the final ruler from Kumayo's lineage was Sanau, who was killed in the middle of the 13th-century at the hands of a certain mallam (Islamic scholar) named Korau, hailing from Yandoto (in modern-day Chafe). Subsequently, Korau established a new dynasty. Korau, whose name may have derived from "kora," meaning 'to drive out,' had a background in wrestling and was a close companion of Sanau. Although Sanau was also a wrestler, he achieved greater success and local recognition as a champion. Rumors began to circulate that Sanau's wrestling prowess was attributed to a protective charm he wore around his waist during matches. Korau, aware of this advantage, devised a plan to challenge Sanau to a wrestling match, as the sarki ('king') was obligated to accept such challenges. His strategy revolved around challenging Sanau during a feast to which Sanau, as sarki, had invited him. However, before attending the event, Korau managed to persuade Sanau's wife to steal her husband's charm.

The contest took place near Bawada, a tamarind tree. Today, the tree stands on the site occupied by the ''Kangiwa'' ('elephant's head'), as the residence of the sarki was called. During the match, Sanau was quickly tackled moments into the fight as he was powerless without his charms. While on the ground, Korau acted swiftly, drawing a sword and fatally stabbing the sarki. Sanau lost his life, and Korau was subsequently crowned as the ''sarkin Katsina'' ('king of Katsina').  Even today, the king's '' kirari'' ('praise poetry') includes the phrase "''Magajin Korau, Mayen Sauri, Yanka Mashidi Bakon Sanau''," which translates to "successor of Korau, wizard of Sauri, guest of Sanau who killed his host," commemorating this dramatic and fateful turn of events in Katsina's history. 

Korau's dynasty was known as the Wangarawa, a name likely derived from the Wangara history associated with his hometown of Yandoto. Despite the under-handed methods Korau used to capture the throne of Katsina, the Durbawa, who were on the receiving end of his treachery, managed to maintain an 'amicable' relationship with the Wangarawa. In fact, their relationship appeared to have mended to the extent that the Durbawa were once again considered as candidates for new chiefs during elections. The Durbawa were regarded as the repositories of all knowledge concerning the local deities and spirits, good or evil.

Korau's era was situated in the mid-13th century, and during his rule, he made war with Kwararafa. Following his reign, Ibrahim Yanka Dari ascended to power and was said to have captured Kwiambana and Koton Koro. Subsequently, Jida Yaki, who succeeded Ibrahim, is noted as the last pagan Sarkin Katsina. His reign spanned forty years and was characterized by ongoing conflicts with Gobir.

Korau's royal insignias

The short sword which Korau used to treacherously seize the throne of Katsina is now the insignia of Katsina and is known as Gajere ('the short one'). This blade, which dates back to the 13th century and exhibits influences from the Almohad and Ayyubid eras, serves as the emblem of Katsina. It is adorned with an Islamic prayer inscription that reads, "Help cometh from Allah and victory is nigh, so announce glad tidings to the faithful, O Muhammad!". On the reverse side of the blade, another inscription reads, "There is no sword save Dhu al Faqar and no hero save Ali." Usman Nagogo, the 50th Sarkin Katsina, carried Gajere in his hand during the 1959 royal durbar, marking a historic occasion, as it was the first time the sword was permitted to leave Katsina.Among Katsina's historical treasures, the Camel-Drum or Bronze Pot of Korau holds a prominent place. It is famously mentioned in a Hausa song that extols "''Korau Abu hungurum, Korau mai tukunyar karfe''" meaning "Korau the invincible, Korau the possessor of the brazen pot". This pot was used to prepare charms for the king's officials and officers before a battle.

Another significant relic is the ''Bebe'' sword, known as 'the deaf one,' which was once owned by Yakubu, Sarkin Gobir. The sword was taken after his defeat to Agwaragi, Sarkin Katsina, in the middle of the 18th-century.

Then there is Gwauron Tamberi ('the bachelor drum') due to its imposing size, which towers above all other ceremonial drums. The drum was continuously beaten from the top of the Soron Bawada tower during wartime. This two-storied tower stands on the very site where Korau killed Sanau. The Tambura, responsible for playing the drum, observes specific traditions, including beating it three times during the turbanning ceremonies of senior district heads. Furthermore, the drum plays a central role in various festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Kabir.

Islamic era

The 9th Sarkin Katsina, who was also the first Muslim ruler to hold the title, was Muhammadu Korau. His reign spanned from approximately 1492/3 to 1541/2. During his rule, he launched military campaigns against the neighboring Nupe kingdom, which bordered Katsina at that time. Importantly, Muhammadu Korau's era witnessed an Islamic revival within Katsina, partly attributed to the visit of the renowned Maliki scholar from Tuat Muhammad al-Maghili in 1493.  Muhammadu Korau was succeeded by Ibrahim Sura, whose last name is a Mali title. He took steps to further strengthen Islam in Katsina. Notably, Ibrahim Sura issued a decree that required his subjects to choose between prayer or imprisonment. Unlike in Kano, where the aristocracy hesitated, the ''talakawa'' or "peasants," embraced Islam in Katsina during this period. Following Ibrahim Sura, Ali Murabus ascended to power and is credited with constructing the ''gamuwar Amina'', which are the outer walls of Katsina. 

Around the same time, the Gobirau mosque was established and it functioned as a university. The kingdom attracted Islamic scholars from North Africa and from older Islamic centres such as Walata and Timbuktu. Due to its relatively early adoption of Islam and it being a 'major commercial emporium', scholars from all over the Sudan region found Katsina as an attractive place of residence.

Under Songhai rule

Hausaland became a destination for visiting scholars from the Sankore University of Timbuktu. Katsina, in particular, benefited from the influx of Islamic scholars, including individuals like Makhluf bin Ali and Muhammad bin Ahmed. The latter, Muhammad bin Ahmed, remained in Katsina and was appointed as an Alkali. The spread of Islam in Katsina received further impetus when Haj Muhammad, the first Askia of the Songhai Empire and a devout Muslim, conquered Katsina in 1512. During this period, Katsina essentially became a vassal of Gao, but it eventually regained its independence in 1554 following the battle of Karfata against Askia Daud. The ''Tarikh al Sudan'' describes the battle as

Askia Daud went to Kukia, whence he sent the Hi-Koi, Ali Dudo, against Katsina at the head of a detachment consisting of 24 horsemen. This detachment encountered, at a place called Karfata, a body of 400 horsemen belonging to the people of Lipti in the country of Katsina. The two forces engaged in a hand-to-hand fight, which was very long and very bloody.

The Katsina people killed 15 of their enemy, among whom was the Hi-Koi, mentioned above. They took the remaining nine, all of whom were wounded, prsioner – including among them 'Alouaz-Lil, the son of Faran Umar-Komzagho and father of Qasem, Bokar-Chili-Idji, Muhammad-Della-Idji, etc. The victors took care of the wounded and gave them back to Askia Daud, telling them that 'men of such quality, endowed with such great valour and such courage, did not deserve to die'. The vigour and daring of these warriros so amazed the people of Katsina that ever afterwards they spoke of them as models to be followed.

During this period, Katsina experienced considerable growth, expanding to cover a circuit of approximately seven or eight miles. The city became highly diverse with numerous principal quarters and neighborhoods, including the official quarter, old quarter, and distinct areas for residents from Bornu, Gobir, Mali, Songhai, and Agadez. Additionally, there were quarters dedicated to various trades, a students' quarter, a dancing quarter, and a quarter situated at each of the eight city gates.

Conflicts with Kano

During the reign of Rumfa of Kano, an eleven-year war erupted between the two Hausa city-states, but it remained indecisive. It was only during the rule of his son and successor, Abdullahi, that Kano managed to defeat Katsina, bringing an end to the war. However, in the 1570s, Katsina launched an attack, causing significant damage and advancing right up to the gates of Kano. Towards the end of the century, Muhammad Zaki, Sarkin Kano, retaliated by raiding Katsina, taking prisoners and horses on the last day of that year's Ramadan. Katsina attempted a counterattack not long after but failed at Karayi. A century later, during the reign of Uban-Yari (also known as Muhammadu Dan Wari) in Katsina, the city led multiple battles against Kano, resulting in the deaths of several Sarkunan Kano, including figures like Magani Mai Amfani Baki, Kutumbi, and Alhaji. However, the two Muslim states eventually set aside their differences and signed a treaty of alliance against their common enemy, Kwararafa.

In 1653, Kwararafa, led by Adashu, launched an attack on Kano, penetrating the city's gates. In 1671, Kwararafa breached Kano once more, resulting in the slaughter of many inhabitants, with the Sarkin Kano fleeing to the neighboring Daura. Around the same time, Kwararafa also invaded Katsina, breaching its city walls and controlling the western section of the city. They threw numerous city inhabitants into a large pit, now known as ''Giwa-Rano''. Curiously, like in Kano, despite the opportunity to do so, Kwararafa did not fully occupy the city. According to oral tradition, it is believed that the Kwararafa general, while mounting his horse, was kicked in the groin and died on the spot due to the prayers of Dan Masani. This incident led to the Kwararafa army's retreat from the city, sparing Katsina from further occupation.

Under the Bornu empire

Towards the end of the 16th century, following the decline of the Songhai Empire, Katsina shifted its allegiance to the Bornu Empire