Being a paper presented at the First International Conference on Gobir Kingdom, Past And Present: Transformation And Change, held at The Usmanu Danfodiyo University Auditorium, from 9th – 13th July, 2018
War and Conflict between Gobir and Her Neighbours in the 18th Century
Prof. A.I. Yandaki
and
Sanusi Shehu Gusau
Ph.D
Zamfara State
History Bureau
Tel:+2348069276652
Email: sshehugusau@gmail.com
Abstract
Gobir State in 18th
Century Hausaland was one dominated by wars and conflicts. Its neighbours experienced
very little peace with Gobir. Many a neighbour had started as friends and
allies with Gobir, but albeit suddenly they turned into enemies. From its stay
at Azbin to its strongest hold at Alkalawa, the philosophy of its political leadership
appeared centred on war. It led decades of continuous wars and conflicts within
Hausaland. This tendency of Gobir leaders earned the State the epithet, Gobir uwar fada ; the aggressive Gobir. But what was the reason behind Gobir’s
aggression? Certainly, to a greater extent it was not for booty nor was it for
territorial gains. For Gobir’s war with Kabi in the early decades of the 18th
century was not fought against the line of booty. The war fought with Zamfara leading
to fall of Birnin Zamfara in 1764 was clearly not for booty or territorial
expansion. Gobir’s wars against Katsina before and after 1764, to an extent
were not for booty or territorial expansion. Reason for Gobir’s aggression is remotely
observed in its salient interest; the Azbin route. This factor defined and
shaped 18th century Gobir. For this reason, Gobir chose aggression
as a means to an end within the wider gamut of inter-group relations as no
nation can constitute an island unto itself. It is this salient feature in
Gobir that this paper seeks to address.
Introduction
This paper
discusses conflicts and wars between Gobir and her neighbours. It entails
discussion on the various areas of conflicts and wars which characterised
development among these Hausa states in the 18th century. It gives a
picture of events as they unfolded and affected each state within the period of
peace, conflict and war. In order to have clear picture of developments that
affected the states and cause of action that precede 18th century
Gobir, developments prior to 18th century are discussed. This is
done in order to give sequence of developments that are precursor to state of
relations between or among these states. Furthermore, the paper only discusses
neighbours of Gobir of the 18th century. These are Azbin, Kabi, Zamfara
and Katsina. Finally, the paper is divided into three sections discussing, (a)
Development of Relations Between Gobir and her Neighbours Up to 18th
Century (b) The 18th Century Hausaland: Conflicts and Wars Between
Gobir and Her Neighbours and (c) Significance of the Ahir Route to 18th
Century Gobir. All the three sections are further sub
divided for analysis of developments as they affect Gobir in relation to her
individual neighbours.
(a) Developments Between Gobir and Her Neighbours Up
to 18th Century
Prior to the 18th
century relations between Gobir and her neighbours, was essentially peaceful
even though, there were some scores of frictions and wars between them. This
was because Gobir by then was not for long been away from the persistent pressure
of Azbin. Since the settlement of the Tawarig at the Oasis of Azbin conflicts
and wars erupted between Gobir and the new settlers. Consequently, wars with
Azbin took a lot from her and by the 17th
it needed what peace it can
find in proper Hausaland. However, developments in Gobir near the Gulbin Maradi
region were marked by persistent wars. These wars were fought in defence
against Azbin, so much so that hostilities between them defined developments in
both states in the 17th century.
Azbin Relations with Gobir Prior to 18th
Century
The region of
Azbin had been home to five ethnic groups including the last two been Gobir and
Tawarig. According to Gobir
traditions, from the oasis of Azbin conflict and war, were to lead to their
gradual movement west ward[1]and
establishment of Birnin Lalle in the 15th century. Even with Gobir’s
shift of base, wars between the two states continued relentlessly[2].
Hostilities between Azbin and Gobir were therefore, deeply rooted in their
contact since about the exit of Gobir from Egypt. Details of developments that
led to the exit of Gobir from Egypt have not so far been subjected to adequate
academic scrutiny. However, perhaps to lend some credence to their claim of
stay at Egypt is the discovery of the mention of ‘Hausa’ in one of the burial
sites along the Nile. A Nigerian Egyptologist, Musa, working in Egypt burial
site discovered the mention of Hausa and description of two pyramids in Niger
Republic.[3]The
Hausa people or the language speakers are said to be distributed not only in
western Sudan, in areas of Mande – Dyula speakers but are to be found from,
Senegal to the Hijaz, from the Congo to the coastal cities of North Africa[4].
Furthermore, small communities of the speakers are also to be found in the
important towns of the old Ottoman Empire, in what is now Albania to Iraq. The
reason for the spread of the language and the speakers was not far from
economic. The Hausa language is said to be one of the commonest vehicles of
communication in Hausaland and West African commerce. Accordingly, Gobirawa on
the other hand are original native Hausa. Their facial marks are distinctive,
six and seven on either cheek. Perhaps their stay at Egypt wasn’t unrelated to
commerce even though their traditions claimed they originated from there[5].
Consequently,
their relation with the Tawarig, for
the most part is defined by war[6].
Even though Gobir was known for its war like dispositions, however, Azbin on
the other hand had also led catalogues of wars with its neighbours, including
Zamfara. Accounts of their war with Zamfara is said to occur as early as the 14th
century, during the reign of Queen Argoje. Factors responsible for this war
were not disclosed, however, it is possible that it may not be very far from
economic. For in the 14th century, contact between the two states
was likely linked from the Trans Saharan trade route which passed through
Azbin, crossed Zamfara and reached areas like Salaga in the western Sudan. This
likely would have been the area of the hostilities that led to war with
Zamfara.
Accordingly,
matters in the external relations of Azbin were for the most part of the
century not very quiet. This situation came about because the 17th
century saw the Sultanate grappling with, Gobir war externally and political
instability at the home front.[7]
However, the reign of Agabba c. 1687 - 1721, came to stabilised the political
crisis in the Sultanate. His reign was also remarkable for improving that
state’s external relations. Agabba’s efforts in external relations extended to
Gobir even unto a coalition with that state in early decades of the 18th
century. Generally, the 18th century began in Azbin and also
Hausaland with improved external relations among states. However, impact of
relations in the region, were not restricted to Gobir and Azbin alone, but it
extended to some of its neighbours including Katsina.
Development of Relations Between Katsina and Gobir Prior
To 18th Century
Katsina by the
seventeenth century had already established contact with Gobir. However,
relations between them were wrought by Sarkin Gobir Soba’s attck of Maradi
within the century. Even before this attack, oral traditions in Maradi claimed
that the Sarkin Katsina was once too suspicious of Gobir’s tendency. He was
said to device cunning means in order to outwit the Sarkin Gobir into
abandoning his capital, Gobir Tudu. Eventually, from this centre the Gobirawa
resettled at Gwararrame. It was here that Gobir found relative peace. It
appeared also to have furthered away from the dry lands of the Sahara. For much
of what was the strait of Azbin and areas within its confines is but a dry
land. Dry conditions are said to be for ten months in a year[8].
This condition was responsible for most of the migrations south west from the east.
Furthermore, migrations around Katsina Birni, southwards into the Rima Valley
area was also encouraged by local priest in areas of Katsina-Maradi. At
Bargaja, in the Rima Fadama plains near Isa town, Sokoto state, resides a
family who claimed to have for centuries originated from Katsina[9].
The family claimed that, their great grandfather had lived most of his life
without an offspring at Katsina. Thereupon, he was advised by the local priest
to move south west and he will find riches and heirs. Many people from
Katsina-Maradi and beyond have taken this course. On the side of the Gobirawa,
their stay at this capital, Gwararrame, was marked by a prevailed peace between
that state and Katsina, its neighbour on the south. With prevalence of peace
the Gobirawa must have tapped the wealth obtained in the commerce on the
trading routes to and from Hausaland. Its proximity to Katsina around the
Gulbin Maradi area predisposes them for this accord.
The Gobirawa long
distance traders must have kept inter group relations alive as they intermingle
with host communities. Although, a considerable number of Hausa traders were
Kolanut merchants to Gonja, there are others whose trade goes beyond kolanut.
At Yandoto in the closing years of the 18th century were trader-scholars
like Malam Musa Bamalle who traded in Natron[10].
Furthermore, the impact of long distance trade by Hausa communities is
extensively discussed by Mahdi in his work, The
Hausa Factor...........reference can be made on it for more details.
However, the role of Gobirawa in this regard is not comparable to the dynamics
of Katsina visa viz the Abakwarigas. Much as the foregone is true, Gobir
significance is discernible when one relates significance of Katsina market of
the 18th century and Gobirawa’s establishment of Mara
Zamfarawa.
The considerable
role they must have played in the long distance trade or fatauci certainly established some good relations at Katsina
markets. Relations between Gobirawa and Katsina led to peaceful emergence of
Gobir settlements in Katsina like the aforementioned, Mara Zamfarawa[11].
This town has risen to become one of the prosperous rising semi urban
settlements in Katsina, even today. This is symbolic of the nature of good
relations that emanated since the 18th century between Gobirawa and
Katsinawa. Over time, peace to a certain extent prevailed between these two
important states in Hausaland up to closing years of the 17th
century. Elsewhere, relations between Gobir and her neighbours were much wider
spread and deeply rooted. This was best observed in Zamfara and Gobir
relations.
Zamfara and Gobir Relations to 18th Century
There is no
contention to assert that, the level of socio religious and political relations
between Gobir and Zamfara prior to 1764 was second to none in Hausaland.
Relations between these two states was so intertwined that it was almost
impossible to discuss their history separately. In their traditions of origin,
there abound stories that ascribed primogeniture of the Zamfarawa to Gobirawa.
In one of these traditions Zamfarawa were said to be an offspring of a union
between a Gobir woman and a Katsina father. Even though these traditions were
disputed for war propaganda[12]to
belittle Zamfara, they indicated a deeper connectivity, historically, between
Gobir and Zamfara. Over time, developments in this region of Hausaland and
beyond, between the two states, significantly increased the level of contact
and relations between them before the 18th century. For instance the
Zamfarawa were said to have fought for Gobir when it was besieged by enemy
forces in the reign of Sarkin Gobir Soba. This indicated depth of political
relations between them before 18th century. In contrast to the
aforementioned, relations were not always peaceful between Zamfara and that
state. As early as the 14th century, under Queen Argoje 1350 – 1400,
Zamfara was said to have engaged Gobir in war. Although, causes, course and
aftermath of the war was not mentioned, this incidence significantly, indicated
centuries old existence of tension between them. Religiously, there were also
significant relations between them. The Gobirawa are said to attend annual Budin Daji ceremonies at Dutsi, first
religious and political centre of Zamfara[13].
Even in contemporary times these practices still persist with Gobirawa
attendance. Furthermore, in the Zamfara
pre-Islamic spirit worship there is the existence of a pantheon known as
Bagobiri[14].
Accordingly,
relations in Hausaland are intertwined, but are more easily discerned and
distinguished in peculiar states relations. The Zamfara and Gobir relations are
symbolic in this respect. Their histories are well accounted for in their oral
traditions and some written records. This perhaps is related to intense contact
between the two states. But this particular situation is not always available
in historical developments of some states in Hausaland. For instance, Kabi was
a state in Hausaland where some important historical developments in that,
state were not accounted for[15].
This is the reason why accounts of relations between Gobir and Kabi are
limited. Another reason could be that the territory of Kabi, before the rise of
Kanta in the 16th century was under Songhai. But even in this there
existed contact between the Kabawa under Songhai and Gobirawa. This is
discernible in trading relations along the trade routes. The many arteries of
trading routes that crossed Hausaland, especially in the Trans Saharan and Kola
trade significantly created contact between caravan and host communities[16].
Many Gobirawa were said to have made contact with the people of Kabi through
Kola trade. This came about as they ferry goods from Gobir and Zamfara to areas
in Ghana.
Conflict and war
were discernible in Kabi and Gobir relations before 18th century.
The rise of Kanta in the 16th century placed Kabi in a position of
power detested by most states in Hausaland. This placed the successors of Kanta
on a hot seat constantly watched by hostile neighbours. Therefore, tension
between Kabi and Gobir existed because of the preeminent military power of
Kabi. Kabi borders in the north eastern frontiers was shared between it and
Gobir to the north east and Zamfara on the southern axis. As later events
revealed existence of these border lines did not augur well for Kabi.[17]Consequently,
by the early decades of the 18thcentury unfolding events saw Hausa
states and beyond, in an all out war against that state.
(b) Gobir and
18th Century Hausaland: Peace, Conflicts and Wars
By the beginning
of the 18th century Hausaland, conflicts and wars, between states
were to a large extent minimal. Most of the states were either engaged in
consolidation of their positions or ensuring stability in their domains. For
instance relations among the many kingdoms were at best described, cordial.
Perhaps this emanates from their perception of the Kabi threat on their
political positions within their states and among their external relations. For
by this period Kabi remained militarily and politically stronger than most
kingdoms in Hausaland. Rising powers among the states such as Zamfara sees its
position militated against by the Kabi hegemony. Gobir at Birnin Lale was
denied expansion into the more agriculturally viable areas around its south
western axis; bordering Kabi. Even the more distant states of the Tawarig like
Azbin felt the threat of Kabi on the continued independence of their state.
This was because under Kanta Kabi engaged Azbin in a war outcome of which led
to the death of Kanta. The Azbin state seemed not to have forgotten this war by
the 18th century. For this apparent reason and others like the
ensuring of peace in the region appeared preeminent to this state. By the 1722
the fear of Kabi by its neighbours can no longer be tolerated and for this
Zamfara, Gobir and Azbin engaged in a joint attack against Kabi.
The Coalition of Gobir, Zamfara and Azbin Against Kabi
in 1722
As early as the
1720s, nature of relations in Hausaland and beyond took a new dimension. This
was when the looming threat of Kabi became ever more imminent to some major
Hausa states like Zamfara and Gobir. Both states shared borders with Kabi.
Tendency of an imminent war between them with their powerful neighbour was only
a matter of when. By 1722 the last straw that broke the camel’s back ensued.
The war with Kabi marked the beginning of wars between Gobir and her neighbours
in the 18th century.
Each of the wars
fought by Gobir appeared to have, different causes on the first look, while
others have salient features whose underlining tones were similar. For instance
the war with Kabi to some extent appeared to have been fought against the Kabi
hegemony. The combined force of Gobir under Sarkin Gobir Muhammadu Mai Gicci,
Sarkin Azbin Agabba and Sarkin Zamfara Yakubu conquered the major towns of Kabi
which included, Surame, Gungu and Leka. The Sarkin Kabi Ahmadu was killed
between the lakes of Kyamuri[18].
The Kabi territory was then divided between Gobir and Zamfara. The Gobir
portion was the area lying to the north- east of Surame while Zamfara took the
more northerly portion of the land. Azbin’s share of spoils was the destruction
of Kabi’s cavalry and its position in Hausaland. The equilibrium of states was
to change in Hausaland. After this war Zamfara rose to occupy the most powerful
state in Hausaland.
Gradually, development in the region remained
to a large extent peaceful after the war with Kabi. This peaceful times
improved prosperity and encouraged migrations in some of these states. Zamfara
soon attracted immigrants from Gobir and Borno. The Tanzawa from Borno soon
settled at Birnin Zamfara. The Gobirawa also began their peaceful penetration
of Zamfara. They settled at Alkalawa after some opposition against this by
Sarkin Zamfara Yakubu dan Babba. The
Sarkin Zamfara feared harbouring of the Gobirawa was an evil omen that will
bring an end to his rule. His council entertained a different opinion. As
matters soon unfolded the Gobirawa at Alkalawa soon became a menace not only to
Zamfara but to the region as a whole. The tendency of the Gobir settlement at
Alkalawa began to rear its head under Sarkin Zamfara Malo, 1741 - 1748. These
developments at Alkawa soon ignited conflict and wars between Gobir and her
neighbours in the 18th century.
Conflict
and Wars Between Zamfara and Gobir in the 18th Century
More than two
decades into Gobir settlement at Alkalawa, skirmishes between the Gobirawa and the Zamfarawa residents of Alkalawa started. The causes of these skirmishes
were multifaceted. For instance, one of the causes of the skirmishes was a long
Hausa tradition known as Shara. This
is a token of fees paid by male offspring to female offspring of a brother and
sister of one family. As a result of the intermarriages that took place between
the Gobirawa and Zamfarawa, this cousinship relationship known as “Taubasantaka” in
which Shara is paid came up. This
relationship involved not only payment of Shara
but also include jesting of each other between cousins[19]. This cultural
practice is embodied in Hausa culture and it extended to non Hausa ethnic
groups. The Gobirawa practiced this taubasantaka with the Yoruba. This
emanated from the Sarkin Gobir Soba’s
campaign in the Yoruba country by the sixteenth century[20]. Some Gobir forces
were left behind in Yorubaland. It was these Gobirawa that intermarried with the Yoruba. Descendants of this
marriage bond established the taubasantaka[21], cousinship
relationship. This practice is obtainable even today.
Through these jests between cousins, things
went out of hand between Zamfarawa
and Gobirawa at Alkalawa. Gradually, the
trouble escalated and the adults got drawn into it. Soon it turned into
physical combat and then use of arms. The Gobirawa
were able to over-power the Zamfarawa
of Alkalawa. From Alkalawa the conflict escalated to villages and hamlets of Zamfarawa located around the centre of
conflict, Alkalawa. The Gobirawa
destroyed some of these Zamfara villages. A lot of damage was done to these settlements
before news got to the Sarkin
Zamfara. Sarkin Zamfara, Malo, 1741 –
1748, sent one of his lieutenants to put a stop to the pillaging by the Gobirawa[22].
The conflict was brought under control, or so it seemed. However, the real
cause of the fight was not Shara
incidence. It was much more than it and older also.
The real cause of
the crisis was an old wound that the Gobirawa have been nursing. This was the
refusal of Sarkin Zamfara Yakubu dan Babba to agree to their settling at
Alkalawa in 1720. This coupled with his son’s refusal, Sarkin Zamfara Malo, to
allow them build a Ganuwa, or city
wall around Alkalawa during his reign, 1741 – 1748, this had aggravated the Gobirawa. It was possible that the Gobirawa perceived that there was no
love lost between them and Malos’ family since the time of Yakubu dan Babba.
For this reason they became infuriated not so for the Shara incidence but their perceived hate from 1720s action. The Shara incidence was thus a smoke screen
to cover the real cause of the crisis. As would be observed later, this reason
will resurface in 1764. However, if the cause of conflict between Zamfara and
Gobir emanated out of cultural practice, or a long nursed wound, that of Kabi
that soon ensued was perhaps for booty.
The Kabi and Gobir Conflict in the 18th
Century
Accounts in the Tarihin Zamfara attest that after
Alkalawa Shara incidence, the
Gobirawa launched an all war effort against Kabi. They were said to unleash
terror on some Kabi settlements. Killing, pillaging and maiming in a spree of
wanton destruction. They destroyed a lot of Kabi settlements and carted away a
lot of booty. On their return to Alkalawa, they began piling up arms in secret.
These attacks were said to have taken them so close to Argungu. Another attack on
Kabi was again launched with the same intensity as the previous. They obtained
a lot of booty. This included many horses, arms and lots of wealth. From the
surface it appeared to the Zamfara rulers that Alkalawa Gobirawa, are only in a quest for booty. Or that from experience on
the war front, fighting as mercenery soldiers for Zamfara, the Gobirawa were
aware of the riches in Kabi. However, this was not the case. Secretly they were
gathering more weapons and improving their fighting capability. This factor
soon revealed itself as their fighting capability was strong enough to
undertake long distance assaults. They launched an attack against Adar and were
victorious. They came back with a great number of horses, a stockade of weapons
and lots of other booties.
The pockets of
victories over Kabi and Adar elevated the status of the Gobirawa and on their return they sent to the Sarkin Zamfara a request to increase the
size of Alkalawa and sent some of the Adar booty to him. Their request was
granted but they were again denied the building of a city wall and the expansion
of their settlement. They agreed to use stockades[23]of sticks to fence
Alkalawa. Following this they prepared
for another military expedition against Kabi. They entered into Kabi territory
ferociously. The onslaught was so overwhelming that their forces were able to
reach Sarkin Kabi. This battle is
said to have been very devastating to the Kabawa.
The Gobirawa again were able to get
many horses and enormous booty. Despite these military expeditions the Gobirawa had no king at Alkalawa but nonetheless
they had a leader who adjucated on all matters concerning them. All
correspondences from Sarkin Zamfara
were sent to him. It seemed that the Gobirawa attacks were done in order to
acquire an arsenal to equip their fighting force. And this they did. The
Alkalawa cavalry and stockade of weapons was so strong that they took on
attacks proactively against Kabi and Ahir. Not a state on its own or a Gobir
capital, but a mercenary centre with insurgency capability. However, doings of
Alkalawa were with the consent of [24]Gwarararame the
Gobir capital, only some 60 kilometres away.
Therefore, building up of the Alkalawa force
was a salient interest of Gobir nursed since the reign of Sarkin Gobir
Muhammadu Mai Gicci. For instance it was observed that as early as the 16th
century, rise of the long distance trade became very significant in Hausaland.
The rulers were said to have benefitted considerably from the trade. The trade
on the Azbin route has also become very important in Hausaland commerce. Its linkage with the Trans Saharan trade made
it ever more significant. Consequently, Gobir must have nursed the growing
ambition to have to itself, an advantage of more revenues to finance its
growing war demands and to service its growing population. During the reign of
Sarkin Gobir Muhammadu Mai Gicci Gobir began making moves to secure rich
potentials of Azbin trading route. Gobir was able to access the importance of
the Azbin trading route that initially led to Surame and then into hinterlands
of Kabi. For this reason and coupled with others Kabi capital at Surame was
conquered. One of the important commodities of trade on this route was horses
from Azbin. These were strong Arabian stallions known for their agility,
strength and speed. They were an important if not indispensable asset to the
cavalry. This interest became preeminent to Gobir. For this interest Gobir
needed a launching pad, a strategic position close to its interest.
Alkalawa not only
served this interest but another quest for Gobir. This was its search for
fertile agricultural land. This was provided for in the Rima Basin with its
enormous Fadama lands. When all these were happening, Sarkin Zamfara Malo died. Before the death of Malo, Birnin Zamfara had developed in size
and. Prosperity in the city was overwhelming. This was owing to one of the
trans-Saharan trade route that passed through it. The composition of the city
became cosmopolitan as many people from diverse ethnic groups were found within
the Birni, as traders, merchants,
itinerant Mallams and scholars.[25]
From the general
state of events in 18th century Hausaland and beyond it would be
observed that clearly Gobir was the most warring state in the region. It led
decades of wars with Kabi but did not expand into the territories of that state.
It led a forty year old war with Zamfara, 1764 – 1804, not conquering one fifth
of that state. Its war with Katsina, other than the death of its two rulers,
Bawa and Yakuba was nothing to write home about. Its wars with Azbin also
earned it the death of its king, Sarkin Gobir Dan Gude. Other wars were less
consequential like that of Gurma and Kano. All these catalogues of failures,
one would wonder, what really was Gobir’s interest in all this?
(c)
Significance of the Azbin Route to 18th Century Gobir
As early as the
sixteenth century events in the central Sudan had shown the importance of
commerce to states. The importance of the Trans Saharan trade had opened up new
frontiers in state relations. In Borno diplomatic relations had opened up with
the Arab world[26]. Trade had come to
be pre eminent in this relation. Not more than a century back, the Wangarawa
Arab merchant-scholars had fanned embers of spiritual belief in the region[27]. Therefore, the
Gobirawa who had stayed at Azbin in the fifteenth century had most likely
benefitted from this commerce. Their shift of base to Birnin Lalle and Gobir
Tudu placed them further away from the Azbin trade route and ever more closely
to the Katsina market. The caravans of merchants passing to the markets of
Birnin Zamfara and eventually to markets in Western Sudan like, Mali for gold,
also passed closely Gobir. This clearly would have given Gobir a clear picture
of the economic importance of the trading routes of this commerce and a reason
to develop interest on it.
Furthermore,
development after Gobir’s 1764 sack of Birnin Zamfara clearly defined its real
focus in the Rima Basin. One reason in discerning this was Gobir’s refusal to
put an all out force and put to the drawers Zamfara and the Dakkawa as part of
history. Interestingly, Gobir failed to conquer Birnin Zamfara suburbs like,
Dan Zanke, Mowodachi, Biyuri and Lugu. This would not be so much for Gobir’s
lack of military might but for its salient interest in the Rima Basin. It’s
source of military power. Gobir earned its place over the century in Hausaland
for its fighting machine. Its epithet; Gobir
uwar fada, meaning Gobir the mother of wars, said it all. Consequently, over the period covered
by this paper, Gobir was revealed to have persistently pursued hostilities in
its external relations with its neighbors. Apparently, it was guarding its
interest in the western expansion of its territory tapping into the rich Rima
valley area. Through consolidating its hold on the areas adjacent to territories
it conquered in 1722, like Surame, Gobir placed itself along the Azbin trade
route. Thus safeguarding its hold on the strategic horse supply route of Azbin;
for its cavalry, this had all along been pre eminent to Gobir. This was what
seemed to concern Gobir in the 18th century and beyond; its face in
the comity of Hausa states which came about through its military strength. This
aspect super imposed itself on Gobir rulers. This was why the Tawarig state proactively attacked Gobir
after the sack of Birnin Zamfara, to cut them off the Azbin route. As matters
turned out the war led to the death of Sarkin Gobir Dan Gude at Bobo in Mafara,
a Zamfara territory. Therefore, the reason for Gobir’s apparent non zeal in
putting an end to its war with Sarakunan Zamfara was because it had a mission.
To get hold of Birnin Zamfara link with the Azbin route for its economic gains.
Although the wars undertaken by Gobir, especially those against Zamfara and
Kabi could lend credence to our argument, certainly that of Katsina in concert
with the Sarakunan Zamfara wouldn’t. This war could only be interpreted on two
aperspectives ie Katsina safeguarding its territorial integrity and protecting
the continued existence of a friendly neighbor, Zamfara.
Conclusion
Developments in
Hausaland of the 18th century can be fully appreciated when viewed
from perspective of an economic and strategic importance. This is true against
the back drop of Gobir’s failure to conquer Zamfara. Although reason for
Gobir’s failure, could also have been in the Zamfara military tactics and
strategy. The Gobirawa were well aware of Zamfara’s military edge over Gobir
army. They had fought as mercenaries for Zamfara, attacking Kabi relentlessly
for the Azbin route[28]. Now that they had
gained control of the route and fully aware that they could be fighting a lost
war against the Dakkawa[29] the Sarakunan
Gobir confined themselves with preventing a full recoup of Zamfara forces. To
this end Gobir fought pitch battles and ensured furthering away of Sarakunan
Zamfara from Alkalawa and the Azbin route. Consequently, some Zamfara towns
were let live by Gobir militarily to a certain extent but resorting to using
intrigues to persuade them to accept Gobir’s over lordship. This was what
defined 18th century Gobir; its interest in the Azbin route.
References
Interview
with Abou Magaji, Zauren Tarihi, , age 79 years, at Maradi
in Niger Republic on 30/1/2014
Interview with Malam Haruna Dan Katsina, 79
years old, at Bargaja, 13/11/2015
Interview with late Prof. Mahdi
Adamu, 75 years of age, Runjin Sambo, Sokoto, 27/5/2015
Interview with Sale Wakilin Darma, 67 years of
age, Dutsi, 27/3/2014
Interview with Sarkin Zamfara, Attahiru Muhammad, age 57 Emir’s Palace,
Anka 22/12/2015.
Group Interview, Bargaja, Zurmi LGA,
on various dates in 2015
Harris, P.G, - Sokoto Provincial
Gazzetteer, 1938
Hausa Studies and the
Historian in A. H, John Lavaers Collection Nos. 1/16/175
Trans Saharan Trade Circa 1500 –
1800; A Survey of Sources, in A. H Collection, Nos. AH/PJS/1/8/79
Lavers, J.,- Tarihin Daular
Gobir, in Collection, Arewa House Collections Nos. DT.53.3
S.Shehu, History of Zamfara Kingdom From Early
Times Unpublished Papers.
Alkali,
M.B - “A Hausa Community in Crisis Kebbi in the 19th Century”, M.A
(History) Dissertation, A.B.U, Zaria, 1977
Augie, A.R, - “The Gobir Factor in
the Social and Political History of the Rima Basin C. 1650 – 1808”, Ph.D
(History) ABU, Zaria, 1984
Alkali, M.B, - “A Hausa Community in
Crisis Kebbi in the 19th Century”, M.A (History) Dissertation, ABU,
Zaria, 1977
Gusau, S.S, - “A History of Zamfara, 1764 To
2013”, Ph.D (History), UDU, Sokoto, 2017.
Gusau, S.S. ‘’The
Yandoto Factor In The History Of Hausaland To 1806’’, M.A (History),
Dissertation, 2009
Nadama, G., - “The Rise and Collapse
of a Hausa State; a Social and Political History of Zamfara”, Ph.D(History),
ABU, Zaria, 1977.
Fuglested, F. - A
Reconsideration of Hausa History Before the Jihad in The Journal of African History, Vol. 19, No. 3, 1978
Bello, M. - Infaqul Maisuri,
Clarke, P. – Islam in West Africa, Oxford University
Press, London
Hopkins, A.G. – An Economic History of West Africa, Longman, London
Lovejoy, P. - Caravans of Kola: The Hausa Kola Trade 1700
-1800, University Press, A.B.U Zaria, 1980,
S.J, Hogben and H.S.N, Kirk-Green - The Emirates of Northern Nigeria,
Longman
Krieger, K, - Geschicte Von Zamfara, Dietrch, Berlin, 1958
[1] Tarihin Daular Gobir, in
John Lavaers Collection, A. H Nos.
DT.53.3, P. 6
[2] Ibid, P.7
[3] See, Gusau, S.S, A History
of Zamfara 1764 – 2013, Ph. D (History) Thesis, Usmanu Dan Fodio University,
Sokoto, 2017
[4] Hausa Studies And The Historian in A. H, John Lavaers Collection
Nos. 1/16/175, P.1
[5] Bello, M. Infaqul – Maisuri,
PP. 39-43
[6] Ibid, P.7
[7] Augie, A.R. The Gobir Factor...P. 447.
[8] See Bello, M. Infaqul
Maisuri, PP. 39 - 43
[9] Interview with Malam Haruna Dan Katsina, 79 years old, at Bargaja,
13/11/2015
[10] See, Gusau, S.S. ‘’The Yandoto Factor In The History Of Hausaland
To 1806’’, M.A(History), Dissertation, 2009
[11] Ibid, Gusau, S.S, ‘’A History of Zamfara 1764 – 2013’’
[12] Interview with Sarkin Zamfara Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, 57
years, on various dates in 2015
[13] Intervie with Sale, Wakilin Darma, approx, age 67 at Dutsi on
various dates in 2013, 2014 and 2015
[14] Garba, N. ‘’The Rise and Collapse of A Hausa State............’’,
various pages
[16] See, Lovejoy, P. Caravans of
Kola: The Hausa Kola Trade 1700 -1800, University Press, A.B.U Zaria, 1980,
several pages
[17] See, Krieger, K. Geschicte
Von Zamfara,.....
[18] See, Harris, P.G. – Sokoto Provincial Gazzetteer, 1938
[19] Ibid,
K.Krieger, Geschicte Von Zamfara and,
P.G. Harris, Sokoto Provincial......
on this and many more of this kind of relation among Hausa and other ethnic
groups in Nigeria.
[20] Interview with Zauren Tarihi, Abou Magaji, at Maradi in Niger Republic on
30/1/2014.
[21] Ibid, on 30/1/2014.
[22] Opcit,
Tarihin Zamfara
[23] See, S.Shehu, “History of Zamfara
Kingdom..............,” unpublished papers.
[24] Fuglested, F. A Reconsideration of Hausa History Before the Jihad
in The Journal of African History,
Vol. 19, No. 3, 1978 P. 320.
[25] Hogben, The
Emirates of Northern Nigeria……P. 375.
[26] See, Hopkins, A.G. – An
Economic History of West Africa, Longman, London
[27] See, Clarke, P. – Islam in
West Africa, Longman
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