WUCICIRI

This was one of the historic settlements that existed before Birnin Zaria was founded. It’s about 6 kilometers north of Birnin Zaria, on a rising terrain east of the Bai River. Despite the fact that archaeological research into the area has yet to begin, there is evidence suggesting the location is of ancient age. The name of the historic community comes from a Hausa phrase, Wuyan ci ciri, which refers to the difficulty of removing the thorny plants that surrounded the place where local legend claims the town’s wall was built.

Gunguma and several other people, according to legend, settled in the area. By the first millennium A.D., this was thought to be the case. The tradition went on to explain that Gunguma resided for a year at the location of kwarin Tama, where he crafted bows and arrows.

The presence of iron ores in Kwarin tama was a significant element in the settlement’s development. This was due to the fact that it acted as a catalyst for the influx of a huge number of people from various backgrounds into the area. Hunters, agriculturists, and smelters were among them. Another reason in the settlement’s rise was the transformation of the location into a significant religious center. The integration of Wuciciri as part of Zazzau’s realm appears to have accompanied the establishment of state structures.

Aside from the aforementioned ancient human settlements, a number of other ancient villages played an important role in the creation of the Zazzau state. Tukur-Tukur, Hange, Hanwa, Fara Kwai, Dutsen Wai, Tsauni, and Pampula Hill were among them. This was due to the fact that the formation of the Zazzau state in the 15th century appears to have involved the incorporation and integration of several separate communities at various periods of its expansion.