Zazzau Emirate

Zazzau had established itself as a well-known and important center of Islamic scholarship in central Sudan prior to the colonial period. This was reflected in the important position it held in relation to Islamic and Western education. Zazzau’s privileged position as a major center of learning is widely acknowledged, as evidenced by Zazzau’s popular moniker, “Zazzau Birnin ilmi,” which translates to “Zazzau is the city of knowledge.” There is a popular saying in Zazzau that “Kowa ka gani Malami ne, in Kaga Jahili bako ne shima in bai kwana biyu ba,” which translates to “anyone you see in Zazzau is knowledgeable.” Wherever you find an uninformed person, he must be a stranger, unless the (stranger) has only been there a short time.”