Zazzau Emirate

Zaria Zazzau

Sarkin Zazzau Malam Abdulkarimu

1835- 1846

Sarkin Zazzau Abdulkarimu, the progenitor and founder of the Katsinawa ruling dynasty, was the son of Abbas and grandson of Muhammadu Sambo. Muhammadu Sambo was an Arab from Bagdad land, Iraq, who came along with his wife and settled in Gwarzo, Kano. He gave birth to two (2) children namely, Muhammadu Nasiruddeen and Abbas. It was Mallam Abbas who moved to Katsina in search of knowledge, settled there and got married to the daughter of a traditional ruler, the “kauran Katsina”. He gave birth to a three male children namely, Abdulkarimu Muhammadu Awwal, Muhammadu Sani and one female child, Maryam. The tradition at that time made it mandatory that all the children be taken to Muhammadu Nasiruddeen, the elder brother to Mallam Abbas.
Sarkin Zazzau Abdulkarimu was brought up under the paternal care of his uncle, Muhammadu Nasiruddeen, in Katsina town. Abdulkarimu`s traits for leadership were exhibited from his childhood and it was said that when he was a young boy, he used to attend a Karanic school with other children, including the children of the Katsina Habe ruler, the king of Katsina, Goza, who was popularly known as Bawa Dan Gima. It was narrated that whatever the children of the king of Katsina, saw young Abdulkarimu, they used to be scared and would run out of the school to go back home. When this was reported to him, he called the quranic teacher and asked him to present the young Abdulkarimu to the palace. When this was done, the Habe ruler saw in young Abdulkarimu the qualities of leadership which made him afraid that Abdulkarimu world one day become a ruler. The king therefore banished Abdulkarimu from Katsina to prevent this from happening in his domain.
Emir of Zazzau. They all lived as disciples of limamin kona (Mallam Hamidu Mai jan Riga).

The Habe ruler of that period, Jatau Dan Muhammadu Gabi (1782 -1802), developed a personal relationship with Mallam Abdulkarimu after he had been introduced to the ruler by Mallam Hamidu. Abdulkarimu was trusted by the Habe ruler who used to send him to Shehu Usam Bin fodio with gifts while the Shehu was in Gobir preaching. This channel of communication enabled Abdulkarimu to establish a personal relationship with Shehu Usman Bin Fodio in Alkalawa (Gobir). It was also during the reign of Jatau that Shehu Usman Bin fodio came to This was the reason why young Abdulkarimu was forced to leave Katsina and go out in pursuit of knowledge up to Zaria where he got to the house of Limamin Kona in Zaria City, Mallam Hamidu Mai Jan Riga. It was in the residence of Limamin kona that Abdulkarimu met Mallam Suleiman and Mallam Dabo who later became Emir of Kano respectively. He also met Mallam Musa Bamalli who became Shehu Dan Fodio`s flag bearer and the first Fulani Zaria for a visit (Siyaha).

Siyaha visit according to the Limamin Kona, means familiarization tour of the saints to important towns and cities. In another version, it was said that Shehu Usman Bin fodio came to Zaria in search of his son, Buhari, who was a great-granfather of the deposed Sultan, Ibrahim Dasuki.
Abdulkarimu, while in Zaria, devoted himself to his quest for Islamic knowledge and cattle rearing for a period of sixteen years, up to the time when the wind of the jihad started spreading across Hausa land (sub-saharan sudan). This was in the early period of 1804. A.D, when Makau was the Habe ruler of Zazzau. In line with the order given by sarkin Gobir nafata, Makau promulgated a decree banning preaching in Zazzau and that all the Fulani Mallams should be caught and killed.
Abdukarimu who was in Zaria became afraid and agitated, but was rescued by the students in the limamin Kona`s house and helped to escape out of Zaria. From there he returned to Katsina but did not actually enter the town. Rather, he settled for a short time in Jan kuki village where he got married and was blessed with his first child, Aliyu, who subsequently became the first Iyan Zazzau in Katsinawa ruling house when Abdulkarimu became Emir of Zazzau.

From Jan kuki village, Abdulkarimu proceeded to Sokoto and met Shehu Usman Bin fodio under whom he studied together with Bello who later became the Sultan of Sokoto. Abdulkarimu excelled in the field of philosophy which elevated him to a high pedestal of respectability and earned him the nickname “Waliyyi”.
Abdulkarimu was the first Sa’in Zazzau during the reign of the Fulani in Zazzau. He was made Sa`I by the first Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Musa Bamalli, as a result of Abdulkarimu piety and asceticism. He was charged with the responsibility of collecting Zakkat from the rich and affluent in the Emirate and also Zakkat from the Fulani herdsmen, which is an Islamic obligation of the rich to the poor. This responsiblty made Abdulkarimu travel far and wide in the Emirate and stayed in many places. He stayed at Biye, walijjo and jere where he built mosques and Islamic school. He also founded Makarfi town. Abdulkarimu begot the rest of his children in Zaria, including Sarkin Zazzau Sambo (grandfather to the incumbent Emir, Alhaji ShehuIdris), Magaji Baba Gana, Mu`alliyadi and muhammadu Dan Atu.
With the death of Mallam Yamusa (Babarbare) in 1835, the council of selectors in Zaria, led by galadima Dokaje and limamin Kona found it very difficult to decide between the claims of Mallawa and Barebari Families on who was to became the Emir. For this reason, the council of selectors recommended Abdulkarimu to the Wazirin Sokoto, Gidado. The recommendation resulted in the formal appointment of Abdulkarimu by Amirul Muminin sultan Muhammadu Bello, which confirmed the overall power of Sokoto over the Emirate and acclaimed Abdulkarimu as the first appointed Amirul Zazzau formally. (Hogben 1967:123).

Sarkin Zazzau Abdulkarimu was installed and crowned by the representative of the Amirul-Muminin, Waziri Gidado. During the installation ceremony at a traditional place for such function in a compound at Anguwar Magajiya Zaria, which was formerly a ceremonial ground of the Habe, Mallam Abdulkarimu asked the representative of the Amirul-Muminin for permission to occupy the traditional palace abandoned many years since the time of the Habe.
When this permission was granted, Abdulkarimu occupied the palace which elevated him to be the first Amirul Zazzau to be housed in the palace (Gidan Bakwa). When Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Abdulkarimu was a year old on the throne, he decided to build a new central Mosque in Zaria City near the palace because the former Habe mosque located at Anguwar Juma was far away from the palace and future generations of rulers might find it difficult to trek all the way to the Mosque. Thus, in the early 1836 A.D. Abdulkarimu sought and received permission from the sultan to do so, but he delayed the foundation laying ceremony, until the time sultan Muhammadu Bello came to Zaria personally.
Abdulkarimu showed the sultan his proposed site, formerly a Habe shrine near the palace. This amazed the sultan and he instantly approved it .during construction, it was narrate that the chief builder of the mosque renowned builder, Muhammadu Mika`ilu (Durugu) popularly known as “Babban Gwani” had argued with Sarkin Zazzau with regard to the position of the qibla (direction of the Ka`aba) wherein Sarkin Zazzau Abdulkarimu touched his head and asked him to “look and see”. Babban Gwani became astounded when he saw the image of the Holy Shrine of the Ka`aba there and he instantly agreed and asked for forgiveness. Abdulkarimu responded by saying “We should all seek from Allah Almighty, for forgivness” the Mosque was completed at the end of the year 1836 and still the central Mosque of Zaria With unrivalled of architectural beauty.
Sarkin Zazzau Abdulkarimu also urged Muhammadu Durungu to construct the emir’s court of appeal near the premises of the mosque. the court was constructed and named ” kafin laima ” a place where the present Emir passes through on his way to the mosque.
During the riegn of Sarkin Zazzau Abdulkarimu, certain important administrative changes took place in the Emirate, especially on the revenue generation. he established courts in most part of the Emirate and continued to retain the vassal state of Zazzau such as Keffi, Lapai, Doma, et cetera. He also founded Kachia town.
Like his religious mentor, Usman Bin Fodio, Sarkin zazzau Abdulkarimu voluntarily retired to Sabon Birni towards the end of his life, thus leaving the day to day affairs of the emirate in the hands of his waziri, Goma.He concentrated on Islamic Studies and devotion to Allah up to the time he died at Sabon Birni in the year 1846 A.D. a place known today as ABDULKARIM ISLAMIC SCIENCE SECONDARY SCHOOL GIWA. Giwa Local Government. he was burried there, and his grave is well preserved.

THE EXTENDED FAMILY OF KATSINAWA RULING DYNASTY

  • 1. Sarkin Zazzau Abdulkarimu (the Founder) had six male children listed below:
  • 1. Iya Aliyu 2. Sarkin Zazzau Sambo 3. Muhammadu Dan Atu 4. Iya Usman 5. Magajin Gari Baba Gana 6. Muhammadu Mu’alliyadi
  • A. 1. IYA ALIYU had the following Children i. Iya Abdulra ‘ufu ii. Mardanni Muhammadu Bello who was the father of Mai Anfuwa Abdurra’ufa Abokin Sarki and Abdurra’ufu’s own children were Wakilin Arewa (Alhaji Yakubu) and
    Abdulkadir Salanken Zazzau) who was the father of Dr, Bello Abdulkadir, the present Salanken Zazzau.
  • A. 2. SARKIN ZAZZAU MALAM SAMBO had the following children. i. Madaki Lawal ii. Makama Tsoho iii. Mallam Saidu iv. Mallam Kasimu v. Mallam Aliyu vi. Mallam Abdulahabu vii. Mallam Yusifu Jaje viii. Mallam Abdulkadir who is the father to Magatakarda, Ibrahim Abdulkadir ix. Mallam Ahmadu who fathered Mallam Garba, the father of the late wakilin Biya Aliyu Garba x. Mallam Idris Autan Sambo.
  • i. A. MADAKI LAWAL was the father of Tudu Wada Aliyu who begot Wakilin Fulani Muhammadu Lawal. The father other child was Tudu Wada Hussaini, the father of Dan Maje, Balarabe Hussaini, the District Head of Ikara.
  • ii.B. MAKAM TSOHO was the father of the following: .a. Mallam Kwasau who was the father of Sarkin Shika, Mallam Aboki the father of the present Baradan Zazzau, Yusuf Aboki. b. Mallam Bashari .c. Mallam Abubakar was the father of Yahya Dandodo who was the father of Wazirin Dan Madami Sa’idu Balarabe and Wakilin Masallaci Ummaru Balarabe.
  • iii. C. MALAM KASIMU was the father of the following: .A. Wakilin Fulani, Abduljalil who fathered .a. The late Sarkin Ruwa Mamuda .b. The present Sarkin Ruwa Yakubu District Head of Shika .c. Sarkin Kasuwa, Mamuda Bello .d. Sarkin Kasuwa Kaduna, Mallam Isiyaku .e. Wakilin Gabas, Mallam Mijin Yawa .f. Muhammadu Mai Riga, the present Wakilin Fulani, Muhammadu Bahair .g. Sarkin Tafarfi Aliyu who is the father of Ummaru Aliyu (Jume) the present Sa’in Zazzau, District Head of Kudan. h. Madakin Tafarki Abubakar was the father of the late Sa’in Zazzau, Muhammadu Lawal.
  • iv. D. Mallam Abdulwahabu had the following children: .a.Mallam Abdulwahabu Abokin Sarki who is the father of the late Magatakarda Aliyu Yerima .b. Mallam Salihu .c. Mallam Hussaini Yerima.
  • v. E. Mallam Yusufu Jaje was the father of mallam Ibrahim.
  • vi. F.Mallam Idris Autan Sambo had the following children .a. SARKIN ZAZZAU DR ALHAJI SHEHU IDRIS, the incumbent Emir of Zazzau. Late Madakin Zazzau Aliyu Shehu, Late Madakin Zazzau Kabiru Shehu, Late Madakin Zazzau Ahmad Shehu, Turakin Zazzau Aminu Shehu, Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida Ibrahim Shehu, Sarkin Kudu Sambo Shehu, Uban Gari Ibrahim Shehu, Sadauki Yusuf Shehu, Walin Gabas Abubakar Mai nasara Shehu, dan Isan Zazzau Umar Shehu.
  • 1. Mallam Abdulkarimu Idris, late Dan Isan .c. Mallam Uwaisu Idris, late dan Zazzau. d. Mallam Abubakar Akibiya late Hakimi of Zaria and Kawaye. e. Mallam Ibrahim Idris, Danmadamin Zazzau. f. Mallam Ummaru Idirs, Dan Galadiman Zazzau . g. Mallam Aliyu Idris, late Wakilin Fulani .h. Late Mallam Alilu Idris, Dan Isan Zazzau.
  • 2. Muhammadu Dan Atu son of Abdulkarimu is the father of the following; .a. Mallam Ibrahim .b. Mallam Mahammadu Mai- Turare .c. Mallam Ahmadu Zarruku .d. Mallam Rabi’u .e. Mallam Muhammadu Aminu .f. Mallam Zailani and .g. Mallam Jumare.
  • 3. IYA USMAN, son of Abdulkarimu had the following children: .I. Mallam Abubakar Kwasau who was the father of; .a.Mallam Dikko and b. Sarkin Zazzau Muhammadu Aminu, the late Emir of Zazzau who was the father of .a. Alhaji Abubakar Aminu, the late Madakin Zazzau. b. Alhaji Bashari Aminu, the Present Iyan Zazzau. and father to Dan Barhim Zazzau presently. c. Alhaji Abdulkarimu Aminu, the present Wamban Zazzau .d. Late Alhaji Nura Aminu, Civil Servant .e. Late Mallam Ibrahim, Aminu The other children of Iya Usman include. i. Mallam Pate ii. Mallam Yero iii. Mai Anguwa Jumare iv. Mallam Aliyu and v. Mallam Umaru.
  • 4. Magajin Gari Mamuda Baba Gana, son of Abdulkarimu, was the father of Abdulkarimu, Whose children were .a. Mallam Aliyu .b. Mallam Abubakar .c. Mallam Yahaya .d. Mallam Mamuda Jabba .e. Mallam Jumare .f. Mallam Suleiman who is the father of the present Sarkin Yara Abdulsalami (Mallam Maude) .g. Muhammadu Bello Aliyu and, .h. Muhammadu Baban Kowa.
  • 5. Muhammadu Mu’Alliyadi, Son of Abdulkarimu, was the father of Mallam Sambo and Mallam Jumare.