Sights and Sounds - A Historical Review of Zamfara, Nigeria

The first inhabitants of Zamfara were hunters and giants. They lived in the area until the present Zamfara state came into existence in the 11th century with Dutsi being its capital. The location reached a height of development and influence till the 16th century as a city-state. Today, the state's capital has shifted with the developments of the kingdom in different places like Dutsi and Birnin Zamfara.

The Birnin Zamfara Kingdom was put out of existence in the first 1/2 of the 18th century, by the Gobir Kingdom, and in the second 1/2 of the 19th century, another capital was established in Anka, which is a Local Government Area in the state.

Sarkin Zamfara Abrashi in the early days of his Jihad established a military post called Sabon Gari  headquarter as a base to fight the Gobir Kingdom and the Kabir Kingdom, and that base later became a settlement area which resulted into Zamfara state being part of Sokoto state. The 1804 jihad by Usman Dan Fodiyo and the creation of states during the Gowon Administration strengthened what made it become part of the then North Western state and the Sokoto state.

Like every other African countries which have experienced colonialism, at the rise of it in Zamfara state, with its new capital as Gusau, it became an important administration and commercial centre with road and rail networks passing through it, as their economic centre boosted with agriculture and gold mining being the main occupations and the central source of income. The slogan of the state 'Farming is our Pride' is well apt as over 80% of the people are engaged in agriculture. Their main agricultural products include: groundnut, rice, millet, cotton, beans, tobacco, guinea corn, and maize. As at 2009, gold mining became the state's great source of income, as gold prices eventually rose globally.

Following its development, it had many centers of commercial and scholarship that made many scholars attracted to it. Such places is the Yandoto city. Before and during this period, the people of the state languished for autonomy.

In 1996, the capital of Zamfara state is now known as Gusau, and cease to be part of Sokoto state by 38,418 square kilometers, by the then military administration of the 18th century, General Sanni Abacha. Surrounded to the North by the Republic of the Niger, to the South by Kaduna, to the East by Kastina, and to the West by Sokoto state, Kebbi state, and Niger state; as at the conduction of 2006 population census, it has 9,278,873 inhabitants, and 14 Local Government Areas which are: 'Bungudu', 'Gunmi', 'Anka', 'Birnin Magajin/Kiyaw', 'Bukkuyum', 'Kaura Namoda', 'Bakura', 'Maru', 'Maradun', 'Chafe (Tsafe)', 'Talata Mafara', and 'Zurmi.' 

Tourists worthy attractions in the state are: 'The Kajuru Castle', 'Kiyawa City Walls', 'Gurara Waterfalls',  and 'Kuyambana Game Reserve's, among others.

 

 

Zamfara has been in existence long since the start of the 11th century. It prospered even until the 16th century as a city state. The most dominant ethnic groups are the - Hausas and the Fulanis, other ethnic groups who inhabited the state are the Kanuri, Nupe, and Tivs. The Hausas and Fulanis rear domestic animals, they are also involved in trading millet, sorghum, rice, cowpeas, beans, etc.

In 1804, shorty after the Jihad by Usman Dan Fodio, Zamfara became a caliphate of Sokoto,  and Gusau became a prominent commercial and adminstrative center after the British came.

By the 19th century, Zamfara was reduced to nothing by the Honor Kingdom, and that was when a new capital was established in Anka.

It is also one of the oldest state like Kano, Katsina, Gobir, and Zazzau. On 1st October, 1996, the name 'Zamfara' was coined out of Sokoto state. This was under the reign of Sani Abacha. It is in the North Western part of Nigeria. The capital of Zamfara is Gusau. The languages spoken in the state are Hausas, Fulfulde, and Arabic, however, English remains its official language. Islam and Christianity are the religion practiced in Zamfara.

 In 1927, the advancement of Zamfara started after the arrival of the railway from Zaria. The place has since then been an unforgettable point for collection of cotton and groundnut grown in the area.

What is Zamfara known for?

Zamfara is one of the states whose history can never go down the drain. When we are talking about Agriculture, farm produce and extract… Zamfara is the picture place for it.

The state is widely known for agricultural products like - cotton, tobacco, corn, beans, maize, millet etc. Not only is Zamfara a state of agriculture, we have few percentage of people who are into cloth weaving and those who sell locally dyed and designed fabric. Up till date, some woven product seen around today were made by some of the resident on Zamfara; from history, it's heard that cotton ginning, weaving and dyeing pre existed long ago, however, it was not until 1960s that a textile modern plant was opened in the town. Gusau is not known only for cotton, cloth, peanut, etc, it also is involved in exportation of chickens and goats from Zaria. In additional to that, a seed-oil Mill and processing plant was built in the town too. This is the first vegetable oil mill in Nigeria to extract oil from cotton seeds. We have also, Textile industries limited, and, Gusau sweets. Because of the involvement of the resident of Zamfara in Agricultural produce, this was what birth the name: "farming is our pride."

The town is one who seeks to foster the growth of her people and the affairs of her town. This is justified by the strong support given to the entrepreneurs of the town - both indigene and non-indigene. There's also a modern bakery in Gusau.

The climate in Zamfara is warm and tropical with temperature between March to May. While Rainy season starts in late May to September, also, the harmattan (cold season) lasts from December to February.

In Zamfara are also some interesting site, attractive and interesting to explore, these sites are either of religious or historical value.  They are:


     Jata, an ancient settlement in Zamfara located around the hill with a large cave, in its vicinity is where traditional rites are performed.

    Kwatarkwashi Rock/Water Spring: I'm the days of the pre-islamic activities, Kwatarkwashi rock was considered to be the site of Iskoki(Spirit) worship - a powerful spirit was said to reside in it and that made hunters to find a shelter around the foot of the rock and that was when kwatarkwashi town evolved. The kwatarkwashi rock is about 12km away from Gusau.

    Namoda's Tomb: Namoda was a warrior from Alibawa who was made 'Sakin Yaki' of the eastern campaign of Sokoto Jihad.  He relocated to Jihad after making a name for himself and he settled in the southwards, founded a new base for himself on the bank of the river called "Gagere", and he named the place Kauran Namoda. In 1802, he was murdered by forces of Kiyawa. This made his tomb a place of visitation by all and sundry.

 

Emir of Anima's Palace

The palace has 2 gates located at the western part and it's directly facing the central mosque. In years past, there have been numerous renovations made in the palace. There's also a museum in the palace, with different artifacts and objects of warfare used in time.
 

Ruins of Yargoje's Court

There was once a queen named Yargoje. She was a powerful queen in Zamfara alongside Queen Amina of Zazzau. Her reign lasted between 1310 and 1350 and Zamfara was moved from Dutsi to Kuyambara. Up till date, the palace in Kuyambara where she holds court is still visible. It is a village 60km South of Gusau.
 

Kanoma Hills

The hunters in the 19th century were the Kanoma people and they lived atop The Kanoma hills which gave them protection against external forces during the tribal war. The hill was therefore made a test for the daring climber. Kanoma is situated in Maru local government area; an estimated distance of 34km from Gusau.
 

Bakolori Dam

The Bakolori Dam is in the Rima river at about 65km Northwest of Gusau. It was constructed to serve as a main water supply to the people for their certain industrial produce. The dam is about 8km long and can contain roughly 340 million cubic meters of water yearly.
 

Zamfara State Museum

This museum is situated at J.B Yakubu Secretariat, Gusau. The personnel in charge of its maintenance is Zamfara state history bureau and in it are a significant collection of artifacts and relics of Zamfara kingdom.